I am a PROFESSIONAL (I SELL MY WORK, ALL OF IT)photo-realistic painter living and working in Alabama.

I work with many wonderful photographers here on flickr.

If you would like an archival quality print of any of the paintings created from your photography just send me a message through flickr and I would be happy to send you one,

 

While youre here be sure to check out the photographers I work with and make some new friends!

 

With your help, my work has raised $19,486 for shelters and sanctuaries around the world since Jan 1, 2006

 

Breaking news!!!

I recently heard about an elderly women in Oklahoma who is living out of a van an caring for 100 stray dogs on a socialsecurity incomeof $700 a month. So I am headed that way to see if I can help. I have a few things to wrap up here before I leave but Iexpect to be on the road around the second week of January.

 

I have no idea what I will find or how I can help but I imagine getting there is step one. Right now what I have in mind is to use my artistic talent to help raise funds for food and vet care, perhaps I can draw them and sell the sketches as an incentive to "adopt" a dog. Buy an original and save a life or buy a print and feed a needy animal for a month.

I hope everyone will follow along. It would be nice to experience a rare happy ending and get to be part of it.

 

If anyone would like to read more about the woman and see how they can help, you can find info here:

www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=9563013

 

Watch the video!

---------------------------------------Jan9,2009----------------------

Imade it!I arrived this afternoon, exhausted. I spent some time with Karen of Compassion Seeds and tomorrow I will meet Catherine Titus. As alwayst the first Day was a little confusing. Theres always a story you didnt hear about, and I have to hear everything from everyone's point of view. Ill spend a little time evaluating the situation so I dont waste resources and Ill get to work soon doing whatever they need....I have some ideas but I need to hear from everyone here first.

Ill be posting photos soon!

------------Jan 9.2008- Jan 17,2008--------------

Im sorry it took so long to get an update posted here but the first week on site is always a little busy, and communication is very difficult for me right now. But Im here and working hard to make a difference.

Like always I spent the first few days getting introduced to everyone and trying to get a grip on what is happening here, what their resources are, the lay of the land...etc. So, that I can determine where my talents would best be put to use. And after taking it all in, I have decided to lend a hand in the day to day operations at Compassion Seeds. Nothing glamourous, Im spending the cold mornings cleaning up pens, removing bowls from the evening meal and breaking ice in the water troughs....whatever they need me to do, Ill do it. Evenings are about the same...nothing exciting, but absolutely necessary.

I do have a couple of special projects going on that I hope help the situation here. I am uploading photos and descriptions of all the animals to Petfinder in hopes that gets even just one of them into a good home. And Im working with one very special dog, Redman.

This was my first visit to Catherine Titus. I think the picture speaks for itself. Dont let the video fool you though, the real Angels are at Compassion Seeds(CS). They immediately stepped up and have now taken 75 of the dogs in for spay/neuter and vet care, and placed them in temporary foster homes, at no cost to Catherine Titus. And now we fear Catherine may be leaving the state with all the money people sent in, and leaving the dogs behind for (CS) to care for.

 

But we try to remain positive here and hope this doesnt happen. CS,like any local shelter was already under financial strain and near maximimum capacity before any of this happened. To have 100 dogs dumped on them without receiving any of the funds intended to care for the dogs will be devastating...think positive!

 

This is Missy. She is a fullblooded wolf and acts it. She is a beautiful animal but not very mushy....I tried kissing on her and she just looked at me like I was nuts:) But she is beautiful and so much fun to watch.

  

Astriking contrast in personality, is Noah....my FAVORITE of all the dogs here. I fell in love with him instantly. He is just so much like my Murphy was....full of energy and joy and he loves everyone and everything. I watched him play with a 6 week old lab puppy yesterday and oh I just want to take Noah home with me so bad I cant stand it. He was so gentle and sweet and patient. He stood so perfectly still, aware that his huge feet would crush the puppy and just whimpered with excitement to have someone to play with him.I play with Noah every day now, not because of what I can do for him but for what he does for me....he just brings a smile to my face.

