Stargazing at 60

Astronomy is something I've always loved and that I've been able to reconnect with over the past few years. In the past, my work schedule was so hectic there was very little time or energy for stargazing. But since starting my work with kids and the fact that I work from home, I've been able to enjoy the night skies once again.

I've made an attempt at astro-photography and have managed to take a few decent photos. I've found that just setting up a camera on the tripod with the widest aperture works pretty good. I've never had a lot of luck with mounting the camera on the telescope with the exception of last April's solar eclipse (April 2024).

It was a partial eclipse but I was please with the photos.

I wanted to do a sequence of photos from the beginning of the eclipse to the end but I had a to teach a class. Nevertheless, I was happy with the photos I did get.

When comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS passed through our solar system last October (2024) I was able to snap a few decent photos with this one at an f 5/6, 8-second exposure. And since I live in a rural area, light pollution was not an issue. I am hoping to get some good photos of the new comet that is passing through. Comet SWAN25B should be visible on the horizon as of now though viewing will be better next month.

With the weather cooling, I am looking forward to getting the telescope out again. I hesitate to do any stargazing during the summer months simply because of rattlesnakes. We do have them on the property and they are active during warmer weather, and yes, they intimidate me greatly.

Take care,

Teresa, still a misfit at 60

 The girls

Just want to take a moment to introduce the girls.  This is CeeCee and Zenji.  CeeCee (on the left) is a sweet pup who loves to cuddle and Zenji is a crazy spotted dog.  Both were strays.  I found Zenji at Arivaca Lake in 2016 and CeeCee was rescued by the vet during a dive trip in San Carlos Mexico in 2017.  So you see, we're all getting up in years. Zenji and CeeCee are really good girls....unless you are a rabbit.

Zenji, also known as the crazy spotted dog.  She answers to ZenZen as well as Biscuit Biscuit.

CeeCee, the sweet one.  Affectionately referred to as Little Baby CeeCee or CeeCee Bloom (for the Beaches fans out there).  

 Starting over

I started the Life inside the Fence blog many years ago, in 2008 I believe, when I had the four pack.  That's what my sister always called them, four crazy pups named Scuba, Keiko, Norman and Toby.  This blog covered the many canine adventures they had while living their life inside the fence.  And for a few years, all was good.  But it is inevitable that all dogs must cross the Rainbow Bridge and it just became more and more difficult to post.  

Keiko was the last of the four pack, crossing the Bridge on April 21, 2016.  Since then I had three more crazy pups enter my life.  Zenji, Pancho and CeeCee.  We lost Pancho in January of 2023 and although we miss him terribly, our life inside the fence continued on.

So now I am starting over with the girls and this blog will still cover our adventures only this time, I will share my own experiences of getting older, making a career change and my work as an online reading teacher.  And let's not forget the joy of being of being a 60 year old student in a class full of 18 year old's. 

We hope you can join us as we continue Our Life inside the Fence.

Take care,

Teresa, Zenji and CeeCee

  Anxiety at 60

Another sleepless night though I don't think I can blame this one on the dogs.  Just a little bit of anxiety and I wonder if anxiety worsens as we grow older.  I don't have any health issues other than stiff joints on occasion and I know financial stuff is always a concern but anxiety seems to be getting worse the older I get.

I seem to worry over everything and most recently, political issues.  Today's political culture has gotten to be so toxic and stressful and it's hard to get away from it.  I am on twitter mainly to keep up to date with NASCAR storylines.  Twitter or X is just horrible these days and filled with so much hate and anger that I've had to take a break from it.

I try to exercise every day, a 2 mile walk followed by some moderate strength training such as light weights and elevated pushups.  Exercising does help and I think when the weather cools a bit, I can start taking additional walks in the evening and maybe that will help improve my sleeping pattern.   

Thanks for letting share my feelings and if any other misfits out there have any suggestions on dealing with anxiety, please let me know.

Take care,

Teresa, still a misfit at 60