Blog Archives
reality can be too vivid
How can you go to Amarillo and not visit the Cadillac Ranch? It’s not that hard: you just don’t go.
But if your Thanksgiving travel plans didn’t work out and you’re bored at home and you decide to go to Amarillo because why the hell not and you’re going to have dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, you may as well go all in and stop at the Cadillac Ranch* since you’re in town anyway. The wind was blowing approximately 1 million miles per hour that day**, so it was a brief visit but still…
Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo, Texas
photographed 11.29.2024
* Seriously, though – how many things can really be called a “ranch” before it starts to seem desperate?
**estimated
leg show
There are several things here – a Folger’s can with a plant, a concrete porch, a washtub tipped up with water and something in it. And my mom, crouched there on the grass, doing…something.
My dad wrote “leg show” on the back of the photo, so while that’s amusing, it isn’t at all explanatory…
unknown location and date
scanned from vintage print
calm horseman
I don’t know – I just like the way this gentleman seemed so calm and yet in command when he was on that horse. And I love that he had a pen in his shirt pocket. And don’t even get me started on how his dusty black hat is obviously a work hat.
The horse, by the way, sold for $28,000.
Levelland, Texas
photographed 11.23.2024
horse/tail
Y’all! Y’ALL!!
Can you believe that just before a blond-tailed horse came into the auction ring, a woman with very long, very straight blonde hair sat down right in front of me?
Oh, those photography gods were having a good time!
Levelland, Texas
photographed 11.23.2024
bidders at the horse sale
Have you been trying to imagine what my most unusual hobby is? Did you think that it might be attending horse sales?
I know: it surprises me as well. This is the third one I’ve been to and I enjoy them a lot. Not only is there the opportunity to photograph people, but it’s a whole cultural experience. I don’t know one thing about what’s going on, the lingo is incomprehensible, the prices (sometimes) seem outrageous, and so on.
One of the best parts of going is listening to auctioneers’ patter. Here’s some things I heard at this sale:
- This booger is straight in the mouth and square on all four corners.
- He don’t flop his tail.
- He’s got tons of hoof and bone.
- He’s never bred a mare: he’s in riding condition.
- If you took him home and cut him, his butt would get bigger in a week and a half.
To be clear, these things were said in relation to horses. I don’t know if that makes it better or not, but I felt like I ought to clarify.
Levelland, Texas
photographed 11.23.2024
One Day | One Image 