Sneezeweed

Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
(hel-EE-nee-um) (aw-tum-NAH-lee)

After a wonderful Christmas we got hit with kind of a double whammy. First Karen started with flu symptoms and the next day I had the body aches, sore throat, fever and chills, and cough also. Finally today we are feeling a little better. The second part of the downer was the epic snowstorm that hit here. We got about 18 inches (45.72 cm). That is a lot of snow for us but we do get it on the occasion. What was bad about this storm was the incredible winds that accompanied it. That really made a mess of the snow. The only time I had seen snow/wind combination like that was during a whiteout when I lived in Vermont. Since I was outside working during that storm it is a memory I would rather not think about.

For Christmas Santa brought some cool toys. For the past 15 years I have wanted a Hammond Organ. It is probably one of the most iconic instruments in rock and roll (right up there with the Fender Stratocaster/Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul). Recently Hammond has released a digital simulation in a regular styled keyboard. The XB-1 has made it on to my keyboard rack and it is deliciously complicated. Nice to live out a dream once in a while.

I am also the proud new owner of a used Nikon 80-200 2.8 lens . That is something else that I have been waiting for. The lens is the older style but in super mint condition and even came with the Nikon carrying case. It does have a macro feature so there will probably be some photos posted here with it once the flowers come out again.

Quick note on today’s flower the aptly named Sneezeweed. It is a wonderful late season bloomer that can fit into almost any situation. This pure yellow one is a little unusual as they normally have some red and orange mixed in.