The last day of the third month!

Now here's a thought for you.  We all know that this is a robin, but how come he does't have a red breast?

In a way he looks sort of Raptor---ish.  Spell check is going to get me there.  Actually he/she is probably an immature who is looking over his/her shoulder.  Just looks kinda funny.  Like when I do my neck exercises to help fight the auther---itis.  That looks funny too!

The 30th day of the 3rd month of the year of Emergence

Sunsets always make people go oooooooooooooh and aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.  But generally, like this one at Lake Murray, they don't have a great deal in them other than sky.  The more spectacular the sky, the less the need to put something like a boat or man with a dog in them.  At any rate given all the rain we have had and all the cold my northern neighbors have had, a nice sunset serves to reset the psyche.  I think.  At least it does for me.  For a change, there are no airline contrails going into Atlanta in this one but I did bump up the contrast a bit  and darken it for dramatics. 

OK, rain has started again.  Dog is getting antsy and we wait for the first blast of thunder so she can go nuts.  Honestly, the dog thinks that she can actually catch the thunder.  God, I wish my life was that simple.

The 29th day of the third month of the year of Emergence

The Varina-Enon bridge in Virginia

Every time I travel the "Blue Hair Highway" I cross over this bridge.  Not a good image, but gives you an idea of how they build bridges nowadays.

There is a similar bridge in Delaware and they are pretty neat.  You really do not get the feeling that you are going over water or that you are, in fact, on a bridge of any kind.  This one is on the Rt. 295 by-pass around Richmond, Va. 

BTW, the "Blue Hair Highway" is Rt. 95.  Just check out the people who use that thing the next time you travel.  Most of the drivers are us "Seasoned Citizens".  Driving bigger, older, boat like cars. Generally travelling between the northern states and Canada to or from Florida.  Most of the time all you can see of the drivers are the hands on top of the steering wheel, as if they were hanging on by their finger-tips.  When you get the chance to look us in the eye as you pass, chances are all you can see are Cataract sunglasses.  Now before any of you get your noses out of joint, I am one myself.  I just put a couple telephone books under my seat and am waiting until the time is right to get the cataracts removed.

TWENTY SEVEN MARCH OF THE YEAR OF EMERGENCE

I sit here in a now very quiet house sipping my Star Buck's Pike Place Roast and am motivated to ruminate of things gone by.  I guess the older we get the more of that sort of thing we do.  Sorta stopping long enough to smell the Roast. 

We had a cold front go through the Carolina's last night and this morning.  A thunderstorm sometime in the wee small caused our spaniel, border coley mix to bark and wake us all. Did I mention that she loves to chase thunder storms.  Now the storm is done and all is quiet.   It's a cool 47 degrees, misty, a little foggy, and just a little nasty out there.  I probably should get moving and do something constructive.  But first!

Mornings like this bring back fond memories of the big lake in New Hampshire and rainy, foggy, nasty mornings like this.  We loved them, the fishermen that is.  Even those tied to the shore and not able to find, afford, or maintain a boat on the lake.

This is the small creek in Wolfeboro, NH which generally has ice out before the rest of the lake and which attracts fishermen almost 24/7.  You can see the fog, feel the dampness and looking at the clothing they are wearing and just feel the chill.  The water has a flow and is about 12 feet deep.  Land lock salmon, trout, and later bass are caught along that fence to the left.  In years gone by, this spot was our first stop before going to buy licenses and tackle.

This morning, I am far better with my coffee but do long to revisit that spot and that activity.

Once the day gets up, the lake can take on many and varied personalities of weather conditions.  But foggy is my favorite for fishing and photography alike.  The largest salmon I ever saw was caught in the fog by, unfortunately, someone else.  It was a Sunday morning and I was out alone in "Putt", our 14'  tin boat.  The boat in front of me had two anglers and had stopped to play a fish.  A word about tackle and salmon if I may.  Most fish with fly rods weighing only ounces, gossamer leaders and hand tied flies.  Salmon are tenacious fighters and extroardinary leapers.

