'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
Ray Swan (NV2A)
on
April 22, 2008
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"On the road again" sang Willy. But I'm singing a different tune, "On the air again!" I left ham radio about 8-9 years ago. I sold off nearly everything and thought the day might come when for whatever reason I would try it again so I kept up my license up.
Well, as luck would have it, a guy parked his car on my left ankle crushing it while at my job as a TV News photographer and putting me on a long road to recovery. I had purchased some still camera equipment with the dream of photographing around the country and selling prints at art shows. Well, just about 5 weeks ago any hopes of that were dashed when I slipped on some of the winter's last ice and broke my right ankle in 3 places. It's now apparent my dream of sashaying around the company in a travel trailer and photographing and selling prints wouldn't happen. Rather than have $10,000 worth of camera gear in the corner closet, I liquidated it on eBay and used the money to fund another run at ham radio.
I had plenty of time to do research, I settled on the Icom 756 Pro III based on the luck I had with my 746 some years earlier. I also bought an AH4 tuner with plans to run inverted L on the country property we own and plans to buy another AH4 for the little travel trailer we have. I was able to replace my Bencher, my Kenwood Dual band 721A, the trusty Icom 27A and the Icom W32A all from eVay searching. A very special friend came all the way from Los Angeles to 2-land just to help me get it setup. I can't do much in the leg cast these days. My friend Joe, formerly WB2SXG in another life some 25 years ago, has been pushing to get all the antennas up and ground rods set. He's done most of the hook up for me. I never had a real brother but I have every bit the knowledge of what it must be like to have one. Only thing is, a real brother would probably give me some lip! Joe just looks at me and ask, "what else can I do?"
As I rooted around in the shop, basement and garage, little things came back to me that fit my newly re-discovered interest. Found a toolbox I had nearly forgotten about filled with every kind of connector and adapter one could use for the hobby. The barn has two Ham IV rotators and controllers I only kept because I couldn't get any real value for them while liquidating. Now I find myself polishing them off and trying to figure where I could replace my KT34A on the Tri-X 50 foot powered crank-up tower. Replacing the 150 feet of 1/2" hardline at reasonable prices might be difficult as my friend retired from his Motorola job!
I did some mobiling years ago and that's the next project. Won't rest till I replace my little 746 that I had in my pick-up. You can see my former setup at qrz.com and searching NV2A. After 8-year hiatus my CW seems to have gotten better...or at least didn't get any worse! CW in the Mobile with the filters cut in is a real hoot.
I'm pleased I kept up the license. Happy the two rotators on hand allow me to expand the dream. I'm really pleased with the new 756 P3 and it's really nice to be back. I just need one favor from you all, someone please tell me the bands suck!
73's all
Ray - NV2A
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W4LGH on April 22, 2008
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Glad you found your way back, but sorry to hear what it took to get you back. I broke the bridge of my foot sometime back and know how long and painful a recovery it is.
73 es gud DX'ing
de W4LGH - Alan
http://www.w4lgh.com
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W6TH on April 22, 2008
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NV2A says:
I just need one favor from you all, someone please tell me the bands suck!
Let me be the first to tell you that I am not to the liking of your word of speech.
The bands are normal and this does happen quite often as I noticed for the past 70 or more years.
Welcome back and don't forget to increase your pineapple juice for your weak bones. Surely, you can't be that old.
73, W6TH.
.:
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by N4TTS on April 22, 2008
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Sorry to hear about your physical injuries.
Life changing events take many forms.
I'm always saddened when I see a ham "sell out".
Many times they end up "buying in" again at
a later date.
Welcome back and enjoy the band conditions when
you can as they start to recover from solar minimum.
Ignore the word/thought police, they aren't the
majority nor do they represent the majority.
Most of the time for the last couple of years
the bands have sucked but watch for the occasional
openings as they will only get better and more
frequent in the coming next few years.
