Last Stand in Stockton – Revisited

Last September, I posted a photo I had taken in July just before the onset of the whirlwind that snatched James and me out of Utah and landed us in Florida. I wasn’t really happy with the photo, but in a rush to try to get something on my blog I threw up an “as is” version anyway. With James’ miracle of healing and pronouncement of being cancer-free despite an original terminal prognosis, our lives are no longer being primarily spent at Orlando’s M. D. Anderson Cancer Clinic. I am thus finding time to blog again on a more regular schedule.

One of the things I’ve been looking forward to was revisiting that photo – one of the first I captured with my pawn shop find of a Mamiya 645 Super medium format film camera. Here it is; I’m much happier with it now. I hope you like it, too.

Mamiya 645 Super, Ilford FP4 Plus ISO 125 film, 50 mm (I failed to record the shutter speed and f/stop used.)

As a side note, the period of inactivity on this blog understandably diminished its following. If you like this post, I would be extremely grateful if you’d please consider sharing it with others. And please come back again!

=^..^=

A Prize Fighter Named Rocky

Over 1.5 years ago, Rocky appeared on the back doorstep begging for food. Cats seem to know that the suckers residing at my address will give them a good meal if they are on the street and hungry; we’ve adopted two that came into our lives that way. When Rocky showed up, he was skittish but demanding. He would eat the food we’d put out and disappear again.

After several days of this, he trusted me to pick him up. People are impressed by Rocky’s size; he’s a big cat and pretty darn strong, too. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him, so Rocky got to experience a trip to the vet to get neutered, checked out, vaccinated and tested for FIV and Feline Leukemia (FLV).

Sony Cybershot, ISO 250, f/3.5 at 1/40 sec. (Auto Mode)

To make a long story short, Rocky was diagnosed with feline leukemia. His lymph nodes began to really swell up. It devastated me to be told he had maybe two weeks to live, at best. In fact, I refused to believe it. I even took him to another vet for a second opinion, only to have the first one confirmed.

I believe in miracles. When I was a child, my family and many family friends witnessed a miracle of healing that resulted in my father still being around to bless my life today instead of succumbing to doctor’s opinions and a hopeless prognosis. I have no doubt of the power of faith and prayer. Rocky’s vet still says she is at a complete loss to explain his miraculous recovery, though to me there is no question.

Rocky (aka “Little Buddy”) is a fighter. Though he’s confined to life in his own 2-bedroom basement apartment, his needs as an attention whore get satisfied daily and he enjoys being spoiled. He even likes – and demands by standing next to the sink and getting really vocal – a nightly bath so he can maintain his status as the world’s softest cat.

Rocky has blessed our home in ways I can’t even begin to describe. We’re so happy he chose us.

Nikon D300, ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/60 sec., 82 mm

=^..^=

If you’ve liked what you’ve seen here, please share this blog
with others who may also enjoy it.
It is encouraging to see the daily
visit numbers starting to increase, and I
THANK YOU
for allowing me to share my love of photography with you.

Please let me know what you think of this post by clicking “Like” and/or leaving a comment below.