  

You know I dont know this guys name, sadly. I clean up after him every morning and feed him every night but there are just so many here....and its sad I dont know more about him because he is a GOOD dog. He is alert and intelligent, playful and friendly. i think Ill make it a point to get to know him better this week.

  

And lastly(for now) my special project while I am here. Redman is a victim of severe abuse. I will be working with him every day, in hopes he will be more adoptable when I leave. I dont know though, Ive seen it take years to get a dog to trust you before. But he is progressing quickly. I spent the first day just sitting in his "yard" with him, talking and singing while he sat as far from me as he possible could, far in the back corner of his house.

The next day I did the same, but turned his house around so he had to sit out in the open with me. And I touched him. He let me begrudgingly. And after a few days of this, he already regards me with curiosity at times instead of the constant fear her first exhibited. And now, he sits a tiny bit closer to me.

I hope to take him for a walk this week.

He is a sweet boy, and I know one day he will learn to trust people again...I just have to be very patient and hope that in the month I spend here I get to see a little progress.

   

--------------Jan 25-----------------------------

 

At the end of my second week at Compassion Seeds, I feel I should tell you a little more about them. Theyre a NO KILL sanctuary located in Healdton, Ok. They have over 100 dogs and I dont know how many cats, but theyre everywhere:), several cows, a donkey, a couple of peacocks, and one blind pig that I swear is stalking me. Many of the animals there are special needs companions and will likely spend their lives in sanctuary here. Many are just too old to adapt to a new environment no matter how loving it might be, some are blind, and for various reasons these animals will never leave COmpassion Seeds. And Im not sure any of them would really want to leave. They have a great life here, they get the care they need and lots of attention every day.

If you would like to visit their website, I am sure they would love to hear from you(though it may be a while before they get back to you, theyre quite busy with Catherine Titus's dogs) and I KNOW they would appreciate your support even if its just a wordof kindness.

Well, after 2 weeks they have 93 of Catherine's dogs altered and in foster care, with just 7 left that need to visit the vet. And they will be the hardest to catch....they are the ones that have eluded "capture" to the very last and theyre very aware that something is up....they just dont know its a good thing:)

I spend my days breaking ice, cleaning pens and gathering bowls for the next feeding. And one special project.

Redman, pictured above....Im working with him. He is going to take a lot longer than I expect to be here to fully recover from his past. But I spend every afternoon with him, just getting him used to people(people that dont abuse him) again.I sit in his pen, I sing, I tell him stories, and if I run out of stories I read to him.

He was a pack animal for a long time before coming to Compassion Seeds and this presents issues I am not very familiar with but I figure this cant hurt. Every day it feels like we start from the beginning. I turn his house around so he has to sit in the open with me, he paces the length of his pen back and forth until he finally settles down far from me. But slowly I started moving closer and closer to where he always settles down. He doesnt seem tomind lying close to me.Then when he does settle down I pet him, he braces for what he surely must think is a beating on its way,until I stop then he gets up and paces the cage again, and settles in the same spot.

We did this for two weeks now, until one day....he settled down with his head on my knee!Just for a second, I blew it when I reached out to touch him and we had to go through the whole routine again....but that IS progress!

 

I will leave you for now with photos of a few of the animals, by the way the unknown dog in my last update is Dude....Dude is a good dog, mostly blind but youd never know it.

 

Ihave no idea who this is but she/he is always in the background. I love cats but, cats are what they are....I cant train them and wont try:) So I havent interacted with them much other than to give them a qucik scratch on my way past....which seems all they want anyway so it works out just fine

    

Bruno, and dont let people tell you only mutts end up in shelters....there are quite a few bred and unwanted animals here. Bruno has been here most of his 12+ years. I wont show the photo of the condition he was found in, his story is much like many of the others. He wasfound passed out in the summer heat, covered in mange and near death. 12 years later he is an ol-l-l-d St Bernard and a sweet and loving animal. He lives in the yard with Noah and doesnt seem to be bothered by Noah's youthful enthisiasm one bit. He walks with a limp now but always comes "running" up to you when you come in the yard. He is a sweet boy, I wish Id seen him grow up.

