MA v GA, beaches

MA


GA

Elephant Rock

joy

rearview mirror

Delaware dentata

day of rest

Heathsville United Methodist Church, Heathsville, VA, Hanes B. Godwin pastor

blessed are the notetakers

In the midst of this overflow of generous sentiment, one country gentleman, an admirer no doubt, of both parties named, asked Mr. Webster what his estimate of Mr.J.Q.Adams was. It was like a wet blanket on the conversation. Mr. Webster threw himself back in his chair, and, as if speaking to himself without any reference to the question asked, said in his deep bass voice, "I hate a man who takes notes."- WHE

My high school English teacher painted me a picture emblazoned with the legend, "they don't hand out prizes for persistence." The English teacher's father, an English teacher, has a persistent student now running for president.

Today is the 65th birthday of another English teacher, pictured above (1976) and below (2002).

Everyday he writes the book.

If I were king, I would require, of everyone, leave a summation behind.
The conclusive epitaph.
A report to those who follow.
Stone tablet, novella, music-video, diary, the form is your choice. What did you do, what did you leave undone?
Everyone renders an account.
There would be vainglorious and delusional autobiography. There would be truth.
The words, the deeds, the love, the people, all go to dust.

Leave something that speaks.


Samuel Chase Coale writing the book

Quaker Neck

Visiting on the Eastern Shore, a land filled with spirits, so much to take in.
Driving out Quaker Neck, what is up with these clouds?

day of rest

In front of this building is a VADHR historic marker, O-48, which says:

St. Stephen's Parish
Formed in 1653 as Chickacone Parish and renamed Fairfield in 1664, the upper part was known locally as Bowtracy parish. When St. Stephen's Parish was formed in 1698, Fairfield became its lower part and Bowtracy its upper part.

Does St. Stephen's Parish refer to some vast colonial times county-equivalent? What is the name of the building with the cross on top? Building north of RT 360, Heathsville, Virginia, Northumberland County.

shades of grey

Simpler achroma, losing shades of grey.

Haydon

light sabres, near Millenbeck.

Ben ascendant

For a time, it seemed Mr. Ben was disappearing. That time is past.

mamie and lana

Cousins' expressions are result of that often heard photographer request, "don't smile."

mamie

Saw the cousins this weekend. We made a plan. We are all moving to Mexico.

day of rest

Providence Baptist Church, RT 201, Lancaster County, Virginia. Pastor Rev. Carlton Milstead, Jr.

troublemakers

Brown, Abdulle and guard doll

festival of the photograph

find Bill Allard...

bittersweet

route 20 south in the embrace of security perimeter

President Bush was at Monticello this morning welcoming 72 people from 30 countries into the brotherhood of legal citizenry.
It was a bitter-sweet event. The closest I got to seeing the President was when Marine One flew over the Woolen Mills.
Normally I attend the celebration at Monticello, but not this year.
Security was intense. In the photo above, WVAW reporter Mark Tenia shoots video of the Presidential motorcade route from a half mile away.
The Secret Service/State Police, felt the need to close miles of surface road and push out a wide security perimeter- Route 53 and Mill Creek Drive were shut down, even to pedestrians. There was a "national defense airspace," a no-fly zone, in effect for a few hours. Law enforcement personnel in abundance, hidden and in view.
President Bush started out, he said "To my fellow citizens to be, we believe in free speech in the United States of America."
This sentence delivered over shouted protest from someone who was able to attend the ceremony.


I biked up Route 53 yesterday (July 3). This bridge and flag the 21st century idea of what the entry to Monticello should look like. Disneyfication.


I wonder if the no-fly zone is post 9/11 policy?

Music by Jim Orr

free tickets

A passel of white people lined up this morning at the Monticello Visitor's center for tickets to the mountaintop's Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony.
It was like being in Vermont, white people everywhere.
I confess, I immensely enjoy the July 4 naturalization ceremony. The new citizens are given a chance to speak. They usually speak about why they value America, why they are choosing America.
Alas, President George W. Bush is coming to the Mountain July 4. Security concerns throw a wrench in the works. The coolest day of the year at Monticello is thus transformed, made formal, a day of lines and limited freedom.
I hope the new Americans say nice things. I'd attend if I could.