Here is a small dose of peace from the last quarter of 2011.

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Blessings and grace in 2012.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Filed under: clouds, colorado, mountains, photography, sunset, travel Tagged: clouds, colorado, mountains, photography, sunset ]]> http://eliphoto.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/eye-candy/feed/ 1 eliphoto Various scenes from Salida, Buena Vista, Ft. Collins, Boulder, Snowmass Colorado and New Mexico, including Santa Fe, Taos and Ojo Caliente. http://eliphoto.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/friday-flashback/ http://eliphoto.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/friday-flashback/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:05:57 +0000 Eli Reichman http://eliphoto.wordpress.com/?p=3725 ]]> As a child, I loved my Hot Wheels car collection.  I smiled when I saw this life-sized edition parked on the streets of Salida, CO.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

A walk in the woods.

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Julian, circa 1978. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Dad,

The wind blew hard across the lake yesterday, a steady 15-20 out of the southeast, kicking swells up to three feet.  I thought I felt your hand on my shoulder, but there was no need to worry when it came to navigating those perilous waters, I had a good teacher.

As promised, I have returned to our beloved Leech Lake to bid you farewell. The two of us here together again, one last time.  It was here as a child that I watched you breathe in the crisp northern air, draw in the view with a smile and saw the worries drop from your shoulders, any troubles left well behind you.  In this place you were at peace with your lot in life.

It’s raining here today.  A solitary loon sings its haunting melody in the nearby shallows.  I close my eyes, recalling the smell of bacon frying as I lay in bed, the mass of rods and reels forever entangled with one another and your pipe, firmly wedged against your square jaw as you captained our boat across the rough expanses of water seeking out a worthy prey ~ the mighty walleye.  These scenes, well-etched in my mind, were repeated so often they became legend.  And this magical place, replete with its mystical sites: Submarine, The Annex, Red Rocks, Chippewa Bar, Bear Island . . . will never be quite the same without you.

Yesterday, as I worked the lake in search of your prized fish, I realized much of what I needed to know about living well, I learned as a youngster on these very waters: get up early, work hard, persevere, get a good nights rest, embrace each day as a new beginning and life will be full.  I would not have learned these lessons had you not been there to guide me.

I landed a nice walleye for you off the northwest tip of Bear, but then, you knew I would.  I named him, Oscar.  Are you smiling?

The time has come to leave this holy ground you so cherished.  The car awaits, the compass points south.  I’m counting on you to send a mighty tailwind my way and ease the journey home.  Onward, through the familiar way stations of Sauk Centre, Windom, Spirit Lake and onto other grand adventures, yet to be discovered.

With love and gratitude always, Eli.

As I’ve written previously on the blog, Sam became a distance runner at the beginning of his freshman year at Shawnee Mission South.  A three-year varsity letterman in both cross country and track, he’s enjoyed great successes – most notably this past fall as captain of the cross country team that finished 2nd in the Kansas Boys 6A state meet.

Friday night at the Kansas Boys 6A regional track meet, Sam found a big gear at the finish of the 1600 meter race.  With 100 meters to the tape, Sam was lagging behind his teammate, junior Brett Schauwecker. Then in the final 60 meters, Sam dug deep, surging past his good friend to place fourth and qualify for the State meet next weekend in Wichita.

It was a bit of a bittersweet moment . . . so much happiness for Sam finally accomplishing a long sought after goal, but understanding how tough it was for Brett to miss out on his own opportunity to qualify for the State meet.  I have no doubt Brett will bounce back from this momentary setback and work his own magic next year throughout his senior cross country and track grand finale.

Here’s wishing all the SM South track and field athletes good luck next weekend!

Sam Reichman, Kansas 6A qualifier, boys 1600 meter. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

I don’t recall ever spending time with a more gracious and gentle human being than Paul.  Over the past few months Paul’s world has been overrun by this flock of young chickens.

After the mother hen hatched this brood of baby chicks, she flew the coop, never to return.  Paul took over the mama’s daily duties, doting over the chicks and nurturing the group into very social creatures.  It’s fairly certain that Paul enjoys the birds company as much as they do his.

Paul Gillespie and his brood of chicks. ©Eli Reichman, 2011.

Paul Gillespie and his brood of chicks. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Paul Gillespie and his brood of chicks. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Brian Lanker died Sunday, March 13th from pancreatic cancer.  A photographic genius and a poetic story teller’s vision has been silenced. Thankfully his photographs will endure.  http://bit.ly/gDdkL5 http://brianlanker.com/

Standby passengers were relegated to the smoking section.  Yuck!

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

In 1974 I took some of my first pictures with this Auto Graflex Jr.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

“Ideologies separate us. Dreams and anguish bring us together.”

Eugene Ionesco.

An NYC subway token from my first trip to the Big Apple in 1979.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

A token autobiographical moment.

My 1978 LA Times press pass.

_________________________________

I once had the pleasure of shaking George Harrison’s hand.

In 1979, former Beatle George Harrison held a press conference in Los Angeles, promoting the recent release of his album, George Harrison.  It was a small, intimate affair with invitations extended to select members of the LA press corp.  I was sent by the LA Times to cover the event.

Towards the end of the conference several reporters baited Harrison with the taunt “do something special for the cameras.”  It seemed an inane request, but without hesitation Harrison flashed a quick grin and luckily I captured him in the act.

As Harrison prepared to leave I moved towards the exit door.  He stopped in front of me, extended his hand and said, “thanks for coming.”

The following day his photograph ran on the Times View section cover.

George Harrison. LA press conference 1979. ©Eli Reichman, 1979-2011. All Rights Reserved.

Former Beatle, George Harrison surrounded by members of the LA press corp. ©Eli Reichman, 1979-2011. All Rights Reserved.

The news of the attempted assassination of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the deaths of 6 innocent bystanders marks a sobering time in America.  All Americans, regardless of political affiliation bear some responsibility for this tragedy.

We have tolerated and oftentimes embraced contemporary political theater as a justifiable means to an end.  Saturday’s shooting marks a sad turning point in this country’s history and our collective behavior is no longer acceptable.  We must demand that every politician, every media organization, family members, friends and foe move beyond the constant spate of heightened inflammatory rhetoric and debate ideological policy differences in a mutually respectful dialogue.

If anything positive is to come from one insane act, this is the only path forward.

My two amazing kids.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Are all grown up now.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Peace and happiness to all.