Well, there was a bit of thunder and our trusty dog just did her protective thing.  End of the quiet around here.  But...........

The other boat could have been manufactured by the same company as our aluminum craft.  You know the kind, no frills, small outboard, and if you dropped an oar lock it would reverberate for miles on flat water.  The fisherman was standing and an apparent eight foot fly rod was bent in an ark where the tip almost touched the water.  He was a big man about six foot, so the extension of arm and rod were slowly wearing down the fish.  The entire scene was shrouded in fog and the flashing of the jumping fish could only be heard as the man did his predatory thing.

Once caught, he held it by the gills and the tail of the fish almost reached the floor of the boat.  Now this was not an Atlantic salmon (just the land locked brother),  but the fish was huge.  A solemn nod to each other as we passed and a simple "Nice fish" is a traditional greeting.  I slipped on by wondering if I would be next. 

Alas it was not to be.  The fog lifted and the beautiful lake made her appearance.  The salmon went to sleep or wherever it is they go when the fog lifts.  I was successful that morning and caught my two fish limit.  But more than that, I had two additional memories lasting for almost half a century.  That fish and that lake. 

The 26th of March second edition

Check out the "Sweetgrass" image on FAA.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sweetgrass-skip-willits.html

The 26th day of the third month of the year of Emergence

A bunch of new listings today on FAA, take a look and see what strikes yer fancy!

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/skyrise-in-blue-chicago-skip-willits.html

I have also started to put some images on Twitpic.com.  You've probably seen them before, but they do have some character.

http://twitpic.com/4d4cry

Later I will be going to the Pametto Sportsman show at the fairgrounds.  Not going fishing this year as you all know, so thought I might live vicariously by going to an outdoor show.  Next week, if I get my taxes finished, I think I will try the river for stripers (Striped Bass) and smallmouth bass.  Haven't been for a while and now that the victory garden is planted, time to do something for me.

Some how, I suspect that I will end up looking like this blue heron.  Standing on one foot in the fog with not fish to show for it.  But it's the journey and not the result that's important.  Or somethin like that.  Remember to double click the image for a clearer full screen image.

 

The 25th day of the third month of the year of Emergence

It's Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, tell that to some of my friends in Chicago or the Northeast.

  Winter still lingers on there.  But here-------------Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

The Azalea's and snowballs all going strong.

The new extension to the patio is complete and a lot of back breaking work is done.  At least it keeps the dogs from pee-ing right outside the door. 

In the spring, I am told, a young man's fancy turns to romance.  For an old man, not so much.  More like a vegetable garden.

A thousand years ago, in a different life, my vegetable garden measured a full acre is size.  Now for either the uninitiated or the wikipedia challenged, an acre measures a furlong long by a chain wide.  Clear?

A furlong is, I am told, 660 feet and a chain is 66 feet.  Who knew?

Of course the garden was supported by two freezers and a root cellar.  A small tractor, two barns and a farmhouse.  We had so many tomatoes that I had to make tomato juice and can it for over the winter.  What was I thinking? 

I cannot begin to tell you how good the Bloody Marys tasted in February. 

Ever eat a baked potato that you just pulled out of the ground?  No comparison!

I am a little scaled back now as you can see, but it gives me something to bend over for other than something that I accidently dropped.

Now I'll have weeds to cuss at, and not the simple act of bending over!

The 24th day of the third month of the year of Emergence

CAROLINA WREN

Remember to double click the image for full screen.

Next to the Bluebird, these guys have some of the coolest facial expressions of all the bird families.  They also will nest in strange places, like your garage, in a clothes pin bag hanging on a line, and of course in trees.  Leave your garage door open too long, and you likely will see one fly out as you go in.  Neat and friendly bird.

The 23rd day of the third month in the year of Emergence

Twenty five degrees, feels like 19, and snow is coming in.  Won't be any fishing on the big lake today, but the thaw does seem to be on it's way.   This cam shot was taken from a site that has a number of New Hampshire cams.  

