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chain/link
On the far side of this cemetery, there was a little metal shelter, with three benches. Two sides of the shelter had chains across them.
So, for a change in scenery, I laid down on one of the benches and tilted my head far enough back that I was seeing things upside down. And this is what it looked like.
Hollene Cemetery
Hollene, New Mexico
photographed 8.31.2025
the sacred heart
This feels like a Typical Western Image™, with the white church, set on the top of a dry hill, squinting into the afternoon sun, with nothing else around. And rendered in black and white.
But I took the photo anyway.
Nara Visa, New Mexico
photographed 8.31.2025
western stars: a reflection
The reflection in this window confuses me, even though I stood right there and made the photo. Trying to work out where I was standing and which direction I was facing gives me what I call “calculus head.” And of course that name comes from that one semester in college when I had to take calculus. In class it nearly made sense, but when I try to do homework or take a test, it was like I’d never seen any of it before and the middle of my brain felt mush.
However, unlike calculus, which never made sense, this scene eventually worked itself out and now I can clearly visualize what was going on.
Nara Visa, New Mexico
photographed 8.31.2025
PS: My granddaughter Hannah loves calculus. (I know that doesn’t make any sense.) And once we had a conversation:
Hannah, showing me a calculus problem: What do you think the answer is?
Me (starting to feel early symptoms of Calculus Head): Uh, is it Thursday?
Hannah, rolling her eyes: No. The answer will NEVER be Thursday.
So that narrows it down a little bit.
room to make the big mistakes
“There’s nothing to see.”
“It’s so flat.”
“It’s boring.”
“The openness is weird.”
(All incorrect statements about the Plains.)
Hollene Cemetery
Hollene, New Mexico
photographed 8.31.2025
no diving
On the way down the hotel hallway to get this photograph, I had a conversation with a gentleman whose keycard didn’t work. He was heading back to the lobby to get it fixed; he was philosophical about it, saying, “Oh, well. I like to walk.”
But then when I stopped to get this photo, I caught a certain look (of terror, or confusion) in his eyes. And I don’t think it’s my imagination that he walked a little faster…
Vega, Texas
photographed 8.31.2025
One Day | One Image 