Fallbrook California is the town in which I did most of my growing up. It was not a town really. It was, and I think it still is, just a friendly village. That is what the sign said on the way into town, “Fallbrook, the friendly village.”
People have told me that it has changed quite a bit since I lived there. I have heard reports from young people that say that they hate the town. … I don’t. I still love the memories of Fallbrook. These few images of the Memorial Day celebrations are from a couple years ago, and you can still see the kernel of the friendly village.
Politicians, fools, and the media, have turned us against each other; Left against Right, Rich against Poor, Religion against Religion. By dividing us, they conquer, subjugate, and control us, leaving us without any real voice, disenfranchised. …
We are capable of incredible power. But, we must use our power for good, and not to control others. Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. None of us have the right to force our beliefs upon another. None of us have the right to inhibit the development of another. None of us.
I take the pledge unifying all Americans, indivisible, before politicians in search of a vote, used the pledge to divide us.
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
With this pledge, we will all stand together. … Or we will surely, fail, together.
My father was a Marine. I was a Marine. We lived the Marine Corps life from the time I was born.
After growing to adulthood in the Military, I know it is a life I wish for all mankind. You will actively be taught new things. You will be given responsibilities way beyond of those of your non military peers. You will learn to love and honor your friends, your family, and life generally. And, you will protect those things you honor.
Some people think that the military types want, and even enjoy, war. Nothing could be further from the truth. The people in the military are much closer to having a friend die. They know it every day. The only people that feel this as hard as the militaries, are their parents, husbands, and wives. They also understand why they do what they do.
I was so excited to see this place that I neglected to secure the car keys. … We looked around all over this set of hills, every location that I had laid down in the grass to shoot something. We looked for over and hour. I was about to call San Diego and have someone drive up the second set of keys. … Luckily, Jeffrey found the keys on the ground, right next to the driver’s door.
So, you should also take an eagle-eyed-friend along.
I have been watching the Garlic bloom outside the kitchen window. It has been blooming for a while, and I have been watching it, …
And, today was the day I wanted to capture. I do not know what to say about this image, really. To me, this is Garlic, Sweet Garlic. And I think it is beautiful.
In this image, we are way east in California, a long way from the mountains. The sun has set in the valley where we are shooting from. The dark line, towards the horizon, is the place where the air below is in shadow, and the air above is still in sunlight. If you look at the larger image, you can see streaks of the mountains shadows in the air.
Definitely a nice place to watch the sun go down. … And looook at all the cotton.
This town is my adopted home. Like many of us here, I am a transplant. Let me tell you something about the weather; this image was shot at 5:30 in the evening on January 3rd, 2006, our winter. The temperature was 76 degrees Fahrenheit. 😉 … It does get warmer, and it does get colder, but whatever the change is, it is very little compared to most of the U.S.
I did go away for a few years. … But I have returned, I think, to stay.
This is a great little group of very creative people, writers all.
This evening, I was thoroughly entertained by everyones writings. … Jill set some tasks and we followed through. I was totally surprised at the turns of the minds of creative people, how they bent the task to their choices.
So here is an image of some creative people.
And here is a sample. …
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Uncomfortable pause.
As I lay abed, wanting to say something to her, wanting to open my mouth and tell her. …
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Looking across the dark, at the green face of the analogue clock with its second sweep moving so slowly, I know the morning will bring pain. … If it ever gets here.
I smell her next to me. I feel her warmth.
Tick. Tick. tick.
Without thinking, as I start to slide into sleep, I reach to feel the small of her back.
Tick. Tick. Tick. …
Dammit!
Alone, still alone, and awake.
Moving through the house, I grab clothing permeated with the smell of her, just to hold it close to my face, and pretend the warmth of my breath is the warmth of her flesh, as I inhale memories of her.
Rummaging around in the kitchen, Coffee? She liked her coffee in the small cups with the pink roses, one sugar, and blonde. This cup has her lipstick still on it.
Looking through the music, I see her songs because she always was at this machine. I do not want to hear them, but do not want to throw them away.
Wandering, touching traces, naked still, back to bed.
Last night there was a memorial service for Craig Noel at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, and at the Copley Plaza, in front of the Old Globe Theater. We celebrated the life and friendship of a great man. Many of his friends were in attendance.
I took very few pictures because I feel odd shooting at the memorial of someone I consider a friend. This image is of Marion Ross telling heart warming stories of her time with Craig over the years. One of those stories was about the production of “Summer in Smoke.” That is why I chose this image of Marion. I worked on that show.
Sometimes, when I am wandering around shooting images, a face just jumps out and says, “Howdy.” This face did just that. She looks so comfortable surrounded by suitors.
Yesterday, I had friend tell me that he liked my stupid little videos. So I thought I would test the water and see how they go over with a couple from the past. … And I will probably do some more for all my shoots and see how that works for me and my workflow.
A long time ago, it seems very long ago, I lived in Denmark. And, somewhere between a long time ago, and a longer-than-a-short-time-ago, I did this little video about something for a reason I no longer remember.
The other day, we had some food. … That is all it was, food, nothing special.
But, this little purple flower looks so good that I want to spin the stamens on a fork with the purple sauce dripping. … All the while eating the little yellow meatballs.
Oh heck! I think I forgot to eat lunch as I was editing images this afternoon.
It has so many good memories for me and there are new memories. This image is just after sunset.
While capturing the image, the sea was very quiet, no wind, and still warm from the heat of the day. I could hear birds singing their evening songs as they were going to roost.
I have this friend, she is very smart, and she is beautiful.
As I look at this image, I try to imagine what one very special person a hundred years from now will think, when they are looking so deeply into the eyes of their grandmother when she was young, before she accomplished all that she did.
Standing in the desert, looking through a window, into the eyes of tomorrow.
At the time, in any location on our planet, when the sun is sinking in transit from day to night, all the species of plants and animals prepares for their nocturnal or diurnal missions. Diurnal, to sleep, and dream of love, life, and events untold coming from the events of the past day. Nocturnal, to rouse, take stock, touch, feel, taste the blood coursing through the veins, to live again.
Here we stand, at a point of decision. We can look at a moment and decide. Shall we live, or shall we sleep?
I love the stars in this image. … It is so nighttime, still and quiet. You can hear every gentle groan, squeak, and rub, in the Basin, because there are so few noises of movement as the water barely moves in its small variances.
People are asleep in some of these boats. This place is, home and work, for those few living another life just a few feet from others of us that live on land. Even while they are at dock, they sync to the tides, and the stars, while we sync to the clock.
This little section of beach is part of The San Dieguito Wetlands Project in the San Dieguito River Valley. The project will take 150 acres of coastal wetlands back in time, to when life flourished in the river valley.
It is also where horses can run in the water, and where I caught grunion with my family, as a boy. It is a place of people, kites, volleyball, and dogs. You would like it there. I do.
