I logged in as Mary and checked her orders. Yes, it was something for my camera. It also had just been shipped, on March 2. About six weeks after it was ordered. Mary doesn't think to check projected shipment dates, probably because most Amazon orders get out fast. In this case, no.
The item she bought for me is a "head" for a professional tripod. I had put both the tripod and the head on my wish list because I wanted a good tripod and the best ones come in two parts: the legs and the head. Mary bought me the head (not even knowing what it was) but I did not yet have the legs. So I ordered them! Mary's purchase gave me the excuse to fork over the money.
Today the tripod arrived. The head is in Bell, CA, which I suspect means it will get here in a day or two. I pulled the tripod out and set it up. It's a beautiful thing. The legs open smoothly, it reaches eye-level (none of my amateur tripods does that), there is a level on it, it is strong and sturdy and beautifully crafted and just a joy to touch and look at. I realized when I touched it just how much I love things that are beautifully and well-made, that are well-designed and carefully put together.
I am looking forward to packing up my equipment and heading out into the countryside some afternoon, setting up the tripod and just staying there. I may want to bring a folding chair as well. Perhaps a place where the tripod will be of great value, like a creek, or a view of vehicles from on high. Even the sky, at night.
