Monday, October 17, 2016

City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

I have had a busy time since my previous post.  About a week ago, I bought my first smart phone.  Since then, the two of us have been getting used to each other.

Many thanks to all of you who sent me valuable recommendations, tips and advice regarding this investment.  


I have attended two introductory workshops at my neighborhood Apple shop, and have also had splendid consultations with my data supplier, both online and at a neighborhood outpost of the carrier.  Every one of these encounters has been very helpful.  It's also been fun to play around with my new phone.  The adventure has begun!


Each of the photographs I show you all here were taken this afternoon with the phone.  In the past few days I have also set up an Instagram account.  Some of you all have already kindly paid me visits over there.  I begin to see the charm of Instagram, yet think there is also just something special about blogging.


Some autumnal decorating has been going on around the neighborhood.  The scary Halloween over the top decorations will be showing up in a week or so.  

I'm trying to only spend a hour or so each day investigating the phone's possibilities, and have also been making soup, reading Ian McEwan's Nutshell, knitting and walking through the neighborhood and Central Park.


I am also paying attention to the final weeks of campaign coverage leading up to our November 8 Election Day.  I find little to inspire me, much to deplore.  

After some sunny days and crispy cool air, today seems to contain a bit of leftover humidity.  Some of the clouds I saw this afternoon (but did not photograph) indicate that rain may be arriving soon.

Your visits and comments are much appreciated.  If any of you all have more smart phone tips, please do pass them along.  It's fun learning about something new!



55 comments:

  1. You will figure it all out. There are lots of apps too to explore that help with the camera etc. Classes and your Apple shop are the way to go and also from friends with the iPhone. Enjoy playing with it.

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    1. Thank you so much, Donna, for the 'vote' of confidence. I am truly enjoying being an explorer. Autumn was always fun for me, as I loved going back to school or college with the anticipation of what I might learn. xo

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  2. Hi, you have a new follower on Instagram:)
    Succes with your new phone and with te elections coming soon. We can see the debats here in the Netherlands and we cannot believe what we see.
    lovely greetings Jolanda

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    1. Dear Jolanda, I am delighted to see your message both here and over at IG. Both blogging and Instagram have great communities that I am so happy to be part of.

      Yes. we cannot believe what we see and hear about the election. Next debate is this week. I'll take a nap beforehand to be able to stay alert during the broadcast.

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  3. Ooh, a new phone, how exciting - I'm sure you'll love it and very soon wonder how you managed without it! The pumpkins on the steps are so attractive :-)

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    1. Su, after waiting so long to make this purchase, it is both exciting and fun to be on the other side of the bridge. I will soon have many more pumpkins to show you. I'd love to have any smart phone tips you might have. xo

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  4. The pumpkins and mums on the steps sweet. I think you are getting the hang of the camera on your phone. I have an older smart phone that I really love, but mobile signal is so iffy here that I can't take full advantage of its online capabilities the way I would like to. It is frustrating. Enjoy your new phone. Cheers!

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    1. Thank you, Wilma, for your visit and comment. What you write about the signal in the beautiful place you call home does not surprise me. It's actually funny to discover where signals come and go here in the big city. I even think that the ongoing helicopter activity overhead affects reception.
      Even so, I am enjoying playing around with the phone. xo

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  5. Congratulations on your new phone! you will love it! So much fun and more possibilities--new things to discover. Come find me on Instagram so I can follow you too! @atdebbisfrontporch or follow the link on my blog.
    Love those pumpkins on the steps! Some pretty knitting and crocheting on the blog today---you might enjoy.

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    1. Oh, thanks so much for the invite to your Instagram spot...I will be visiting. And your blog as well. xo

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  6. Hello Frances, welcome to the club! Me too, I love my Iphone (even old) and get a daily fix from my granddaughter via Whatsapp. I found out that I can focus with the camera (which is incredibly good quality!) and I love the flexibility, put my shopping list on notes etc. I also love the alarm timer when cooking and for appointments. But I never had a course and all learning by doing, so there are certainly many experts out there to give you clever clues about. I try not to use it outside the house, costs are horrendous here in Belgium. I first thought you went on a pumpkin carving workshop, lol. The one with its welcome sign is brillant. Continue to enjoy your new toy and I hope you stay tuned with blogs because I love to read yours! I am incapable of following all what is going on via Instagram or other medias, I am too busy with my own life's activity and do not even find time to share via the blog these days. But with fading daylight it will be sorted ;-). P.S. I feel very happy not to be American these days and not to have to chose...

