tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27134803422402736082024-02-25T12:29:44.687-08:00What's Your Road?"What's your road, man? --holyboy road, madman road, rainbow road, guppy road, any road. It's an anywhere road for anybody anyhow."
-Jack Kerouac, On the RoadRoger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-70549634541503149052024-02-07T19:53:00.000-08:002024-02-07T19:53:06.955-08:00The Cathedral and Woyatan ... A Photo Essay<p>I went to church the other day. It wasn't Sunday and no services were being held. I had taken notice some time before of the contrast between the large wealthy churches and smaller, more common ones. My plan was to post the pictures with some brief social commentary. It turned into a much more moving experience. </p><p>My first stop was the Catholic Cathedral. I was a bit overwhelmed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbfO8otd4XZDSB8abcrFT4ZCg2IsQjroDuecoESCpySB47ahA00oDh_8g2k-T6rSlMQpRX6stIYp46JAU_TS1rOEQWgBLH7WlArmSBvmeaw2149I1ZJLcTfJGOo2GXQZIgPlqcrcm5tYe9XzsdEvQnixzrf6_hhqEUx4xhlAbLBjNW2MuIQxjiGh-R14/s1250/catholic%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbfO8otd4XZDSB8abcrFT4ZCg2IsQjroDuecoESCpySB47ahA00oDh_8g2k-T6rSlMQpRX6stIYp46JAU_TS1rOEQWgBLH7WlArmSBvmeaw2149I1ZJLcTfJGOo2GXQZIgPlqcrcm5tYe9XzsdEvQnixzrf6_hhqEUx4xhlAbLBjNW2MuIQxjiGh-R14/w400-h400/catholic%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is magnificent. But I don't necessarily mean that as a compliment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I understand they have a large congregation and need to accommodate all those worshipers, but the grandeur seemed rather excessive. If the purpose is to please and impress the parishioners, mission accomplished. If the purpose is to get closer to God, well, I'm not so sure about that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, I stopped at Woyatan Luthern Church, which has been converted into a warming shelter, meal provider, and provides beds for those in need of a safe space to rest. I was more impressed with what I saw there, in spite of their rather humble appearance compared to the Cathedral. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMOk6Lvv0wif-4qUglKkB9yqcbOuhblJ0Yxvyotj8ztQDApM5_uVKq_Tj7MKNAPt7Gv2bezNba75mgLIXR-FkxmRzLkKOwdOpyJ4V56CenOWLfVRO-kyzVWeMOk8ZbcE4Zsvtx0OHU8EnC521GOXMdmLch5VqjrQEPVe4aMtjpvNXAqWm3qDBvULqlcY/s1250/catholic%201a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMOk6Lvv0wif-4qUglKkB9yqcbOuhblJ0Yxvyotj8ztQDApM5_uVKq_Tj7MKNAPt7Gv2bezNba75mgLIXR-FkxmRzLkKOwdOpyJ4V56CenOWLfVRO-kyzVWeMOk8ZbcE4Zsvtx0OHU8EnC521GOXMdmLch5VqjrQEPVe4aMtjpvNXAqWm3qDBvULqlcY/w200-h200/catholic%201a.jpeg" width="200" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uf7b3GYka5EtRRkPdiiB3Bn42q2ANgGDZt6lKob0rd7H8K7fHX3WDyGpU3T4g8BNGYl_ifV1yzUVX4eAN0-DZthvVCncBv-_gGDp43QkvGbQ_RWADaRTjJgBfqvLjyy7UMqoh3-eSu8IPJSOuDYhMDQl_NNr6oC1vFJ-W8E3Y1FRu8qov9h50WYYAsY/s1250/woyatan%201a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uf7b3GYka5EtRRkPdiiB3Bn42q2ANgGDZt6lKob0rd7H8K7fHX3WDyGpU3T4g8BNGYl_ifV1yzUVX4eAN0-DZthvVCncBv-_gGDp43QkvGbQ_RWADaRTjJgBfqvLjyy7UMqoh3-eSu8IPJSOuDYhMDQl_NNr6oC1vFJ-W8E3Y1FRu8qov9h50WYYAsY/w200-h200/woyatan%201a.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Coincidentally, it happened to be a volunteer community clean-up day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKudzegWT_cu9Cw3Pjf1RabOkWq8ZlA4Sbdx15alj571aIfzeBmuBYZExG0-uDwq1_yjj1ib1-pDqgM0bvjnIc6HQNhGjHQyGvAdD7J6aISwIdukeSE40RYOk0A4MqlQ6LscECQP-uOCNvCsy31PYa29noQyyspzoI9xsD0gD_KtcS1d-B70AuQ6cW_sc/s1440/tv%20story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="1440" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKudzegWT_cu9Cw3Pjf1RabOkWq8ZlA4Sbdx15alj571aIfzeBmuBYZExG0-uDwq1_yjj1ib1-pDqgM0bvjnIc6HQNhGjHQyGvAdD7J6aISwIdukeSE40RYOk0A4MqlQ6LscECQP-uOCNvCsy31PYa29noQyyspzoI9xsD0gD_KtcS1d-B70AuQ6cW_sc/w638-h219/tv%20story.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a busy place, and with most of the people being Native, I felt a little out of place at first. Then I was introduced to Priscilla. She immediately put me at ease and gave me a tour. I was very impressed with the work they are doing. Providing personal hygiene and shower-related items -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQWNUDeBpVWMRSMxeNszwdnBBViK7dOViTykqajxF37JWVjA3hVBonKVoy1godRk-h9lNM7VgeB0dmJGe-_94INXLSeVu7tmccAOs4CoaEWV2Mej6WG1QdZJxEVKje6zzsoFqBpgimAtHky8-IEmyT_iBwkz8RYoO26JExiN24c8UE6WJUEKsE0xy4yI/s1250/woyatan%203a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQWNUDeBpVWMRSMxeNszwdnBBViK7dOViTykqajxF37JWVjA3hVBonKVoy1godRk-h9lNM7VgeB0dmJGe-_94INXLSeVu7tmccAOs4CoaEWV2Mej6WG1QdZJxEVKje6zzsoFqBpgimAtHky8-IEmyT_iBwkz8RYoO26JExiN24c8UE6WJUEKsE0xy4yI/w400-h400/woyatan%203a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hot food for people, I'm sure some of whom hadn't had a decent meal in awhile -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOK6u2Om60VJpqdHIWClemAH7xTsIWmMOjfKk_-muJ-G_5AQV5gfrbhZReMKOQLWZAN1uvGEOQlqTlgqBWqnhWtOrQ1By22YFecC5uwIB0UrFwebi5dEcZr93qDX_c6Zm-f8f97othXxKuBvsHcFadiLC2hAU0xiM1SOhcIEarWumA-e31-5nkEXnT64/s1250/woyatan%204a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOK6u2Om60VJpqdHIWClemAH7xTsIWmMOjfKk_-muJ-G_5AQV5gfrbhZReMKOQLWZAN1uvGEOQlqTlgqBWqnhWtOrQ1By22YFecC5uwIB0UrFwebi5dEcZr93qDX_c6Zm-f8f97othXxKuBvsHcFadiLC2hAU0xiM1SOhcIEarWumA-e31-5nkEXnT64/w400-h400/woyatan%204a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the sanctuary has been converted to a space providing beds for those who might need a temporary place to sleep. Much warmer, more comfortable and safer than under a bridge or in a doorway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEosm8moAtxnA3QnzPBQif6OKFKLdeLsCTArA6TlnRRzuakpgW0PiyPOWp8dk5a8BLiBO30lVmsMtHCqFQSn4Eods7Ja5LUFWcT3dvNe0mBYmr9rQFeav8Wy93I3ArGOAfpyWtw0GcgLGHMNLV0K1nc8LkFy2VsR6hmdt28cKWOKO1S3T1BRtmK90lMD8/s1250/woyatan%202a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEosm8moAtxnA3QnzPBQif6OKFKLdeLsCTArA6TlnRRzuakpgW0PiyPOWp8dk5a8BLiBO30lVmsMtHCqFQSn4Eods7Ja5LUFWcT3dvNe0mBYmr9rQFeav8Wy93I3ArGOAfpyWtw0GcgLGHMNLV0K1nc8LkFy2VsR6hmdt28cKWOKO1S3T1BRtmK90lMD8/w400-h400/woyatan%202a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Priscilla led me outside to a playground area, showed me some beautiful artwork, and pointed out the youth center next door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbIgoFyQDFKlmX_yJlM0aw7xmm4je23Z4raIUr1IonI7Gi4p-8vqydDX-nEtr1G4SlWw7Th7sllOZFPL6UrruIkofyzNqr2BbDIi-wuibwfOZ4__Kl1u5yB4giECEtWkPziWcUJ3zrziUQcXgzLFbsqYsGtoPNY4ayUkFQti209zkWvr57ImTakqVTg4/s1400/woyatan%206a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1012" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbIgoFyQDFKlmX_yJlM0aw7xmm4je23Z4raIUr1IonI7Gi4p-8vqydDX-nEtr1G4SlWw7Th7sllOZFPL6UrruIkofyzNqr2BbDIi-wuibwfOZ4__Kl1u5yB4giECEtWkPziWcUJ3zrziUQcXgzLFbsqYsGtoPNY4ayUkFQti209zkWvr57ImTakqVTg4/w289-h400/woyatan%206a1.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaxiXGyR0sHp2zg6TGToE7a_pyFFDsm9ufNGC5mK5mygFnj-vDNVMPjn0PDLwMofPLtV5S1B2UScbCx5Uh0XRixtCzjYZzvtxozN3uj8Nm6xQI5kA7zgh2zPhowpIk9VDyUXItBXWAvlQ-B3tVCKPBkz-o96HOBk6fagEd85GRQf9RcDoBOgWVNzkM1k/s1600/woyatan%205a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1600" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaxiXGyR0sHp2zg6TGToE7a_pyFFDsm9ufNGC5mK5mygFnj-vDNVMPjn0PDLwMofPLtV5S1B2UScbCx5Uh0XRixtCzjYZzvtxozN3uj8Nm6xQI5kA7zgh2zPhowpIk9VDyUXItBXWAvlQ-B3tVCKPBkz-o96HOBk6fagEd85GRQf9RcDoBOgWVNzkM1k/w526-h271/woyatan%205a.jpeg" width="526" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I felt welcome there. That meant a lot. They are good people. All of them...volunteers and staff as well as those who had nowhere else to go. Perhaps you might consider going for a visit. Donations are appreciated. If your heart and mind are open, and with the right kind of eyes, I'm sure you will be welcomed also. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 2/7/2024</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-21830268685881421672024-02-02T21:17:00.000-08:002024-02-02T21:17:24.178-08:00Saved For Later (Bits and Pieces)<p>This one is mostly for me, but feel free to follow along if you are so inclined. </p><p>I've been saving some photos, downloads and random items on my laptop and phone that I thought I might post on social media at some point but never quite got around to it. Not wanting to flood my social media feed, or yours, I decided to gather up some things I have hanging out there and put them here. That way I won't lose track of something I may want to revisit later at some point. Sort of like the Memories page on Facebook. </p><p>For instance, this picture I took recently at the Spearfish Fish Hatchery -</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPY0GRBmf644zdvLIRHH3JBFD2zx42-LzesaGXPRJ66O-_ASPyVTj_QOcLta2XaBZouR8WoIqNcyvrIPVlEi_BYtfhaWFwZIOSOzWJ8ioNzcN0TEXJtfTEmCKOx09WaZvL_UqI-RNmaGSlZH87dNV7b3IF7GDi0LkqCv1oxbzFaoF67R9Gdf85sTrlIY/s2400/trout%20view%201a.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="2400" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPY0GRBmf644zdvLIRHH3JBFD2zx42-LzesaGXPRJ66O-_ASPyVTj_QOcLta2XaBZouR8WoIqNcyvrIPVlEi_BYtfhaWFwZIOSOzWJ8ioNzcN0TEXJtfTEmCKOx09WaZvL_UqI-RNmaGSlZH87dNV7b3IF7GDi0LkqCv1oxbzFaoF67R9Gdf85sTrlIY/w400-h274/trout%20view%201a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The glass and surrounding area are not being maintained during these winter months as much as during the summer tourist season. That is totally understandable. And it's also fine with me. I like the rough, dirty look. It just seems to fit this image taken during the mid-winter off season. It almost felt a little like I shouldn't have even been down there. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a photo of my friend Cary, taken last Fall. I posted some others at the time, but not this one -</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-8bzyMunrqb1ie21VlJCPi_nUWGRbl7zMaCo_THPE-vQiTVrhOfoCXiBb_0BsvWDN6ZVhrFab3lTKI1UVWIcwP3VZUPCDV7NBUtP_-wmQP76SV8dsqcfBNDNUAUUFzgbeIdAwhxOGpd-zsykUxsvbyY3SMnqqbNTbgg6Pmwwj4SKZaDxlRM66lr8H7s/s3004/CaryTh_3%20bw%201a1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3004" data-original-width="2403" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-8bzyMunrqb1ie21VlJCPi_nUWGRbl7zMaCo_THPE-vQiTVrhOfoCXiBb_0BsvWDN6ZVhrFab3lTKI1UVWIcwP3VZUPCDV7NBUtP_-wmQP76SV8dsqcfBNDNUAUUFzgbeIdAwhxOGpd-zsykUxsvbyY3SMnqqbNTbgg6Pmwwj4SKZaDxlRM66lr8H7s/w320-h400/CaryTh_3%20bw%201a1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The is a Facebook group named The Peeling Paint Appreciation Society. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPUZYU1CHWtOEiajCUXSyG6QYrM8v0hpNhY-Vp7n8cgPKh_cVfO4f6Cfc7_oVKC5t87YHTD5qRMOw-5LYet_ohrtnr9HWeTuugEpzJFxIoDC7a8Yvex1TTmR1PNfjzUfI8ibKSdA2uSrOP_SOQ-pNSE2g352Ux4d8yfPrpbJJVcCxEDbkyqaZBmweWBI/s1247/peeling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1247" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPUZYU1CHWtOEiajCUXSyG6QYrM8v0hpNhY-Vp7n8cgPKh_cVfO4f6Cfc7_oVKC5t87YHTD5qRMOw-5LYet_ohrtnr9HWeTuugEpzJFxIoDC7a8Yvex1TTmR1PNfjzUfI8ibKSdA2uSrOP_SOQ-pNSE2g352Ux4d8yfPrpbJJVcCxEDbkyqaZBmweWBI/w400-h336/peeling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I haven't joined yet, but I'm thinking about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> My friend Trish Benham turned me on to Jose Feliciano. She played this album for me one day when we were at her house listening to records. When I was able to save up the three or four dollars it cost I went right out and bought it. That was over fifty years ago. It's a little ragged these days, but I play it often and it stills sounds great.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoh2CVK01Psk29Ajf6DSBtMqImmYNr0t3sTrgVYmWOxaqGpDHFoBJXiMBUchpObNGdxx0DgHVJu0IyuDfOOgjvJl6FMb34zHxVygrlAvBAbADdMQhtDyn-ntTB3AIrufLm-veykMUdTAQfPn-c67wAoLMg_rVmjavk9LNAQr8nUgi0-1Bpq4s26c-_hQ/s806/jose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoh2CVK01Psk29Ajf6DSBtMqImmYNr0t3sTrgVYmWOxaqGpDHFoBJXiMBUchpObNGdxx0DgHVJu0IyuDfOOgjvJl6FMb34zHxVygrlAvBAbADdMQhtDyn-ntTB3AIrufLm-veykMUdTAQfPn-c67wAoLMg_rVmjavk9LNAQr8nUgi0-1Bpq4s26c-_hQ/w317-h320/jose.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYz5gFUyxIJUa5jpdxVMA9Dvy-F3nRU3FeKrzZ47tlXRRKavvGs7jDJcSsjB4NUi-eSHBWe-p1ozv4l-abAU-iZ6D-Gc8xL-VfLYAWFltlui8BpgQRUFhXLUSHEwXS2qrNV9aYxrmj6Nmiv74goafN2lqsIca5IgD1PKVcqBHz4fu2VOmnFRD2T4r5tI/s1200/RCA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1023" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYz5gFUyxIJUa5jpdxVMA9Dvy-F3nRU3FeKrzZ47tlXRRKavvGs7jDJcSsjB4NUi-eSHBWe-p1ozv4l-abAU-iZ6D-Gc8xL-VfLYAWFltlui8BpgQRUFhXLUSHEwXS2qrNV9aYxrmj6Nmiv74goafN2lqsIca5IgD1PKVcqBHz4fu2VOmnFRD2T4r5tI/w319-h373/RCA.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would like to do a photoshoot based on the styles featured in the movie Once Upon A Time In Hollywood...especially the hippie looks -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGcP_2hjhTCXTs19-YH0Ea0OGRo5wVvwJ-kl_WbK-hgpHl5EfG-KFcZhr_9XYzuxkdhVDyG3A-AgDs3Qww3J6MZMIq5DC3V6LSxwvyXlt-xIwGXtUuxegFPQj1Ym9h5U2-wZ_NXIKToWm69b70c3P6wvoIj-EIfuV_mLeUifeEuABkAQC_lFHVKv3Ze4/s6000/Spahn-Ranch-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4040" data-original-width="6000" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGcP_2hjhTCXTs19-YH0Ea0OGRo5wVvwJ-kl_WbK-hgpHl5EfG-KFcZhr_9XYzuxkdhVDyG3A-AgDs3Qww3J6MZMIq5DC3V6LSxwvyXlt-xIwGXtUuxegFPQj1Ym9h5U2-wZ_NXIKToWm69b70c3P6wvoIj-EIfuV_mLeUifeEuABkAQC_lFHVKv3Ze4/w400-h269/Spahn-Ranch-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I need to make a better effort at finding a couple of models that would fit the part. If you know anyone, let me know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm falling behind on my reading. Non-fiction has been the theme lately. Next up is some good old science fiction. Specifically, Philip K. Dick. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12dyNu0dYSKe35LAdRcuyEAfBTSbUa_FhciqUa3UukyRzNCNElAOMm9x5tkZGbZNeLyq1KhtoPrWw_huuj5YVkKpa_nlnn2_QuJiwT2ezGyFjtYxBFc5GlC5OWevt1vY_G4DcyIIPVmPZ9UxhV4DrieiCvRTktEzK3KUKUzZ8ySa1SsARYzI90UMa8Wc/s1200/lies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="879" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12dyNu0dYSKe35LAdRcuyEAfBTSbUa_FhciqUa3UukyRzNCNElAOMm9x5tkZGbZNeLyq1KhtoPrWw_huuj5YVkKpa_nlnn2_QuJiwT2ezGyFjtYxBFc5GlC5OWevt1vY_G4DcyIIPVmPZ9UxhV4DrieiCvRTktEzK3KUKUzZ8ySa1SsARYzI90UMa8Wc/w293-h400/lies.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been waiting for then opportunity to post this meme as a clever response to a text or a comment on social media -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe4fiaQI1XixEjoz67pQ9iqOxN9BMe6gCN0vc4Ku5VXXPOAYvGBznpph-gj8F-V6IgWHOvgwntM72mNxRKimTrhyphenhyphen6uD8EzWswYwf5ImKAqULMXApwzjYhcWT6ckMvp8XGdaCJFSf4XlDrz1N2oRrY0et-Qm-1RwVRYUjy7eWgMxSZY693HkAN7GbTgRs/s833/dragnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="833" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe4fiaQI1XixEjoz67pQ9iqOxN9BMe6gCN0vc4Ku5VXXPOAYvGBznpph-gj8F-V6IgWHOvgwntM72mNxRKimTrhyphenhyphen6uD8EzWswYwf5ImKAqULMXApwzjYhcWT6ckMvp8XGdaCJFSf4XlDrz1N2oRrY0et-Qm-1RwVRYUjy7eWgMxSZY693HkAN7GbTgRs/w400-h300/dragnet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I keep forgetting I saved it, and have probably missed several opportunities, so I'll just put it here. And now I want to find some old Dragnet episodes to watch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alrighty then, that just about catches me up. There's probably more I should write down, but I can't think of anything right now. And, like the song says, it seems like kicks keep getting harder to find.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 2/2/2024</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-56087857689823586822023-12-31T08:40:00.000-08:002023-12-31T08:40:39.831-08:00The Year In Pictures<p>It has been a mostly uneventful year. As Jeff Lebowski said, "you know, strikes and gutters, ups and downs." I'm happy to say that for me it's been mostly ups.</p><p>Nothing much happened in January. In February we traveled from our home in the Black Hills of South Dakota to meet up with our son and daughter-in-law in Las Vegas during Super Bowl weekend. They live in Connecticut so we don't get to see them all that often. It was a fun, but I have to say that all the glitter and bright lights are not quite as appealing as they once were. Kind of cool to look at, but the vibe has seemed to change once you get inside. Just not as exciting as it used to be. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-f_IJnZtvHxJj8spDvXaT49nWu0aVVXEXcTViUyd5t1SO-jDBDJZscFri42D7wxInmHxFAo_I1wB1jC8t__moXxXvwFQzTd2OC7oVsi1NNFrpbd_ljN5s83jji48Cr9cBr1gpDNxEUai3ApKMN6ci3ONvBewLjm1B_Zr21V2zV3d6rZKn4xAD9qRIyk/s1600/flamingo%20ambient%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-f_IJnZtvHxJj8spDvXaT49nWu0aVVXEXcTViUyd5t1SO-jDBDJZscFri42D7wxInmHxFAo_I1wB1jC8t__moXxXvwFQzTd2OC7oVsi1NNFrpbd_ljN5s83jji48Cr9cBr1gpDNxEUai3ApKMN6ci3ONvBewLjm1B_Zr21V2zV3d6rZKn4xAD9qRIyk/w400-h266/flamingo%20ambient%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Record Store Day in April was kind of a big deal. I got there early but I was still pretty far back in the line.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSl_hJYTO-HeSSlt4JyHj3HkqCFpwDo-JqSLbudbe07GOitIxVs6fB7a06grSAspB8If7fdlk4zoKl86do5ZD_0BNMIVwFm8uuvhQ-tIUak9wNMA3FCUTlUXsBqEJpPmWHaW3Q7_23dYhjMEjme3KPUIs_veSB5hiQ_dFMaQUfN80c9K_Eb1I-3NwaXaM/s1800/record%20store%20day%20April.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSl_hJYTO-HeSSlt4JyHj3HkqCFpwDo-JqSLbudbe07GOitIxVs6fB7a06grSAspB8If7fdlk4zoKl86do5ZD_0BNMIVwFm8uuvhQ-tIUak9wNMA3FCUTlUXsBqEJpPmWHaW3Q7_23dYhjMEjme3KPUIs_veSB5hiQ_dFMaQUfN80c9K_Eb1I-3NwaXaM/w320-h400/record%20store%20day%20April.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Luckily there was one copy left of the album I most wanted - the 20th anniversary reissue of The Wind by Warren Zevon. He knew he was dying and some of the songs reflect the deep personal feelings of someone facing their own mortality. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhq-Lfh2nrjJcDMD7xDZkNnv3P4OQF7bhh-MvI2pUByQGdLTMlNqutpOyym0ZuCH-Ys8SGSvbVFq_a4sgKK0vawM9mRycM_Ji7N6rWIzI94fJwHCxPWWJRKtwX2TjlMIsaHAL4-wmbvmNjwJbFQ2RePuLPfIIOBwiSBqXaknnYMG1WfTjYqFlN2TEnMw/s900/wz%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="821" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhq-Lfh2nrjJcDMD7xDZkNnv3P4OQF7bhh-MvI2pUByQGdLTMlNqutpOyym0ZuCH-Ys8SGSvbVFq_a4sgKK0vawM9mRycM_Ji7N6rWIzI94fJwHCxPWWJRKtwX2TjlMIsaHAL4-wmbvmNjwJbFQ2RePuLPfIIOBwiSBqXaknnYMG1WfTjYqFlN2TEnMw/w365-h400/wz%201.jpeg" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In May I hit the road. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKNo9ebHk7M2PvYekpRVh0Xb2j_JyE-AbYFdK3sPijS9r5uyoIbYEMAouJGDS_F1PD7YhwfoWYYeiQ4LSG5zbpbNQS4FjkFG31OCRE2BCDLCmHDM_1TuIlimjjekdqC2Q0OCJN5vaZASDEO2dyVgpvnAnByMRWaiKunHOZIn2fxTugzsRpHlFzfj3_Ak/s2048/Reno%20May%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="2048" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKNo9ebHk7M2PvYekpRVh0Xb2j_JyE-AbYFdK3sPijS9r5uyoIbYEMAouJGDS_F1PD7YhwfoWYYeiQ4LSG5zbpbNQS4FjkFG31OCRE2BCDLCmHDM_1TuIlimjjekdqC2Q0OCJN5vaZASDEO2dyVgpvnAnByMRWaiKunHOZIn2fxTugzsRpHlFzfj3_Ak/w400-h253/Reno%20May%20map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I drove out to Reno to visit an old friend and attend his daughter's gallery exhibit opening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4_2bC9ffA7LwGjHyugma1za2Wh7TL9Tn-jBu_nzUqf_x1y6XhlI_P90WZpOsbZ_Sp_xNcs_ZqPvotzH85ae5-GcHLmotAua5q9Fr9BVDS-LkkOnCxcK0RhZey9Ersscz_j-FAQTgzhikl1kAEgTKLkYQQtJu8DYHKchkg5fhn1sMk4VakGsqhDgcNDg/s1179/345269289_549087177307498_4230973490564932276_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="773" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4_2bC9ffA7LwGjHyugma1za2Wh7TL9Tn-jBu_nzUqf_x1y6XhlI_P90WZpOsbZ_Sp_xNcs_ZqPvotzH85ae5-GcHLmotAua5q9Fr9BVDS-LkkOnCxcK0RhZey9Ersscz_j-FAQTgzhikl1kAEgTKLkYQQtJu8DYHKchkg5fhn1sMk4VakGsqhDgcNDg/w263-h400/345269289_549087177307498_4230973490564932276_n.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alexx is a very talented photographer and artist who was also working on her tattoo apprenticeship at the time. I had been thinking about getting another one...so I did. What makes this one extra special is that it is one of her original designs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZefnFzGeDQqMqQc9OB9OlnOj-5lReB95g05EIuI3vwRQyj6kAodMCeOo4yNFOMeTD9-rPz4yqdSngfDr6yCP2ULQ2_O9QPDPxDAJoi3rY4pux08gpMNvNNTckF_0uooKN3xx6Tgd-pt1-WaluPiv9xC-vkadbEAa-lp6_gnavb6n1TQTd3EvS7euTkY/s2048/346047681_787186539422609_348159030210164709_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZefnFzGeDQqMqQc9OB9OlnOj-5lReB95g05EIuI3vwRQyj6kAodMCeOo4yNFOMeTD9-rPz4yqdSngfDr6yCP2ULQ2_O9QPDPxDAJoi3rY4pux08gpMNvNNTckF_0uooKN3xx6Tgd-pt1-WaluPiv9xC-vkadbEAa-lp6_gnavb6n1TQTd3EvS7euTkY/w400-h300/346047681_787186539422609_348159030210164709_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Marty, my friend, took me on a walking tour of the city, and drove me up to up to Lake Tahoe and points in between. We crossed over the California state line at one point, but I wasn't too concerned since I'm sure the statute of limitations had run out by then. