January 12 -- My first blog entry (ever), and my first12 on 12. Worked all day, so my photographic opportunities this 12th pretty much involved artificial ambient light at home after dark. My tool. A new (to me) Canon 35 mm f/1.4L lens, secured from a friend that arrived today. I shot primarily at close range, and for the most part at a wide open aperture and relatively high ISO So let's get started... Wow... Now that is a small depth of field at f/1.4. An elephant paperweight from Mattress Mac. All it took was a large furniture purchase. Mattress Mac is a Houston Institution. "Gallery Furniture will save you money," was Mac's enthusiastic proclamation on late night TV when I first moved to Houston in 1988. Mac has since become very successful.
A handmade mug by our talented friend Sharon Gaskill (YaYa!)
A Gerber Daisy gracing our kitchen's island.
Alas, a clock commemorating Bridget's retirement. It says it all... Except for the fact that Bridget is in fact a very busy gal!
Any surprise here? A Polar Bear! A bit smaller aperture (f/3.5, woohoo!)
Puffins!!! Memories of Iceland, and, in particular, a birthday dinner in 2001!
Lladro to the rescue. I have no interest in anything else Lladro, but, their bears!!! Now that's the ticket!
Granddad's watch, and, in the background, Uncle Armi's book.
Product of Chile....
B's handReady for action! 
Set for combat.
An inauspicious beginning, but there are my twelve, and I've learned some things about my new lens!! Signing off, over and out. 'Til next month.