Don N4TTS
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by KB2DHG on April 22, 2008
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I can't say that i was ever officially off the air since I was first licensed over 21 years ago BUT I had many occasions where i did not operate for several months for what ever reasons... I would NEVER liquidate my equipment or go off the air perminately... As gas prices keep going up my other passion, DRIVING, will soon be a thing of the past. BUT HAM RADIO will always alow me to travel all over the world. A hobby that is afordable and rewarding...
Don't ever give up AMATEUR RADIO You will find that sooner or later you will miss it!
It is also a great friend to you when you are alone or disabled...
SO KEEP RADIO ACTIVE AND ENJOY!
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by K0BG on April 22, 2008
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Strange bedfellows; amateur radio and recovery. While medicines cure, and time heals, both are more tolerable when RF is added to the mix.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W9PMZ on April 22, 2008
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If I were you I would hire out and take a vacation during the contemplated antenna and tower installation..............
73,
Carl - W9PMZ
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by K1CJS on April 22, 2008
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Ray, don't let anybody get you down--right now, at the low spot of the sunspot cycle, the bands DO suck! As for people not liking the language, so sorry--that is how it is now. Tolerate it or leave it.
I'm sorry to hear about your injuries, and Godspeed to you for the healing process--but you have found (well, re-found) the thing that will make it tolerable, and perhaps even enjoyable. I wish you well with your new shack--hope to work you one day.
73!
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W6TH on April 22, 2008
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Listen to a chap K1CJS Chris that never took any theory tests or the code tests which he is now a General class.
Look at the QRZ.COM and what you see is what you get.
.:
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by N6AJR on April 22, 2008
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first. Yes the bands don't just suck, they really suck. that sais here is a few comments from another retread. I first got my ticket in 1978 and wad active for 4 or 5 years and then was dormant till 2001, bu I too kept the klicense up.. I got active in 2001 and have been having a ball. Ham radio is so much more fun when you have a few bucks. I remember way back when theat I had to save up for a new run of coax. I have a little more expendable cash these days.
I would like to invite you to try a little contesting. even join a local contest club. I am lousy on cw and have really been doing better since I started contesting. there are rtty contests, cw contests, ssb contest, qrp contests, opsk 31 contests. and so on. Most contest have a short exchange, ( call, 599 and a serial number or state) and they can really get the cw speed up.
also join a club, local clubs will give you some local resources. I am disabled and can't climb but my friends have doe all my work for me. Its amazing what a ham will do for pizza..:)
go to ARRL.ORG and in the upper left click on exams, type in your zip code and hit enter. this will bring up a list of ham tests in your local area. most of these are sponsered by a ham club. they all have a contact person and phone number. call and ask about the next meeting, for an elmer , how do I ....
some one will take you under their wing. Please gice it a shot
good luck and here is a link to the home page, where you can see my junk. welcome back home my friend , we missed you..
http://hometown.aol.com/catfishtwo/N6AJR.html
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W4VR on April 22, 2008
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Well, the first smart thing you did was to buy a good radio, the PROIII. Good luck in your new ham radio career.
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by KC9MAV on April 22, 2008
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Its odd how sometimes you just are not into ham radio and then boom your into it! That happened to me today I was listening to WLS and I hit the band button and I went to 20m and at that second I hear an italy station I go off frequency and tune up. He heard me on first call but he had a hard time with my callsign. (Note this on a dipole facing the wrong way) The bands are kind of ehh but Wednesday we should have some good propagation!
73
From Youth OP
KC9MAV Dave
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by WX4O on April 22, 2008
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I'm really glad you're back into ham radio.
But -
as for eBay, I discovered today they have a 'new' policy that won't allow anyone to sell unless they use PayPal.
I hate PayPal and will never use it. eBay shot themselves in the foot again.
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W6TH on April 22, 2008
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As one can see, from this post, there is no difference between CB and ham radio. The only difference is, that with CB, one doesn't get a call sign.
