In The Blink Of An Eye

Five minutes before sunrise was due today I shot these two images.

Three minutes later, as in the blink of an eye, a grey film slid over the celestial orb above.

Unlike this secretary bird, our rheumy skies remained lidded all day.

We visited Ann at Kitchen Makers to select colours for the woodwork in the forthcoming refurbishment of the house.

Later this morning I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2021/10/18/a-knights-tale-52-my-secondment/

After lunch Nick from Peacock Computers came to collect my iMac computer to transfer its contents onto a reconditioned replacement. This is necessary because my 12 year old model is now considered obsolete by Apple who will not support the latest two operating systems on it. Good as these computers are they really have redefined built-in obsolescence.

Some time afterwards, Aaron visited to explain his absence, to bring us up to date with his life, and to arrange to start up with us again. It was good to see him and catch up.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s splendid Chicken Jalfrezi; spicy mushroom rice; and plain naan, with which the Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I drank Prestige & Calvet Cotes du Rhone Villages 2020.

75 comments

  1. I have a 2017 iMac that still runs perfectly, but I use this 2017 MacBook Pro most of the time. I hope the data will all be successfully transferred for you!

      1. That’s unfortunate, my Mac’s are going to need replacement pretty soon. The MacBook had a new battery installed a couple months ago. I’m trying not to spend $1500 on a new unit!

  2. Gorgeous shot of the Secretary bird.
    Sorry to hear about replacing your Mac.

    I still have a thirteen-year-old laptop, that I use occasionally because it has old software that is still useful. So, what I’m trying to say in my long-winded way is don’t get rid of the old machine just yet!

  3. A day with a Secretary bird and a Peacock! šŸ˜‰
    A visit from Aaron! YAY! He’s such a good worker! šŸ™‚
    Beautiful sunrise photos!
    So sorry to hear about your computer. Glad it could be replaced and set up so it’s rarin’ to go.
    Ooh, selecting colours is always fun!
    (((HUGS))) šŸ™‚
    PS…”in the blink of an eye everything can change…” “life goes by in the blink of an eye…” We understand this more the more well-seasoned we become. So we live and love in earnest. šŸ™‚

    1. Apparently there have been two more operating systems that I haven’t had access to., Jill. I have yet to discover what they have changed now. Thanks very much.

  4. It’s unfortunate that you have to buy a new computer when the one you have works perfectly well. I’m still mad at Microsoft for forcing me to upgrade to Windows 10, which forced me to have to buy a new computer to run that huge, bloated monster of an operating system.

  5. That bird wanted to see the morning sky with you.
    Lovely photos
    Unfortunate about your computer . But hopefully you get one that works just as well if not better than the one before.

  6. That’s so nice that Peacock Computers makes house calls and took care of the transfer since there was no way around getting a replacement.

  7. Sometimes, a two minutes window is all that one may get with the evening sky, and you were bang on the target. Last year, my trusted old desktop computer gave up its ghost after 12 years, which I suppose is more than a couple of lifetimes in technological parlance. I have several portable devices with which to dabble with and while away on the Internet, but nothing has quite matched the magic of the old workhorse that still houses the hard disk storageā€™s full of thousands of photos and videos. You are lucky your Apple is functional.

    Aaron has begun sounding like a Dickensian protagonist.

  8. I watched a programme yesterday about PC World transferring data from old computers to new,and it’s probably worth asking Peacock Computers what they did with your old hard drive, especially if it has any banking details.

    I was taught this by the RSPB years ago. That grey film on the bird’s eye is its nictitating membrane, which “can be drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten it while maintaining visibility.” Very occasionally humans may have one apparently.

  9. Beautiful sunrises–this seems to be the time of year for them. And the secretary bird–along with all the information about birds in the comments.

    It sounds like you had a good “catch-up” day with various chores and errands–and a visit from Aaron.

    Good luck with your computer. We use Apple computers, too–starting from the earliest models–and have been through several.

  10. Fabulous sunrises! I hate it when you have to give up on a faithful friend. Prior to getting my Mac, Iā€™d had two Dell computers both of which provided 7 years each of reliable service.

  11. beautiful dawn skies, Derrick! and the secretary bird for sure knows how to pose for a lovely photograph! congrats on your new iMac!

  12. Stunning photos and I love the photo of the bird.

    I think computers become obsolete the day after you buy them. Between hubby and I, we have 4 computers, and all have Windows O/S. Windows recently released Windows 11 and in 2025, all older Windows versions will no longer receive support.

    My new laptop has Windows 11, but the others have Windows 10. We may have to replace my hubby’s computer soon but I don’t care about the 2 older laptops and use them only for backup and travel computers.

    Good luck with your computer and I hope all goes well.

  13. Those are beautiful sunrise photos, Derrick, and I have never seen or heard of a secretary bird. Is he someone’s pet?

    I agree with Laurie, planned obsolesence is just plain wrong.

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