MORNING COFFEE
Something to keep in mind during your next cup of morning coffee. “Sugar Cane Field Worker“; Florida/Louisiana c.1923.
SPANISH MOSS
An image that speaks for itself. Calming, in these troubled times. “Spanish Moss“; New Orleans, Louisiana (1913).
THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S EYE
CHRISTMAS
He was my friend, Alan Parry. “Christmas – 1966“; South Vietnam (December 12, 1966). He served as a LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol), a sniper in Cambodia. Alan took his own life when he returned to the United States. Honor and remember our servicemen and servicewomen far from home today and every day.
THE SHADOW KNOWS
Who knows? The Shadow knows. I believe that the shadows in this photo make it happen. Something to keep in mind when you’re shooting. Try to make effective use of the lighting. Without these shadows would this photo still be as effective? “The High Chair“; U. S. c.1937.
THE INFRARED THERMOMETER
A now iconic image symbolic of the COVID19 pandemic has become the infrared thermometer. I must admit that I had incorrectly assumed that they were only available to medical professionals. That is until my son bought me one as a present at a local store. I can just see it now. You meet a stranger and say, “Hi, my name is …. Please just hold still for a moment.” Then you whip out your infrared thermometer and zap his forehead. “O. K., thank you, now we can talk”. We could all carry one in a devised holster like in the Old West. Bizarre, perhaps, as if from some science fiction movie, but if you really want to be sure when you meet a stranger, what the heck!
SHINNECOCK ELDER “PRINCESS STARLEAF” – HARRIET GUMBS DEAD AT 99
We mourn the passing of Harriet Gumbs a/k/a/ Princess Starleaf of the Shinnecock Nation here on Long Island. I had the opportunity to meet this grand lady some years ago at the Shinnecock Powwow. One could not fail to be impressed by her grace. I have also met several times with one of her sons, Lance, who has been a trustee of the Shinnecock Nation. She was much accomplished in life. You can read her obituary in Newsday 12/4/20. She will be missed.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (1932)
You think we have it rough now? Let’s take a look back for a moment. A World War, the Spanish flu which killed 675,000 people in our country that was only 40% of today’s population, discrimination, poll taxes, literacy tests, Jim Crow, the second coming of the Ku Klux Klan and the Great Depression. That’s about as rough as it gets, and it is clear from these photos “Birmingham, Alabama (1932)“. Research indicates that this was Aunt Harriet’s house. The destruction of the fireplace is evident by the pile of bricks seen in the first and third photos. Perhaps they were to be re-used elsewhere, so this scene in the second photo predates the first and third photos. Anyone want to trade places?
MEMORIAL TO SADIE
It was the third week of June 2003, and as I was sitting on my patio this little ball of fur came up behind me. I picked her up and she fell asleep in my arms. For this kitten I think it was love at first sight. I learned years later that she had become an orphan. Her dying mother had dropped her off with her sibling brother at our neighbor’s house across the street. This kitten decided to seek a home elsewhere and found her way to us.
THE PENNSYLVANIANS
Pennsylvanians stood their ground on Little Round Top in July 1863 to help save the Union. Once again, in November 2020 Pennsylvanians have left their mark this time on the Presidential election.