Friday, March 30, 2007

The sky above...


“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”

- Edward Abbey

And who isn't appreciative of the sunset and sunrise (and I do realize there are a lot of people unaware that the sun even does rise, as their day never begins before the rest of the world, their belief is that the sun begins the day already stationed high in the east), and the break in a storm that sends shafts of sunlight stabbing through the shadow of clouds.

The sky... pretty big subject. Like thats what I'm going to write about...

But it is. Because in the sky are the clouds that bring the rain that keeps our streams and rivers, here in Oregon anyway, flowing (I'm not vouching for anywhere else, I have no idea what other areas of the planet do with their clouds, nor do I care). The sky is also representative to many of heaven. A place above the earth, beyond the strife and the reach of greedy human hands, a place that is the realm of the birds and where we only venture with our machines, dreams and myths.

And there are occasionally those who dream of attaining lofty heights, philosophers and engineers, who act and engage in those rare flights of fancy. Wilbur and Orville come to mind, Charles Lindbergh, Tom Hanks (Apollo)... but I'm prone more to the epic and mythological attempts, like Icarus, or... Larry Walters.

Larry holds an exalted place in my hierarchy. His flight began in San Pedro, California, my hometown for over a decade as a kid, until I dodged the military draft by running away to the US Air Force (see, there's that sky connection coming in to play again... can I stay on topic or what!?). And, unlike Icarus who used wax to hold his wings together, Larry is the true 20th century man. He used a Sears lawn chair and helium filled balloons. A true utilitarian (which is not the same as a Unitarian), both practical and adventurous. McGiver with a beer.

Now I'm still not sure after writing the above how this ties into Opal Creek. I mean that was my intent...

Maybe its a sign that I need a Sears lawn chair and some balloons.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Busy busy, spring has sprung...








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I've been so busy with many things. Today... will not be quite as nice as tomorrow is supposed to be weather-wise (and goodness knows what the universe will throw my way...), but still nice. The sun is kinda out. I've got a flock of about a thousand geese out in the pasture and I'll have to get out there and milk 'em soon. Goose Milk® has a small market niche here in Eugene...

And I'd sure like to find the family in the portrait at the top of the page. Ran into them last year at Opal Pool and they asked me to take a picture with their small camera. It was out of film (or I couldn't figure out how to use it) so I offered to take a nice portrait and gave them my card and told them to email me. They didn't and thats a really nice informal portrait that I'd like to get to them.

The musician in both B&Ws is Buster B. Jones. I caught these shots of Buster at an event put on by my friend Paul Biondi, a local, Oregon sax (etc) player. The event was the the Musicians Emergency Medical Relief Benefit held last fall at the Secret House Winery about 20 miles west of Eugene on Hwy 126. Anyway... Buster is a finger-pickin' ball o' fire! I tell you what... this man can play. Check him out.

And of course anyone in need of photographic services... contact me, please. I want the work and you could use the quality! Or else why would you be here at my blog?

Anyway... today I'm just posting some random pics for your perusal. Enjoy your day.