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    1. Bayou, it's grand to hear from you, and I thank you so much for the phone info.
      Yes, that "welcome" message on the pumpkin was pretty impressive!
      It's definitely my intention to keep my electronic toys from taking up all my time. I've got way too many other interests.
      Yup, the election is a stand out...not in a good way. xo

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  7. Hi Frances!
    Yes, the iPhone is heaps of fun!
    Love the pumpkin pics.
    See you very soon.x

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    1. i'm having an enjoyable time investigating the phone's potential...while still trying not to let it take over too much time.
      Wasn't that muggy weather yesterday odd after the span of crisp autumn days?
      Yes, see you soon. xo

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  8. Those pumpkins are so cheerful - the light side of hallowe'en. You went for the iphone! Do you have other apple gadgets I wonder? I too am contemplating a smart phone but my husband thinks an iphone wouldn't be a good idea as everything else is microsoft so would be interested in your perspective on this. Have fun and thanks for the article! I am looking forward to reading it after my overdue session at the ironing board this afternoon...

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    1. Marianne, the laptop upon which I type is also an Apple, and the idea that phone and laptop might get along helped influence my decision.
      Glad that you received the article...I think you will find it quite interesting. xo

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  9. Dear Frances, Now that you have a smart phone we might see more photos of New York through your eyes.
    I have not joined for now. But one should never say never.

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    1. Gina, I am still ambivalent about just how much time the phone and I will be sharing, but I do expect that more city views might be appearing with my "mobile unit." xo

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  10. I'm so looking forward to seeing these autumnal decorations with my own eyes and after some deliberation have decided only to carry my iPhone to record the trip. You are very sensible to take the classes. I'm still bumbling around with mine. I downloaded an actual app for the subway system and one for the Met. This is progress. Now I must go and check you out on IG.

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    1. Dear Lucille, it's exciting to hear about your making some NYC preparations. Please do email when you know your schedule...I'm also in the early stages of some trip planning, and would be very sorry not to see you, one place or the other. xo

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  11. Your phone photos look great and I've already spotted you on Instagram.
    It's always fun to see your NY autumn posts.
    xx

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    1. Celia, having the phone for just over a week means that I am still an almost complete beginner. Gaining the option of taking photos and instantly posting them has always intrigued me, so I'm delighted to have gained that ability. I just don't want the phone to rob my time away from drawing, painting and knitting! xo

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  12. I am afraid, Frances, that Smartphones and the like have passed me by - I am still in the old days of carrying one of the first mobile phones which does nothing by dial numbers - I think I could send texts but I never have.

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    1. Pat, until October 10, I would have thought exactly the same thing about myself. This smartphone bit is still an experiment for me. I know that the little device has all sorts of features that will not interest me at all...yet, there are already some that I'm enjoying. Just being able to send and receive texts has been a large step! xo

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  13. Hi Frances,

    Good for you! Such a wise decision to buy a smartphone and take a course as well. I think it will bring you lots of joy! I will see if I can find you on Instagram.

    Have a lovely day and thank you too for your sweet words on my blog!

    Madelief x

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    1. Oh, thank you so much, Madelief. I think that if you click on the link under the second photo you will be taken right to my instagram page. It's still early days with me and the phone, but it is fun to try to learn about something new. xo

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  14. Hello I also change my phone in this day too...all different with m old one but I try to use it and discover Istangram too!!Lovely autumn photoes in NY....I follow you in Istantgram too!!!Happy days

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    1. I really appreciate your comment, Gabri. Now we can learn about out new phones at the same time, and perhaps share some helpful advice. I look forward to seeing you over at Instagram, too. xo

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  15. Frances, I do love my Smartphone. We really put it to use, especially when traveling, the maps are great. I bet you will soon know more about how to use it than I do, as you took classes!

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, jeri! So far, I've just been to two introductory workshops, which were great ways to find out more about the hardware and also the systems and settings. The next workshop I'm going to will be all about the Cloud. That should be really interesting! xo

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  16. Dear Frances, I do not have Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, no blog of my own and neither a smartphone; sorry, so no tips to pass on to you.
    I do like the pretty clear pictures you take with your new phone! The colours of the pumpkins and the colues are perfect.
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. It's so good to see you here, Maria. This time of the year presents so many great sights to photograph; it's a fine time to try out my new toy. I really loved the beautiful colors of that coleus arrangement in front of the brownstone house...it just seemed luxurious. xo

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  17. just discovered your blog and spent a great hour reading old posts.....love a smart phone and your pictures are a treat. my daughter is moving to new york in a few weeks, scarey and sad for me (which im keeping wisely to myself) but excited for many visits in the years to come.

