October 1, 2020
**John Prine's Birthday**
Sam Stavinoha, the new owner of the French Company Grocer is putting on an evening of singing and honoring John Prine, October 10 at 6pm. in back of the store. You can message Sam to sign up.
The park has mostly re-opened, though I believe the basin rooms are still closed.
** Dan Hickle**
Dan was up against the three strike law. He had been busted for selling marijuana I believe. Dan was not a big time dealer, but still he was going to have to serve some time. To avoid facing the sentence he went to Mexico, but not deep into the country, just over the border in Boquillas were he dressed himself in a poncho and hat and played with the other musicians in town. He only stuck out like sore thumb, and from my viewpoint it was kind of funny. Robert Earl Keen took that thought and turned it into the song Gringo Honeymoon, which is very loosely based on Dan’s escape to Mexico. When I made this image Dan was in the US, but in hiding. It was hush-hush, and I had to drive to a location and wait for someone to come get me. Then I followed them to a secret location. It was a grand time. His oldest son Trevor is a musician too, and I photographed them jamming together, and also made family portrait style images of Dan and his three children. Dan did eventually come back to the U.S. I made a portrait of him at the county jail, all shaved and not nearly as happy. Dan served his time, and now walks the straight and narrow.
I hope you are all well and safe during this pandemic and sad time. I am hoping for some light at the end of the tunnel, and I look forward to laughing like Dan again.
Happy Full Moon. Get Outside.
**Dancing Feet**
This image may very well be my masterpiece. I shot it at Rio Grande Village in the park. The event was good neighbor day. People from across the border and here would get together for singing and dancing. Food was available, as well as arts and crafts. There was an elevated stage so my field of vision was eye level with their legs. The girl was bigger than the boy, though they were the same age, and she seemed to lead. I followed their legs through the viewfinder and shot when I saw something interesting. I learned later that their names were Jose Brito and Katrina Portillo. I was firing on all 8 cylinders. Three images I made that day are in my first book, Big Bend Pictures. Another interesting thing is that my “normal” lens was in the shop for repair, so I only had a wide angle and a short telephoto to shoot with. It is a good idea to sometimes to get out of your comfort zone.