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was mostly interstate highways on the way out. On the return trip I took Highway 50, known as the loneliest road in America. It's an accurate description.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzw5HbS4AIKzTIi_6sANWtGRadXZCymJDCGOiujdkC52dwlDHPrir80K84ael5S9uuUU_CMNSJLcNGZ40U0J6RZQCHcbPfopxxa93JXkYoOfjIvkfajojRwNTM7il1ewQVK45KZoYDz2ZZNhrcQGS-jgi2kNtNkE1FSakG0B4tuJehoxOMK3ufAJPmd8/s1800/345651373_3571810983064963_6748562413371030414_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzw5HbS4AIKzTIi_6sANWtGRadXZCymJDCGOiujdkC52dwlDHPrir80K84ael5S9uuUU_CMNSJLcNGZ40U0J6RZQCHcbPfopxxa93JXkYoOfjIvkfajojRwNTM7il1ewQVK45KZoYDz2ZZNhrcQGS-jgi2kNtNkE1FSakG0B4tuJehoxOMK3ufAJPmd8/w320-h400/345651373_3571810983064963_6748562413371030414_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Battle of the Bands in June made an impression on me. There is so much talent out there that most of us never get to see. I'm glad they still do events like this so the public can experience it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d4msFq4kfjLJTkCuPExWpl6ZID3uBODW27bME4SptmXeX9LKolruCB2yE-jDJ4wzzniUe4JhjfqUFqV6okgaRRuZRfAoqsuH_ZqFPQnBtwVd8Q620D0B1-yPvuTXamUnom-0C7EQ3NTuuhh-ZxtLng6VqVLNYRIoqxDTXDhuC1Amd_Vn-uZF6CSqHpQ/s1400/Battle%20june.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1009" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d4msFq4kfjLJTkCuPExWpl6ZID3uBODW27bME4SptmXeX9LKolruCB2yE-jDJ4wzzniUe4JhjfqUFqV6okgaRRuZRfAoqsuH_ZqFPQnBtwVd8Q620D0B1-yPvuTXamUnom-0C7EQ3NTuuhh-ZxtLng6VqVLNYRIoqxDTXDhuC1Amd_Vn-uZF6CSqHpQ/w289-h400/Battle%20june.jpg" width="289" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxMR0P115GhpkzzWYtWwINUnMG5p_LE1W-ec7_S2aV1bjajulsMPmWoAENLbkb00arOLr5I4jS341RQlCCtg5PhDq-2Sg6JeABDYK0qf1bqA9z2rxiwuQPFKARnpeOemaHBr9fi6TcZgzXE6hCq-SZVB2QB8ymgI0zAb_fYDOanT1kwL8icwy9n74d_I/s1917/351186630_272187912055713_6577562774545279352_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="1369" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxMR0P115GhpkzzWYtWwINUnMG5p_LE1W-ec7_S2aV1bjajulsMPmWoAENLbkb00arOLr5I4jS341RQlCCtg5PhDq-2Sg6JeABDYK0qf1bqA9z2rxiwuQPFKARnpeOemaHBr9fi6TcZgzXE6hCq-SZVB2QB8ymgI0zAb_fYDOanT1kwL8icwy9n74d_I/w284-h397/351186630_272187912055713_6577562774545279352_n.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">July was my 50th high school class reunion. It was so great to see so many old friends and classmates, and talk about the old days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaEza1HrqjCQZYDzgpP1T_yuk38sdg0lSHXfxRJA28WWtbgnYcpUaDmgxP9WFCaybIiD5sLu2nR-2wn3vw2-46DPEFSTi4-2PLJO3le2lGi3wvwiON83FfUvZbRhSn1kU6dTwU-5DJRYulYaxMRPdjyxH9gtRtEBTVeHRuicHmuMbAi6lyzX29dhV-EU/s2100/Class%20of%2073%20Group%20Photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="2100" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaEza1HrqjCQZYDzgpP1T_yuk38sdg0lSHXfxRJA28WWtbgnYcpUaDmgxP9WFCaybIiD5sLu2nR-2wn3vw2-46DPEFSTi4-2PLJO3le2lGi3wvwiON83FfUvZbRhSn1kU6dTwU-5DJRYulYaxMRPdjyxH9gtRtEBTVeHRuicHmuMbAi6lyzX29dhV-EU/w457-h264/Class%20of%2073%20Group%20Photo.jpg" width="457" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Late summer and fall provided me with the opportunity for a couple of photoshoots which, in my opinion, resulted in some of my best work. I know, not everyone's cup of tea, but my mood at the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrHjOsLZ8t_S2-A3AcjPZgCp7obVhLE8sTnxURgMY_rSzeajP7VBee2Oe1y7v8VoY9bHZQHaICWOxf3JOuPCh8Gt2u2vZE__mAZ_jQrLroJC2PGz2n26gkDMQyqpwjLnGISU0AARW6s7mN5u6NA-39Y3auxz7odOVN4SkR1ANgdJOlyXNtoW-MrZmiHk/s2048/photoshoot%20Oct.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrHjOsLZ8t_S2-A3AcjPZgCp7obVhLE8sTnxURgMY_rSzeajP7VBee2Oe1y7v8VoY9bHZQHaICWOxf3JOuPCh8Gt2u2vZE__mAZ_jQrLroJC2PGz2n26gkDMQyqpwjLnGISU0AARW6s7mN5u6NA-39Y3auxz7odOVN4SkR1ANgdJOlyXNtoW-MrZmiHk/w244-h305/photoshoot%20Oct.jpg" width="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRdoIxoql9m7gVSvUhV6Mqk502Ot4XIYKyD41w35dfryKx8TFSphi8uexZa2NIsvoSNtJdCKujlrBG1-PH_BPPHl1Sg6LebFCGz9Wiq_oj0zFuyluJwr0T0hrKn4xy1-6T7z3iPW2MHdmmUXK2kxLbjXe92fKL3EE2RS9BTkbW7Ldx00QbqQlirE-AZ0/s1250/cary%20log.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1250" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRdoIxoql9m7gVSvUhV6Mqk502Ot4XIYKyD41w35dfryKx8TFSphi8uexZa2NIsvoSNtJdCKujlrBG1-PH_BPPHl1Sg6LebFCGz9Wiq_oj0zFuyluJwr0T0hrKn4xy1-6T7z3iPW2MHdmmUXK2kxLbjXe92fKL3EE2RS9BTkbW7Ldx00QbqQlirE-AZ0/w310-h248/cary%20log.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my best and most memorable experiences of the year, and ever, was being cast in a stage production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. The entire cast was amazing. So much incredible talent on that stage. And - we nailed it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSbtQv8qFD2nbrk8hbwiyCLpPa6AnOPa8BIfJNv4JcDk-XfvT0xOEU1DmVdN0QRbuCm4fvsBUcbULrCs-vWhyphenhyphen7oR0G1xalbzDnVpRHJ2xET2eDslNQ4NzsJOuUU_QPRaC5QojVQT8UpGUYcDeV6cceMUZXBWn8a2NcVVcR30eireLv21joN59tCCLnQQ/s1050/391613859_10223434536799530_4345900113812889977_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="734" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSbtQv8qFD2nbrk8hbwiyCLpPa6AnOPa8BIfJNv4JcDk-XfvT0xOEU1DmVdN0QRbuCm4fvsBUcbULrCs-vWhyphenhyphen7oR0G1xalbzDnVpRHJ2xET2eDslNQ4NzsJOuUU_QPRaC5QojVQT8UpGUYcDeV6cceMUZXBWn8a2NcVVcR30eireLv21joN59tCCLnQQ/w280-h400/391613859_10223434536799530_4345900113812889977_n.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other highlights included several fun, if brief, camping trips in "Louise" ....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqywUC5K0uvzvIgdyN67VuEekr74A4Pov5FKZUsxtGt4CAL1a9HQPZ-_3mttP4_uZ3t5eXd6Mr89QQE4ZlwMbEBtlbP2kv2cJesCYu6N9x_9W_JIVroLXJiNpbVHVia0j-E5atfH4yJoQcYYaUJRQ_xg3-3fYsc5i2MsYNYN9btAVFO4G5U6S_xXCPjA/s1400/camping%2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqywUC5K0uvzvIgdyN67VuEekr74A4Pov5FKZUsxtGt4CAL1a9HQPZ-_3mttP4_uZ3t5eXd6Mr89QQE4ZlwMbEBtlbP2kv2cJesCYu6N9x_9W_JIVroLXJiNpbVHVia0j-E5atfH4yJoQcYYaUJRQ_xg3-3fYsc5i2MsYNYN9btAVFO4G5U6S_xXCPjA/w366-h400/camping%2024.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I did more fishing than I have done in years. Even did some catching on occasion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I continued my volunteer work with Feeding South Dakota. Then there was that live music concert way out there on the prairie, and my continuing obsession with exploring old and abandoned buildings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH6Z6vjqmT3qRs2VY4wxCJJJVcWXfi6xkNJF8Yz_bNYoqJeBxYmi2Rj6vwEWtCaUfUjKGH_Zn3CYXUF5PzekJggIuwZWpwWl1y1VHkL99gQTPsokV_0LnmlLjW4ADXAjDj0_1_y-zf0ZM2smDTCKgiyW-O_k-JXU-e10tIU53u-3WS9iQRuJGVe37V7M/s500/33D952A4-13C6-45F6-9D75-94451E72640D.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="500" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH6Z6vjqmT3qRs2VY4wxCJJJVcWXfi6xkNJF8Yz_bNYoqJeBxYmi2Rj6vwEWtCaUfUjKGH_Zn3CYXUF5PzekJggIuwZWpwWl1y1VHkL99gQTPsokV_0LnmlLjW4ADXAjDj0_1_y-zf0ZM2smDTCKgiyW-O_k-JXU-e10tIU53u-3WS9iQRuJGVe37V7M/w284-h228/33D952A4-13C6-45F6-9D75-94451E72640D.tiff" width="284" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl7DT-oSUSldZmPIt2aTcsjdgAlBKK4sWFJWNxcwsTxjsyA7pLVgYTUswZ5X9a6ZDHPPru0FQAaqmdu5qrPh_gFdIHtGfy6Y1Jhw2_z9kidFZFQ62XXz650zobZ82V9pcAjdE5QRQ7D5qbLZdMIdc6WT8bcBSKk5WzT7QNCcGTIBzHad165uxT70qjB8/s1404/deserted%20motel%201b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="1000" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl7DT-oSUSldZmPIt2aTcsjdgAlBKK4sWFJWNxcwsTxjsyA7pLVgYTUswZ5X9a6ZDHPPru0FQAaqmdu5qrPh_gFdIHtGfy6Y1Jhw2_z9kidFZFQ62XXz650zobZ82V9pcAjdE5QRQ7D5qbLZdMIdc6WT8bcBSKk5WzT7QNCcGTIBzHad165uxT70qjB8/w200-h281/deserted%20motel%201b.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2023 was aslo a year when I expanded my creative efforts to include experimenting with abstract painting. Mainly fluid painting, and specifically acrylic on old vinyl records.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR769rlS6sA6zyKD_2HcqWfwRvb5qDbP_eyskMow-qbWqtw4TLPlN0W-LHeONBVJ7fPEpv620UKz3km4PuoHHtweCvvSoT3d_sOPEgpf9TsaaW6UTHoZKFRwPXDNHoYIr39-A60e5Eoj9QSJSqXRYHOQtqzeWMjSyE1eZHm3SkRvzxR4SQQM5GGDfEPq0/s2048/402111618_10223545572655357_6229718824061435639_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2008" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR769rlS6sA6zyKD_2HcqWfwRvb5qDbP_eyskMow-qbWqtw4TLPlN0W-LHeONBVJ7fPEpv620UKz3km4PuoHHtweCvvSoT3d_sOPEgpf9TsaaW6UTHoZKFRwPXDNHoYIr39-A60e5Eoj9QSJSqXRYHOQtqzeWMjSyE1eZHm3SkRvzxR4SQQM5GGDfEPq0/w393-h400/402111618_10223545572655357_6229718824061435639_n.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another project with old vinyl records invlolved prepping them with a base coat of paint and adding some of my favorite song lyrics and pop culture quotes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlVMwu58dFKRfjPPuErBDErAWXgErjuemgRph2WGhGr0F7n5_BvINgl54rDSjEjuOnuaABeFTKxKk5JTVOGtct7b5tmXZbZgfWyMDoU9-wqmU2H58EbhaQb-xUwzJj06lwWroEaYoPm_RFPEDYt6VsykUQrWzPb_xi4YD4zN-EY75DkVUwF3vsYgC4Fo/s1600/record%20art%20July.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlVMwu58dFKRfjPPuErBDErAWXgErjuemgRph2WGhGr0F7n5_BvINgl54rDSjEjuOnuaABeFTKxKk5JTVOGtct7b5tmXZbZgfWyMDoU9-wqmU2H58EbhaQb-xUwzJj06lwWroEaYoPm_RFPEDYt6VsykUQrWzPb_xi4YD4zN-EY75DkVUwF3vsYgC4Fo/w289-h289/record%20art%20July.jpg" width="289" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpqzOsf_UMLiM2YCJFyLCcaTJT8POBiBNIhLqF6epwEZM9dH4pZQWk53AOLIOVXte23OYtoN-ti0EIob0FqOWZvb8xwYtQly-n7tOdOBnyH0wOzm1tJCjRE5x72E13l1HZrhFx4FJqqW71nFwl637AI5BLAh4npdgV639SYAMivEsf0X8n2VX4AWNY20/s1600/358672973_10222870802106515_5872948750821984721_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpqzOsf_UMLiM2YCJFyLCcaTJT8POBiBNIhLqF6epwEZM9dH4pZQWk53AOLIOVXte23OYtoN-ti0EIob0FqOWZvb8xwYtQly-n7tOdOBnyH0wOzm1tJCjRE5x72E13l1HZrhFx4FJqqW71nFwl637AI5BLAh4npdgV639SYAMivEsf0X8n2VX4AWNY20/w288-h288/358672973_10222870802106515_5872948750821984721_n.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell - if you're among the unenlightened)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So it was a pretty good year. I hope 2024 turns out to be another good one. For all of us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And...that comment about the statute of limitations...I was just kidding. Probably. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 12/31/2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-37436400775556407492023-12-15T17:59:00.000-08:002023-12-15T19:04:52.604-08:00Winter Gardening<p>Recently a friend added a post on social media that included some good advice. The last line said "Happy Winter Gardening." I took it literally. My little garden on the hill behind my house usually sits idle and forgotten from mid October until April, but today I decided to do some raking just to see how it felt. It felt good. Gardening is good therapy any time, even if you don't think you need therapy. </p><p>What made it special for me was the discovery of a few little onions that I missed during the Fall harvest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRN2L6GYXi25kifwSyEmy5wzAqKsyio7851U17kdYcIGiQQ1fVW1DHCYhrYNToM37PtQ55MTIDnVk6Ld69_aSO-kJYHDk49Ro_2He_gMKU9x8E0iAIIbX4lJpyBiaIIwTwYUKZXPbD_yHqrSdAI1ocDLLLwx6KetNnLfMPjaorb-k9hHth_yoKFdrThX8/s1400/winter%20onions%20a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1226" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRN2L6GYXi25kifwSyEmy5wzAqKsyio7851U17kdYcIGiQQ1fVW1DHCYhrYNToM37PtQ55MTIDnVk6Ld69_aSO-kJYHDk49Ro_2He_gMKU9x8E0iAIIbX4lJpyBiaIIwTwYUKZXPbD_yHqrSdAI1ocDLLLwx6KetNnLfMPjaorb-k9hHth_yoKFdrThX8/w350-h400/winter%20onions%20a.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bonus...they actually look and feel like they might be edible. I'll find that out later. Even if they can't be eaten, it was fun finding them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The entire post was inspiring. Here it is in its entirety -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="x1a8lsjc x1swvt13 x1pi30zi" style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px;"><div class="x1jx94hy x78zum5 x1q0g3np" style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: inherit;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><h3 class="x1heor9g x1qlqyl8 x1pd3egz x1a2a7pz x1gslohp x1yc453h" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xi81zsa" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv xzsf02u x1s688f" href="https://www.facebook.com/daniel.fitzgerald.583?__cft__[0]=AZVGnVfX-38fUqECzXCpWgTTp93WPqiM8-5mXp420uhPVrOOwGSUQJmkKvfJOgK0A4BPbvaEdKeff_tQagiPUE4cmULx51REl96oqigmxmw26x8QR3B355XUBLwFB-fHeXfN9mPoysgOXge9yXIZf61-XK6b_K998w8Hy8xCRap1nms_lfKB99PxsA3t6gVT_5n6zf39sDUl_XsqA2DwUdE3&__tn__=-]C%2CP-y-R" role="link" style="border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1c1e21; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Daniel Fitzgerald</span></span></a></span></strong> is in <strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv xzsf02u x1s688f" href="https://www.facebook.com/New-York-112825018731802/?__cft__[0]=AZVGnVfX-38fUqECzXCpWgTTp93WPqiM8-5mXp420uhPVrOOwGSUQJmkKvfJOgK0A4BPbvaEdKeff_tQagiPUE4cmULx51REl96oqigmxmw26x8QR3B355XUBLwFB-fHeXfN9mPoysgOXge9yXIZf61-XK6b_K998w8Hy8xCRap1nms_lfKB99PxsA3t6gVT_5n6zf39sDUl_XsqA2DwUdE3&__tn__=kC%2CP-y-R" role="link" style="border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1c1e21; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">New York</span></span></a></span></strong>.</span></h3></span></div><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x676frb x1nxh6w3 x1sibtaa xo1l8bm xi81zsa x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8125rem; line-height: 1.2308; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="align-content: inherit; align-items: inherit; align-self: inherit; display: inherit; flex-direction: inherit; flex: inherit; font-family: inherit; height: inherit; justify-content: inherit; max-height: inherit; max-width: inherit; min-height: inherit; min-width: inherit; width: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz x1heor9g xt0b8zv xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/daniel.fitzgerald.583/posts/pfbid0ewXaDKZcQ7SSs8EvR4xnKtBESPvPANNctmSNkWjTdo7oYMYHvEE39BZ1UgDhxzPMl?__cft__[0]=AZVGnVfX-38fUqECzXCpWgTTp93WPqiM8-5mXp420uhPVrOOwGSUQJmkKvfJOgK0A4BPbvaEdKeff_tQagiPUE4cmULx51REl96oqigmxmw26x8QR3B355XUBLwFB-fHeXfN9mPoysgOXge9yXIZf61-XK6b_K998w8Hy8xCRap1nms_lfKB99PxsA3t6gVT_5n6zf39sDUl_XsqA2DwUdE3&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-y-R" role="link" style="border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span aria-labelledby=":r7a:" class="x1rg5ohu x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x16dsc37 xt0b8zv" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: top;"><b class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative;"><b class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit;">D</b><b class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">e</b><b class="xt0psk2 x1qlqyl8 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="display: inline; font-size: inherit; position: relative;">c</b><b class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">e</b><b class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">m</b><b class="xmper1u x1qlqyl8 x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; font-size: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit;">b</b><b class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">e</b><b class="xmper1u x1qlqyl8 x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; font-size: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit;">r</b><b class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative;"> </b><b class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">5</b><b class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative;"> </b><b class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative; vertical-align: inherit;">a</b><b class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit;">t</b><b class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative;"> </b><b class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative; vertical-align: inherit;">9</b><b class="xmper1u x1qlqyl8 x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; font-size: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit;">:</b><b class="xjb2p0i x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit;">4</b><b class="xmper1u x1qlqyl8 x1r8a4m5 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; font-size: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit;">2</b><b class="xmper1u xt0psk2 xjb2p0i x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative;"> </b><b class="xmper1u x15bjb6t xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="cursor: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative; vertical-align: inherit;">A</b><b class="x1qlqyl8 x15bjb6t x1r8a4m5 xi7du73 x1n2onr6 x17ihmo5" style="font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;">M</b></b></span></span></a></span></span><span class="xh99ass" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="xzpqnlu xjm9jq1 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x10l6tqk x1i1rx1s" style="clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 1px;"> </span><span aria-hidden="true" style="font-family: inherit;"> · </span></span></span><span class="xuxw1ft" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="align-content: inherit; align-items: inherit; align-self: inherit; display: inherit; flex-direction: inherit; flex: inherit; font-family: inherit; height: inherit; justify-content: inherit; max-height: inherit; max-width: inherit; min-height: inherit; min-width: inherit; width: inherit;"><span class="x1rg5ohu x1n2onr6 xs7f9wi" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; position: relative; top: 2px;"><svg class="x19dipnz x1lliihq x1k90msu x2h7rmj x1qfuztq" fill="currentColor" height="12" style="--color: var(--secondary-icon);" title="Shared with Public" viewbox="0 0 16 16" width="12"><g fill-rule="evenodd" transform="translate(-448 -544)"><g><path d="M109.5 408.5c0 3.23-2.04 5.983-4.903 7.036l.07-.036c1.167-1 1.814-2.967 2-3.834.214-1 .303-1.3-.5-1.96-.31-.253-.677-.196-1.04-.476-.246-.19-.356-.59-.606-.73-.594-.337-1.107.11-1.954.223a2.666 2.666 0 0 1-1.15-.123c-.007 0-.007 0-.013-.004l-.083-.03c-.164-.082-.077-.206.006-.36h-.006c.086-.17.086-.376-.05-.529-.19-.214-.54-.214-.804-.224-.106-.003-.21 0-.313.004l-.003-.004c-.04 0-.084.004-.124.004h-.037c-.323.007-.666-.034-.893-.314-.263-.353-.29-.733.097-1.09.28-.26.863-.8 1.807-.22.603.37 1.166.667 1.666.5.33-.11.48-.303.094-.87a1.128 1.128 0 0 1-.214-.73c.067-.776.687-.84 1.164-1.2.466-.356.68-.943.546-1.457-.106-.413-.51-.873-1.28-1.01a7.49 7.49 0 0 1 6.524 7.434" transform="translate(354 143.5)"></path><path d="M104.107 415.696A7.498 7.498 0 0 1 94.5 408.5a7.48 7.48 0 0 1 3.407-6.283 5.474 5.474 0 0 0-1.653 2.334c-.753 2.217-.217 4.075 2.29 4.075.833 0 1.4.561 1.333 2.375-.013.403.52 1.78 2.45 1.89.7.04 1.184 1.053 1.33 1.74.06.29.127.65.257.97a.174.174 0 0 0 .193.096" transform="translate(354 143.5)"></path><path d="M110 408.5a8 8 0 1 1-16 0 8 8 0 0 1 16 0zm-1 0a7 7 0 1 0-14 0 7 7 0 0 0 14 0z" fill-rule="nonzero" transform="translate(354 143.5)"></path></g></g></svg></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">My grandmother once gave me a tip:</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">In difficult times, you move forward in small steps.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Do what you have to do, but little by little.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t think about the future, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>or what may happen tomorrow.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Wash the dishes.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Remove the dust.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Write a letter.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Make a soup.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You see?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You are advancing step by step.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Take a step and stop.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Rest a little.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Praise yourself.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Take another step.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Then another.