Yup, that's the way I heard it.

I, too, am 73. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) when I was 60. It has effectively destroyed my balance. I also can only walk a few hundred yards at a time. I need to sit frequently (i.e., most of the time) and even standing for long periods (i.e., more than 10-20 minutes) is out of the question. I'm still able to drive (using hand controls) and walk up and down stairs (a couple of flights); I, like you, also find going up stairs easier than going down. I use a cane to walk.

My wife and I travel quite a bit, but now long trips are mostly ocean cruises. I don't take a tripod when I travel, but have considered getting a monopod. When I can't sit down to take a photograph and have to stand, I try to find something to lean against - a wall, fence, or even a street sign. When even those are not around, my wife (who fortunately has great balance) provides support by holding my cane and a shoulder to lean on (or really to provide a stable point of reference) while I shoot.

It ain't easy, but it gets me through. From this thread, it sounds like there are a lot of us.

I completely agree about Gene and Linda.

I agree - ProShow Gold is very good.

German for kittycat is "mushie" (we pronounce it mooshie).

We talk to our cats all the time. No problems. The cats understand what they want to understand.

Here in California, there's a measure (Proposition 7) on the ballot to extend Daylight Saving Time to the entire year. (Well, actually, it won't do that. It just authorizes the CA legislature to ask the U.S. Congress and President to extend DST in CA to year-round. Ain't no way Congress and President will do that. Even so, I'm voting the measure.)

I, too, remember those days, but prices are all relative. And, no way would I want to return to those days - for the reasons you cite (medical) and many others (communications, transportation, progress in civil rights, ...).

I'm unsure what you mean when you say that "the light is no longer being reflected straight back to us, as it would be at a full moon". Of course, the light (from the sun in the case of moonlight, or from the earth, in the case of earthshine) is being reflected to us, or we wouldn't see the light at all.

You are correct that the moon moves a distance equal to its diameter every two minutes. The moon's diameter is about 30 arcseconds, which is 1/2 of a degree. Since it moves one diameter every two minutes, that equates to 15 degrees per hour, or 360 degrees per day, which is why the stars appear in the same place at the same time each evening (except for the effect of the earth's revolution around the sun).

Wow, Linda. I think both of these look excellent. I honestly can't decide which I like "better". The scientist in me likes the natural look better, but the artist in me (which generally plays second fiddle to the scientist, but not in this case), likes the second better.

I dunno, Gene's photo looks pretty sharp to me. Great photograph.

Stacking is used extensively in astrophotography (perhaps the ultimate in low light photography, unless you're photographing the sun or moon). Take a look at the astrophotography forum for some excellent examples.

I used to always buy travel insurance before cruises. Then 4 years ago, as I was returning to the airport to fly home after a cruise in Peru, I fell and broke my ankle. The tour guides sent for a doctor, who never showed up. Despite that and despite having to use a wheel chair to board the plane, I was absolutely determined to get on that plane and return to the USA where I could get excellent care. (I'm on Medicare and have good Medi-gap insurance.) Once home, I went to the local ER and was told that I'd broken my ankle and would require surgery. Months later, after surgery and recovery, I filed a claim against the travel insurance company. They rejected the claim, quoting a "fine print" paragraph in the policy stating that I had to have received medical treatment in the country where the broken ankle occurred. Despite my appeals and those of my TA's company, the insurance company steadfastly rejected the claim. Good thing I had good insurance.