Reagan on Kodacolor

August 30th, 2010
Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan campaigning in the Ozarks.

While looking through my photo files searching for undeveloped rolls of Kodachrome I came across a developed but unsliced roll of its poorer cousin, Kodacolor, which contained this gem.  Shot after deadline and developed but never published or printed it has languished all those years since 1979.  Reagan seemed really at ease, and it reminded me of something I could not quite put my finger on and then it hit me.  Twenty Mule Team Borax and Boraxo!  Ronald Reagan was the host of one of  my favorites as a child, “Death Valley Days” which was sponsored by the U.S Borax Company.

Benny Goodman

August 23rd, 2010
Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman warming up before a performance, at age 70.

As I recall the thermos was full of bourbon and “The Professor” was oddly genial, allowing me to make pictures while he warmed up and performed a series of stretches.  Later he took out his ire on the supporting musicians, at one point banishing them to silence.

The Meadows

August 17th, 2010

The Hatcher family burial grounds in Lake St. Louis, Mo. as it appeared in 2000 as construction began along Technology Blvd and than again in 2010, a decade later.  It is now part of The Meadows, a lifestyle-shopping center.  The graveyard for settlers has graves than date from 1785, and now they have a soon-to-open Von Maur store.

Freestyle Flip

August 9th, 2010

Justyn Singh perfects his flip.

Justyn Singh perfects his flip.

Cowboy Parade

August 2nd, 2010

Cowboy and flag

Cowboy parade outside the Arena in St. Louis, 1984.

Baseball Boom

July 26th, 2010

Liebherr Cranes and a giant baseball

Four Liebherr Cranes frame a giant baseball in Lacledes Landing in St. Louis during work on the Pinnacle Casino.

Prickly Pear Hedge

July 23rd, 2010

Prickly Pear Cactus flowers

When I first moved into my home in August of 1984 I found a forlorn piece of a Prickly Pear Cactus laying in a flower bed behind the garage.  By the next Spring it had taken root and now is a Prickly Pear hedge almost five feet long.  I have been meaning to post this for my friend Margaret Gillerman who is crazy about flowers.  The thing about Prickly Pears is that you can never touch them or touch anything that has come into contact with them as they have these REALLY ANNOYING little stickers that do not come out and hurt like crazy.  I treat them like they are radioactive and use barbecue tongs if I have to trim them.  That being said when they bloom, all is forgotten.

The Tourist

July 19th, 2010

A tourist in Manhattan.

Tourist in lower Manhattan, Memorial Day 2010

Green Heron Redux

July 12th, 2010

A baby Green Heron in a tree.

They’re back.  The Green Herons that ate their weight in minnows at my home last summer are back with three new offspring.  This is one sitting in a tree as a thunderstorm approaches.

Happy Birthday to U.S.

July 5th, 2010

Fireworks on July 4th, 2010

Fireworks erupt from the dam at Lake Saint Louis, Mo. on the 4th of July.  A time exposure from a drifting boat, like painting with light.