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You won’t notice, but your steps will grow more and more.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And the time will come when you can think about the future without crying.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> Happy winter gardening</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It says "in difficult times." These are not difficult times for me, but they may be for you. In any event, it's good advice no matter what may be going on in our lives. I already wash dishes and dust. I might write a letter. Make a soup? Maybe. Think about the future without crying...that's easy. Right now I'm thinking about next Spring and planting my garden. Peppers, carrots, radishes. And onions. I might even intentionlly leave a few of those in the ground so I can do more winter gardening. It may even become a regular thing. Winter Gardening. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i>Roger O'Dea. 12/15/2023</i></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-84659603821589125852023-11-24T20:11:00.000-08:002023-11-24T20:11:58.220-08:00Record Store Day ( Black Friday Edition)<p>Records are getting expensive. (Thanks a lot, hipsters). </p><p>I kind of wanted the Chet Baker Record Store Day release but it was fifty bucks. So I passed it up. But I did get a couple of cool Surf Rock albums. Surfin' the Great Lakes is not an official RSD release but was reasonably priced. It's a 2023 compilation featuring some good early sixties midwest garage bands, mostly from Minnesota, cashing in on the surf music craze starting to sweep the nation. It was a right up the alley for someone who digs surf rock, garage rock and early midwestern rock n roll bands...like me. I hang out in that alley quite often. All songs were recorded at Kay Banks Studio in Minneapolis, which has an interesting history of its own. Look it up if you're interested.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXMS1ghPXed1fkc91DjzzOK3P_VxGWw4pe1di1Od2MNMFWABW6v2bVOEU-VikkKxpCzfNGLvgJaQiPHaslK9_nJRdX8hw_-OVrTlO8lVy1tacLbC4UKj9bblbkQiPRS4_Gfzo2uM6Up53Dn8CZEdbnC8Ar7A0V9awSlAkikbLoSzKksujX7-sNCyFeZw/s2048/IMG_9148.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1932" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXMS1ghPXed1fkc91DjzzOK3P_VxGWw4pe1di1Od2MNMFWABW6v2bVOEU-VikkKxpCzfNGLvgJaQiPHaslK9_nJRdX8hw_-OVrTlO8lVy1tacLbC4UKj9bblbkQiPRS4_Gfzo2uM6Up53Dn8CZEdbnC8Ar7A0V9awSlAkikbLoSzKksujX7-sNCyFeZw/w378-h400/IMG_9148.jpeg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Keeping with the current theme, I found this Joe Houston album in the bargain bin for three bucks -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEkJBKQpr9ALgwvq2iy0vpmEsJqhZMOuYKzKuwbcriDwUtKPrX1XvnQh_egvfOWKdjsk2qmjmRfrB32BQFZLvIFNTmlIUapOpJBG14XKzwQ11dSIIiDZm_hW03MST9Ci08ovaGdgVQjSPA3r5FVU9ODqQEfBydP0FHWuD3o5ffwH6otRA6KRYknfOuHk/s2048/IMG_9147.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="2048" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEkJBKQpr9ALgwvq2iy0vpmEsJqhZMOuYKzKuwbcriDwUtKPrX1XvnQh_egvfOWKdjsk2qmjmRfrB32BQFZLvIFNTmlIUapOpJBG14XKzwQ11dSIIiDZm_hW03MST9Ci08ovaGdgVQjSPA3r5FVU9ODqQEfBydP0FHWuD3o5ffwH6otRA6KRYknfOuHk/w400-h361/IMG_9147.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It features Houston's tenor sax in place of a lead guitar, which you wouldn't think lends itself to surf music, but it's okay. And it's an original 1963 mono press so that's cool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also found a 1967 gatefold U.S. press of Volunteers by Jefferson Airplane on dynaflex vinyl with an orange label. I already have an early non-gatefold version with the classic black RCA label, but it's without the original Paz Progress "newspaper" poster. Today's find had the poster! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR_0OBe7zHOQ3Vkiwf6HHx23FrrpqMFHsil33XG0BaSQicRo14QBaUsN45GdWMLNHLAG-RzRK1M50sUdIzXTcmkjuPfF1qhQVMgaYHJZp6oAx9mbNDyaGOr4FuwlWn3na8BoDrEGCRMlDRAPy9EQfq_UnVfEm3r3Sxuum2fu-ytZtwsi05KEfp598Rwc/s2048/IMG_9153.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1624" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR_0OBe7zHOQ3Vkiwf6HHx23FrrpqMFHsil33XG0BaSQicRo14QBaUsN45GdWMLNHLAG-RzRK1M50sUdIzXTcmkjuPfF1qhQVMgaYHJZp6oAx9mbNDyaGOr4FuwlWn3na8BoDrEGCRMlDRAPy9EQfq_UnVfEm3r3Sxuum2fu-ytZtwsi05KEfp598Rwc/w318-h400/IMG_9153.jpeg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My other score was a special RSD release of the Doors - Live In Bakersfield, 1970. But it didn't make it home with me. I gave it away. Actually, that was my intention all along. I got there after the first wave of customers who had been waiting in line for the store to open but early enough to have a good chance of it still remaining on the shelf. It was still there. And, although I am a huge Doors fan, it's now in a good home with people who will appreciate it more than me. Plus, I've been invited to a listening party at a future date featuring the record. So, in the immortal words of greenskeeper Carl Spackler, "I got that going for me."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh ... the record store where this went down is Black Hills Vinyl. They deserve a shout out for always coming through for me when I'm looking for something specific or an oddity of some sort. Here is one of my favorite pictures of the store and some of their cool customers from a special live music event one summer night. They do that occasionally. Not many places do these days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AVkaJkYciQiDZZiWxwEuwDIULkWmKY1l9-OiVIfoo_eGYYd136OJRFLhdHC6CzcStVJU_OMKaMXLGMMDkeTRBAPPPuv48CeFdQc3L6FQ5XzcaVUU4wkwDHGCVHZP3hxZLc0ycoe_F0XqQRO6mII78ihOljepfxCnonuuOzFh9oX3n0mj1PlhtmLNOQQ/s900/BHV%20for%20group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="900" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AVkaJkYciQiDZZiWxwEuwDIULkWmKY1l9-OiVIfoo_eGYYd136OJRFLhdHC6CzcStVJU_OMKaMXLGMMDkeTRBAPPPuv48CeFdQc3L6FQ5XzcaVUU4wkwDHGCVHZP3hxZLc0ycoe_F0XqQRO6mII78ihOljepfxCnonuuOzFh9oX3n0mj1PlhtmLNOQQ/w400-h319/BHV%20for%20group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 11/24/2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-65235815171637563032023-08-07T19:50:00.002-07:002023-08-07T21:08:14.567-07:00Take Me Home Country Roads (Prairie Music)<p>The day after a big rain there was a promise of good weather for an outdoor concert way out there on the prairie. So I headed east on a two lane blacktop, curved northeast, and after fifty-nine miles made a hard left onto an unpaved country road. Dodged few puddles and soft spots on the way to my first stop, which was my friends' house located miles from nowhere. Enjoyed good conversation, some delicious homemade stuffed mushrooms and a few excellent songs...which I may talk about another time. I would have liked to stay longer but I didn't want to be late for the show. So I got back in the car, turned left back on to that country road and drove due north for twenty-something miles, turned east at Honeywagon Corner until I came to Seymour Corner. Made a left and continued up to Highway 20. A right turn this time took me east for a few miles until I saw the sign -</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxBu18yn-IVQhMUy24gP-u2rJz-g2cQskcaSWsBWJApNYiOFuyFwxzySME_Rr9zh8vxSOZidEu2PZPjmimYRD-nZ7xdjCFLVtw3WDrexDJ3JLdikFHPcKEA6TAsWJ0nn6uJ1xc_a7c44KKUfButoX4sVwWn0vrcoVewkgwiZJnb3TREknDYfi92d6BME/s1400/music%20sign%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxBu18yn-IVQhMUy24gP-u2rJz-g2cQskcaSWsBWJApNYiOFuyFwxzySME_Rr9zh8vxSOZidEu2PZPjmimYRD-nZ7xdjCFLVtw3WDrexDJ3JLdikFHPcKEA6TAsWJ0nn6uJ1xc_a7c44KKUfButoX4sVwWn0vrcoVewkgwiZJnb3TREknDYfi92d6BME/w400-h286/music%20sign%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made it. One hundred and twelve miles, half of it on unpaved roads, but it would turn out to be worth it. I knew it would. Eliza Blue was hosting a free concert at her family ranch. Actually, it was more like a picnic -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfctK7_Qne4nmY2QgNc3teWiNmN_O4kbtgPONawVBf9qB40KkaryldTJeAV495y0Nm5aNMf75SSrQIOR-tlMAcX7H_iiq2jV4pSOLIk4rNfDgx9YP-Vz__LGRPlxjEgP9F_AWtZaPqwfWlCRGQQ-XsHAIBq6Q2FC5AuG8NdGIbd5mgxZj_ptT-wEGj6Nw/s1400/picnic.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfctK7_Qne4nmY2QgNc3teWiNmN_O4kbtgPONawVBf9qB40KkaryldTJeAV495y0Nm5aNMf75SSrQIOR-tlMAcX7H_iiq2jV4pSOLIk4rNfDgx9YP-Vz__LGRPlxjEgP9F_AWtZaPqwfWlCRGQQ-XsHAIBq6Q2FC5AuG8NdGIbd5mgxZj_ptT-wEGj6Nw/w400-h286/picnic.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...with live music -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1Sp_PKSqhcu32Et_FpArbUJDgQXkDzRjWoWtlqiOKTU_2YnGqIE7n241AoPasbvEZn6VQESE7sGXx-W-y7zp1BrrXZoa5aeTpyIHKPROKEkRtC08SliBWxGhiG8Rg-wyZ4YJNdf9Qy5W7CiNRamzY-fjvgQ8wuZ_5QnAO6b-Qo1-Y6J8Oba96fLAByc/s1400/jailbyrds%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1Sp_PKSqhcu32Et_FpArbUJDgQXkDzRjWoWtlqiOKTU_2YnGqIE7n241AoPasbvEZn6VQESE7sGXx-W-y7zp1BrrXZoa5aeTpyIHKPROKEkRtC08SliBWxGhiG8Rg-wyZ4YJNdf9Qy5W7CiNRamzY-fjvgQ8wuZ_5QnAO6b-Qo1-Y6J8Oba96fLAByc/w400-h286/jailbyrds%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The JailByrds)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Opening acts featured some local talent, including singers aged 8, 13 and 14. They were all very good. I'm always encouraged when I see young people overcoming their fears and putting themselves out there to advance their art. I didn't take any photos of them. They were nervous enough without someone they don't know pointing a camera at them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Headlining the show was Charlie Parr - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijA9bkm97Comr5ogJtthnhaG_e6Algz_43AgzQmGi61-PWbE09speLrchxiaWOA_kXErloRph1Qa7TT3hE5xorq_HGNMpZS7PrZjLc274DjKp7WRYWbDEE2_ClnYpgE7elELh6UXxcNc34kJb2OMJCresX_CdKG61ZsHlceOLTFDIb-hmthzJulvoEIx4/s1400/charlie%20parr%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijA9bkm97Comr5ogJtthnhaG_e6Algz_43AgzQmGi61-PWbE09speLrchxiaWOA_kXErloRph1Qa7TT3hE5xorq_HGNMpZS7PrZjLc274DjKp7WRYWbDEE2_ClnYpgE7elELh6UXxcNc34kJb2OMJCresX_CdKG61ZsHlceOLTFDIb-hmthzJulvoEIx4/w400-h286/charlie%20parr%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you haven't seen him perform...you're missing an incredible talent. Seek him out. If he's ever in your area (or even out of your area), go see him. You won't regret it. I feel like I'm better off for hearing him talk about the "long view" and listening to him sing "I Ain't Dead Yet." And the man plays a pretty mean guitar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a great afternoon and a wonderful evening. There is one thing I don't understand, however. On my way to the concert, somewhere on the Prairie City Road, I stopped to marvel at a vast field of sunflowers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was quite a sight. But I don't know why they all turned their backs on me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHelZ0dNXWST3-I0usCmNA7cFmiUfDTq3-pWz1RHauCOMK3fCivio0nkuEEAsAVIsmwoKPTczh5ckY9006TiZm3TVQsxJALCfSEfeDMgEfNVpg6IiVHDjBCb-NOnNvaHAxUHYq8WiK_br3s4QjbNfQv1cbNeBwEoBD4wxuDV5c3X4sWf0icJo3nAIuluc/s1400/zeona%20sunflowers%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHelZ0dNXWST3-I0usCmNA7cFmiUfDTq3-pWz1RHauCOMK3fCivio0nkuEEAsAVIsmwoKPTczh5ckY9006TiZm3TVQsxJALCfSEfeDMgEfNVpg6IiVHDjBCb-NOnNvaHAxUHYq8WiK_br3s4QjbNfQv1cbNeBwEoBD4wxuDV5c3X4sWf0icJo3nAIuluc/w400-h286/zeona%20sunflowers%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe they were just camera shy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 8/7/2023</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-77971167776681169802023-05-17T07:05:00.000-07:002023-05-17T07:05:19.413-07:00Between Two Skies<p>I had heard somewhere that the sky is a darker shade of blue at higher elevations. Personal observations from my recent travels have confirmed it. I covered 2,544 miles in five days at various elevations ranging from around 4,000 feet in Wyoming to over 9,000 feet at the summit of Mt. Rose in Nevada. I made it a point to do some sky gazing at both extremes. I really did see a difference. I saw a lot of other things, too. That's what I want to talk about. After connecting onto Interstate 80 in Southeast Wyoming I followed it all the way to Reno and it was quite unremarkable. On my return I dropped down to Highway 50, known as the Loneliest Road in America. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8jLlSQkA5PeQyyZtG9V7tAu1TWSxMdl3DIOrUMCH8UQQThxOieffVOyf97QJtg_Jz5Aob9gmYD0AiQj_2mvB0DA44tHz-b05mARiv9rNcSKNIdzx5rSDXtyELWB8U_0FRGf-G6RSMYZ3J4v2SoKqzUVhNSB9pL8UXseFUU_IuXeSLbbax1_HBo8H/s2010/road%20goes%20on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="1610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8jLlSQkA5PeQyyZtG9V7tAu1TWSxMdl3DIOrUMCH8UQQThxOieffVOyf97QJtg_Jz5Aob9gmYD0AiQj_2mvB0DA44tHz-b05mARiv9rNcSKNIdzx5rSDXtyELWB8U_0FRGf-G6RSMYZ3J4v2SoKqzUVhNSB9pL8UXseFUU_IuXeSLbbax1_HBo8H/w256-h320/road%20goes%20on.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p>It was much more interesting. In the 300 mile stretch across Nevada I saw gigantic strip mines carved out of mountainsides, fields of sagebrush as far as the eye could see, a giant sand dune over three miles long and 600 feet high, and small towns stuck in time. It was the towns that held the most interest for me, so I took time to explore several of them...in black and white. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarKkfSdQ3Ihbsq3FNJqfm2vdm1tOfG4L9CNh-wxCr2eUNgCe9v3JAsBkQIcpH5gwNUhVkZUlWaO38Q-1Ks86NUi0Qbwe2B472yfjDevN8LJNQq5YEk0dueUVl6Xx8QtSNP8UUIjacRqFAA3-ou7LD7yssjBwz94mbxDSHVQBS-Z-V-KRioJUzUl1f/s1400/Inside%20shack%20bw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1400" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarKkfSdQ3Ihbsq3FNJqfm2vdm1tOfG4L9CNh-wxCr2eUNgCe9v3JAsBkQIcpH5gwNUhVkZUlWaO38Q-1Ks86NUi0Qbwe2B472yfjDevN8LJNQq5YEk0dueUVl6Xx8QtSNP8UUIjacRqFAA3-ou7LD7yssjBwz94mbxDSHVQBS-Z-V-KRioJUzUl1f/w400-h263/Inside%20shack%20bw.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside an abandoned shack in Austin, NV</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4fHf6UQ7sEjm9g4ZeSK3W1nPrW2As3YllDpiNu8zBkzFxzSeZSTXLuDLuOAc_XEOir-o1CdZY_J_lCF_n_n6bfoiO3n93A4JBl9otC7hrsQUDhHzMd5FcDcx4e2kZYyUvKs87cq8a2XHF-Rcc22FHKPaHxaXhwn1qykQXjxzaMSTzaMa94S2nisk/s2000/Austin%20nv%20bw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4fHf6UQ7sEjm9g4ZeSK3W1nPrW2As3YllDpiNu8zBkzFxzSeZSTXLuDLuOAc_XEOir-o1CdZY_J_lCF_n_n6bfoiO3n93A4JBl9otC7hrsQUDhHzMd5FcDcx4e2kZYyUvKs87cq8a2XHF-Rcc22FHKPaHxaXhwn1qykQXjxzaMSTzaMa94S2nisk/w400-h270/Austin%20nv%20bw.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking down from the above shack on the town of Austin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQ1SEz5n8fZGdZvvDCZQ5I-4aIJtiKWFqzGleH0obvjYA6lb8IqqaPZL6v6NkWbP2B0MKfjoe9b6kTdlITAZySdgZdoAzriYYJ81tYhFXhBKndcsM3JUtKDNIBGBTWdxR_5go1OThNm1HaRg8uBo-5P2x6sP75wBdWbxsCNsOs8KkpPTpmiE9Y96s/s2000/car%20and%20shack%20bw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQ1SEz5n8fZGdZvvDCZQ5I-4aIJtiKWFqzGleH0obvjYA6lb8IqqaPZL6v6NkWbP2B0MKfjoe9b6kTdlITAZySdgZdoAzriYYJ81tYhFXhBKndcsM3JUtKDNIBGBTWdxR_5go1OThNm1HaRg8uBo-5P2x6sP75wBdWbxsCNsOs8KkpPTpmiE9Y96s/w400-h266/car%20and%20shack%20bw.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eureka, NV</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLjM8-CvuzDNSwKrfrR_HG3XxCX26DA6ZoVSnSgtLj5F1MLFFq2egtOnHq8vJGQnRU4e4KdUAiZ9O653WlQxr0UEbYH86rNW7tHn4hyAj-GjSTL77PrcfyiBH7cxTL1hAOxe66ECREGiZ7sLiXHe7Y1-3iB-wgvs_JCaZoPFYTDsRIwJc41I6Jhr7/s1600/lonely%20bar%2060s%20bw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLjM8-CvuzDNSwKrfrR_HG3XxCX26DA6ZoVSnSgtLj5F1MLFFq2egtOnHq8vJGQnRU4e4KdUAiZ9O653WlQxr0UEbYH86rNW7tHn4hyAj-GjSTL77PrcfyiBH7cxTL1hAOxe66ECREGiZ7sLiXHe7Y1-3iB-wgvs_JCaZoPFYTDsRIwJc41I6Jhr7/w400-h400/lonely%20bar%2060s%20bw.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Historic Middlegate stage stop near Fallon, NV</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZSNG0WEUlH-Dxak8xXHhitu8-hexcLKRROGaKWF8ABlNN27m-ICEf46bLa-xGw1Uuqkj9mr6-jSDLVHLplnEOCpJAkKleF0thlJ5SiseQqvgWRXORAFehW8DQjc8Z7layOgoXIwRPPcLbRnhost-G6O926iCH63YPp6lu7kXc2zeQMF1j8__FwCh/s2000/Ely%20strip%20club%20bw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="2000" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZSNG0WEUlH-Dxak8xXHhitu8-hexcLKRROGaKWF8ABlNN27m-ICEf46bLa-xGw1Uuqkj9mr6-jSDLVHLplnEOCpJAkKleF0thlJ5SiseQqvgWRXORAFehW8DQjc8Z7layOgoXIwRPPcLbRnhost-G6O926iCH63YPp6lu7kXc2zeQMF1j8__FwCh/w400-h344/Ely%20strip%20club%20bw.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adult entertainment in Ely, NV </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(There are two large copper mines nearby with a total </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of over 1,000 employees. Most of them men). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGQcc8A1sm6qB6XX-qhyujuVjwXkb5S6eSmOtXk5SI4IMpwmRqDpBIWBx_0PcSgayqH77pJB2LXEqqVhiuTyvrZXRifiskoDr7eZ-6hJajP3NOcXnPi98oY_6O4veKoEKti-df_o36cU_iKK2lmUb5GONUVg4zYAbnZGbEkI_4NUTA39TDDaa2rDR/s1400/hwy%20stone%20bldg%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGQcc8A1sm6qB6XX-qhyujuVjwXkb5S6eSmOtXk5SI4IMpwmRqDpBIWBx_0PcSgayqH77pJB2LXEqqVhiuTyvrZXRifiskoDr7eZ-6hJajP3NOcXnPi98oY_6O4veKoEKti-df_o36cU_iKK2lmUb5GONUVg4zYAbnZGbEkI_4NUTA39TDDaa2rDR/w400-h286/hwy%20stone%20bldg%202.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of many abandoned structures along the highway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes, though, a photo with rich tones and contrasting textures requires color. Like this one -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdORWQhJZWSnXxIafsH3g69UzpEBfl_H1svcEOZ-NEhZ2BNORcp0g9T7Jl6PDXQ5uq4wkjh73kVoGFEQ76Y0yys-V_f2tHeH1pgnDV5nQgJOuF1Y6f0ioABJ9zERpdSJEuYBE_jHvF4Ol-96kaq-dYshgD5iBNyiIZQkLIsUhv91Ogsqhgvdwj4cS/s2000/wood%20texture%202b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1775" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdORWQhJZWSnXxIafsH3g69UzpEBfl_H1svcEOZ-NEhZ2BNORcp0g9T7Jl6PDXQ5uq4wkjh73kVoGFEQ76Y0yys-V_f2tHeH1pgnDV5nQgJOuF1Y6f0ioABJ9zERpdSJEuYBE_jHvF4Ol-96kaq-dYshgD5iBNyiIZQkLIsUhv91Ogsqhgvdwj4cS/w355-h400/wood%20texture%202b.jpeg" width="355" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think this old shack was in Austin, but it could have been Eureka. Or Fallon. Or any one of those small towns located between the two skies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 5/16/2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-85664630924779096852023-02-27T08:12:00.000-08:002023-02-27T08:12:16.527-08:00Jesus Revolution - A Review (and memoir)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwwyAc-C9811hdbAIIXWoXEz0gIipPT23VsUbUI2tq1n1mNLI6kLJ1oH1eM7p6WIjzu-uJGrACPqHo1TJZksAiCyvemQWu4BJdRWvPh__PDikSG_V1aRF1XeKPYlO4PEkFTlYKkXKT5E2nfKwuVGCCOd6rjAyFVd7hT9zsfM-9Zz4eMot7RzMpBcq/s848/jr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="622" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwwyAc-C9811hdbAIIXWoXEz0gIipPT23VsUbUI2tq1n1mNLI6kLJ1oH1eM7p6WIjzu-uJGrACPqHo1TJZksAiCyvemQWu4BJdRWvPh__PDikSG_V1aRF1XeKPYlO4PEkFTlYKkXKT5E2nfKwuVGCCOd6rjAyFVd7hT9zsfM-9Zz4eMot7RzMpBcq/w294-h400/jr.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><p>I went to a movie with friends last night called Jesus Revolution. Almost changed my plans when I got there and saw that Cocaine Bear was also playing. Glad I stuck with the original plan because I really enjoyed it. Kind of funny that the first thing my friend Al Margheim and I mentioned after coming out of the theater was the music. If you know us at all you know that's how we roll. Killer soundtrack but not always accurate. The movie was set from about 1968 - 1972, but one of the songs featured didn’t come out until 1974 and another one 1977. I’ll allow some artistic license because they’re good songs that fit the mood of the scene. I did not, however, enjoy some of the movie goers acting like it was a revival meeting with their loud “amens” and comments. I thought of saying to them that this was not The Rocky Horror Picture Show and audience participation was not required. But I didn’t, and they calmed down a bit after awhile. Some of the characters in the movie reminded me of my own experiences during that time with the unkindness I was shown and holier-than-thou attitudes of a few church authorities and leaders. I remember, for example, visiting a local church and having one member of the hierarchy tell me I would never be fully accepted into their congregation unless I was able to “speak in tongues.” Well, I couldn’t see that happening so I left. Other scenes brought back some very fond memories of the friendships I had and fellowships I shared with some beautiful people. I also liked the fact that they included a VW van and an old beat up Corvair in some scenes. I had some good times with friends in a VW van and drove an old Rambler. It wasn't a Corvair, but pretty close. I later upgraded to a Chevy Impala which was way cooler. So...yeah...I recommend the movie. Especially to people who were coming of age about that time. If you are between the ages of 62 and 72 it's going to be right in your wheelhouse. I also recommend it to anyone younger. You will see for yourself that your parents and grandparents dealt with a lot of the same things you might have dealt with while growing up or maybe even that you are dealing with right now. And...you may realize that we were actually pretty cool. Once upon a time.