Hard Times In A Small Town

 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Roger O'Dea     11/13/2020

               

The 2020 Mostly Staying At Home Pandemic Blues

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. 

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. 

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.

 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.                                                                

    Let's put a new coat of paint on this lonesome 'ol town                                                                                     Set 'em up  we'll be knockin 'em down                                                                                                              You wear a dress, baby  I'll wear a tie                                                                                                               We'll laugh at that 'ol bloodshot moon                                                                                                               In that burgundy sky   

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. 

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." 

He is seeking compensation in the amount of $38,750,000. I hope he is awarded the full amount.

Looking out the window again I see it has stopped snowing. Things are looking up.

Roger O'Dea     10/17/2020

     

        

                                                                                

North Dakota 12 (Going Back)

It started as a slightly tongue-in-cheek Facebook exchange between myself and a couple of friends. Something about a road journal, the last visitation, and a pre-apocalyptic adventure. Having lately been drawn back to my fondness for photography of abandoned buildings and forgotten places, I thought I should do something about it. Which could only mean one thing - Road Trip!
But I had to make some adjustments. As in taking out the visitation and apocalypse connections (not even sure what those mean) and just hit the road, take some pictures and write about it. So here we are.
Some recurring very early childhood memories were the inspiration for my location selection. I lived in several very small remote towns in North Dakota as a very young child and have been wanting to go back for a visit. So, that's what I did. I thought it would be interesting to see what's left. As it turns out...not much. Conveniently, the locations I was most interested in are all in a row along Highway 12 in the southwest corner of the state. What follows is a photographic exhibition of what I saw. But before you take a look at the photos, I want to point out that there are some very nice, well kept, clean houses and businesses in these small towns. But that's not where my current interest lies. It's the broken down, weathered, abandoned places, and emptiness that are my subjects for this essay. That's what you see here. I do hope you will find some of them as intriguing or as interesting as I do. And, I hope you'll wonder, as I do, about the stories surrounding these places. Who lived or worked there? Why did they leave? Where did they go? Are they ever coming back?

(Click on the photo to see a larger version)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This last one reminds me how much I also like the retro signs of those old non-franchise motels still in business. Maybe that's next. That...or Wyoming Highway 16. That might have some good possibilities. We'll see. No reason to stop now.

Roger O'Dea     5/7/2020

Photography Time Machine

I've always liked black and white photography. I actually prefer it for many subjects and specific situations. A recent conversation and some comments made me start to think more about it. I know the reasons I prefer black and white in many instances. It has to do with light and shadows, details, and feelings or emotions that can be evoked. A friend used the word "timeless." That has a lot to do with it.
So, in the abundance of spare time I seem to have lately, I decided to take a closer look at my photo files and see how many photos I could come up with that have an element of timelessness to them. Specifically, pictures that have some measure of ambiguity or vagueness in regards to the time period. Some were originally taken in black and white and others have been converted because they just seem to work better that way for me. All were taken by me within the past five years but I have tagged each one with a year that, in my opinion, they could have been taken. It was a fun activity.  Feel free to agree or disagree. Or just go ahead and add your own year if you'd like. These are all definitely up for interpretation.

1967 - Summer of Love

1959 (Bisbee, AZ)

1964 (With a nod to Audrey)

1969 (Short hair on guys, long on chicks)

1975 (Lots of L and El motels then)

1970 (There was only one soda fountain left in my town by then)

1955 (We had an ashtray stand just like for many years)

1963 (The year Alcatraz closed)

I have a lot more. Maybe I will do this again later. But I will close this edition with a color photo.

It still has a classic retro look to it with the saturation, slight graininess and blur around the edges so I'll say 1968 on this one...the year after the Summer of Love and the hippies were starting to move on. This one has to be color because if you are old enough to remember that time and place, you remember the colors. And if you're too young to remember, you can still dream about it. If you do, your dreams will be in color. 

