Blog Archives

discomforting

For some reason, I have the idea that these fishnets would be particularly uncomfortable in the, uh, southern region. It’d only cost a buck and a half to find out, but I think I’ll save some money and just go with my initial assumption.

El Paso, Texas
photographed 12.14.2025

dial tone

Just next to this pay phone there was a sign that said BEWARE OF DOG. The sign was wired to a chain-link fence that had sheet metal panels part of the way up. There was also a dog who was not the least bit happy to see me: he barked and snarled and hurled himself into the sheet metal with such force that I thought for a minute he was going to break right through them. He didn’t do that, but he was able to look over the top of them glare/snarl at me.

Anyway, if I’d gotten in trouble* the pay phone would not have helped me one bit: there was no dial tone, possibly because the dog had gnawed through the cable as part of his dental hygiene process for keeping his teeth nice and sharp.

Fabens, Texas
photographed 12.16.2025

*When I see dogs that I don’t know, I will always assume their Short Range Plan(s) include eating one or more of my legs for a snack. Not that I’m overly dramatic or anything…

sacked

I stepped into the public restroom because…well, for the obvious reason. And a bit of magical light (and one white paper bag) greeted me.

San Elizario, Texas
photographed 12.15.2025

bones

There will be more White Sands photos later…but I’ll start with this one.

I thought the dunes themselves would be so interesting to photograph, but (and this wasn’t really a surprise because I am familiar with my work) what I liked the best was the separate life of things in the alkali flats between the dunes. The plants take on otherworldly shapes, there are tiny tracks made by invisible creatures, and there are elaborate patterns on the surface made by the elements (wind mostly, sometimes rain). Ancient ancient dune movement is revealed and it feels as if no human has seen this – this exact thing – ever before.

For me, the experience became one of seeing the tiny landscapes that populated the one that was too huge to understand. 

White Sands National Park, New Mexico
photographed 12.21.2025

…and His face was turned toward the sun

Jesus had lost his hands (I don’t know what happened), but at least he could face into the sun and watch the dying of the day.

Immaculate Conception Cemetery
Alamogordo, New Mexico
photographed 12.11.2025