Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Monday, January 30, 2012

Day 76

"I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do."  ~Willa Cather, 1913
Sycamore tree, rooted in concrete


Saturday, January 28, 2012

Day 74


"So long boys! I'll send you a postcard from Paradise Falls!"
~ Ed Asner, as Carl Fredericksen in the movie "Up"
Balloons on the boulevard

Friday, January 27, 2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Day 72


Sometimes I just have to say, "Aaah..."
Sunset over Buena Vista Lagoon




Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Day 71

Alex is from Russia. Came to the US with several years experience in the IT business but can't find comparable work here. He's managing a flooring installation crew and hoping to start college (again). I asked him to pose for me, focusing on the intensity in his blue eyes.
Blue eyes

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Day 70

This father and son team just finished installing wood floors for me. The family moved here from the Ukraine about ten years ago. Prior to coming to the US, the father was a music conductor and taught at the university. Now he is working on his hands and knees, installing floors with pride, precision and care. Never underestimate the resilience of the human spirit.
Michael and Michael

Monday, January 23, 2012

Day 69

Rainy days in LA always wreak havoc on the freeways. I passed three wrecks this morning on my "commute."
Dodging cars and raindrops on the 134 Freeway

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Day 67

Inspired by Shel Silverstein's ballad of the Three-Legged Man: 
(lyrics to follow)

Well now friends you'll never guess it so I really must confess it --
I just met the sweetest woman of my long dismal life.
But a friend of mine said, "Buddy, just in case your mind is muddy,
Don't you know that girl you're fooling with is Peg-Leg Johnson's wife.
And that man is big and rough and mean and grim,
And he'll brain you with his artificial limb.

But next morning bright and early I stole old Peg-Leg's girlie,

And I also took his wooden leg just to play it safe.
But there weren't no time for laughter 'cause he started hopping after,
And I keep on running faster but he won't give up the chase.
And I'm running through the mountain with his bride,
And I got his wooden leg here by my side.

I'm a three-legged man with a two-legged woman

Being chased cross country by a one-legged fool.
Though he's huffing and he's puffing and he shows no sign of stopping,
I tell you, boys, this life is hard and cruel.

'Cross the deserts and the valleys and the dark Chicago alleys --

'Cross the mighty Mississippi to the hills of Caroline.
Through the mountains of Montana and the swamps of Louisiana --
Every time that I look back he's just one foot behind...
And I know he must be cold and wet and sick,
But in spite of all his woes he can kick.

Now he's ragged and he's filthy, and I'm feeling mighty guilty

'Specially in the evenings when I hear him plead and beg.
He says "In spite of all your stealing friend, I bear you no hard feelings.
You can keep that darned old woman but please give me back my leg.
'Cause although the one you meant to take was wooden
In the dark by mistake you took my good'un."

I'm a three-legged man with a two-legged woman
Being chased cross country by a one-legged fool.
Though he's huffing and he's puffing and he shows no sign of stopping,
I tell you, boys, this life is hard and cruel.

  -Shel Silverstein, recorded in 1970




Thursday, January 19, 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Day 63

Farewell to Montana. See you again soon!
View of Big Mountain, from my front yard

Monday, January 16, 2012

Day 62


Sled dogs, waiting for the next race

And no, they were NOT stuffed and mounted, but very much alive and happy!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Day 57

Playing with my new photo app, "Snapseed." Shot these birds, which reminded me of a song, which I then had to look up:
Birds on a Wire

"Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Like a worm on a hook,
like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
If I, if I have been unkind,
I hope that you can just let it go by.
If I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you.

Like a baby, stillborn,
like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
But I swear by this song
and by all that I have done wrong
I will make it all up to thee.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
he said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
she cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"

Oh like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free."
    – Leonard Cohen, 1968

Monday, January 09, 2012

Day 55

It's still Christmas somewhere...
January 8, 2012, in Bakersfield, CA

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Day 53

The other side of paradise:
Quilt hanging at homeless camp along the L.A. River





Friday, January 06, 2012

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Day 50

Road trip: returning.
Joshua trees in the mirror are closer than they appear.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012