white collar workers

 

Steak N Shake began in the 1930s in Normal, Illinois in a converted gas station.  The founder Gus Belt had the motto "in sight, it must be right" and so he ground sirloin for his steakburgers right in front of the customer.  Using real milk, shakes were mixed at the counter.  Of course, in today's drive-thru, there was no "in sight."  Employees still wear the soda jerk hats and bows ties from the 1950s.  But back then, there were no breaks to talk on the cell phone.

 

Steak N Shake

50th and Milwaukee

Lubbock, Texas

 



texas rising

 

"Texas Rising" by Joe O'Connell and Blessing Hancock is the latest public art to grace the Texas Tech campus.  It is the focal point of West Village, the newest student housing featuring apartments for upper classmen.  The 9-point steel star glistens in the sun but I'm making a point to return in the evening to see the illuminated sculpture change colors.

 

West Village

Texas Tech University

Indiana and Tech Parkway

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Rising

Texas Rising by Night

 

moo

 

Where else would you find a Purple Bull but in the Art District? 

 

I never saw a purple cow

I never hope to see one

But I can tell you

I'd rather see one than be one.

                     --Gelett Burgess

 

This sculpture is part of the Art on the Llano Project and installed by the Texas Department of Transportation.  Entitled "Purple Bull" by artist Jeffie Brewer, this longhorn has no distinguishing gender markings so the sex is subject to interpretation.  The purple cow replaces the black spare tire which was more BS than this sculpture which does represent the region.

 

 Marsha Sharp Freeway and Avenue L

Lubbock, Texas 

cotton boll

 

My dad spent the last two weeks in the hospital.  After going home today, his first order of business was a drive to check the cotton fields for bolls.  He was pleased with some of the potentials yields.  The crops till need rain, however.

 

Lubbock County, Texas

the bench

 

The Randall County Courthouse was erected in 1908.  The historic courthouse square bustled in the first part of the twentieth century with new businesses, a railroad and the West Texas State Normal College just east of the square.  Today Canyon has experienced revitalization with millions of dollars being invested and new businesses being enticed to the downtown. Boutique and antique shops line the square, with benches provided for foot-weary shoppers.

 

Canyon, Texas

 



original cowboy coffee

 

Arbuckles Coffee is known as the Original Cowboy Coffee.  Sometime after the Civil War, the Arbuckle Brothers came up with the idea of selling roasted coffee.  Previously coffee beans had to roasted in a skillet before brewing into coffee.  With a consistently fine quality, Arbuckle Coffee, the first sold in one-pound bag, soon became the favorite of the Old West.  Most cowboys didn't know anything else.  Arbuckles even sells Chuck Wagon Coffee especially roasted for the Lubbock's National Cowboy Symposium.  And the quilt on the Hightower chuck wagon?  A period piece with the "Double T" pattern which supposedly originated with the women of the Temperance movement who made a difference by standing with determination for what they believed was right. The Double T stood as the symbol of their resolve. Although, temperance not withstanding, the Double T also appropriately stands for Texas Tech!

 

Hightower Chuck Wagon

Lubbock, Texas

7.22.2014

beauty is only paint deep

 

This business on Avenue Q sports a bright coat of red paint on the front, or street side.  The secondary side with garage bays facing 22nd Street has faded, peeling paint.  And the alley side?  Missed the red paint as the business changed hands.

 

1923 Avenue Q

Lubbock, Texas

basset in motion

 

Three-month Toby enjoys his romp in the park.  This image was accepted into the fifth annual "Putting on the Dog" exhibit. It hangs though August 28 at the International Cultural Center, 601 Indiana.  Hours are M-F 8-5.

 



western bling

 

Around here, crisp chambry shirts. creased jeans, boots and hats are not fashion statements but rather a way of life.  That does not mean that cowboys don't accessorize, but jewelry tends to be utilitarian more than ornamental.  For example, this professional rodeo cowboy turned professional sculptor proudly wears the National Sculpture Society pin proclaiming his status as Elected Fellow.  The pocket watch is for telling time and its accompanying fob of an Egyptian scarab is for good luck.

 

garlandweekssculpture.com

Lubbock, Texas

7.22.2014

winding the clock

The Big Ben alarm clock was essential gear on the chuck wagon.  "Cookie" would set the clock for 3 a.m. so he could get up and start the sourdough biscuits.  The Chuck Wagon was an invention of the Post-Civil War era developed by Charles Goodnight, a Texas cattleman. Frustrated by the inefficiency of hauling supplies for trail crews, he obtained a surplus Army Wagon and transformed it into a mobile kitchen. The Chuck wagon came to epitomize the hub of life for the western cowboy. Because of its usefulness and practical design, the chuck wagon has changed very little from its original design in 1866 and remained an integral part of American ranching for nearly a century. Still a useful part of the ranching industry today, the chuck wagon is a sentimental symbol of the western legacy of a bygone era.  Today the mission of the American Chuck Wagon Association is to  preserve the heritage of the chuck wagon and its use in the short, but significant, era of the cattle drives. Members participate in Cook off competitions, demonstrations, and catering.  Chuck wagons are outfitted with period pieces like this Big Ben clock which was first produced in 1909.  The Lubbock Westerners Corral thoroughly enjoyed last evening's program on "The History of the Chuck Wagon."