 

Marilynn, named after Norma Jean, I think. She is a SWEETIE and a success story too.She has a home in Arizona now and will be leaving COmpassion Seeds soon to make room for another.

    

And last of all, for now, Hobo. Another success story. He has a home with the caretaker here, along with a 3 legged weimeraner(sp?) named Crystal...every good shelter should have a 3 legged dog, theyre always the best!

 

Unrelated....but in case no one believes Im being stalked by a 500 pound blind pig, I AM, and he is much bigger in person!....Everywhere I go, there he is. It takes him a while to find me by smell but he is always meandering in my direct grunting and snorting the whole way.

A big hello to everyone in Healdton, hey Karin, Jerry, Mike, Sharon....and Sandy down at the Grasshoper, hey howdy!

 

Click on the Eyes of Evie to visit Compassion Seeds, Inc.

------------------------Jan 29----------------------------

The beginning of my third week at Compassion Seeds brought together a few circumstances that put me on the road again.

First of all, the road was calling. ANd the voice of the road is loud for me, it is difficult to ignore.

Secondly, They are at a good point at Compassion Seeds. The last trip to the vet was scheduled for Wednesday to get the final 7 dogs altered and vaccinated and they are now returning them to Catherine. All that remains now, is to find Catherine a permanent home and transfer the dogs there, and thats a job for a real estate agent and not something I can really help with.Karin, at Compassion Seeds has found what seems to be an ideal place. It has 40 fenced in acres, two small homes(for Catherine and her sister who had come up from Oklahoma City) and a large barn with kennels already in place. So this has the potential for the happy ending I had hoped for.

Ill miss Noah, and I had a hard time leaving him. I had even taken him on a few test drives to see how he behaved in the van. And he was perfect. He sat between the seats and just stared out the window, taking in the scenery and when we stopped he hopped right out and went wherever I went. And Angel seemed to accept him as well. But in the end I decided he had a good home and I have fresh memories of thousands of dollars spent on my Murphy's final year to make him comfortable and with me for as long as possible.And I just dont know if I could afford to do that again. And he is just so darned big!:) But I will the dog for me, I know he is out there.

And lastly, a winter ice storm is coming....this got me moving a little faster. I can stand the cold but its hard to get anything done and theres warmer weather not too far away so Im headed in that direction

   

After two days of ice, you have no idea how welcome the sun is! I had been traveling about 35mph for what seemed forever, and my defroster went out so I had to sit my coleman heater on top of the steering wheel to thaw out a small circle of windshield so I could keep moving. But its over and I am warm again, at last!

The trip across the continental divide always amazes me. It is so much moremagnificent on the southern end than up North. Theres a 50 mile drive where the landscape changes so suddenly that you find yourself staring in every direction. reading every sign, trying to take it all in. And when you first step out of the car it feels like you are in a new world. The dwindling trees turn into magnificent monoliths, the snow turns into sunshine and the air becomes crisp and dry. Welcome to New Mexico.

With the ice behind me it is already hard to remember how living among the brutal elements can makeyou appreciate the simplest things. Things like a warm meal and the spices to make it taste good and a cup of hot coffee on a bitter morning. Living primitively reminds me of what is important. I make a cup of instand coffee and with the leftover water I throw in some oatmeal and a little cinnamon and I am content. Food that warms me and nourishes me at the same time is very satisfying. And, oh everything tastes so good!

------------------Jan 30- Feb 10-------------------------

Arizona

 

I could spend a lifetime in the southwest, just wandering around taking photos and painting everything I see.

  

This is what it's all about. Just messing around with friends. My buddy on guitar in the back is a genius. He plays guitar, cello, drums and writes his own music....just for fun.A new friend playing violin there with his back tot he camera works with needy children as an event co-ordinator. He makes up the best games! And myother friend on guitar is a survival expert, he can tellyou exactly what todoif you encounter cannibals out in the jungle, and he can sing great. This made Arizona a great week as if the scenery werent enough. We just played games, drank beer, sang and hiked...what more could I want?

