Black Snow...Snowbird, UT

The Night Sky

A few years back I had hopes of the seeing the Northern lights. I drove about 40 miles from home to get away from the city. After a couple hours of waiting in the cold I decided that the clouds and city lights were more interesting than the nonexistant Aurora Borealis. I used a Pentax 67 (medium format) with a 105 mm lens and Kodak color film. Yes, I said film. For those who really need to know more details, I'm sorry to say that I just don't remember the f-stop or time of exposure. A best guess is f8 and 20 minutes. My good friend Norm Baker scanned the image and stripped the color.

I've already mentioned that Calvin and Hobbes is a favorite, but I must include The Far Side as well. Many times I got Far Side calendars as gifts. This is one of my favorites. Now don't get me wrong, I love our cats. I just happen to enjoy this dog's demonic thoughts.

Have you ever seen something that stopped you in your tracks and made you wonder just what people were thinking? Here's a great example. Last May we were near Tacoma, Washington to get my plane. As we neared our hotel we had to stop at a light. Peggy noticed the sign and we could hardly believe what we read. I wonder what the daily special was that day? Kibble Bits with a side of Beggin' Strips?

"Left For Dead, My Journey Home From Everest" by Beck Weathers

You might wonder why I read another book about climbing Everest. It isn't so much about climbing. I'm interested in the people and the sacrifices they make in order to reach such a goal. In order to achieve mountaineering's highest achievement Beck Weathers had to sacrifice his relationship with wife and two children.

I've had a particular interest in him ever since I saw the interview he gave, which was included with the IMAX "Everest" DVD. He poignantly states that when you're dying you don't think about your job or the new home you would like to have. What you think about are those you hold close to you.

Left For Dead is equally, if not more candid and revealing about the obsessive, driven life of Beck Weathers. Being awakened from the dead must have been clarifying, though for him, not entirely spiritual. However, he doesn't discount spirituality and finds good in many religions. Beck makes an interesting statement concerning religion.

"I think what truly matters in faith is not what you profess, but whether you live your faith's tenets. Ever the practical individual, if at the end of my days I discover there is no God, only the Void, I will feel I have lost nothing. Rather, by trying to be a better person--even if I fail--I will have gained."

Neil Diamond...

This entry was inspired by my daughter, Tobi. In her blog she says there is a song by Neil Diamond that reminds her of me. I hope she doesn't mind me including her comments here.

"I have always thought that you looked like Neil Diamond. Take it as a compliment because he's an attractive man. Almost any song of his reminds me of you. Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show just happens to be the funniest."

Something you may not know about me is that I'm a fan of his. Some songs I'm not crazy about and his singing style can grind on me at times. But in 1974 I saw the movie "Jonathon Livingston Seagull" I thought it was a flop but the music (by Neil Diamond) was incredible. I immediately bought the album. I drove my parent's crazy because I was always playing that record. To this day I still listen to it.

Some music is like comfort food. When nothing else will soothe my soul, I listen to Jonathon Livingston Seagull. It may have to do with the fact that it has some very prominent trumpet parts and the theme of the movie is flying. Go figure. Me? Attracted to trumpets and flying?