Asheville trail

Took this picture on my last trip to Asheville in October when I went to see Leonard Cohen. This trail is one of Susannah's favorites so we took her dog. Saw this couple right away who had climbed out on the limb. Looks idyllic. They asked us to come join them but we declined. The water is so clear there so different from the water here in Athens.

Dawgs

I liked this reflection. Saw this walking to my car after work on what could have been the day before a game day, I don't remember. I saw the reflection first and then after I passed a wall I saw the car. I wish I was able to take pictures of all the things that strike me during the day. Today it was two woodpeckers on a tree outside my bedroom window. Yesterday a hawk sitting on a gravestone. I don't always think to pull out my iPhone because I just get caught up in the moment.

More Bonaventure

Another shot, I believe I took this one in December last year. I got to go to the cemetery twice last fall. I like the forlorn look and posture of the woman and the way the trees form a frame around the story in the middle. The palm fronds add a nice touch too. I don't think it is possible to take a bad picture there.

Bonaventure Cemetery

The most amazing cemetery in the world, where Johnny Mercer is buried, is in Savannah, Georgia. I went there last year for a conference and so this picture was taken last November. I don't know if it was the overcast afternoon, the Spanish moss, the statues, but the place has this kind of cool and spooky vibe. It's also just incredibly beautiful. Some graves are rundown and others are so new looking they seem out of place. This is a place to behold.

Happy Halloween!

These are some decorations I have on the tree outside my house. I decided to hang these metal buckets with black cats and orange jack 0 lanterns and place large Christmas lights in them. The effect isn't spooky but more stylized I guess. A 1940s looking Halloween maybe, which I have to say I much prefer.

Folk 4 Life

Saw this on a door in the parking lot at the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta. We were there doing Home Movie Day and Renna pointed this image out to me. I like to think it means folk music for life. Or maybe just people for life. Whatever it means it made an impact.

Walking up the hill to work

Saw this doing my usually hike up the hill to work. Like the wet that remained around the leaf. The green flecks on the leaf look like rubbings from asphalt below the leaf. It was a welcome surprise when I was looking down that morning asking myself for the gazillionth time why I chose to walk up that fucking hill every morning. This is maybe one reason why.

Ben Burton Park flooded

This is one of several pictures I took at Ben Burton when the river flooded. The river is usually just beyond those trees behind the picnic table and probably 6 to 8 down the bank. I have never seen the river so flooded there. A bunch of sand got moved with that flood to the area this picture shows. Rivers are really amazing and I have so much respect for their power to change and move huge downed trees or grill or tires or what have you.

Fungi tree Ben Burton

Saw this tree covered with what looks like some kind of whole wheat pasta but that is actually fungus. This at my favorite park in Athens. It was wet when I took this. In fact October has been one wet marvel. I like the light on the leaves and the effect that the mist and water has on the image. So important to look at things in different kinds of light. Light can change how we perceive anything with our eyes.

Drain Cover

Another in my series of industrial art work. Like the colors, the wetness, the numbers, the grid, and the fact that people walk over this thing everyday and probably don't even look down to see it. Again, this looks like something I would like to paint. The layering and textures really inspire me.

Chimney Swifts

After an amazing meal at the 5&10, which must be the best restaurant in Athens, we came upon a massive swirl of hundreds of chimney swifts in the sky near dusk. This picture does not do justice to what I saw by a long shot but the beauty of the moment is what I want to capture here. The birds kept circling above that chimney in the center of the frame. Periodically a swift would go in. Sometimes a whole group in a line would go in. There happened to be a birder there watching and taking pictures and he told us they were migrating to central and South America and that they gather in these masses and sleep in chimneys or other vertical safe houses overnight. We watched until they were all inside the chimney resting for the night.

Purple Surprise

The day I got back to Athens I took the dogs for a walk in the woods and came upon this stunning purple flower with extra dark purple bonbon looking things. I am always stunned by the small beauty everywhere, you just have to look.

Storm Sky Illinois

Taking pictures while I drive is probably not one of the safest things I do. Not as bad as texting and worse then talking on phone while operating a motor vehicle. Came upon this storm on my way to Urbana for my overnight. This was the rolling in part right before I got hit with the major rain.

