STORYTELLER

The Blue Distance


Stormy.

Away in the weather.

I wasn’t driving in that place during the storms. But, before and after are good targets. The main idea is to give you a sense of our wonderful weather down here in Southeastern Louisiana. During this time of year we often get a short but violent storm about every other day.

This down time has got me thinking. That’s usually a dangerous proposition. A lot of folks are doing some kind of a review of their lives, right now. For many people it’s more along the lines of, “How the hell did this happen?”

I’m not sure what you can do about the past but learn from it. And, enjoy some of the memories. That’s probably enough. If you can take something away from whatever happened to you, you’ve done it.

The past is all different. Places are all different. We are all different. Our pasts are all different. We mix and match. Trying to understand. “How the hell did this happen?”

Until.

We are brought to this place in time. One moment in history. Our time. Right this minute. This minute. Right now. This one.

What are you going to do with this minute? What are going to do if you believe that there are no useless days?

Tell me. Tell the rest of us. Please.

The Picture

I didn’t even know what I had. If I hadn’t messed with this file, you’d have seen the usual things. Blue sky. A few clouds. A long road reaching out in a sort of brown-grayish color. Another detail or two.

But.

I went the other way. I made the picture look like you were out on some deserted highway, late at night. A storm is brewing. You hope to get there in time. The time before the clouds erupt into hard rain. You hope.

Just so you know, I didn’t use an app that is supposed to be a cinematic filter called, “Night for Day.” I made this one myself.

So. Yes. A lot of post production.

Stay safe. Stay mighty. Enjoy every sandwich.

One more thing.

I didn’t forget. Fifteen years. Today. Fifteen years between Katrina and Lucy. This picture links the two. It leaves me wondering. “How the hell did I get here?”

You’d better have another sandwich.

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Ray Laskowitz

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Comments

8 responses to “The Blue Distance”

  1. djmoose6475 Avatar
    djmoose6475

    You are pressing your luck Ray. Watch out for that third storm…it may be the one and probably sooner than 15 years from now. What thee heck, we may both be dead by then. Hang in there my philosophical friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ray Laskowitz Avatar
      Ray Laskowitz

      Probably. There are two depressions forming in the Atlantic Ocean as I write.!5 years more will probably be enough, A lot of the culture barriers that I photograph have parents who are in their late 90s. Doesn’t look like a lot of fun.

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      Reply
  2. rothpoetry Avatar
    rothpoetry

    Great Photo Ray! You just seem to live in harms way! Maybe the question is where should I be living instead of here…???

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    Reply
    1. Ray Laskowitz Avatar
      Ray Laskowitz

      Thank you. We probably should have stayed in New Mexico. We got a little bored there for lack of street culture.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. rothpoetry Avatar
        rothpoetry

        I think I can understand that! :>)

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ray Laskowitz Avatar
        Ray Laskowitz

        We just kept going back.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Kim of Glover Gardens Avatar
    Kim of Glover Gardens

    It (NOLA) must keep calling you home. I really like this: “The past is all different. Places are all different. We are all different. Our pasts are all different. We mix and match. Trying to understand.” I’m wrestling with a title along the lines of “the invisible weight of memory” and your words fit with that.

    What am I going to do with it, with this minute in this hour of this not-useless day? Think. Contemplate. Write. Reflect.

    Love the picture. It perfectly captures the feel of a storm bearing down on you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ray Laskowitz Avatar
      Ray Laskowitz

      Thanks for that. Not-useless is something that I borrowed from my new musician. She also said a version of something Uncle Neil says. She said that every song comes from the same story. She just keeps approaching it from different angles. NOLA isn’t calling me much. NOJO was asking about Virginia, where MCC lives and where my career began. I said that she is a city girl, she said not so much anymore.

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      Reply

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