a nice night for a fire

Amazing carving, cider, sweet smoke, apples, good friends, laughs and pumpkin seeds.

flowers for steve

He wakes before dawn. A retired mechanic and Vietnam Vet, he likes to stay busy. He fiddles with his two cars in the street most mornings. Sometimes I wonder if he fixes things even when they aren't broken. He's rarely idle. Going, going, gone.

Last winter, he shoveled snow off the sidewalks of my entire block. I don't know if I've ever seen him without a smile on his face and when he walks, his pace is more like a skip. He leaves me gifts on my doorstep at least once a month. During the summer he saw me "beautifying my yard," as he would say. Now he brings me pots, planters, decorations (pictured) and, today, plants.

Last week I sat in my car, talking on my cell phone before leaving for work. He walked by and filled my hands with coin-shaped chocolates, tons of them.

When my lawnmower wouldn't start, I took it to the shop. I paid for a diagnostic. The repair man said, "Junk it." I brought it home. He fixed it. All it needed was a new spark plug, he told me. A month later it wouldn't start again. I asked him to look at it as I left for work. When I came home during my lunch break, he was mowing my front lawn with my now-working mower.

He's never asked for anything in return. Well, once he did. He asked to borrow something like a dollar for a cup of coffee. I hesitantly gave it to him. I don't like to give money away like that. A few days later he paid me back, with interest.

What drives him? Life hasn't given to him in the way that he gives. A Black man in a White world. A Vietnam Vet in the era of another, bigger war. A recovering alcoholic in a spit polished world. What drives him? The beautiful man in an ugly world.

fall twilight

I love fall. I love twilight. Fall + twilight = My 50mm lens' dream.

night

feels like fall

I love fall, except when the Chiefs are a losing team ;-) At least I can still enjoy pumpkin flavored everything, leaves and cider.

lots of sushi

I've had this photo hanging around in my camera for a few weeks. If you're wondering whether we finished "the boat," the answer is yes! ;-)

airport exploration

I had an assignment out at the airport today. So I took some pictures for the paper. And then some pictures for me ;-)

five minutes late and the rain don't wait

Check out my blog post from our staff photo blog PICTURES. Also, I've blogged a photo from this location before. See it here.

surprise visitor

On Saturdays I volunteer at a program called the Minority Journalism Workshop. It was started in 1977 by George Curry, and I believe it's an amazing opportunity for high school students in the St. Louis area who are interested in journalism. Anyway, I digress. This week Russ Mitchell was in town to present the Mid-America Emmy Awards so he dropped in to talk to the students. After he spoke, two students had the opportunity to interview him on camera. Then the photo students made his portrait. Thanks for making this week memorable, Russ.

maybe a cousin

Saturday morning at a traffic light I noticed this pooch in the back of a car. Not mine, but she/he looks like a distant relative of Baley, huh?

ode to olive oil

Oh, olive oil, you may be loaded with calories (120 per tablespoon!?), but that doesn't stop me from pouring you all over my food. With parmesan cheese, garlic and pine nuts you are extra good. You become pesto. Thank you for making everything taste better.