How absolutely fitting. I got my new lens from Fedex, unpacked it, rushed out to the pasture with Red to try it out – noon day sun, grey sky, hard light – and Simon went right into his daily dirt bath for me. Unfortunately, I was not paying attention to Red and he drove the sheep right into me, and Zelda took me down straight on, I never saw it coming, ended up flying through the air and landing so the camera and the lens was up in the air. I am a master at falling while protecting my camera, I am like those NFL players (sort of) who fall down in a mob and tuck the football under their arms and manage to hang onto it. My knee took the fall and it is wrapped in ice right now.

Zelda hasn’t lost her touch, she ran right over me and headed towards the new pasture, Red in pursuit and heading her off. She is a tough ewe, but I don’t see her knocking Red down anymore. I don’t think he even noticed that I was lying on the ground holding my camera and new lens. Rose always watched out for that, she would hang off of any sheep that came close to me, Red assumes – this is fair – that I can take care of myself. I like the depth of field of the new lens, and even in poor light, I like the richness of the color. My knee is just bruised and swollen a bit, it will be okay. And the new lens is fine! Lord. Well I always say a new lens helps me see the world anew, and today I got to look at the sky from a muddy field on my backside. I did curse a good and purple streak, not that anyone noticed or cared. Actually to be fair, Simon was concerned, unlike my dog. He came trotting over and sniffed me.