  

My dream job. I mean you gdont have to shave and you get to carry a gun....I wonder what the pay is?

  

 

Saguaro Sunset

   

Oh, I met Willie Nelsons accountant while I was here. I think he handles Weslie Snipes and the late Redd Foxx as well. Sign him up!

 

My Angel, It took me 9years to get a good shot of her, and I figured out how to do it all at once. Usually she turns away from the camera,and I had gotten so used tophotographing Murphy I hadnt tried to figure her out. Murphy would go where I toldhim to go, turn and face the camera or stare to the left, wait for me to take the shot and then return to my side, all with hand gestures....people would just stand and stare as he did this.

But today I was sitting at the bottom of a canyon just listening to the music of the river with my camera in my hand thinking about taking a shot of Angel. And she saw something in the brush....I recognized the look as the same one as when I go "Here, Kitty" and it allcame together....Im smarter than the average monkey:) Now all I have to dois make her think theres a cat around and she poses!

 

-----------------Feb 10-16-----------------------

San Diego

 

I lived here back in the early 90's and loved it, But my life was different then. I was in the Navy(I hated that) working in a nuclear support facility, calibrating geiger counters and trying not to get radiated:). I spent most of my time at sea and when I did pull in I had a cute girlfriend waitng for me....which make everything good:)

But now,it seems a place where if you stop moving you have to start spending. And when you stop spending, they want you tostart moving again. There are signs EVERYWHERE....do this, dont do that.

And the people barely even look at each other. They shuffle down the street with a cell phome attached to their ear and never speak to anyone.

My friends came down to buy a boat and we all went out to a sports bar that boasted the biggest selection of beer on earth, which is crap because I know a guy back in Alabama that has more beer in his refrgerator. But they kept everyone isolated. The booths had high backs so you could just see the other customers if you stretched and peered. People sat and stared across the room at each other, just watching. A beer was 6 bucks, a burger 10. And parking was 16 for 2 hours(stop moving, start spending) But I think this place was reflective of the mood of Southern California.I think theres hope though. I know Im not the only person out there that feels this way. That wants to engage people and wants to be engaged. So, I started talking to people, And they were very responsive, once they knew I didnt want money. I sat down by the water and drew the harbor, and the people....and that always gets a crowd. And they loved it...so, if youre out there in San Diego....dont be afraid to stop and talk to folks....they like it!

-----------------Feb 17-20-----------------------

Yosemite

The Yosemite of winter is barely recognizable to me.The snow hides its many beautiful faces and covers them with new while the low lying clouds envelope its jagged peaks, like night, closing the world in around me making only a small bubble of its entirety visible....a bubble that follows everywhere I go giving me a sense of solitude that makes the park feel like it belongs to me alone.

What I can see in my ever moving, fog edged, ineffable private bubble is an icy winter wonderland providing recreation and psychological refuge where, once, many years ago it provided a way of life for the few fortunate enough to live there.

It makes me sad to think that with 6.5 billion people closing in on this and every place like it that this same pschological refuge will vanish to extinction, and then we surely all go insane.

But, for now, it is all mine!

 

-----------------Feb 20-28-----------------------

Moving up the coast

Being a huge Steinbeck fan, I had to stop at Cannery Row and drive through the Salinas Valley. I recall Steinbeck returning to the valley on a cross country trip with his dog, Charley. While he was there he revisited a spot overlooking the valley and described the changes of 20 years in a way only John Steinbeck could do, and I wonder if he returned now....would he even recognize the place?Every fertile valley consists of the same elements,...its borders, mountains from which the water that gives it life trickles down, and the river itself. Of which I know little. I only see the beautiful fertile land bursting with artichokes ready to be harvested by the men who arent ashamed to reach down and pick from the dirt the food that adorns our tables.The canneries are still there, ironically it was likely the tourist industry that saved them, where it replaced every other sign of Steinbecks world with coffee and souvenir shops and no less than two Thomas Kinkade galleries. But the canneries were able to survive on the small depression era scale by retailing to the tourists.

