Monthly Archives: February 2012

Airports and Mist

This afternoon, I arrived at the Houston airport hours before my flight because I shared a cab from the workshop, and I’ve been fighting with Boingo while attempting to get some work done. To relieve some of the stress, I decided to play with photos in Lightroom and found these that I took last Monday morning.

This is the pond that has been the subject of many of my ranch shots.

I like the juxtaposition between the hazy backlit mist and the crystal clear sky reflected on the pond’s surface.

My fingers were beginning to freeze but I refused to stop until I caught the rising sun backlighting the mist hovering over the pond.

A Few Days of Higher Learning

I’ve spent the past few days on the beautiful campus of Rice University in Houston, Texas. I am a little sad to report that I have seen nothing of Houston itself, spending my time either on the campus or at the hotel; however, it’s been a productive workshop and I’ve learned a lot about teaching Language and Literature according to IB standards. Oh my goodness, they are rigorous … and it looks like a LOT of work for both me and my students…but I digress. During breaks, wandered a bit, especially around Lovett Hall, the oldest building on campus at 100 years. (Taken with Canon G12)

Now, isn’t this just the very image of academia?

The arched walkways invite one to linger and learn, right?

 

 

Old Friends

(Click on the title to open)  While on our way to photograph beautiful trees and water streaming over rocks, we lingered a while with these old characters. I wonder what stories are hidden within the rusted curves and angles. I wonder what lives were carried on the long-forgotten wheels. I think that, in their decay and deterioration, they have taken on a fragile dignity.

My son, the photographer, shooting the old cars

My reflection in the chrome

Of course, it’s SUPER FAST!

Amidst the wreckage, there is still some shine.

It’s all in the details.

Useless?

What happens when we have lost our usefulness? We sit idly by as a young, more powerful machine takes our place?

On ancient generator, replaced by a smaller, more efficient machine, stands alone and useless.

I have no idea what this is or used to do. Possibly a lever or on/off “switch.” A fan blade?  It still exudes power and strength.

Pity Party

I’m home sick (not to be confused with homesick) today with a fever of over 100. Can you tell? I’m amusing myself by continuously updating my blog. I’m coughing and sneezing on everything within three feet of me.

I believe — I hope — I’m correct in my assumption that the dogs won’t catch the bug.

I’m bummed out and anxious because I’m scheduled to fly to Houston tomorrow for a training that I had clawed my way into. I must disguise the nasty cough long enough to get on and off the plane.

Shadow

After looking at this image for a while, I decided that the shadow needs to have a stronger impact, so I pushed the blacks a bit. But, then again, I lose some texture in the wood on the left. I need to tweak this, I think.

“I thought the most beautiful thing in the world must be shadow.” ~ Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar