quasiphoto

The Big Fake Pencil.

2012-01-05T13:23:00.003-07:00

Found in my note book

not sure why I did it

but I like it.

If Beat Poets Wrote Murder Mysteries

2011-12-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

I had just downed another swig of appetizer when

in walked trouble

real bad trouble

like the kind that comes in a plain brown envelope

the 8 by 10 size

slid under the door of someone who

least expects it but

most deserves it

I wasn’t sure at first except that

they were right on time and

they were sinister enough

in a film noir sort of way

one dame and a beefy thug

him with

hair slicked and

wearing ill-fitting sports coat with

tell-tale bulges and

her a curvaceous blond in sultry pink frock that

fit in all the right places and

icy blue eyes framed by

coal black lashes as long as the drawl of

her syrupy southern greeting which

dripped like

poison from smirking pink lips and

floated across the room on a wave of

magnolia perfume pausing at

my nostrils and

finally

slithering into my eardrums and

coiling around my pounding heart and

then I knew her

Delilah

the snake

blond now

brunette then and right on time

I wanted to kiss her then

kill her or

kill her then kiss her or probably just

kill her but

beefy thug deterred me and

anyway

she didn’t know it was me and

she didn’t know that I knew what

she had done and

she didn’t know that I had friends that

she thought were hersso I waited at the bar in the shadows

in my Acme Electrical ball cap and

overalls and fake mustache and

took another swig

bile and scotch churning in my gut and

one gloved fist motionless on the bar

ready

I waited

watched as they strode

her all confident like

to the back of the restaurant and

took possession of the table beneath the crystal chandelier

like it belonged to them

like they always did

her with thoughts no doubt

of invincibility

smug expressions

the two of them

her settling gracefully smiling

practiced and perfect full of

superiority at

the waiter who placed the

stuffed mushroom caps on the table without

expression

and him thuggish brute plopping down

beside her brushing his beefy noggin against

the chandelier

recently purchased from Joe’s Hardware discount aisle

and installed by me with a few alterations

my Dremel tool cutting blade

still warm in my pocket

like complimentary stuffed mushroom caps

still warm on their table

stuffed just for her

compliments from the chef

I watched her pink lips forming words

I would never hear but

wanted to

those perfect smirking lips over

perfect pearly teeth

batting her lashes ever so coyly and

I kept trying to imagine

a different ending

her eyes sliding obliviously over me and

bathing me with distain and fueling my

icy cold conviction

now it stuck

like gum on a beat cop’s shoe but still

I kept still and silent asking why

Delilah why why why

my fist still wrapped

with 30 pound fishing line

recently purchased from Joe’s Hardware store and

strung through pulleys wrapped

around nearly severed cables hanging by a thread

waiting for the moment

the waiter at their table holding

his thumb to his ear and pinky to his lips beckoning to

beefy thug who rises knocking his noggin again

the chandelier sways and catches the light

spraying it around the room

she is mesmerized and follows

light and sound tinkling crystal shards of murderous light and

sound upward

I watch her brow rise and

she is amused confused then

quizzical brows lower over narrowing eyes that

meet mine with

accusatory glare unsure

again upward with icy blues

she looks

I tug

the line

my heart strings

tear

the chandelier drops and

she is too late for beefy intervention

I am too late for her explanation

red drops gush from her empty eyes and

there is horror chaos and

madness

only one drop of a different sort slides down my cheek

and I think under different circumstances

in a time of redemption for instance

we might have stayed friends

I coil fishing line

shed cap and overalls toss it all in

the deep fryer along with

a cigarette butt

revenge is a dish best served cold and

I was feverishly hot as I ducked like

a chicken into the waiting darkness

Rock Climbing Shoes

2011-03-22T12:52:00.000-06:00

Maybe not, but you could wear them

after you are safely off the mountain.

Pansy Shoes

2011-03-22T12:46:00.001-06:00

Pretty as a pansy but twice as tough.