Roger O'Dea     3/26/2020

Hoarders and Hypocrites - A Sign of the Times

Some of you won't like this because it's about you. Others will nod their heads in agreement. And still others won't pay any mind at all. So whatever the case may be - here goes.
I've been trying to approach this COVID-19 situation with cautious optimism and in an intelligent, thoughtful manner. It's been hard. In addition to the overload of misinformation out there, social media has heaped an unbelievable amount of influence on people who seem to be poorly equipped to make rational decisions. You know, the ones who overreact to a threat whether it's real, perceived or obvious nonsense. I'm not talking about taking the current pandemic lightly. I'm talking about those who are so completely susceptible to every contrived internet scheme that pops up whenever the slightest disruption of their normal day to day life occurs.
The best example currently? You got it - hoarding toilet paper. It would be laughable if it wasn't so disturbing. There are families and individuals, including seniors, out there who are actually low on supplies or completely out with no way to acquire more. This in contrast to others who have plenty and still wait in line at the store while the truck is unloading to make sure they get more. How did this get started? And why is it continuing to such extremes? I really don't get it.
Now here comes the worst part...some of the same people who are posting and commenting publicly about how we should remain calm, act responsibly and be willing to help others less fortunate who may be negatively affected financially are also the ones carrying toilet paper and other personal hygiene products out of the stores by the cartful. I know this to be true in some cases. I've seen it. You are the ones contributing to the mass hysteria and causing problems for others you say need our help in times like these. That's evil. And if it's you - stop it! How about we all walk the walk? Act responsibly. Share. Do the right thing.
And heed the advice of Hoppy Quick (look him up on Facebook) : 

My advice for people as the world begins to shut down around us
Look for those things at home you wanted to do but didn't have the time
Start your seeds
Think ahead to your garden or creating one
If you don't have a yard get pots or anything you can hold dirt...grow food
It will make you feel better
Fishing season is coming
Avoid people but don't avoid water or the woods
Nature is good medicine
Optimism is your friend
Always be optimistic
Money will be tight but it doesn't mean you can't do things
A good time of year to clean your house and property
If the world is forcing you into isolation
Embrace it
Quarantine doesn't have to be scary

There will always be that pessimist
You know the one
When you say its a beautiful day
They say "but its gonna rain later"
we are all dealing with the same pandemic
Let your positive outlook help get you through
And others
Don't get caught in panic
Just breathe
By no means does my optimism mean I dont care
I just believe in the magic of good intention
Support each other with positive vibes
I wish you all good health
Hoppy

Makes sense to me. And for my part I'm keeping with my usual routine, such as it is. I was encouraged by my daily Oracle Card draw today - The Rainmaker

 

The Guidebook says "The Rainmaker is the master of manifestations, who can call on the elements of nature to serve the greater good. When the power to co-create is used with integrity, great beauty and benefit flow to all. When this power is used for personal gain only, everyone suffers. When the earth is parched, the Rainmaker calls the waters from the heavens, and all that is dormant in the fields and in people's hearts springs to life again."

I'm new to it and not sure how far into this Oracle thing I am willing to go, but you must admit this is not bad guidance. No matter what your beliefs are. 

Roger O'Dea     3/14/2020

Art or Vandalism?

Wikipedia: Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist, vandal, political activist, and film director, active since the 1990s. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.

I've known of and been interested in the work of Bansky for years, so during a recent trip to Las Vegas it was a nice surprise to find an exhibit of his work in town at the same time. I thought it would be one more nice break from the lights and action of the "strip." We had already gone on a wonderful hiking excursion the day before in Red Rock Canyon, about a thirty minute drive from the city. So this was another chance to experience something other than the quest for the legendary (and elusive) Royal Flush or three Jackpot symbols lined up in a row. I thought I had a pretty good idea about what examples of his work I would see, but I was not prepared for the entirety of it. 

There were the expected displays of murals on alley walls that were pretty cool, but didn't provoke any deep thoughts. 

 

The anti-capitalist themes were prevalent.

 

Of course plenty of anti-authority illustrations.

 

And a touch of irony. Like this comment on closed circuit television ... with a video camera positioned near it in the top right corner. It was not part of the actual work and I'm not sure if its presence was intended to be so prominent. I looked at the camera gave it a nod of approval just in case.

 

I was maintaining a mostly casual and lighthearted attitude while enjoying the subtle, or obvious, political messages and sarcasm scattered throughout the displays. But my mood changed drastically when I came upon the piece called "Holocaust Lipstick." 

I have seen close-up paintings by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. Photographs by Yousef Karsh, Gary Winogrand and Ansel Adams. A few of them have affected me personally and emotionally. But this one really got to me in a way like no other work of art I've seen. In the description was an extract from the diary of Lieutenant Colonel Mervin Gonindso, who was among the first British soldiers to liberate the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during World War II -

 

I apologize for it being slightly out of focus but I was a little unsteady after reading it.

Here is the accompanying artwork -

 

I can't imagine anyone seeing this and not being moved by it in some way. This is art. Unexpected and somewhat out of place in the context of the rest of the exhibit. Maybe even what could be considered out of character for this particular artist. But that's what happens when you are inspired. You move out of your comfort zone and explore new concepts and ideas. That's when something like this can happen. I'm glad I was able to see it. 

Roger O'Dea    2/7/2020