Tag Archives: rural
October Light
(Click on photo to see a larger image.)
Light in October is different than in June or February. The trees, the fence, the little trailer; they all plead, beg…like me…to hold on to the warmth even after the sun goes down. There’s no need for begging in June – the warmth will hold on. In February, there’s just no point in begging. But in October, in the deep south, leaves are still mostly green, the light is warm in every sense, but after the sun drops below the horizon…
Daylight Shades of Midnight
Where long strands of Spanish Moss drape a Live Oak forest in the deep south. It’s where water moccasins and alligators target prey, and generations upon generations of Cajun families raised their children and taught them to capture delicious seafood in nearby shallow bays and inlets.
Winter on the Gulf of Mexico
Fort Morgan, Alabama – Mid-day, the end of January. It’s cold, but calm. People come down to the beach for their morning walks, to collect seashells or driftwood, perhaps. Two men at the far right, near the horizon, were fishing from beach chairs while a Great Blue Heron closely monitored their activity.
Disaster Strikes near Richmond
Downed utility pole lies on the lawn of farm just west of Richmond, Illinois
Lightening struck and knocked down a utility pole during the late evening hours Tuesday causing widespread power outage to a farm just west of Richmond, Illinois. Richmond is a small town about 70 miles northwest of Chicago.
Both lanes of Illinois route 173 were closed nearly three hours while a utility crew cleared downed power lines. Early morning traffic was backed up nearly an eighth of a mile in either direction. As of 2:30 this afternoon power still has not been restored to the affected farm, although crews are on site working to repair the damage.
As a result of this disastrous electrical outage residents on the farm have been deprived of highly informative radio and TV political advertising campaigns more than 12 hours, just days before the critical mid-term elections. This is not “Fake News,” however, despite the far reaching implications of this natural disaster; the white house thus far has failed to respond.
Residents of the farm have returned to their fields to resume the fall harvest and have been unavailable for comment.
Summer’s Gone
Wildflowers have mostly gone to seed and the brilliant, lush greens of summer have given way to the dusty, drab greens and browns of early autumn. How did this happen so quickly? June was just yesterday – wasn’t it?
Storm Over the Prairie
A summer storm approaching farmland in northern Illinois.
My Place in the World
That one place…a place that feels like home…the place I belong?
It’s been the quest of my adult life.
As mysterious as the darkness beyond the reach of the car’s headlights on a pitch-black night
racing to punch through into the light
maybe around the next bend
that one place…
…my place in the world?
Field of Daisies
Satisfaction is a field of daisies and a fine summer day.
Downtown Taiban, NM
Abandoned home in Taiban, NM. Most of the town has crumbled and disappeared, although there is still a functioning U.S. Post Office on the main highway, U.S. 60/84.
Abandoned Church, Taiban, NM
Abandoned church in Taiban, NM. The building once served Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist congregations at the same time.
Trailer Park Fog
Trailer Park Fog and a Supermoon yesterday morning.
Choice
It was a sweet feminine voice that insisted I make a choice, either walk through the church doors or burn in the depths of hell.
I thought, “Only two choices? Of the world’s ‘Great Religions’ my two choices are the plain vanilla denomination or hell.” Isn’t that some sort of rhetorical fallacy – only two choices? I’m sure there must be more.
I asked, “Why the simple white clapboard, non-denominational, nondescript church? What about one of the magnificent Gothic cathedrals? Perhaps I could visit a golden domed synagogue, or try an ancient Moorish mosque. Then again, I kind of liked the colorful Japanese Temples with the spinning prayer cylinders.”
She said, “Choose! Either this church where they are waiting for you or roast right here where demons will spend a thousand eternities devouring your soul.”
I said in my most assertive voice, “I much prefer my own church, ‘The Blessed Mother of the Sabbath Morning Sleep-In.’ By the way, you have a lovely voice”
She said, “Choose!”
I said, “How about we go uptown to the bar where they have 19 different craft brews on tap…I’ll buy. We can have a reasonable conversation and work this out in a more congenial setting.”
She said, “Choose!”
At that point, it occurred to me, “This little white church must have a back door.”
Afternoon Light
Who would ever think such greenery could exist in a predominately brown, gray desiccated desert? The afternoon sunlight skimming across these trees – I think they are cottonwoods, Mesquite and creosote – was a big surprise in the Big Bend National Park.
All day, we had been driving a self-guided tour in the southwest section of the park seeing nothing but earth tones, ragged volcanic features and dry desert floor. When we happened upon this scene somewhere near the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive at the Castalon/Santa Elena junction, I had to stop for the photo. It says everything about the concepts of “end of the day, rocking on the porch and sipping something refreshing.”
What does it say to you?
Early Morning Texas Pasture
Low lying fog floats over the pasture on a south Texas cattle ranch early on a winter morning.
La Lomita Mission
Cactus Blossom
While walking in the Chihuahua Woods Wildlife Preserve, near the Rio Grande River, early this afternoon, I came upon this cactus blossom so brilliant it seemed to glow from forest floor.
Los Ebanos, Texas
Surprisingly, the place is still open, although with a very limited stock of cigarettes and liquor. It is the last “Duty Free” shop operating in Los Ebanos, TX, an historic border village, where the last hand-pulled ferry in the U.S. still operates. The Brady shop, just down the road, did not open this season. There is a new, multimillion dollar Customs station at the river crossing, but tourist shops and the only restaurant have been closed the past several years. It is a shame; with a little investment, a few improvements and this could again be a thriving tourist destination in the Rio Grande Valley.
Day-To-Day Photography 