Oh, Light

Past/Future

I've been poring through my old notebooks for caption information on some stories I'm finishing off. I have a love/hate relationship with this story about the volunteers at a Methodist campground. These are lovely men giving their time to repair cabins, but it was sometimes a struggle to tell a compelling visual story during the winter, when most of the activity was indoor construction. Today, out of the blue, I came upon a page in my reporter's notebook with a quotation from Bill, the caretaker of the property who shepherds these men through their various tasks. Being the man in charge for the 80-acre campground is a spiritual calling for him. He says:
"If it is what you're meant to to, it's like Noah building the arc.
It's too big.
But because it is what you're meant to do, it's not too big."
I've been involved in some heated late-night conversations about the future of journalism with my friends Mara and Greg , and we haven't solved anything yet, except that there must be some greater exchange between programmers and journalists to create something completely new. What does that look like? Nobody knows. It's going to be a wild, sad, exciting, rich adventure, even if it seems impossibly big.

Leaving

The boxes are nearly packed. I leave out my coffee making equipment, a few pairs of jeans, some shampoo and some books. It's finally spring, and this season has meant transition for me for many years now. Seattle to Missouri, Missouri to Indiana, and now Indiana to Texas. In many ways, I'm ready to try on the new experience of a big city and a big paper. And yet. It's heartbreaking to leave a place, especially when I feel so at home here. To leave so many pictures untaken. To drive away from a place where I first became a photojournalist, and enter into the wide, scary world with a station wagon filled with boxes. I'm trying to think of it as another adventure, but that doesn't quell the sadness. I suppose that's just how it goes.

Prayer

More Horse Camp

In reviewing some of my work over the past year, it was suggested that I work the meat, guns and horses beat. So be it. How strange and wonderful when people come to look like their pets.

Horse Camp

I grew up riding horses, and they remain one of the great loves of my life. As soon as I move somewhere for good, one of the first things I'm going to do is get a horse. It was wonderful to spend the weekend with the Dubois County Wranglers at horse camp. More to come.

Baby Bird

Found a baby bird at the 4-H Fairgrounds. Shot all day. Amazing. So much more to show. I love this job so, so much.