    

---------------------March 1- March 18

 

As I travel up the coast,watching the redwoods wax and wane,growing in size before giving way to the giant spruces of Oregon; I realize I have talked about the flora and the fauna that I feel define every region of this country. Ive had my reflected moments and shared a few of them with each of you, but Ive talked very little about the people I have met. And for me, the people are what truly make a place wonderful or, terrible. And I talk to EVERYONE. That is just who I am. People fascinate me, well some people fascinate me; the unusual ones. Ive met all types and Ive met the business man in his suit and tie hustling off to wherever he is a hurry to go, muttering words of deadlines and ammortization into a cell phone permanently attached to his ear, but these people are like a Rubik's cube to me....I truly dont understand.

So, anyway...here we go. The people of the redwoods and of the Oregon coast.

Scott. Scott is a jolly sort, though most would say he has little to be happy about. He has his addictions,his health isnt great, he lives in a run down trailer dropped on someone else's land in exchange for whatever labor Scott can provide; n oelectricity, the middle bows in; no family. Scott wont smile because of his teeth. But his eyes smile for him. And he lives in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Something as simple as a good meal cooked under a tarp that serves and scotts porch makes him happy.

 

Mountain Man Dan

Dan is the man to talk to if you want to know anything about the rivers and fishing up here.He can tell you what is biting,what theyre chasing, what day the fish hatchery will be dropping stock in which streams and pretty much EVERYTHING there is to know about the history of Hamlet, Oregon.

Dan also claims to have witnessed bigfoot:)...he isnt the only one up here. Imworking on getting him to take me where he saw the extended family of sasquatch fishing one evening, but Im not local enough to be trusted with that important information:)

 

Ken. His street name is Machiavelli(sp?) Ken was a bit oflandmine...oneof those you run into while talking to EVERYONE that you move away from quickly. Ken wouldnt smile because Meth had eaten his teeth away and he spent 10minutes(seemed longer) telling me stories of hisfalse persecution by the police and ofall the victories he had had over them.....the many times when Ken's scathing rhetoric sent the cops running away, ashamed for their error.

At least I think that was what he was talking about:)

Though Im not certain what a "real hippy" is, this guy would probably be one.He fits my definition anyway.He is just happy and pleasant to be around. And you get the feel that he knows what is important and what is not.

Iforget his name at the moment. But I met him in the redwoods, about toleave after walking his dog. We talked for a moment and he decided to take a walk with me instead of leaving(hippies do that) He was a wise man, that is all I really about him.

Mystery, yes that is his name. He was named by the Lakota tribe,where I spent last summer so we hit it of fright away. My given name was Crazy Fly, btw....apparently I am annoying:)

Mystery is an ordained Rastafarian(minister) living in Arcata,ca.

 

And this is Obi. Obi was working tosave money for a very ambitious boat. I wonder if he knew how much the 40 foot steelhulled vessel he described was going tocost and how long it was going to take to reach that goal by giving away rocks on the street. But I hope he makes it.

-----------------------March 25-27----------------

Chelsey.Chelsey is remarkably well adjusted considering her history. She loves the camera and the camera seems to like her too. I was most impressed with Chelsey after I bet her she couldnt get to a rock island by hopping from stone to stone without getting wet and she just tromped off across the creek, reminding me a little water never hurt anyone. A girl after my own heart.

 

----------------------March 18- April 8---------------------------------------

It has been a very calm and un eventful 3 weeks.

I am just enjoying nature and absorbing the calmness of this place. My days are filled with fishing and hiking and hanging out with new friends around a campfire. I carry pencil and paper everywhere, but have given much of my work away. The people I draw are so mesmerized by watching a blank piece of paper gain eyes, their eyes, that stare back at them that I want them to have it as areminder of a good day. Many of the people I meet dont have a lot of good days and I think it is a good thing to hold on to them in your memories.

