Between the slag heaps

Perhaps "between the slag heaps" serves as a kind of metaphor for my life. As Lincoln said, "We cannot escape history." The slag heaps at Nine Mile Run represent the massive steel-making industry in the Pittsburgh area, particularly during WWII as a historian has told me is when most of this slag was generated. He also mentioned that at least 5 Pyramids of the Giza would fit inside the heaps or 25 Washington Monuments. Whichever analogy you use, that's a lot of material! Today, the stream runs straight between the mounds for nearly a mile, and there is an interesting "greenway" that has developed. Generally, this is not a good thing for the environment, as there is no place else for the water to go after a rain or heavy snow. I have been told that at least in part there was somewhat of a flood plain between some hills in the valley that would have absorbed any run-off back in the day, 100 years ago. Now it pretty much runs straight to the Monongahela, either through waste-water sewer overflow pipes or the stream itself. It would be nice if this area were more amenable to foot traffic, as there is no real trail here at present. A wooden walk-way is on my wish list.

Autumn Gifts

One of the gifts of Autumn is to find a naturally interesting juxtaposition of objects that automatically seem to represent the impermanence of life and the sovereignty of change. I can't stand being inside on days like these. I have to be outdoors, or I'll feel that I've missed out on an annual rite of passage. I want more joy in my life these days, and what better way to enjoy life than to engage with Nature, particularly this time of year?

fall is here

Fall is officially here. The nip is in the air and the leaves are already turning, a bit early this year. Great sleeping weather. I have been too lazy to do the cleaning chores I should be doing. I have been letting things go, putting off throwing away the cardboard boxes that have been sitting around for months. Are they really that important? Nah.

the world comes to pittsburgh

I am breathing a sigh of relief after the leaders of the industrialized world met for a few days in Pittsburgh. It was hard not to get caught up in the media attention that our city has deserved for a long time, and I'm hoping that the world now sees us with new eyes. I found myself actually having a good time photographing some of the more peaceful protesters, and I'm glad nobody was seriously injured. I feel proud that our city pretty much lived up to its reputation as a clear-headed town, not about to put up with violent anarchists trying to make a moot point about power and control for a few hours and then leave, never to return. No, it wasn't perfect. But it was likely the least violent world events of its kind. For that, we can let ourselves feel proud that we represented ourselves to the world well. Thank you, Pittsburghers, and thanks to all who came here to help make this a world-class event in a world-class city.

Late-summer weekends

I was hoping to sleep-in this morning. But the crows and the blue jays would not have it. Then, I heard the buzzing of my cell phone on vibrate. I knew who it was. But why did my brother have to call so early on a Monday I wanted to sleep-in to wish me a happy Labor Day? It was the first dreary morning we've had in over a week. We needed the rain. The weather has been just too good lately. I have been up several mornings to get some sun in my shots, and taking a hike later in the day to get that light too. I'm lovin' the late-summer weekends. Back to work on Tuesday.

I am not a writer

I gave up becoming a writer a long time ago. I'm at peace with that now. I've accepted that my writing skills are mediocre at best. I'll never write "the great American novel" nor the most profound poem of our times. My sharpest skills are non-verbal, I think. Kudos to those who can put words to thoughts and express them in clean sentences and paragraphs and craft a story.

I am savoring the last days of summer and enjoying the cooler misty mornings as we head toward fall, and I hope to catch a glimpse of the more exotic wildlife spreading into the restored wetland and stream ecosystem of Nine Mile Run. I am hopeful.

rings of bright water

Today is a Friday and I am looking forward to the weekend. The photograph here is one of the first I ever took of the water at Nine Mile Run c. 2004. I was lucky to have a drop create the ripple just as the sun was shining and making the light rings around the leaf. To me, it is a picture of hope.