Seven-Years Ago (31-July-2012) — Pensylvania

Last Day at Merck.

I’ve now been retired from Merck for seven years. I worked at Merck in Rahway, New Jersey; Boulder, Colorado; and West Point, Pennsylvania for over 27 years. In the seven years since retiring I have visited six continents, 43 different countries (several more than once) and 44 states. I have been at sea for over nine months (four Semester at Sea Spring Enrichment Voyages; three Semester at Sea Semester Voyages (Spring, Summer, Fall); and two Hurtigruten voyages (one in Norway, and one to Antarctica). I returned to Argentina and Chile for a photography trip with Thom Hogan, and did two Iceland photography safari’s (one summer, one winter) with Mike Hagen. More recently, I attended photography workshops with Steve Simon in Cuba, Japan, and Portugal. Last summer, I visited Germany with my Brother and Parents. During this time I have taken over 1.6MM images. Not all of the images have made it into my posts yet… When at home, I’ve completed several renovation projects including a new roof, solar panels and a Geothermal HVAC system (replacing an oil-fired furnace and water heater, and an electric central AC system). With the solar panels and elimination of the oil furnace I am essentially carbon neutral since the Geothermal system requires less energy to heat and cool the house. I’ve also planted several wildflower meadows in the yard that are attracting birds, bees, and butterflies. I did have two down periods due to Lyme disease which slowed me down the end of  2016 and 2017. Now trying to decide on my next trip.

Kathy, my administrative assistant in my empty office on my last day of work at Merck. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)
Kathy, my administrative assistant in my empty office on my last day of work at Merck. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)

Two-Years Ago (20-November-2015) — Cuba

Gone to See Cuba 2011 People to People Cultural Exchange. Day 2 of a Street Photography Workshop led by Steve Simon.

The group went for morning, afternoon, and nighttime photography walkabouts in Old Havana.

Cuban Cigar. Morning Walkabout in Old Havana. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 23 mm f/2 camera. (David J Mathre)
Cuban Cigar. Morning Walkabout in Old Havana. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 23 mm f/2 camera. (David J Mathre)