“A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor — such is my idea of happiness.” ― Leo Tolstoy, Family Happiness
The "F" singer
"F" this, "F" that, "F" Nashville... "F,F,F,F,F." He was standing on the sidewalk near Broadway and Second Avenue singing. The face of the man told a story of what may be considered a hard life while his words showed his hatred for many things and places.
Every other word started with the proverbial F. In other words, it was a word you are likely familiar with and a word you don't want to hear your children saying. Furthermore, you would never say it around your grandmother.
The great escape
As this man stood outside of downtown Nashville skyscraper at midnight he told me that we were standing in a desert. His sandy blonde hair floated in the breeze as he went on to tell me about his spaceship and then pointed to the window of a nearby business. Inside was a computer that had a screen saver of a commercial jet on it. He said that was his spaceship.
Upon further discussion, he said he owns downtown Nashville which he calls a park... in the desert. He then said that he was an undercover detective.
At the close of our talk he shook my hand and quietly disappeared into the night.
I really love hearing these types of stories. If only I could live in my imagination at times. I'm sure it would be a great escape.
Empty Places: The overlooked vacant structure
This large building stands in a heavily used area of Chattanooga, TN yet has stood vacant for decades. It has been tagged and pillaged, but remains untouched by viable occupants. I use the word pillage, only because of all the broken windows and doors that vagrants, vandals and explorers have used as access points. Doorknobs and other small items are missing.
The building is next to an outdoor market / pavilion, a baseball field and a dog park. What could be here? Local residents have voiced the idea of art studios, a brewery, loft apartments and more.
Margaritaville
"Do you see that Margaritaville restaurant down there? I'm the one who brought that to Nashville," he told me as I stopped to talk at about 9:00 on a Wednesday night.
It's Sleepy Time Down South
This photo was taken at night on the steps of a church located in Nashville, Tennessee.
When I saw this man, I thought of an old song by Louis Armstrong:
"Ah, the pale moon's shining the fields below
Dark is crooning songs soft and low
You needn't tell me, boy, because I know
It's sleepy time down south"
Best salesman ever? Possibly!
A retired vinyl siding salesman who is now 85-years old is finding joy in helping others. M.C. Radford quietly lives in a small home located behind his daughters' house in Woodbury, TN. Mr. Radford is a big believer in Cybernetics and possibly one of the best salesman ever, at least that's what you will think after visiting with him.
While the word Cybernetics sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, it actually means the science of control and communication. Others describe it as the science of effective organization or the science of understanding. It is used by salesmen far and wide.
Read the entire story and hear soundbytes of Mr. Radford HERE.
Children enjoying life
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. - Frederick Douglass Read
My life is this.
I captured this photo in Memphis, Tennessee. This elderly man was sitting in a less than desirable area among the ruins of a torn down building. All that he asked, "Please don't take a picture of me drinking." He had a beer next to his left foot. He told me he would like to move. "Where," I asked. He quietly replied, "South Carolina, that's where I was born."
What do they say about opinions?
“The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true.” ― James Branch Cabell, The Silver Stallion
Dance Time
“Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music.” ― George Carlin
I see dead people
"I see dead people," he told me. I asked, "You mean right now?" He said, "Everywhere." It was almost as if I were watching that movie from 1999 called The Sixth Sense. He told me that he has lot's of mental issues that include multiple personalities and schizophrenia. He then told me that he is an artist and he designed the tattoo you see in this photo. The subject changed rapidly.
Upon diving into deeper conversation, I learned more about the root of some of the issues he deals with, which gave me a better understanding as to why. He talked about his mother committing suicide when he was much younger and his father leaving. He talked about his past drug use, domestic violence arrest and more. The conversation could have easily lasted for hours. You never really know someone until you try to understand them.
Children see magic while adults see cloudiness
“Children see magic because they look for it.” ― Christopher Moore
It was a hot day
“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.” ― George R.R. Martin
1,000 miles on foot
I asked, "How many miles have you walked over the years?" He told me "Thousands."
"Walking is man's best medicine." -Hippocrates
Hippocrates was a Greek physician in the Age of Pericles. He was considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine.
Trail of Tears
79-Year old Gene Glasscock and his wife Noqah Elisi are taking a trip, but not just any vacation. They are traveling by covered wagon along the Cherokees’ Trail of Tears. The trip is to memorialize the thousands of Indians who died on the route in the 1800’s. The Glasscock’s have Cherokee ancestry in their blood. Noqah Elisi is also taking the trip as a way to remember her son Johnny who died the year before in Alaska. Johnny died in an accidental shooting, according to Noqah Elisi. She had planned to take the trip with him four years ago. That never happened.
About 16,000 Cherokee Indians were driven from their lands by the US Army under the command of Andrew Jackson. They were forced to walk about 1,000 miles to an area that was titled “Indian Territory.” Some 4,000 died along the Trail of Tears that is also called “The trail where they cried.” The Glasscock’s will end their travel in Oklahoma, which is where the Cherokee also ended their trip.
I captured this shot when they stopped at MTSU in Murfreesboro, TN to spend the night.
The FBI Placed me here, "No Pictures"
She was sitting only 3-feet from the edge of a busy roadway begging for money. Her cup said "Brain Injury, Homeless, Cancer, Need Food." We did not ask questions, besides "Would you like a Pizza?" She quietly responded, "I don't have any dollars." My friend told her that the pizza is for her, free. She reached for it and I snapped a picture. She quickly held her hand up and stated, "No pictures, the FBI placed me here and are protecting me - they don't want anyone to know where I am." I did not argue. I only took a single photo of her hand in front of her face. Mental illness on the streets of our country is a significant problem.
50-Cents
"Hey man, could I have 50-cents," he stated with a slur. He stumbled towards me and asked a second time, "Do you have 50-cents I can have?" A third request, "Hey man, do you have 50-cents." I finally replied, "I don't, but I have a dollar." I then handed him the dollar and he asked, "Why are you video taping me man?" I said, "I'm not, I'm taking a photo of you to put online." He smiled, "Oh, cool man."
Kiss Concert
Nothing warms the heart more than an aspiring young Kiss fan waiting for the doors to open at the concert venue in Nashville, TN.
Waiting on a bus after a long day
This man is waiting on the long, relaxing bus ride home after spending the day at work.