Firstly, I want to thank you all for your warm welcome. The supportive spirit of this community is truly inspirational. :) Secondly, I wish to ask if anyone has tips about taking photos with a compact camera when it seems like, so often, my hands move at just the wrong moment and my photo is blurry! I /love/ perfectly clear photos, but I can't imagine hauling about a tripod for use with a compact camera..it defies the purpose. I sometimes try to find things to sit my camera on while I take pictures..fence posts, columns, etc, but it's not always an option. I would love to hear your tips and advice. :) Thanks, Mayliah