Foosball, anyone?

On Friday, I posted photos of the abandoned Pioneer High School and Pioneer Elementary School. Between the two schools is another building with a walkway in front of it. This foosball table is sitting under the walkway along with a pool table. The foosball table is fascinating. I can't tell how old it is, but there is Spanish writing on it and all the players look to be hand-painted. I would love to see this thing restored, but wouldn't even know where to begin.

I grew up when foosball was some kind of popular. There were no video games hardly and some folks took this game seriously. You could certainly tell the good guys from the amateurs. And, please, don't even think about spinning the players as hard as you could. That was always frowned upon when I played the game. The good guys would sit there and flick the ball back and forth between two players and before you knew it, they would flick their wrist and the ball would be in the goal. You couldn't even see it happen. Where was instant replay when you needed it? I never could do that. But I tried...dang if I didn't try.

OK, my stop along Memory Lane gets off here...

Pioneer High School

We found a photographic gold mine the other day in the form of the abandoned Pioneer High School and Pioneer Elementary School in Pioneer, La. It's between Oak Grove and Delhi. It has been abandoned for several years. It was eerie to walk through the place. But it was an excellent place for a study on light and shadow. A couple of the photos are presented in both color and B&W, so you can compare the two.

Transylvania Elementary School and other sights

The highway between Tallulah and Lake Providence is a wonderful road to travel. Here are four from a recent trip up that way:

Nuts and bolts on a 55-gallon drum in Sondheimer

Tires against a tree near Transylvania

The slide at the abandonded Transylvania Elementary School

Kudzu creeps up on the front doors of the abandoned Transylvania Elementary School

(I love the colors in this photo)

Bovina Rail Trestle

Whenever I go see Earl in Bovina, I also mosey over to see the rail trestle over the Big Black River. It's a wonderful thing to photograph. Most folks don't even know it exists. Want to find it for yourself? Follow Warrior's Trail until it ends at U.S. 80. Or better yet...call me and I will take you!

Earl Simmons

Whenever people want me to take them to distinctive places to take photographs, we go first to Margaret's Grocery on North Washington Street and then we will head to Earl Simmons' house in Bovina. Earl is a true folk artist. There's two parts to Earl. First, there is his artwork which is wonderful. He painted some of the artwork at the House of Blues in Orlando. I try to acquire a new piece each time I go visit him. The other part of Earl is his home. I am not going to show you a whole picture of the home because a photo does not do it justice. It's something you have to see for yourself. But here are a few photos of some of the features of the home. Earl continually builds on the home and he has a plan for the entire structure. It's amazing to see and even better to hear him talk about it. If you want to go, give me a call and I will take you. It's an experience you should not miss. You need to meet Earl. He's one of a kind.

Old Trains

Stumbled upon some old trains and track equipment while driving through Louisiana the other day. Even a train sitting still is magnificent. But they can't outrun the rust...

Random shots

Let's do a little housecleaning, shall we? These are recent photos that just didn't find a home in any of my posts of late.

This is what I call an artsy-tartsy shot. I was shooting at City Front the other night and when I started to turn around my high beams highlighted this bench and garbage receptacle. It looked pretty cool with the shadows. So I took a photo! The more I look at it, the better I like it.

The full moon was over the river at sunrise the other morning.

Bird at dusk along bayou in Mound, La.

Heading upriver at sunset

I came this close to walking right into this big fellowthe other day. Still gives me the willies...

Another artsy-tartsy one. I call this:

Water Running Over Rocks In Creek

Another moon at sunrise. I see them on my way to work and just have to try to take a picture of it. I haven't quite figured it out just yet. That's why I keep trying...

The City Depot a few days after the Fourth of July

A sunrise from Oak Ridge Road

Egret, herons and all sort of birds in the Delta National Wildlife Area

I hope you enjoyed these and encourage you to venture out this weekend and see what you can see! God's Glory is all around us!