Thistle

Thistle, along I-35 in Texas, May 26, 2013. Photo by Laura Anne Heller

Hay Bales

I'm going to try to start posting a pictue-a-day here.  And other ramblings as well.  *crosses fingers for success and persistence*

Hay Bales, Newcastle, Oklahoma, May 26, 2013.  Photo by Laura Anne Heller

Thursday July 7, 2011

Dinner Bell at PenHouse

Woke early and got on the road to Lexington.  I took Highway 25 from Berea to Richmond and meant to stop at Monty's Liquor, but it wasn't on my mind and I drove right past it without it.  Through Richmond I meant to stay on 25, but it always confuses me just north of town and I ended up on I-75 instead. I wanted to drive over that one car bridge in the shadows of big oak trees lining the Kentucky River.  I've heard stories about people disappearing in the neighborhoods around there.

Oh, and we can't forget the music. On the way to Lexington I logged that the Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton song "Islands in the Stream" struck a little chord or two for me while speeding up I-75. Somewhere along I-64 I remembered my adoration for U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name", although I hoped that I would easily find where I needed to go outside of Frankfort, with or without street names. Here's a couple videos just for fun.

Kit, happy smile

I finally made it to the Panera where Kit and I decided upon meeting and I got a mocha and waited outside for her to arrive.  We talked a long while there about life, work, career choices, dreams, health and medicine, and after a while we realized we'd better get going to her apartment.  Following her down Richmond Road, back onto Man-O-War, and around to one of the off streets and apartment  complexes, I was thinking about the many times I'd driven the 45 minute drive (I made it in 30 one night...) when I had dated someone in the city.   But this apartment complex wrapped around on itself and we parked our cars.  It's an interesting experience to see the interior homes of people you've known for some time but always in public settings like coffeehouses, classrooms, libraries, and stores.  It says a little more about that friend.  Kit called up her son to say hello and I saw that Lane had grown into a bright and energetic teenager.  She and I set up shop to talk about the fabric collage artwork I would create for her using clothing from her best friend who passed away recently.  We sifted through the leopard print, the pretty blue pillowcase, the hoodie.  She also pored over some trinkets she'd collected from her friend and from her own life.  She wanted a little bit of herself in the artwork to bind their friendship together.  We talked over some ideas, symbols, creatures, themes, and then it was time to go.  Time had flown.  It was now 2:30pm.

View from my room at PenHouse

After farewells and hugs, I made my way up I-75 to I-64 to exit 58 for Frankfort to head out to Normandi's and David's farm.  I passed David on the road before arriving at PenHouse, but he was working on turning the curve and I was smiling at recognizing him en route.  I winded down the road, turned up a gravel road with fields of tobacco and corn on my right and a tall line of trees edging the drop below.  AT one point another car was coming toward me down the mostly one-lane road and he drove past me on the right, rising up on the inclining shoulder.  Soon I saw the white farmhouse peeking through the trees on my left and I drove up in between two lovely gateways. I recognized her navy blue car and was glad to know she was home. I peeked in, shouted upstairs, and before long Normandi was showing me the ins-and-outs of PenHouse Retreat Center.  There were several very comfortable and inviting bedrooms with desks, bookshelves stocked with titles by theme for each room.

Bookshelves & Comfy Chair

The Kentucky room appealed to me with its blue window curtains, poetry books, and a view into a great big tree.  The second window by the dresser looked out and down into the bright green valley lined with trees and blooming flowers.  I brought in a few of my things up the endearing creaking wooden stairway, and after I had settled my stuff, I joined Normandi and David at the kitchen table to chat and snack on cucumbers from their garden, cheese, and Ritz crackers.

We talked a while about writing, concepts and themes, upcoming ideas, and what our mutual friends were doing.  Then I rode with Normandi to Frankfort because she had a class to attend at the public library.  There I met up with her daughter Alaina, who showed me all the soap opera actors and actresses she follows and participates with for charities.  She wanted to design a new blog for one of them.  When Normandi's class ended at 8pm, we rode back to the house with Alaina close behind.