Ive spent more time with Chelsey than anyone up here(go figure) She is an amazing girl with a clarity and vision that I wouldnt expect from someone with twice her years. She maneuvers among the dysfunction that surrounds her with grace and a childlike joy that is absolutely contageous. She speaks of her past; her father, her abusive mother, a cousin that raped her; with patience and forgiveness. She tells me that she has darker thoughts that she hides from everyone, that she is only pretending to be the person she wants to be, that she is really someone else. I tell her she is giving her attention to positive, healthy, joyeous thoughts and THAT is who she is. She doesnt believe me. But she likes that someone sees her that way.

I sense something missing in her, but I dont mention it. I wonder if it is something that has never been there or if it is something she has whittled away over the years to avoid the pain it causes.

The Eyes of Chelsey

-------------April 9 - April 21--------------------

That's my Angel. You turn your back on her for one second and she finds a big pile of rotten salmon eggs and rolls in them feverishly. She doesnt seem to know she has to sleep in a van with me:)

 

Forks, Washington

I come from a family of women and they all loved the Twilight books, and MADE me read them. So when I was on Olympic National Forest and saw the sign to Forks, I had to drive through and see what was there. The books have revitalized that town. When the lumber industry plummeted they focused on the tourists and set up landmarks from the books throughout the town and are celebrating characters birthdays this summer. Im not that crazy about the books but I love make believe:)

 

-------------April 22 - May3 --------------------

 

I am a bit of type "A" personality, I always have to be doing something. Even when Im doing nothing. So I spent the last couple of weeks setting up a small exhibit in Seaside to benefit the local shelter here.

I met some wonderful artists and collectors and raised a little money for the cats of Clatsop County.

Thanks to everyone that participated!

The cats of Clatsop County

Timmy, and I wish I could tell you more about Timmy and all the cats but Ive always been the kind of person who gets to know someone slowly. I make friends fast but, I dont ever feel like I really know someone until we have shared a lot of experience together. And I just didnt get to know Timmy or the others. All I can say for certain is they were all friendly affectionate cats that need a good home.

Lacy

The sign says "playful" and amen to that:)

Merlyn, Merlyn was the special one every shelter has. I found him hanging out watching all the other cats in their cages.

 

Hmm, I dont remember this guys name, but here he is:)

---------------------------May 6, Help Save RADIO--------------------

  

Today I received this email from Carol at Almost Heaven

 

And you all know how partial I am to Goldens,especially pups, so I am auctioning a painting to help pay his vet bills(100%)

 

And even if you cant bid, if you add this to your watch list it might make "pulse" and maybe bring some positive attention to Almost Heaven

 

Thank you for helping me help them.

Click on Radio to view the auction benefiting him.

      

-A note from Almost Heaven-

"This is a very special update - because it involves a very special puppy, Radio. Radio was born blind, and with a stubby little crooked tail. His owner held him until he was 13 weeks old, then sent him to us. He is one of the sweetest puppies on this earth - - - - - - - -

 

Within 2 days, it was obvious that something was wrong with Radio. He was still a boundless ball of energy, but he was slow to eat and his stools were not "normal". Last Sunday night, he refused his dinner until very late. Monday, I was on the road to our veterinarian's hospital with him - at 6 am - and I left him there for the doctor's to observe and treat his loss of appetite.

 

Monday evening, he took a downward turn, that has not stopped. He has lapsed into what the doctor's think is now severe parvovirus - and he is fighting for his life. We have no idea how or where he contracted it - - - or if it is secondary to an unknown medical condition. We do know, he was exposed and came to us after exposure - - -

 

Everyone, please take a few minutes today to send prayers for Radio. I'm not usually an outwardly religious person, but this poor puppy needs your good thoughts and prayers - - - - - - - I plan to ask the doctor's to continue treatment until he either improves - or his chances of recovery become hopeless.

