one year later

not much has changed.

I met my old lover On the street last night

(He) seemed so glad to see me I just smiled

And we talked about some old times

And we drank ourselves some beers

Still crazy afler all these years

Oh, still crazy after all these years

~ Paul Simon

the party's over

tell me a story

of poets and lovers, lost to each other

and paris and panther

and artists in castles

and gardens of roses

and thorns' deadly wounds

happy birthday!

gated

Ready to close that chapter.

form

originality

"If you don't want your work copied, don't put it on the internet." True enough. But some of my photos have been blatantly copied recently and I am not flattered nor amused.

We are inundated daily with thousands of images and it would be impossible for an idea or composition not to stick somewhere in our memory bank and later influence our photographic thought process.

That is not the case here... this person is intentionally using some of my photos and compositions.

eulogy

One of my aunts passed away earlier this month and I received a letter today from my uncle. He shared his eulogy for Marion and referenced the following poem by William Ernest Henley.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

closed

tell me a story

of frogs turned to princes with kisses from maidens

and knights on white horses, riding in through the mist

and castles on hilltops too high to be touched

and safeness as far, as far as the eye can see

and love ever after

and love ever after

kudzu covered

in dreams

the question game

voir dire

My introduction to the jury selection process.... excused.

I was anticipating that either the case would be settled or that it would be a boring insurance case, because that's what everyone had told me to expect. Wrong on both counts. It was going to be a case that would involve some emotional testimony, graphic language (we were asked if that would bother us) and the victim was a child. But I was resolved to keep an open mind, be a responsible juror. And so, I don't know if, up until the final question from the defense attorney, I would have been selected to serve as a juror or not.

I answered honestly, as did three others. And we were all immediately excused.

goodbye my love

A lazy Sunday, wishing I was almost anywhere else... coastal Georgia, the Smoky Mountains. I need another road trip. Nowhere that requires a passport .. not right now. Running out of summer soon though, school in the south starts early - mid-August. Get those kiddies back in the classroom during the hottest month so the air conditioners can hummmmm.

criss-crossed

A day of pampering... manicure, pedicure, and then catching up on some reading. All good!

I like this photograph for its simplicity.... no hidden meaning, no trickery, just light and dark, lines and curves. Simple. Truthful.

final approach

beyond the law

Looks serene, doesn't it? Just beyond those trees in the background is the county Justice and Administration center, where I may be spending some time next week. I have received a summons to report for jury duty.... first time ever, if I am actually selected for a jury. I haven't been avoiding my civic duty - not at all! The last time I received a letter, I returned the attached questionnaire and received a polite 'thanks, but no thanks' response. So, we will see...

tell me a story...

... of magnolia blossoms

and sunsets and summer nights spent on sleeping porches

and skinny dipping and making love in convertibles

and lemonade with lots of ice

and whispers in the dark of promises

promises

a new day

I love black and white photography, but sometimes color says it best.

Rest in peace, Marion.

look at me

I visited the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta yesterday for the first time. I was especially looking forward to seeing the whale sharks and the beluga whales. The whale sharks are massive and there are four of them in the tank. Four belugas were in another exhibit and as we entered, one of the males was swimming close to the 'glass', giving us a good view. The announcer was citing various facts and one was that the beluga could probably see us about as well as we could see him. I watched more closely as he approached... his eye zooming past the crowd... and then he circled around for another pass.

I must be getting old... I came away wishing they were all where they truly belong, swimming free in the sea.

eTalk and eTruth

Chat, email, friendships develop... better check that eTruth-o-meter (google).

amen

seeing yourself

"Truly all photographs are self-portraits." - Elizabeth Opalenik

seeing

and breathing