miramichi images

The images here are from my Miramichi River Photography Trip last weekend. The leaves are just beginning to turn in the north country. The ground cover along the cliffs is beautiful. The evergreens are a brilliant green. The air is fresh. Bald eagles soar above, with their eyes trained on the river. Waiting for the perfect time to swoop down and snag a fish. Ospreys circle high above. The Miramichi River rushes by as countless brooks spill their ice-cold water into the main stream. The day passes too quickly. Sunrise until sunset is not enough. This would be the perfect place to retire.

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Song 150: Midnight Special
Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Album: Willy and the Poor Boys
Year: 1969
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fall brook falls

A major highlight of my Miramichi River Photography Trip was a hike from the river to Fall Brook Falls. The mouth of the brook spills into the Miramichi River with a torrent of water. I can't imagine how strong this current will be after the spring thaw or after a torrential rain.


Hiking beside, over and through Fall Brook provided some nice vistas and rockspotting opportunities. As an avocational geologist, I am curious about every rock. I should have a bumper sticker that reads This vehicle stops for roadcuts and outcroppings. Once I arrived at the falls, much of my time was spent analyizing and photographing the rocks of Fall Brook. I plan to add an entry to my Field Guide to Rocks, Minerals and Fossils devoted to the geology of this part of the continent.


A small picture on a blog page cannot do justice to the majesty of Fall Brook Falls. You must sit on the rocks at its base, be bathed in the mist of the brook as it cascades over the fall into the pool below, hear the rush of water splashing against the rocky wall and craggy brook floor. I could camp right here for days. My guide and I were to only ones to make the hike up to falls on this particular day, but I enjoyed the scenery so much, that I convinced the rest of the entourage to make the trek the following day . . . and yes, I went back with them.


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Song 149: Marrakesh Express
Artist: Crosby Stills and Nash
Album: Crosby Stills and Nash
Year: 1969
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Looking at the world
Through the sunset in your eyes
Trying to make the train
To clear Moroccan skies
Bugs and pigs and chickens call
Animal carpet wall to wall
American man is five foot tall and you

Sweeping cobwebs from the edges of my mind
Had to get away to see what we could find
Hope the days that lie ahead
Bring us back to where they've led
Listen up to what's been said to you

Would you know we're riding
on the Marrakesh Express
Would you know we're riding
on the Marrakesh Express
All on board that train

I've been saving all my money just to take you there
I smell the garden in your hair

Take a train to Casablanca going south
Blowing smoke rings from the corners of my m,m,m,m,mouth
Cold coffins hang in the square
Charming corporals in the square
Don't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
Don't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
Don't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
They're taking me to Marrakesh Express
Don't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
Don't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
Don't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express
They're taking me to Marrakesh
All on board that train
All on board that train
All on board that train
All on board that train

Great song by Crosby, Stills and Nash. Their harmonies were spot on.

brooks and birches

I'd like to share a few more pictures with you from the Miramichi River Photography Trip last weekend. This one is representative of the many feeder brooks that spill into the Miramichi River. Right now the brooks are shallow and strewn with small boulders and large rocks. Most of the rocks in this area are feldspars and slates, which tends to make the river and brooks appear to have brown water. The fact is, the water is crystal clear, so you see right through to the bottom. During the winter, the mouths of brooks like this one will be clogged with ice for weeks.


The Miramichi River is home to numerous small islands. The one pictured here is the Upper Birches Island as seen from a trail high above Fall Brook. During the spring thaws, the lighter green rim around the island will be completely submerged with raging water rushing into the river from all its tributaries.


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Song 148: Long Time Gone
Artist: Crosby Stills and Nash
Album: Crosby Stills and Nash
Year: 1969
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It's been a long time comin'
It's goin' to be a Long Time Gone.
And it appears to be a long,
appears to be a long,
appears to be a long
time, yes, a long, long, long ,long time before the dawn.

Turn, turn any corner.
Hear, you must hear what the people say.
You know there's something that's goin' on around here,
the surely, surely, surely won't stand the light of day.
And it appears to be a long,
appears to be a long,
appears to be a long
time, yes, a long, long, long ,long time before the dawn.

Speak out, you got to speak out against the madness,
you got to speak your mind,
if you dare.
But don't no don't now try to get yourself elected
If you do you had better cut your hair.
`Cause it appears to be a long,
appears to be a long,
appears to be a long,
Time, such a long long long long time before the dawn.

It's been a long time comin'
It's goin' to be a long time gone.
But you know,
The darkest hour is always
Always just before the dawn.
And it appears to be a long, appears to be a long,
appears to be a long
Time before the dawn.

spiders and grasses

While crossing one of the bridges going into camp on the first day of my Miramichi River photography adventure last weekend, I saw this spiderweb and had to stop for a while and observe all the activity. The beads of rain glistening on the strands of the web turned it into more than a highway for its owner; it became a work of art.


Fishermen and women come to this camp to chill out, relax, and enjoy a few days of salmon fishing, but I would venture to say that the vast majority of them don't really see all the beauty surrounding them. They are concentrating on the fish lurking in the waters. Salmon jumping high in the air preparing for their long journey up one of the many tributaries to spawn. The fishermen have their eyes set on their line, studying the water, planning their next cast. But there's so much more in a place like this. Even the grasses that grow along the banks of the river have an artistic quality to them.

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Song 147: Living Loving Maid
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Album: Led Zeppelin II
Year: 1969
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With a purple umbrella and a fifty cent hat,
Livin', lovin', she's just a woman.
Missus cool rides out in her aged Cadillac.
Livin', lovin', she's just a woman.

In the days of my youth, I loved this song . . . with a purple umbrella and a fifty cent hat. I didn't pay much attention to the meaning of the words back in the sixties. I only knew that this was a cool song by the coolest band in the land.

back from the north

I am back from one of the most incredible photographic journeys I have ever experienced. Our crew of five boarded a small lear jet on Friday and traveled to New Brunswick for an adventure in the backcountry of eastern Canada. My goal was to document a fishing camp along the Miramichi (miro-me-she') River, north of Fredericton. Over 700 photographs later, I believe I accomplished my goal. I took the picture above from the rocky shore of the Miramichi, just before dusk. The first day of our adventure was overcast and rainy, but I took that as an opportunity to capture the true spirit of the river, with all its misty and mysterious character. I think I like rivers and streams better during the misty, grey times. They're more dramatic. One of my passions is backpacking, and as every backpacker knows, it must rain, in order for you to get the full wilderness experience. I have learned to enjoy those times as much, if not more, than the sunny days. It's cooler, I don't tire as easily, and there are no bugs to battle.