My Dad: 1924 - 2010

2010-12-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

My Dad: a fierce protector

Skylight

2010-05-24T13:42:00.000-06:00

What is it younsters say today...?

2010-05-18T14:37:00.000-06:00

Meh...

Gone too far.

2010-05-18T14:35:00.000-06:00

I went too far on this one. It is false.

Lines make shapes.

2010-05-18T14:31:00.001-06:00

Tram Tracks

2010-05-18T14:29:00.001-06:00

Fixer Upper.

2010-05-12T20:29:00.001-06:00

Nothing that a dab of colour won't fix.

Colour Leakage.

2010-05-11T18:48:00.001-06:00

Bavarian

2010-04-29T16:33:00.002-06:00

Architectural detail, un-detailed, of the Bavarian Restaurant in Las Vegas.

The Vdara

2010-04-28T19:48:00.000-06:00

Stalking Serendipity

2010-04-28T19:38:00.002-06:00

No one is home.
No one has been home for a very long time.
The sun settles the debate.

Snow Shadows

2010-04-28T19:34:00.001-06:00

In search of the elusive ice whale.

Through early morning fog I see.

2010-04-05T14:49:00.000-06:00

The Olympic Torch

2010-03-03T19:35:00.001-07:00

Vancouver

2008-12-07T17:59:00.002-07:00

Westjet

2008-12-06T20:18:00.004-07:00

Sometimes it rains

2008-11-30T23:03:00.001-07:00

*

2008-11-21T05:42:00.001-07:00

Freezing rain and cat fights.

2008-11-12T14:31:00.002-07:00

Not a typical November.

Wilfred Owen WW I Poet

2008-11-11T09:48:00.007-07:00

STRANGE MEETING

It seemed that out of the battle I escaped
Down some profound dull tunnel, long since scooped
Through granites which titanic wars had groined.
Yet also there encumbered sleepers groaned,
Too fast in thought or death to be bestirred.
Then, as I probed them, one sprang up, and stared
With piteous recognition in fixed eyes,
Lifting distressful hands as if to bless.
And by his smile, I knew that sullen hall;
With a thousand fears that vision's face was grained;
Yet no blood reached there from the upper ground,
And no guns thumped, or down the flues made moan.
"Strange friend," I said, "Here is no cause to mourn."
"None," said the other, "Save the undone years,
The hopelessness. Whatever hope is yours,
Was my life also; I went hunting wild
After the wildest beauty in the world,
Which lies not calm in eyes, or braided hair,
But mocks the steady running of the hour,
And if it grieves, grieves richlier than here.
For by my glee might many men have laughed,
And of my weeping something has been left,
Which must die now. I mean the truth untold,
The pity of war, the pity war distilled.
Now men will go content with what we spoiled.
Or, discontent, boil bloody, and be spilled.
They will be swift with swiftness of the tigress,
None will break ranks, though nations trek from progress.
Courage was mine, and I had mystery;
Wisdom was mine, and I had mastery;
To miss the march of this retreating world
Into vain citadels that are not walled.
Then, when much blood had clogged their chariot-wheels
I would go up and wash them from sweet wells,
Even with truths that lie too deep for taint.
I would have poured my spirit without stint
But not through wounds; not on the cess of war.
Foreheads of men have bled where no wounds were.
I am the enemy you killed, my friend.
I knew you in this dark; for so you frowned
Yesterday through me as you jabbed and killed.
I parried; but my hands were loath and cold.
Let us sleep now . . ."

(This poem was found among the author's papers.)

Another Version

Earth's wheels run oiled with blood. Forget we that.
Let us lie down and dig ourselves in thought.
Beauty is yours and you have mastery,
Wisdom is mine and I have mystery.
We two will stay behind and keep our troth.
Let us forego men's minds that are brute's natures,
Be we not swift with swiftness of the tigress.
Let us break ranks from those who trek from progress.
Miss we the march of this retreating world
Into old citadels that are not walled.
Let us lie out and hold the open truth.
Then when their blood hath clogged the chariot wheels
We will go up and wash them from deep wells.
What though we sink from men as pitchers falling
Many shall raise us up to be their filling
Even from wells we sunk too deep for war
And filled by brows that bled where no wounds were.