We arrived just in time for the musicians who trickled in while we were gone.  Fiddle tunes were coming from the big barn. Musicians included Joel, Tom C, John Hartford, Anna, Marshall, and of course David on his banjo.   We all sat 'round in the circle, me with my camera and video camera. The music went 'round and 'round the group, a leg kick signaling the last turn on any given song.  I can't remember all the songs that played, many of which I hadn't heard in a long long time and a few I hadn't heard ever before.  Alaina had brought around a sling-back chair to lounge and read in, but after a while the comforting music and the warm air made me drowsy.  I managed to record a few songs on video, though the lighting was dark.

Old Time Music Jam in the Barn

Old Time Music Jam in the Barn

Kentucky Room at PenHouse Retreat Center

Most of us retired around 10:30pm, but we ended up chatting a while longer at the kitchen table.  David came in after the tuneful bunch had left, and prepared himself to sleep in the tent by the corn so he'll keep the raccoons away.  Back upstairs in the Kentucky room and pored over the shelves to read the authors she's stockpiled there.  I pulled a couple familiar poetry books to browse and re-read a few poems by some people I know and a few I don't know but appreciate as if I did.  Sleepy, I pulled back the white coverlet, rested my head on the pillow, and turned out the light.

In the backyard, gardens and get-aways

Adirondack chairs for enjoying sunrise to sunset

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Louie B. Nunn Pkwy ahead.

After driving through the rolling country of I-40 to Nashville, Tennessee, I pulled off I-65 at Franklin, Kentucky, for a very late lunch. Burger King fries and a grilled chicken sandwich was half-gobbled before I felt sick and disgusted at the meal and how quickly I had attempted to eat it. Back on the road again, I rolled past Bowling Green, and onto Louie B. Nunn Parkway. I stopped in Columbia for gas, hoping the fuel contained no ethanol; There were no signs signaling it was in use or not. When I finally came to Somerset, turned onto 461 North towards Mt. Vernon, I began to see the cut-through rock hills I witnessed the first time I had driven this route. I remembered the September rain, the uncertainty of my Nancy exit and the narrow Highway 80 road taken way too early. I was driving my mother's van heading to Berea for my first archival job and this wrong turn felt like a bad omen on the rest of the adventure; I was wrong.

Remember that Nancy exit...

I kept tabs on my phone and facebook status throughout my trip. Just before turning onto I-75 North I typed "Mt. Vernon." Fourteen miles later, exit 76, slowing down to 35 mph on Highway 25, St. Clare Catholic Church on the left and antique stores on the right, slow to a stop, flip the turn signal and wait to roll down the hill into Old Town Berea.

I stopped across from the skating rink and got out of the car, stretched my legs, and looked around. It was a gorgeous blue sky Sunday. All the businesses here were closed after 5pm, and I heard the train coming down the tracks. I strained to see it pass, thinking of my midnight walks along the tracks and a poem I had written confessing adoration. The depot was under construction and all other immediate view was blocked. I listened as it passed by and saw the cars begin to line up on Jefferson.

Janie and me at Papa Leno's

Legs stretched, I got back in the car and turned onto Jefferson, Ellipse, then back into town towards Papa Leno's where I'd meet Janie for dinner. I park across the street from Main Street Cafe, walked past Berea Coffee & Tea, and sat down on the white steps to type "Berea, KY" as my status. Then I "checked-in" at Papa Leno's restaurant, called Janie, and soon she appeared grinning. Hugs followed. We went inside, meandered over the menu, and settled on a vegetarian pizza. Meanwhile I recognized Chappy and said hellos and introductions and hugs. I was tongue-tied tired and stumbled over saying he plays my favorite cover of Ryan Adams' song "Winding Wheel." I checked my phone and Phoebe exclaimed "I NEED YOUR PHONE NUMBER" on my check-in. She called and settled on coming soon. Janie and I talked about work and life and dating. Phoebe eventually arrived, and finally Adam recognized us (he put his glasses on) after having come and gone several times without acknowledging us when I waved. He sat with us and joked. We had time-warped 3 years earlier.