One of my favorite pictures from the entire Miramichi experience is this one of cranberries growing only a few yards from the river.

I will share more pictures with you over the next few days.

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Song 146: I'm Losing You
Artist: Rare Earth
Album: Get Ready
Year: 1969
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Your love is fadin', I feel it fade
Ah, your love is fadin', I feel it fade
Ah, your love is fadin', woman I feel it fade
Ah, woman, woman your touch, your touch has gone cold
As if someone else controls your very soul
I've fooled myself long as I can
Can feel the presence of another man
It's there when you speak my name
It's just not the same
Ooo babe, I'm losing you
It's in the air
It's there everywhere
Baby, baby, babe, I'm losing you
When I look into your eyes
A reflection of a face, I see
I'm hurt, down-hearted and worried, girl
'Cause that face doesn't belong to me
It's all over your face
Someone's takin' my place
Ooo baby, I'm losing you
You try hard to hide
The emptiness you feel inside
Oo babe, I'm losing you
I can't bear the thought of losing you
Ah woman, can't you see what I'm goin' through
I'm losin' my mind (losin' my mind)
And it's all because of you
I can't bear the thought of losing you
I'm losin' my mind (losin' my mind)
And it's all because of you
I can't stand the thought of losing you

what's in your library

As I surveyed our bookshelves last night, the titles that stood before me revealed who we are. Our daughters, my wife and I all share common interests. These books are the ones we frequent the most in our quest for knowledge. This picture represents a small fraction of the volumes that fill our bookcases. The libraries housed in our bedrooms store numerous titles of fiction, science fiction and fantasy books we have enjoyed over the years. Many of them are worn from multiple readings. Some of them were read years ago and reread in recent times . . . titles like The Hobbit and Fellowship of the Ring. Some titles were read years ago and will be read again years from now . . . books like Misty of Chincoteague and Black Beauty. These sit on the same shelves as new volumes by JK Rowlings and Sherwood Smith.

Our house is filled with imagery and words. We all draw. We read a lot. We write a lot. We enjoy collaborating, bouncing ideas off of one another, creating art, sharing our thoughts. I often say, "If I could have chosen my family from a catalog, these are the ones I would have picked." I am honored to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

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Song 145: Make Me Smile
Artist: Chicago
Album: Chicago II
Year: 1969
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Children play in the park, they dont know
Im alone in the dark, even though
Time and time again I see your face smiling inside

Im so happy
That you love me
Life is lovely
When youre near me
Tell me you will stay
Make me smile

Living life is just a game so they say
All the games we used to play fade away
We may now enjoy the dreams we shared so long ago

Oh my darling
Got to have you
Feel the magic
When I hold you
Cry sweet tears of joy
Touch the sky

hiking on kauai

If you have an opportunity to travel to Hawaii, visit the Garden Island, Kauai. While serving in the Air Force several years ago, I was stationed on Oahu for two years. Most of my weekends were spent island-hopping. Maui and Kauai are my favorite islands. Although the other five come in a close second. For me, there are no bad spots in Hawaii. Kauai appealed to me because of all the backpacking, hiking and camping opportunities. Only about 10 percent of Kauai is accessible by road. The rest is available on foot (or horseback). You can still camp on Kauai today for about $5 per night in the county parks or free in the state parks. Of course you have to apply for a camping permit about a year in advance, except for the inland sites. Then you only have apply about a month to six months in advance.

There are three really nice trails on Kauai: the Kukui Trail, the Kuilau Ridge Trail and the Kalalau Trail. My favorite is the Kalalau Trail. I don't remember exactly how long it is, but it is a backpack trail, so you will need to plan for at least one night of backcountry camping. You will have a spectacular view of the Na Pali Coast and Kee Beach, and pass right by the 300-foot Hanakapiai Falls. The other trails (Kukui and Kuilau Ridge) are about 5-miles each (roundtrip). Each have their own spectacular views and appeal. You hike through the Waimea Canyon on the Kukui Trail. My favorite parts of the Kuilau Ridge Trail are the numerous small waterfalls, all the flowers and lush green surroundings.

The picture above brought back memories of Kauai for me. Just a couple of small details. I took this picture in the courtyard of the place where I work . . . yesterday. It's an azalea, not native to Hawaii and It's thousands of miles from Kauai, but the memories are still right here. My family and I hope to visit the islands sometime in the next few years--first time for (t)onks and (r)ouge but return visits for my wife and I.

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Song 144: I'm Free
Artist: The Who
Album: Tommy
Year: 1969
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Im free-Im free,
Im free-Im free,
And freedom tastes of reality,
And freedom tastes of reality,
Im free-Im free,
Im free-Im free,
An Im waiting for you to follow me.
An Im waiting for you to follow me.

I have seen The Who in concert twice over the years: once at Woodstock and once in Hawaii.

meet (f)uzzhead

picture of (f)uzzhead taken by (r)ogue last night

(f)uzzhead is about 14 years old. He became part of our family around Thanksgiving, just as he was turning one. He had attitude back then. He still has attitude, but he's mellowed a bit over the years. After all, he's almost 100 in dog years. The first day I meet him, we were playing in the living room floor. I blew in his face and he promptly snipped my nose. I don't blow in his face anymore. He's always been a temperamental dog. He likes most people, although he doesn't like to be petted by strangers. Once you get to know him (or he gets to know you . . . it has to be his idea) you can rub his stomach, muss his hair, scratch his chin . . . just about anything you want. But don't touch his tail.

He loves horses. Horses live next door to us and (f)uzzhead used to be fascinated by them. He would run around and bark when they came into view. Then one day he got close enough to touch nose to nose with one of them. In the next scene, he was standing on his back legs with his front paws gently resting on the nose of our neighbor's horse. It was instant friendship. He has loved horses from then until now.

We almost lost (f)uzzhead a couple of years ago. He began to loose weight . . . from 24 pounds down to about 17 and we knew something was wrong. There were other signs as well, but you don't want to know the details of that . . . messy. After several visits to the vet and many tests, we were told that we could try medication and if it worked he would have to take it for the rest of his life or he would just wither away or the obvious last resort decision. For our family, there was only one decision! (f)uzzhead is still with us, he eats very well (a special diet), takes his medicine twice a day and seems to be enjoying his life with us. I know we enjoy him. (f)uzzhead is a real joy. Funny how pets always make such a difference in your life.

