Home

Nature – Strong, Resilient and Inspiring

September 1, 2012

Bishop Philosophical, Photography, Travel , , , 2 Comments

This past summer we (my wife, son and his girlfriend), spent most of two weeks wandering through Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee (very brief), Mississippi and Louisiana. Hurricane Isaac made it’s way through a portion of our trip’s route, most impactfully through the Mississippi and Louisiana portions of the trip. I will start with some thoughts about the three days we spent in Biloxi, MS.

In 2008 Kathy and I drove the coastal road front the Gulf in Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach, Christian and Bay St. Louis. The devastation from Hurricane Katrina, August 29, 2005, was abundant and still fresh. Life moves on and the resilient spirit of the people is amazing. We passed through and encountered a Mardi Gras parade, people laughing, celebrating and moving forward – with piles of Katrina debris a few blocks behind them.

Summer of 2012, the empty beach lots across the highway from the Gulf of Mexico waters is a grim reminder of the past. I am also amazed that these empty lots are not totally empty. These lots are home to massive, gnarled and stately oaks that seem to reflect on the human spirit of the region. I would like to share with you the strength of the people embodied in these wonderful oak trees.

The gnarly oak again – I can only imagine what wonderful bowls could be turned from the knotty burls on this tree! It can wait!

Swinging on the long horizontal branch.

Gnarly oak….Joe and Leah standing in the crotch of the tree.

The ring in the oak – an old Indian legend is tied to this tree…

Life goes on in the Gulf, the trees survive, the people thrive and the cycle continues.

An oak shading a rebuilt guest house at the site of the Jefferson Davis house.

Looking east from the Jefferson Davis house – a large oak and the lonely chimney that remains standing after Katrina.

The flag pole bent over from Hurricane Camille – 1969 – one of the most powerful hurricanes to make landfall in the US. A grim reminder of life on the Gulf.

A tribute to the strength of the people and the oaks that reflect that strength, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

TTFN

Bishop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature and Sharing

August 18, 2012

Bishop Memories, Philosophical, Travel , , , , 3 Comments

I am sitting in my kayak about 400 yds offshore, big rollers sweeping by, sharing the morning with my oldest son……….Ben

Saturday August 11th my son Ben and I loaded up and headed down to the Galveston area for a day of fishing. Fishing wasn’t so good and we had quite an adventure “trying” to navigate the much heavier than usual surf getting back in.  Ben shot this photo in the early morning light….he caught the mood of the day – kind of solitary but shared with a fishing buddy and in this case, someone I love and care for.  We don’t normally have lots of conversation….he and I are sometimes pretty quiet. We share a lot quietly. He is back to school at LSU and we will quietly remember this day spent together. The photo perfectly captures my heart and emotiuons…Thanks Ben

On Sunday Ben drove me out to the airport to drop me off. He did more than drop me off though… he walked around to my side of the truck gave me a big hug, it didn’t need words… I felt the love. Thanks again Ben….. I love you too!

It Grows Underground

August 4, 2012

Bishop Gardening, Travel , , 5 Comments

A look at the landscape near Carlsbad Caverns

Looks bleak at the surface but if you look closely the it is just amazing how pretty it can be.

 

It is amazing – from the desolate macro view to the thorny beauty right at your feet.

The beautiful yet thorny plants on the surface.

A 30 minute walk down into the depths of Carlsbad Cavern and a different growth emerges. Growths from the ceiling – stalactites, from the floor – stalagmites and interesting variations – you’ll see what I mean…

A stalactite or stalagmite…..now I remember…..a stalagtite holds tight from the ceiling! So this is a stalagmite.

Interesting shapes abound deep into this cavern….

A drapery type of deposit

Sometimes natural rock can mimic living forms…. I promise that tis was not photoshopped!!!!

Hmmmmmm – lovely

Toes?

The shapes, textures and sizes overwhelm the eye and the imagination.

Textures and shadows

Massive Pillars of stone.

Wonderful and whimsical combinations!

I am back in Houston for a couple of weeks following weeks of work and weeks of vacation travel…..Lots of sweat in the garden today – August 3rd….. and more to come. I have a couple of posts in the draft mode so there may be a mini flood coming.

TTFN

Bishop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newer Entries