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 2/27/2023</p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-70329428213540585732022-12-22T11:51:00.000-08:002022-12-22T11:51:40.873-08:00Days Pass Quickly Now (Nights Are Seldom Long)<p><i><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">Time as I've known it</span><br aria-hidden="true" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;" /><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">Doesn't take much time to pass by me</span><br aria-hidden="true" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;" /><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">Minutes into days turn into months turn into years</span><br aria-hidden="true" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;" /></i><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><i>They hurry by me</i> ( John Denver)<br /><br /></span></p><p><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="background-color: white;">Yesterday was the Winter Solstice. In past years I would get up early and drive through the Canyon to enjoy the sunrise and take a few pictures to celebrate the event. Here is a picture from the last time -</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRNfHlVmB2X8wiEJIMEGUDitZr4NO46mvL1w-V9_IttBsUVYCMhXXezdXGdCSdfac_MYCuSOVUc0cqVZzAov6y9mZ8K3FLgsS1NYvb6VVrXPfKXprUe8cCu6eNXZqUgGIyDjk-Jv_ptT0_88lZuwnPmZ6A19lkOybwqv0ICZs3PlDnadgPOWQj5Ao/s1080/solstice_2017.jpg" style="font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRNfHlVmB2X8wiEJIMEGUDitZr4NO46mvL1w-V9_IttBsUVYCMhXXezdXGdCSdfac_MYCuSOVUc0cqVZzAov6y9mZ8K3FLgsS1NYvb6VVrXPfKXprUe8cCu6eNXZqUgGIyDjk-Jv_ptT0_88lZuwnPmZ6A19lkOybwqv0ICZs3PlDnadgPOWQj5Ao/w400-h400/solstice_2017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>That was five years ago. I haven't done it since. It's not because I'm not able to do it any longer. Sure, I can't go as far or as fast as I once could, but I don't have any physical restrictions that prevent me from these occasional adventures. I just don't have the desire. Well, I guess I should say that I 'rarely' have the desire. One day in June of last year I got up before sunrise for a hike up to Devils Bathtub knowing I would likely have the place to myself, stripped off my clothes and went down the natural waterslide like we used to do all those years ago. (Click on the link if you'd like to review that story)</p><p><a href="https://whatsyourroadblog.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-early-bird-gets-wet-back-to-devils.html" target="_blank">https://whatsyourroadblog.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-early-bird-gets-wet-back-to-devils.html</a><br /></p><p>But those days are few and far between now, and every year drop off a little more. I've noticed this past year the trend has increased with even fewer outings. 2022 is the year I finally started feeling...old. But the good news is I'm fighting the feeling and I don't plan on giving up easily. I have a few ideas running around in my head. There are some places I'd like to go and some things I'd like to do and see. I'd like to get back on the trails more often, take more pictures, continue to push my artistic boundaries and generally just not act my age. Maybe I'll listen to more John Denver songs. He seemed to get it -----</p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>The days they pass so quickly now, nights are seldom long</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Time around me whispers when it's cold</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>The changes somehow frighten me, still I have to smile</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>It turns me on to think of growing old </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 12/22/2022</div><p><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><br /></span></div><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-27419320497898524032022-11-10T08:04:00.000-08:002022-11-10T08:04:54.411-08:00Fake News<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcef6gZocb67PwdHO0ZkqSG3Mf6-IGWNlP83WdHJvzdG0R_4MR7Ou3TsjQ_7rYciIwGN7LW8-LjjsiaYgA9FcQzF_NtjIozYnVrKT09Y6U_Medpi0cV4JOVWIunOK3cBlpO8aJzqKflXyKLDJ7vEQmmnZcu2wsKf97pKS4LGVwcOY8iAZk7jjGYsyA/s1130/fake-news-hero-img.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1130" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcef6gZocb67PwdHO0ZkqSG3Mf6-IGWNlP83WdHJvzdG0R_4MR7Ou3TsjQ_7rYciIwGN7LW8-LjjsiaYgA9FcQzF_NtjIozYnVrKT09Y6U_Medpi0cV4JOVWIunOK3cBlpO8aJzqKflXyKLDJ7vEQmmnZcu2wsKf97pKS4LGVwcOY8iAZk7jjGYsyA/w400-h217/fake-news-hero-img.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Want to know what really makes me mad? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway. It's media bias and deception. As I was browsing the news online this morning a headline by AP on Yahoo! caught my attention. It read <i>Fox Pushes Misinformation Post-Election</i>. My initial thought was "Those SOBs. There they go again." So, taking the bait, I clicked on it. It turned out to be total BS. It mentioned a video clip showing a Wisconsin poll worker initialing ballots before they were given to voters. And even stated that it's normal procedure on election day, which it is. What happened was someone not associated with Fox News posted that clip to social media and claimed instead that it showed a Philadelphia election worker doctoring ballots. Of course it went viral. That fact is included in the AP story. The story further stated "It's an example of election day misinformation that reveals how misleading claims emerge and travel, and how innocent events can be spun into the latest viral election hoax." Yeah, but in this case it was AP doing the spinning by posting the misleading headline! Not once anywhere in the entire twenty-two paragraph story did it actually accuse or offer any evidence of Fox News suggesting there was ballot tampering by anyone. In fact, the only mention of Fox News in the entire story was the headline. </p><p>Look. I am not of fan of Fox News. I do like Neil Cavuto, one of the few honest commentators on TV these days. I also believe Tucker Carlson is one of the worst. But in this case they were obviously smeared and I don't appreciate that happening to any person or organization. I call out corruption wherever I see it. And I see it a lot. So do you, if you're honest about it. </p><p>Nearly every morning I take some time to catch up on the hot topics of the day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcucmRE5G2PF9EkPZmdzhfRUV23nMIS7wy8WC8ghXZFYwZA9o0B8QOS6wPQ3Dw4P4UgiAM3CcskGhfJIjBFBVo2ONfSJhu1qv3oDhCChnujPD2Hm4lhV_-hOblJv0q0cRpXPlhBjGTc_kROjINkrChLcoaLK84HAhcsQlLKkSIJCi3JaGn0X72kKI/s1080/tumblr_6ecc9849f683b824c4d946f7275d312f_2d7ede81_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcucmRE5G2PF9EkPZmdzhfRUV23nMIS7wy8WC8ghXZFYwZA9o0B8QOS6wPQ3Dw4P4UgiAM3CcskGhfJIjBFBVo2ONfSJhu1qv3oDhCChnujPD2Hm4lhV_-hOblJv0q0cRpXPlhBjGTc_kROjINkrChLcoaLK84HAhcsQlLKkSIJCi3JaGn0X72kKI/w400-h400/tumblr_6ecc9849f683b824c4d946f7275d312f_2d7ede81_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I check right and left but try to stay in the middle. It's getting harder and harder to do that. So I try to read between the lines and consider my sources carefully and with the understanding of any built-in biases. One site that helps me do that and that I trust is Ground News, which actually rates media bias. Here is a link if you're interested: <a href="https://ground.news/" target="_blank">https://ground.news/</a></p><p>By the way, the person who wrote the Associated Press story is David Klepper. So if you see his name on any other news stories you may come across, or anything by AP in general, I suggest you keep on scrolling. They are not to be trusted.</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 11/10/2022</p></blockquote></blockquote>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-8041509705751667192022-09-11T21:14:00.002-07:002022-09-11T21:18:04.734-07:00Room With A View (Into the Wilderness)<p>I was starting to panic. It's September and, although days are still warm, summer is ending. Probably sooner than later, and I haven't done enough summer stuff. Last summer I hiked up to Devil's Bathtub and went for a swim. It was the highlight of the season. See my post from 6/8/2021 <i>"The Early Bird Gets...Wet (Back to Devils Bathtub)." </i>I haven't had that kind of a highlight yet this year so I decided I'd better get busy and do what I had intended to do all summer but never got around to it - go for a long hike into the Black Elk Wilderness area of the Black Hills National Forest. Last Saturday was the perfect day for it with a forecast of mid 60s for the high temperature and mostly cloudy. I got up early, stopped by a garage sale to pick up some records, and arrived at the trailhead shortly after 10 a.m. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2q_EkKCBXd3na2dP1k1Q7tZiLS6Nt20TGkpaJTHjUNwot7HAcsh7u5i3USBW11fD4IFCCp1JT5jLqk3p_keODhzw8pHSjpoxzSiPKFEONjXHGxfnMM5rZNaksR27rEeYpMbmy4eEog_hkMBejR2p9WrsMgk0nQ8mDbvmHBnWoZdh8gwRxwSGlu8Ut/s1400/Black%20Elk%20sign%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2q_EkKCBXd3na2dP1k1Q7tZiLS6Nt20TGkpaJTHjUNwot7HAcsh7u5i3USBW11fD4IFCCp1JT5jLqk3p_keODhzw8pHSjpoxzSiPKFEONjXHGxfnMM5rZNaksR27rEeYpMbmy4eEog_hkMBejR2p9WrsMgk0nQ8mDbvmHBnWoZdh8gwRxwSGlu8Ut/w400-h286/Black%20Elk%20sign%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I had never hiked this part of the Black Hills before and was pretty excited about the possibilities. I wasn't disappointed. The trail guides you through dense forest and steep rock formations with an elevation gain of about 600 feet at the highest point. The first mile is almost completely uphill with some uneven rocky sections and the entire trail is almost 6 miles roundtrip so it's not easy. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and wear good shoes. You'll enjoy great views and impressive rock formations.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAX_ODd_mmgorYJTcKwvxetE9HHYF_KXsOj58lZoq2DqKJS2wxJTjQa-CbaTOjylYox5OFyfuv31a9UsozmMjBBhutdyf8XqCTCJndpxr7_6ho3R6oZL0i_nwuAC-NOlwBP7ZnLX2dhJ9iKBHkFZFraB4n90KVaxZOJC5oxXbN4-od8pEVPnV2HAj/s1400/Wilderness%201%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAX_ODd_mmgorYJTcKwvxetE9HHYF_KXsOj58lZoq2DqKJS2wxJTjQa-CbaTOjylYox5OFyfuv31a9UsozmMjBBhutdyf8XqCTCJndpxr7_6ho3R6oZL0i_nwuAC-NOlwBP7ZnLX2dhJ9iKBHkFZFraB4n90KVaxZOJC5oxXbN4-od8pEVPnV2HAj/w400-h286/Wilderness%201%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You'll come across many good areas to rest. Several offer good cover from the hot sun if you decide to make the trek on one of those uncomfortably hot days like we've experienced this summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsfO5N33nijldOLQuicX5oxDO_CrFN92Bp2afaL_0DP5Lq9-vyRas7i2ymUeyun6VBlbJ2Xao5XAP0w8zz3OkbsijTJhECXOUYrsWubDZTDhdZPhrwoz7k8ohJMzz_OkTP19jvjOw1PgYnI7NyxE-LL_lDuVjX_46EskBVwNckepfRTq_1LnrSMZ5/s1400/Wilderness%202%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsfO5N33nijldOLQuicX5oxDO_CrFN92Bp2afaL_0DP5Lq9-vyRas7i2ymUeyun6VBlbJ2Xao5XAP0w8zz3OkbsijTJhECXOUYrsWubDZTDhdZPhrwoz7k8ohJMzz_OkTP19jvjOw1PgYnI7NyxE-LL_lDuVjX_46EskBVwNckepfRTq_1LnrSMZ5/w400-h286/Wilderness%202%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are some interesting sights along the way, in addition to some amazing views. I believe this was the beginnings of an old mica mine which apparently didn't pan out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdXofiztt8Ad0QASD9xhzC2VK7X9YsYbntEYlA3XeW1UI-Mlqkbed8YZw6pkqZbnYEsH9SJrtIFgV-GcuUjBZW5ca0vAT42_7t-Qb7mgWcG6Q91FgmEAR63nHncfwJ7rMzSqXgPSJ6xRNiIoHrDe8iLdrbQbXgHWeJ4HwB1cjON3SuJHbWj58EvBh/s1050/mica%20mine%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1050" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdXofiztt8Ad0QASD9xhzC2VK7X9YsYbntEYlA3XeW1UI-Mlqkbed8YZw6pkqZbnYEsH9SJrtIFgV-GcuUjBZW5ca0vAT42_7t-Qb7mgWcG6Q91FgmEAR63nHncfwJ7rMzSqXgPSJ6xRNiIoHrDe8iLdrbQbXgHWeJ4HwB1cjON3SuJHbWj58EvBh/w400-h286/mica%20mine%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I saw the remains of several lightning-struck trees. At least I assume that's what they were. I don't believe they were remnants of a fire that covered any significant ground as there were no others in the same vicinity showing signs of charring. I thought this one was cool because it looked to me like a hand with one finger pointing to the sky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsf4v-p9tvBUN5ELnG0PYUdP0OE91YUzfIJLZEuRUrCycB7MGXlxUjKqTNzFLJNCV98XEWELv0vJV8nyLrAbQXhuWo6LkXmpb5TECTYrJXTwaLhN-PHCj-qhzzwwM0Tl3za6mLkOqIzu-_O26Fz5VxffP0iGb4yiVCh8bSXcl4QapeGfLKUTQACGD/s1400/burned%20tree%20hand%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsf4v-p9tvBUN5ELnG0PYUdP0OE91YUzfIJLZEuRUrCycB7MGXlxUjKqTNzFLJNCV98XEWELv0vJV8nyLrAbQXhuWo6LkXmpb5TECTYrJXTwaLhN-PHCj-qhzzwwM0Tl3za6mLkOqIzu-_O26Fz5VxffP0iGb4yiVCh8bSXcl4QapeGfLKUTQACGD/w400-h286/burned%20tree%20hand%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another highlight for me was encountering several groups of Boy Scouts (with a few young girls also mixed in, which I was happy to see and found encouraging) on a hike to Mt. Rushmore. I had a chance to talk to some of the scout leaders who said they were camped at Medicine Mountain Scout Camp a few miles away. One of the activities during the annual campout is a "pilgrimage" hike. This year it was to Mt. Rushmore. It brought back some wonderful memories of when my wife and I were scout leaders and attended the annual Medicine Mountain event with our son and other members of our local troop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoG_Y_JhusBTFbmp9EiLVlmlAKalmAn0I6dx0Aur-dNFM2rm5ITp9Os_62P2LbBkzQH23K5mnFRiHX6Z9leGJmFILvZRg1AN12_zI6APQr5cbBYD-Dq33irbxEIAjChviiETSI5C0giYQE4IFHuNzrXRu5sdnjbirny_RiRItbchd4qC8khTyg0V-/s1400/scouts%20on%20trail%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoG_Y_JhusBTFbmp9EiLVlmlAKalmAn0I6dx0Aur-dNFM2rm5ITp9Os_62P2LbBkzQH23K5mnFRiHX6Z9leGJmFILvZRg1AN12_zI6APQr5cbBYD-Dq33irbxEIAjChviiETSI5C0giYQE4IFHuNzrXRu5sdnjbirny_RiRItbchd4qC8khTyg0V-/w400-h286/scouts%20on%20trail%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will now tell you about another encounter along the trail. When hiking in the Black Hills there is always a chance you will encounter wildlife at some point. Most likely deer, possibly elk and very rarely a mountain lion. It is also quite possible to come across a snake or two on or off the trail. Perhaps like this one - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS72oP7zp0nOpLXEb1ozx4AUbc30m24pvsyDkDF4Cva-ZD-240Nd38sfYa_yC7R4oDuhILLrm5nA_1nS9ULgZD-mA5IayrygdWskyv6be2AHMZTz8C3cmwvG53FIWvWjY_AeOL2RScvlTcLypBTdDsZUlv9zIxLvftFHhm5Bzq7yLuLFcScXAP5oHg/s1400/rattler%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS72oP7zp0nOpLXEb1ozx4AUbc30m24pvsyDkDF4Cva-ZD-240Nd38sfYa_yC7R4oDuhILLrm5nA_1nS9ULgZD-mA5IayrygdWskyv6be2AHMZTz8C3cmwvG53FIWvWjY_AeOL2RScvlTcLypBTdDsZUlv9zIxLvftFHhm5Bzq7yLuLFcScXAP5oHg/w400-h286/rattler%201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not sure how I spotted it. It was completely still and silent. But I do try to be very aware of my surroundings when alone in nature and it caught my eye as I passed by. It looks a lot like a rattlesnake but could possibly be a harmless bull snake. The picture isn't great due to using the manual zoom on my camera so I wouldn't have to get too close, and then snapping the picture with an unsteady hand. I'm leaning toward it being a rattler. To quote Indiana Jones, "I HATE SNAKES, JOCK! I HATE 'EM!" Me too, Indy. Me too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 9/11/2022</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f6f6f5; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f6f6f5; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-38872791964761364042022-06-05T13:31:00.000-07:002022-06-05T13:31:28.904-07:00A Very Good Most Excellent DayI have not abandoned my blog, but I will admit it's been a while. It's just that I haven't had much to write about lately. But I thought you might like to hear about a string of random events that inspired me to put some words together and share my thoughts. If my writing isn't of interest - I have pictures. I always have pictures. So welcome back to What's Your Road. <div>It started out with a visit to Everybody's Bookstore in Rapid City. I regularly visit another store that sells used books but it has been some time since I have visited this one, and it has changed. For the better. Extremely well organized, groovy staff and a very positive vibe. And the exterior has been freshened up with an awesome mural by Derek "Focus" Smith<span style="color: #050505;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">a very talented local area artist. <span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj873bDF6WB7VBwUul6tEeI_LuEouVPWR1OvncHJIWL0OWbCZJ8QGC3WPNN7ppEynbBBmhw4hlbw-z1A-qmdJdCYPMzJfZzoXh1git-XlGrB-_dnkOGGA1AvqIXjXjsxeUw2dyZ-PYqPCH4gLubUkvXsFeSqrhthMdghTX3nT-R-lZx3jusBTjGpmrT/s1400/bookstore%204a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj873bDF6WB7VBwUul6tEeI_LuEouVPWR1OvncHJIWL0OWbCZJ8QGC3WPNN7ppEynbBBmhw4hlbw-z1A-qmdJdCYPMzJfZzoXh1git-XlGrB-_dnkOGGA1AvqIXjXjsxeUw2dyZ-PYqPCH4gLubUkvXsFeSqrhthMdghTX3nT-R-lZx3jusBTjGpmrT/w300-h400/bookstore%204a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQTQdG1J_zu1g4U34xoXB51UR-2xckYN6z4bJSHsildShhUfrqod9ajHdBG4q5YbPYwIgY3AaI02R-EjwSqIeBR27qKvS4k54FzHrx_vrj54OYdLDC34WDnNVw0kh5BWL0n6yQcV05ZZ6jgTyifXW_AmzLFUmhkmYc_RmbwoqoiXmsnoGSzO_uo1O/s1400/bookstore%201a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQTQdG1J_zu1g4U34xoXB51UR-2xckYN6z4bJSHsildShhUfrqod9ajHdBG4q5YbPYwIgY3AaI02R-EjwSqIeBR27qKvS4k54FzHrx_vrj54OYdLDC34WDnNVw0kh5BWL0n6yQcV05ZZ6jgTyifXW_AmzLFUmhkmYc_RmbwoqoiXmsnoGSzO_uo1O/w300-h400/bookstore%201a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were having a big sale and I was glad to see a good turnout. Everyone was finding books to buy and seemed to be enjoying themselves. Including a number of children. That made me happy. I always enjoy seeing kids get excited about books. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And speaking of kids, as I was browsing the shelves I overheard a young girl maybe around 8-10 years old say to her grandmother, "Four dollars for a book? Maybe you should try to make a deal with them." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wonder if they noticed the smile that brought to my face. I don't think it's the kind of store that bargains with customers on price, but I guess you're never too young start working on your negotiation skills. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for myself, I thought the prices were very reasonable - as evidenced by the fact that I walked out with five books for an amount I was quite happy with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLOhAVLvLvs_4FT9EyOZwS2mEbEd2NCygVkSVar3GDfBHCJJkyOC6KBE5tkJ_uIVXaevW9iknAXx63KkrUaUewjcW5GRY1g1dFRrd78keSIwsOIMmIWijj_l_hLpIIINDR_G8TsdDrWgoEJcVkbAMI-u-QR_fGmKMUBeV9jhGJFjxVmszF_bv61oU/s1400/bookstore%203a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLOhAVLvLvs_4FT9EyOZwS2mEbEd2NCygVkSVar3GDfBHCJJkyOC6KBE5tkJ_uIVXaevW9iknAXx63KkrUaUewjcW5GRY1g1dFRrd78keSIwsOIMmIWijj_l_hLpIIINDR_G8TsdDrWgoEJcVkbAMI-u-QR_fGmKMUBeV9jhGJFjxVmszF_bv61oU/w300-h400/bookstore%203a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I was leaving the store I received a text from my friend Amber alerting me to an event at Crow Peak Brewery in Spearfish featuring a new brew introduction and a Volkswagen bus meetup. I don't have a VW but I do enjoy seeing some classic VW vans, and Amber and Josh have a cool "Westy" that they would be bringing, so that seemed like a great idea. Besides, she said there would be some great photo opps so I stopped by the house to pick up my wife (and camera) and we headed to Spearfish. She was right about the photo opportunities.