FYI: The Space Shuttle Endeavour landed safely at just after 12:30EDT today at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Whew!

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Song 143: I'm A Man
Artist: Chicago
Album: Chicago Transit Authority
Year: 1969
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Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my chin
Never had no problems cause Ive always paid the rent
I got no time for lovin
Cause my time is all used up
I stand outside creatin
All the groovy kinds of love

Im a man, yes I am and I cant help but love you so
Im a man, yes I am and I cant help but love you so

25 or 6 to 4, Saturday in the Park and I'm a Man are my favorite Chicago songs, not necessarily in that order. I like them all equally well.

i think i'm in love

Yes, I think I'm in love . . . with a camera. I have a field trip coming up to take pictures of some of my company's properties in the north country. This occasion called for the purchase of a really good digital SLR, so I went shopping this weekend and came home with a Canon Digital Rebel XTi. What a fantastic camera. I love it! I love the flexibility of settings. The ease of use. The size and weight . . . and it looks professional. As I spent time in a local park yesterday, test driving the camera, it got a lot of attention from passersby. I feel more like a photographer today than I did Friday. I love digital photography. The Sony Cyber-Shot will continue to be the one that I keep with me all the time, for those ideaspotting field trips and spontaneous opportunities, but the Canon won't be far away from me either.

The clay pot picture on yesterday's post, and the two pictures below are some of the first 400 pictures I took with the Digital Rebel. The two pictures below show the use of macro settings and tungsten whitespace adjustments.



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Song 142: I'd Wait A Million Years
Artist: Grass Roots
Album: Leavin' It All Behind
Year: 1969
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I'd wait a million years
Walk a million miles, cry a million tears
I'd swim the deepest sea
Climb the highest hill, just to have you near me

how to fill a clay pot

Like this clay pot that I took a picture of today, I am a vessel. How I choose to be filled is up to me. I want to be filled with those things that are pleasing and honoring to God. What matters to God? What matters to me? One aspect of this question is answered in James 2:1-3.

[01] My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. [02] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. [03] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

As a follower of Jesus, I am honor-bound to treat everyone with love and respect . . . to show no favoritism, no prejudice. But what is honor? An honorable person has integrity, tells the truth, is committed to doing the right thing, is honest, couragious, accountable, trustworthy, and takes pleasure in serving others. If I have the virtues of honor, I can do no less than treat everyone with love and respect. This is one of the most difficult things in the world to do. Think about it. Are there those that I (you) look at differently? Do I think about someone who dresses all in black differently than I do someone who dresses in bright colors? Do I talk to someone of a different color or nationality the same as I do someone who looks like me? How about a homeless man . . . do I treat him differently than I do a man who drives a Mercedes and goes home each night to a huge house? Do I have the same conversation with someone in my fellowship class as I do with someone at work? If I answered no to any of these questions, then am not being filled with the right thing . . . not being filled with the Spirit.

God looks at the heart, not at the exterior. I am honor-bound to do the same.

weather forces shuttle home early

Hurricane Dean developed into a Category 4 monster storm yesterday, packing sustained winds of 145mph and maintaining a NNW track at about 18mph. Dean swept past the Dominican Republic and Haiti yesterday, headed for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. NASA is concerned that it may track toward Houston, home of NASA Mission Control. Their concern has prompted them to end the STS-118 Space Shuttle Endeavour mission early and bring the astronauts home on Tuesday, rather than Wednesday. Astronauts hurriedly completed their last spacewalk yesterday, said their goodbyes and closed the hatches between the ISS (International Space Station) and the shuttle to prepare for Tuesday's landing.

NASA is prepared to rush a skeleton crew of mission control personnel to Cape Canaveral, Florida, but only if the shuttle is unable to land on Tuesday. Keep in mind, that they still have the gash in the underbelly of the shuttle, which has not been repaired. If I were a member of the STS-118 crew (especially the teacher-turned-astronaut) I would be stressing a little bit right now. I know I will be anxiously watching on Tuesday.

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Song 141: I Can't Get Next To You
Artist: The Temptations
Album: Puzzle
Year: 1969
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I can turn a gray sky blue.
I can make it rain, whenever I wanted to.
Oh, I
I can build a castle from a single grain of sand.
I can make a ship sail, uh, on dry land.

But my life is incomplete and I'm so blue.
'Cause I can't get next to you.

I can't get next to you, babe. (Next to you)
I can't get next to you. (I just can't get next you)
I can't get next to you, babe.
I can't get next to you.

I can fly like a bird in the sky.
Hey, and I can buy anything that money can buy.
Oh, I
I can turn a river into a raging fire.
I can live forever if I so desired.

Unimportant are all the things I can do. 'Cause I can't get next to you.

I can't get next to you, babe. (No matter what I do)
I can't get next to you.
Uh-ya

Ooo-Ooo
Ooo-Ooo
Chica boom, chica boom
Chica boom, boom, boom

I can turn back the hands of time, you better believe I can.
I
I can make the seasons change, just by waving my hand.
Oh, I
I can change anything from old to new.
The things I want to do the most, I'm unable to do.

Unhappy am I with all the powers I possess.
'Cause girl you're the key to my happiness.
And I

Can't get next to you.

Girl, you're blowing my mind 'cause I can't get...(Next to you)
Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get... (Next to you)
Girl, it's you that I need. I gotta get...(Next to you)
Can't you see these tears I'm crying? I can't get... (Next to you)
I, I, I, I... I can't get...(Next to you)
I, I, I, I... I can't get...(Next to you)
Girl, you're blowing my mind...

heat wave

For the past eight days it has been over 100 degrees in my part of the country. As I surveyed my backyard this morning, I stopped to visit with a tulip poplar standing along the fenceline. I've watched this tulip poplar grow from a sapling and every year it is the first to shed its green leaves and add a splash of fall color to our landscape. It's always earlier than the other trees, but this year the tulip poplar is giving in to the heat rather than the autumn equinox. It's leaves are a mix of green and brown, not much color in between. Lawns are parched. The edges of our lawn that touch the driveway are burned. Patches of brown grass spot our neighborhood. Plants are withering. Even after providing them with a liberal drink of water, they perk up for a little while, but then droop again. Days like these are hard on all living things. We haven't had rain in weeks (two days in about 14 or 15 weeks). Parts of the city got a sprinkle yesterday. We didn't. Lightning and thunder closed the local pools, but no rain made it to the ground. It's just too hot. During a normal year, I am mowing my yard every five days during this time of the season. Today I will mow for the first time in 14 days--then mow my in-laws yard. It's just too hot for them to be out at their age.

