"Blue, Blue Christmas"

[Sony A700 | CZ 16-18 | 16mm | f8 | 2 sec | ISO 640 | 3 images, tonemapped]

I like looking at Christmas lights.  I like looking at Christmas lights, a lot!  That’s why driving to Medicine Park to see the lights on Christmas night 2011, made sense and felt “right”.  It had been a good day, because it was, after all, Christmas Day!  A lot has to be overlooked on this day, just because; just because.  And that’s why standing in a light rain on a winter night taking pictures of Christmas lights is an okay thing to do.  And I wasn’t the only one, either.  It was surprising the number of people who showed up just as I did to capture a few quick shots for scrapbooks and memories.  Most were only brief moments, quick dashes, and hurried poses.  And then, there I was, smiling and remembering times gone by while waiting patiently, camera on tripod, for a less hurried appreciation.  Oh, Cristmas lights, Oh Christmas lights, how brightly you do shine!

Herbie

Dorothy, Miss Blues,  Ellis,  enjoys what she’s hearing.

[Sony A700 | CZ 135/1.8 | f1.8 @ 1/500 | ISO 6400 | handheld]

Only a week ago, wildfires threatened the survival of Medicine Park.  Past perils and hardships have not destroyed the determined spirit of Medicine Park residents.  This past 4th of July weekend they carried on with their 103rd Birthday Celebration.  All firework displays were canceled due to the extreme drought and 100+ temperatures across all of Southwest Oklahoma, but that didn’t stop the celebration in Medicine Park.  Live bands were performing throughout the weekend.  I checked the schedule of performances to see who would be there Sunday night.  Scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, was “The Brothers Dupree”, and then at 9:00 PM, was someone called “Miss Blues”.  I had never heard of them so I Googled the name and “missblues.com” showed up.  After scanning quickly through the site, I knew I’d have to drive out to hear Miss Blues.

It was worth the drive and a lot more!  Unbelievably good and incredibly entertaining is the best way I can describe it.  Miss Blues is 76 years old and has been singing the blues for 68 years.  The band she fronted this evening was comprised of some of the best musicians I have heard in one group.  They were amazing.  The group of assembled to hear Miss Blues was small but what it lacked in size, it made up in appreciation.  It didn’t take long for everyone realized this was a rare treat for Southwest Oklahoma.  In fact, Mike Cappucio, a member of The Brothers Dupree, stayed for the performance and may have appreciated these performers more than anyone.  They were only scheduled to play a couple of hours, but I left at 12:45 AM, and Miss Blues was still going strong.

WHAT A SHOW!  WOW, WOW, WOW!

(more pictures to follow shortly)

Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy have a unique sound.

Erin came to visit Mike and me over the Memorial Day Weekend.  Every Memorial Day Weekend, Medicine Park reverberates with the sound of Red Dirt Music during the “Mayor’s Red Dirt Ball”.  After examining the list of bands performing over the weekend, my bet was that the best music would be heard Sunday evening.  Two groups were were scheduled to perform, Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy, 7:00–9:00 PM, and Brandon Jenkins, 9:30–11:30 PM.

We pulled into the old Medicine Park High School baseball field about 7:20 PM, and had no difficulty finding a parking spot.  From there, we only needed to walk the 300 yards, or so, down a blacktopped street and across the old bridge spanning Medicine Creek to be at Medicine Park’s “Main Stage”.  As we walked, we listened to the sound of music carried on the refreshing evening breeze. It was nice and I couldn’t help but think about how nice it was having Erin home, if only for a few days.

“Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy” was already on stage and playing when we arrived.  They are a band of six members from Wichita, KS.  Their brand of Red Dirt is rather unique and is sometimes classified as Americana, Folksy, Dixieland, Bluegrass, etc.  However, one thing is for certain…it is high energy!  When they add in the trombone and the trumpet, there’s definitely New Orleans French Quarter Jazz overtones.  Then on the very next song they may drop the trombone, add a banjo, and a washboard and cut loose on a bluegrass frenzy.  All in all, it’s entertaining, even if not what your usual Red Dirt.

