Light... as a Feather

Pampas Grass, Patriot's Point, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok


A cluster of pampas grass is highlighted by morning sun.
This tall ornamental grass from Argentina reminds me of ostrich feathers ready to be made into old fashioned ladies' hats.

Healing

Basilica of Saint Anthony, Padua, Italy  © Doug Hickok


Saint Anthony of Padua was a contemporary of Saint Francis of Assisi, and renown for his spiritual teachings. This church was built in 1232 to honor him after his death and canonization. Although he is the patron saint of lost things, both physical and spiritual, he is particularly sought after by the elderly for spiritual healing. Thousands visit here annually on pilgrimage.

The power of spiritual healing is quite strong. The capacity of the human body and mind to heal itself has been underrated in Western medicine, though it is gaining more recognition in recent times. Self-healing is at the core of many Eastern philosophies. My son practices a Hindu method of self-healing, focusing his energies on the chakras, the seven spiritual centers of the body.

Tapping into the body's ability to heal itself is an Eastern method that reaches back thousands of years. I have successfully undergone Chinese acupuncture to heal my injured back when conventional medical treatments failed. Acupuncture is said to help release chi, the body's self-healing energy.

Yet thousands of lives are saved by the accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of lethal diseases by medical physicians, who practice a thorough scientific method established by the great ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, as was the case earlier this year with my wife.

1/20 of a Second

Parking Lot Detail, Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, OH  © Doug Hickok


A moment in the life of a parking lot.

Revolution

Pock Marked Wall from the Hungarian Revolution of 1956,
Castle Hill, Budapest, Hungary  © Doug Hickok


Modern civilization is built on revolution...
American, French, Bolshevik, Chinese, Iranian, Arab, Agricultural, Scientific, Industrial, Technological... just to name a few.
Where would we be today without mankind's will to revolt against oppression, 
or conventional wisdom?

Throwback Thursday - Taking Chances

Window and Stop Sign, Old Barn, near Chillicothe, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


Sometimes in life you have to take chances. You have to ignore caution, overcome fears, break out of your self-imposed comfort zone.
Sometimes you have to put away your "stop sign",
and charge full speed ahead.

(This "CHARGE!!!" is for you, Adam.)

Photo Note: This image was made on Kodachrome 64 slide film about 25 years ago, during what seems now the ancient times of photographic technology.

Seawall

Rocky Shore and Clouds at Dusk, Seawall, Acadia National Park, SC  © Doug Hickok


Grace of Simplicity

Three from the Old Town of Krakow

Corner, Near Florian Gate, Old Town, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok

Old Door, Near St. Mary's Basilica, Old Town, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok

Stone Face, Courtyard of Collegium Maius (where Copernicus studied in the 1490's),
Old Town, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok

Misty Monday - Business

Diamond Tower, Ravenel Bridge, Mount Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok

Town of Mount Pleasant Business Plan


The upscale Town of Mount Pleasant, across the harbor from Charleston,
used one of my stock images recently for the cover of their Business Plan booklet.
The goal is to attract more corporate business to their city,
and therefore more revenue for the local economy.

Speaking of business, because Becky and I were out of town so much during the summer, I am several weeks behind in photography work. Plus, the busy fall shooting season is under way.

To all my blogger friends, I apologize for not being able to visit you as regularly as I would like. Please know I have not forgotten about you! I will catch-up with everyone as soon as I can. Thank you very much for all your comments. 
I appreciate the time you take to stop by. 

A 9/11 Remembrance

Saint Michael's Church and Federal Building, Broad Street,Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


In memory of the innocent and the brave who lost their lives 10 years ago today.

The world as we knew it changed forever.

New Beginnings

West Prong, Little Pigeon River,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok


Most of this soggy summer has been a rush of family events. We have made three road trips to Ohio in the last 60 days. Once for the Schulte family reunion.. a jaunt into the past and getting in touch with the present. Next for our niece's wedding... a wonderful new beginning for Sarah and Mike. Last weekend we made our third road trip. This time we helped move our son in with his cousin... another new beginning, especially when he experiences his first midwestern winter! 