Alternative Line—

Even as One who bled where no wounds were.

The heat wave is over.

2008-11-11T09:27:00.001-07:00

One of these things is not like the other.

2008-11-10T09:14:00.002-07:00

But, it still belongs.

Congratulations

2008-11-05T06:12:00.002-07:00

Erik the Red

2008-10-31T12:11:00.007-06:00

Did you know that if your last name is Cushings you might be related to Erik the Red?

We are not alone.

2008-10-28T13:50:00.004-06:00

A very windy day.

2008-10-27T06:01:00.004-06:00

Not a good wind.

Tasty Tomatoes

2008-10-21T08:44:00.004-06:00

Tomatoes are red
Some are green too
Embarrassed and jealous
Just like you.

Don't Cry

2008-10-20T18:11:00.002-06:00

Uncomfortable Still Life.

2008-10-20T12:46:00.004-06:00

Still, after all these years, some parts of life are uncomfortable.

The 0500h drive home.

2008-10-14T14:32:00.005-06:00

On relatively empty highways, the sun rises over my right shoulder. Its rays accentuate the blimps and bumps of deer, bales, and oil pumps scattered among the fields. The gathering light guides me safely home.

Face Painting

2008-10-14T13:38:00.002-06:00

One year to go.

2008-10-10T10:17:00.003-06:00

World Masters Games 2009
Australia.

Isn't this pretty?

2008-10-06T13:05:00.003-06:00

Lovely childlike drawing etched in the dust of a pickup truck.

Into What?

2008-10-03T09:57:00.007-06:00

Going in to debt.
To buy lots of cheap socks!
Neow is a really great time to buy socks.
Buy socks and save the world.
Buy leow and sell high.
Investment opportunities are neow!
Get yours neow!

Up to our necks in the fall.

2008-10-02T09:54:00.007-06:00

USA News bites...

Worst case scenario.
Just say no.
Cut up your credit cards.
Apocalyptic in nature.
It could implode.
Didn't they see this coming?
Found $1000 dollars while out hiking in remote rugged terrain.

*not that we are immune.

* Thanks for the title Sans.

Goodbye Paul

2008-09-29T17:34:00.003-06:00

Self Portrait on a Windy Day.

2008-09-28T22:28:00.004-06:00

I love the breezy Chinook
the flurry 0f a harmattan
the susurrative tempest
the whirlwind squall
but I wish they'd let
the leaves stay where they fall.

Red Round Rim

2008-09-28T11:20:00.007-06:00

Missed Opportunities.

Woman: We've been married for 60 years. He is a good man. He does all the cooking...loves to cook. I don't.
Me: Lucky you! Wish I had a man like that...
Woman: I still don't know why he has to wear old shirts like that one (She nods in his direction, he sighs and rolls his eyes.) Look at it...it's worn on the edges of the collar.
Me: It looks comfy.
Man: Ha! Did you hear that? Comfy! It is. Finally a woman who understands me!

I really like this telephone.

2008-09-27T13:21:00.004-06:00

I wish I could have it.
I would hang it in the hallway.
But, I still wouldn't answer if the number was 100-000-000.
Who is that?

Perhaps not the best...?

2008-09-26T14:50:00.004-06:00

Uncooperative Subject.

2008-09-26T13:52:00.003-06:00

No, I won't turn around.

Thbttpt.

The other side of the picture...

2008-09-21T11:53:00.003-06:00

Are you sure? I thought it might look more like this.

A Photograph!

2008-09-18T21:51:00.002-06:00

No manipulation!

The bear waves goodbye.