There have been 10 deaths attributed to the heat in my county alone--elderly people with insufficient or no air conditioning. There are relief shelters set up throughout the city where people can go to escape from the heat, but a lot of people can't get there without assistance. And a lot of them don't realize the shelters are open. Shelters are open until midnight every night.

Global warming. It's global warming I tell you! No seriously, I think this heat wave is just a natural thing. I recall other heat waves in other years, and I have read about heat waves in years gone by. Remember three years ago when people were preaching that the huge hurricanes of that year were a sign of the future? That every year would bring huge storms and they would be larger and larger as time went on? Not so. Weather patterns fluctuate. They change. It's always been that way and it will continue to be that way. Sure, our use of fossil fuels contributes to the degradation of our atmosphere, but I think we have a bigger problem than than. Population. How much longer can our fragile planet continue to accommodate the unrelenting population growth we are experiencing? All people groups in all nations on all continents need to evaluate our situation and do something about it. We are all too lackadaisical about life. We're too caught up in our own little world to think about the world as a whole. No, I don't have a solution, but chances are, neither do you. Maybe we could work together for the common good.

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Song 140: Hot Fun In The Summertime
Artist: Sly and the Family Stone
Album: only released as a single and on a greatest hits album
Year: 1969
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End of the spring and here she comes back
Hi Hi Hi Hi there
Them summer days, those summer days

That's when I had most of my fun, back
high high high high there
Them summer days, those summer days

I "cloud nine" when I want to

Out of school, yeah

County fair in the country sun

And everything, it's true, ooh yeah

Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime

First of the fall and then she goes back
Bye bye bye bye there
Them summer days, those summer days

"Boop-boop-ba-boop-boop" when I want to

Out of school, yeah

County fair in the country sun

And everything, it's true, ooh yeah

Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime
Hot fun in the summertime

no repairs on the space shuttle

This picture was taken last Sunday, August 12. The docked Soyuz 14 (TMA-10) (foreground) and Progress 26 resupply vehicle are featured in this image photographed by a STS-118 crewmember from a window on the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station. The blackness of space and a blue and white Earth provide the backdrop for the scene. Photo and caption courtesy of NASA.

NASA announced on Thursday that there will be no heat shield repair space walk on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. During the launch sequence on August 8, a small piece of insulating foam from the shuttle's fuel tank struck the underbelly of the shuttle, leaving a 3-inch-long gash in the thermal protection layer. For several days, Mission Control has been analyzing the gash and has determined that it poses no safety risk for the astronauts when they re-enter on August 22. Endeavour is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on August 20 to prepare for their trip home. The primary component of this mission (STS-118) was to continue construction on the ISS by delivering a truss segment. Astronauts will perform one more space walk on Saturday to complete the mission.

I (and many others across the globe) will be nervously listening and watching as the shuttle returns next Wednesday.

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Song 139: Here Comes The Sun
Artist: The Beatles
Album: Abbey Road
Year: 1969
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Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right

thermal protection system

This is an aft view of the Space Shuttle Endeavour (on August 10, 2007) as the STS-118 crew puts the spacecraft though a rendezvous pitch maneuver, allowing the crewmembers on the nearby International Space Station to document the vehicle's thermal protection system condition. Photo courtesy of NASA.

The STS-118 Space Shuttle Mission has been in the news a lot lately, because of the 3 inch long, 2 inch wide gash in the tiles on the underside of the shuttle. NASA will be making a decision today as to whether a spacewalk should be conducted to repair the gash. If there is a question about whether to repair it or not, I think they should repair it. We all know how fragile these shuttle missions are anyway. Why take chances?

The gash in the tiles is in the thermal protection system of the shuttle orbiter. The thermal protection system consists of various materials applied externally to the outer structural skin of the orbiter to maintain the skin within acceptable temperatures, mainly during the entry phase of the mission. The orbiter's outer structural skin is constructed primarily of aluminum and graphite epoxy.

During entry, the TPS materials protect the orbiter outer skin from temperatures above 350 F. In addition, they are reusable for 100 missions with refurbishment and maintenance. These materials perform in temperature ranges from minus 250 F in the cold soak of space to entry temperatures that reach nearly 3,000 F.

Because the TPS is installed on the outer skin of the orbiter, it serves another purpose in addition to acting as a heat shield. It establishes the aerodynamics of the the vehicle by sustaining and directing the forces induced on it by deflections of the orbiter airframe.

I am getting anxious to hear the decision on whether or not to repair the TPS. I vote yes . . . it's better to be safe!

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Song 138: Heaven Knows
Artist: Grass Roots
Album: Leavin' It All Behind
Year: 1969
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With a song in my heart
And a chance to be yours forever
I couldn't feel more secure
I know I couldn't feel any better
Oh Lord, Heaven knows
How much I love you and
How much it shows
Oh Lord, Heaven
Heaven knows

Every time we're together
Your love is moving like lightning through me
It's such a beautiful feeling
Never hearing good-bye said to me

Oh Lord, Heaven knows
How much I love you and
How much it shows
Oh Lord, Heaven
Heaven knows

I was living without you
Trying to make it alone
But there is something about you
Now your heart is my home

With a song in my heart
And a chance to be yours forever
I couldn't feel more secure
I know I couldn't feel any better
Oh Lord, Heaven knows
How much I love you and
How much it shows
Oh Lord, Heaven
Heaven knows

Oh Lord, Heaven knows
How much I love you and
How much it shows
Oh Lord, Heaven
Heaven knows

local geology and a brand new blog

The table at the front of the classroom displayed a variety of fossils, minerals and rocks which my wife and I have collected over the years from sites all around the southeastern United States. About twenty five adults and children gathered in the room and the talk began. My wife and I introduced this select group of people to a hobby that is brand new to most of them. I consider my wife and I to be avocational geologists . . . we're not formally trained in the study of geology . . . we're not employed as geologists . . . but we love studying, learning and collecting rocks, minerals and fossils.