Redneck Wedding

One of the reasons I was in Wisconsin was to go to my brother' wedding. A picture of the bride and groom shown here right after they got hitched at the hitching post which is to the left. Across the river behind them is upper Michigan. The wedding took place on a piece of property once owned by my grandpa Rudy (Rudolf). The last time I had been to this place was when I was maybe 7 or 8 years old. At that time I came up with my brother and my mom's parents Nick and Elfrieda. I remember having the best time playing outside in the rain, in my swimsuit. My brother and I just splashed around in the puddles. I also remember Rudy's Russian girlfriend who had bleached blonde hair and was very nice to me. Right after the pictures the happy couple took off on some ATVs with their wedding party and had a private celebration in the woods.

Giant Cross

If you are ever driving on interstate 57 in Southern Illinois you might get a chance to see this gigantic cross. It seems to appear from nowhere. I took a driving trip at the end of August to Wisconsin and came back to Georgia in September and took very few pictures. Today I am doing a mass download of the few images I took and thoughts that go with them. I wonder what other people think when they see this thing. My first thought it you are trying to hard. My second thought is what the heck is that thing made of and how much did it cost.

Athens Sign Art

I love when people change standard signs and offer up another interpretation. This one is behind the Bottle Works and made me and my lunch partner laugh.

Floating Leaf 3

I like this picture because only the leaf is blurry. There are some very distinct lines visible in the leaf because of the shift and play of the light with the blur. I took this leaf series in a few minutes because I needed to get to work. My dog starting barking at me because he could see me from the window. I had to yell back at him to stop. The leaf kept moving, back and forth, sometimes coming very quickly towards me. I could walk all the way around it. Another magical small moment in an ordinary life.

Floating Leaf 2

Trying to capture the leaf in a still image and getting that lovely iPhone blur instead. I like the comma shapes.

Floating Leaf

This leaf was attached to a single spider web strand that was about 10 feet up connected to a tree limb. I was looking out my bedroom window and this lone leaf was swirling around but never falling to the ground. I wanted to capture that as best I could with my camera. Video probably would have been better here, but I don't have that yet, so this image and a few that follow must suffice. I saw this in the morning and by the time I got home from work it was gone.

SC Big 7

Last of the USC construction series. I liked the numbers, the calculations, the big 7. These images and the ones I took of the train car really do inspire me to paint and layer numbers, letters, and random marks on a surface. Kind of like modern cave paintings in way. Will people in the future tear down our buildings and sift through the wreckage and wonder about the markings someone left behind? Will they wonder what or who a Mac Daddy was?

SC FE

Another beam shot from my USC trip. I really am liking the idea of random marks in random places becoming art by just changing the context ofthe way we view it. I have framed this random mark that probably means something like "front east" to designate where the beam went. This mark and Mac Daddy will disappear under the dry wall and paint planned to finalize the look of this place, a special collections library building.

Mac Daddy Wuz Here

Over two weeks since I have blogged. I haven't really taken any pictures either. No wonder I've been a bit crabby. Saw this while touring a building under construction on the University of South Carolina campus. I'm going to post a few more images from the trip. I like that people make their mark in this way. I don't like trees being carved into but this works for me. I don't know if Mac Daddy was in the vicinity when I took this shot. I hope he was.

Century Plant in Fitzgerald, Georgia

You can drive down the road in the middle of nowhere and see this plant that a friend mine thought looked like something out of Dr. Seuss. The shear height and thickness of this thing is incredible. Found in Fitzgerald, Georgia on a main road in the yard of an abandoned house. I love the stuff that shows up when you aren't expecting anything at all.

"The Agave americana is often called the century plant because was reputed to bloom only once in 100 years, but that's an exaggeration. It does only bloom once in its lifetime, but usually between 7 and 20 years. The main plant then dies, but most species produce shoots that will take over and grow to maturity. Beautiful flower spikes reach for the sky in many, including the Century Plant Agave americana which can have a bloom spike up to 40 feet (12 meters) high!"

Silver Train 5

I just like the way this looks. The color, texture, and symbols used. This makes me want to paint something similar and very layered. I don't know if one person did this or several people did this over years. I like that it moves around train tracks, sort of the ultimate public art. Thank you for creating this whomever you are.

Train car by the sculpture building

This train car sits next to a building on campus and I don't know why or how long it will be there. It is striking to look at as a whole and then to look at each "panel" of the car as if it were a single painting. I find this public art really amazing. The silver slash marks, the numbers, the letters over the numbers, the rust on car. It is beautiful to look at. I will be posting some single panels of from the cart too.