 

Lubbock, Texas

7.22.2014

chuck wagon chicken fried steak

 

The Lubbock Corral of Westerners International was hosted tonight by Farris and Monica Hightower.  The purpose of Westerners is to stimulate interest and research in the history of the North American West.  Our interest and appetites were both whetted as the Hightowers presented a program on the history of chuckwagons -- including a chuckwagon meal of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits and peach cobbler, all cooked outdoors.  The Hightowers compete in cook-offs with their authentic chuck wagon, which belonged to Monica's grandfather.

 



roughlock falls

 

Spring rains and winter snow melt made the falls in Spearfish Canyon in spectacular.  For those who are interested:  shot on manual 4.2 aperture at f/22 and ISO 125.  The objective was to smooth out the water.

 

Roughlock Falls

Spearfish Canyon

South Dakota

6.12.2014

collier

courtyard reflections 3

 

Las Placitas Village

Tucson, Arizona

2.27.2014

courtyard reflections 2

 

On a sunny afternoon in late February, the weather is nice enough in Tucson for this couple to enjoy lunch in the courtyard.

 

Las Placitas Village

110 S. Church Street

Tucson, Arizona
2.27.2014

courtyard reflections

 

La Placita Village in downtown Tucson is a building complex built on three levels featuring bright colors, courtyards and interesting angles to shoot. 

 

La Placita Village

110 S. Church Street

Tucson, Arizona

2.27.2014



sand dunes

 

I've been reading about black and white conversions and wondered what some of my older images would look like monochromatic.

 

Monahans Sandhills State Park

Monahans, Texas

7.1.2006

little white church

 

"Little white church" is a generic term but also the loving nickname of this church in Post. It was built in the early 1900's as a Presbyterian church and to date has served many purposes.  It serves as meeting place for the Post Art Guild on the second Tuesdays of the month and otherwise may be rented for special events.

 

Little White Church

10th and Avenue K

Post, Texas

7.5.2014

hieroglyphics

 

A few days at the hospital with Pop curtailed my photography.  My view was also constricted to the far wall of the courtyard; however, I found the light reflections from the windows very interesting.  Wonder what caused those configurations?  Certainly wasn't window washing. (PS - Pop is fine and back home.)

 

University Medical Center

Lubbock, Texas

the cowboy gets the girl

 

Sara and Christopher

7.12.14

tools for living

 

My friends own Abbeville Antiques and conduct estate sales.  I always go, not because I'm looking for wares, but because the voyeur in me enjoys seeing the interiors of homes -- even in the disarray of a sale.  Today's sale was in a brick bungalow built in 1947.  Located in the "Heart of Lubbock", this house watched the neighborhood change, as did its elderly occupant.  The house is filled with decades of accumulations-- from cast iron pots to sewing goods to the first "tamalera" I'd ever seen.  Out back there is a small two-room apartment -- probably leased by Tech students years ago.  Another outbuilding is a tool shed, where Bible verses share space with oil cans, nails and hammers.  Sunday is always half-price day -- drop by to see what's for sale.

 

1910 23rd Street

Lubbock, Texas

the spider lily

 

The spider lilies, or hymenocallis caroliniana, are blooming in my backyard.  Their exotic structure is very interesting and then the lens zoom effect made it more intriguing.  But it's the viewer's choice.  Do you prefer the special effect or the realistic image?

 

 

My Backyard

Lubbock, Texas





view of mt. rushmore from wall drug

 

Sometimes the time tourists spend at roadside attractions like Wall Drug Store skews their view of national landmarks.

 

Wall Drug Store

Wall, South Dakota

6.12.2014

what light through yonder window....

 

 

This commercial building on Texas Avenue has new life after sitting vacant.  A few months ago the lower front section got a new paint job and landscaping.  Recently work was begun on the second floor with removal of all the old metal frame windows and roof repair.  I don't much about the history of the building except it was built in 1943 and during the 1960s was the office of I. G. Holmes, who was a noted Lubbock photographer.