Since our daughter moved out of the house last year (and is now applying to grad schools), we are officially "empty nesters". We are experiencing a flood of mixed emotions. It is exciting to watch our talented children growing into adulthood, flourishing as amazing individuals. As for us, we are traveling on a new tributary, enjoying a strangely quiet home, filled with distant echos of tiny babbling voices and bubbling laughter.

As we returned to South Carolina, we drove through the deluge of Tropical Storm Lee. We stopped briefly in the Great Smoky Mountains where streams and rivulets buoyantly cascaded... each drop of water on its newest journey... like the new beginnings of each member of our family.

Sentinels

Sycamore Trees, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The day Irene passed by Charleston, my plan was to photograph a scene of inclement weather. Fortunately, for the lowcountry, there was less of that than expected (though Mother Nature continues to aim hurricanes our way). Instead, I improvised and switched my focus to these rows of sycamores in early autumn color.

Sycamores are the first to alert us that "danger" is on the way.
They begin to turn yellow at the first signs of drought and are the first to change color when the temperatures begin to drop.


Like sentinels on the first line of defense, these trees stand in a column with their camouflage trunks, alerting us to what lies ahead.

Relic of the Depression Era

Old Ford, Danny's Classic Cars, Elko, South Carolina  © Doug Hickok


Miss Daisy's Sunday driving car or
Bonnie and Clyde's getaway?

Imagine what modern autos will look like in 80 years.

Green Light

Green Light Bulb Cage, Loan Shop, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


A light complement to the red.

SCAD

SCAD Building, Savannah, Georgia  © Doug Hickok


This is one of the colorful buildings of the Savannah College of Art and Design. The university offers fine art degrees in 11 majors. Fields of study include historic preservation, sequential art, furniture design, menswear, printmaking, game development, museum studies, and film & television, to name just a few. The school has branches in Hong Kong and Lacoste, France.

My daughter studied here her first year of college.

Mysterious Monday - Folly Beach Walker

Reflections of a Hotel on Wet Sand, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok

Beach Walker, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok

Reflections of a Hotel on Wet Sand, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


Where did the man go?

Saint Philip's Sunday - Entry Gate

Entry Gate, Saint Philip's Church, French Quarter, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


This weathered iron gate adorns the entry to one of Charleston's most beautiful historic churches.

Impression of a Sunrise VI

Sunrise Waters, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The warm colors of sunrise reflect in the calm waters of Charleston Harbor in this short time exposure.

Faceless

Faceless Figures, Green Acres Canoe and Kayak, Harrison, OH  © Doug Hickok


I post this unusual image today because I have not done a Favorite Photographer Friday post in a long time. This kind of picture reminds me of the old master photographer of humor, strangeness and odd juxtapositions, Elliott Erwitt. In case you need a smile (or a cringe) today, below are two links to some of his better known photographs,
 here and here.

Hope you have a fun weekend.

A Farewell to Summer

Green Acres Canoe and Kayak, near Whitewater River, Harrison, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


As August ends and September begins, we start saying our farewells to Summer. In the U.S. this is especially so after Labor Day weekend. We say farewell to family vacations, long weekend getaways, and lingering evenings of ease & relaxation. Farewell to sun & fun, and cooling off in the refreshing waters of rivers, lakes and seas. Farewell to you, lazy, idyllic Summer.

Though perhaps I glorify you too much. Mostly, you have been too hot, too dry and too stormy. Call me fickle, but I'm ready for a taste of sweet Autumn.

The Lotus Eaters

Red Lotus, Old Farm House Pond, Village of Lewisburg, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


If you recall your Greek mythology and the story of Homer's Odyssey, the Lotus Eaters were a people inhabiting an island near North Africa who feasted on the Lotus flower and fruit. The plant was said to have a narcotic effect. According to Odysseus, when his ship ran aground on this island, his men munched upon the delicious Lotus plants. They soon felt carefree, being completely apathetic about ever leaving the land of the Lotus Eaters and returning home.

Though we did not partake of the fruit or flower of the lotus, we felt the same way about our family and their farmhouse in Lewisburg.