(I need to insert a parenthesis, with explanation, into the content at this point.  This evening I am packing only a CZ 135/1.8 lens, a prime lens and not a zoom; my feet act as a zoom, in the old fashion way.  This isn’t the only prime lens I own, but it’s certainly the best, and as a rule, the optics in primes are better than zooms.  Even though I’ve had this lens for quite some time, I’ve not been able to push it to perform its best; it’s a better lens than I am a photographer.  So to find its “sweet spot” and to increase my understanding of its unique personality, I am forcing myself to carry only it and use it exclusively.  So, to create more distance between me and the stage so I could include all six members, would have a move that would have damaged the perspective more than getting a “better crop” of these four.  I include individual images of the other members in my Gallery.)

We listened for some time until our empty stomachs were making noises along with the band.  Erin had never been to the Winery of the Wichitas, and since it is located on a hill overlooking Medicine Park, I knew we could sit on the deck and hear the music really well, too.  With that in mind, we returned to the truck and drove the small distance to the Winery.  Imagine my disappointment when, “We’re closed, out kitchen closed at eight!”.  It was 8:30 PM, at the time.  Our next option was to drive back into the valley and walk to the “Old Plantation”, which was less than 60 yards from where we were standing listening to “Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy”.

Truth be known, the “Old Plantation” is probably my favorite restaurant, anyway.  It has such history in the area and the food is excellent.  I can hardly eat there and not order their rib-eye steak.  It’s delicious and cooked the same, everytime.

We only had about a ten minute wait before we were shown to our table.  I wasn’t happy with our table, but what can you expect on a crowded evening.  Erin ordered the “chicken fried” chicken with garlic mashed potatoes.  As usual, I ordered the 10-oz rib-eye steak, medium rare, fried okra with instructions to fry it a little longer so it’s extra crispy (their fried okra is already fried the crispest you will find anywhere, but I still like mine even crispier).  While we waited for the food we talked and munched on the homemade rolls and honey butter spread our waitress had already delivered to our table.  Once the main entrees’ arrived, we discovered everything prepared to perfection.  It was, “Oh so good!”  After enjoying a hearty and delicious meal, we were on our way out when I spied a friend, Doug Kemper, dining alone at the bar.  Doug is a very interesting person and if I had spied him earlier, I would have certainly invited him to join us.  Erin would have enjoyed the conversation.  Doug is a herpetologist and designer of aquariums.  He designed the aquariums in Seattle, San Antonio, and Tulsa.  He is also quite an adventurer and has been to Africa, South America, and even Antarctica.  Anyway, we walked over to say, “Hi”, and I introduced Erin.  He was delighted to see us. He and Erin bantered back and forth about North Texas Softball for a few minutes.  We didn’t want to take him away from his dinner any longer so we bid him, “Adios”, and headed back to the bandstand to hear more Red Dirt artists perform.

We reached the stage just in time to catch the first song by the group I thought would be the highlight of the Mayor’s Ball, none other than Brandon Jenkins, himself.  After the music began, it didn’t take long to confirm I was right.  Brandon Jenkins is 100% Red Dirt the way we like it in Oklahoma.  He is a Red Dirt legend among people who really know and appreciate the sound.  The crowd had grown considerably and proved we weren’t the only ones who thought that way.  Cameras and cell phones were busy taking pictures, texting, and uploading.  Dancers were finding their way into the space between the front row of lawn-chairs and stage.  All ages of people were represented and everyone seemed to be enjoying the sound filling the Medicine Creek valley.  The weather couldn’t have been nicer with an Oklahoma breeze and a sky full of stars above and a stage full of stars on earth.  We stayed and enjoyed the show as long as we could.  Next time, I must bring chairs.  Aching knees on both of us urged us to call it a night and head for home.