Phoebe and Adam

After while Janie had to depart for the evening, get rest for her long road trip back home Monday amid Fourth of July traffic. Farewell hugs, walks around the corner, PT Cruiser smiles, waves goodbye. I missed her a lot.

Meet Harley

Eventually Phoebe, Adam, and I made our way to the back parking lot of Boone Tavern and I met Harley, a great big sweet dog who is apprehensive around men and protective of women, especially Phoebe. Adam needed a haircut and so Phoebe offered up her scissors. She proceeded to cut inches off around his head; Curb Cuts was discovered. One free haircut later we stood around laughing over the pictures I'd taken of them, then Adam shared his charity idea named after a Stephen King story, The Longest Walk. We sorted out all the details, exceptions, specifics, goals, prizes, purposes, media -- all the necessary bits and pieces.

The light faded. I had to take pictures with a flash instead of opening up the shutter and aperture. Slowly the conversation quieted, we struggled to find something we haven't already talked about. We hugged and I said goodnight to Adam. Harley got back in the van and I followed Phoebe out to Owsley Fork, past Big Hill, and over some hills. I was in wonder of her humble abode. A gypsy home, full of scarves and pillows, feathers and plants, artwork in progress. A pallet made on the couch, I found deep slumber from the long day, my winding wheel.

Phoebe's bag

You might ask why this video of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers singing "Refugee" follows this post. It is the one song I logged on Sunday during my drive for having listened to it from the radio. Other days from the road trip will have better music notation to correspond with events. Enjoy.

13 February 2011: Red Poppy

13FEB2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

I love this little wooden flower. It came as a decorative gift with a tin of peanut brittle from Kentucky two Christmases ago. What a treat to not only get the beloved brittle treat, but to also be greeted by a colorful red Gerber daisy I don't have to water or worry about. I think about a few coffee shop friends and memories when I spy this flower peering from a vase in my living room, winter or summer.

The poet's darling. ~William Wordsworth, "To the Daisy"

12 February 2011: Winter Sunset

12FEB2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

I drove out to another part of Lake Hefner and found an area that was frozen over with ice. A man and his teenage son and also stopped and the boy picked up a rock, threw it out on the ice, and laughed when it just bounced and skidded on the surface. He had hoped it would break, that there would be a big splash, but instead he was humored by the futility of the attempt. The ice blanket is deep.

I also saw an empty 12-pack cardboard box on the ice. Maybe a few fools got together on the ice during the night to drink oblivion.

27 January 2011: Closet Clean-out

27JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

This is a huge pile of clothes. Yeah, not attractive. Not something very photogenic. But this is part of the purge. 90% of this doesn't fit me anymore and it is ridiculous to keep it while I wait to actually commit to doing something to lose weight. The other 10% is stuff that might still fit but I don't like anymore. This is not a depressing cry or action, just realistic and practical. Much of this is size misses small or medium, size 10 and 12. Often something that might would fit me new wouldn't fit me a few washes/months down the road because it shrank just enough to make that difference.

Anyway, these are going to a women's shelter resale store, Our Sister's Closet in Oklahoma City.

One of my inspirations is Project 333.  I've cleaned out the closet with a serious and determined attitude. I'm writing this entry on February 12, and since the 27th of January I have also started a big purge from my "art supplies." Yeah, the second bedroom dedicated as an "art room" with tons of fabric cut up from old clothes or from quilt stores. Boxes of wooden plaques I was going to recycle into art. More boxes of old frames.

I am a writer and a photographer. I like to dabble in making other things by hand, but I shouldn't allow myself to be so distracted and clutter my living space with so much "maybe I will do that" projects. Today I am finally going to do one I have thought about doing for over 2 years. It won't take me but 2-3 hours, if that much. And all this time those items have been waiting, waiting, waiting... I could have retained the idea, never bought or collected the items, and when I was absolutely determined and ready to make the crafty thing, get the items and make it then.

But that's also assuming the artistic and creative nature can be planned and known in advance. Some nights, truthfully, I get a wild hair and decide to make stuff right then.. 3, 4, 5 sleepless hours later and I've made my ideas tangible. But for now on, I really want my focus to be on my writing and photography. So, the hoarder-like collections of supplies will find new homes with other artists.

