bottle house

 

It was just a small sign "Bottle House" but the glimpse of glittering glass had us making the obligatory U-turn off the Turquoise Trail in Golden, New Mexico.  We ventured up the rutted dirt path to houses and a corral.  Tom Larson and his pal from Rhode Island (who had actually been to Lubbock) were thrilled to see us (must not have many visitors!)  They gave us the "tour" and even gifts.  The Schaef got a rock with gold and turquoise --"worth at least $!,000" according to Tom.  My gift was a dusty bottle plucked from the "white" mound as opposed to the piles of green and blue bottles.  Turned out to be a Morey Mercantile bottle from Denver -- worth at least $4.99 on eBay.

 

tom Larson

 

Golden, New Mexico

9.16.2017



plaza blanca

 

 

Not everyone would take NM-554N to CR155 past the small houses of local residents to the wooden gate and then follow a dirt track until a fork in the road.  The left fork goes to the "Dar Al Islam" mosque and the right fork takes you to Plaza Blanca.  These white cliffs were made famous by Georgia O'Keeffe.  Well worth the trip and short hike.

 

Plaza Blanca

Abiquiu, New Mexico

9.19.2017

ghost ranch

 

Ghost Ranch outside Abiquiu was home to artist Georgia O'keeffe for over 50 years and the vistas are still inspiring.

 

Ghost Ranch

Abiquiu, New Mexico

9.19.17



 



taos pueblo

 



We visited many missions/churches today as we traveled the High Road to Taos.  The church at the Taos Pueblo is one the "must see" sights.

 

Taos, New Mexico

9.18.17

chamisa

 

A beautiful fall day in Santa Fe with chamisa in full bloom.

 

Santa Fe, New Mexico

9.17.2017

a great whisperer

an even better listener

 

Located high on the mountain overlooking Madrid, the cemetery reflects the town's history.  Madrid started as a mining town, became a ghost town and then was "discovered."  Its mining shacks became residences for artists and others.  The cemetery has traditional gravestones from the 1920s but newer markers are more individual.  No one is quite sure of when Endious Self was born (1927 - 37?) but know he died in 2012.  The site is ringed with Corona beer bottles and a metal cowboy hat wreathed in barb wire shades Endious' resting place.

 

Madrid, New Mexico

9.16.2017

sisters

 

After photographing the sunrise at Sprague Lake, I was surprised by a small herd of elk headed my way.  This pair of fawns paused to play right in front of me.

 

Rocky Mountains National Park, Colorado

8.16.2017

out of groceries

 

Just like this weathered sign on the closed store, the farming community of Wilson has seen better times.

 

Wilson, Texas

FM 400 and 211

6.10.2017

deja vu

 

The church Nuestra Senora de los Dolores in Manzano, founded 1824, has a scattering of graves in the churchyard including these twin iron angels.  The Salt Missions Trail makes an interesting day trip.

 

Manzano, New Mexico

kiva

 

At the Coronado Historic Site you could almost imagine Indian life centuries ago -- until you looked at the horizon and saw construction of the casino's new hotel! (and no, they never proved this was Coronado's winter home.

 



 

Bernalillo, New Mexico



 

 

A while back when I was  on FM 40, there was this "free" house.  I guess there were no takers because the message has changed.

 

Some research lead me to Reclaim the Plains and upcoming art show at the Tornado Gallery featuring only materials from this 1942 Lubbock County home.

 

FM 40

Lubbock County, Texas

 



miracle touch

 

Alley Art:  What other graphic besides this image by Michelangelo from the Sistine Chapel  would you expect at Miracle Touch Hail Dent Repair?

 

Alley behind 335 Buddy Holly Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

tractor parade

 

The biggest thing happening in Hale Center today was the South Plains Antique Tractor show at the Hale County Farm Museum.  Twelve antique tractors formed an impromptu parade along the I-27 access road.  Sadly I was the only bystander.

 

Hale Center, Texas

and they're all named debra

 

I have been in a photographic slump lately - maybe burned out or just no enthusiasm.  And then this afternoon this scene in a vacant storefront sparked my interest.

 

Downtown Slaton

Slaton, Texas

4.23.2017

While in Laurel, a suburb of Baltimore, we inquired at the hotel for seafood and were referred to "Bottom of the Bay."  Being a naïve Texan, I asked if it were on the water.  After laughing the desk clerk replied "no".  GPS guided us to this location.

It was not at all what we expected -- but a 3-in-1 opportunity - fine dining, lounge and liquor store.  After discussion, and it still being daylight, we said why not and parked in front of the dining room door.  Before we exited the car, the citizen standing by the dumpster informed us "they's closed but you can get take out in the liquor store."  We declined and sought other locales while wondering what "bottom of the bay" referred to.  Class members later told us the place had really good crabcakes but they usually got take out.

Laurel, Maryland
3.7.2017

baling wire

 

Before duct tape, baling wire was the "go to" for fixing' stuff -- like holdin' down the truck hood.

Exterior of the same 1940s International pickup.

 

Crosbyton, Texas

3.4.2017

gear shift

 

When going to an event like "Junk in the Trunk" it's not surprising to see a junked truck out front.  This 1940s International pickup will never be driven again -- but it makes great yard art.

 

Crosbyton, Texas

3.4.2017

city power & light

 

Today the community of Crosbyton, population less than 2,000, is surrounded by wind turbines and the municipal power company is out of business.  Nice jaunt today for "Junk in the Truck."

 

Crosbyton, Texas

parking lot abstract

 

The red wheel on this vintage pickup caught my eye.  In high school I drove a similar-colored pickup -- it wasn't vintage though, just a used '59 Chevy Fleetside with yellow wheels.  It had "four on the floor" but no horsepower.  We got it up to 78 mph once coming off the overpass.

 

Lubbock, Texas

spring iris

 

You might think this is the ubiquitous spring iris photo.  Think again.  This is the end result of the first steps to reach a desired goal.  I have long admired the digital photographic art of Roxi Hardegree and wished to do something similar.  To get this far, I had to learn how to use the camera on my new tablet.  Then I had to upload the  Snapseed app (with more apps to follow) and then play with its applications.  I know there is an easier way to get the photo from the tablet to the blog but until I know how, this was a four-step endeavor!

 

My Backyard