Just In Time For Christmas...

 

...a shiny new <Camp Snap 8> video camera. 

Made to look like the old super-8 hand held movie cameras of the '80s and '90s, it's actually a very simple point and shoot digital movie camera.

Believe it or not, this isn't my toy...

...but rather something Karen insisted on.

It takes decent video and audio, easily downloaded to your phone or pc:

No special lighting; it was early morning and I just turned it on pressed the trigger for 15 or 20 seconds.

Lots of reviews on line, most very positive for its simplicity and nostalgic look and feel.

In my world it would be perfect if they made a shoulder mounted version that mimicked the full size VHS camcorders I used...

...when videotaping all my sons' sporting events 30 years ago.

I suspect this will get some use at our upcoming Christmas night get together with family.

More to come.

In the Rip Roaring Great News department, today is the winter solstice...

if those stones could sing, they'd warble that old standby, "nobody knows the crazies I've seen"

...when we celebrate the official start of winter, while maintaining a judicious distance from all the looney toons who celebrate the official start of winter.

Is that confusing?

Allow me to explain:

Today is the shortest day / longest night of the year, which 'round these parts translates as 9 hours and 1 minute of daylight, and 14 hours and 59 minutes of night.

That means from now on the days will be getting longer!

If that doesn't merit a resounding Woo-hoo! I'll be a <yellow-bellied sapsucker>'s uncle (granting the monkeys a well-earned literary day off here).

Eagerly counting down the <days until Spring>...

In spite of Ol' Man Winter's early shenanigans...

...we're headed for a green Christmas after all:

Not exactly sunny and warm, but still beats snow and ice.

Well, unless you like to do any of these things...

...in which case you have my sincere sympathy.

But not my empathy, because I'd rather do this...

another adventure in the Vale Of Everlasting Sorrows

...than that any day of the week.

This week's version of Twenty Three Skidoo has been canceled due to lack of interest.

Instead we're moving directly to the <farewell and adieu Spanish ladies> segment...

...where Captain Q bids his favorite mate a pleasant journey.

Here's one that's a bit more sincere and well-meaning:

24  The LORD bless thee and keep thee:

25  The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

26  The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

    - Numbers 6:24-26

later, mcm fans...