Remembering the Clay City Oil Fields

Thinking of Jasper county. Driving in the work truck with Mom and Dad as Dad made his last check of the day on the pump jacks he took care of. Summer air as warm and fluid as milk. Cornstalks obscuring the sightline of crossroads. Lightning bugs at dusk.

Illinois railroad map

I finally talked my packrat brother (the king of chairs) into letting me have this old illinois railroad map. Unfortunately, it has been abused and mouse chewed. Because it is in such rough shape, I don't feel too guilty mounting it on primed plywood. I am going to touch it up and add a frame. Finished shot to come.

Cravens cemetery -- Burnt Prairie

My brother, cousin and I found the old Cravens cemetary near Burnt Prairie. It is in a very isolated quiet spot on a hill overlooking the fields. It was buried in vines and weeds, dark and subdued.


Young Brookens Cravens, my great-great granfather's stone. It had toppled over. The inscription read: "This monument honors a soldier who fought to save the Union".



Stolid Jane, stands beside him.

YES WE CAN!

I am very proud to be an American and from Illinois this morning. I realize that Obama cannot possibly achieve all the things that are expected from him but I am so encouraged by the thought that the American people are open to a new approach.
Listening to his acceptance speech last night reminded me of the hope and eagerness of the Kennedy era.

My brother's house

This is taken from a snapshot of my brother's house in Illinois. It has since been remodeled by a tornado, but all is well.