If you are an agricultural aficionado, you know that sunflowers exhibit heliotropism.  Therefore you know from which direction this photographer was shooting.  (Hint: Sunflower heads turn with, or track, the sun early in their development, but later stay east-facing before facing downwards.)

FM 789
Hale County, Texas

self-titled

Isn't it ironic that the glass place has had this broken pane forever?  Wonder how many motorists passing on the interstate even notice?

Pittsburgh Glass Works

23rd and Interstate 27 Access

Lubbock, Texas

SH4-4537

SH4-4537 is the telephone number listed to contact Deal's Machine Shop.  Remember when Lubbock telephone numbers were preceded by SH, SW and PO?  'member what they stood for?  This old truck had a productive career as a tow truck for the machine shop; now it's a decorative accessory at the art gallery.

Glassy Alley

1914 Texas Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

7.18.2012

bus stop

For years I've noticed the concrete bench with mosaic tiles on the corner of Broadway and Avenue U.  It wasn't until this evening that I noticed that the back of the bench features faces, hands and feet.  The origin of the public art project is unknown. The timing of the photo is interesting -- this evening my friends and I created our own glass mosaic project at the Glassy Alley.

2024 Broadway

Lubbock, Texas

opera at the plaza

One can still catch glimmers of the glamorous past of downtown El Paso, although it's hard to envision the past cosmopolitan aspect of this border city.  Just down the street from the elegant Paso del Norte Hotel with its Tiffany-glass domed bar, the Plaza Theater welcomed sophisticates.  Built in 1930 and billed as the largest theater of its kind between Los Angeles and Dallas, it was a jewel in downtown El Paso.  Designed in Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture, the interior featured intricately painted ceilings, mosaic-tiled floors, decorative metal railings and sconces.  With such grandiose rococo design, it's no wonder the Plaza was known as The Showplace of the Southwest.

http://www.theplazatheatre.org/about_history.php

El Paso, Texas

10.14.2006

rest in peace

Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery

Raton, New Mexico

5.24.2011

gone home

King County is one of those places where cattle outnumber people.  The 2010 census lists 286 individuals.  Guthrie is the county seat and the Guthrie Cemetery is about 3 miles to the east -- down a dirt road and completely surrounded by the 6666 Ranch.  Ophelia's marker lacks the marble and ornamentation of other tombstones but her destination is not in doubt.

Guthrie Cemetery

King County, Texas

5.14.2011

partying is hard work

William's first birthday celebration

Idalou, Texas

the opposite view

Adopt a Burro

South Plains Fairground

Lubbock, Texas

7.12.2012

adopt a burro

The Bureau of Land Management was at the South Plains Fair Grounds today with burros and horses rounded up from the herd management program.  These free range animals are available for adoption.  Of the dozen or so burros in the pen, three were adopted in the first 30 minutes after opening.  If you're interested, BLM will be showing animals Friday and Saturday.  If you have $125 and appropriate facilities, you can have your own burro or mustang - or as BLM calls it "an iconic symbol of American history."

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram.html

BLM Adopt a Wild Horse or Burro

Lubbock, Texas

grille guard

The Ranch Hand grille guard on this Ram pickup is good luck for the vehicle -- bad luck for deer and feral hogs.

Texas Tech Parking Lot

Lubbock, Texas

beer time

One of the newer joints in town is the Texas Republic at 2426 Texas Avenue.  By the name, you'd think it might be my kind of bar; however, here's the description of the July 15 band:  "Molotov Solution, a Las Vegas based death metal outfit, keeps things interesting by melding their death metal chops with grindcore, hardcore, and a skeptical political eye."  Whatever happened to Willie, Waylon and the boys? The sign was fabricated by my friend Tony Greer -- catch it on YouTube at Texas Republic Sign, Texas.

2426 Texas Avenue

Lubbock, Texas 

crinum asiaticum

These showy tropical flowers have adapted well to Lubbock, Texas.  The crinum lily is "recommended for the Houston climate."  My first plants were a gift from the Austin sister-in-law who was dividing her growth.  She gladly shared the crinum but I got lucky and also got some of the bella donna amaryllis.  These cousin plants have similar foliage but the bella donna are my favorite blooms.

My Backyard

ripples after a rain

Long Park

56th and Aberdeen

Lubbock, Texas

sam

Sam Kitty the Siamese cat was my companion until her demise at age 22 in 2001.  She came with the house purchased in Alabama and ruled the yard.  The forsythia bush by the creek was a favorite hiding place.

Jacksonville, Alabama

1988

"The Man who wears the Star" would be greatly disappointed in the condition of this defunct gas station.  Can you sing the rest of this advertising jingle?  Remember the TV show (hint - Milton Berle)?

Raton, New Mexico

5.24.2012

red, white and blue 4

An American Tribute

9-11-2010

red, white and blue 3

Up and down the street, places are spiffing up for "Fourth on Broadway."  This annual event boasts as being the largest free festival in Texas.  Join us for a parade, live music, food booths, street dance, and evening concert accompanied by fireworks.

2309 Broadway

Lubbock, Texas

red, white and blue 2

The Iwo Jima Memorial, also known as the U. S. Marine Corps War Memorial, honors the Marines who have died defending the United States since 1775. The Iwo Jima Memorial is located near Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. My dad, a Marine navigator, flew in C-47s over the South Pacific, with landings at Iwo Jima.

Arlington National Cemeter

Washington, DC

5.26.2008


red, white and blue 1

All American Storage

5839 49th

Lubbock, Texas