It was a “Good Time” and will be remembered with “Good Memories”.

[Sony A700 | CZ 135/1.8 | 1/6400 @ f3.5 | ISO 640]

Col. Hannibal Smith, played by George Peppard in the TV series “The A-Team”, would often say, “I love it when a plan comes together!”  I can’t claim that yesterday evening was planned, but everything sure came together making for a very nice experience.

It all began when I walked through the door of the “Winery of the Wichitas”, a unique small business, located off Hwy. 49, atop a hill overlooking Medicine Park and just a mile, or so, from the eastern entrance to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.  It’s a winery, and as such they offer up glasses of the wines they craft; it’s an art gallery where local artists can show their work; it’s a restaurant called “Buffalo Bistro” and Mark and Randy Reeves play smooth jazz on Saturday night from 7:00 to 10:00.  Now, you must admit, that’s a combination that holds promise.

I go there often for the food, art, and music, in that order.  It’s not a place where “everyone knows my name”, but enough do to make it homey.  The  “Buffalo Bistro’s” menu is small but unique.  It was designed by executive chef, Anna Banda, who earned her credentials at Coach House.  Everything I have eaten, has been excellent, and the portions plentiful; most times, I leave food on my plate.  On this evening, the inside dining area was full, so I followed the path across the floor and through the door leading to the large split-level deck outside.  I was delighted to see the table with the brightly colored ceramic tile top empty; it’s my favorite even though it wobbles at least a half inch (I swear I’m going to fix that someday).  Located on the upper deck, in an out of the way corner, and only a table for two, it suits me perfectly.

The first thing I noticed, after taking a seat, was how pleasant an evening it was.  The temperature was just right, and there was only a mild breeze:  just enough to keep the insects away, but not enough to even lift a napkin laying unweighted on the tabletop.  The lights of Medicine Park were visible in the valley below, and to the east, the magnificent home of Muriel and Michael Fahrion is silhouetted against the sky.  Muriel is an American illustrator and created the original design for the doll, “Strawberry Shortcake” and her cat “Custard”, in 1977.  Following very successful careers, she and her husband, Michael, entered semi-retirement, designing this beautiful home that sits atop a tall hill facing the west and overlooking the Medicine Creek Valley.  Today, they are busy with their graphic arts and web design business, “Big Rock Works”, and many Medicine Park community projects.  In the distance behind their home were these magnificent thunderheads.  At the moment I first sat down, the light was not quite right, but I knew it would get better in a short time, if only the thunderheads didn’t move away too quickly.

Ah, another sign things were going my way tonight!  The light I was wanting s0on arrived and the thunderheads had not yet departed.  My camera, resting on the table, was an easy reach.  My tripod, still in my truck, was not.  However, seemingly with everything coming together, I was willing to stretch possibilities a little.  The Fahrion’s house is a good half mile away, as the crow flies, and steadiness is critical.  I cradled the camera in my hands allowing my fingers to play among the dials and buttons, making the adjustments I hoped would capture my vision.  When ready, I rested the lens barrel on top of the steel railing surrounding the deck and breathed deeply, consciously relaxing, letting all tension ease away.  Setting the focus, exhaling slowly, willing the  button to descend ever so slowly, anticipating the gentle rhythm of the mirror rising and falling, I was nowhere if not right there, right then.  Release, all cares evaporate into the gentle breeze, I am happy!  All to soon, the light changed and with it the magic of the moment. My thoughts returned along with the awareness of present surroundings and I began to scan the faces of my fellow diners on the deck.

It didn’t take long to spot Doug Kemper, a scientist and engineer.  Doug is nationally known for designing several zoo aquariums.  He lived in Lawton for some time during his youth and has returned to design, obtain funding, and oversee the construction of the “Medicine Park Museum of Natural Science”.  He’s traveled all over the world, even to Antarctica, so he has wonderful stories to tell in seemingly endless supply.  He seemed to be preparing to leave, but I caught his attention and asked if he’d like to join me for a time.  I was delighted when he accepted.

