The monkeys seem willing to strike up the tune

Hitting the charts today, 11/30, back in 1974: "Bungle In The Jungle" by Jethro Tull. Bubgle peaked at #12. Even though I like Jethro Tull, I awlays thought this particular song was kinda stupid. But it's got some great flute in it.....

Go Instead Where There Is No Path........

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail" Ralph Waldo Emerson. Stomping around some woods last week, near Waleska, GA.

...And Party Every Day!

Kiss's anthem "Rock and Roll All Night" made it's debut on the charts this day (11/29) in 1975. For some reason, I was never much of a KISS fan, seeing them mostly as a freak show. Take away the makeup, and there's not much left. BUT, legions of fans disagree, and this song made it all the way up to #12 on the pop charts.

Cousins

My son and one of his cousins, taking a walk near their grandparents' house at Lake Arrowhead, GA.

Misty Morning

The view from our bredroom window, from the in-laws' house at Lake Arrowhead, near Waleska, GA. There was a mist from the lake, up through the trees; very nice. A good Thanksgiving visit, all of the wife's family were there, except the one niece who is in Hong Kong.....

I Got A Brand New Pair Of Roller Skates......

You Got A Brand New Key....... On this day (11/27) in 1971, Melanie's chart topper made it's debut. It didn't hit #1 until 12/25, and hung out there 3 weeks, ushering in 1972.... This is one of those songs that really confused me as an 11 year old. I kind of figured I was missing something, but durn if I knew what. I'm still not sure I get it: "I asked your mother if you were at home, She said, yes .. but you weren't alone, Oh, sometimes I think that you're avoiding me, I'm okay alone, but you've got something I need"

Sit A Spell

This old chair has been hanging out in my in-laws' back yard for several years. Just being rustic, I suppose. Anyway, I took this shot 2 years ago, played around with the effects last week, and was SUPPOSED to post it before heading down to their place for Thanksgiving. Better late than never, I suppose.........

Must Of Got Lost?

J Geils Band debuted on the Top 40 on this day in 1974 (11/23) with "Must of Got Lost", which peaked at #12. Meanwhile, Paul McCartney's "Junior's Farm" also hit this charts 11/23/74, and went all the way to #3...

Mudslinging

I managed to get the pickup stuck in the mud this weekend, hauling leaves to dump in the gulley behind our church. My lack of 4-wheel drive, compounded with my "street tires" and recent rains doomed me. But with some help from Pastor Chris, and some mocking from the youth group, we were able to get it out without too much trouble.

Prairie Grasses in the Wind

Baldwin Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, Baldwin, IL. A bit over 2 years ago, I made a trip down to Baldwin Lake for a meeting at the power plant there. I had a few minutes after the meeting to wander around the adjacent wildlife area. Pretty nice place, I enjoyed watching the grasses blowing in the wind.

Trio of Top Ten Tunes

Hitting the charts on this day (11/21) in 1970: "Black Magic Woman", by Santana (#4), "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is" by Chicago (#7) and "No Matter What" by Badfinger (#8). That's a pretty good week! Meanwhile, reaching #1 that week was "I think I Love You" by The Partridge Family......

Laurel Highlands in November

It seemed like a good idea at the time....... Way back when I was fresh out of college (early 80's) a small group of us (living in Washington, DC), decided to take a backpacking trip the weekend before Thanksgiving, in the Laurel Highlands area of West-Central Pennsylvania. We left after work on a Friday, headed for the hills. Of course, it was snowing heavily by the time we got to the car drop, with a flashlight hike to the camp site (after midnight). The next morning, we werre all tired, frozen, and generally NOT in the mood to hike all day. After some medicinal hot chocolate, we aborted the trip, and headed to Pittsburgh for a warm Saturday night with the folks.

The Color of Time......

#1 hit on this day (11/20) in 1967: "Incense and Peppermints" by the Strawberry Alarm Clock. Aothough you'd never know it, these guys weren't 1-hit-wonders, as their follow up "Tomorrow" actually hit #23 in Jan/Feb 1968.... The most important thing about this band is that it featured Ed King, who would later go on to be a member of the southeren rock masters Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Red Roofs Over Westport

The view from my hotel room during last week's DRAS school. From the 7th floor of the Sheraton Westport. looking over Westport Plaza. On an ugly gray afternoon.

Well No One Told Me About Her........