 

I don't even want to think what his hospital bill will be - either way. If you have a few dollars to spare, we sure could use them now. I will not stop fighting for this puppy's life - - - - - - - I can't. Please help us to help him "

 

Almost Heaven

 

----------------------May 16----------------------------

 

Now that I prepare to head East, across the North of this nation I wonder what I will remember of this leg of my trip.

 

I suppose it will be the wonderful people of Hamlet, hardworking folks that welcomed me into their homes and into their lives without once questioning just who I was, and in this day and age....that is very rare.

I might recall thoughts of writing a book about this place.....how it would begin with the loud snap and thundering crash of a falling tree as a lone woodsman prepares his harvest before putting it in a mule drawn wagon that was built by his father many years ago. And, perhaps he lost his watch there, where it remains to this day, waiting for someone to find this artifact of another human life.

 

I would tell of his return home, with his hardworking wife waiting there for him with a hug and kiss, telling him how much she loves him. and Id tell of his children and his friends and how the world changed over the next 100 years, through their eyes.

 

Id tell of the family's births and deaths, theirs dream and hopes, their failures and their successes, and I would chronicle their lives until, one day, generations later, this lone woodsman's great- grandson, now an old man himself, sits enjoying a beer after a hard day of work, telling his story to a stranger , an artist from Alabama who was just passing through.

     

Oh, I just realized I havent posted any photos of the Ocean and since I wont be seeing it again for awhile....here it is.

    

--------------------May 20?...I think it is a Monday, sorry I lose track of dates when Im on the road.-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I thought I would pause and just share some of my favorite photos from this trip and the last.

    

  

Yeah I found an old toaster and crashed a wedding to get this shot. I never claimed to be "normal":)

       

 

Random "hippy"

 

    

I know, the composition stinks but that wasnt Sophia's fault. She was so relaxed with the camera around. Some people just are, and some people freeze when they see one. But she wasnt stingy with smiles whether there was a camera or not.

 

Just a pear...but I like it.

 

  

Homeless and Happy, in Prescott.

  

 

 

------------------------------Headed East--------------------------------------

 

The friendliest town in the country. Pomeroy, Washington.

I usually stop here for the 4th of July picnic, ever since I stumbled by once 3 years ago, by accident. They fed me, and thats about all it takes to make a friend with me. This time I only stopped for a minute, and I only saw 8 people, but all 8 of them smiled.

 

 

I love Montana:)

 

---------------------Wounded Knee--------------------------------

The new moon finds me breathing the cool evening air. A herd of wild ponies gallops by on the hills surrounding our circle. I sit on the cool grass,drenched in sweat, listening to stories of their ancestors; stories that have been passed down for generations.The sweat lodge was almost unbearable. I watched 12 family members climb in enthusiastically, and by the end those that stayed were listlessly clutching the ground looking for a cool spot of earth that simply was not there.

But now that is over. The pipe is shared, stories are re-told and a young girl takes her turn. I wonder how a child had the stamina to endure all that as she takes a puff and proudly holds the pipe in the air before passing it on.

The children of Wounded Knee.

THey play like I used to play. THey have no video games but instead make toys out of whatever is available. THey play with a joy and intensity that is contageous.THey laugh and they run together, all of them....the entire youth of the family.They grow up together, all ages and they form life-long memories. Just as children should.

The county is the poorest in the US, and many dont have homes, but rely on others to put them up for the brutal winter and bunk wherever they can during the summer.

This family cares for many others. No one is turned away. A child wanders up and says his mother is drunk and he needs a place to stay and they ask no questions, they just feed him and let him stay until he is ready to leave.Everyone is welcome. Everyone is family.

 

Click here to visit the art of these children and support this family.

 

--------------------------Home at Last!----------------------

Well Im home for a little while anyway, just long enough to see family and get caught up with friends, then I hope to continue on.

      

The trip, so far

  

www.villagephotos.com/track.asp?aff_id=605576

 

David Coalburn