 

1602 Texas Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

turquoise windows and fire hydrant

 

Like a lot of businesses on the north side, this place seems vacant.  I can't even remember what might have been there -- perhaps a used furniture store most recently.  The painted windows caught my eye -- wonder if they ran out of paint before finishing.  Out of curiosity, I looked the place up on google street view.  The only change in the past year is now the fire hydrant is silver and red rather than green and orange.  Lubbock decided to go with its own color scheme rather than follow the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standardized colors with their universal meanings.

 

808 North University

Lubbock, Texas

 



look up

 

As you wander through the buildings in downtown Post on "Trade Days" admiring the various wares, look up.  There are some neat architectural features (I'm sure this one has a better name than "short roof tower with windows").  Most of the buildings along Main Street were built between 1907 and 1937; the Herring Plaza was built in 1926, according to the date carved on the lintel.  I don't know the history of building; it's interior has been remodeled and home to lots of businesses including a beauty shop and tanning salon.  When you visit, cast your eyes upward to admire the skylights and pressed metal ceilings.

 

Herring Plaza

207 East Main Street

Post, Texas

7.6.2014



212 main street

 

Post, Texas has had its ups and down.  Founded in 1907 by cereal magnate Charles William Post, the town was to be a model city and social experiment.  Postex Mills, opened in 1913, was the largest employer hiring up to 450 people and producing millions of yards of cloth -- despite various changes of ownership.  After the mill closed, its buildings were home to "Old Mill Trade Days" drawing multitudes of shoppers to the small town, but that attraction ran its course and closed.  Post has re-instated "Trade Day Downtown" inviting folks to travel to Post on the first Saturday of the month.  One can shop unique boutiques,  antiques, books, and even an entire store devoted to Christmas.  Post also offers the OS Museum and the Garza County Historical Museum for those so inclined.  And if you're looking for a place to do business in Post, this former department store in the middle of downtown on Main Street is available.

 

212 Main

Post, Texas 

patriotic paint horse

 

This paint horse and rider showed their patriotic colors this morning as they rode in Abernathy's Fourth of July parade.  People lined the streets in this small town to celebrate the holiday.

 

Abernathy, Texas

sunset in the badlands

 

The photographers, armed with cameras with telephoto lenses mounted on tripods, awaited a glorious sunset.  Alas, the few clouds disappeared as darkness approached and there were no clouds as the sun  sank behind the hills.  Only the magic of post-processing revealed an eerie alien landscape.

 

 

The Badlands, South Dakota

6.11.2014



downtown upside down

 

This morning's rain storm led to the assignment "puddles."  Water filled the gutters and the brick streets glistened.  Lubbock began laying brick streets in 1920, beginning on Texas Avenue by the courthouse.  About 20 blocks of downtown were completed by 1931. According to the local newspaper, it took 30 men 10 hours to lay two blocks of bricks at a salary of 35 to 50 cents per hour.  Today's rain washed the bricks, preparing Broadway for the annual parade on Independence Day. 4th on Broadway  celebrates its fourteenth year  as the largest free festival in Texas, with vendors, live music and an evening fireworks display.  The brick streets of Broadway will bustle just like the heyday of downtown -- providing it doesn't rain and the curbs don't flood.

 

Broadway

Lubbock, Texas

a night of dining and dancing

 

Club Pink is one of those nightclubs that changes its name and paint color frequently, usually after a stabbing has occurred that made the news.

 

Club Pink

510 North University

Lubbock, Texas



devils tower

 

Devils Tower is not only a Wyoming landmark but also a destination for climbers.  The first ascent was July 4, 1893 by a couple of cowboys using wooden ladders, remnants which can still be viewed.  The first technical climbing ascent was in 1937 and today thousands explore the 150 climbing trails among the hexagonal or six-sided columns which comprise the laccolith.  The last large column fell about 10,000 years ago with the next one to go probably the Leaning Column; however, a park analysis in 2006 decided that the column continues to be safe for climbing.  I only hiked the 1.3 trail around the perimeter of Devils Tower.

 

Devils Tower, Wyoming

6.12.2014

poppies

 

With temperatures nearing 100 degrees, a girl needs some shade while shopping at the Farmers Market.

 

Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market

19th and Buddy Holly Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

6.28.2014

street performer

 

The Downtown Farmers Market is a one-block street festival with vendors selling fresh produce, baked good and various arts and crafts.  People visit the booths while pushing strollers, walking dogs and eating goodies.  Accompanying this cacophony is this guy with his guitar.  Come out every Saturday to see what's happening.  Get there early for the best vegetables and hot cinnamon rolls.

 

Downtown Farmers Market

19th and Buddy Holly Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

sanctuary ring

 

The sanctuary ring on a church door ensured any laying hold of it safety. In early times fugitives from the law could seek sanctuary in a church. If they could reach a metal ring on the church door they could claim sanctuary & under law they would remain free from prosecution for a period of time, usually 40 days. Another interesting feature of medieval churches was the lepers' window, a small opening in the chancel wall were lepers could attend mass and receive communion without entering.  The Stavkirche or Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City has both features. It is an exact replica of the  Borgund stavkirke of Laerdal, Norway, built around 1150.

