It took some time…

 

before I was far enough away from this situation to feel comfortable enough to post these pictures.

This post isn’t about the pictures…it’s about the young man in the middle of this shot and his best friend. They were headed to our house to see Nicole one night. Traveling along one of the large irrigation canals and feeling young and immortal. Nothing that all young people haven’t done at one point or another in their lives.  No drugs, no alcohol…just young blood running through their veins and feeling alive.

 

The car went into the canal, flipped as it did and landed upside down. The windows were all up, the car was immediately full of water and these two special young men could have had their lives ended in that moment. Miraculously, they both found their way out of one of the back windows. That makes those moments they lived through sound so trivial…believe me, they lived lifetimes in those minutes. 

The boys walked, soaking wet  and thankful to be alive, to our house.  We got them into warm, dry clothes and then Greg and I went to find their car. It was the eeriest feeling.  It was dark and quiet as we stepped out of our truck when we saw where they went over the edge.  The car lights were still on and the only sound was the water rushing around the one tire that was breaking the surface. I cried and was so frightened. What if they hadn’t gotten out?  When would someone have found them? It’s too awful to think about.

 

We were along the canal for several hours.  First waiting for the sheriff’s deputy to get there, then the wrecker, then a second wrecker with a boom.  It was cold and somber.  Once we accepted we had only “things”  to worry about and that everything that was important was standing next to us wrapped in blankets, I couldn’t help but pull out my camera.

 

 

 

 

The car was a total loss but what mattered was that these young men were alive and would continue to be a part of our lives and their family’s lives for hopefully decades to come. 

Jorge and Tyler I love you and I can’t tell you how much I believe the world would have been such a  diminished place without you in it. You have a purpose and a reason for being and I’m glad I’ll get to see those things come to pass.

Three Reflections of Tree…

 

Kinda like the movie, The Three Faces of Eve, Kathy of Kathy Goes a Ramblin' had a fun idea on our outing in downtown Phoenix during her last visit.  She challenged Tracy of Life is a Road Trip and myself to take a picture of the same reflected palm tree.  The idea was then that we would each present the reflection with our own unique twist.  I got to pick the day that we would post our pictures and poor Tracy just went along with whatever Kathy and I were saying.  She’s a trooper that way.

Well these ladies are much more talented at post production shenanigans than I am, but I wanted to give it a try.  So here is my photo for your (hopeful) enjoyment.  Please be sure to go by Tracy’s and Kathy’s to see how warped…I mean individualistic…their interpretations are.

Get Out and Vote…

 

Today is an important day in the United States.  We need to get out and exercise our right to be involved in the selection process of our country’s leaders.  I do take that seriously, but you know how things go when Tracy and I get together…

We tried a new sandwich shop in our little corner of the world on Sunday.  They had great food and the signs were pretty entertaining too.

But I almost got myself in trouble…  Picture this:  it’s 2012 in a small town in Arizona.  Okay, that’s a bit much.  Here’s what really happened.  Tracy comes running ( I do mean running) back from the restroom and says I need to take my camera and check out the ladies’ room.

This is what greeted me upon my arrival.  On closer inspection…

We pretty much giggled like little girls (which we are at heart) and were plotting how to get into the men’s room to see what waited there.  That’s when calmer heads prevailed and we talked ourselves out of that little foray.  I’m sure some of my blogging friends have already patronized this establishment and that this is all old news to you, but it was a fun moment for us!!!

Disclaimer:  Okay, Tracy didn’t REALLY run, but she did walk quickly.  There were “no calmer heads” prevailing…we chickened out.

I DO really believe in and value our right to vote.

My name is Magpie and I approve this post.  :)

Dia de los Muertos…

 

While on my walk downtown with Tracy and Kathy, I passed a building with paintings inside.   I was  looking through the windows at these amazing paintings and did my best to capture their beauty through the glass.  I believe this building was part of the ASU campus and we didn’t stop to go inside.

I am fascinated with the tradition of Dia de los Muertos and found these works of art breathtaking.  I did do some post production effects to them, but feel I maintained the spirit and beauty of the artwork.

More than 500 years ago when Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is present day Mexico, they encountered the indigenous people practicing a ritual that had been happening for 3,000 years.  The Spanish conquerors tried to eradicate the practice believing it mocked death.  They were unsuccessful and then attempted to Christianize the tradition by moving it to November 1st – All Saints Day. 

The celebration had originally lasted for a month in what was the ninth month of the Aztec solar calendar – roughly August.  It was presided over by the goddess Mictecacihuatl.   

“Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.”

“In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones.”
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html#ixzz2AzvwTtTu

This artwork was powerful and beautifully done. The tradition of honoring our dead, touches my heart whether it’s done on Dia de los Muertos or Memorial Day.