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJ0YQMiJ9Kz24dagkPDr8eJTq03EWsH3t0iNzT56K65L_4VTQB44tl_uPb-1LcGuYD2vZZ9byYZRTZABKn4eXo-GJumsz_eFu_ABjPV9Ay_AnC6Q2D5ci7umEzO2vkeP2BzKtxHdv1m7WJBJo1nM9Fa5-QO5mS8TjoAQPbAeaHY_au3QolkHKUJOo/s2000/boots%201a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJ0YQMiJ9Kz24dagkPDr8eJTq03EWsH3t0iNzT56K65L_4VTQB44tl_uPb-1LcGuYD2vZZ9byYZRTZABKn4eXo-GJumsz_eFu_ABjPV9Ay_AnC6Q2D5ci7umEzO2vkeP2BzKtxHdv1m7WJBJo1nM9Fa5-QO5mS8TjoAQPbAeaHY_au3QolkHKUJOo/w400-h320/boots%201a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o06IQ3TmpvRDXRoRjLUnva99EXShlozbUNN9bxvBTZJF6wSXasWr3F7ApSei07HougC3skFN3oSVhYowMGubuIrkKBNdElc5oxK8mZlKPdP_LY7rJ4xgQrKpkKQVrf4kb1J2c1PlTvGQkU7f6ivDaeW6D_UnxfjNfsWo8Gd2gJBV2QjgXuFbRUXe/s2000/girl%201a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1295" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o06IQ3TmpvRDXRoRjLUnva99EXShlozbUNN9bxvBTZJF6wSXasWr3F7ApSei07HougC3skFN3oSVhYowMGubuIrkKBNdElc5oxK8mZlKPdP_LY7rJ4xgQrKpkKQVrf4kb1J2c1PlTvGQkU7f6ivDaeW6D_UnxfjNfsWo8Gd2gJBV2QjgXuFbRUXe/w259-h400/girl%201a.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQctmfQM7gIC0lxPTmPTUVsQc_87cJMrzVXsJ2I2-wWYfb8x1PfahiPnsQqWGuZFz7k6E_8bmQd5p2O_mutFgXLfcA870cE0aqGD-6HYa08RuTpXxq0aSgmjaiwTIJyAktKtwY2gCCgb0X5CEH3ec5TxVn4DRgcd0n5oNfstQQpn87aRdZ7e1DDaf/s1100/vw%201a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1100" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQctmfQM7gIC0lxPTmPTUVsQc_87cJMrzVXsJ2I2-wWYfb8x1PfahiPnsQqWGuZFz7k6E_8bmQd5p2O_mutFgXLfcA870cE0aqGD-6HYa08RuTpXxq0aSgmjaiwTIJyAktKtwY2gCCgb0X5CEH3ec5TxVn4DRgcd0n5oNfstQQpn87aRdZ7e1DDaf/w400-h400/vw%201a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6YjykPvi-QA0O23UWF3_ggIgqyiR76NxmjR2-YDocIkyOtH23CImiH1hPYKmNzj7uexl7IuS6bEZyircBOpyS5XUu7TcDwi0zlkkg1mLhC2ZDE33gKs9oDDl_-Ya6o6QWR8xWQgQyT8PdWmnq7L9cJy6b8tnhVgItNOcBvhj8t3CttoWZNJsheur/s1400/crow%20peak%20singer%201a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1400" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6YjykPvi-QA0O23UWF3_ggIgqyiR76NxmjR2-YDocIkyOtH23CImiH1hPYKmNzj7uexl7IuS6bEZyircBOpyS5XUu7TcDwi0zlkkg1mLhC2ZDE33gKs9oDDl_-Ya6o6QWR8xWQgQyT8PdWmnq7L9cJy6b8tnhVgItNOcBvhj8t3CttoWZNJsheur/w400-h286/crow%20peak%20singer%201a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I should have taken more pictures but I was sidetracked by a pint of Canyon Cream Ale and other friends we hadn't seen for awhile. It was fun. Good friends, good conversation and a beautiful summer day. Oh, and a hot tip on a private bass dam that sounds promising. What more could anyone ask for? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well...pizza maybe. It would've been nice if that guy was there with his portable brick oven. But still overall a pretty excellent day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 6/5/2022</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-29506267175890832512022-02-20T19:20:00.001-08:002022-02-21T16:41:24.691-08:00Back To The Rez (Wounded Knee 49 Years Later)<p>I didn't get past the roadblocks on Highway 27. I don't know what I was thinking I was going to do or see, but I took great interest in the American Indian Movement (AIM) occupation of the village of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation in February of 1973, so I decided to go down and see for myself what was happening. Shots had already been fired, FBI agents were everywhere, the government was moving troops in, and a military helicopter was circling above. I turned around. </p><p>I have been back to the reservation since, but only to the town of Pine Ridge from the west on Highway 18, not on 27 from the north, which passes through Wounded Knee. So now, forty-nine years later, I decided to go back to pay my respects at the original site of the 1890 massacre. If you are not familiar with what happened there, I suggest you look it up. </p><p>I was also curious to see if there was anything still there. I didn't find much. Only the front section of the church remains at the entrance to the memorial marking the mass grave of those killed by U.S. soldiers in the 1890 tragedy, and a small cemetery surrounding the memorial. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVnvL30ka8R3WTPIq3-ZZGeqb0M4zAr_0XVShqcs7gl_70MWRQsbyPdus3jJf8-HIppOGsYl2cK9agY8yLJms-rO4mu8EPIor0iN4-q8i2248UGzy4FbtnPi2w5KaigywDuCjAcRsxyO4TVU6Pji9FA1DEYvCxkl7gLT5ulRjdw734N5zcJPJz-jMH=s1800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVnvL30ka8R3WTPIq3-ZZGeqb0M4zAr_0XVShqcs7gl_70MWRQsbyPdus3jJf8-HIppOGsYl2cK9agY8yLJms-rO4mu8EPIor0iN4-q8i2248UGzy4FbtnPi2w5KaigywDuCjAcRsxyO4TVU6Pji9FA1DEYvCxkl7gLT5ulRjdw734N5zcJPJz-jMH=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And only the chimney is still standing on the site of the old trading post. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJc9xUn4b0h3tEflDLGHGbIoD5KZs6rIaaroHQs8ivCWpemxX3g3EHHoavpqFFPAPFBlXgKG0v2BAIqi2R1cbRWtBnJqVAnpBL2zvkTm3oEbQF1r_JN7fYvf0765fHCzOnZet-dSjgVACta3hueB8RFVKkQFHKVtVfjdnE0XfSRRQ3FoQPQKllNNex=s1800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJc9xUn4b0h3tEflDLGHGbIoD5KZs6rIaaroHQs8ivCWpemxX3g3EHHoavpqFFPAPFBlXgKG0v2BAIqi2R1cbRWtBnJqVAnpBL2zvkTm3oEbQF1r_JN7fYvf0765fHCzOnZet-dSjgVACta3hueB8RFVKkQFHKVtVfjdnE0XfSRRQ3FoQPQKllNNex=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The remnants of a museum and gathering place still stand nearby, just off the highway. I was fortunate to encounter a local resident who told me the history of the museum, including the fact that it was in use until 2019 and then abandoned when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and funds to maintain it were no longer available. It's sad to see how much it has deteriorated in only a couple of years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTM8bUu7h0VIZnGeysiiYTUVxucO8DfdNXLaXsSvejDdnNwdn5E6OfCxTiZUzTcMyE_5TWc9aeZLj3AAoK3_K_8XHP8m_fmq1qwRPowBg806KWs3vl8ps6mMnlykPlpNcL07taVUm5dgF9OvIAed9BRYercF2kVap1-6f5YX1aPCSOgjNVaRSk3Z5z=s1800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTM8bUu7h0VIZnGeysiiYTUVxucO8DfdNXLaXsSvejDdnNwdn5E6OfCxTiZUzTcMyE_5TWc9aeZLj3AAoK3_K_8XHP8m_fmq1qwRPowBg806KWs3vl8ps6mMnlykPlpNcL07taVUm5dgF9OvIAed9BRYercF2kVap1-6f5YX1aPCSOgjNVaRSk3Z5z=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-lLX7nBKiE2nBEDnKA25ZRa4AS_F3ouZ4Gy0B7rOkjqSfN5XowT26i8-BJ5rcaDnL79VYHt4uSteHNArsO8DhQA0uZ9q8RKM76l26rA406xeASgwlrj_e5yBmR_-jKCkBR99rcV2hDSfx2LT1TQgqB10Tk80Tn1A15ury4T1MyjMs5H9KCPYiMQgk=s1800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-lLX7nBKiE2nBEDnKA25ZRa4AS_F3ouZ4Gy0B7rOkjqSfN5XowT26i8-BJ5rcaDnL79VYHt4uSteHNArsO8DhQA0uZ9q8RKM76l26rA406xeASgwlrj_e5yBmR_-jKCkBR99rcV2hDSfx2LT1TQgqB10Tk80Tn1A15ury4T1MyjMs5H9KCPYiMQgk=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The local resident turned out to be the artist who made the image above. His name is Sun Bear. Mato-Wi in the Lakota language. At first he was reluctant to allow his photograph to be taken, but after we spoke for some time, he posed for one picture standing outside the once beautiful and functional facility. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk--M9YkCkfmzzciois3tj62wtlnyK7ocZvw5wF3a_qSAPOCsXw6Tlmp2Wm1BfOXOodK73UFf2BgDKcUZe1yDsOIkjenYBdcikaHOvl5zDy7fFW9397-GFS_ceyMykKtZskomk-H-AlNSU1pzVMJM-ic0gB53iCyBxxrqbgRpuCaacLqMSwdkSzviC=s1800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk--M9YkCkfmzzciois3tj62wtlnyK7ocZvw5wF3a_qSAPOCsXw6Tlmp2Wm1BfOXOodK73UFf2BgDKcUZe1yDsOIkjenYBdcikaHOvl5zDy7fFW9397-GFS_ceyMykKtZskomk-H-AlNSU1pzVMJM-ic0gB53iCyBxxrqbgRpuCaacLqMSwdkSzviC=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mato-Wi walked the cemetery with me and told me some history of the graves. When we came to a headstone engraved with the name "Lost Bird" I asked him if it is the grave of '<i>THE' </i>Lost Bird of Wounded Knee who survived the 1890 massacre as an infant. He said it is. Her remains were moved here from California in 1991. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4IVYmnG5l_XIXk6DkAtWre3gdQWG8kvox_Wc98IfeV0m-XvUHh87G7O2M3fJH8gOqr2HYGyS4kx0g8SsiknPwgRj33Qv7-UvOQGYIr7CmyK6SeFe_9vtWInhk_zX7TvpTNEkuRRCrWOUC27b3vu62AeD41Yyxn6-rht5wu7nEAAc77-dGn4OaiRR1=s1800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4IVYmnG5l_XIXk6DkAtWre3gdQWG8kvox_Wc98IfeV0m-XvUHh87G7O2M3fJH8gOqr2HYGyS4kx0g8SsiknPwgRj33Qv7-UvOQGYIr7CmyK6SeFe_9vtWInhk_zX7TvpTNEkuRRCrWOUC27b3vu62AeD41Yyxn6-rht5wu7nEAAc77-dGn4OaiRR1=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story of Lost Bird is fascinating. The link below provides an overview of her story. I recommend you find the book and read it if you haven't already. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://sdpb.sd.gov/Lostbird/summary.asp" target="_blank">https://sdpb.sd.gov/Lostbird/summary.asp</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One final note relating to AIM and the events that took place in 70s. It concerns Leonard Peltier. He is still sitting in a prison cell after being convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1977. Some say, including me, he is the victim of a terrible miscarriage of justice. Here is a link to a recent article about his case:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://nativenewsonline.net/opinion/president-biden-enough-is-enough-free-leonard-peltier" target="_blank">https://nativenewsonline.net/opinion/president-biden-enough-is-enough-free-leonard-peltier</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I suspect this post will not be of much interest to most of my readers. It doesn't contain the usual elements of odd humor, sarcasm or satire found in my posts. But it was a special journey for me, even if it was just a day trip. And if you take nothing else from this story, I hope you will at least be curious enough to follow the links. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea <span> 2/20/22</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3KPOyrCkZSsDUt38n1CA5gqZYMc0V35lGlv99zN2q_zJSyBzVzVv-uf-Z_bgQq4ZVjZbI8yFw-4GVegFBGTIeWLtOorm0fzjq54oURPXtRf87_dOuB-rLd6nZ7x-TFLSkOWaUv2Inpgamhp7C_M0Mx8WsZa1XlgyLoKAX3jjyrdI7coNaV2bcPxFw=s955" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="761" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3KPOyrCkZSsDUt38n1CA5gqZYMc0V35lGlv99zN2q_zJSyBzVzVv-uf-Z_bgQq4ZVjZbI8yFw-4GVegFBGTIeWLtOorm0fzjq54oURPXtRf87_dOuB-rLd6nZ7x-TFLSkOWaUv2Inpgamhp7C_M0Mx8WsZa1XlgyLoKAX3jjyrdI7coNaV2bcPxFw=s320" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-51529520918259490302022-01-01T07:42:00.000-08:002022-01-01T07:42:54.269-08:00Nostradamus Was A Fraud - My Predictions For 2022<p> I've been seeing predictions for 2022 by sources including political commentators, astrologists, soothsayers and Peruvian shamans. Probably the most famous prognosticator in history was Nostradamus, who published his book of predictions in 1555. His prophecies are so vague that people can interpret them in whatever way fits their agenda or beliefs. I will be more specific.</p><p>1. Aliens from outer space will make themselves known to us, but will not interfere in our lives. There will be no widespread panic. They will soon move on to other more interesting planets.</p><p>2. Bigfoot will be revealed as a time jumper and will continue to mess with us.</p><p>3. Enough people will get so fed up with the dishonesty and manipulation of TV news and commentary shows that they will stop watching, resulting in ratings increases for TV Land, Golf Channel and HGTV.</p><p>4. Recreational fishing and rockhounding will increase dramatically. </p><p>5. Master tapes containing never before heard songs by Jim Morrison and the Doors will be discovered in a storage shed in Laurel Canyon. A vinyl record box set will be produced and sell for a price of $10 to make sure it's affordable to everyone. Because everyone should be turned on to the Doors.</p><p>6. Summer nights will be warmer and last longer.</p><p>7. The number of mean people will be greatly reduced.</p><p>8. Contributions to charities will increase significantly.</p><p>9. The two major political parties will lose millions of members. Independent-leaning voters will make major strides in beginning the process to "throw the bums out."</p><p>10. The Denver Broncos will get a new head coach and a new quarterback.</p><p>So, if you've read this far you've noticed these are not really predictions. They are more like hopes and wishes, and all pretty specific to me...things I'm interested in and would like to see happen. You probably have your own list, but it would be cool if you share some of the items on mine. And - don't bother listening to the soothsayers. They are usually wrong. Just what is a soothsayer anyway? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI05s05L3qdwBqmqvvNmHLSxLQNwodHsiY5PUFuuATwJM41lNrFuJg4FD0MPsRj7jCMch9HZXlCWwysTCfS8RYoHgrxn8TSCTdDdRI-LmCvBKASnHuZx5L64S0tzdF1nJrym_7FjsCkp644PUpCWIicD-bJ_4rnyLfUBS2unUbT5famBLxv3Byfofv=s367" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="367" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI05s05L3qdwBqmqvvNmHLSxLQNwodHsiY5PUFuuATwJM41lNrFuJg4FD0MPsRj7jCMch9HZXlCWwysTCfS8RYoHgrxn8TSCTdDdRI-LmCvBKASnHuZx5L64S0tzdF1nJrym_7FjsCkp644PUpCWIicD-bJ_4rnyLfUBS2unUbT5famBLxv3Byfofv=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea. 1/1/2022</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-53870939566439894542021-12-03T20:30:00.002-08:002021-12-03T20:41:52.983-08:0024 Hours In Las Vegas (No Time For Fear and Loathing)<p>It was partly for business and partly pleasure, but there wasn't much time for pleasure because the entire trip lasted almost exactly twenty-four hours. The flight down was smooth, on time and uneventful. Nobody protested being forced to wear a mask. Nobody started a fist fight or assaulted a flight attendant, unlike some people who have made the news lately for doing exactly those things. And, being 30,000 feet in the air, we didn't have to worry about going through bat country.</p><p>I've always enjoyed the sites of Vegas. So, after taking care of the bit of business I was there for, I went for a walk. I like signs. Especially colorful ones with lots of neon. There are plenty of them on the Strip. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha4fMVt3sKXP-wxo2hJlnoEMoDr_ryP1fw0j_1YKGdkj0Wb-6lfRyaC9Wf8eIDoRUgs-tKNesDLxh7IVuSQE8y1owN8T79QFO8tYHyOjrG9MpncM63W_FSt9el0362Oe-ibWsIREtLWQEm2G3p7uQQpwLB_vYQTUP0yRHePBS7ZD7_T7FxtvvYwOHV=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha4fMVt3sKXP-wxo2hJlnoEMoDr_ryP1fw0j_1YKGdkj0Wb-6lfRyaC9Wf8eIDoRUgs-tKNesDLxh7IVuSQE8y1owN8T79QFO8tYHyOjrG9MpncM63W_FSt9el0362Oe-ibWsIREtLWQEm2G3p7uQQpwLB_vYQTUP0yRHePBS7ZD7_T7FxtvvYwOHV=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't go in or out, but I like the colors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJLXpnOeg9a8calpOUoQLrTQsBAN4QLqlbtGYXuYlXUhCSoGVsjQv0m23GYuTqkHL5dNvY0DckTmAMePAhFqf7tEU84pr4hUfscD4V7k3Dz6FvDtqS1_HqiIWauGBjjHtZZsZS8ncPr2pBBZTQWGZW3xHNfbyZDKksIFCSSV-7CPPEFBzJtJ4INt2x=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJLXpnOeg9a8calpOUoQLrTQsBAN4QLqlbtGYXuYlXUhCSoGVsjQv0m23GYuTqkHL5dNvY0DckTmAMePAhFqf7tEU84pr4hUfscD4V7k3Dz6FvDtqS1_HqiIWauGBjjHtZZsZS8ncPr2pBBZTQWGZW3xHNfbyZDKksIFCSSV-7CPPEFBzJtJ4INt2x=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like the retro look of this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEich4jChQqx8KPJAdo7BzJutlSY7TcPxHoisdYDDQy8r1uXDzeiOKNCb47VbDsKAOyG1ycpOzBphh1pRpzfZXY_KDS4SQa8gkMWqdu63auQrRQbR2GAQE9QPBgLw36RGZ6HcyaBewuA245EDdtEZxaKe0SC_S8WaUM5WgHlE6rwYhpa7jLzTbLytwa5=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEich4jChQqx8KPJAdo7BzJutlSY7TcPxHoisdYDDQy8r1uXDzeiOKNCb47VbDsKAOyG1ycpOzBphh1pRpzfZXY_KDS4SQa8gkMWqdu63auQrRQbR2GAQE9QPBgLw36RGZ6HcyaBewuA245EDdtEZxaKe0SC_S8WaUM5WgHlE6rwYhpa7jLzTbLytwa5=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And under this sign, at about 11 o'clock, a woman said I was "adorable." She was kind of cute, but I doubted her sincerity. I'm in my mid 60s, have a funny walk and am not a sharp dressed man. I will give her credit though for a rather creative approach. I hadn't heard that line before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few more observations -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHTZFBu0hnLfdWlggNerRnMXZ6nVyIKSE96B6G2vNXEleCYRvb_fuXvJOZOibJAWfl3RVc4w6xXDMkXIGj5g3pYpWR9U-WXopK7sDqVsHBIFytXi-dec3ObmsC19mkiD14zlL7aHnXiVvilCcpuBFpRb92OIAh7VJOB3VEJkJSUk2uBPrEqxaI4_aE=s1016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHTZFBu0hnLfdWlggNerRnMXZ6nVyIKSE96B6G2vNXEleCYRvb_fuXvJOZOibJAWfl3RVc4w6xXDMkXIGj5g3pYpWR9U-WXopK7sDqVsHBIFytXi-dec3ObmsC19mkiD14zlL7aHnXiVvilCcpuBFpRb92OIAh7VJOB3VEJkJSUk2uBPrEqxaI4_aE=w394-h400" width="394" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a crew filming a scene for a movie or TV show on one of the walkways over the Strip. A notice was posted stating that by crossing the bridge you were allowing permission to be filmed. So it's possible I have a part in an upcoming movie. Or TV show. I have no idea which, or when, or what studio or network. So I don't think I'll be joining the Screen Actors Guild any time soon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx3Sf6vY8mF5V9-366iCS8MHGMRXCdHlJjuzaLUFSSDgn5EJ1ioJqAclvrT8qq0C0zePnzrqWRPW6_nEwhwnpcV45vwwD7etGCTSZiV9wUeKeKgEi3BIykt7JU-b211dc13NJ-G5UfiEL-Gfw1RCShIXKS9fR47lGszd4_s0gWTEt_9VMSikXy9DSB=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="860" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx3Sf6vY8mF5V9-366iCS8MHGMRXCdHlJjuzaLUFSSDgn5EJ1ioJqAclvrT8qq0C0zePnzrqWRPW6_nEwhwnpcV45vwwD7etGCTSZiV9wUeKeKgEi3BIykt7JU-b211dc13NJ-G5UfiEL-Gfw1RCShIXKS9fR47lGszd4_s0gWTEt_9VMSikXy9DSB=w286-h400" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are vending machines in at least one hotel that sell cake. Insert money, push a button and you get cake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a more serious note - The homeless problem seems to have gotten worse since the last time I visited. You will see them pretty much everywhere and at all hours. Some passers by will venture a look, but most just ignore them and keep walking. I'm not sure what else you could do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis8BvIOpqtG3WCk5rbwCXQzowSNM4ogvHqmAd6PWWvJJaqg0zp-aErZiKBFznA_-xdwSoazg4-p8wySCBn_taEvg7H4YsswRUXrXgVSM26E46Ox3PpZYDul6eU4JxeR9NUdXeWYUPW091DODxtLGjj9jv5i77dx6i1vvPDouqYMnAphj67RNlpOMs8=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis8BvIOpqtG3WCk5rbwCXQzowSNM4ogvHqmAd6PWWvJJaqg0zp-aErZiKBFznA_-xdwSoazg4-p8wySCBn_taEvg7H4YsswRUXrXgVSM26E46Ox3PpZYDul6eU4JxeR9NUdXeWYUPW091DODxtLGjj9jv5i77dx6i1vvPDouqYMnAphj67RNlpOMs8=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the morning during breakfast at a sidewalk cafe I watched a man intentionally walk into traffic waving his arms and yelling at cars as they sped past. It was like he was trying to get hit. Incredibly, the cars avoided him by swerving or stopping abruptly. Eventually he wandered back onto the sidewalk and out of sight. I hope he gets some help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLeSB9n_yQ-1XeMgxym4xcVn5Jxrh_kd0bgUFkji67fdsZZacAcqoCjWiyo1PkTmm70c_R3hgq0t-gxOfQdnH-35780AwoIqn0o2iL82uCMCTQtXStIZJnjapiivHNd-0AtpoC8VDM7-IyaYBL17S2z8qMeTvxoum3uGuUX9aLK47k0Go1NKrIzxk-=s1183" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLeSB9n_yQ-1XeMgxym4xcVn5Jxrh_kd0bgUFkji67fdsZZacAcqoCjWiyo1PkTmm70c_R3hgq0t-gxOfQdnH-35780AwoIqn0o2iL82uCMCTQtXStIZJnjapiivHNd-0AtpoC8VDM7-IyaYBL17S2z8qMeTvxoum3uGuUX9aLK47k0Go1NKrIzxk-=w338-h400" width="338" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soon after that incident it was time to head back to the airport for my flight home. But first, I tried to catch a glimpse of that high-water mark Hunter S.Thompson talked about. That place where the wave finally broke and rolled back. I couldn't see it from my room on the 21st floor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxx56RHBQapHT3QqNJN5vEqjH3yFU9awVAM2g4sQDaGbJN8V41TN2Hg-O24qSQ9hKMxXmXOTMgeSPrm2AH0ih1ajVAH04ysvhgFLYDTh5CCYEE3MHNwnenjDPiZlSlyt9GaqF4r5cg_8HNK8QmhS9Go1Aev5gbdJWNQnYbURmoe6zKt4n5zKOA0f8_=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxx56RHBQapHT3QqNJN5vEqjH3yFU9awVAM2g4sQDaGbJN8V41TN2Hg-O24qSQ9hKMxXmXOTMgeSPrm2AH0ih1ajVAH04ysvhgFLYDTh5CCYEE3MHNwnenjDPiZlSlyt9GaqF4r5cg_8HNK8QmhS9Go1Aev5gbdJWNQnYbURmoe6zKt4n5zKOA0f8_=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I couldn't even spot it from the airplane window at 10,000 feet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoPLeX8ot0mGWIt7QMPi8gqimGj1R4B9_RW17-UYnRZGWySFQZ7rPGQlCT8SMJpCQB-i4CM2QnTousAmXJbll1s0haJ1sJ9KRUBi2Q1JI_SUzA7Z5Ok9yS98Qism-jZjWX2fQ3HyUDba0tUi1Ggz8NRKy3Fl29P_T9FPsXbaYklvkynkkbsU65F0So=s1129" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoPLeX8ot0mGWIt7QMPi8gqimGj1R4B9_RW17-UYnRZGWySFQZ7rPGQlCT8SMJpCQB-i4CM2QnTousAmXJbll1s0haJ1sJ9KRUBi2Q1JI_SUzA7Z5Ok9yS98Qism-jZjWX2fQ3HyUDba0tUi1Ggz8NRKy3Fl29P_T9FPsXbaYklvkynkkbsU65F0So=w354-h400" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess I don't have the right kind of eyes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 12/3/2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-50330999721681058172021-10-24T21:13:00.000-07:002021-10-24T21:13:20.573-07:00Random Thoughts From A Known TravelerI had not been on an airplane in eighteen months. My pandemic travels had been limited to a couple of short drives to Nebraska and one to Colorado, plus a few weekends of in-state RV camping. That's it. So when our son and daughter-in-law purchased a home in Connecticut in June we decided we would go for a visit before winter. October seemed like a perfect time due to mild weather there this time of year and the spectacular autumn colors throughout the New England area. I was nervous about flying, especially into New York City. It seems like everyday in the news and on social media there are stories of fights involving people refusing to wear a mask where required or other incidents caused by any number of ridiculous reasons. Luckily for us it was smooth sailing (or flying in this case) all the way there and back. Our TSA Known Traveler status helped us breeze through airport security, and our flights all arrived early at our destinations. <div><br /></div><div>The entire trip was wonderful. The house is a beautiful historic colonial era style in a scenic rural setting. And we were close to everything we wanted to see and do. Here are some highlights and observations:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Pizza is big deal. We saw so many pizza restaurants. They were everywhere. Small towns, big towns, downtowns and on the edge of towns. