All Tangled Up In Barbed Wire — Image by kenne
I don’t know, why I don’t
Put it out baby
We kiss and the flames
Just get higher
But yeah I know
When I hold onto you baby
I’m all tangled up in barbed wire
I get burned, I don’t learn
I’ll be back, give it time
Yeah, I know it sounds crazy
But guess I like playing with fire
— from Playing with Fire by Thomas Rhett
Andean Cockof the Rock — Image by Hugh Poland
In early February, my stepson-in-law went birding in Ecuador. Upon his return to Kingwood, Texas, Hugh put together this trip video.
— kenne
Antelope Canyon Boat Tour On Lake Powell (June 9, 2014) — Image by kenne
The cool way to experience Canyon is by kayaking through Lake Powell to the slot canyons, but us more
mature people take a boat. If you want a more virtual experience, there are several videos on YourTube.
— kenne
Charles Bukowski
– – Charles Bukowski (Source: Oldpoetry.com)
Singer-songwriter Mac Davis Dead at 78 — Source: soundslikenashville.com
Charles Bukowski — Grunge Art by kenneThe Genius Of The Crowd – Poem by Charles Bukowski
there is enough treachery, hatred violence absurdity in the average
human being to supply any given army on any given day
and the best at murder are those who preach against it
and the best at hate are those who preach love
and the best at war finally are those who preach peace
those who preach god, need god
those who preach peace do not have peace
those who preach peace do not have love
beware the preachers
beware the knowers
beware those who are always reading books
beware those who either detest poverty
or are proud of it
beware those quick to praise
for they need praise in return
beware those who are quick to censor
they are afraid of what they do not know
beware those who seek constant crowds for
they are nothing alone
beware the average man the average woman
beware their love, their love is average
seeks average
but there is genius in their hatred
there is enough genius in their hatred to kill you
to kill anybody
not wanting solitude
not understanding solitude
they will attempt to destroy anything
that differs from their own
not being able to create art
they will not understand art
they will consider their failure as creators
only as a failure of the world
not being able to love fully
they will believe your love incomplete
and then they will hate you
and their hatred will be perfect
like a shining diamond
like a knife
like a mountain
like a tiger
like hemlock
their finest art
Leonard Cohen — Image source: balkanrock.com
This morning I learned of the passing of one of North America’s greatest poets, novelists, and singer/songwriters of our time. Like many others who listen to public radio, it was just a few days ago I was listening to KCRW’s Chris Douridas interview Cohen after the release of his latest album, “You Want It Darker.” At 82, he had not been in the best of health, but such news always carries an element of surprise. Click here to listen to the Chris Douridas.
kenne
Hallelujah — Leonard Cohen (YouTube Video)
Panoramic Image from the Mountain Meadow Below Thimble Peak — Images by kenne
As Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) we spend a lot of time in the Canyon and the Santa Catalina Mountains leading children and adults on outdoor activities. One of the iconic images of the Canyon is Thimble Peak. It can be seen from the Sabino Canyon Recreational Area Center, the tram ride up through the Canyon, Bear Canyon and many of the area’s hiking trails.
One very popular trail is Blackett’s Ridge trail located between Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon. This difficult hiking trail ends about a mile from Thimble Peak, separated by a deep ravine — “So close, yet so far,” is the thought most people have when reaching the end of the Blackett’s Ridge trail. Serious rock climbers might venture on, but most adventurous hikers look for other options for hiking to this majestic pinnacle.
One option is to hike, or take the tram, up through Sabino Canyon, then taking the Sabino Canyon trail to the East Fork trail, looping around to the Bear Canyon trail.
Another option is to take the Bear Canyon trail out of the Sabino Canyon Recreational Area up through Bear Canyon passed Seven Falls.
A third option is the one that five SCVN members (Phil Bentley, Alexa Bieberstein, Tim Ralph, Ed Rawl and Kenne Turner) decided to do when learning that the elementary school class coming to the Canyon on November 7th had been cancelled.
Wash Leading Out Of The Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site (Historical WWII Prison Camp)
This option involved driving the Catalina Highway to the Gordon Hirabayashi Campgrounds, where under a beautiful blue-sky morning, we began the twelve-mile hike in cool temperatures, with a forecast of sunny warm temperatures in the afternoon — windy with gusts of 40 mph.
Tim, Ed, Alexa and Phil At The Sycamore Reservoir Trail Saddle (Part of the Arizona Trail)
The Arizona Trail, which runs from Mexico to Utah goes through the area making use of many existing trails in the Santa Catalina Mountains. As predicted, the winds were gusty.
Phil, Alexa & Tim
This sign at the saddle on the Sycamore Reservoir trail is a common site for those hiking to the Sycamore dam. On our way to Thimble Peak, we stopped at the dam for a break before continuing on to the Bear Canyon trail.
The Peak Is In Sight! (Phil, Alexa, Ed and Tim)
Even with the very windy conditions, it didn’t take long before we began shading layers of clothing.
Photo Taking Time (Phil and Alexa)
This scene is located where the Bear Canyon trail goes left down into the canyon to Seven Falls. After a few photos, we headed off to the right through a beautiful mountain meadow toward the trail that would take us to Thimble Peak.
