Painting With Light

Stormy Weather Lighthouse

April 2, 2009

“Grand Haven Lighthouse” © R.L. Herron

With the temperature hovering around 60° today, it was easy to feel like Spring is back. Unfortunately, the area climate is tempered by the economic climate which, these days, makes everything feel more like the storm illustrated above.

Living in southeastern Michigan, the economy … more specifically its horrendous descent in the past year … is particularly disturbing to the psyche of everyone caught up in it.

The picture above is the lighthouse at the mouth of the Grand River, right where it empties into Lake Michigan. The shot doesn’t really show the gale wind that was blowing. It took weeks to get all the sand out of my lens from the fierce winds coming in off the lake that day, but the shot, I think, was worth it.

It’s kind of like what’s happening with the economy. This is a rough storm with rough winds for everyone, but the experience – hopefully – will make us stronger in the end.

Posted in Lifestyle, Non-Fiction Writing | Leave a Comment »

Can Spring Be Far Behind?

March 28, 2009

“Detroit River Fog” © R.L. Herron

Speaking of fog: The weather is starting to cooperate a bit. Crocuses are starting to emerge, and you can just see the buds beginning on some trees. Signs of new life, and one of the reasons I so thoroughly enjoy springtime.

Still, the days are often wet and cold and dreary, and look anything but promising. Like this image of a freighter, moving slowly through the fog, south down the Detroit River, from Lake St. Clair.

It hardly seems to hold much promise . . . until you realize the ice is gone from the river, and traffic along it is moving again.

In its own way, it’s very much a sign of spring. Makes me want to write.

Posted in Storytelling | Leave a Comment »

Foggy Morning

February 21, 2009

We had another four inches of snow today. Doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you add it to the rest we’ve already had this year, it comes to more than 15 feet.

I found this image of a foggy street in the neighborhood, taken early in the morning on my way to work last year, before I retired.

It made me wish for spring again, as this street is now snow-covered and slippery.

It also made me appreciate this image all over again. There’s something magical about fog. Oh, certainly not the driving in it, but the way it alters the mood of the light, and makes ordinary things appear, for a moment, almost magical.

There must be a short-story in there somewhere, too.