North Lawn of the White House, Washington D.C.

Akropolis by Leo von Klenze

The Acropolis today.

Nana Mouskouri - Gloria Eterna

I found a rough translation.

Wherever we go

We keep memories

Athens and Rome

We’re looking for you still

White columns

Black centuries

Heavy years

In the world that we were alone

Hates factions

The Troyes fall

And you Babylon

A hollow drop

All pass

Tell me where are they going

Hell is empty

And around us sprout darknesses

Law the law

Terror the terror

And who will agitate

The world’s balance

My God saviour

I took your stars

To light the arrows

Which show your eternal glory

http://lyricstranslate.com

http://lyricstranslate.com

Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.

The Battle of Gettysburg culminated 149 years ago today.

Pickett's Charge from a position on the Confederate line looking toward the Union lines, Ziegler's Grove on the left, clump of trees on right, painting by Edwin Forbes.

W.M.  gave me the tape dispenser she bought at the former 88 Cent Store in Port Angeles, Washington, and which has sat on my father's desk for the past fifty years.

From the movie "Twelve Angry Men". 

Who's missing?

Pina Pellicer

  I was captivated by this Mexican actress in Marlon Brando-directed One Eyed Jacks, released in 1961.  Her beauty and talent will live long after her too few days on earth.






Years ago I purchased this lobby card on EBay.  It is an image from the scene where Louisa (Pellicer) had just failed in her attempt to free Rio (Brando) from jail by smuggling to him a derringer concealed in stew.

Muriel

These are the days of the endless summer
These are the days, the time is now
There is no past, there's only future
There's only here, there's only now

Oh your smiling face, your gracious presence
The fires of spring are kindling bright
Oh the radiant heart and the song of glory
Crying freedom in the night

These are the days by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one magician
Turned the water into wine

These are the days of the endless dancing and the
Long walks on the summer night
These are the days of the true romancing
When I'm holding you oh, so tight

These are the days by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one great magician
Turned the water into wine

These are the days now that we must savor
And we must enjoy as we can
These are the days that will last forever
You've got to hold them in your heart.

Yes, that's something I always look for in a hotel.

The Promise of World Peace

The Great Peace towards which people of good will throughout the centuries have inclined their hearts, of which seers and poets for countless generations have expressed their vision, and for which from age to age the sacred scriptures of mankind have constantly held the promise, is now at long last within the reach of the nations. For the first time in history it is possible for everyone to view the entire planet, with all its myriad diversified peoples, in one perspective. World peace is not only possible but inevitable.

From  The Promise of World Peace, Universal House of Justice, October, 1985

The Ceanothus in my backyard is beautiful this year.

The bumblebees dig it, too.

 Mediterranean Market, Carmel ---S.C. Yuan

I drove down to the Port of Tacoma this morning and found the scene I had been looking for.  It was easy to concentrate on the subject, as it was before 7 a.m. on a Saturday, and there was only the barest of activity.  I had complete privacy, and as far as I know,  nobody saw me clamoring  around looking like an idiot as I sized up the scene.

 I'm not particularly happy with the sketch.  There are errors that I could have easily avoided if I took more time to choose the right technique to avoid obliterating important detail (for example, Vashon Island in the distance, the shadow patterns in the water, and the chain, which needed to be absolutely vertical to anchor the ship to the bottom of the page).  However, I'm purposely putting down what I see as fast as I can, and the more I practice, the more I'll be able to make good decisions on the fly.

There are a lot of dramatic views in the port. I've driven around down there quite a bit and thought about the opportunities, but until I recently christened my new sketchbook with my East Coast trip, I was stymied.  On my list is to capture the crazy semi truck activity, which should be challenging due to the noise and congestion.  I really don't like getting in anyone's way.

Jeffrey Cobb's graduation from Mission Hill Junior High in Santa Cruz, California in 1987.


It was a great afternoon, with many happy kids and proud parents, including this one.
 

Marching up to receive his diploma.

Marching back with diploma in hand.

With his dad.

With his friend and fellow alumnus Jesse Martin.

Normandy, June 6, 1945.  My grandmother Frances, a Major in the  Army Nurse Corp, was on the beach sewing up the wounded.

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse is located on the extreme southeast tip of the island of Oahu.

The lighthouse is operated by the Coast Guard, and access is limited.

It's great having a son with the keys.

The Coast Guard uses these dummies for training. It's interesting to witness the postures those two fellas can assume.

The view of the Windward side.

This is looking back (through a fisheye lens) at the point.

Flying home to the Northwest, I got a good view of Makapu'u Point and the lighthouse (the tiny white spot at the bottom right).

Thanks, son, for one the most fun things I've ever done.