Pacific Asia Museum

 A Family Outing to the Pacific Asia Museum

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Moonrise, Los Angeles, California

 Good Artists Copy; Great Artists Steal

Moonrise - Los Angeles, California: photo by Cliff Hutson

*The expression "Good artists copy; great artists steal" has been attributed  to many people. Most famously, perhaps, to Pablo Picasso, but also Steve Jobs among others. I mention this in a vain attempt to compare myself to Ansel Adams. 

While I certainly was not thinking about it at the moment I took this photograph when I looked at at it a few days later I realized that it reminded me of a photograph that many many of us have seen over the years. So, that title became the inspiration for mine. Any other resemblance is nearly accidental, ,though it could be said that all creative work builds on what came before.

Lunatique

 Ne crains pas la Faucheuse

We all want to do something worthwhile with the time we have left.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Reading Log: July 2025

 The books that I finished reading in the month of July 2025:

July 2025 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Celtic Empire," Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler

"The Art of Trader Joe's," Julie Averbach 

"All Systems Red," Martha Wells

"Bat Out of Hell," edited by Don Bruns

"Artificial Condition," Martha Wells

Musical Coda:

Speaking of a Bat Out of Hell:

Reading Log: April 2025

 The books that I read in the month of April 2025

April 2025 Books" photo by Cliff Hutson

"Sacramento Noir," edited by John Freeman

"Parable of the Sower,"Octavia E. Butler

"The Art of Trader Joe's," Julie Averbach

"Also On View," Todd Lerew

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Reading Log: October 2024

 The books that I read in the month of October 2024

October 2024 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"The Waiting," Michael Connelly

"Football for Dummies," Howie Long, John Czarnecki 

"Women," Charles Bukowski 

"The Backyard Bird Chronicles," Amy Tan

"The Downhill Lie," Carl Hiaasen

Reading Log: October 2022

 The books that I finished reading in the month of October 2022

October 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Four Fifths a Grizzly," Douglas Chadwick

"How Photography Became Contemporary Art," Andy Grundberg 

"The Sentinel," Lee Child and Andrew Child

"Caribbean Rim," Randy Wayne White

"Salt River," Randy Wayne White

"Breathless:  The Scientific Race to Defeat a Deadly Virus,"  David Quammen 

Cliff's Notes

"Grizzly"

I have long felt that all life on Earth is interconnected, this collection of essays makes a compelling argument for that belief. 

"Photography"

Spoiler alert: The author helped make it happen.

It was a good follow up to last month's book by Susan Sontag. And, to echo a comment about her book, if I had a better understanding of postmodern art I might have appreciated this one more than I did.

As the Belgian art critic and theorist Thierry de Duve said, " When a urinal is art, anything can be art; and when anything can be art, anybody can be an artist."

"Sentinel"

I have, over many years, enjoyed most of the Jack Reacher stories. This one not so much. Lee Child seems to be getting bored and his son may not be up to receiving the mantle.

"Caribbean" 

Another entry in the Doc Ford series that I once enjoyed. Ford is a marine biologist, so forgive me when I make the pun that he jumped the shark several books ago. 

"Salt"

Yet, another Doc Ford story. It, among other plots, builds upon "Caribbean Rim" and is even more implausible. It seems as though White had three plot lines in mind, but none of them were enough for a book by theirselves, so he mashed them in to one. I doubt that I will ever purchase another book by this author.

However, I am very glad that he made it through hurricane Ian. 

"Breathless"

David Quammen is another author of whom  I have long been a fan. His work frequently informed my work as a "nature interpreter". This book was not a disappointment. 

Quammen, to steal from the back of the book jacket, once predicted a pandemic - in this book he describes the one that we are now living through, how it might have come to pass, and what may lie ahead. It is well worth reading.

Reading Log: September 2022

 The books I read in September 2022

September 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta," John Rollin Ridge

"South Central Noir," edited by Gary Phillips

"The Long Tomorrow," Leigh Bracket

"L.A. Requiem," Robert Crais

"On Photography," Susan Sontag 

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.