Our collection includes a few dinosaur bones, a few trilobites and a number of brachiopods and other marine fossils, ice age fossils, sharks teeth, ray teeth, crinoids, corals, blastoids, archimedes petrified wood, plant fossils. And then there are the rocks and minerals: shattercones, quartz crystals, selenite, banded agates, jasper, druse quartz, smoky quartz, quartz and chalcedony geodes, pyrite, marcasite, and the list goes on. These are just the little treasures from the earth that we have collected locally (within 250 miles of our home).

That's what our talk was about yesterday . . . local geology and how to collect specimens. It was supposed to last 45 minutes, but an hour and 15 minutes into it, the participants were still asking questions and lookiing at the treasures on the table. It was a priviledge to be able to share the little bit of knowledge that we have gained over the years with people who are anxious to learn and interested in one of the same hobbie we enjoy so much.

BTW: Check out a brand new blog that just launched yesterday. I have a feeling it is going to be one of my favorites. It's hosted by my great nephew. He is like a walking encyclopedia on dinosaurs, and I am pleased to see that he has decided to share his knowledge with us. The name of the blog is Welcome to Jurrasic Park. Drop by and leave him a comment or share some of your knowledge on dinosaurs with him. You can reach his blog by clicking on the title of this post or click on it in my list of Favorite Web Spots (in the right navigation of my blog)

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Song 137: Heartbreaker
Artist: Grand Funk Railroad
Album: On Time
Year: 1969
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Once I had a little girl, sometimes I think about her,
But, buddy, you know shes not really there.
When memories do call, I just, I just cant live without her
But tryin all the time is so hard to bear.

Heartbreaker, cant take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
Heartbreaker, cant take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.

I dont cry no more, I live while Im flying,
But Ill think back, and you can hear me say:

Heartbreaker, cant take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
Heartbreaker, cant take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.

rapelling for money

During a morning staff meeting the other day, I kept hearing this thump-click-bonk-scrape-click-zip sound every few minutes. At first it was distant, but it got increasingly loud until the next set of sound bites were accompanied by a visual. Here were these two guys hanging in harnesses, suspended in mid-air by a set of ropes. Thump: a suction-activated handle pulled them into view. Click: they locked themselves in place. Bonk: a window-cleaning squeegy slapped against the window. Scape: they did their window-cleaning sequence. Click: the suction handle released. Zip: they slide down the rope to the next set of windows.

Wow. I want to do that! What a cool job. Rapelling all day and getting paid for it. Well, this morning as I parked my car, I noticed that they were at it again today, on the building next to mine, so I just had to stop and snap a couple of pictures to share with you. This building is eleven stories high. I'm sure they have taller jobs, but eleven stories is far enough off the ground to make some people a bit lightheaded, especially hanging mid-air on a rope.

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Song 136: Green River
Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Album: Green River
Year: 1969
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Well, take me back down where cool water flows, yeah.
Let me remember things I love,
Stoppin at the log where catfish bite,
Walkin along the river road at night,
Barefoot girls dancin in the moonlight.

I can hear the bullfrog callin me.
Wonder if my ropes still hangin to the tree.
Love to kick my feet way down the shallow water.
Shoefly, dragonfly, get back to your mother.
Pick up a flat rock, skip it across green river.
Welllllll!

Up at codys camp I spent my days, oh,
With flat car riders and cross-tie walkers
Old cody, junior took me over,
Said, youre gonna find the world is smouldrin.
And if you get lost come on home to green river.

Welllllll!
Come on home.

barefoot hiking

While hiking on the Appalachian Trail in 1992, I met this really tall hiker from Maine. The fact that he was almost seven feet tall wasn't what I remember most about him. The fact that he was thru hiking the AT wasn't what I remember most about him. Even knowing that his pack only weighed about thirty pounds (incredibly light for a thru hiker) wasn't what I remember most about him. I remember him most because he was hiking the AT (all 2,000+ miles of it) barefooted. I enjoy hiking in sandals. They let your feet breathe. I even like hiking barefooted occasionally, but the terrain has to be just right . . . like beach trails or fine, powdery trails. It's not often that you find trails like that though. There are too many variables . . . tree roots, rocks, sweetgum balls, poison ivy, snakes, bear scat, and the list goes on. Well, while hiking my local trail today, I saw the evidence of a barefoot hiker. This picture documents it. This trail is an eight-mile loop trail. During my lunch, I can only work in about three miles, so today I hiked out for about twenty minutes then back. Although the temperature outside was 105 today, hiking under the canopy of trees made the temperature seem not-so-hot. I enjoy hiking, not matter what the temperature or the weather. It just happens to be scorchingly hot these days.

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Song 135: Get Ready
Artist: Rare Earth
Album: Get Ready
Year: 1969
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Never met a girl could make me feel the way that you do.
(You're all right).
Whenever I'm asked what makes-a my dreams real, I tell em you do.
(You're outta sight).
Well tweedle dee, tweedle dum, look out baby 'cause here I come.

(Aaahh) Bringin' you a love that's true, Get ready, get ready
(Aaahh) Stop makin' love to you, Get ready, get ready.
(Aaahh) Get ready, cause here I come (on my way)

You wanna play hide and seek with love, let me remind ya.
(You're all right).
Lovin' you're gonna miss, and the time it takes to find ya.
(You're outta sight).
Fe Fi Fo Fo Fum, Look out baby now here I come.

(Aaahh) Bringin' you a love that's true, Get ready, get ready
(Aaahh) Stop makin' love to you, Get ready, get ready.
(Aaahh) Get ready, cause here I come (on my way)

If all my friends shouldn't want me to, I think I'll understand
(You're alright)
Hope I get to you before they do cause, that's how I planned it.
(You're outta sight)
Well tweedle dee, tweedle dum, look out baby 'cause here I come.

(Aaahh) Bringin' you a love that's true, Get ready, get ready
(Aaahh) Stop makin' love to you, Get ready, get ready.
(Aaahh) Get ready, cause here I come (on my way)

I love this song . . . always have!

a gash in the underbelly of endeavour

STS-118 SHUTTLE MISSION
A view of the Space Shuttle Endeavour as the STS-118 crew puts the spacecraft though a rendezvous pitch maneuver, allowing the crewmembers on the nearby International Space Station to document the vehicle's thermal protection system condition. Photo courtesy of NASA.

A piece of foam apparently broke loose from the external fuel tank of the Space Shuttle Endeavour during launch late last week. It appears that the foam bounced into the underbelly of the shuttle, leaving a gash about three and a half inches long and two inches deep. The underbelly of the shuttle is subjected to extremely hot temperatures on re-entry (as much as 2,300 degrees F), therefore the damage is currently being examined to determine whether a repair spacewalk is needed.