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. Dunkin Donuts shops are also plentiful. There are over 4,200 locations throughout New England. (I looked it up). That's a lot of donuts.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Psychics. Probably not as many as Dunkin Donuts. But, still, I saw a lot of psychic shops. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1mPWnlLwryoOtQso0tBZD8OdSMNfD_VLENzrnI9hzzjH7EPhP9RrCXBmt1NmJhFNObADkWnvzLKj02qRJHcNZU9-NdxsUWNXBfb1NX8h1QE-HgktS8Jd0ItMvGDIzZTLs05EIHtZYik/s1400/milford+psychic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1400" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1mPWnlLwryoOtQso0tBZD8OdSMNfD_VLENzrnI9hzzjH7EPhP9RrCXBmt1NmJhFNObADkWnvzLKj02qRJHcNZU9-NdxsUWNXBfb1NX8h1QE-HgktS8Jd0ItMvGDIzZTLs05EIHtZYik/w400-h291/milford+psychic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>4. Antique stores...in every town and along nearly every country road. And these are the real deal. They are not second hand stores masquerading as antique stores as you will find in abundance around here. We visited several and saw a lot of history in those places. Real antiques, ranging from early twentieth century to as far back as the 1700s. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jdqBc_ZW-nXP7hGb2hO1o8iXmIlSWIiC1o20yoXn7giQ6YM3JZRNRLRVki1AMSec9xhxzKTMiLR7IoVxuvZK4Q7msLZRFvl4Tar98ZG73IqDPgrsKW6kMsiIxuXuFh0IEtuLwaN6aqY/s900/antique+store+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="900" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jdqBc_ZW-nXP7hGb2hO1o8iXmIlSWIiC1o20yoXn7giQ6YM3JZRNRLRVki1AMSec9xhxzKTMiLR7IoVxuvZK4Q7msLZRFvl4Tar98ZG73IqDPgrsKW6kMsiIxuXuFh0IEtuLwaN6aqY/w400-h250/antique+store+front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mill House Antiques Woodbury, Connecticut</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The buildings that house this antique store date back to 1745. The store and its contents have been featured in Architectural Digest magazine. They had an antique wooden table priced at $12,000. We didn't buy it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Everything is either ten or twenty minutes away. It was a running joke with our son. Whenever we asked him how far it was to the next town or location we were driving to he would say, "About ten minutes." Or, "About twenty minutes." Most of the time, if not every time, he was right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also - no chickens. I see a lot of chicken decorations here. Pictures of chickens, chicken statues, vases and knick-knacks of all kinds. Every store has a chicken for sale in some form. Not out there, though. I think I saw two chickens during the entire trip. And one of those was pretty abstract so I'm not sure it even was a chicken. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lots of art, too. But we have that here. I found this photograph tucked away in one corner of a small town main street store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTg8qlQSWo9Any7P22rSPAnWl4NLF-cBDkQoilGzh14JjKHj7bz-gMzoapj4vMfzhGDT7xlmZtkzjijQXlz67FfnsIjIfT9Mrgu6qUxQJw8AsBJXqMNLDz2OMHM1boqD86hDnYyJYCy4/s954/trude+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTg8qlQSWo9Any7P22rSPAnWl4NLF-cBDkQoilGzh14JjKHj7bz-gMzoapj4vMfzhGDT7xlmZtkzjijQXlz67FfnsIjIfT9Mrgu6qUxQJw8AsBJXqMNLDz2OMHM1boqD86hDnYyJYCy4/w378-h400/trude+pic.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the back is the name of the artist - Trude Knutson. It's titled "Self Portrait - Shadows." Most people will likely find nothing exceptional or interesting about it. But I really like it for some reason. Can't explain why. I just do. The price was right so I bought it. So now a piece of Trude's art has made its way to South Dakota. I wonder if she would take any satisfaction in knowing that. Maybe I will try to look her up and tell her. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea. 10/24/2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-74196975963769887962021-10-12T10:44:00.001-07:002021-10-12T10:59:52.962-07:00The Girl With Long Arms <p>I drove eight hundred miles round-trip to attend an art exhibit for about ninety-minutes. It was worth it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-qon_OFhOJMYcYHax7ylbI9FJwgySP11w2j9_I2YLCbhF0GToIlQ2hSr3-V8lAxdlYc_6cDiolUG6EM5S4i0ruNXKxEfJMRJaSGjmk6hrHIlTZbzxRcfX06xxLPmlC2DJUY_jiEfBXQ/s2048/IMG_3185.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="2048" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-qon_OFhOJMYcYHax7ylbI9FJwgySP11w2j9_I2YLCbhF0GToIlQ2hSr3-V8lAxdlYc_6cDiolUG6EM5S4i0ruNXKxEfJMRJaSGjmk6hrHIlTZbzxRcfX06xxLPmlC2DJUY_jiEfBXQ/w400-h234/IMG_3185.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've seen original paintings in galleries and museums by Van Gogh, Monet and other Masters. I've seen photographs by Karsh, Warhol, Winnogrand and Adams...but this was unlike any of those experiences. The title of the exhibit is accurate. The sound, color and movement made this a truly immersive experience. All of his most famous and recognizable works were presented -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5uQInD-IvXzAkTeHih34c3QV6IvBADm7mobFmHv3wGfmLpe4AXTMpEPTpMImwrobsWpjCfLV_lKx8KX-iL89txpTXBGplN4EOCdqwjtWc34ef_Cps8FlKGXWNUoN8txKYdc6CG-4lQQ/s1280/image2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1280" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5uQInD-IvXzAkTeHih34c3QV6IvBADm7mobFmHv3wGfmLpe4AXTMpEPTpMImwrobsWpjCfLV_lKx8KX-iL89txpTXBGplN4EOCdqwjtWc34ef_Cps8FlKGXWNUoN8txKYdc6CG-4lQQ/w400-h336/image2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Yellow House</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And of course, his most famous painting of all. I knew it would show up at some point, but it didn't appear until well into the presentation. Upon seeing it begin to take form I thought of the time at my first Bob Dylan concert when he began to play Highway 61. I expected him to do the song, but it was still quite thrilling.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbVVBu9Iqr5OXP-GxlTQihrO6wBIve5ZIUXET-dtogSmFUw6VeUouaAYsudPAu0E4x7xiArB5vWSOJpqrnBN5lWlEEHBVrT1J6ybijHftbw9HIhM5H6aG9-H-vUuz4P59UyZD_WYRRj8/s1280/starry_night_full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1280" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbVVBu9Iqr5OXP-GxlTQihrO6wBIve5ZIUXET-dtogSmFUw6VeUouaAYsudPAu0E4x7xiArB5vWSOJpqrnBN5lWlEEHBVrT1J6ybijHftbw9HIhM5H6aG9-H-vUuz4P59UyZD_WYRRj8/w400-h318/starry_night_full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starry Night</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And there were some images I was not familiar with, including The Woman in White - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTXUR1j5rr_RUM7PiC6i0haiHq4JkGD5qPd84CEK5aNWNmDMS0BcFfqeLWE3S3DfrLFrefbd7_0n24xYytMvdtoekLbrkLC8OtzgbyQ1BLQdzu7jluWRt8Np5exmtzmB_DCORM0KBPWQ/s997/image0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="702" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTXUR1j5rr_RUM7PiC6i0haiHq4JkGD5qPd84CEK5aNWNmDMS0BcFfqeLWE3S3DfrLFrefbd7_0n24xYytMvdtoekLbrkLC8OtzgbyQ1BLQdzu7jluWRt8Np5exmtzmB_DCORM0KBPWQ/w281-h400/image0.jpeg" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What struck me about this one visually is the shape of her hands and the length of her arms, as well as a feeling of sadness. There was so much else going on visually on the walls surrounding me but I couldn't look away from this image. It soon faded and was replaced by something else, but I'm still thinking about it. Can't explain, but this is now my favorite painting. I'm kind of obsessed with it. Maybe it looks like someone I used to know. Strange.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The images above are not by me, obviously. I didn't even take a camera in with me. That was on purpose. I didn't want to miss a single moment because I was trying to take a photo. It was the right choice. For me, anyway. There were certainly a lot of cell phone cameras in use all around me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you get a chance to see this in the city where you live, or any city, do it. It will be worth it. Even if you have to travel eight hundred miles. That's only four hundred each way. A small investment for what the payoff will surely be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span>Roger O'Dea 10/12/2021</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-65309022486629579462021-08-09T18:15:00.001-07:002021-08-09T20:32:15.983-07:00The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Anti-Massacree Movement<p>It started when my nephew and I went on a motorcycle ride to the Aladdin Cafe in Aladdin, Wyoming to have breakfast. I had bragged up the biscuits and gravy and we were both looking forward to a full order, because one does not do half orders at the Aladdin Cafe. Having been there before on many occasions, I knew they served breakfast until 11. We arrived at exactly 10:30 and were greeted by a sign out front saying "Breakfast Served Until 10:30." We were told we were too late. Breakfast was over. I understood. Rules are rules, I suppose. Disappointment number one. Turns out it wouldn't have mattered anyway because we were informed that biscuits and gravy were not being offered at all during the rally. Disappointment number two. The sign also informed us that after 10:30 the Rally Menu was in effect. That's right - the dreaded Rally Menu. Disappointment number three.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilblamhhnODONQdXH_oc2zNWVgDHIXyXC6Nq7UEdYxSVvM-c4Azf7E-aOkTA-zcOKmzJn40mHINAB7YIK5yE637YjcJHgrsIUfi2ccH95UVnULHKCTZiw9RToQmTp6sIpyBdAzzy6k18/s900/Aladdin+Menu+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="900" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilblamhhnODONQdXH_oc2zNWVgDHIXyXC6Nq7UEdYxSVvM-c4Azf7E-aOkTA-zcOKmzJn40mHINAB7YIK5yE637YjcJHgrsIUfi2ccH95UVnULHKCTZiw9RToQmTp6sIpyBdAzzy6k18/w400-h310/Aladdin+Menu+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Prices were not a lot higher...about a dollar. But the choices are limited and that $10 burger came with a tiny bag of chips. That's it. Normally the burger comes with a choice of sides, including a generous portion of french fries, tator tots (my favorite) and other side choices. Not this week, though. All you get is a little bag of potato chips. To top it off - the kitchen apparently also closes at 10:30 so the burgers and brats are cooked on an outdoor grill that looked like it could use a good cleaning. I don't want it to seem like I'm picking on this place. A lot of food places have rally menus. But I've never much cared for that practice and this finally put me over the top. I am now officially promoting the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Anti-Massacree Movement. (Thanks to Arlo Guthrie and Alice's Restaurant for the title inspiration). All you have to do to join is put the <b style="font-style: italic;">B </b>on any business that raises prices during the rally. If you walk in and see a "Rally Menu" or notice the prices have been jacked up, just walk back out. Please understand that I am not normally a boycott person. I support local businesses and want you to support them, too. This is not a permanent thing. Just this week. When the prices return to normal I'll go back. But I am not going to put up with this annual ritual of squeezing as much money as possible out of rally goers, and in the process, locals also. The line has been drawn. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would like to clarify that this does not apply to business who are only open during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Like this one - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqryMYeELObO7md8PRXzocZQ6vsMuedz9_LX-ulOVO2Sqh9VsRs7nZFABqo88ybWQvulRwURdU5WOr_wGElYJu_rLCGJzIWczVxA_v0DSWs9D8afx_PE-1iKUO5tWQeYHjCQscz9mzvg/s900/Stone+House+21_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqryMYeELObO7md8PRXzocZQ6vsMuedz9_LX-ulOVO2Sqh9VsRs7nZFABqo88ybWQvulRwURdU5WOr_wGElYJu_rLCGJzIWczVxA_v0DSWs9D8afx_PE-1iKUO5tWQeYHjCQscz9mzvg/w400-h266/Stone+House+21_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They only have about ten days to two weeks to make their money, so I give them a pass. Plus, people are paying for the experience and atmosphere at those venues. The year-round businesses mostly are doing nothing different to add value. They're just raising prices. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I'm kind of over the Sturgis Rally. After nearly fifty years I've pretty much seen all there is to see. I didn't go at all last year and don't plan on going to any concerts or other events this year. Not even a walk down Main Street. It's probably just the usual suspects anyway. I doubt if I'm missing anything. I do plan to do a little riding. A trip or two through the Canyon, possibly a run down Highway 385, maybe even a day trip over to Devils Tower. Those are rides I enjoy. And ones where I can easily avoid crowds. I will not, however, purchase anything off any Rally Menu I might happen to come across. I'll just start singing the Alice's Restaurant song as I'm walking out...with some slight modifications...and if someone else gets what's going on they may do the same. What if two people do it? </div><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><div><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>"And if three people do it, three, can you imagine, three people walking in</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">singing a bar of Alice's Restaurant and walking out? They may think it's an</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">organization. And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day, I said</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">fifty people a day walking in singing a bar of Alice's Restaurant and</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">walking out - friends they may thinks it's a movement. And that's what it is,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">The <strike>Alice's Restaurant</strike> </span><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Anti-Massacree Movement.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Join us. Won't you?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Roger O'Dea 8/9/2021</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-31223233737773030852021-08-02T17:04:00.000-07:002021-08-02T17:04:11.854-07:00Scenes From A County Fair<p>The news of the day consisted of someone getting kicked off an airplane for refusing to follow rules, a fist fight in a New York pizza joint because the wait was too long, a road rage incident or two, and various random shootings. It was mostly the same as the day before. And the day before that. But way out here on the South Dakota prairie it was the first day of the county fair. A place to escape the headlines and be reminded of things that really matter. Like family, friends and old fashioned values. I saw a lot of hope for the future, mostly in the faces and activities of young persons. They are our hope. Maybe our only hope. I can't explain it in words effectively. But I can show you - </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXa51DvHPuSvJWyFNyXoaqUVL2SIecdsIvI90-eN2Uoeml-llJNvhn1IJbBOPY79ZMisXAmhlOYFDucgGBIBoUiKUKnuRWjyvO45YoLifPj-qkF4GBlNyeB_Y2c9i2dTUR5CtLIR1a4s/s2048/sisters_edited-1b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2045" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXa51DvHPuSvJWyFNyXoaqUVL2SIecdsIvI90-eN2Uoeml-llJNvhn1IJbBOPY79ZMisXAmhlOYFDucgGBIBoUiKUKnuRWjyvO45YoLifPj-qkF4GBlNyeB_Y2c9i2dTUR5CtLIR1a4s/w400-h400/sisters_edited-1b.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtuUBShmPGHzf8g_LOM_559uCc7rbFC_YI_SzDomvG63WHtHEPASTeZcaIfDViPqIh7lkAMCs1IPyA5WdJOuu7Lq2if2dNF3GEg77Rrt6sYlgmH353oyLkQmPydKTs46rcatZLB6avn4/s1190/gitlhuggoat_edited-1b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="853" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtuUBShmPGHzf8g_LOM_559uCc7rbFC_YI_SzDomvG63WHtHEPASTeZcaIfDViPqIh7lkAMCs1IPyA5WdJOuu7Lq2if2dNF3GEg77Rrt6sYlgmH353oyLkQmPydKTs46rcatZLB6avn4/w286-h400/gitlhuggoat_edited-1b.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyAVyhAtthCWaToXTsb3D8-LPCxERT3l_usyYQ8IlY0nsmGyHcGlSZDKx1dpHfZgRP6mMsiMmLmVstRMRBCm4Xq0u7NJndaK67pSWHpLKaiGX5Rhd5jzTaqgtS0zjlKGVUqWjbUuLudw/s1600/boyandlamb_edited-1b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1596" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyAVyhAtthCWaToXTsb3D8-LPCxERT3l_usyYQ8IlY0nsmGyHcGlSZDKx1dpHfZgRP6mMsiMmLmVstRMRBCm4Xq0u7NJndaK67pSWHpLKaiGX5Rhd5jzTaqgtS0zjlKGVUqWjbUuLudw/w399-h400/boyandlamb_edited-1b.jpeg" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73-XqUkenCU_khT370A7GcFYsHORac1R3viNDf7iCXDoCJQMEYHoyfgbtdLn1-RgyUkqzaEexx7lFz0alkVStHcoW7NP-6CDdc8XAMF6iO2xEg2OlfUT_m2d3CzlsVC8l3aZG-Cs5JmI/s1400/ffa+girls+edited_2b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="987" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73-XqUkenCU_khT370A7GcFYsHORac1R3viNDf7iCXDoCJQMEYHoyfgbtdLn1-RgyUkqzaEexx7lFz0alkVStHcoW7NP-6CDdc8XAMF6iO2xEg2OlfUT_m2d3CzlsVC8l3aZG-Cs5JmI/w283-h400/ffa+girls+edited_2b.jpeg" width="283" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6_L3tlVrsnOqvwh96fyqzczEvP_Le8u9bzyiUebMNnO-HpMJLQiwanMMWgbLF3OpRLEU7xKUnggrepT6qP_ke9AYHck40ReXlwK1-3AHvscXsQ2qkcntfb7jxX6zT_GLMcN0DJEtbYY/s2048/bootsontheground_edited-1b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6_L3tlVrsnOqvwh96fyqzczEvP_Le8u9bzyiUebMNnO-HpMJLQiwanMMWgbLF3OpRLEU7xKUnggrepT6qP_ke9AYHck40ReXlwK1-3AHvscXsQ2qkcntfb7jxX6zT_GLMcN0DJEtbYY/w400-h288/bootsontheground_edited-1b.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In this fast changing world, I'm glad some things stay the same. And I'm glad we still have things like a good old fashioned county fair. Time doesn't stand still here, but it sure does slow down. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 8/2/2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-63874288981693038482021-06-27T07:36:00.000-07:002021-06-27T07:36:28.675-07:00Curiosities<p>I've been going through my image files lately in an effort to get them better organized. It made me realize where my primary interest in photography actually lies. I like landscapes and people. But, it has become obvious that my main interest is in scenes that are...well...'odd' might be the best word to describe them. Merriam-Webster describes odd as <i>: differing markedly from the usual, ordinary, or accepted : Peculiar : </i>So, yeah, I guess that's about right.</p><p>There are several reasons. I'll try to list them, in no particular order.</p><p>One reason so many of my photos are a little odd is because I'm drawn to colors that are overly saturated or completely on the other end of the spectrum - significantly muted. Or just slightly off. I'm not nearly as engaged in colors that are a true and accurate representation of the subject. I don't see things that way in my photography. Or often in real life either. Also, sometimes I go for the extremes. A sky that is too blue for example -</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6Zvv_ElcQQj5KQvJwjOyDpbVdtzxBwwDT5ziav_GVs5ScHK6IvTwEVTzdRTgqdM7HIqJfNp2YyfdQr5_fs5edWd1TMsyU1BCBuFBIPmmhM26QFftXJdbN-kmFY8lGvlrvTehXebRHOo/s1050/Kings+Motel+Blue_edited-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="1050" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6Zvv_ElcQQj5KQvJwjOyDpbVdtzxBwwDT5ziav_GVs5ScHK6IvTwEVTzdRTgqdM7HIqJfNp2YyfdQr5_fs5edWd1TMsyU1BCBuFBIPmmhM26QFftXJdbN-kmFY8lGvlrvTehXebRHOo/w400-h281/Kings+Motel+Blue_edited-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or a picture taken recently but has a look like it could've been taken 50 or 60 years ago. This happens frequently when I shoot film. Probably because I often intentionally use expired film.