Reading Log: March 2022

 The books that I read in March 2022

March 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Robert B. Parker's Someone to Watch Over Me," Ace Atkins

"Who Built That? Modern House," Didier Cornille

"Cliff Hutson: The Story of Your DNA," 23andMe

"Candida Höfer: Architecture of Absence," Constance Glenn  (Author), Virginia Heckert (Author), Mary Kay Lombino (Author), Candida Höfer (Photographer)

Cliff's Notes

"Someone"

This is another great Spenser story by Atkins. Ripped from the headlines, as they say, our intrepid detective goes after some people who have a very bad predilection. 

The funny thing is that he does not seem to age while others about  him do, save Susan and Hawk.  The protagonist of this tale is Mattie. We first met her, at the age of fourteen, in "Lullaby" which was published nine years ago and she is about 22-years old in this telling. 

The book also introduces a German short-haired pointer puppy named Pearl. There have been two previous Pearls, as this story opens the second one has recently died. Based on the average life expectancy of the breed, that would indicate that 24 to 28 years have elapsed over the course of Spenser's adventures. 

Yet, he, nor his two his faithful companions seem to have grown older. Not, so that the reader can tell anyway. Even though he and Hawk must be well past sixty, neither has a lost a step. They certainly rival Jack LaLanne in their ability to hold it together.

"Modern House"

Some might call this a children's book, but I feel that readers of all ages can avail themselves of this introduction to to ten of modern architecture's most important homes and their creators. 

"Cliff Hutson"

Genealogical DNA testing has become very popular.  As a multiracial/multiethnic person I have long been curious about my makeup and decided to join the fray. I used three different companies: 23andMe, Ancestry.com, and National Geographic Geno 2.0.  The results varied, but are more or less in line with each other. 

I find the results from 23andMe most interesting as they indicate that I have a great-grand parent who was 100% "French & German", and that person was likely born between 1860 and 1920.  Assuming that the earlier years of this time frame are true would bear out family lore that my mother's grandfather was French. 

In any event, having a book in which I am the subject is kind of fun.

"Architecture of Absence"

This a photography book. Höfer photographs empty spaces, i.e., libraries, concert halls, and museums without people visible in them. Three authors strive mightily to put this in context. 

Lemons

Sage advice:

Mayer Lemon: photo by Cliff Hutson

“When life gives you lemons, rent a storefront in the trendy part of town and make artisanally squeezed lemonade at $14 a glass.”

Arts District: photo by Cliff Hutson

NATIONAL S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. DAY

 National STEM/STEAM Day

STEM: photo by Cliff Hutson

November 8 is a day meant to inspire kids to explore and pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.

STEAM: photo by Cliff Hutson

#STEMSTEAMDay

Reading Log: July 2019

The books that I "finished" reading in July 2019 

July 2019 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“The Library Book,” Susan Orlean

"The Looking Glass War," John le Carré

“Observe, Collect, Draw!: A Visual Journal,” Giorgia Lupi and Stefanie Posavec

"Alton Brown's Gear for Your Kitchen," Alton Brown

Speaking of July 2019

California Fan Palm: photo by Cliff Hutson

This past July was not only the hottest July but also the hottest month on Earth in recorded history.

Move along . . .

. . . nothing to see here.

Looking at You: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am taking a day off.  I am not the only one, you all be careful out there.

Reading Log: May 2019

The books that I finished reading in May 2019

May 2019 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“Celtic Empire,” Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler

“Nighthogs,” Stephan Pastis

“The Lost Art of Walking,” Geoff Nicholson 

Mad About Hats

“A man buys something for two reasons: 

a good reason and the real reason.”

Old Man in a Stetson: photo by Cliff Hutson

Possibly Obsessed 

While I do not think of myself as mad in the sense the Mad Hatter was mad, I probably own more hats than any one person needs. Often buying one for no other reason than it seemed like a good idea at the time.

