Hard times ain't gonna rule my mind

Gillian Welch. Everyone should know who she is. Maybe listen to the song as you look at the photos. Old Shandro Hall leads. Built around 1935, it was witness to many a waltz, brawl, perfumed embrace, and happy glow. Now it rests as the rain washes away a multitude of memories and the endless grass caresses its old bones.


I can hear a fiddle, July 2011


Don't dwell in the dark, July 2011


Release the pain and the love, July 2011


Each stone is a memory, July 2011

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Welcome shelter unneeded today, July 2011


We're going to make it to the end of the road, July 2011


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Mandatory Christmas post

It's been a while since I've felt any kind of spirit at Christmastime. Cynicism (you only have to be nice until Boxing Day), letdown, rip, tear, and it's over. And then the debt. It's been easier to just tune out the whole thing and focus on the sweets and treats. My frustrated credit card, thankfully, rests at zero.

But now, there's the boys. Damn kids: they change you even if you don't want them too. Despite my obstinate self, they are chipping cracks in my scumbug veneer with their constant smiles and dimples. There is some magic to the spirit that's out there. Some of it is real. This is the darkest time of the year in my part of the world and all the purdy lights taste delicious to my eye-buds.

Photos from last night in Edmonton. The house owner has a warehouse to store his goods off-season and his yard has room for his obsession to grow. (I wonder if this counts as hoarding?)


Walking in a winter ... nevermind, December 2010


There's always room for more (advertising works), December 2010


I want these for next year (advertising works), December 2010


Even the inside, December 2010


Walking in a winter wonderland, December 2010

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Hepburn, Saskatchewan

Went out for a drive one night and this is what we found.

(Go Riders!)



Top speed 100 mph, August 2010


Fire engine red, August 2010


Memorial red, August 2010


Wheat red, August 2010


For the son, August 2010


1927 boom, August 2010


Home and away, August 2010


The peace of Sunday morning, August 2010


Someone still cares, August 2010

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That's enough for now

Near and far (the arrow without thought), September, 2010


Near and far (the origin of fire), September 2010


A slow race, September 2010


We've had a good run of sun and warm this fall, but today it's changing. I can't sense the combines crawling across the landscape today because we are blanketed by a seamless grey sky of mist and cold. It's almost time to say, that's enough for now.

Here's a song for the blues farmers who read this blog. I don't know if it will make you feel better or worse, but at least you know you're not alone.

Whispering Spruce Colony

"Dammit, this is tomorrow. I'm supposed to go to the city tomorrow."

She had just found a crumpled newsletter in the bottom of her son's backpack. Last week was a holiday, so it had been waiting there a while to spring the news on her. The important reminder was the preschool field trip to the Hutterite colony. Tomorrow.

"Honey? Can you take your little angel on a field trip tomorrow? If not I'll have to call one of the other moms."

"I'll do it," he shouted

"But, you hate field trips."

"Don't matter. I always wanted to go there. I wonder if they'll let me take pictures?"

Human order, May 2010

Outside the kitchen, May 2010

Meat red floor, May 2010

Spring fresh, May 2010

Simple time, May 2010

The center of the quiet, May 2010

Peter & Matthew, May 2010

A place to sleep, May 2010

Where radishes come from, May 2010

Friendly visit, May 2010

There are others?, May 2010

Quickening

A wee stroll led me to the quickening I was searching for. I could smell it in the new warmth of the soil and in the tracks left across the sky by migrating geese. O spring!

391401, April 2010

Someone will remember, April 2010

Reading the Matrix, April 2010

What could be so important?, April 2010

This marks a spot, April 2010

I see it, I hear it, April 2010

This is all I need, April 2010

White as snow, dry as dust

Silent beneath her farewell gaze, September 2009


Sunset Buddha, September 2009


Only salt remains, September 2009


Two friends passing (hello Coyote), September 2009


Last glimpse over the horizon, September 2009


Gentle waves of salt, September 2009


The bottom of the lake, September 2009


Background singers, shuffling their notes, September 2009


Stars floating above the sea, September 2009


A softer bed can't be found, September 2009

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Take me where I need to go (I love my truck), September 2009

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