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q5S6Hh39mUjB-nlaMglW3MIYAqABVEJINzR8HHimQvO6ig8xmrtkAv7b2hAWFq2Cw38a2H9fo2grjAIhkr35GGEsEy2EMlFLsVw9ocF5i5M7T1t6VMIGf5FQsFBxC3WMt7qBAu6nZyI/s960/stuffforsale_edited-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="653" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q5S6Hh39mUjB-nlaMglW3MIYAqABVEJINzR8HHimQvO6ig8xmrtkAv7b2hAWFq2Cw38a2H9fo2grjAIhkr35GGEsEy2EMlFLsVw9ocF5i5M7T1t6VMIGf5FQsFBxC3WMt7qBAu6nZyI/w273-h400/stuffforsale_edited-1.jpeg" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other examples of color pictures that I include in my collection of curiosities are this one -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP5YEV5Xfd9i8g-R9-rcrPzruehXdeM9r4h6-UuVNruShKg2G1vIhigtnV8VSuVS1Sc5KbEAOJZ6HhKqkLP4SHc4UlT_fP5-RQvWj7fGYRew1S2rnMPbyplXuHQ7Zn37oR6_KJyWzKQ4/s1400/red+chairs+5_edited-1a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1400" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP5YEV5Xfd9i8g-R9-rcrPzruehXdeM9r4h6-UuVNruShKg2G1vIhigtnV8VSuVS1Sc5KbEAOJZ6HhKqkLP4SHc4UlT_fP5-RQvWj7fGYRew1S2rnMPbyplXuHQ7Zn37oR6_KJyWzKQ4/w400-h293/red+chairs+5_edited-1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like it because it's out of balance. And there's a look to it that I would describe as postmodern. Or retro maybe. I'm not sure. But I like it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this one -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA-YtGddQLHfvkJ_gKF8iszOAAEuNPOgT7eCAm0Fi7Ly-hOWaLrlqooeyPXCUDtzxghRPz8L-mqDFUCafaY5xNR7js3MTowDpEUy7Rpd02IJ7BjReL29L_t-eTyIwK7C-rimBzpXtO7E/s900/The+Chair+On+The+Edge.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdA-YtGddQLHfvkJ_gKF8iszOAAEuNPOgT7eCAm0Fi7Ly-hOWaLrlqooeyPXCUDtzxghRPz8L-mqDFUCafaY5xNR7js3MTowDpEUy7Rpd02IJ7BjReL29L_t-eTyIwK7C-rimBzpXtO7E/w400-h266/The+Chair+On+The+Edge.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That chair does not belong there. It doesn't match the surroundings. Or it does. Everyone will see it differently. It stimulates the imagination of people who have an imagination. I'm not concerned with those who don't.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People and portraits can work in color or black and white. It depends on the subject. This next one had to be in color, and off center with a lot of negative space. Wouldn't have near the impact otherwise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHK7BPA1ZDkMtH_b_Vea4bbkVzW8wIlg7focfuueJNS6mYmyM8aj2z3PvZizTVcBX-YusrcXB_m_UB8T_zZK8APZcTeYcR9EusMWRHexAO6tFYxNmiHaRKtKxlbiXfI80DfFalOH_JlEk/s1600/Verona+12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHK7BPA1ZDkMtH_b_Vea4bbkVzW8wIlg7focfuueJNS6mYmyM8aj2z3PvZizTVcBX-YusrcXB_m_UB8T_zZK8APZcTeYcR9EusMWRHexAO6tFYxNmiHaRKtKxlbiXfI80DfFalOH_JlEk/w266-h400/Verona+12.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are two examples that I believe are more effective in black and white. In fact, I wouldn't have even considered processing these in color. (The first one is digital. The one below it is film. The correct formats for both in my opinion) - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYG1AUYwEEmJ0PWHwcJcKsBilj600-LfPk3a5RVaATr78jDKgzIDi4Kszh-y7ftemYHwI7gkEtmgZYkVEJM1DPTQF2ztX6HESQGhQFoUYNuDPAKtxGmTypHWtEfpqL9MW6sLOiSq8URg/s1500/Kath+BP+4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1209" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYG1AUYwEEmJ0PWHwcJcKsBilj600-LfPk3a5RVaATr78jDKgzIDi4Kszh-y7ftemYHwI7gkEtmgZYkVEJM1DPTQF2ztX6HESQGhQFoUYNuDPAKtxGmTypHWtEfpqL9MW6sLOiSq8URg/w263-h327/Kath+BP+4.JPG" width="263" /></a></div> <div><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlg6kag-aZIB_sl8iFTUsUR4-TujoulfVlYeaL990mV8yHW84w4N-OoOLGB6_03NQ6ggSLl9IWQKPrUftfbliARW8qchUxsqYfbv3T86J7xbembAi-Ww1IFgm4pgFptja7jk1PmCGYaE/s1080/hitchhiker+1_edited-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="901" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlg6kag-aZIB_sl8iFTUsUR4-TujoulfVlYeaL990mV8yHW84w4N-OoOLGB6_03NQ6ggSLl9IWQKPrUftfbliARW8qchUxsqYfbv3T86J7xbembAi-Ww1IFgm4pgFptja7jk1PmCGYaE/w274-h307/hitchhiker+1_edited-2.jpeg" width="274" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I love black and white photography in any format. Black and white photos are timeless. They are about light and shadows. Colors can be distracting. You see more in black and white. A favorite quote of mine (I wish I could remember who said it) is, "black and white photography is more like reading the book than seeing the movie." </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few more of my curiosities -</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74eJpzlyrvOGDQeQjCRAEStA2X13EQ1LeUxojc7LtQH5cs-gKXPgTbXoyEy7JD9k8t8NNajspj82T9YUJyCXFoENaAJ4gUzREyS9sBT_CEbP_ojJ1F_nP1x1L9RK3eMacIWMV341a0Sw/s828/Stairs+portal_edited-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="825" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74eJpzlyrvOGDQeQjCRAEStA2X13EQ1LeUxojc7LtQH5cs-gKXPgTbXoyEy7JD9k8t8NNajspj82T9YUJyCXFoENaAJ4gUzREyS9sBT_CEbP_ojJ1F_nP1x1L9RK3eMacIWMV341a0Sw/w399-h400/Stairs+portal_edited-2.JPG" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Portal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfFTurZKX5JHXR9cZ7cAfiQSvz7fKS61FWyoVHr07YTEw2xkJH2xqw1VAqFCkLLBSRUkrinS1md3qgXGBaStcb7jxO7VOC-Z5dmSNSe4TXC9q0j2ax7kMLAoFnZ7Imq0qidipT01WQ2o/s1220/Man+on+the+Street.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="904" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfFTurZKX5JHXR9cZ7cAfiQSvz7fKS61FWyoVHr07YTEw2xkJH2xqw1VAqFCkLLBSRUkrinS1md3qgXGBaStcb7jxO7VOC-Z5dmSNSe4TXC9q0j2ax7kMLAoFnZ7Imq0qidipT01WQ2o/w296-h400/Man+on+the+Street.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Man On The Street</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB1c6lstHSh6HoYGfPQjfwyKv7SnofKsDnhuWBCkZt78Tmo_bUjp1x4oUUtQJ26kxah9XV1enQxQgHyQWl8lDNhMzw0XuUl5tX-8Oop1_771_zLA7NSV4kmXYtg2pFYoEZF6W6TFXTkU/s1068/Freak+show+guy+FT+4x6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB1c6lstHSh6HoYGfPQjfwyKv7SnofKsDnhuWBCkZt78Tmo_bUjp1x4oUUtQJ26kxah9XV1enQxQgHyQWl8lDNhMzw0XuUl5tX-8Oop1_771_zLA7NSV4kmXYtg2pFYoEZF6W6TFXTkU/w266-h400/Freak+show+guy+FT+4x6.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Freak Show</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo4slw5McuN_L51t-CH8qNPbUBauGpskQuXWOorKM-rRheOlyrIMCl5T-nSf3iVOJuBaAXTMaV641zIv35tWy-nC0kZ6comaZu3JrIGzvfMKTMiOC8HbOBF-0XoQUvq-fCrGQdCBgqPU/s882/Old+School_1a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="882" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo4slw5McuN_L51t-CH8qNPbUBauGpskQuXWOorKM-rRheOlyrIMCl5T-nSf3iVOJuBaAXTMaV641zIv35tWy-nC0kZ6comaZu3JrIGzvfMKTMiOC8HbOBF-0XoQUvq-fCrGQdCBgqPU/w400-h264/Old+School_1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Old School</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VhCDfWaWMo8-E3eg58dPmmTTJSrN1sJsLRXeJt08SfHCB-tLSr5WT-OE9c_gk_teOzMgvzbJNrhgeDFtXBfJ2yLp1puZr8eR6BqILru4mNXNrsNzOMh8oLdFPiLre4xeVD7qDfls8QY/s1050/orm+trees+1_edited-3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1050" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VhCDfWaWMo8-E3eg58dPmmTTJSrN1sJsLRXeJt08SfHCB-tLSr5WT-OE9c_gk_teOzMgvzbJNrhgeDFtXBfJ2yLp1puZr8eR6BqILru4mNXNrsNzOMh8oLdFPiLre4xeVD7qDfls8QY/w400-h285/orm+trees+1_edited-3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dead of Winter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDitJIfEzX6jklr1Jgdr8f_-7XB4Mudj6d1Jyi2MAvEWfA4_UtFBoj7LnwfpFrlCiaYb25D2kFevzHeegCO8Ty6UKCYTiqfMH00tJsv1v5bsJcdgbBeTzBAApahXmAPTpiv-nJ-51oKjI/s1400/Toy+House+bw_edited-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDitJIfEzX6jklr1Jgdr8f_-7XB4Mudj6d1Jyi2MAvEWfA4_UtFBoj7LnwfpFrlCiaYb25D2kFevzHeegCO8Ty6UKCYTiqfMH00tJsv1v5bsJcdgbBeTzBAApahXmAPTpiv-nJ-51oKjI/w400-h266/Toy+House+bw_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Toy House</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_wwYMNxrqXw_IrSm7jhO4uyI5gRnqwBYDLMg1LVHb2XeLSGnxqUXsn4nraAopSDPPCmwOSQ_a6Vc_RFtL8rVnqtzMV99KOyqdjnodCih2zCCwk5GooperoBSUPCCZpk7lmVNhzBfhMk/s1200/basic+accomodations+4x6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_wwYMNxrqXw_IrSm7jhO4uyI5gRnqwBYDLMg1LVHb2XeLSGnxqUXsn4nraAopSDPPCmwOSQ_a6Vc_RFtL8rVnqtzMV99KOyqdjnodCih2zCCwk5GooperoBSUPCCZpk7lmVNhzBfhMk/w266-h400/basic+accomodations+4x6.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basic Accommodations</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCOudBT7otdWAceIXoNpTelDZMZFRPhVtHuF4IJXzeSRHItUeOPol1Lx_6sn0QxMbDqrTDnVv_XbBtGtL8PxYcT_slCsO9k6qkzJTZP10S1xsfeVyNRhgHBIMi9Wp_wHCIPgyLVlVtAQ/s1401/Hi+Point+Beer_edited.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1401" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCOudBT7otdWAceIXoNpTelDZMZFRPhVtHuF4IJXzeSRHItUeOPol1Lx_6sn0QxMbDqrTDnVv_XbBtGtL8PxYcT_slCsO9k6qkzJTZP10S1xsfeVyNRhgHBIMi9Wp_wHCIPgyLVlVtAQ/w400-h290/Hi+Point+Beer_edited.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hi Point</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmP0yRjkVmeMI5uhlbyDgnF0wO_JDRSjcu1o2o8PXaYmYAysdvaiEmBucVOG9UecEo6LOZZ8GvdocQ19VjqtFOX5piZKNYCQQycGBoBp8WpCanTm5zQeZLymJ1O_bn3MR8P28xIVo8Jw/s1800/Radio+City_edited-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmP0yRjkVmeMI5uhlbyDgnF0wO_JDRSjcu1o2o8PXaYmYAysdvaiEmBucVOG9UecEo6LOZZ8GvdocQ19VjqtFOX5piZKNYCQQycGBoBp8WpCanTm5zQeZLymJ1O_bn3MR8P28xIVo8Jw/w400-h266/Radio+City_edited-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Night and the City</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SxsGI4IteNwMN5D4CbrHUCmlcEoHXOWNfUzl9Eful-vFncRbGmaxgkqquXSN8JNo0yFaHs4AjNi8UbYw-GvKnWZdkdbBgMnmWpZ7j6yuhqSkK0OYEg6W65Xfmn4rfLA8adWoghfgAG8/s1050/WT+Stairs+Up+BWE+09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SxsGI4IteNwMN5D4CbrHUCmlcEoHXOWNfUzl9Eful-vFncRbGmaxgkqquXSN8JNo0yFaHs4AjNi8UbYw-GvKnWZdkdbBgMnmWpZ7j6yuhqSkK0OYEg6W65Xfmn4rfLA8adWoghfgAG8/w283-h400/WT+Stairs+Up+BWE+09.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Subterranean</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA98ZUF1gbaVRAhX_wQ-jkyydWUmFkJXoTBJdj5utxRsYqpJLPE8nrR7FzLroKSy8XngJU1Lpa0tq00ngq742eMyaMp2RpfN68X4KXyEOi-H6nmt_KxJ-sAYvD8W3Tz_yu2Tph873Mu68/s1050/N+Hwy+bw.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="726" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA98ZUF1gbaVRAhX_wQ-jkyydWUmFkJXoTBJdj5utxRsYqpJLPE8nrR7FzLroKSy8XngJU1Lpa0tq00ngq742eMyaMp2RpfN68X4KXyEOi-H6nmt_KxJ-sAYvD8W3Tz_yu2Tph873Mu68/w276-h400/N+Hwy+bw.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">White Lines</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Notice a trend? That's right - black and white. The movie was good. But the book is better.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 6/26/2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-48131858506067836242021-06-08T19:59:00.002-07:002021-06-08T21:21:37.476-07:00The Early Bird Gets ... Wet (Back to Devil's Bathtub) Every so often I think about some of the adventures I had with friends back in the olden days, and some of the places where those adventures took place. Maybe "olden days" is a bit of an exaggeration, but it was a long time ago. One of those places has been on my mind more than others. I'm talking about Devil's Bathtub in Spearfish Canyon. Last time I made the hike was when I was 18 or 19 years old. So, I guess "olden days" is actually pretty accurate. And, while I don't believe in living in the past, it is nice to visit once in awhile. <div>One of the reasons (the main reason) I haven't been back in so long is because it has been totally overrun by tourists and locals. Like other once-hidden gems in the Black Hills word has gotten out over the years. It used to be the only way to get there was to have someone with local knowledge take you or give you directions on the promise that you would only share the secret with like minded friends and family who would become fellow guardians of the mystery. The trail was unmarked, narrow, not groomed and somewhat difficult to maneuver. Back then there were no signs and designated parking was not available. Today? Well, not so much.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F-r_A0wGjtUcZSG-MSmnBpKNlQcBDuwOY1ucAFIlTMgg3HTwTLeO29GTPftQikDfUwDR9ft6hyphenhyphenC1U9V0Zoj2bcw16_fOP0n78ghIyA0JiT-Va0KsKk_St3DqaljHni-0aVLY7rAmWzw/s900/Devils+3a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="900" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F-r_A0wGjtUcZSG-MSmnBpKNlQcBDuwOY1ucAFIlTMgg3HTwTLeO29GTPftQikDfUwDR9ft6hyphenhyphenC1U9V0Zoj2bcw16_fOP0n78ghIyA0JiT-Va0KsKk_St3DqaljHni-0aVLY7rAmWzw/w400-h246/Devils+3a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The trail is clearly identified and well worn. There is also a parking lot about a quarter mile up the road marked as "Devils Bathtub Parking." I've seen well over a dozen vehicles there at any given time. In spite of all that I decided it was time to go back. But, I was not interested in sharing the trail with tourists who read about it on Facebook or saw it in a YouTube video. My solution was to go early in the day. Way early. I got up before sunrise and pulled in to the parking area at 6:30 am. I slipped on my waterproof backpack containing a camera, water bottle, plus an extra pair of socks and shoes to replace the ones that would get wet during the several stream crossings required to reach the final destination. I had forgotten details of the trail but it was no problem since it is so well travelled there is no way anyone could possibly take a wrong turn or get lost. It did feel familiar, though, in a peculiar sort of way. And when this site came into view I knew I was almost there.</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZUvnl_BIvb6SO5sbXNwdeLmAFFeXipIXDJsdN_ySafsMd8pyORbXxABgXVqiRs1Q-aOiW5RXMZBMkyPy2-syiTlzF1KW0zTs0dDbvktEcvNJpmE6emfqW9jRRfpM4AA1DDsu6qOl8PQ/s900/Devils+1a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="900" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZUvnl_BIvb6SO5sbXNwdeLmAFFeXipIXDJsdN_ySafsMd8pyORbXxABgXVqiRs1Q-aOiW5RXMZBMkyPy2-syiTlzF1KW0zTs0dDbvktEcvNJpmE6emfqW9jRRfpM4AA1DDsu6qOl8PQ/w400-h235/Devils+1a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, after just another few hundred feet, I saw it for the first time in 47 years. It was just like I remembered it. Spectacular!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ8WTwm-ysk_ocG8xDicx1JROaQyRUsGetS8RtMm8YAP84di2Iaf8yZXMxv7zRll89PscFR2OZVbmbkezJEli1WE6kKOEo1Ok6DDgJatdoBv31qAfyGzVvNLZpMcdpm60IT0uFEQiVqs/s900/Devils+2a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="900" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ8WTwm-ysk_ocG8xDicx1JROaQyRUsGetS8RtMm8YAP84di2Iaf8yZXMxv7zRll89PscFR2OZVbmbkezJEli1WE6kKOEo1Ok6DDgJatdoBv31qAfyGzVvNLZpMcdpm60IT0uFEQiVqs/w400-h238/Devils+2a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And there was not another soul around. Perfect. So...I thought about it for a few minutes...and...decided to take the plunge. Now here's the deal - I'm 66 years old and have had quintuple bypass heart surgery. What was I thinking? Crazy. Right? Especially since I was alone up there. Plus, the water was really rushing forcefully down the slide and the pool was pretty full. All that made me consider if it would be wise to tempt fate. On the other hand, I thought that perhaps fate should not tempt me, and after a brief hesitation I climbed on in and let go. I shot out of the chute like Marvin Garrett on Khadafy Skoal in 2004 at the Black Hills Roundup. The difference is that I couldn't hold on and was sucked down to rock bottom and had a slight moment of panic while completely submerged with the water rushing all around me. I popped right up, however, and everything was fine. Great actually. No. Better than great. It was the biggest rush I've experienced in years. For just that one brief incredible moment I felt more alive than I have in a long time. I let out a loud yell to put an exclamation point on it. The yell was probably just as much to do with the frigid water as it was the exhilaration of the experience. It was freakin' cold! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9MOjaJE_xrFTaIPA8AuMMLkCC4PJ0i1RH3DP-YjoXcUvBANWfrMzRrZPUQlsYgggrHSVranUyJ4xn4AoOvZK-BZncs4VzxosEsAdkLop7wH53GebNJWHUO_OgRFg9dLaUbeCtWPRjyI/s900/Devils+BT+wet+1a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="900" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9MOjaJE_xrFTaIPA8AuMMLkCC4PJ0i1RH3DP-YjoXcUvBANWfrMzRrZPUQlsYgggrHSVranUyJ4xn4AoOvZK-BZncs4VzxosEsAdkLop7wH53GebNJWHUO_OgRFg9dLaUbeCtWPRjyI/w400-h369/Devils+BT+wet+1a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The lesson of the story? There isn't one really. Other than maybe "You're never too old." Except that sometimes you are. But not me, and not on this day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 6/8/2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-35699174271117884622021-02-25T09:59:00.000-08:002021-02-25T09:59:48.347-08:00Bad(Nomad)Lands <p>Movies don't usually have a personal affect on me. They are entertainment, that's all. But occasionally one comes along that stays with me. Nomadland is one of those. Achingly beautiful. And it was fun seeing some familiar places. Black Hills. Badlands. And Wall Drug, which was featured in a scene where Fern was working in the kitchen serving up a hot beef sandwich. I realize that's kind of a random detail. I tend to notice random details. Especially a hot beef sandwich. Classic. And delicious. It's been a long time since I've had one. So, a day later, I'm sitting in Wall Drug Cafe looking at the menu. Unfortunately, there is no hot beef listed. Bummer. Maybe it's a seasonable item or only served at dinner. I was there at lunch time, so I just ordered up a burger. Not bad, but not hot slices of beef on bread with mashed potatoes and gravy. I guess we're all forced to compromise once in a while. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2BXThhfzQYmynLPVKpJZgQHDWiwxwiuxBYdq9VGRDn1PY3cL_LWXBSDVO5rDPM6Xz_tAuUwP1JAMi0qhGq8Yeuk9jcOFoxXlcvvIWiBToWQroi_X7t6-hnWLIXjFDv7rcj6JsEejMuU/s1200/Wall+drug+menu.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2BXThhfzQYmynLPVKpJZgQHDWiwxwiuxBYdq9VGRDn1PY3cL_LWXBSDVO5rDPM6Xz_tAuUwP1JAMi0qhGq8Yeuk9jcOFoxXlcvvIWiBToWQroi_X7t6-hnWLIXjFDv7rcj6JsEejMuU/w300-h400/Wall+drug+menu.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>The day was not a bust, however. I made a full travel day out of it with stops at a few small towns along the way. Drove I-90 to Wall, then Highway 240 through Badlands National Park to 44 which took me back into Rapid City. Plenty of sites and photo opps along the way. I had forgotten how spectacular the Badlands are.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJD56XpW9z7bloG8HGgB2qD7r5KC1gOdzj8rwOKDDOs00gNJ0N-zOpXCHclsoqKVgnYiMEume90agQ3LkgYeJtfW3jHkG8q89va6SpcDJIMKQ2EulJeJwcl4obChbVkl-5Vjgl2bZJXs/s1400/Badlands+vista+3a+edited.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1400" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJD56XpW9z7bloG8HGgB2qD7r5KC1gOdzj8rwOKDDOs00gNJ0N-zOpXCHclsoqKVgnYiMEume90agQ3LkgYeJtfW3jHkG8q89va6SpcDJIMKQ2EulJeJwcl4obChbVkl-5Vjgl2bZJXs/w400-h291/Badlands+vista+3a+edited.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4gkc01GVulmTJqrdJP6co69sFs8hca0gSnqMHMdWdNsrO9pDSTcMB3EQphKtaEtE7oAvOIsvz0nj5ZrcRQ6kyR29Gl1gdQ0dQLmcGV4YsZCzTzPvyfu63rFZqy2aTjO3ggl3EVmlUq4/s1401/Badlands+vista+1a+edited.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1401" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4gkc01GVulmTJqrdJP6co69sFs8hca0gSnqMHMdWdNsrO9pDSTcMB3EQphKtaEtE7oAvOIsvz0nj5ZrcRQ6kyR29Gl1gdQ0dQLmcGV4YsZCzTzPvyfu63rFZqy2aTjO3ggl3EVmlUq4/w400-h285/Badlands+vista+1a+edited.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M11tq8UHCJfru-9WNpnUf4bZrRthkOVyGlobyfSfr6NdYsNQWrcpfGxj6YWNwLzngXVF9W4TELNDG_RwZ7YLCeLI5c7PANigFX9zGueGSvliPsh0OWru5kcHnb14JqUJc-X_HFYuNqE/s1400/Badlands+vista+2a+edited.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1400" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M11tq8UHCJfru-9WNpnUf4bZrRthkOVyGlobyfSfr6NdYsNQWrcpfGxj6YWNwLzngXVF9W4TELNDG_RwZ7YLCeLI5c7PANigFX9zGueGSvliPsh0OWru5kcHnb14JqUJc-X_HFYuNqE/w400-h283/Badlands+vista+2a+edited.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love roaming around abandoned or nearly abandoned old towns, and there are plenty of them around here. It's particularly rewarding when I come across an old hotel or any kind of vintage signs. This was right off Interstate 90 between the Black Hills and Badlands National Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rqA5Jbti8_Y1m3yK3lraQuEoGj3kYRxN0Zy7fsxHjP9JcpAvVjDTAmXuV27SdaWcfCogNS5_bP2oHx_msC_NfiwgP9pN4w39OtkczhH5fpDz3l5Myas3r38VfWh-rg6UY-WNehke0Bg/s1400/Wasta+Hotel+edited.