.:
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by KA5ROW on April 23, 2008
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I was off the air for about 6 to 7 years. We built a new house "and it is on a good size hill". But I just had other things to do. My new house even has a utility room wired for radio. It has '2' 220 V and '4' 110 V Outlets, all have there own separate breaker. Also there is 2" PVC pipe threw the brick. For my cables. And it sat for 6 years not used. Even now I may only make 150 HF contacts per year at best. As of now I am at about 15 for the year. Bottom line, many of us just can not find the time and or desire for weeks at a time. But it is there when the urge hits me to enjoy an evening of radio. See my shack at KA5ROW.COM.
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by NV2A on April 23, 2008
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Thanks all for the friendly welcome back! I'm okay with getting a little flak on the choice of language. My Father was old enough to be on Prednezone (sp) and it can create a "fight or flight" attitude, dad was ready to argue at the drop of a hat. But that wasn't the dad I choose to remember. The one I choose to remember made 65$ a week at Bemus Bag Company in California in 1963 and still found a way to buy me a used Electro Voice RME 4300 receiver that cost just about $65.00 from a ham store in Oakland. He also helped me get an Eico 720 xmtr kit and didn't complain one bit when, as a teenager, I botched up building the kit!! Thanks to my Elmer, K6YBS for bailing me out.
Sorry I can't remember who said what but someone mentioned it's nice to get back into it when you got a few bucks to spend. Ain't that the truth? HI HI I had to make long range plans for my other station to get it to fit into the family budget. Now, if I don't own an Alpha linear someday it will be because I feel I'm having enough fun as it is and don't need one and not that I can't afford it!
I will be rejoining my old DX Club just for the comrade ship. The guys have a 2 meter repeater and it's nice to chase DX with all your friends in the living room with you on the two meter rig.
As for the guy who took some lip for a code free or lite license. I went from Novice to Extra in 1 year and 8 days. Not because I'm a genius but because of Affirmative Action. When they give you "the" questions and answers that are used verbatim it's hard to fail. I did fail 3 attempts at the General back in the early 70's before the advent of "it ain't fair", or the PC term of Affirmative Action. The Extra class test I took was much easier than the General test. I've tried to live up to my license by being a good operator and supportive of others when I can.
Thanks all, see you on the bands. Ray - nv2a
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by KC9MAV on April 23, 2008
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W6TH The only band that is like cb is 75m at night every where else on the hf bands people have respected me and listened to my opinions. And hams have better signals than cbs.
73
Youth Op
KC9MAV Dave
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W6TH on April 23, 2008
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KC9MAV, David, there is a difference as I only work the cw bands so probably won't bump into you or any 75 meter phone.
.......And hams have better signals than cbs........
I wouldn't bet on that David.
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by KC9MAV on April 23, 2008
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W6TH
They always say the gentleman are on cw and I kind of beleive that because when I do come across the bands I do here some foul language. I certainly would like to talk on cw but I am not that good right now. I can copy 5wpm which isn't very good but I enjoy listening and copying cw hope to work you on CW!
73
From Youth OP
KC9MAV Dave
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by K1CJS on April 23, 2008
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".......local clubs will give you some local resources. I am disabled and can't climb but my friends have doe all my work for me. Its amazing what a ham will do for pizza..:)....."
Hey Tom--don't forget the pizza wash down suds!! ;-)
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by K1CJS on April 23, 2008
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There are exceptions to every rule Dave. Even the 'gentlemen on CW' rule. Just because they're gentlemen there...... 73!
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W6TH on April 23, 2008
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Disregard any statement made by Chris K1CJS as he is an individual of nastiness from the day he was given the right to enter this world and the kind you mentioned what is found on the 75 meter band. Chris hates code operation and in the past always voted to rid of code and he "got" his way, yet goes on being a very unhappy individual.
CW are as you mentioned, the gentlemen of the ham bands and I have not worked or heard the expression "hear some foul language". Work on your code and I will welcome you to the band of gentlemen.
You signed; From Youth OP
KC9MAV Dave, Just how young of an op are you David?
73, from an om op, W6TH, Vito.
