I Shoot People Too~is a series of 100 photos that I pulled out of my library. I took them over the past two years, in three different countries, the U.S., Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. This picture was taken in the Oriental Market in Managua; one of the hardest and most dangerous places that I have ever visited. I had to get a picture of this plumbing vendor. She looks innocent enough, but I bet she has a knife hidden in that apron. I look at her and she looks at me, never ending.These accumulated portraits are just another aspect of photography that I love and need.
Recently in WordPress, I stumbled onto a page titled I Shoot People, by a professional photographer. I aspire to, but have no real expectations of achieving that level of skill with my camera. But who knows? He also had some words of inspiration to those that wanted to be photographers and I agree with him. You don’t have to have the best camera, just do it! The results might surprise you.
Rooster thought that it was a bit nippy here in the Volunteer State of Tennessee.
This is Jimmy on a suspension bridge in the foothills of the Smokey Mnts.
An old church in the historical settlement of Cade Cove. The dogwoods are in bloom.
Rooster played for us.
Then he preached to us.
We passed this old home on the way out of the Cove. I’m wrapped in a blanket now inside a modern home. It’s hard to imagine settlers, surviving the cold winters here in the early pioneer days.
It’s a better world when I surf. I paddled out yesterday for the first time here in Florida. Fernandina Beach, FL is my primary home. This morning, I was reminded of the day that came every year, when my mother would drive us out of the woods, on the Westside of Jacksonville, for our long stay at the beach. It was an annual trip, following winter. We were never allowed to get into the water before May. I was a little kid.
I still have little kid ways. And I’m glad. Those memories and the feeling that I get surfing are free. There’s no debt and no interest to pay. And it’s great owning cherished memories of my mother. Surfing is the best, and really if it hadn’t been for my mother and her love of the ocean, I’m sure I would never have become a surfer.
By the way, my mother only had one traffic ticket in her life; a speeding ticket when when she was about sixty. She wasn’t even going that fast. She did not drive over the speed limit. It always took us a LONG time to get to the beach, but they were good road trips.
When riding on A1A we look up to the flag for our most important weather report. If it looks like this it’s a west wind. And further inspection is required.
West winds make the waves clean, but unfortunately it can make them smaller, little by little. However, we have a bit of a ground swell going on, so I waited for low tide and the waves to push in. I had so much fun surfing, small chest high waves. They were breaking left, off of the sandbar built up by the local pier. It was a tough crowd to be in, because it was kids, but that’s OK, everyone starts somewhere.
The twins were out.
They obviously love to surf too. They charged some good waves.
Then it was back to my surf-mobile and a ride, back to the woods. At least these days, I don’t have to go back to the Westside.
Yes, it’s a better world today.
We’re expecting good waves Saturday and Sunday. Historically, we always have good waves on Easter. Thank you, Jesus.
P.S. One day maybe, I won’t write in my short choppy sentences, telling my story before I run out the door. Maybe one day, I will give descriptions of the water and how it really feels to be in the water and catch waves. And my words will make you feel like you’re right there with me.
That is where you will find St. Armand‘s Circle on St. Armand Key, Florida. You will also find this Simon and Garfunkel statue, in the window of one of its shops, of which, there is 130.
I cherish Armand’s Circle. I first discovered this people watching haven, on my ’09 Florida Road Trip. The people, the clothes, the window shopping and the food is a magnet for me. Where else are you going to see a teenager wearing brown leather shorts, eating ice cream, wiling the time, lapsodasically, in decadent heaven. Unfortunately, I was unable to capture her image. I missed her, as well, as many others. It’s one fascinating person after another, in this circle. And you just walk and walk, around and round; looking in the windows and at each other.
When I started trying to get photographs, I could tell I was handicapped, with the camera at my face. It was too obvious and crass. I’m brave, but I just couldn’t do it. After all, this is Florida, not Manhattan. So, I decided to shoot from the hip. I held my camera, as it hung from my shoulder and just aimed and shot. These are the random results of Armand’s celestial shoppers.