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm

Some work all winter and some do not.  Ice out will probably come towards the end of next month, but some if not all the ice fishing shanties have been taken down.  There also seems to be open water in Wolfeboro Bay right here along the edge.  I am sure there will be some local folk that will try for salmon around the edges of the parking lot.  If for no other reason that it is something to do after a long hard winter.

Normally, I would now be getting the camera and fishing gear ready to make the trip north for five days of fishing with the old men.  Note I are one of them.  This would be the 43rd year for us to make the trip, but for various reasons we won't make it this year.  So I simply must visit some of the images made in days gone by.

Starting the morning into a brilliant sunrise amidst all the anticipation of a child seeing the Christmas tree for the first time on Christmas morning.

A typical "Down East" canoe used on the big lake.  A calm, no wind, no nonsense morning.

And if we get lucky!

And if we're not lucky, well a beer or three can bring out the silliness in us all.

March 22 That's the 22nd day of the third month of the year of Emergence.

It's a Rapala!  Why?

For the uninitiated, a Rapala is a type of fishing lure.  That's pronounced "Ra-pal-la".  It has for years been an all everything type of fish attractor.  It is also much frowned upon by my own particular fishing buddies.  But a very effective lure.

  The fishing buddies being the "Willy, Boatride, Outside Straight and Salmon Angling Club".  This group, as my loyal readers know, have met each spring about this time or the end of April, to fish the big lake in New Hampshire known as Winnepasaukee.  As the professional anglers that we pretend to be, we much prefer to use such attractors as the "Yellow Grey Ghost".

My readers know that it is of only the purest intentions that this group ventures forth to capture the lowly Landlocked Salmon---in early spring---right after ice out---on the big lake.  The former lure, Rapala, is used by a novice fisherman (in our jaded opinion) and the fly by the more advanced purist (the all knowing).

You might ask why all this is so important in the first place.  And rightly so.  Well, in the grand scheme of things, it is not.  Not with Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Japan, oil, gas, debt, overspending, people who refuse to abide by even the simplest budget.  A complacent leader.  It seems the pervading attitude of the ruling elitists is that the common man (using the Rapala) doesn't have the sense of one of those lures pictured above.  I beg to differ my friends.  Often the Rapala catches fish, whereas the grey ghost will not.  Only time spent in the game utilizing our treasured principles will prove which prevails.

The club will not be returning to the lake this year.  In which case, my readers will have to put up with more of my afterthoughts of 42 years of history made and revisited.

The 21st day of the third month of the year of Emergence

My newest listing on Fine Art America!

There is more to Charleston, SC than fine old homes and tourists.  Just need to look and see what you're seeing.

THE 17th DAY OF THE THIRD MONTH OF EMERGENCE

Happy St. Patrick's day to one and all!

I tried to find something green in the files and did not come up with too much.  I guess I need to go to a St. Patty's day parade somewhere.

Best I could do with green.

But I guess it's not so much the costume, but the felling and anyone can celebrate this day

Even if it becomes a little messy, and we all know this day can become a little messy.  Even if you're working on your Willy Nelson look-alike costume.

Taking a swim.

Or teaching a grandson to climb a set of stairs.

It's not so much of the "Wearin of the Green" but of what the "Attitude of the Green"

  represents.

Now, where did I put that Shamrock and Sshillelagh!

.

The sixteenth day of the third month of the year of Emergence

You speak about Emergence!

In the year of the our Lord 1900 and sixty something,  the middle part of the state of New Jersey was closing up business for an upcoming snow storm.  I was living in a suburban town of then 21,000 people and working in New York City.  The town was basically a bedroom for the commuters to the big city and lines of cars could always be found making the circle around the local train station every morning before six and in the evenings after seven.  Wives were dropping off or picking up husbands to catch their trains.  It was a ritual. 