Ralph River Sun

This was a really nice day on the river. The rocks were warm and great to sit on. The temperature was hot, I'm sure somewhere in the 90 plus degree range. The idea was to cool the dogs off and it worked. I love happy dogs faces and bodies.

Boy Art

Bought a small painting from this amazing 4 year old boy. His energy was incredible. I captured this shot of him signing his name to one of the paintings he just sold for $ .25 from the back of his dad's bottlecap covered pickup truck. It was hot and Athfest was beginning to fold up around. After this we listened to the musical stylings of Kinky Waikiki at Farm 255 while drinking some beer. Another magical night in my little town.

Sunset Buddha

Looked outside last evening and saw the Buddhas on the tree stump lit from the side by nearing sunset. I have this view from window and appreciate it daily. It also reminds me to try to be mindful in all aspects of my life.

Indie Water Sit

I have not posted in over a week and feel sad about that. I really wanted to get a good picture of India sitting in the water and I finally have one. This was a beautiful, hot, Georgia dusk and the water looked very inviting. Both Ralph and Indie spent time cooling themselves and shaking off on me. There were people and dogs up and down the river from us but this was our spot for a nice short time.

India (the head), Ralphie (the but)

It is very hard to capture India (the dog) in action. Here she takes a break at the river while Ralph whisks away onto some other adventure. At home they are my constant companions and very still. Resting. At the park in constant motion for the most part. India likes to sit in the water, and one of these days, I will capture a decent shot of her doing just that. That's right she just sits down in the water.

Train overhead

I was under this bridge at a stoplight as the train boomed overhead. While sitting there I thought what if this train suddenly derailed? Is that enough of an excuse to run through a red light? This after a very relaxing yoga class.

Tree in Asheville

This tree was on one of the trails we took last weekend in Asheville. The light seemed right, the tree leaning over the creek looking like it might fall in, and the glory of all that green. We followed the creek bed and watched the dog dash in and out. Also encountered a huge spider and a dreadlocked mom with her kids, and one of those Geo Cache boxes with stuff in it! Susannah had been shown where it was and she showed it to us. We also saw blooming mountain laurel with peppermint skirted flowers.

Keen blur

I realize I have now posted a trio of photos with Keen my Keen shoes in them. If I'm not working, I am in my Keens. My new color is orange which I tried out in Asheville last weekend. This is another picture taken without knowing I was doing it. I like the colors, the texture, and the motion. My ankle looks twisted kind of weird too, which makes me wonder if it how I walk, the angle of the camera, or part of the blur effect.

Orange shoe and bag

Walking with Natasha in downtown Asheville. Another iPhone accident. Found this one when I went back and looked at the days shots. I have another accidental shot of my foot from trip that I'll add to the blog. This shot speaks more to me than some posed shots I take. The heat of the sidewalk, shopping bag, two different sandals. It all says shopping while warm.

Green blur trail

I really heart iPhone accidents like this one. I can't even tell when or took this or how. Probably navigating my phone back in my pocket while walking the dogs. This is one of the great image accidents that this phone allows. I want to get a better image taker but I'm afraid I'll lose my accidental shots like this one.

Hammock with feet

If you read this blog and look at the pictures you'll realize I have a thing for hammocks. I believe they are closest thing to being back in the womb as we can get. The sway gently and we use them when it is warm outside. I can fall asleep so quickly in mine, it is like magic. Today I got a call from a former student worker who I had fired like 8 years ago. His call just came out of the blue, like magic, and he apologized for being such a dick (his term, not mine). I remember having to sit down with him and try to explain, diplomatically, why his behavior was so problematic. I mentioned to him on the phone that I felt I had been too hard on him. He told me that it had helped him a great deal. I'm thankful he called to apologize and acknowledge the past. Life can be so magical in such little ways.

Dog walking part deux

This shot is very similar to the April 21, 2009 image I took of Ralph and Indie at the park. I was in the same position, got the dogs in the shot for a splint second, and then it was gone. Indie is resting, which is very rare. She was only still because she had somehow hurt her leg. She's fine. I like how it looks like Ralph is going to swallow Indie whole.

Nani

She had put on my hat the "wrong" way and her dad wanted her to straighten it. I did'nt care I just wanted to get some pictures of that angelic face. I prefer natural looks to more posed pictures, especially of children. At any rate I was happy to catch her in this moment.