12 January 2011: Lydia

12JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

Meet my banjo. At first I called her Lydia, but for a while there I forgot what I named her and I think I told someone she was Lucinda once. Who knows?

In any case, my banjo is a Gold Tone Cripple Creek 100. She came with a resonator, but I don't play with the resonator on; Its too loud, too bluegrass, too twangy. Instead, I have a few towels tucked in the back of the head to absorb some of the sound, much like many old-time banjo players do when I watched them at string band festivals in Appalachia. It creates a softer sound, melodic with just enough pluck to sing.

I have forgotten the songs I mostly learned 3 years ago, but I like to try to make up a tune sometimes on it. I've got to look for lessons again but I am really particular about wanting to learn Clawhammer style, aka, frailing. Neil Young, Gillian Welch, Mark Knopfler, Dan Levenson, Ken Perlman, Abigail Washburn, etc., all play songs on banjo in this style. I'm not keen on the Earl & Scruggs style. Take a listen to this NPR story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5293105

11 January 2011: Gloaming

11JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

I have taken many, many variations of this same scene because one could probably say there are no two sunsets just alike, but I could stand at the same exact spot and click the shutter at exactly the same moment in the sunset passing... None of those photos would ever be the exact same. Clouds and light play.

10 January 2011: Snow whisps

10JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

It snowed just a tiny bit this morning and early afternoon in Oklahoma City. Much of it melted away around lunchtime, but I managed to capture a few images in the gardens at my workplace. This is a Japanese Maple with just a dusting of snow. I liked the subtle color contrast of the faded red leaves against the green holly bushes in the distance.

9 January 2011: Books and Birds

9JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

I see this little bird every morning and evening. This stack of books and this little bird are on a small shelf by my mirror where I dry my hair in the mornings and take off my jewelry in the evenings.  Sometimes I notice the titles from time to time, other times this space is overlooked, blending into the white walls of the bedroom.  How does red blend into the environment of a room? Your eyes become blind and see only patterns of routine.  I want the title "Lust For Life" to remind me that is what I should have in my being every morning... an energy that propels me through the day for every aspect of living.  "The Stranger", as a title, should remind me that, one, I am a stranger to some people, and two, that I should meet a stranger to make them no longer a stranger from time to time.  And maybe every "twelfth night" I should do something out-of-the-ordinary.   Why not?  And why not let that little wooden bird remind me that my creativity should fly and sing?  Isn't it in a bird's nature, after all?

8 January 2011: Cars

8JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

I took this somewhere on Hwy 8 in Oklahoma. I had driven down to Anadarko by way of Hwy 8 (Hinton, Lookeba, Binger, etc) and back again. It is now the 12th of January and I still have to edit and upload the pictures I took on this drive. There should be quite a few interesting ones. I kept driving down side roads for a mile or two before turning around and coming back to the main highway. A few of those diversions gave me ideas and images, but sometimes I wanted to stop but was afraid that a homeowner might storm out on their porch, shotgun in hand, and holler out some curses and shoot at me.

Once I stopped at a cemetery because I noticed it was kinda on a hill. I could get to the top of that hill and get some wide landscape photographs. I also liked the idea of a one tree hill image. I got lucky because some cows were out to pasture and decided to go drink some water at a nearby pond, so I snapped a bunch of pics of them. If I had a bigger zoom I would've gotten close-ups of their faces. But nonetheless, I think the shots of those black cows standing on red dirt by the pond that was reflecting the big blue sky should make interesting images. Good color, at least I hope so.

I also pulled over and took some pics of hale bales, a creek, fields. At this one spot I could hear someone drumming way across the field. I couldn't see anyone, but I was seriously tempted to walk into that mowed field towards the trees where I thought I could hear the drumming, but leaving my car unattended was less than desirable. Besides, what would I have said when coming upon the drummer? Hey, I heard you.