Pretty in PinkDifficult to buy for ~Everybody’s mother ~I’ll take that one ~Sweet azules padres ~It’s all about style ~ mariposas viejasArm flaca ~Bling~BlingShifting years of beauty ~3 generations of “The Browns”These girls need sunglasses!Bliss and Happiness ~Exiting ~
I had to tear myself away from the circle. As we were leaving, in the car, I snapped the Exiting ~ photo. You can’t see it, but the girl on the right looks like a doll. She has the finest features and is wearing pancake makeup. I have to go back! I always look forward to another day or night on the circle!
I guess that makes it bucket list.
John Ringley, the circus giant, created the circle. To me it is one of the Greatest Shows on Earth.
I woke up this morning. That’s a good thing. I’ve been wondering where am I going to go next.
This way!
or
That way!
I came here to the Island originally, to avoid the rat race. Amelia Island was an out of the way, fishing village that was unpopulated, had few jobs and great people. The island was known for its characters and I aspired to be one of them. But along came the Amelia Island Plantation, the Ritz Carlton and it was all down the drain from there.
Things change ~ as you get older you just learn to accept it.
So~
I sat by the fire and contemplated-where do I go from here…….
I would like to go to Puerto Rico, but then again, I’d like to go to Tennessee and stop by and visit friends in Charleston on the way. I also have a friend down in Pomona Park, Florida that I’d like to see. That would be a great fishing trip.
In the meantime, while I’m figuring out my next trip, I’m going to head to St. Simon’s GA for the weekend.
I am flying out today, and I’m starting to feel like a fish out of water. I have travelled the flight, round trip, Florida to Costa Rica, about thirty times. I always feel a tinge of dread; the long lines, all the people, the germs on the plane, not to mention I have to start wearing real clothes again.
But, it is the way to get home. I work to enjoy it. By midnight, I will have employed the “Hail Mary” enough times, for there to be peace on earth.
Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica, once was a secret spot. As a matter of fact, the country was unknown, until recently. Turning from Villa Real, faint images of ox carts on the swirling, dusty road, come to mind. There were few cars. It was wide open. There was only one rental car company in the country, and every rental was the same; a white, Suzuki Sidekick. You could tell a “gringo” local, at a glance. They all had an outback, rough and rugged look. Now, the town is filled with pampered pioneers. That’s progress, eh?
I actually struggled internally over writing this post. It seems a bit sacrilegious. First you share paradise, then it’s gone. It’s not like I’m spilling the beans on what a jewel Costa Rica is; I just want to tell you about a special day in a special place. One that’s pure-a-vida still.
I would not feel comfortable to disclose who these people (first names only) are or where this spot is. I can only say, this is the best. To me it cannot be improved upon. It is heaven at hand.
~The Tropical Rooster~
Roosters are a mainstay in Costa Rican lifestyle and the story would not be complete without this guy. Their crowing is second in the chain of morning animal sounds; the first being the Howler monkeys.
Adelina, The Family Matriarch
Adelina, was our hostess and I always feel honored to be in her presence. Who wouldn’t? She generously invited my husband and I to dinner and we were happy to accept. Her stove is red hot clay, fueled by cut wood. Each “burner” is a hole in the clay. The smoke is ventilated through the roof of the house. She tried to show me how to make a tortilla. I participated the best I could. I don’t think she realized how undomesticated that I am. Or maybe, she did! It’s kind of hard to hide. It was another National Geographic experience. What can I say?
Karen and the other ~ Tropical Rooster~
Karen is the reason we know this family. She is from southern California, and is fluent in Spanish; I only aspire to be. Her husband Glenn is a photographer and world traveller. When they’re in town, we gather here and swap adventure stories and tell tall tales. With the right people, this is my favorite pastime.
Omar
This is Omar, Adelina’s grandson. He’s unknowingly putting on a show for us. This is his front yard and private playground.
Sunsetcomidas/food
~the table was set for a typical Costa Rican meal; fish, caught that morning, black beans, rice and tortillas.
amigos/friends
Sweet! Life just doesn’t get any better than this.
~night closes~
The day was done and we had to go back home. I could see the warmth through the window and I felt the magic.
~the long road home~
I was reluctant parting, like I always am, when I have to leave these people and this place.
This is the Costa Rica that I fell in love with.
As I head home……………… I know I’ve just tasted a piece of heaven.
Fish Eye Farm 