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by K5BZH on April 23, 2008
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All modes have their good points and bad points. One thing that is really nice about CW is that those who wish to "broadcast" tend to avoid it as the number of people "reading the mail" will be far less. This virtually eliminates the political QSOs, religious QSOs, "north versus south" QSOs and such. Most CW conversations are done without profanity. One does hear a little in the way of religious comments like "God Bless" which I would hope few find offensive.
Years ago political topics and religious topics were a no-no on the bands, then we got "freedom of speech" kind of like evening TV shows.
Wishing all of you guys and gals the best and may the sunspots get better throughout the year.
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by KC9MAV on April 23, 2008
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W6TH DE KC9MAV
Right now I am kind of mad at eham because basically I put my whole ham radio life story but I saw an error in my writing so I clicked cancel and that deletes your whole MESSAGE!
W6TH DE KC9MAV OK
Hi Vito it's Dave. Alright I am a youth operator youngest ham here in the Chicago area with the age of 12 years old.
I know cw because I learned it first because I wanted to get a tech plus but right when I finished learning cw on Feb 28 2007 the day after that the Feds don't want code any more.
So it took me a long time to learn all this material
(till august) I took my tech at W9AA Hamfesters Radio Club passed 35 out of 35!
Then got my general in March of 2008 passed can't remember for the life of me what I got wrong but I passed!
I have been enjoying SSB but have a thing to learn cw again!
G4FON KOCH TRAINER IS IN MY HEAD MAKING DITS AND DAHS!
73
From Youth Op
-.- -.-. ----. -- .- ...-
K C 9 M A V
And I am learning it by sound not by the dots and dashes!
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by NU0R on April 23, 2008
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Welcome back! You are right, the bands are pretty poor right about now. Now the good news-- In 12 to 18 months things are forcast to start picking up pretty good. I am ready as I know you are also. You are getting back in at a good time. You will have time to build and tweak everything prior to the good propagation. Again, welcome back-- you were missed!!! Bruce/NU0R
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by K1CJS on April 23, 2008
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Mr. Chiarappa--I'm not posting to you or referring to you in my posts. My comments are directed toward no one in particular. Kindly refrain from name-calling, it serves no one. Thank you.
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W6TH on April 23, 2008
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Mr. Chris J Smith, you seem to follow me around with those remarks, why put them on for no one in particular.
You will never grow up and further more; you are a Masshat.
.
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by W6TH on April 23, 2008
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Hello David,
That is the way to go and is best to lean by yourself
and learning it by sound not by the dots and dashes! That is the way I learned my code and I was just 14 when I passed my class "B" and we had to wait one full year before we could upgrade to the class "A". Of course back in my day it was very hard to learn and copy by ones self.
It is great to have you join the ranks of the code operators and am sure you will find a big difference in the politeness although there are others that will remain the kind you find on the 75 meter band. I don't know of 75 meters as I never tune the ssb bands and only check out the cw portion of the bands.
Keep at it and it will come sooner than you realize. Nice to chat with you here on Eham and will look for you on the low end of the cw portion of the bands.
73, KC9MAV DE W6TH.
.:
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by KC9MAV on April 24, 2008
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W6TH DE KC9MAV
Forgot I am also learning code from my father who is also a ham radio but became a ham 11 years ago!
73
From Youth Op
KC9MAV Dave
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'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by K4ELO on May 5, 2008
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I can't say the bands are bad when I have worked over 120 countries, including most of the dxpeditions, from mid-December to mid-April with 100w and a vertical with part time operating. It just seems to be a matter of picking the right band at the right time.
73,
Wayne
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RE: 'On The Road Again... Sort Of'
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by NS6Y_ on May 11, 2008
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I saw some BEAUTIFUL bird photos this weekend, just wonderful work. From eagles to bitterns. Baby owls, you name it. The guy really loves birds you can tell!
I also saw some BEAUTIFUL scratchboard work, wildlife. Dunno if you're art-inclined, but art's a great recovery tool too, and scratchboard is a wonderful medium. You might look into classes at your local college or something.
Very sad about your ankle - I hope you can fully recover!
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