7 January 2011: Fire

7JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

A couple of co-workers and I went to Anadarko, Oklahoma, to pick up some pictures. On the way back we spotted a terrible and heart-wrenching fire taking place off Hwy 62 near Chickasha, Oklahoma, on one of the county roads. Fire trucks and EMTs were screeching down the road to the fire. It moved quickly and the energetic wind gusts certainly didn't help stop it. I shot this picture to include the sky to show the cloud of smoke in contrast with the partly cloudy and sunny blue sky. Very sad event. I am hopeful that all persons and animals on the property survived unharmed.

6 January 2011: Coffee

6JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

Coffy's Cafe
1739 Northwest 16th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73106-2067

Pretty cool place to hang out, go to open mic night, enjoy coffee and gluten-free snacks, etc. I stopped by for a moment and snapped this picture from the inside. Yep, I flipped it horizontally so we can actually read the sign, but I kinda like it this way. :)

5 January 2011: In the Land of the Water People

5JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

In the Land of the Water People
Richard Greeves, sculptor
Sculpture, bronze, 62 x 34 x 27 in.
1977 Prix de West Purchase Award.

I like reflections and I am constantly aware of trying to figure out how to take a picture of a reflection without being in it and making the image as sharp as possible to appear as if it is not a reflection. Is it possible? Surely, but I've yet to accomplish it. I like this photo, though. The sky was nearly a royal blue, the kind you love because it makes water appear blue and pure. The sculpture was reflecting nicely in the garden pool, so I had to snap-snap-snap until I thought I captured it. I never was satisfied with the pictures that included both sculpture and its reflection. This one, flipped, will have to do.

4 January 2011: Acoustic Oklahoma

4JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

So, there's this cool guy named Casey who's documenting Oklahoma musicians and helping them meet, play, jam, share talents, and show them to the rest of the public. Acoustic Oklahoma just took flight like a red hawk on a summer day.

This young lady, KeriLe Blossom, was playing in the Acoustic Oklahoma Tuesday night lineup at the Prohibition Room in Oklahoma City. I really liked her powerful voice and energetic style. She had a diversity of vocal range. I really enjoyed her set, so I look forward to hearing her again soon. Oh, and she did play her song "Lucky" which she recorded with Casey for the Acoustic Oklahoma video clips. Give it a listen.

3 January 2011: Seagull

3JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

I took a quick drive over to Lake Hefner to shoot some pictures by the lake. I didn't want to meet another evening of trying to find something to take a picture of at home after dark. I had the treat of seeing the seagulls huddled in small tight groups bracing the wind and retaining their own warmth. It is truly fascinating to watch nature and see how it copes with change. How often do people bare down within themselves and retain inner strength when the world around them changes and becomes cold and harsh? Not many because now it is more popular to whine and complain.

In any case, I wasn't entirely ready to drive back to work but I had tasks to complete!

2 January 2011: Bird Necklace

2JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

When I lived in Mississippi I had the opportunity to visit New Orleans more often than I do now. On one of our excursions to the French Market I bought a necklace that consisted of glass beads in an array of many colors. It was a long necklace that I could either tie in a knot to have a small pendant of beads or loop around my neck twice to have two necklaces in one. Somehow I lost that string of glass beads around 2 years ago. So this year while wandering around the aisles of Micheal's craft store I decided to snatch up a case of multi-colored glass beads, plus some little silver beads, wire, and a silver bird. I would replicate the necklace I loved and add a touch of what I love now. Hence, this necklace. Yep, it is my new favorite necklace. Here's hoping I don't lose it.

1 January 2011: African Violets

1JAN2011, originally uploaded by blueathena7.

I have "tried" to unintentionally kill this little plant and thought I had until yesterday I saw that a little purple bloom had returned. It made my day. I didn't want the African violets to die, but to share their dark purple flowers all year long.

This is the first photo of my attempt to complete a 365 Project, a photo a day with my new Canon EOS Rebel XS. Enjoy!

Sailing Sunset

This video uses photos taken nearly every ten seconds of a sunset on Lake Hefner while sailboats criss-cross the frame. I like this one better than my first attempt. :)

Time lapse photography by Laura Anne Heller at Lake Hefner, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on June 9, 2010. Music, titled "Corncob", from incompetech.com.