Every shuttle receives some damage on lift-off. It's just that most of the damage comes in the form of dings and small gashes, maybe an inch deep. This one is a little bit deeper and NASA must take every precaution. Fortunately, every space shuttle mission now carries heat-shield repair kits just in case such a repair is needed. A heat shield patch could be screwed in place over the gash, it could be covered with a special paint, or the gash could be filled with a googy glue-type substance.

Let's just hope there's not that much to worry about. Just as a point of comparison . . . the piece of foam that downed the Columbia several years ago was about the size of a briefcase and struck the leading edge of one of the wings of the shuttle. The piece of foam that has prompted this scrutiny was only about the size of a grapefruit and struck the underbelly of the shuttle, which is subjected to far less temperature on re-enter than are the leading edges of the wings.

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Song 134: Fortunate Son
Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Album: Willy and the Poor Boys
Year: 1969
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Some folks are born
made to wave the flag,
Ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief",
they point the cannon right at you.
It ain't me,
it ain't me.
I ain't no senator's son.
It ain't me,
it ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one.
Some folks are born
silver spoon in hand,
Lord don't they help themselves.
But when the tax man comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale.
It ain't me,
it ain't me.
I ain't no millionaire's son.
It ain't me,
it ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one.
Some folks inherit
star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war.
And when you ask them,
"How much should we give?"
They only answer "More! More! More!"
It ain't me,
it ain't me.
I ain't no military son.
It ain't me,
it ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one.
It ain't me,
it ain't me.
I ain't no Fortunate Son.

banded agate

Although it was hotter than an oven on broil today, my wife and I joined about thrity other members of our rock club and traveled south to a couple of gravel mines for a few hours of rock, mineral and fossil collecting. This is a picture of one of the great banded agates that I found at the last location we stopped. We collected at two mines. At the first I found maybe six nice specimens . . . mostly agates and a couple of fossil corals. The last mine was really loaded. I found about fifteen nice agates and a handful of marine fossils.

This banded agate is in the field before cleanup. I'll do that later today. The specimens from the mines are so clean that all I really need to do is wash the dust and dirt from them, brush out the crevases and then coat them with a little bit of mink oil to highlight the brilliant bands of color.

Field trips like this one are always fun for adults as well kids. The kids on today's visit enjoyed climbing on the huge piles of gravel and surfing down from the top. The kids that are really into collecting rocks seem to do a better job than most of the adults. I think it is mostly because they have sharper vision, they're a bit closer to the ground so they can spot the agates better, and they don't mind sitting (or lying) down in the rocks to search through them. Most of the adults go for the big rocks, while the kids concentrate on little (even teeny tiny) ones.

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Song 133: Evil Ways
Artist: Santana
Album: Santana
Year: 1969
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You've got to change your evil ways... baby
Before I stop loving you.
You've go to change... baby
And every word that I say, it's true.
You've got me running and hiding
All over town.
You've got me sneaking and peeping
And running you down
This can't go on...
Lord knows you got to change... baby.

When I come home... baby
My house is dark and my pots are cold
You're hanging ëround... baby
With Jean and Joan and a who knows who
I'm getting tired of waiting and fooling around
I'll find somebody, who won't make me feel like a clown
This can't go on...
Lord knows you got to change

quick trip through the courtyard

I am so glad today is Friday. This has been an incredibly long week. It's funny how some weeks can seem so short. Go by so quickly. Then you have weeks that seem like they will never end. There are the same number of hours in every week, so I suppose it all depends on how engaging your activities are, or how much time you spend in the office that makes the difference. All I know is . . . the weekend starts tonight. I guess I'm just one of those everyday people.

I work in one of a triad of buildings. Between the buildings is a courtyard, full of trees and plants and flowers. I took this picture on one of my many quick trips through the courtyard from building to building.

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Song 132: Everyday People
Artist: Sly and the Family Stone
Album: Stand!
Year: 1969
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Sometimes I'm right and I can be wrong
My own beliefs are in my song
The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then
Makes no difference what group I'm in
I am everyday people, yeah yeah

There is a blue one who can't accept the green one
For living with a fat one trying to be a skinny one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo-bee
Oh sha sha - we got to live together

I am no better and neither are you
We are the same whatever we do
You love me you hate me you know me and then
You can't figure out the bag l'm in
I am everyday people, yeah yeah

There is a long hair that doesn't like the short hair
For bein' such a rich one that will not help the poor one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo-bee
Oh sha sha-we got to live together

There is a yellow one that won't accept the black one
That won't accept the red one that won't accept the white one
And different strokes for different folks
Oh sha sha-

I am everyday people.

Sly Stone was right on target when he wrote this song back in 68 (released on Stand! in 69). It was relevant when he sang it at Woodstock and when he sang it at the Crater Festival and it is relevant today. We got to live together. I can't understand why we can't all get along. Our world is in such a mess. And getting messier. I read about the violence in American cities. European. African. Asian. South American. There's no place we can go that is totally peaceful. I long for the day when we can all live together. Red, yellow, black and white. We are precious in His sight. Isn't that the way the song goes? Not Sly's song . . . not quite.

chain link

While walking by some old passenger traincars parked on the side tracks near my house, I spotted this chain and had to stop and take pictures of it. My daughter saw it too. We were almost competing to see who could get the best shot. The shot above is one of mine, but hers are better . . . they're always better. She's an extremely good artist and photographer. She'll be famous one day . . . I just know it!

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Song 131: Eli's Coming
Artist: Three Dog Night
Album: Suitable for Framing
Year: 1969
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Eli's Coming
Eli's coming, Eli's coming
Girl, you'd better hide your heart
Your lovin' heart
Eli's coming and the cards say...

