Last Thursday I sent the editor of the local paper large versions of these two images:

which you have already seen here.

They promptly printed the second one in the next day's paper, but in black and white. Claiming, incorrectly, that the aspens were still in a blaze of color.

But nothing on the first image. Which is not the best of the shots I took in Aspen Alley that day, but as images go, I thought it wasn't bad.

It didn't show up in Saturday's paper, either.

Oookay. Unsolicited pictures are just exactly that. Un asked for. They'll use it if they want, if not, it goes into a file somewhere.

So, today I received this email from the editor (with names deleted):

"I'll bet I've taken two dozen pictures of Aspen Alley over the years and even bought a nice print of it from [a local professional nature photographer], but this is as nice a shot as I've ever seen. We're running it in color on the back page Tuesday and I hope it does it justice. [Their staff photographer] is going to make a print for you on our high-res inkjet, so be sure to stop in this week and pick it up. As always, we appreciate your thinking of us in your travels."

Wow.

'Course, wife's godson's brother's obituary will be in the same paper...

Life goes on, I guess.

As it always will.