I took this photo last night. I think it is pretty good, even if I didn’t use a tripod. The only alterations I did were ones I I would have done if using film (dropping the exposure to bring out some detail and cropping the image down).

When I did this, I decided to play with the different manual settings in my camera. I did not adjust the f stop. I did bracket the image with different exposure times and tried different ISO settings. I really need to take the time to learn the manual settings on my camera.

I will be putting down a thick layer of compost and starting onions, lettuce/spinach and broccoli this weekend (if I can find the broccoli plants). I plan on planting tomatoes and tomatillos also. I will also look into getting a decent timer to handle my watering. I think the lack of water was one of my big problems.

Also, if I have the money, I will try replacing my blackberries and maybe a grape vine or two.

http://www.garlandtx.gov/Home/Departments/Development+Services/Building+Inspection/Accessory_Building.htm

1. The building must be built of typical building materials. Unpainted wood, tin, plastic, plain concrete blocks, corrugated metal, plastics, canvas, vinyl or similar materials are not allowed.
2. The roof of an accessory building cannot be corrugated metal, plastic or canvas. Roofs must be either composition shingles (if the roof pitch is at least 2:12), rolled roofing, built up roof, metal panels type R, U, S-36, 7.2, or A, or other material allowed by the Building Official.

I purchased this light kit from Amazon (SP200 Photo Studio In a Box). I think it is a great value.

I will add more information when I get the time.

Edit: A small gripe. If I try to mount the camera on a tripod, I can’t access the battery/memory card compartment. This was a bad choice on Canon’s part. They should have rotated it 90 degrees so that it can be accessed from the side.

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The second sign of autumn for me is the start of the State Fair of Texas. It has all of the great harvest festival aspects. You have music, food, competitions in animal husbandry, cooking and gardening. I remember years where, by the end of the Texas State Fair, there was ice in puddles of the parking lot for the fair.

The third sign is the beginning of deer hunting season. Tomorrow is the first day archery deer hunting in Texas. In Texas based blogs, I have been seeing photos of bucks with antlers starting to spar.  They, know that autumn has begun.

I find myself longing to be in a tree stand, either with a bow or a camera.  I want to hop on my mountain bike, or even be on foot, and go down trails with crispy colorful leaves and enjoy the celebration that is nature in autumn. I want to spend time on my backyard archery range becoming one with my bow, arrow, and target. I want to go to an outdoor rifle range to practice the zen of getting that perfect shot at the longest range I can. I want to harvest fruit, vegetables, and even meat. The reason that this is hunting season is to thin the animals so they have an easier time making it through the winter. It is also the reason it is the time you would see animals butchered on farms.

Today, I grilled pork loin chops with a mayhaw jelly glaze (tastes similar to apple jelly). For a side I fixed an apple crisp from scratch. All of this was prepared on my gas grill. I preheated the grill while I prepped the apple crisp.

The apple crisp directions:

1. Peel and slice up three granny smith apples.
2. Mix the apples with a tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/3 cup of brown sugar and a tablespoon of some sort of apple pie seasoning (nutmeg, cinnamon or some sort of premade mix). I used McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice. It was what I had on hand.
3. Melt half a stick of salted butter in a 9″ cast iron skillet.
4. Mix 3/4 cups of granola with a 1/2 cup of walnuts pieces. Pour half the melted butter in this mix and stir.
5. Add the apple mixture to the skillet and then put the topping on top of this.
6. Lower the flame on the grill to low, and place the skillet on the grill. It will take about half an hour for it to cook. I would recommend turning the burners under the skillet off after 15 minutes, if possible.

The pork loin chops were easy. I seasoned them with salt and pepper and placed them on the grill about 10 minutes before the crisp was ready. I melted a couple of spoonfuls of jelly in the microwave (15 seconds) and then brushed it on the chops about 5 minutes before they were ready.

This article brings up a good point. Bicyclist need to keep in mind that the traffic laws apply to them too. Now, don’t get me wrong. Most of us do remember this. But, just a few cyclists give the rest a bad image. I personally would like some of these rude bicyclists go through a motorcycle safety course. You learn to truly ride defensively there. Yes you may have the right to do x or y, but physics says no you can’t. Also, manners says you shouldn’t do it. You can ride on any street you want. But, if you can’t keep up with the flow of traffic, either get to the right or find another route. In most cities and towns, this is a very viable option. It may add time/distance to your trip. But, you will be safer and it is more considerate to do so.