Blog Archives
the seat of god
Like many things I find on my wanderings, this place failed to offer any strong clues about what was/is going on. I know someone got fancy with the concrete block. And I know there was a random chair in front of a similarly random broom. But past that…
Redford, Texas
photographed 2.19.2025
procession (a sacred duty)
A tiny slice of the parade to honor Sant’Agata. It’s chaotic. And spiritual. And confusing. And somehow comforting.
Catania, Sicily
photographed 2.4.2025
two saints and jesus
Yesterday I posted a photo of ancient Roman tiles on the floor of a villa.
Here’s more tile, this time Byzantine glass mosaics dating from the late 12th and the mid-13th centuries. These mosaics (6,500 m2; 70,000 square feet) cover the interior of the Duomo de Monreale, which is considered to be one of the finest examples of existing Norman architecture. Work on the cathedral was begun in 1174.
Fact check: According to a legend, William II of Sicily fell asleep under a carob tree while hunting in the woods near Monreale. The Holy Virgin appeared to him in dream, suggesting that he should build a church there. After removing the tree, a treasure was found in its roots, whose golden coins were used to finance the construction. It is more likely that the church was part of a plan of large construction in competition with the bishop of Palermo, who had ordered the large Cathedral of Palermo.
Duomo de Monreale
Montreale, Sicily
photographed 1.30.2025
twilight, calera
In my mind, this little chapel is a comet and the red and violet sky behind it is its tail.
Also there were three people out there in the dark somewhere, with head lanterns on, looking for scorpions and tarantulas and whatever else they could find. I was not interested in trading places with them. Nope. Not even a little bit.
It was a beautiful night (in spite of scorpions and stuff) – one of those nights that are so pleasant it’s hard to pack up the camera and leave.
near Toyahvale, Texas
photographed 3.21.2025
our gentle sin
Another day, another (seemingly) random song lyric.
Today’s version comes from “Take Me to Church” by Hozier, where he sings “No masters or kings when the ritual begins/there is not sweeter innocence than our gentle sin/in the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene/only then, I am human, only then, I am clean.”
Maybe it’s ironic that these words came to me when I was inside a church that had statues and kings and rituals and etc., but that’s my brain when it’s hopped up on photography and friendship and travel and songs that are wedged in my memory.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Shafter, Texas
photographed 2.19.2025
One Day | One Image 