Pauline, Margaret, Forgotten Works and The Trout Hatchery Dance (In Watermelon Sugar)

I am writing this after finishing my 53rd annual reading of In Watermelon Sugar by Richard Brautigan. It's in my top five all time favorites. Right up there with Lost Horizon (my other annual read), On The Road, Henderson The Rain King and Slaughter-House Five. I doubt you've ever heard of Richard Brautigan. His books are all out of print and not found in any library that I've searched. You may find one in a dusty back row of a used book store. But I doubt it. However, if you ever come across a copy, I recommend you grab it...if you're into his type of writing. I'll admit it's not for everybody. Here are a few samples from my personal copy. Take a look, if you're so inclined, so you can decide for yourself. I totally get it if it's not your thing. I can't explain my fascination with his style. Maybe it has to do with the time (early 1970s) I first became aware of him and the circle of friends I had then, or because of his unusual style of prose, or the fantastical settings and characters...or all of the above. So if you're still with me I invite you to check out the following pages. You may be interested in exploring more. Or you may not be interested at all. That's okay, too. 

He spent more than a few nights there.

Margaret came before Pauline and I don't think he ever got over her.

Sometimes the sun was gray.

The end.

Roger O'Dea     4/23/2026

Bad News - But Thanks For The Memories

 Well, this sucks.

About two weeks ago the announcement was made about the closing of the Matthews Gallery. The Opera House will continue to host plays, concerts and other events, but the gallery will close permanently next month. The announcement and subsequent reports promise continuing support for local artists and art activities, although no details have been provided. I'd like to know how they intend to do that. Whatever the future holds for the arts in this area, it won't be the same. It just doesn't seem right that a town the size of Spearfish, with a university and vibrant arts community, won't have a gallery to showcase local and regional artists or a designated space for learning and other art-related activities for all ages. I just don't get it. Were grants vigorously persued? Fund raising efforts giving proper attention and priority? Enough government lobbying done at the local, county and state level? Too much focus placed on performance art and music concerts at the expense of visual arts? I don't know. I suppose it doesn't really matter what the reason. What matters is that the gallery is closing, and I can't help but wonder if it's truly understood how much of a loss it will be. I know it's blow to me personally. I'm going to miss that place. It holds a lot of good memories for me...including my first individual photography exhibit -

I've also had my work shown as part of the annual Community Art shows, the Summer Art Series, plus special themed exhibits such as Mind Matters and the current Ink & Imagination exhibit which will be the final show for the gallery. Here are a few of my photographs from past shows. Some won awards and others are just my favorites for one reason or another -

There will be other opportunities to show my work, but I'm going to miss this space. I'll also miss seeing the amazing work of so many talented local artists, many of whom I met there. And I'll miss seeing their work. I hope they find new outlets and other ways to be seen. They should be seen, and we should be able to see them. 

There is a final closing reception on March 13th. I may change my mind, but as of right now, I do not plan on attending. They say it's a celebration. I doubt I will feel like celebrating. I'll more likely be home mourning a huge loss.

Roger O'Dea     02/24/2026

                         

Day Tripper (Behind the Lines)

The scene was hundreds of tourists wandering the shops, bars, and restaurants in the cruise port safe areas designated for just that sort of thing. But not me. I wandered out of the safe zone and into the streets and neighborhoods where the locals live and go about their every day tasks. Because...well...that's what I do. This time a chance encounter provided me the opportunity for an insider view and a personal perspective. It happened when I met Antonio in the town square.

A friendly fellow. We hit it off immediately. I told him I wished to see the real town, not just what the tourists normally see, and he happily volunteered to give me a tour. I know what you're thinking..."how much?" That was the cool part. I offered to give him a cash tip but he declined. I'm not naive, and I've been in similar situations before where the money exchange takes place at the end, and there was an exchange at the end of our tour. But it wasn't money. I'll explain at the end of my story, so read on. 

We walked past the main attractions of Umbrella Street and Pink Street - 

Then we went beyond the popular hot spots to see what I really wanted to see -

At one point along the way Antonio took me to a house of a friend where he asked if we could pick some fruit from the trees in the front yard. Permission granted, and this was the bounty -

We walked and talked for over an hour, until I said that I had to get back to the ship. That's when he said there was one thing I could do for him. I thought, "Great. Here comes the pitch." And it did. But he didn't ask for money. He politely asked if I could buy him some milk for his family. He actually said that - "milk for my family." I was expecting cigarettes or a bottle of rum. I told him I would be happy to do that and he led me down the street to a small neighborhood market. He picked up some milk, then asked if I would also allow him to get some flour for bread. Of course I agreed. Then came, "one more thing?" I thought, "okay here it comes." The "one more thing" was a single roll of toilet paper. How could I refuse? I paid for the items. He was genuinely thankful. We said our goodbyes. I doubt I will ever see him again, but I will remember him...Antonio...my friend in the Dominican Republic.

Roger O'Dea     1/30/2026

Best Of 2025 Part II - Photos

Continuing with my wrap up of 2025. These are not necessarily the best of my photos from last year in terms of being technically correct or outstanding overall quality, but they are my favorites because of the subject, the circumstances surrounding taking them or some personal connection. I believe the most important thing about a photograph lies not in the technical aspects but simply how it makes you feel.

           

Art alley in Rapid City. I often encounter good subjects there, some I know and some are strangers. Both instances are represented in these two pictures. Taken with my vintage Minolta Hi-Matic AF2 using 35mm black and white film. 

Another black and white. Digital this time. Taken at Mt. Roosevelt near Deadwood.

Two from the county fair last summer.

Experimented with the editing process by adding a saturated neon effect to this one. I think it only works because I was there during and right after a rain shower. Might have been rather dull otherwise.

                                   

I felt a little out of my element at this photo shoot in Spearfish Canyon. But the models were amazing and it was a lot of fun.

Another one from Spearfish Canyon. So much color there in the Fall.

I came up with this one for an exhibit at The Matthews Gallery. It was part of a show called "Mind Matters" dealing with the subject of mental health, dependency, recovery and associated themes. I called this image "A Bitter Pill." 

         

Can you tell I like shooting in black and white?

"15 Birds". A good example of a minimalistic style. Lucky to have gotten the composition just right, in my opinion.

         

I learned about Wabi-Sabi...a traditional Japanese style of art involving the concept of finding beauty in decay and imperfection. These are my interpretations.

Just for fun. Caught this guy at a political demonstration in Rapid City.

And...of course...I still shoot a lot of Polaroids so I had to include at least one -

Just kids being kids. Taken at the Black Hills Pow Wow. 

I'll be back out there in 2026 with my digital, my 35mm, or one of my Polaroid cameras. I might even break out my 1970s Kodak 110. In any case, I plan to follow the advice of Audrery Hepburn in Funny Face when she exclaimed "Take the picture! Take the picture!"

Roger O'Dea     1/2/2026