Broken heart, oh broken heart, oh broken heart

Eli's coming, hide your heart girl
Eli's coming, hide your heart girl
Girl, Eli's coming you'd better hide
Girl, Eli's coming you'd better hide
You'd better hide your heart, your heart
Eli's coming, hide your heart
You'd better better hide your heart

Eli's coming, better walk
Walk, but you'll never get away
No you'll never get away from the burn and the heartache
I walk to Apollo by the bay
Everywhere I go

Eli's coming (she walked but she never got away)
Eli's coming (she walked but she never got away)
Eli's coming and he's coming to get you mama
I'm down on my knees
Oh broken heart

Eli's coming, oh, Eli's coming
I say, you know, you coming
Gotta get away
Get, get, get, get away
From the man
Coming now, whoa, whoa, whoa

Hide your broken heart
Hide your broken heart
Whoa, whoa, whoa, girl
Eli's coming you'd better hide
Girl, Eli's coming you'd better hide
You'd better hide your heart
Eli's coming hide your heart
You'd better better hide your heart
Eli's coming better walk

Cry, but he's never gonna hear
No he's never gonna hear and he ain't gonna follow
I cry to the corners of the square
Everywhere I go

Eli's coming, Eli's coming
Eli's coming and he's coming to get you mama
I'm down on my knees
Oh baby won't you hide your broken heart

Hide it, hide it, hide it, hide it
Hide it, hide it, hide it, hide it....

Eli's coming, Eli's coming
Yeah, you'd better hide your heart

only shadows

Yesterday my hike was a field trip . . . a mission. My goal was to take only pictures of shadows. To accomplish this picture, I placed my camera on a tripod and positioned myself behind it so the legs of the tripod were hidden by my legs. Then I set the camera timer, which allowed me to take the picture with both of my hands visible in the shadow.



I found one section of the trail under canopy of trees that presented numerous opportunities for leaf shadow pictures. I took a whole series of shots during that part of the hike. This is one of them.

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Song 130: Easy To Be Hard
Artist: Three Dog Night
Album: Suitable for Framing
Year: 1969
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How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold

How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no

And especially people
Who care about strangers
Who care about evil
And social injustice
Do you only
Care about the bleeding crowd?
How about a needing friend?
I need a friend

How can people be so heartless
You know I'm hung up on you
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no

And especially people
Who care about strangers
Who say they care about evil and social injustice
Do you only Care about the bleeding crowd
How about a needing friend?
Oh need a friend

How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
Easy to be cold
Easy to say no
C'mon Easy to give in
Easy to say no
Easy to be cold
Easy to say no
Easy to say no

laser night

We signed in, then stepped to the right and logged in our codenames. The game was on! Fourteen of us eased our way into the prep room, geared up and loaded our codenames into our laser guns. The doors unlocked and we filed into the game room. Electronic clicks and tones immediately intruded the quietness of the room as red laser beams fired in all directions. Music reminescent of Terminator blaired from the ceiling of the bi-level structure. Working his way around corners, up and down ramps, over obstacles, Woodstock quickly found his way to the back of the room, away from the noise of the crowd and quietly eased his way back toward them, firing at sensors glowing red on the vests of his opponents as he went. The battle continued for what seemed like hours. Seeking out vantage points, hiding in dark corners, waiting on glowing sensors to pass his way, Woodstock fired sparingly, aimed as accurately as he knew how and in the end . . . came out victorious!

I (codenamed Woodstock) had not played laser tag in perhaps ten years, but when a bunch of friends suggested we play, I was all for it. Albeit, I thought for sure that I would not stand a chance against all the twenty- and thirty-something guys I would be playing against. I surprised myself and had a great time. I think I burned more calories last night than I have in all the hikes of the past month. We were all tired, sweaty and a tad bit shaky when the night was over, but we all had a blast.

I guess I should mention that I didn't do quite so well the second game. Woodstock only made it to sixth place, but I could add that a fifteenth player came into the last game. He looked to be about nine or ten-years-old, about half as tall as the rest of us, and fast as lightning. He (Superman) naturally came in first place, pegging all of us numerous times.

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Song 129: Down on the Corner
Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Album: Willy and the Poor Boys
Year: 1969
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Early in the evenin just about supper time,
Over by the courthouse theyre starting to unwind.
Four kids on the corner trying to bring you up.
Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp.

Down on the corner, out in the street,
Willy and the poorboys are playin;
Bring a nickel; tap your feet.

Rooster hits the washboard and people just got to smile,
Blinky, thumps the gut bass and solos for a while.
Poorboy twangs the rhythm out on his kalamazoo.
Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo.

Down on the corner, out in the street,
Willy and the poorboys are playin;
Bring a nickel; tap your feet.

Down on the corner, out in the street,
Willy and the poorboys are playin;
Bring a nickel; tap your feet.

You dont need a penny just to hang around,
But if youve got a nickel, wont you lay your money down?
Over on the corner theres a happy noise.
People come from all around to watch the magic boy.

traincar tagger

By the time I pulled my camera from it's case, this train had almost passed me this morning. Every boxcar that passed was marked with graffiti. Some of the art these taggers produce is incredible. I wish there was some way to channel that energy and utilize the talents of these artists, commissioning them to paint murals and billboards in the urban landscape in an environment that asked for their talent, rather than vandalizing private and public property . . . buildings, bridges, buses, traincars, traffic signs. I don't know these taggers, so I don't know their collective story. Is it a challenge . . . an urge . . . a dare? What makes them infiltrate the train yard, armed with cans of spray paint and decorate these train cars with such impressive art? It almost reminds me of a tattoo artist who works his magic on such an unlikely canvas . . . an arm, a leg, an earlobe. These traincar taggers work their magic with spray paint on metal. Such abstract notions, and yet we have grown accustomed to seeing traincar graphics (and tattoos) every day.

Go figure!

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Song 128: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
Artist: Chicago
Album: Chicago Transit Authority
Year: 1969
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As I was walking down the street one day
A man came up to me and asked me what the time was that was
on my watch, yeah
And I said
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don't
Does anybody really care
care
If so I can't imagine why
about time
We've all got time enough to cry
Oh no, no
And I was walking down the street one day
A pretty lady looked at me and said her diamond watch had
stopped cold dead
And I said
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don't
Does anybody really care
care
If so I can't imagine why
about time
We've all got time enough to cry
Oh no, no
And I was walking down the street one day
Being pushed and shoved by people trying to beat the clock,
oh, so I just don't know,
I just don't know
And I said, yes I said
Background Vocal:
People runnin' everywhere
Don't know the way to go
Don't know where I am
Can't see past the next step
Don't have to think past the last mile
Have no time to look around
Just run around, run around and think why
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don't
Does anybody really care
care
If so I can't imagine why
about time
We've all got time enough to die
Oh no, no

hello sunshine

After careful consideration, my family and I decided that it was too hot yesterday to drive over to Pinnacle Mountain for a day hike. That particular excursion requires a bit of hand-over-hand climbing to make it to the top and with the temperature hovering around 100 degrees, we thought the rocks might be too hot to climb.