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    1. Elsy, thank you so very much for visiting and for this very kind comment. When I originally moved to New York way back in the 1960s, I arrived with three suitcases, and my parents thought I would return to Virginia in a few weeks. (My arrival was made easier by my having been recruited to be a computer programmer for a large corporation.)
      Hoping your daughter will thoroughly enjoy NYC.

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  18. Enjoy your new smart phone. I have a Samsung something-or-other & I enjoy taking pictures with it due to all the fun, filter options. I don't know if I have any tips for you, but the expertise found at the Apple store should be a great help.
    Greetings from sunny California--Bea

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    1. Bea, I appreciate your taking time to comment, and your encouragement about smart phones. Yes, having the Apple experts just down the street gives me hope that I will learn more and more.
      Sunny here in NYC today, too...I think we will revert to cooler autumn temps by the weekend. Cheers!

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  19. I truly never wanted to have a phone and it took my kids getting one for me to finally give in. I didn't want to be "attached" to it day and night. But they wanted me to have one so that if I were ever caught in traffic or had any car issues, I'd have a way to contact someone. Thankfully, to date, I've not had to use it for that but discovered early on the ease and amazing pictures the camera takes! Enjoy your new toy and thank you for sharing the great pumpkin pictures!

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    1. Chy, I think we share an initial feeling about these phone. Now I am curious to see how the experience of actually having one available evolves.
      There will be many more pumpkin photographs appearing here and on IG soon. Promise!

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  20. Lovely photos from your phone Frances. And I do like all the Halloween decorations. Just wish I could feel positive about your forthcoming elections. I find it all a bit frightening.

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    1. Thank you for the photo compliments, Gina.

      I do agree with you about this very long-running political season. Last night's Clinton-Trump debate certainly gave each candidate an opportunity to show us who they are.
      xo

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  21. The prof has promised we come to New York next year...I hope it's at halloween

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    1. John Grey, I realize I clicked comment rather than reply, so hope you did see my reply about your travel planning. Congrats on acquiring all those followers. Dance on!

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  22. What a coincidence. I've just left you a message letting you know how your post has told me of something that I'd never before known.

    It would be a great time to visit NYC. It's still warmish...the leaves are just beginning to turn. The various decorations are just beginning to appear. (I'm going to try to practice my new Instagram routines by photographing more Halloween bits over the next week.)
    If you arrive within the week just before Halloween, your timing would be great. The NYC Marathon generally takes place a week later, and that also brings folks into town from all over the globe, ready to run.

    Best wishes.

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  23. Great photos from your phone! I must be better taking photos with my phone and use my Instagram more, but I´m still a Blogger :)
    Have a great friday!
    Love and hug from Titti

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    1. Titti, I am still just experimenting with phone photography, and like you, do want to keep on blogging. Rainy Friday here, but clearing up sometime Saturday. I'll take my phone for a walk. xo

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  24. Love the pumpkin pictures! And the beautiful fair isle knitting. Enjoy your new phone and all the new connections that Instagram will bring! Happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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    1. Thanks so much, Helen. Lots more pumpkin pictures will arrive. here or over at Instagram over the next week.
      I am very much still in the early stages of learning about this new phone of mine. xo

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    2. I'm in awe if how good the smart phone photos are -- still have just a stupid phone myself . . .

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    3. I'm also amazed, Vicki. I remember all the research I did before buying my digital Canon camera years ago, and I do still love it. And yet...technology has granted us quite a few giant steps in the past few years.
      (Something to think about while other aspects of modern life seem to be backward steps.) xo

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  25. Beautiful photos..
    Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

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  26. Oh, I find the quality of your photos better now! It's a big pleasure to have something new to discover - it keeps you curious and excited all the time, that's how I feel, while using my new tablet!:D
    Waiting eagerly to your Halloween post and wishing you a mild and beautiful autumn, Frances!x

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    1. Rossichka, I really appreciate your comment. It sounds like the two of us are enjoying experimenting with our new equipment!

      I've been keeping an eye out for those extravagant Halloween decorations....
      xo

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  27. Whoopee! You got your phone. I already looked you up on Instagram and have started "following" you. My daughter is a knitter, and the IG knitting community is large and interesting. But I hope you keep at your blog, as I always love seeing a new entry by you! Enjoy your phone. I love mine, and love playing with the camera and the photo editing.

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    1. Thank you so much, Carol, for your kind words here and over at IG. I will definitely keep blogging. It's a medium i like, with a community that is so full of goodness.

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