Doesn’t seem so, yet, it’s been 20 years since the horror of 9/11/2001.
I was on a Roads Scholar Tour with The Ohio State University and we were visiting various OSU supported industries in northern Ohio. We were gathered in the lobby of the company and told the tour was suspended and we were going back to Columbus. Not much was known and getting a phone call out was almost impossible.
I finally reached my Father in San Diego and all he could say was ‘they were gone, the towers were gone’. I didn’t understand. I’ve photographed in and out of NYC since the early 70’s. Spent time at the Trade Center, photographed from the roof when that was still allowed. It just didn’t make sense.
I wasn’t till we finally got home and saw the replays from the morning shows that it all came home.
Take a moment to reflect, understand and keep the memory of those lost alive.
HI All, with no explanation needed, it’s been a long year.
It began great with a trip to Cuba in January via Global Volunteers.
That was the tip of the iceberg that is still working it’s way around the world.
While visiting Hemmingway’s house I became enveloped in a group of tourist from… China. A day or so later the virus announcement happened and we wondered about getting back to the States. Last day in Cuba and we had a new housemate from… Italy. Cuban airport packed, Miami International packed. First of February and still very clueless, and… lucky!
March came the great flood. 1500 sqft under 2 ft of water in the lower basement turned production area. And it was ‘black’ water. The new house is the first on the sewer line :-] Turns out the replacement powerline pole ended up in the sewer chamber in the corner of the yard. Sewer chamber filled with dirt washed from around the pole. The basement was convenient so it filled. Lost 3/4 of a decade of BW images from the 70’s and about 10k color images. Yep, up off the floor on racks out of the way. Water was so high and forceful that it took the containers – heavy containers – off the racks and turned them over. :-[ By the time I got the water pumped out and had a chance to start looking around it was too late to save. Everything had be so violently pushed around it was hard to what was where, plus everything was covered in crap water, literally.
Now back to that virus thing. A crew showed up to help cleanup, which was great. Could not have done it myself. Had 10ish people at anyone moment in the basement with and without masks for a couple of days. Then 2 weeks of repair and replace people in and out. Might have dodged a virus bullet there.
Spent the rest of the year seeing a few friends and keeping to the house, plus reworking that flood thing. Had to start from scratch, again. Very depressing every time I looked at the containers with the lost images.
It’s been a long year for everyone, much longer for some. To those that have lost a loved one a heartfelt hug.
So we come to the end… of this endless year. Time to brighten up, think positive, make new plans, get shot and hopefully move on. To that end a little something to cheery to look at. Within minutes of the house a little light at the end of the tunnel.
Enjoy the Holiday’s and look forward to a new New Year.
As we celebrate the past and now of those that have stood for all of us over the years let us give thanks that we can look to a brighter future.
Here are some rather appropriate words written over 150 years ago that ring so true today:
“I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.”
And to a nation divided:
“If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time or die by suicide.”
Both attributed to Abraham Lincoln.
Naturalization Ceremony 2008 Gines Ramon Pedraza, E6, New River, Cuba Dion Leo Pierre, E6, Ft Bragg, Tinidad & Tabago
As I watch the Sen. McCain memorial service at the National Cathedral I remember the many trips to that revered site in within Washington DC. Such a fitting site for remembrance and hopefully renewed unification for the nation. A place of gathering for ALL people from anywhere to take a moment to reflect upon who we are and what kind of Nation we want to be.
The many nuances of the past week and today, hopefully, will not go unnoticed and provide a solid groundwork, nay groundswell of unity as we go forth into the future.
A lone voice in the wild west of politics has passed. The hope is his voice will always be heard and his courage passed on for the future of the Nation.
I never had a chance to meet Sen. McCain, rather, I viewed the circus of campaigning and the crowds he commanded and the timbre of his voice.
From our family of veterans and my Brother currently serving in the Navy to the Navy veteran and his family – Thank you for your Service.
While going thru a collection of photographic and movie posters I came across a set of posters from the old photo dept at OSU. Wondering where some of the old gang is now.
Lori McCargish, Mike Williams, Lorraine Vibberts Kaplan, Lucretia Knapp and Jose Cardenas with Mohsen Shirzadian plus a signature that I can’t make out. Jose? know who it is?
Totally borded with nothing to do? Stop by Edward Jones @ 66 S High St, Dublin to view some delishes photos of berries, peppers, mushroom, etc. Will be hanging around for the months of Aug and Sept.
Ed Zirkle 