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1400" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rqA5Jbti8_Y1m3yK3lraQuEoGj3kYRxN0Zy7fsxHjP9JcpAvVjDTAmXuV27SdaWcfCogNS5_bP2oHx_msC_NfiwgP9pN4w39OtkczhH5fpDz3l5Myas3r38VfWh-rg6UY-WNehke0Bg/w400-h290/Wasta+Hotel+edited.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was in the same town. Not much left of it but still has a lot of personality.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RgR7_ZXnAMCatJ0ylKH7XdtvJnpbQ1rDik9DU5zp7O4p4gdxMRXGxWanGsPxY3Hrpk4OKIfgIlhVGsHxu_y5F92x6KOqd-31OwgocGW2Rtw_ExgM9yaKYTdB6-GG__JN7MgUixdosZg/s1400/Wasta+Antiques+edited.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1400" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RgR7_ZXnAMCatJ0ylKH7XdtvJnpbQ1rDik9DU5zp7O4p4gdxMRXGxWanGsPxY3Hrpk4OKIfgIlhVGsHxu_y5F92x6KOqd-31OwgocGW2Rtw_ExgM9yaKYTdB6-GG__JN7MgUixdosZg/w400-h290/Wasta+Antiques+edited.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The further south and east I got the more it became apparent that crime may be a problem way out there on the prairie. This photo was taken at another small nearly forgotten town along the way. Might be the first U.S. Post Office I've seen with bars on the door and windows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDE6chNxpYyZ7fCkdS8hCtVnvxfSwKJ3PJFRdppThDblDORQE6Lh9op6Jn-tLGH0g7ONGUEt8vJ3tyNNOxk_VGMm6TxlrjC6L0p1jwdfcnxgZfopOICXDMtVN8B8WWOigrVzt8cCr4mc/s1400/Interior+PO+edited.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1400" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDE6chNxpYyZ7fCkdS8hCtVnvxfSwKJ3PJFRdppThDblDORQE6Lh9op6Jn-tLGH0g7ONGUEt8vJ3tyNNOxk_VGMm6TxlrjC6L0p1jwdfcnxgZfopOICXDMtVN8B8WWOigrVzt8cCr4mc/w400-h285/Interior+PO+edited.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My final stop was a place I've visited several times before. The abandoned town of Scenic, South Dakota. It's always had a strange attraction for me. I've walked up and down the highway that runs through town and wandered the side streets. This time I found these chairs lined up on the boardwalk of the run down old building that is in various states of disrepair each time I visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMReH2JdHaATgt86JfNp7raa2aAY6a6sNq40-kqwK77MHQnuUqWN3PRhL5Uz_nzBJiFsBeRQ9j9P_Hz5B5E-YrbdTxit4CTnN964kgadebHH4SPkLp7Sog71ZBwClGRalGuxX381mf82E/s1400/Scenic+deck+chairs+edited.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="987" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMReH2JdHaATgt86JfNp7raa2aAY6a6sNq40-kqwK77MHQnuUqWN3PRhL5Uz_nzBJiFsBeRQ9j9P_Hz5B5E-YrbdTxit4CTnN964kgadebHH4SPkLp7Sog71ZBwClGRalGuxX381mf82E/w283-h400/Scenic+deck+chairs+edited.jpeg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted to stick around and watch the traffic go by, but it was cold and windy, and I wasn't dressed for the weather. I might go back on a nicer day. If the chairs are still there I'll sit down and wave at passing cars. Maybe they will think I'm the mayor. The mayor of a town called Scenic. That wouldn't be a bad gig.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea. 2/24/2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-79586368032686070542021-02-01T13:49:00.006-08:002021-02-01T14:02:57.519-08:00To Be Fair : Political Bothers<p> Observations on a few things that are on my mind right now in the wild wild world of politics.</p><p>* Term limits. Why hasn't that happened yet? Is there anyone, other than someone already in office, who thinks this is not a good idea?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCX2jiYaTohvsm7IfFGymm5seKKz44e4PHschxlF0OKdIh8lTYfxVXZTFCRJAl8uTVllM-NJiAb-iYiezStyc2EQtFSo0VaK0bLgh2sBy0Zv38Hl0G9uzQs94DgEKVN538eZ9JgTUnUE/s1200/JS8-012918-Debate-Popup1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCX2jiYaTohvsm7IfFGymm5seKKz44e4PHschxlF0OKdIh8lTYfxVXZTFCRJAl8uTVllM-NJiAb-iYiezStyc2EQtFSo0VaK0bLgh2sBy0Zv38Hl0G9uzQs94DgEKVN538eZ9JgTUnUE/s320/JS8-012918-Debate-Popup1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>* It's been almost five months since the South Dakota Attorney General hit and killed a person with his car. No one involved in the investigation is talking and there is no estimate of when it will be wrapped up. I believe the small town and local county officials involved are overwhelmed by the scope of this case and are too scared to talk or arrive at a conclusion that may be politically inconvenient.</p><p>* South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is a hypocrite. She waited until the recreational marijuana reform bill passed then decided to oppose it. No doubt she was hoping it would fail. But when it passed she jumped in to cancel the voices of the majority of her constituents. And she is seeking to overturn the new law on a technicality, even though she has repeatedly said she is personally opposed to it. So, basically, the majority rules...except if it's something she's against. Then she rules.</p><p>* Joe Biden is having difficulty speaking. He slurs words, gets numbers mixed up, talks in incomplete sentences. I don't believe it has anything to do with his stuttering issue. He has said many times he is over that. It seems like he just gets confused. He's pretty old. That worries me.</p><p>* I'm more worried about another big time hypocrite - Kamala Harris. Especially if she ends up taking over at some point, or if she obtains too much power as VP. When she was still a candidate in the presidential campaign, she said she believed the women accusing Biden of inappropriate touching and groping. Apparently she changed her mind or thought it was okay after she became his pick for VP. Remember when she bashed Biden in that debate for taking the side of segregationists when he was in the Senate? She basically called him a racist, then later explained it all away by saying, "It was a debate." Makes me wonder what else she said in the debates that she didn't actually believe to be true. There are other events and issues in her political past that concern me. You can look them up if you're interested.</p><p>* That woman from Georgia who was elected to Congress in a runoff. She is a 911 denier, said Muslims do not belong in government, claimed the Parkland school shooting in which 17 people were killed was a "false flag" event, blamed lasers and blue beams of light coming from space as the cause of the 2018 California wildfires and accused Hillary Clinton of satan worship. Oh, on Facebook she 'liked' a comment about Nancy Pelosi which stated "a bullet to her head would be quicker." This person now sits as a duly elected representative in the United States Congress. By the way - she was endorsed by Trump. Good call right there, pal. </p><p>* John Kerry is Biden's new Climate "Envoy" and travels around in one of his 12 cars, two yachts and a private jet. To be fair - the yacht and jet are owned by his wife. But he still uses them, and they run on fossil fuels. That's a lot of carbon being pumped into the air. Not very green of you, John.</p><p>* I like AOC. I disagree with a lot of what she says. But she is one of the few politicians who I believe are sincere and honest. Anyone remember the old Mary Tyler Moore show? The episode when Lou Grant told her, "You've got spunk." He then said, "I hate spunk." AOC has spunk. I don't hate it.</p><p>Those are the current topics. More later. Probably.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea. 2-1-21</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-18146070261287262272020-11-13T22:04:00.002-08:002020-11-14T06:59:17.588-08:00Hard Times In A Small Town<p> I had no idea. The Feeding South Dakota food truck was something I had heard about, but only by way of a news story occasionally appearing in the paper or comments on our local Facebook community page. I would scan the story or glance at the comments and immediately forget about them. I did not realize how many people count on that truck. Without it they, and members of their family, would go hungry. </p><p>On the day the truck was to be in town I just happened to be driving by the location where people come to pick up their share of the commodities being distributed. There were vehicles lined up in three rows nearly filling a large parking lot, with others backed up for quite a distance along an adjoining road. I recalled the starting time for the distribution was one o'clock. I looked at my watch. It was 11:30. People were lining up an hour and a half early. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_gx9Il2OkyXETN1gUtbVnXzXda-jO_C_IxGxjzEpTpQebWlyMMEDneBg3Pwb98xEsLm3nU5xR6GKKJ4s7u_dhUTfEVG56X_4gK4xAuLXdX745_gfZ1Lz1awodzh2dusRDtKPhRoCmVs/s900/Food+truck+1_edited-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="900" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_gx9Il2OkyXETN1gUtbVnXzXda-jO_C_IxGxjzEpTpQebWlyMMEDneBg3Pwb98xEsLm3nU5xR6GKKJ4s7u_dhUTfEVG56X_4gK4xAuLXdX745_gfZ1Lz1awodzh2dusRDtKPhRoCmVs/w400-h269/Food+truck+1_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fP9eW6ONcq-d_8hA7UGWC_P_sacJJV3hpVDsD_osKzX5WWnhqZRkPz3bWn7YgwE_FTCE6sRpxVcRbVrh9CslzFjXPc0765QQpQAgEpZpYj3ZB9XRT9OdXkgwWKCvuYpaDxZ3YRvbW28/s917/Food+truck+2_edited-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="917" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fP9eW6ONcq-d_8hA7UGWC_P_sacJJV3hpVDsD_osKzX5WWnhqZRkPz3bWn7YgwE_FTCE6sRpxVcRbVrh9CslzFjXPc0765QQpQAgEpZpYj3ZB9XRT9OdXkgwWKCvuYpaDxZ3YRvbW28/w400-h266/Food+truck+2_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was surprised. Are there really this many families in our little town who need to wait in line for two hours just to get a ration of canned goods, cereal and some pancake mix? The answer, obviously, is "yes." Actually, I don't know what was in the boxes being handed out. That's not important. What's important is that there is a tremendous need by a substantial number of families and individuals. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf3DCJWRrfjUzbq4kvfqR8aE3LI1kGtdgyMR12vWAsgtI489KM11c3oVLwo9v7BpfjNi5MIaUdnS642lvqbtAN8Pgp0Lz_v7WJYmM03-WRG-q7J3rLlIZpWfRmslRkbhepobpRsHMqpE/s900/Food+truck+3_edited-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf3DCJWRrfjUzbq4kvfqR8aE3LI1kGtdgyMR12vWAsgtI489KM11c3oVLwo9v7BpfjNi5MIaUdnS642lvqbtAN8Pgp0Lz_v7WJYmM03-WRG-q7J3rLlIZpWfRmslRkbhepobpRsHMqpE/w400-h266/Food+truck+3_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the truck arrived I decided to talk to one of the volunteers and find out more information. At this point I was only curious and didn't have much thought of becoming one of those volunteers. That changed following my conversation with Marilyn. My first question was, "Is there enough food in that small truck for everyone waiting?" She took note of the turnout and told me it was quite possible that on this day there would not be enough to go around. I found out later there was enough. Barely. I asked if this was about the usual number of persons showing up when the truck came to town and was told it was, but possibly there were more this time. I was curious about who these people are. What are some of their stories? There wasn't much time to talk as the unboxing was beginning so I agreed to accept her invitation and visit the Compassion Cupboard in town where these same people can come for food and personal supplies...depending on what might be available on any particular Tuesday or Thursday, which are the only days of the week it is open. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBTNAgW8MBt7G10VrApDyEmG8L72gDrU1918r-vbZK2d_MIVQDHa5cOeVFOyMRMHoQUhs8PDPPRGGc-e7GJ5D1oVcvIXGOlkvohIWUD8Ms-Xe8koYbb7luVjrqxcHHulK2u5TXulL74A/s900/compass+cupboard_edited-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="760" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBTNAgW8MBt7G10VrApDyEmG8L72gDrU1918r-vbZK2d_MIVQDHa5cOeVFOyMRMHoQUhs8PDPPRGGc-e7GJ5D1oVcvIXGOlkvohIWUD8Ms-Xe8koYbb7luVjrqxcHHulK2u5TXulL74A/w338-h400/compass+cupboard_edited-1.JPG" width="338" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The following day was not one of the open days but I went there anyway to see if anyone was around and happened to get there right as Marilyn and her husband were unloading some supplies. I helped move the boxes inside and that's when I heard some of those stories. Some related to COVID. Some due to poor choices and bad decisions. And some just plain bad luck. A few got to me, like the one about an older widow who never worked while her husband was alive so her only income is a small amount from social security survivor's benefits. Another was about a young man who had lost his job which meant he also lost his company health insurance and couldn't afford to pay his bills and buy food. Then there was the working family trying to take care of foster children as well as their own but both of their incomes won't quite cover it. The single mom whose deadbeat ex refuses to pay child support or contribute in any way. Seniors who have become guardians of their grandchildren because the parents are so caught up in substance abuse that they can't do it. There are more, including normal hard working people who, through no fault of their own, just don't have enough money to meet their own basic needs or those of their family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So now I know. And I have volunteered to help out in the future however I can - from donating items to helping unload supplies when they come in. It's the least I can do. Especially now that I have the time. But I don't deserve any pats on the back for being so generous all of a sudden. I could have done this years ago but didn't. I have plenty of excuses, but no good reasons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope those lines get shorter. I hope many of those people coming in can stop coming through that door some day soon and will no longer have to wait for two hours in the cold for the truck to show up. But my fear is that for every one who no longer needs assistance there will be another joining the community of those who need a little help. These are the times we're in. I don't know when that will change. Or if it will ever change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 11/13/2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713480342240273608.post-54957246867388973722020-10-17T11:29:00.002-07:002020-10-17T11:37:46.216-07:00The 2020 Mostly Staying At Home Pandemic Blues<p>It's been a long time since May. That's when the seriousness of the pandemic set in for me. In the months since I have remained optimistic (mostly) with occasional bouts of melancholy and periods of dullness. The current political climate has not helped matters. And now it's snowing. That whole Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) thing is real. I get it every year, usually a little later than this. But after all it is 2020 so nothing is as usual. </p><p>It's been tough. We normally would've taken at least two trips by now. Another one in October is not going to happen, either. I miss traveling. I miss live music. There have been some concert events that still happened but I am avoiding crowds so they just weren't something I wanted to attend. And one anticipated big show didn't happen at all, and likely never will. I miss my friends. A few I still see once in awhile in person. But it's different now. No handshakes or hugs. I miss human physical contact. I miss sitting in a crowded restaurant with a lively buzz in the background. I know some of you are thinking it's an over reaction and the virus is not as serious as it's being made out to be. But I'm 65 years old, with a heart condition and an uncommon type of asthma. So, if I'm going to error, it's going to be on the side of caution. </p><p>In spite of all that...or because of it...every so often I take a day to seek out a few of the simple pleasures that lift my spirits. Yesterday was one of those days. I went to the record store and the library. Two places that never disappoint. As Penny Lane said in the movie Almost Famous, "...if you ever get lonely you can just go to the record store and visit your friends." That doesn't apply to just being lonely. It fits for any time you just need a little lift, because it's true. You always have a friend at the record store, even if you don't know their name.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHQYtjziwJ-BJH2TvaldOn0dNOHXKLLuyn-clEX2Iby4-AhH5xYvrXPMZZJQxuUe5MJd98YLZNqBHURSLro70SmBxCyujhoD3VNY_1z0k9sPNBsERlBrVJfrb3FiYf2aN5Iwq3JJeGBs/s900/BHV+for+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="900" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHQYtjziwJ-BJH2TvaldOn0dNOHXKLLuyn-clEX2Iby4-AhH5xYvrXPMZZJQxuUe5MJd98YLZNqBHURSLro70SmBxCyujhoD3VNY_1z0k9sPNBsERlBrVJfrb3FiYf2aN5Iwq3JJeGBs/w400-h319/BHV+for+group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ioXx1D_AKizwnpVvJLIx7QfsWiTX_SlTDzszMEu1WPLeCa0Kl-pIWpK8zkw27Be73Os4FNbrEO27KbBj9gRlRK4ujUac78y2rG86p_UJNykHR7DPTrtVWaKiWBg-mGSHjVHr1KNl66E/s1080/RecordStore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1080" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ioXx1D_AKizwnpVvJLIx7QfsWiTX_SlTDzszMEu1WPLeCa0Kl-pIWpK8zkw27Be73Os4FNbrEO27KbBj9gRlRK4ujUac78y2rG86p_UJNykHR7DPTrtVWaKiWBg-mGSHjVHr1KNl66E/w400-h297/RecordStore.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> I found a copy of Heart of Saturday Night by Tom Waits. I've had the cassette tape for a long time but never owned the record. It's playing right now as I write this. <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p><span><i><span> </span>Let's put a new coat of paint on this lonesome 'ol town<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span><span>Set</span></span></i></span><i> 'em up we'll be knockin 'em down <span> </span><span> </span></i><span><i> You wear a dress, baby I'll wear a tie<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></i><span><i> We'll laugh at that 'ol bloodshot moon<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> In that burgundy sky</span><span> </span></i></span></span></p><p><span><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ocQRAy2XKOeNoyRJQAmP5iYm2FLvphLotdqV5DBSW2G9hX5wzh2hQXSuz-9GKESlte6GfysGhG1otYsoP98HNkVn5_nsvQVg_EQaF1wx8wGT4x2RWOshZ9DlJYP8I3I2si9ayFkRtXo/s900/Tom+Waits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ocQRAy2XKOeNoyRJQAmP5iYm2FLvphLotdqV5DBSW2G9hX5wzh2hQXSuz-9GKESlte6GfysGhG1otYsoP98HNkVn5_nsvQVg_EQaF1wx8wGT4x2RWOshZ9DlJYP8I3I2si9ayFkRtXo/w400-h360/Tom+Waits.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next stop - the library. Checked out "The Portfolios of Ansel Adams." I've seen most of his photographs, including personally viewing some of his original prints, but this book organizes them in specific related collections. I noticed something I hadn't thought about in detail. I noticed that the main feature of nearly every photo is either the lighting or the sky. It's rarely both. I like how I am continually discovering new concepts and interpretations when I view familiar art. New to me anyway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other book is a book of essays that includes a topic I have been interested in for years. It's a summary of the lawsuit being brought by Wile E. Coyote against the Acme company. The case is based on the repeated failure of Acme products used by Coyote in his efforts to catch that damned roadrunner. The opening statement reads, in part, "Injuries sustained by Mr. Coyote have restricted his ability to make a living in his profession of predator. Mr. Coyote is self-employed and thus not eligible for Workman's Compensation." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUFiU18NoYXgAwM5Vvd8b5WY-HNNzuDBbrg8nTYajJsoILlPyFcSwFlxh6Bn7vrP8JEEEnxbore-SsPKKnHSgMUWrbxNTSIVZaft8tCVtKqd27GF1nsAsXtLpbA-PzH1qLY4CwSCvvr0/s900/acme.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="763" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUFiU18NoYXgAwM5Vvd8b5WY-HNNzuDBbrg8nTYajJsoILlPyFcSwFlxh6Bn7vrP8JEEEnxbore-SsPKKnHSgMUWrbxNTSIVZaft8tCVtKqd27GF1nsAsXtLpbA-PzH1qLY4CwSCvvr0/w339-h400/acme.JPG" width="339" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He is seeking compensation in the amount of $38,750,000. I hope he is awarded the full amount.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking out the window again I see it has stopped snowing. Things are looking up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roger O'Dea 10/17/2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><i> </i><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><p></p><p><span><span><i><span><br /></span></i></span></span></p><p><span><span><i><span> </span><span> </span></i></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span><span></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Roger O'Deahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604813598961217321noreply@blogger.com0