Blog Archives
Things may not be as they appear
Look! An old building! It’s been abandoned right here on the border for years. I bet it can tell you some tales – banditos crossing the river (in both directions!), shootouts, bad guys, good guys, love gained, love betrayed. Etc.
Only: it’s part of a movie set. It was built in 1985 for a movie called “Uphill all the Way” which starred Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, and Burl Ives. (The information sign indicated this movie was a “border-western comedy.” Whatever that means.) Since then, it’s been used for several other movies and music videos. Including this one by country music superstars Brooks and Dunn*, which you might want to watch it with the sound off, as it’s pretty twangy.
near Lajitas, Texas
photographed 1.20.2013
* I am pretty sure I am somehow legally obligated to include the words “county music superstars” with any reference to Brooks and Dunn. Better safe than sorry, I say.
Veterans for Peace
While most of the graves at the Terlingua cemetery are from the 1930s and 40s, there are some newer ones. Like this one, with its Veterans for Peace badge.
Terlingua, Texas
photographed 1.20.2013
Outdoor plumbing
On the other side of this building, is a nice little tableaux that includes corrugated metal, a pair of square windows, and a toilet. Although of course, the toilet isn’t functional: there’s not a flush lever. Yeah – that’s the only thing that keeps it from being operational.
Also, some might suggest (Ahem, Ehpem – I am looking at you) a certain Mondrian-esque quality to this shot. Perhaps another haiku is in order?
Lamesa, Texas
photographed 1.17.2013
Slide: Terlingua
Maybe the saddest thing in Terlingua is this broken down slide. The sharp branches of winter-dormant plants crowd against the slide’s striped slope, which ends at a large rock. The only tree in sight would do nothing to block the sun, which would heat the metal slide to dangerous levels in the summer.
It looks like lost dreams.
But maybe it doesn’t matter: it’s a ghost town, after all.
Terlingua, Texas
photographed 1.20.2013
3 trees, 2 windows, and a door
In the winter, the trees’ shadows claw their way up the front of the building.
Also, maybe I have mentioned that I have a thing about symmetry? That I don’t like it. So, while the window-door-window arrangement here is symmetrical, the spacing’s not, giving it the much-needed (in my opinion) dash of asymmetry.
West Oak Street
Marfa, Texas
photographed 1.18.13