In 1977, on this day (11/19), Santana hot the charts with a remake of "She's Not There", the 60's hit by the Zombies. Santana's version peaked at #27. I also have a punk version by "UK Subs", but I don't think it charted

Time To Change Partners...

This is a shot from before the Homecoming Dance at our local high-school (last month). Many of the kids gather in the park by the Edwardsville Library for photos, usually around the fountain. My younger daughter and her crew were part of the crowd, and I was challenged with portraiture! This shot came out of that session, and is by far the most interesting picture of the night. In the spirit of full disclosure, it was actually taken by my son (at 4 1/2 years old!)........ It made me think of the Stephen Stills song.

The Joker...

Seems like just the other day we were talking about Little Stevie Miller for "swingtown". On this day (11/17) in 1973, Steve Miller Band hit the charts with "The Joker", which made it all the way to the Top Of The Charts.

On The Road Again...

Hotel room still life. Sheraton Westport, St. Louis area. Handheld in natural light. Kodak LS443 1/30 Sec, F4.0. Cropped, slightly desaturated in PSE2.0

I don't mind, 'cause it means that much to me

Yes, there was a lot of good music in the 70's... Entering the charts today (11/16) in 1974, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" the Rolling Stones' remake of the motown classic. It peaked at #17.

In The Flow Of Things

Intake Building for the St. Louis water system. Shot taken from the old Chain of Rocks bridge over the Mississippi river. This is the old Rt. 66 river crossing, and is now open for hiking/biking....

Problems w/ Photo Today.....

Sorry no picture yet today, I'm having some very odd problems with blogger's posting module. It keeps adding characters to my url, so it won't work. Will try from a different computer in a bit.

Good Feneces Make Good Neighbors....

Fence-line on a drizzly day, old town Glen Carbon, IL. This shot was originally posted on Better Photo last month. I received a lot of good comments, but only made runner-up in the contest. This is just across the street from my son's preschool. Also across the "other" street from the old Labor Local building.

Hello Old Friend

Hitting the charts today, back in 1976:
Eric Clapton, with "Hello Old Friend", which peaked at #24
and Electric Light Orchestra, with "Livin' Thing", which made it all the way to #13.

A Walk In The Woods

My older daughter and my son on a walk in the woods. This is the trail up McAddams Peak, above Pere Marquette lodge, near Grafton, IL. Taken last fall, late October. Kodak LS443, 1/60 f-4.0. Effects in Printshop Elements, Buzz Simplifier, Virtual Photographer.

Shakey!

Happy Birthday to Neil Young!! Born this day (11/12) in 1945! One of the most intense personalities in music, and he just keeps rockin!

Top Forty...

11/12/1977, Steve Miller Band enters the top 40 for the last time in the 70's, with Swingtown. It would peak at #17.

Embarrassed?

The Embarras River, east central Illinois. I was driving from Indianapolis home to St. Louis area today, and took a side trip at the Greenup exit. Just following the "brown signs", looking for a Lincoln Log Cabin, and I crossed this river. Had to stop and look around. Then I had to go to the next rest stop and look at the big state map on the wall to see where I'd been!!

Play it for Duane and Barry.......

11/11/72, Bassist Berry Oakley of the Allman Brothers Band is killed in a motorcycle accident in Macon, Ga., three blocks from the site of Duane Allman's motorcycle death the previous year.

How You Gonna See Me Now

Hitting the top 40 this date (11/11) in 1978: "How You Gonna See Me Now" by Alice Cooper. Co-written with Bernie Taupin (Elton John's co-writer during his best period), its Alice's ode to coming home from rehab. This rather atypical song made it all the way to #12...

Flood Damaged Barn

A few years ago, and a few years after the Great Flood of '93, the family took an excursion to go Eagle Watching upriver fro St.Louis. I had taken my Nikon FM2 with its zoom lens, to use as a telescope of sorts. Just outside Harden, IL we passed this old barn, which clearly had seen better days. I couldn't resist pulling off the road, and running back to take a shot.

Another Grim Day in Music History.....

It must be something about November. Recent posts have noted #1 songs from the 70's debutting on the charts this month. 11/10/79 brings us 2 more: "Do that To Me One More Time" by The Captain & Tennille, and "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes. At least Rupert Holmes didn't end up with a TV show...

Born on the Bayou?

Happy birthday to John Fogarty, born on this day 63 years ago (11/9/1941). John was the heart and soul of Creedence Clearwater Revival, of course.

