Blog Archives
the preparation
The cheerleaders were getting ready for the dunking booth.
I think those things would be a lot more fun if they’d let you pick who sits on the platform waiting to land in the water. Apparently, however, that’s “not how it works” so they missed out on my interesting list of participants.
Slaton, Texas
photographed 7.4.2026
the real show
Remember a couple of days ago when I confessed that I had a bad attitude about the 4th of July celebrations this year?
A few minutes of watching things like a mechanical bull ride at a street fair helped me feel better.
Now, about this triptych…I thought initially that the story was that guy on the bull and his inevitable slide from the bull. However, check out the kid on the left. His facial expressions and gestures are really the story. Zoom in, if you want: I think it will be worth your effort.
Slaton, Texas
photographed 7.4.2026
as american as a car wash
I was waiting for the small-town July 4 parade and street fair to start, so I took a photo walk. I specifically walked directly from where the car was parked to this out-of-business car wash. My eye was caught by the word “American” and it seemed like July 4 was a pretty good day to look around at something that was dilapidated: it matched mood.
However…the town’s street fair made me feel better.
Slaton, Texas
photographed 7.4.2026
halo effect
I’ve come a long way from my origins as a black and white photographer…here’s an image from a magazine ad made more colorful by my paintbrushes.
image transfer monotype print, from magazine advertisement
printed 5.14.2026
magenta crown
Tom Robbins wrote some of my favorite books. I once co-wrote a poem titled “A Tom-Robbins Novel Kind of Obsession” that got its start from the book whose main character was a silver dessert spoon*. I know some people’s urine smells a particular way after they eat asparagus**. And I know a LOT about the graphic design of Camel cigarette packaging***.
One of the main things I think about, though, is how the character Switters**** holds the frequently-voiced opinion that the “tropics are just too goddam vivid.” Switters’s declaration was right there in my head when I made this photo.
And that poem? I appreciate your interest in it, but it is not safe for human consumption.
West Texas Master Gardeners – garden tour
Lubbock, Texas
photographed 6.20.2026
*Skinny Legs and All
**Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas
***Still Life with Woodpecker
****Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates
One Day | One Image 