2008-09-18T13:15:00.007-06:00

He is finally going to the long predicted correctional institute.
Gather ye berries while ye may.

Jumping Blob.

2008-09-18T12:05:00.003-06:00

And then one day the blob learned to walk upright, jump and eventually use a pointed stick as a tool. He was human after all.

On being amused by strangers.

2008-09-17T13:06:00.014-06:00

I have received a few emails from someone whose mother apparently shares my name. Eventually, I assumed, the mistake will be rectified and my glimpse into her life will end. However, since her emails had included both a request for Grandma's number in order to wish her happy birthday and a plea for an escape for the weekend, I began to feel a little responsible for impending family discord. I emailed her back to inform her of the error and promptly received this in return.

Holy S***:

I emailed you a couple of times; one asking for grandma's phone number and one asking if you're doing anything this weekend, as **** and I would like to come up to **** to escape *******. Apparently I wrote it to ****.*** instead! I was wondering why you didn't' get back to me! She wrote me back to tell me it was the wrong one! But at least she was nice about it.

I want to call grandma on Saturday, because I get home too late during the week to call her. If you talk to her before then, tell her I'll call her Saturday.

Wow, I feel REALLY embarrassed!!

Let me know about the weekend...

Don't take it personally...

2008-09-10T09:11:00.009-06:00

...it's the Boylan talking.

तो बर्न और नोट तो बर्न.

2008-09-08T10:37:00.004-06:00

ओने मन'स फिरेवूद इस अनोठेर मन'स लंद्स्कापे.

Anthony the Shopping Cart..

2008-09-04T18:38:00.003-06:00

Anthony's attempt to stay upright is thwarted by a long cardboard tube.

He loves you.

2008-09-04T16:48:00.005-06:00

And that is all.

Because, seriously, who would want to destroy this just to find whether or not he loves you?

And would you not question the reliability of such methodology at the onset?

So, yes, blind faith without research it is. You have to believe.

Dan the Man

2008-09-04T12:44:00.004-06:00

White Flower

2008-09-02T21:58:00.002-06:00

Dock

2008-09-02T17:39:00.001-06:00

Summer is almost over.

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

The hands.

2008-09-02T13:59:00.000-06:00

"No hot dog juice for you!"

We are not worthy.

2008-09-02T09:50:00.003-06:00

The delicate and powerful work of insects. They rule the world...you just don't know it yet.

Leafcutter bee nests.

This blue and this yellow.

2008-09-02T09:40:00.002-06:00

These are the colours

that drove

Vincent

to drink.

The adventures of Ned the short-sighted Bee.

2008-09-01T22:54:00.005-06:00

"Hey, what luck! A bunch of cheerleaders!"

"Wow Honey! You look so hot in that new dress."

Hmmm...I see the football team got their new uniforms..."

Eric the Shopping Cart angers the wrong people.

2008-08-28T14:22:00.004-06:00

Baja aaaahhhhhhhhhh!

2008-08-26T18:20:00.004-06:00

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.

Memories

2008-08-26T14:32:00.001-06:00

Can you smell the orange pekoe and hear the screen door hinge?

Sunset somewhere.

2008-08-25T21:04:00.004-06:00

Getting lost at sea has some benefits.

After Photoshop.

2008-08-25T11:21:00.002-06:00

Same shoes after some adjustments. Prefernces?

Canvas on the Beach

2008-08-25T11:14:00.004-06:00

Number two in a series of traveling shoes somewhere on
the west coast of Vancouver Island. Those were great shoes.

Spinsterhood of the traveling flipflops.

2008-08-24T11:23:00.008-06:00

From an ongoing series of my feet and their apparel during their traveling travails.

Peggy's Cove circa 1981

2008-08-21T10:24:00.004-06:00

History with tea and biscuits.
Photo-op every three steps.

Moab

2008-08-21T01:03:00.001-06:00

Granola and fruit with good boots and bikes.
Photo-op every three steps.

Go east old woman.

