Thursday, March 03, 2011

WORLD IN THE WASTELANDS OF YUMA---PART ONE

THE YOUNGEST HOBOS. Hurrying along the tracks searching for an open boxcar--pausing only a moment for this picture---no time to get the full story. Yet the story is there---in the details of the picture. Here's what I see: Young love on a grand adventure---equipped for the journey---tent, sleeping bags, food, water and a means for making money---the guitar. (recently interviewed a guitarist who reported earning $50 in two hours of street playing) His ill fitting suit, with vest, is likely from a thriftstore. She wears warm leggings and a skirt. He has telltale tattoos on both hands. The dog carries something also. What have I missed?
RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: I've been busy--"shaking the bushes" and have much to tell---will do so in small bits. As always I seek to answer ever more precisely the question: What is the good life? Increasingly I believe Thoreau: "life is best viewed from the vantage point of voluntary poverty."

12 comments:

  1. Great! Looking forward to the next one, Randy.

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  2. nice romantic shot, randy!

    looks more like a banjo to me but whatever...

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  3. Great shot and post!

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  4. lately I wonder if the good life is when you stop feeling the urge to look for the good life, and are just in it

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  5. Best picture yet Randy.

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  6. and michele you are a winner

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  7. I'm with Michelle! Also I note that this couple are not overfed, and look happy and free.

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  8. Great picture.. Like so amy things simple, just people doing their thing.
    So many things are simple.

    A good life is when you are happy

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  9. Graeme6:58 PM

    I have searched and have not found a Thoreau quote that you cite. I do however believe one of his quotes is applicable to you: "This world is but a canvas to our imagination."

    :)

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  10. Graeme: Thanks for the challenge--turns out you are only half wrong. I whipped out my personal copy of Walden--(Barnes and Noble collectors library)---chapter one (Economy)--and found it in 5 minutes flat--page 19. The exact quote is as follows: "None can be an impartial or wise observer of human life but from the vantage ground of what we should call voluntary poverty."

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  11. Graeme11:10 PM

    Great, glad we sorted that out. :) I love reading your blog entries.

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  12. Anonymous8:08 AM

    Randy
    I'm mesmerized by the photo and thoughts of their travels. What a peaceful looking couple, content with what they have - or probably more importantly what they don't have and don't need.
    Bill

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