Instead, we spent about two and a half hours on a local trail, covering about eight and a half miles. It was a warm morning, but the canopy of trees helped ease the tempeature a bit. The trail we chose winds through the bottom land, then traverses a low ridge before circling back along a river bluff. The scenery was nice and the company even nicer. As we were leaving the park after our hike, we saw this field of sunflowers growing along the road and we just had to pull over and click a few pictures.

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Song 127: Does Anybody Hear Her
Artist: Casting Crowns
Album: Lifesong
Year: 2005
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She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her

If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her

Never even met her

Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me

Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?
Does anybody even know she's going down today?
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?

He is running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction

OK, I just had to break the year-by-year sequence today, but Does Anybody Hear Her is such an incredible song. Every time I hear it I can't help but think about all the lonely people . . . desperate people who only need one person to make a difference in their lives. You or I could be that one person. The difference. We get caught up in our own lives so much these days that we don't take the time to see what other people are going through . . . what help or encouragement they might need. Take the time. Make the effort. Listen. Care. Smile at a stranger. Lend a helping hand. Spend some time with an elderly man or woman. Mow their yard. Take them lunch. Wash their car. Drive them to a doctor's appointment or the grocery store. Make a difference. You may never know what influence you have in someone's life. Afterall, isn't that what living is all about . . . making other people's lives better. It is for me.

on the trail

A funny thing happened during lunch today. I was hiking this trail, as I often do during lunch, when my cell phone rang. It was my wife. She asked where I was and then she told me that she and a friend were hiking on another trail just a couple of minutes from where I was. She doesn't often hike during the week, especially on a hot day like today (97 degrees) and on this particular set of trails. Turns out she and her friend were trying to determine whether that trail or this one would be a good trail to lead a group of senior adults on a day hike when the weather gets cooler.

playing the trumpet while driving

I have heard people singing at the top of their lungs while driving. I have seen a woman putting on make-up (including mascara and eyeliner) while driving. I have seen a man with a sandwich in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other while driving . . . with one finger wrapped around the steering wheel. I have seen a person reading the newspaper. A person reading a thick, hardbound book (probably Harry Potter). A person shaving. One changing pants. One with his foot hanging out of the window. One with two dogs sitting in her lap. But this morning, I saw a man playing a trumpet . . . while driving. His windows were down, so he obviously wanted to share his love of music and his fascinating ability to play the trumpet with one hand while shifting gears and driving a standard-shift car. It didn't sound like any music I have ever heard, but it did get my attention.

BTW . . . I did not take the picture above while driving. This is just a quick picture I took this morning when I got out of my car at work. Just a visual to go with this morning's post, though I would love to have had a picture of the mobile trumpeteer.

If you have experienced weird, strange or unusual driving encounters, please leave a comment.

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Song 126: Come Together
Artist: The Beatles
Album: Abbey Road
Year: 1969
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Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly
He got joo-joo eyeball he one holy roller
He got hair down to his knee
Got to be a joker he just do what he please

He wear no shoeshine he got toe-jam football
He got monkey finger he shoot coca-cola
He say "I know you, you know me"
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free
Come together right now over me

He bag production he got walrus gumboot
He got Ono sideboard he one spinal cracker
He got feet down below his knee
Hold you in his armchair you can feel his disease
Come together right now over me

He roller-coaster he got early warning
He got muddy water he one mojo filter
He say "One and one and one is three"
Got to be good-looking 'cause he's so hard to see
Come together right now over me

Come Together is one The Beatles best songs . . . fun to listen too . . . fun to sing along with . . . and the lyrics get stuck in your brain for days. Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly. What a great line. I have a mental image of this guy every time I hear the song.

the lizard

This lizard lives on the wall of my office. He's not a real lizard. He's a lizard sculpted from a sheet of metal and hand painted. He's been living on my wall for four or five years. When I need to stop work and rest my eyes for a few minutes, I often sit back and look at the lizard and all the buttons and little bits of creative stimuli that hang around him. He's the center of my creative ideaspotting wall.

A couple of weeks ago, while waiting for a large banner to print out, I seized the opportunity to draw the lizard. I did several sketches, of which the image above is one. There are lizards similar to this one living all around our house too. Each one is unique. Each one a different color. A different pose. A different mood. They must enjoy where they are, because they have been hanging around for an awfully long time.

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Song 125: Color My World
Artist: Chicago
Album: Chicago II
Year: 1969
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As time goes on
I realize
Just what you mean
To me
And now
Now that youre near
Promise your love
That Ive waited to share
And dreams
Of our moments together
Color my world with hope of loving you

Such a simple song, lyrically, but one that transports me back to the slow dances of high school and college days. This song had a slow start because it was the B-side of Make Me Smile, but soon found it's own place among the greats. I could listen to songs like Color My World all the time. It includes a very smooth flute solo by Walter Parazaider, which was rather unusal until Chicago (and Jethro Tull) came along.

hand-made paper

One of my favorite things to photograph is hand-made paper. I took the top picture at a local art supply store and the bottom picture at an art supply store in Charleston last week.

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Song 124: Celebrate
Artist: Three Dog Night
Album: Suitable for Framing
Year: 1969
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Slippin' away, sittin' on a pillow
Waitin' for night to fall
A girl and a dream, sittin' on a pillow
This is the night to go to the celebrity ball

Satin and lace, isn't it a pity
Didn't find time to call
Ready or not, gonna make it to the city
This is the night to go to the celebrity ball

Dress up tonight, why be lonely?
You'll stay at home and you'll be alone
So why be lonely?
Sittin' alone, sittin' on a pillow
Waitin' to climb the walls
Maybe tonight, depending how your dream goes
She'll open her eyes when he goes to the celebrity ball

Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music
Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music
Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music

I guess you could say I was a Three Dog Night groupie. I saw them in concert every time they were within driving distance. I think I saw them seven times during their heyday. I have the majority of their most popular songs memorized. I had all their albums, then all their cassettes. Over the years, my obsession with their music has waned a bit, but I still enjoy hearing their songs.

I even like the origin of the band's name. While reading an article in an Australian magazine, Danny Hutton's girlfriend came up with the name Three Dog Night. The article expained that that on cold nights the aboriginals would sleep in a hole in the ground while embracing a dingo, a native species of wild dog. On cold nights they would sleep with two dogs, and if a night was especially cold, it was a Three Dog Night.

Over the next months, expect to see many songs by Three Dog Night featured as my song-of-the-day.