Blog Archives
flowers
Some photographers will carefully time their arrival at locations so the light is just right, the sun at precisely the perfect angle, and then they get (they allege) The Perfect Image. (And if there’s a cloud they don’t like, they’ll wait until it leaves. Or maybe they’ll wait a few short hours in case a better cloud comes along.)
I am not that sort of photographer. For one thing, I am typically on the move (at an average travel speed of 18 miles per hour*, so my “move” is sometimes almost imperceptible). For another thing, I usually don’t even know exactly where I will be, which is a big hindrance to plotting things in advance. And, finally, I just don’t want to.
So maybe I’m missing out on The Perfect Image every time I’m out. But on the other hand, even without knowing there’d be a beautiful cemetery off the main road in Funks Grove, Illinois, and with no prior knowledge that on this day this exact tree would be in bloom, and with absolutely no knowledge of sun angles (past the part that, yep, there’s gonna be angles), I think I did ok.
Funks Grove, Illinois
July 2, 2022
*”Covered wagons travel faster than you do.” -actual comment from my friend Claudette.
reading (with Abe)
Of course, when you are in the Land of Lincoln you’ve got to expect a lot of Abe-related stuff.
In addition to the giant covered wagon with book-reading Abe, there is a marker downtown commemorating the time in 1853 when our boy Abe christened the town (just named Lincoln!) with watermelon juice. (“From a cup,” according to the ever-helpful EZ Route 66 Guide for Travelers.)
And both of these things illustrate why you need to get off the damn interstate and look around in these little towns.
Lincoln, Illinois
July 2, 2022
cruising (with Abe)
Here in Pontiac, corners downtown were decorated with these little art cars. I loved this one, with Abe and his luxurious wind-blown hair taking a ride. He seemed so jaunty and carefree. I sort of wish I had this in the sculpture gallery at my house.
I mean, I don’t actually have a sculpture galley at my house, but if I did, this piece would be placed in the prime location.
Pontiac, Illinois
July 1, 2022
misericordia
The church doors were locked, so all I could do was peek inside through the window.
There were lots of tiny items of interest, but my favorite thing was the word “misericordia” on that poster. It’s a lovely word and fun to pronounce, with a nice rhythm to all of those syllables.
St. Paul Catholic Church
Odell, Illinois
July 1, 2022