I was in New York, as were most of the husbands of the day.  We all had to figure out which of the half dozen or so trains we could catch in order to make it home before the pending storm.  My own personal difference was based on the fact that I was coming home to a wife pregnant with our first child.  By three that afternoon she was going into labor and I had to go into mad scramble mode to get home in time.  It was generally a two hour commute for downtown New York.  Well, as it turned out my daughter took her sweet time arriving but we didn't know it at the time.

To make a long story short, it started to snow before I got home.  We had dinner at my parents and still it was not time to go to the hospital.  By eight that evening we had almost nine inches of the white stuff on the ground and a drive of about 30 minutes to the hospital.  It turned into an hour plus drive in the father in laws car.  It had something called "Positraction" and we thought it would be better in the snow.

My father in law and I spent the rest of the night at the end of a hallway in the hospital while my wife went through all the pains and I guess some indignity associated with our reason to be there in the first place.  By six o'clock in the morning we had about a foot or more of snow on the ground and Heather Willits made her appearance into this world.

Happy Birthday Heather!

I just do not know how women can put up with childbirth and all the pains, work and discomfort of it all.  I just know that my wife did an extraordinary job in having and raising two wonderful kids.  Even if the second one did pick a hurricane during which to make his entrance.  I guess one or both should have become meteorologists.

The 15th day of the 3rd month of the year of Emergence

THE IDES OF MARCH

"The Ides of March is the first day of the Roman New Year.It also marks the first day of spring in the Roman calendar.

On this day in history, Julius Caesar was warned by soothsayers to "beware of the Ides of March". Apparently, he did not heed the warning strongly enough as he was stabbed by Marcus Brutus on the Ides of March in 44 BC. "

All that from a google search for the Ides of March. aka the 15th.  Other interesting days this month are National Pig Day, National Peanut Butter day, If Pets had Thumbs day, National Frozen Foods day, and finally just in case you needed it...........National Panic Day.  I mean what Panic?  Japan's imploding, Qaddafi is winning, unemployment is still around 9 to 21 percent depending where you are, debt is so big nobody has a clue, the stock market is set to open 200 plus points lower.  No panic, go out and take some nice photos of something soothing.  Works every time!

Now I have to go out and find something green for St. Patricks day on Thursday!

The 14th day of the third month of the year of Emergence

This is going to probably be a tough one to write.

On a lot of levels, there are not too many "Men" who will freely admit that they are pretty much friends of long standing.  Maybe it's a macho thing or I don't know what.  There are friends, some of whom are men.  Some of whom are women.  Some of them are relatives.  Some not so relative.  You get to pick your friends, but not your relatives so much.  Sometimes, you just plain luck out!

But, as the case may be a certain amount of respect, admiration, jocularity, kidding around and so forth happens.  Even if it is two men and that has nothing to do with preferences.  I never did tell him he was my friend, but he was.  He knew.  We would kid and there was a degree of one upmanship going on, but it was never hurtful. 

He was an historian.  Now, I don't mean like I am ----- and did the family tree online.  No, this guy was a true historian and never missed a chance to prove it to you.  We vacationed together one year and he spent most of the ride listening to a radio station which played 1930's and 1940's music.  I wasn't aware that such a thing even existed.  Bored me to tears, but he knew all the artists and bands by heart.  And why didn't I know who sung that?  We would pass a town and, this was a New England trip, he would say "Did you know so and so founded this place"?  Where did that come from?  He spent two days in a local back town library while the rest us did the tourist trick.

A very devoted man who enjoyed the past lives of others.

Now, he gets to look back upon us all.  And I will bet he is putting our lives, achievements, and failures into his file of index cards.

You see he has met all those folks he studied, so hard, for so long.

He is in a better place.

The 12 day of the third month of the year of Emergence

Just sayin!

When last in Washington DC, I happened upon these workers and was curious what they were doing.

Don't forget to double click on the photos for full screen.  These guys were up about four stories working on the Herbert C. Hoover building doing renovations.

That is one big building!