A Touch of Country in the City....

11/9/1974, Atlanta Rhythm Section hits the charts with Doraville, their homage to their hometown just outside Atlanta, Ga. A great song, that only made it to #35. I never heard this one until after ARS hit big with "So Into You".

Oh well.....

Abandoned farmhouse, near Odell, IL. This place is right along the intersate, between St. Louis & Chicago. I stopped my pickup on the side of the road for this shot. Nikon FM2 35mm SLR, scanned print, effects in PSE2.0

Comin' Round The Bend

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock, NC. This is a great little theme park in the mountains of Western NC, complete with the narrow guage railroad. We went there when quite a few times I was a young'un, and took the girls there back in the mid 90's when this picture was talken.

Have you done your share of coming down?

Debuting today (11/7) on the Billboard charts, back in 1970: "Share The Land" by the Guess Who, featuring Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman.

Branches

Another shot from Watershed Nature Center, yesterday. I thought the bare white branches against the pure blue sky was pretty dramatic. Added a bit of Buzz Simplifier. Kodak LS443, Photoshop Elements

Cattails

Not to be confused with cat-tales! What a pretty day today, sunny and warm, at least for November. A perfect opportunity for a Saturday morning walk with my 4 y/o son. So it was off to the Watershed Nature Center, and a little exploring. Kodak LS443, Photoshop Elelments 2.0

Stairwell, Drake

Stairwell, Aliber Hall, Drake University, Des Moines, IA. Drake is one of the schools my older daughter is considering, in fact she's already been accepted for fall '05!! She and I went up for a campus visit this summer, and she suggested this picture. I really liked it, with the strong curved lines and pastel colors, and the block glass background.... This is one of the few pictures I've ever posted to Better Photo that didn't get ANY comments!!! But it did make Semi-semi-finals, so it can't be TOO bad! Of course, one of my most popular (comments wise) photos that month didn't even make runner-up! Just goes to show, I suppose. Kodak LS443, Simplified in PSE2.0.

Rock & Roll Dudes...

Songs debuting on the the Billboard charts 11/4/1972:
"Rock and Roll Soul" by Grand Funk Railroad and the "All The Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople. Quite a pair of Classic rock hits, though neither was a monster on the pop charts. R&R Soul outperformed "Dudes", reaching #29. Mott barely made the Top 40, peaking at #37...

Cataldo Mission, Northern Idaho

The oldest standing building in Idaho, 24 miles east of Coeur d’Alene. Built between 1848 and1853, a joint effort between Jesuit missionaries and native American Catholics. It is now a National Historic Landmark. Photo taken mid morning on a cloudy day, just a few minutes before rain settled in. Handheld, 1/180 sec, f-4.7. Digital Darkroom in Photoshop Elements: Crop, levels, resize, unsharp mask

On the Charts - November 3

Entering the Billboard charts 11/3/1973 - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John. Peaked at #2
And on 11/3/79 it was Dreaming, by Blondie. Which only managed #27....

Ain't Bobby So Cool.....

9 years ago today, Hootie and the Blowfish and Bob Dylan reach an out of court settlement for the group's unauthorized use of Dylan's lyrics in their song "Only Want To Be With You".... I'd've though Dylan would've been happy for the publicity, I wonder how many copies of "Blood on The Tracks" were sold becuase of Hootie's blockbuster song?? Which really is a pop gem, btw.

Early Morning Blues and Greens....

Upper Potomac River, early in the morning. From the front of a canoe. A purely peaceful moment, just after we pushed off, headed downstream towards Little Orleans. This is an oldie, taken with my Nikon FM2 SLR, scanned from the original 8x10 print.

Election Day

Yep, it's election day in the good ol' USA! Time for everyone who's eligible to go out and make your informed choices about who'll be our leaders for the next little bit. Keep On Rockin' In the Free World........

Moving Out....

I came in to work today, and was informed that I'm relocating.... Part of a ripple effect of an expansion in our engineering group. I suppose it's not a bad thing, I've been in the same spot for 3.5 years, whicis probably a record over the past 22 years. But it sure is a pain in the rear, tring to boxup, and sort and figure what's going to go where.... an maybe do a little work on the side. SIGH. The picture is from the the first race at Gateway International Raceway out here. It was CART series, I think 1998. I went with a friend in the tire business, had a great time. Nikon FM2 35mm SLR.