A Sampling

Cat Herding: photo by Cliff Hutson

Stetson Weekender: photo by Cliff Hutson

On Safari: photo by Cliff Hutson

St. Paddy's Day Bowler: photo by Cliff Hutson

The JJ Rich Wool Newsboy: photo by Cliff Hutson

Stetson Wool and Chasmere Cap: photo by Cliff Hutson

Stetson Open Road (Straw): photo by Cliff Hutson

Stetson Stratoliner: photo by Cliff Hutson

What You See

Thoreau: photo by Cliff Hutson

Feeling Reflective

Reflection; photo by Cliff Hutson

Reading Log: April 2019

The books that I finished reading in April 2019

April 2019 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“Speculative Everything,” Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby

“Banking on Beauty: Millard Sheets and Midcentury Architecture in California,” Adam Arenson 

“The Moth Snowstorm: Nature and Joy,” Michale McCarththy 

“Pearls Takes a Wrong Turn,” Stephan Pastis

Reading Log: March 2019

The books that I finished reading in March 2019

March 2019 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“A Cook’s Tour,” Anthony Bourdain

Bourdain's account of traveling the world, eating local foods, and experiencing life with a very open mind. I am, for the most part, glad that it was him and not me as so many of his experiences seem very unpleasant.

“Doctor Who Scratchman,” Tom Baker with James Goss

This was a pretty good read. My main problem with it was that it is written as if someone was relating what they saw on TV the night before rather than it being an actual novel. 

“A Thief of Time,” Tony Hillerman

Last month I read "Spider Woman’s Daughter" by Hillerman's daughter Anne.  That book is based upon the characters first introduced in this novel; so I decided to reread it. My humble opinion is that it is the fr better of the two.

“Cooking for a Beautiful Woman,” Larry Levine

I seldom read memoir, but I found this to quite enjoyable. And, not just because my daughter is mentioned in it.

"W. E. B. Du Bois's Data Portraits Visualizing Black America," Whitney Battle-Baptiste, Britt Rusert

This was the highlight of the month. I have long been an admirer of the work of Edward Tufte in the presentation of information or data visualization. Little did I know that Du Bois, well known as an African-American writer, teacher, sociologist, and activist, was a leader in this field as well.  This book is a compilation of sociological charts, graphs, and maps from the 1900 Paris Exposition, created by Du Bois and his sociology students to illustrate the status of Black life in la fin du siècle America.  He was ahead of his time.

Looking Backwards

From the Heath: photo by Cliff Hutson

The end of the year is an excellent time for most of us to take stock of the things we have done over the past twelve months. One can look back and ask some hard questions. Did you grow and learn important truths about life, and who you are? Did you take meaningful steps toward accomplishing your hopes and dreams?

One of my aspirations for 2018 was to post to this blog every other Wednesday, and, with this entry, have achieved it.

'Why do such a thing?', the astute reader may very well ask. It could be said that this blog is, in a sense, my gift to you the reader. It is a gift of my talent and my dedication. But, the truth is that i do it to amuse myself, and to keep my mind occupied.

I began this endeavor in 2007. The early years were quite spotty. And, during 2010 - 2014 most of my writing was devoted to "Rambles with Holly"; probably the stronger of these efforts.  As I write this, I see that the page views for the all time history of "Pictures and Words" are only 25,732. Not a heck of a lot, and there is only one follower. Still, it has been fun.

Many musings of this sort include a "top list" of some sort. I am going to do five. This might make an interesting Venn diagram as there is a strong correlation between what I feel was some of my best writing garnered some of the most views.

The Top 5 of 2018:

“Eating Well”

“Long Haul Dining”

“a·nal·o·gy”

“Reading Log 2017 (Plus Robots)”

“Southern Greens”

They are all about food or books. I wonder what that says about me?

Food Photography: photo by Cliff Hutson

Where's Cliff?

The Mall: by Cliff Hutson

Lost

No post again this week. This time, I got lost at the mall.

Stuck

Or, was I stuck on the MTA?