OK, fair enough.  Costs the taxpayer over $600 million for this modernization, to be completed in 2020, where they house 3,500 employees.  The average federal employee makes over $100,000 per year---------lets see----------that's about $350,000,000 per year.  And who lives in this building? 

Why, the U.S. Dept of Commerce of course!
Amongst others.

http://www.gga.com/projects/public_government/hoover/index.html

Take a pic and do the homework!  I always try to take a photo of a sign of some kind just to document what the photograph is all about.  Then I know how to go about learning more about the image.

The 11th day of the 3rd month of Emergence

Our prayers for those folks in Japan who are enduring so much devastation.  Nature can be wonderful most of the time, but she can also be a beast!

Another new image posted to the new website.  Have gotten some nice comments so far on a few of the listings there.  No sales but that's OK for the moment.  It is simply another way to get my name and images out there.  Have a wonderful week end all.

The walk along the water in Charleston, SC

The tenth of the third month of the year of emergence

SKY RISES

On my last trip to Chicago I managed to get some shooting done and must admit that in an urban environment, photography is a bit different.  Well, at least one must look at things a little differently.  I mean, the Sears tower is no frog!

But here are a couple of the shots which I thought might make the grade.  They could be accents or conversation topics on any more modern wall setting.

Perhaps something in blue would be more appropriate.

Or perhaps something more monolithic and of a steel grey tone.

I may be getting so good at this designer stuff that I will start wearing lime green pants with a pink Izod golf shirt.  Oh, and sunglasses with purple frames..........Jeeeeeeeeez!  Did some one say spiked hair?

The ninth day of the third month of the year of Emergence

Interesting that in this world of high tech, max speed, instant decisions and gratification, that some photo requests are still for the simplest of things.

For instance, today an image of water and snow with some mist was requested for a text book.  The thought to teach about the three states of water using something natural.  Who woulda thought!  Simple.

But then maybe this is what's needed today.  A little simplicity for the young skulls of mush to absorb whilst their teachers are off to march somewhere.  No, no rant here just disgust!  We teach our kids and grand kids to grow up a certain way so that they can take over, hopefully exhibiting some of the values we hold dear. Then they watch their leaders of goverment run off to a motel accros the state line so as not to have to do a job they were elected to do.  A system, which is basically so corrupt, teaches the kids something else contrary to our beliefs.  I do pray for our country every day.  And where the system lacks, we must pick up the slack.

THE 8TH DAY OF THE 3RD MONTH OF THE YEAR OF EMERGENCE

JUST DOWN THE ROAD A PIECE

Just a hoot over the holler from "Pigeon Forge" lies the town of Gatlinburg, Tenn.  Just a small town in the Smoky Mountains with a full moon.

The 7th day of the third month of the year of emergence

This past trip to Washington, DC helped to get my warped mind to composing thoughts not too far from sanity (for a change).  Well, if you grew up in the fifties and early sixties sanity was a little different than today (I think).  At least my perspective of it was different.

The hotel in DC cost almost five hundred a night and a dinner at the hotel restaurant for two pushed a hundred plus without drinks and we all know what gas costs for a thousand mile drive.

I am also looking to put together a fishing trip this spring for my son and grandson.   Just a three day thing.  Maybe New Hampshire on the big lake, or perhaps Canada on the Thousand Islands, or Maine on the famed Moosehead Lake. 

The meeting of the annual "Deuces, One Eyed-Jacks and Boat Ride Club" is probably a thing of the past after 43 years, so that fishing slot is open.  I checked out a boat rental on the big lake in NH and they want over three hundred a day.  A guide who would provide a boat and a day's fishing is pushing five hundred a day.  I don't need a guide just a boat and a place to stay.  Cheapest motel looks like one ten a night.  Most likely a thousand for a three day journey consisting of two days in a car and one in a boat.  Not sure about all that.

