The Life in My Years

An anthology of life

An American’s observations of a first time trip to France. It’s alternately called the ‘the bridge of wishes,’ or ‘the lover’s bridge.’ Tradition holds that lovers should kiss and make a wish when passing beneath the little span called Pont Marie. Opened in 1635, Pont Marie links the Left and Right Banks of Paris. The …

Continue reading

My San Francisco is a series of posts that describes my own personal relationship with The City. My San Francisco pieces might be photo essays; they might be life stories, or they could be commentaries. My impressions aren’t always paeans to San Francisco; it’s a beautiful city, but like any beautiful city, it has its …

Continue reading

juxtapositionnounjux·​ta·​po·​si·​tion ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzi-shən : the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect. This week Patti challenges us to find images that invite the viewer to weigh objects in a photo against each other. Banner photo: The juxtaposition of colors …

Continue reading

The signs of uncertain times. “. . . when a people or family so divide, it never fails to be against themselves.” ~ Federalist No. 4, John Jay. November 7, 1787. ” However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent …

Continue reading

Banner photo: Austrian National Library Vienna. I’m astonished by man’s perpetual search for knowledge. This week’s Lens Artist Challenge is almost limitless in possibilities. During my travels I’ve been astonished by nature’s handiwork and by the creations of man. The natural power of water The tranquility of water created by man

Every now and again a Lens Artists Challenge beckons and this most recent challenge hollered, “come on down.” Over the past few years I’ve become so captivated by black and white or, monochrome that when I compose an image I try to image what it will look like in monochrome. My banner photo was taken …

Continue reading

This old man has a hard time figuring out what inspires writers, poets and artists to gush sentimentally about the time of year when darkness, dampness and cold hold sway over light, comfort and warmth. Take Andrew Wyeth who came up with this ode to the frosty seasons. “I prefer winter and fall, when you …

Continue reading

‘Mer·i·ca/ˈmerəkə,ˈmərəkə/nouninformal•US EnglishAmerica (used especially to emphasize qualities regarded as stereotypically American, such as materialism or fervent patriotism). Banner photo: A drive through liquor store in Sheridan, Wyoming. What could possibly go wrong? Strip the color from an image and what are you left with? An ordered story. A quiet, pointed narrative free from the screaming …

Continue reading

“I love the autumn—that melancholy season that suits memories so well. When the trees have lost their leaves, when the sky at sunset still preserves the russet hue that fills with gold the withered grass, it is sweet to watch the final fading of the fires that until recently burnt within you.”~ Gustave Flaubert, Memoirs …

Continue reading

An American’s observations of a first time trip to France. *Normandy Landings Omaha Beach – Pointe du Hoc – Sainte-Mère-Église – Normandy American Cemetery A dog romps around this mostly quiet beach. There’s nothing quite like the unbounded joy of a dog on a beach, kicking up golden sand, and stopping occasionally to inspect the …

Continue reading