Thimble Peak
We were now only a few hundred yards from the pinnacle. You can click here to see 44 images on my Flickr account of our hike in a full-frame slideshow.
In addition to many photos, I managed to take several video clips, which I have edited into a video posted on YouTube and inserted below. The video contains a special treat with naturalist Phil Bentley singing America the Beautiful overlooking the Tucson valley from the base of Thimble Peak pinnacle.
At The Base of Thimble Peak Overlooking the Tucson Valley (Ed, Phil, Alexa and Tim)
Alexa Climbing The Pinnacle (Thimble Peak)
A Thimble Full Of Life
All one needs
in life is
a thimble full of
this and that
to experience life.
We determine
what makes up
THIS,
what makes up
THAT.
Do you have a thimble full?
— kenne
You can see all 44 images at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157637734025706/
Old Rusty Tractor — Image by kenne
Last night I spent over three hours watching the documentary, “History of The Eagles.” I love every minute of it!
The documentary, which had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last January, is in two parts and is currently on Showtime and can be purchased on DVD, or streamed — there are so many options in today’s digital would.
Like most rock ‘n roll bands, much of their creativity comes from the battles with their demons, which are the vital spirits of creative imagination. For me their music takes the listener to an extrasensory event that is seeking Lorca’s “Duende,” ” . . a momentary burst of inspiration, the blush of all that is alive, all that the performer is creating at a certain moment.” This is what makes music intoxicating.
So, “What’s with the rusty old tractor?” you ask.
One of the things that stood out the most in the Eagles documentary was something Don Henley said near the end, when he referenced a Neil Young quote about quitting before you rust. The reference was about music, or was it?
Most of us who have lived with the music of the Eagles are beginning to feel old and rusty, but Henley put a new perspective on it:
“I don’t see rust as a bad thing. I have an old 1962 John Deere tractor that’s covered in rust, but it runs like a top. You know the inner workings are just fine. To me, that rust symbolizes all the work done and all the experiences gained. From where I sit, rust looks pretty good.”
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
“Relax, ” said the night man,
“We are programmed to receive.
You can check-out any time you like,
But you can never leave! “
— from the Eagles, “Hotel California”
kenne
Glenn Fry and Don Henley of The Eagles — Sam Jones/Showtime
One of the best covers of an Eagles song is that of Tucson native, Linda Ronstadt – Desperado (Simple Dreams Tour – Atlanta 1977)
“Lipstick Sunset” Image by kenne
— kenne
Texas Live Music — Image by kenne
Mean Gene Kelton — Image by kenne
One year ago today, our very good friend, Mean Gene Kelton died in an auto accident. I first met Gene at a Houston Blues Society (HBS) board meeting we were attending to explore how a group we were forming, Friends of the Blues — Montgomery County, might work with HBS. The focus of our group was an educational series on the Blues, which would be offered through the continuing education department at Montgomery College. Gene expressed an interest in being a part of our new project, and for the next year he and Joni would drive from Baytown to The Woodlands once a week — to say the least, we were impressed and appreciative of their involvement. That kind of support and commitment says more than words as to the kind of man Mean Gene Kelton was.
Over the past decade I had plenty of opportunity to photograph Gene, and in recent years to also video some of his gigs. (See links below.) As fate would have it, Joy and I were in Houston over the holidays last year and were planning on being at his New Years day matinée at Rowdy Bucks in Crosby, Texas, which we had also attended two-years earlier. The video on this post contains clips from the events that followed Gene’s tragic death.
kenne
Blog Postings
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/gene-kelton-ken-marys-blues-project-may-5-2008/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/mean-gene-kelton-the-corner-pub/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/20-years-and-out-mean-gene-kelton-the-texas-saloon/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/mean-gene-kelton-westfield-by-the-railroad/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/capturing-the-moment-mean-gene-kelton-t-99-nelson/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/capturing-the-moment-memories-of-mean-gene/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/mean-gene-kelton-the-corner-pub-august-2008/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/mean-gene-you-gave-so-much-now-its-our-turn/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/mr-mrs-v-kpft-remember-mean-gene-kelton/
Flickr Sets
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157612015323911/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157604902077550/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157604138948800/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157602416286003/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157601104138219/
Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_r6fJhiRAE&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g86mC0Y5TV8&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuQRp-2g2fs&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WooiK2tMfuo&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIzt8CFM8CQ&
. . . I love it!
kenne
This duo is good — very refreshing!
kenne
Ned Harris — Image by kenne
Last Friday I learned that Ned Harris would be my mentor in the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists training program. Ned and I were able to connect Sunday by phone, during which he told me about Anne Green’s Sabino Canyon blog, his Flickr account and invited me to be part of a naturalists group he was leading on Mount Lemmon Wednesday (yesterday). What Ned didn’t know was his naturalists friends were planning a surprise birthday celebration as part of the scheduled potluck after the hike.
I’m very please to have Ned as my SCVN mentor, to say the least.
kenne
(I will be uploading more photos from Wednesday’s hike to my Flickr account soon.)
Video by kenne (The video is also in my Youtube account.)
Image by kenne
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