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Strolling Mote Park after the morning deluge.
But so long as the sun is shining…
Of course this time last year…
I had walked about 20 yards past this swing before it actually registered that it was.
Tree swings, after all, are common to my personal history. Backyard. Front-yard. Any yard. They were made to be swung in, to swing in, to hang from, fall off of, and the like, and in my childhood neighborhood they were ubiquitous. They got used by everyone, young and old. At eight or nine they were prime instruments of torture for your younger siblings and for girls (assuming you were a boy). At 11-12 they transformed into neutral ground for re-establishing relationships with the girls who had survived the earlier hazing and with whom you might just be on speaking terms. A few years later they were repurposed into rendezvous points for testing romantic skills. And many years later they became parental projects that would start the cycle over once again.
They were all these things and more – But they were never ‘noticed’.
So when I noticed this one I wasn’t quite sure how to react. I swear the first thought that came to mind was ‘somebody’s going to hang themselves on that thing!’ Is that crazy? Probably not. More like in keeping with the times. Sad but true. I did have the presence of mind to get a photo. If there had been anyone else around I’d of had them take a shot of me in it. There wasn’t. It would have been an awkward selfie.
And even though it was the right time of day – just after school had let out – there were no children. Also sad. They were probably off to soccer practice or to piano lessons or to working with their tutors.
I should go back. We’ll see
God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose.
I was helping a friend set-up a new blog this morning and in the process forget how much effort it took; how much time I’d spent setting this one up. I also exposed myself to the WordPress tool-set for the first time in months and found it had undergone remarkable improvement in ease of use since last I had occasion to visit. Even so , Continue reading
Belle Grove Plantation at Port Conway, King George, VA
Birthplace of James Madison and a Premiere B&B hosted by Michelle and Brett Darnell. A verifiable gem of a place backed by genuinely passionate people.
Today is the seventh anniversary of Ruth’s passing.
I’ve flown back to Virginia to honor the date in my usual manner by visiting with her at the University Cemetery in Charlottesville. I believe I’m now more familiar with this section of The Grounds than any single other. Until the move to California I’d been in habit of visiting several times a year. I had thought from time to time about moving to C’ville just to be closer to the site. I suppose there are other reasons not the least of which the affinity with the area in general and the University in particular but the more I pondered the possibility the more it seemed a poor idea.
Dealing with memories is an uneasy task for me. By nature I’m inclined toward the past, nostalgic bordering on melancholy. The characteristic has it’s advantages, especially for someone who, Continue reading
Certainly one of the highlights of visiting The Big Island was the drive up to the top of Mauna Kea. It summits at 13, 796 feet above sea level (4205 m) and it’s possible to drive all but the last 50 feet or so. It has to be one of the more, if not mo,st accessible peaks in existence. (I stand ready to be corrected.)
The Mauna Kea Road
There are 13 observatories up here supported by a collaboration of 18 nations. If you’re a stargazer, there is probably no better place on earth, certainly none as open as this one, to practice your obsession.
When we left the visitor center – at 7000 feet (2134 m) – the temperature was about 55 degrees F (13 C) and we expected it to be much more brisk on top. It wasn’t. The temperature rose about 10 degrees F. Bright – very bright – and balmy. It did not take long for the change in altitude to work its effects though so we spent less than an hour on top.
There are lots of things to see and do on Hawaii but this was the highlight for me. This is on the go-back list.
Glen Canyon Crossing
Sabine Pass
We lack water here in Southern California. There are lots of things all of us can live without – water isn’t one of them. It’s getting worse. We’ll probably survive it; at least my generation will. I’m not so sure about our progeny. There are some consolations. This is one of them. It won’t quench our thirst, not for hydration anyway. It might serve to inspire us to find ways to pass it on to our grandchildren.
Among the many plus points associated with Big Sur is that if you’re near the shore camping is pleasant year round. I went this past March for two days and wound up staying for four. My main mission had ben to shoot the Bixby Bridge in moonlight. Well, we had a moon, as you can see. But Bixby wasn’t located such that this particular one was going be useful. I did get a few shots but nothing I was very excited about – excuse to go back again. The beach near the campground was a different story so it became Plan B. Pretty good deal.