Monday, October 31, 2022

Day of the Dead

Día de los Muertos



Skull: photo by Cliff Hutson
Skull: photo by Cliff Hutson


October 31is the eve of Día de los Muertos also known as "Day of the Dead". I did a post on the multi-day festival a couple of years ago. I humbly refer you to it here.

I would also like to bring to your attention nice spread done on this year's Day of the Dead Parade and celebration in downtown Austin by Kirk Tuck, a professional photographer.


Halloween



Halloween (2006): photo by Cliff Hutson
Halloween (2006): photo by Cliff Hutson


Today of course is also Halloween, which is my least favorite holiday.  Perhaps that is due to my late wife insisting that everybody in the house wear a costume to greet the children (and some adults) who came to our door for treats.

See photo above.







Monday, October 24, 2022

An Oxymoron

 Move along nothing to see here!


Blank Space: graphic  by Cliff Hutson
Blank Space: graphic by Cliff Hutson


"My photography is a record of my living, for anyone who really sees."

    - Paul Strand

Monday, October 17, 2022

Reading Log: September 2022

 The books I read in September 2022


September 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson
September 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson




Cliff's Notes


"Murieta"

Yet another historical novel, depicting an actual person, but based entirely upon myth and supposition. I will say that it is relevant to our times in its depiction of radicalized police violence. However, the author tends to lean toward the side of the perpetrators rather than the victims. But, that could be a reflection of the cultural attitudes of the his times as well as his own beliefs. 

Published in 1854, the novel was not "historical" at the time it was written., but a recounting of recent events.  It is a book of many firsts -- the first novel published in California, the first novel published by a Native American, and the first American novel to feature a Mexican protagonist. 

However, when all is said and done, I don't recommend it.

"Noir"

This book is an anthology of new stories by many well known authors set in both past and present South Central Los Angeles. All of the offerings are strong. Two of my long time favorites are represented -- Steph Cha and Naomi Hirahara.  Gary Phillips, two of whose books I have read over the past couple of months, also contributes a story in addition to editing the book.

 This is the best book of the month and I highly recommend it.

"Tomorrow" 

Said to be one of the first novels to depict a a post-apocalyptic America this is an excellent read. I enjoyed being able to compare and contrast it to "Earth Abides" (see last month) as to how each author thinks that civilization will, will not, rebuild.

A strong "two thumbs up". 

"Requiem"

Elvis Cole is one of my favorite private investigators and I love stories set in LA, so this book is an easy hit. However, it is not one of the strongest in the oeuvre of Robert Crais. The story does have a really cool premise - Joe Pike's ex-girlfriend is murdered and it seems as though he did it. The book also has an interesting glimpse into a backstory for Pike as well - everyone has something to hide.

"Photography"

Sontag maintains that photography is an agent of the surreal rather than a reflection of the real. She presumes that her readers have a much better knowledge of Surrealism than I do. She also has a dim view in the direction that she sees the field as heading.

So the fault may lie within me, but my take on this collection of essays written between 1973 and 1977 is - Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, her opinion, man.





Monday, October 10, 2022

Who Discovered America?

 Indigenous Peoples' Day 


American Flag: photo by Cliff Hutson
American Flag: photo by Cliff Hutson


Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day in the US of A. Many still refer to it as Columbus Day, which just goes to remind us that American history (with few exceptions) has been written by old, mediocre white men.

Contrary to what most Americans believe to be true, Columbus did not find an unknown land. It had already been settled millennia earlier by people who became known as "Indians", as he had no idea where he was.  Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is observed across the United States on the second Monday in October, and is an official city and state holiday in various localities. 

Monday, October 3, 2022

Apache Plume

Apache Plume

Apache Plume Fruit: photo by Cliff Hutson
Apache Plume Fruit: photo by Cliff Hutson


Some years ago, I wrote a column called "Plant of the Month" for Oaks Notes the newsletter for the volunteers at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (now the California Botanic Garden). One of the pleasures I derived from writing those articles was that my research deepened my knowledge of the plants I picked for the column. Once, I was almost too ashamed to admit that I found out that what, for decades, I have taken to be the flower of Apache Plume was actually its fruit.

Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa) belongs to ROSACEAE, the rose family. It is native to the arid habitats of the mountains of east San Bernardino County. It is also found in the desert woodlands and scrub of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and northern Mexico. It is the only member of its genus. Which is to say it is monotypic. 

Apache Plume Flower: photo by Cliff Hutson
Apache Plume Flower: photo by Cliff Hutson



The flower of the shrub is roselike, or to some a little like an apple blossom, with rounded white petals and a center filled with many thready stamens and pistils. The flowers are small, but not inconspicuous if one really looks at the bush when preparing to write about it.

However, the persistent fruits have distinctive feathery plumes that look a lot like pompoms. They are formed when the ovary of the flower remains after the petals fall away, leaving the styles, each 3 to 5 centimeters long. Each style is attached to a fruit, which is a small achene. The plant is covered with these clusters. They are greenish at first, turning pink or reddish tinged later on.


Eventually the plumes turn white and when backlit are quite spectacular. The fruit finally disperses when wind catches the styles and blows them away.


Apache Plume: photo by Cliff Hutson
Apache Plume: photo by Cliff Hutson


The plant grows three to eight feet tall, with straw-colored branches and spreads six to eight feet. The small leaves are green on top and rusty underneath. Apache Plume can look a little scruffy, but still be attractive in a drought tolerant garden.