About me

I grew up on a self-sufficient farm and ranch near the big woods in Texas. I’m an only child, born late to my parents. I’ve been told two important stories about my family branches: that my great-great-grandmother (mom’s people) walked and survived the forced march, the ‘Trail of Tears’, from their native lands in the southeast of the U.S. to the Indian territories (Oklahoma) and that my great-great-great-great grandfather (dad’s people) changed his surname from Calvert when he left Maryland for South Carolina. A cousin has supplied a self-researched genealogy that traces that family through its males back to the 800’s. I guess I believe those; they’re good stories.

I’ve seen many changes in our United States of America society through the years, mostly good ones, except for the rise in crime, pornography and drugs, including rampant pharmaceutical usage, and recently, the hideous, yet-to-be-unraveled George W. Bush Administration.

Two of the most disappointing ongoing changes I’m reminded of daily are the decline of ethics in business and politics and the almost complete disappearance of manners and politeness in our social and public lives (except in some small towns, which are usually somewhat corrupt, but nicer).

Two more disappointments are the widespread prevalence of crappy throwaway products and junk food. I think many are sick because of stress, improper nutrition, the ingestion of poison and lack of sleep. Three of the best inventions are seat belts, vaccines and recycling. And maybe– lasik surgery, the Internet, personal computers, and OK… cell phones! We’ll see how those stand the test of time.

Cars and trucks are being well designed at last, but cost way too much to maintain and repair and drive. I think that planet Earth (Gaia) will survive by its self-correcting methods regardless of human activities. I think we are in the beginnings or perhaps the middle period of another great extinction of species. That makes me sad.

I’m a believer in small conspiracies but usually not large ones (except World War II). I’ve swallowed the quantum universe theory and believe that some events are seemingly random and therefore unpredictable. I believe that cosmology has limits but that THAT does not and is therefore indescribable. I prefer that some things remain mysteries. I believe that personal hope and love of others is our best way.

Photo: thanks to Dan, my hitchhiking buddy from the good ol’ days. That’s me, somewhere on the road in my “drawing-with-fire” period, early 70’s. Look into the negative space of the fire—that’s my profile!

Yep, me again, in the early ’70’s, at Lake Dallas. Good lighting, huh?

Just down the path from our house. Big D skyline in background—which is about 7 miles away.

This was in our back yard when we lived on the lakeside.

Yep, a lot of electricity in the air several months of the year. The lake is 1,100 acres. It’s always a little calmer to the east. Those bolts are hitting in Lakewood.

A part of Downtown from west of the Trinity River— from several years ago. There is now also the new Arts District (still being finished) and the swanky Uptown, just to the left of this frame.

Dallas City Hall – architect: I M Pei – notice all the ‘goo’ trickling down from the roof’s edge? That happens all over Dallas. No one talks about it.

Center of downtown, looking east. Underground walkway tunnels connect many of these buildings. There are people behind all that glass… think about it.

Looking at downtown to the southeast from a hotel above Interstate 35-E.

Our good, good ‘Little Man’, Dickie, takes a nap.