You should never be in a hurry when you visit “The Winery”; it’s just not a “rush through” place.  It was only after Doug joined my table that I placed the order for my meal:  “Everything Salad” and “Molten Lava Chocolate Cake” for dessert.  The salad fit well with my nutritional goals, while the Lava Chocolate Cake did not.  Oh well, we must have balance!  Right?  Over the next two hours, or so, while I enjoyed the deliciousness of my meal, we talked, laughed, and told stories.  The topics ran the gamut of everything from progress on Natural Science Museum and Doug’s plans for a sky lift connecting the museum to the center of Medicine park, to birds and wild flowers on the Refuge, his expedition to Antarctica, and Al Gore’s myth of Global Warming, to include the fact that the glaciers on Kilimanjaro are receding, not due to melting, but due to sublimation; A huge difference, by the way!  The only thing that shortened our evening was Tammy, a wonderful waitress, asking, “Do you guys plan on leaving from the deck or would you like to come through the Winery?  We’re locked up and going home.”

I just love it when everything comes together!

Sonny Nevaquaya plays at Medicine Park's 102 B-Day Bash

“59 & 102″

What do they have in Common?

Medicine Park and I both celebrated our birthdays on Saturday, July 10.  For Medicine Park it was their 102nd, having been founded on July 4, 1908, and for this Baby Boomer it was my 59th.  Well, since I consider my “birth day” as the most important day of my life, I make it a personal celebration whether anyone else gives a hoot, or not!  Since it occurs most often during the work week, I always take leave on my birthday.  This means I nearly always spend the day by myself, but that’s okay because this is something special I do for myself; it’s a gift to myself.  However, when my day falls on the weekend and there’s a big celebration going on somewhere, I’m not opposed to glomming on and letting someone else help me celebrate.  Well, with Medicine Park celebrating its 102nd Birthday Bash, six days late,  on Saturday, July 10, and Sherry offering to take me out to dinner for my 59th, I couldn’t let such an opportunity go to waste.  (Oh by the by, did I mention the best birthday gift I’ve ever received was when my son, Brandon, was born on my birthday in 1978?  I mean, after that everything else falls short… right?)

Sherry and I left Lawton about 3:30 PM with intentions of catching the rest of the day’s festivities including live bands, the Rubber Duck Race, Native American music played by Calvert Nevaquaya, a great meal at The Old Plantation Restaurant , and a fireworks display for a great finale.  We knew it was going to be hot and humid, but knowing it and experiencing it are two different things!  Mercy!  Where is the Oklahoma wind when you really need it in July?  I can tell you where it was not – Medicine Park, Oklahoma!  Being born and raised in Southwest Oklahoma, I’m supposed to be used to this so I’m not really complaining.  It’s just that I don’t perspire, I SWEAT, and Saturday sweat was running out of my shoes. 

But, you know what?  I had a very good time.  The first band we heard was “Brothers Dupree”, and I thought they were pretty good.  They play an interesting mixture of rock.  I came away with a few cool pictures even if the temperature wasn’t.  Next we bought tickets for Rubber Duck Race.  However, there wasn’t any race.     Because of the recent heavy rains, the flood gates on the dam of Lake Lawtonka, less than a mile to the north, were open and the current of Medicine Creek was too swift.  There was the fear all the rubber duckies would be swept downstream and perish.  So instead, the dumped all the rubber ducks into a large plastic sack and drew for the winning duck.  Sherry and I had 6 ducks in the bag, but didn’t win a thing.  I took some video of all this with my Sony Webbie and will something posted soon.  After this the evening began to pick up and the temperature began to drop a little tiny bit.

