robin hood

 

The Mother Road, Route 66, gets all the press but Route 64 through Raton also reflects some of the 1950s culture.  Raton still has some motels with individuality -- unique names, neon signs advertising amenities and swimming pools.  US 84 through northern New Mexico is known as a great motorcycle road.

 

US 64

Raton, New Mexico

(from the archives)

the pier

 

When I visited The Pier last December, it was almost deserted with empty storefronts.  Come to find out, the pyramid-shaped tourist attraction constructed in 1973had out-lived its popularity.  May 31, 2013 was the last official day for the public to visit the pier.  It will be demolished and replaced with the new and improved St. Pete Pier.

 

The Pier

St. Petersburg, Florida

12.10.2012

study in red

 

What first drew me to this red building was the pile of auto parts.  As I got closer I admired the decorative, corrugated tin door.  Then I noticed the shadow of the nearby water tower and the filigree of the power line connectors.  Red became the background.

 

Anthony's Collision7.27.2013

220 South 5th Street

Brownfield, Texas



study in green

 

Corner of S. 1st and W. Buckley Streets

Brownfield, Texas

7.27.2013

r.i.p.

 

Like crosses in a forgotten cemetery, wooden stakes mark the gnarled and dead grapevines in an abandoned vineyard. 

 

Hockley County, Texas

CR 200 and US 62/82



how the west was won

 

Whiskey--apropos of a Friday evening. Ever wonder how those cowboys endured?  It's not just for snakebite!  The secret ingredient of chuckwagon cook-offs.

 

National Cowboy Symposium

Lubbock, Texas

9.9.2011

tin bucket and fake flowers

 

Santa Fe, New Mexico

3.8.2012

radiator repair

 

I drive by this repair shop several times a week and it intrigues me that you can leave your broken radiator on the rack with your name and phone number and it gets fixed.  First of all, I don't know how to disassemble the radiator from the engine and, if my car is disabled, how do I transport the radiator to the shop?  Evidently there are those with this skill as shown by the pile of radiators.  Family-owned Crawfords has been in business since 1952.  They repair all types of radiators and sell hard-to-find varieties.  They may be an old-fashioned business but have a website and Facebook page!

 

Crawford Radiator Shop

1601 Buddy Holly Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

willie jean, age 4

 

July 23 is Mother's birthday.  She was born in 1926 in Trent, Texas and named in part after her father E.W. (Ellis Willie) Smith -- but dropped the first name when she could!  It's hard to believe she's been gone 14 years.  I count 4 candles on the cake -- same age as great-granddaughter Clara.  She would have so enjoyed and spoiled the four great-grandchildren.



charging ram

 

I wonder at the subtle semantics related to classic, vintage and junk.  The friend who has this 1950 Dodge pickup parked in his driveway has a ways to go before reaching "classic" and "restored."

 

Here's one story about the ram as the Dodge hood ornament:

 

"For two weeks father (Avard Fairbanks) worked on all sorts of models from mythology creatures to various powerful animals. Finally, he called the designers and Mr. Chrysler in to see three models of a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, a ram. He proposed the charging one. They asked, "why a ram?" Father responded, "It is sure-footed; it's the King of the Trail; it won't be challenged by anything." They nodded their heads. Then father, with a bit of corny humor, added, "And if you were on the trail and saw that ram charging down on you, what would you think?-DODGE!" To which Walter Chrysler excitedly replied "THAT'S IT! THE RAM GOES ON THE DODGE!"
The Bighorn "charging ram" hood ornament of 1932 became more stylized in the 1940s.



poppies and pickets

 "he comes in golden splendor"

 

 

Job 37:22

Bobby Plunkett Ministries

Power Holy Ghost Fire Revival

36th and I-27

Lubbock, Texas

7.19.2013

let the light shine

 

Today, as I drove by the street ministry tent, the sun was shining and the sky was blue; the tent reflected the sunshine and the side walls were rolled up.  I parked to get a closer look.  The light shining through the tent really emphasized the revival as "Street Light Ministry."  If you wish to attend, Brother Plunkett is preaching at 8:00 p.m.

 

 Power Holy Ghost Fire Revival

36th and I-27

Lubbock, Texas

www.bpmworldreach.org

religion for sale

 

I don't know if it were just poor positioning, but it appears that the Power Holy Ghost Fire tent revival is offering religion for sale.  Or maybe the tent is up for sale because the collection offerings are down. Or maybe it's the vacant lot.  If the mission of the tent revival was to pray for rain -- it's working.

 

Power Holy Ghost Fire Revival

36th and I-27

Lubbock, Texas

before the picnic

 

Along the Waterfront

Beaufort, North Carolina

6.27.2013

birthday boy

 

William celebrated his second birthday in fine fashion.  In addition to the toddler set guests, I counted one great-grandfather, two grandmothers, two grandfathers, two aunts, three uncles, two great-aunts, two cousins, one second cousin and three third cousins.  Not all participated in the bounce houses.

 

Jump N Jungle

Lubbock, Texas

7.13.2013

party guest

 

After the jumping and the running, the cupcakes and the ice cream -- guests really aren't ready to leave the birthday party.

 

Jump N Jungle

Lubbock, Texas

7.13.2013

hannah

 

 

Compared to some names on the wall, Hannah has a traditional name with a traditional spelling.  She can quickly point out her handprint which immortalizes her second birthday celebrated at Jump N Jungle.

 

Jump N Jungle

122 Street and Geneva

Lubbock, Texas

7.13.2013

railroad man

 

Very different experience for me today.  I attended a two-year old's birthday party at Jump N Jungle with a dozen or so guests 5 and under, as well the requisite attending grandparents, aunts and uncles.  Tommy the Train was the theme (whatever happened to Strawberry Shortcake?)  Collier is stylin' in his conductor's cap party favor.

killer

 

Killer invites you to the photo exhibit featuring dogs now hanging at the International Cultural Center on the Texas Tech campus.  Killer is the resident "guard" dog at the Gold King Mine Ghost Town in Jerome, Arizona.  The Chihuahua spends most days enthroned in Don Robertson's abandoned race car, barking and snarling at the tourists.

 

Jerome, Arizona

10.12.2012