Dandelion

Saw this walking to my car one afternoon a few weeks ago. The sun hitting the one flower looks like it is flat against the wall. Like someone drew the image in place. I walked past this wall yesterday and the dandelion was gone. This exercise I'm doing of taking pictures in my life has made me much more in touch with my surroundings. I grieved quickly and quietly for the loss of this flower. Living is about the temporariness of things, as much of a reason to keep this blog as anything, to capture moments that quickly disappear.

Ivy Buddha

Buried almost to the top of it's head is my backyard Buddha. I put it near my hammock and it, she, he has become my measure for how much my backyard is getting over run by ivy. When I originally sat him there you could see most of his body. This small space seems idyllic to me. I just napped near by him the other day. Why don't we all sleep in hammocks like Gilligan and the Skipper? I can crash out in seconds swaying back and forth between the trees.

View from my hammock

I spend as much quality time on my hammock. Good for resting, chatting on the phone, hugging the dogs, and my favorite thing -- napping. I took this sometime last week while looking up. Ever have a class where you had to keep journal? I faked that. This blog thing with pictures is me making up for that.

At the river

Anytime I head to a big city I need to come back and immediately take my dogs for a walk. It centers me and calms me. Yesterday, when I returned from New York, I went to the river with the dogs and saw Melvin. I know him from dog walking and we have chatted several times. He had his saxophone and was prepared to start walking down the river on the rocks while practicing with his dog following along.

NYC

I go to New York every year for work. I look forward to it but also find it incredibly overwhelming in terms of sight, sound, and smell. I took this shot at Times Square right after having seen the musical 9 to 5. Pushing on to the street was a heroic task. The street was just filled with people. I realized standing there that all the people who live in Athens, Georgia could probably be represented by the number of people in Times Square on an ordinary Saturday night in May.

Magnolia time

I love these trees and the flowers. The trees can become simply enormous and you can walk under them and feel like you are in a different world. I feel so lucky when I can get close to the flower to look at it and smell the lemon zestiness. The curves, the vibrant white, the scent all make this something to look forward to each year. The blossoms way at the tops of the trees that only the squirrels and birds get to see close up. I love Georgia for the magnolia.

Field next to yoga

Today, at the grocery store, an old man with white hair stopped to talk to me. He told me that I was light, that I could just float away, that it didn't matter how much I weighed, and that's all he said. And he dramatically gestured with his hand the floating away. Then he walked away. I saw him later walking to the parking lot, slowly, stooped over, in his suit, white shirt and black tie with a woman in a bright floral dress. I wanted to kiss him. To thank him. I wish I had.

Walking to work

Walking to work this morning the spiderwebs were made visible by the morning dew. There were several places in these plants where the webs were visible. The most beautiful things are temporary.

Blur in the forest

I now have this fear that my life is not interesting enough to take photos of and comment on. It's silly I know, but I still have that feeling. I need a creative outlet and this is very easy for me to do and rewarding because I have a finished product. This picture I took last night trying to capture the energy of walking the dogs. I like the blur and seeing just bits of Ralph behind the tree. I like using the iPhone because it so easy to carry and use. It sucks in the slowness sometimes but I like the accidental pictures I get, like this one.

Cemetery Tour

I toured the Oconee Hills Cemetery yesterday. It is right on campus, huge, and beautiful. I had seen the entrance but never paid any attention to it. In fact, I have passed the entrance at least a 1000 times. I toured with a group of people and learned a great deal about Athens my adopted home town. This picture of a gravestone surrounded by wild flowers is so right to me. Some might say that no one is taking care of the site. I disagree. If I were to be buried, which I don't want to be, I would want it to look like this with wild flowers. I'm all about cremation, just fling my ashes in beautiful natural spot and I will be forever grateful.

Hammock time

I love my hammock. I can sleep on that thing no problem. I call friends while laying on it, so I can look at the trees and sky. Ralph, my dog, will do this crazy ninja leap to go straight from the ground to landing on my body with all 4 feet at one time while I'm on the hammock. He weighs 50 pounds! I am amazed he can do this. My other dog, Indie, just puts her front paws up and then asks for assistance to get all the way up. I tried to get some kind of picture to show how he lays on me while we do hammock time, and this is the best example so far.

Rhino crossing

I saw this on campus a few days after the shootings that shook dear old Athens to the core. This simple example of public art on heavy paper cracked me up and reminded me that with every bad day there are good days and with every tear there is laughter. Yeah super corny I know, but true.