It was now 6:30 PM and the Native American Flute performance was due to begin.  I was really looking forward to this since I was already familiar with Calvert Nevaquaya’s abilities.  What I wasn’t expecting is that Sonny, his older brother was also going to perform.  This was a special treat for me.  Also, with them that evening was David Moore from Apache who would also perform.  I quickly changed attached my 70-200mm f/2.8, and headed for the stage.  I politely gestured with my camera for permission to take pictures and was delighted when Sonny acknowledged with a nod of his head.  With sweet mellow tones from flutes floating on the moist and heavy air along Medicine Creek, stories were told with deep meanings and I was happy just to be…

Following an outstanding performance by the three outstanding musicians, it was time to eat.  We gathered up our stuff and walked up the street to The Old Plantation Restaurant.  I already knew what I was going to order:  12oz Ribeye Steak, medium rare, garlic mashed potatoes, and blue cheese dressing on my salad.  I am never disappointed with their steaks and this was no exception.  I know everyone has different tastes and likes when it comes to their steak, but for me, The Old Plantation consistently has mine just right!  Oh, and the service is excellent.  If you haven’t been, you need to go sometime, soon!  Is there any better way to cap off an already great birthday than with an excellent meal?  Well, how about some fireworks?

After leaving The Old Plantation, we discussed where would be the best place to watch the fireworks display.  If you’ve never been to Medicine Park, Medicine Creek creates a valley between granite hills with the town built on both banks and up the hillsides.  Not knowing where the display was being set up we had no idea where to go to watch it.  I suggested we drive up to the Winery of the Wichitas and sit on their outside deck.  It’s located at the top of a granite hill at the soutwest edge of Medicine Park.  I was certain from there we would have a good view.  Boy, was that an understatement!  The parking lot was packed but we were able to find a space alongside their long gravel driveway.  We gathered our lawn chairs just in case there were no empty seats available headed for the door.  Upon entering we could see the inside was packed and through the windows we could see a lot of people already on the deck.  A man approached me and said they had just cleared an area around the firepit on the deck and we could set up our lawn chairs there.  We did just that.  A band was playing on the deck and we were sitting right in front of them.  The lead guitar was very good, and the bass player was barely able to stand up.  I never did catch the name of the five member band, but they were pretty good and everyone was having a good time.  When the first firework shell shot into the sky and burst into a colorful display, I suddenly became aware they were set up right next to The Winery!  It was like having a fireworks show in our own backyard.  To see them well we had to look straight up, literally.  It was a very nice display and outstanding way to finish off my 59th Birthday!  I wish you all could have been there!

Christmas Lights Reflect in the waters of Bath Lake

It was earlier in December when I visited Medicine Park for my first attempt at capturing their Christmas Spirit though their Christmas Light displays.  My plan was to use the high dynamic range (HDR) technique to capture the emotions I feel when viewing the display of lights around Bath Lake.  I thought I had a good plan, but as it turned out, it wasn’t good enough.

It was well past sunset when I turned off Hwy. 49, and toward Medicine Park.  The sky was black since the “new moon” was two nights past, and the thin slice of  the current moon was setting in the astronomical twilight, and having no effect, at all.  I thought this would be a great time for making good HDR images of the lights.  The Christmas Light displays did not disappoint.  I spent the next 2 1/2 hours in a fantasy frame of mind moving back and forth on the walkway that runs along the east bank of Medicine Creek.  A wedding reception was taking place at the same time at the Medicine Park Music Hall.  The cold, but calm, night air was filled with the music from the band, the laughter of people having a good time, and the sound of water, reflecting the many colors of light, pouring over the falls of Bath Lake.  It was a magical night and I was having a great time!  However, my resulting images weren’t what I was hoping for.

While HDR is a much better way to approach the capturing of Christmas Lights and the magical feelings they cause to rise within me, the lights in a pitch black darkness are a problem.  I believe my results would have been much better if I had been earlier and was able to benefit from the illumination from the sky at civil, or even nautical twilight.  Also, a sky illuminated by a full, or almost full, moon would help a lot.