2008-08-19T13:21:00.005-06:00

I turned this drive-by bad photograph into a pretend painting.

LOOK OUT!

2008-08-19T11:06:00.002-06:00

OK...
maybe not.

Johnathan Livingston Vulture

2008-08-17T23:18:00.004-06:00

Graceful and useful.
How bad can that be?
I should be so lucky.

I dare you...

2008-08-17T23:10:00.005-06:00

...to stick your hand in there.

I seez roosterz....

2008-08-11T23:08:00.005-06:00

...i can haz them fur nom noms?

Cat on the run.

2008-08-11T22:58:00.004-06:00

Why plan to live
in a cardboard box
if they don't float.

Road kill number 1.

2008-08-11T13:01:00.004-06:00

At rest stop on highway heading east from Jasper Park gates.

Weeds of the sea.

2008-08-11T00:28:00.006-06:00

Weeds of the sea hang out at the beach.

Ghost in the doorway.

2008-08-10T22:32:00.006-06:00

If you eat in a barn,
should you eat as if
you were raised in one?

Atypical behaviour.

2008-08-10T16:31:00.006-06:00

I desaturated the colour of the blue ocean, golden grasses and orange bushes.

Oh Canada.

2008-08-10T14:00:00.002-06:00

Filtered sun.

2008-08-10T10:45:00.003-06:00

Trees.
bees
a slight breeze
and scraped
knees.
You won't sneeze.

B.C. barn.

2008-08-09T22:38:00.003-06:00

Nature's pedicure.

2008-08-09T22:33:00.003-06:00

Go for a long walk in sandy salty water.

Orange tree.

2008-08-09T17:32:00.003-06:00

No fruit to eat, though...
had to have bagel with cream cheese
and a
(?) coffee...

Ferry from Duke's

2008-08-08T22:05:00.002-06:00

After and Before

2008-07-29T12:31:00.003-06:00

Is it finished?
I got tired
and
had things
to do.
You got fired
and
had people
to sue.

Conversation with a boy.

2008-07-27T22:25:00.005-06:00

Me: Isn't this a nice shot of Elmer?
Him: Yeah.
Me: You didn't even look.
Him: OK. Yeah, that's nice.
Me: Look.
Him: I did.
Me: Look again. I made it bigger.
Him: Nice. It is very real.
Me: Does it make you want to
pet him?
Him: Yes.
Me: Don't you love the way the
light shines through his
ear hairs?
Him: Yes. He is a cat.

So reminiscent of the many times he said to me...every 5 seconds...for a few years..."Look, Mom...Look." Now I can't let him out of my sight. It is your fault boy.

A good job of grooming followed by a relaxing rest in the evening sun.

Butterfly

2008-07-27T11:12:00.004-06:00

I whispered with the butterflies.

I have one word for you...

2008-07-24T21:11:00.009-06:00

Today...
the word plastic
does not induce
the same sense of
limitless promise
as it did when
it was whispered
in Benjamin's ear
during the movie
The Graduate.

Click on title above.

Our Sky.

2008-07-23T11:00:00.003-06:00

Is your sky too.

Nasty Greeting Card # 22

2008-07-22T20:46:00.003-06:00

I found this photo of you.

What is it?

2008-07-22T18:01:00.002-06:00

Name that screw!

2008-07-22T14:01:00.004-06:00

There are many types of screws available.

Is this the face of a killer?

2008-07-19T15:48:00.002-06:00

Apparently...yes.

Rain and Sun

2008-07-18T21:41:00.005-06:00

Haven't had a lot of opportunity to use the fire pit this year.

Cenotaph

2008-07-18T00:21:00.003-06:00

Nasty Greeting Card # 6 I iz...

2008-07-15T10:09:00.003-06:00

...giving you the coldz shoulder.

What is it?

2008-07-14T05:59:00.002-06:00

Blue and Yellow

2008-07-12T09:59:00.003-06:00