I remember when my dad said that three bucks a week allowance was too much.  Do kids get allowances these days?  Wonder?  Do you remember getting a weekly allowance?  Always earned mine for chores.  Child labor laws never applied and I look back now and am absolutely amazed what my dad got for a lousy three bucks.  Lawn, hedge clipping, weeding the gardens, washing the car, being nice to my sister.....all for three bucks.  Now that won't even buy a gallon of gas.

It would probably cost as much today to build this covered bridge in Chadd's Ford, Pennsylvania as the mega bridge in Charleston, South Carolina.

Seems that the more things change the more some things never change, but still cost more.  I noted last night a pound of bacon at the super market cost almost seven dollars.  And the inflation is just beginning to be talked about, even though it's been happening for the past few years. Bumpy ride coming folks!

Pretty day here today though. Sixties this morning and the sun's out.  Rain yesterday cleaned everything off.  Next thing to complain about will be the pollen which should be starting soon.  But, hey the glass is still half full!

The sixth of march of the year of Emergence

RAIN AND QUIET!

For those who are newcomers to this blog and who are curious about the "Year of Emergence", you will have to go to the first day of the year to understand the meaning of the title.  Also remember to double click on the images I use here for full screen presentations which look better than the entry page. 

It is raining here in Cayce, SC this morning and the temp is 63.  Was pleasant and quiet until one of the 800 dogs that live within a one block range started to go off and bark.  Honestly one goes off and they all start.  I do truly live in a kennel.

But when the mutts are quiet, it is nice to simply sit back and listen to the rain knowing that it helps to conjure up all kinds of excuses not to get some work done.

But maybe, just maybe, the rain and quiet might gin up some creativity.  Just have to sit back and see where all this goes.  Happy Sunday everybody!

The fifth day of the third month in the year of Emergence

More entries into the "Fine Art America" website.  You will need to go back often as I will be adding more galleries and images next week.  At that site you can not only find fantastic art, but can order any image from note card size and up framed or not as you like.  Appreciate you all taking a look and telling your friends about this one stop source for good art work.

Remember, you can double click the image above for a full screen size which actually looks better than on the blog.  The new site is listed on the right side of this page.  Have a great week end everyone.

The fourth of March in the year of Emergence

INTERESTING POSITIONING

The commerce building in Washington DC as reflected in the eye of Ronald Reagan.  Or is that just my imagination?

Please check out my new retail outlet at

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/skip-willits.html

The third of the third of Emergence

Well, I have been dutifully and metaphorically slapped awake by my daughter. My lethargic blog entries will now be a thing of the past.  At least, until the next episode of writers block, aka laziness hits.

I spent Monday and Tuesday in DC.  Tuesday morning I walked what felt like six miles taking random photographs and getting some requisite shots which I had not here-to-fore made to my own liking.  The first is of the White House.  I am not sure at this point whether the fence is there to keep the inmates in or the public out.  Your call, but it is a shame that the beautiful old house cannot be seen in a more pleasant setting.  All the fencing and barricades speak so badly to our times and not so well of people in general.  Sure doesn't look or feel like the "Peoples House".

It was downright cold at seven in the morning, and like a fool I wasn't dressed right for low forties or high thirties.  Speaking of dressing it is apparent when one looks around the hotels that black suits and white shirts are the fashion for men.  Black suits for women as well.  Sure hope they weren't all in mourning for the country, but that maybe a rant best left for a different time.  Made me want to get my jeans and boots on and stomp through the lobbies saying this is what an American really looks like. I did get to walk around the Washington Memorial (again) and boy that site is huge.  Especially when you have to get back to the bathrooms at the hotel quickly.  I did make a somewhat interesting shot of a Mourning Dove, cherry tree, and the monument.  Don't know whether that speaks of something important or not.

I finally walked down, or is it up to the Capitol and made an image or three which I liked to a certain degree.  Again, If you never have been to these places early in the morning when the rest of the world is off begging for hand outs-----you should go.  These places, buildings and monuments are simply huge.  Physically huge at least.  The current inhabitants might be something else but the buildings are spectacular.