I suppose I neglected to mention during one of my later posts (Karen's trip out here and our galavanting about) that my Sony Cybershot point-and-shoot camera took a stumble down the eerie stairs at the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum.  Someone hadn't secured the wristband to his wrist...wonder who that was...and the camera went tumbling down the stairs...about 3/4 way down the first flight.  I can tell you that particular camera had taken Dante's tour through hell and back with me as its owner and operator and has survived the test of time swimmingly...until this last fatal plunge.  This house of Usher, so to speak, is where the Sony Cybershot took its final worthwhile stand...only to fail miserably on Christopher's first day of school after the first shot (the one by the car outside).  The remaining pictures were taken with our Kodak Zi8...wrist band appropriately secured this time...and my cell phone.  

As Colleen and I have had a terrible yen for a new camera that was better quality in every way (not difficult to do given the rapid flow of technology) we finally ventured out and bought one -- A Nikon P500.  Here are some of the first pictures taken with the camera....I can tell you that we're both very satisfied, and, most importantly, the straps are securely attached to the camera and have been used on every photo op to date.  

May we remember the Sony Cybershot, who's tour of duty was met often with great trials and greater tribulations...being washed and dried on one occasion, dropped hundreds of times (more than likely...probably more), dropped down stairs on 2 separate occasions.  It persevered and came through to meet the challenge again and again.   Thank you, Sony Cybershot, for giving it your all.  You'll be retired with dignity and honor.