 

Stavkirche

Rapid City, South Dakota

6.11.2014

  

shoeshine man

 

Johnny, the shoeshine man, takes a catnap between customers (or else the morning newspaper has little of interest).  The barber chair in the Cast Iron Grill's entry is not just for decoration.  During the $5 shoeshine after your lunch of chicken-fried steak and pecan pie, I bet you too can have a brief snooze while Johnny puts a high gloss on your boots.

I'm a shoeshine man
Number one in the land
Shoeshine man- Make you shine where you stand
Leave me a tip if you can
I'm a shoeshine man.

        ----Tom T. Hall

 

Cast Iron Grill

620 19th Street

Lubbock, Texas

 

 

 

boots...pie...and chicken fry

 

Every morning Cindy bakes delicious pies to be served by sassy girls in jean shorts and cowboy boots to customers who still have room after their chicken-fried steaks.  The Cast Iron Grill is a down-home place with character and good food.  Need a dessert to go?  Cindy filled orders for 300 pies last Thanksgiving.  And the banana pudding, after a lunch of meatloaf, is nothing to sneeze at.  Have a hankering for blueberry banana split pie?  That was Cindy's special today.

 

Cast Iron Grill

620 19th Street

Lubbock, Texas

texas auto parts

 

The sign maker for Texas Auto Parts did not excel in geography -- his Texas outline is off.  Of course, this was before the age of computer graphics.  The place is long out of business but probably not because of the misshaped sign.  Wonder if customers ended up at Chihuahua Auto Parts on 42nd Street?

 

Somewhere on the wrong side of downtown

Odessa, Texas

6.16.2014

 

 

 

 



through the window

 

Travel really does open a window to the world -- or, in this case, South Dakota.  From inside the log cabin one could image what the grassland looked like to the settlers in the mid-19th century.  Early summer this year was especially lush and green.

 

Custer State Park

South Dakota

6.10.2014

the pit stop

 

By definition, a pit stop is a brief stop during a journey to refuel or rest.  This building is at its final pit stop.  Often built by major oil companies, gas stations marked highway routes.  As traffic patterns changed and businesses changed hands, the classic stations of the 50s and 60s, with attendants who filled tanks and washed windshields, were abandoned.  Often they were repurposed - as this building became Your Pit Stop Auto Service.  Now it appears to be "in the pits" awaiting a new life.

 

511 North 4th Street

Lamesa, Texas

6-16-2014

 

 

 

the boys

 

No account of travels to South Dakota would be complete without reference to Mount Rushmore.  It is truly an awesome sight, from the first glimpse spotted from the road and along the trail at the base.

 

 

 I also like the glimpse of both Georges-- the one carved on the mountain and the model inside the sculptor's workshop.  Gutzon Borglum had worked on the monument at Stone Mountain, Georgia but left on bad terms.  During the 14 years it took for completion, Borglum was away and working on other projects. His son finished most of the work at Mount Rushmore.

And just to prove that I was there!

Mount Rushmore
South Dakota
6.9.2014

sylvan lake

Sylvan Lake is surrounded by rounded rock formations and ponderosa pine trees.  It is called "the crown jewel" of Custer State Park.  Imagine if you will, a dozen photographers on the lake shore, waiting for the sun to set, wondering whether the clouds would catch the evening's color.  Hiking to the lake helped work out the excellent dinner of buffalo sirloin that we had earlier at the Sylvan Lake Lodge.

 

 

Sylvan Lake

Custer State Park

South Dakota

6.9.2014







devil's tower

 

Devil's Tower rises from Black Hills pine forest of Wyoming.  Long held sacred by the Native Americans, it was "discovered" and named Devil's Tower by Col. Richard Dodge in 1875 while leading a military expedition to confirm reports of gold in the Black Hills.  Rising 865 feet high, the formation was earlier thought to be the core of an ancient volcano: Devil's Tower is now considered an "igneous intrusion" -- molten magma which crystallized before reaching the earth's surface which cooled into vertical symmetrical columns of 4-, 5-, or 6-sides.  President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Devil's Tower the first national monument on September 24, 1906 under the Antiquities Act.

 

Devil's Tower National Monument

Wyoming

6.12.2014

cry for help

 

In yellow letters "I need a carpenter" is posted on the window and it's evident that the building needs help.  The Texas flag might be the white flag of surrender.  This grocery has certainly seen better days.  Guess the big new Stripes across town has more allure than the corner store.

 

Corner of South First and Bryan

Lamesa, Texas

6.16.2014