Today is my 64th birthday.  How is it possible and where did the time go.  In my mind it seems like just a few days ago my friend Marie and I were sitting on the front steps eating lemonade, there was only one flavor in those days and it wasn’t called Italian ice either.  We’d sit there talking about the latest dance craze and then we would go down to her basement, play the radio and teach ourselves the new dances.  

When I stop to think of all the technological changes that have occurred in my lifetime I am simply amazed.  Things, that as a kid,  was the stuff of science fiction are now part of our everyday existence.  Microwaves, cell phones, IPhones, IPods, space stations, and what about the advances in medicine, did we ever imagine that we would see organ transplants; now is that just a page out of Frankenstine or what?

When I look in the mirror these days I honestly don’t know who that is looking back at me, surely it can’t be me.  Not with those jowls and the dark circles under the eyes it couldn’t possibly be me. But it is.   I sit and wonder what happened to the girl I once was, where did she go?  Then again I’ve been luckier than a lot of other people, I’m still in pretty good health and I manage to keep busy and keep my mind from going sour.

I also look around me and see all the empty places that once  held those who have passed.  Gone are mom and dad, aunts and uncles, and fat to many friends.  There are too few left who share the memories that I have; too few who can laugh away the hours reminiscing of childhood games and teenage folly.  I cherish deeply those who remain with me now.  Each passing day brings us closer to our own end of time; so we must live and love each day that we have, constantly moving forward dealing with whatever life hands us and making the best of it.

As for me on the 64th year of my birth I am grateful to God for loving parents who gave me so much I can never count it all.  What they gave me is far more lasting than any material thing.  The love, the laughter the family gathered around the dinner table every night and the chatter that was part of it all.  The strength they showed in the face of adversity which taught me to never give up no matter how hard things get.  The charity they showed others that taught me the real joy is in the giving.  To never let go of the child in you, it’s what keeps you young at heart.  The laughter and taking pleasure in the simple things in life; a drive in the country on a beautiful day,

the summer picnics and doing belly flops on the sled down the hill after the first big snow storm. This and so much more remains in my heart and will forever more.

On this day of all days I am happy to be here and I guess after all I do know where the time has gone.  If I were asked what wish I would make today, my wish for myself is to be around to celebrate another birthday.  What I wish for everyone is peace, love, laughter and many, many happy memories to share with even one person who remembers you when.

To everyone born on June 29th.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I have been experimenting with time-lapse photography using my Nikon D300 camera. One frame a minute played back at 6 frames a second. These are just shot from my upstairs window. The top one was the first test. It shot 720 frames before the battery died. I started the bottom one at 4:30 AM. The battery died on this one also. I need a second battery or AC power supply.

 

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today I started an email distribution list for my personal photography. I also created the site, MyDailyPhotograph.com, to archive the photographs. Visit the site to see the work. You can also subscribe to the list at the site.

I first met Steve Kushner in 1970 in Miami Beach. He was renting a garage apartment below mine. He is a great artist and a fine fellow. Steve found me last week on my website. Here is a podcast of our first conversation in 38 years. Listen as we catch up and talk about old times.

 

 2 Old Friends Talk After 38 Years: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

My annual royalty check from Avanti Press came today. They sold $28,571.87 worth of my Squirrel Photographer Greeting Card.

Always a great surprise. I forgot about it and it came a day early, whoopie!!!!

A new book by Alan Graham, Jim’s brother-in-law, called “I Remember” will be released on March 14.

“As intimate a portrait of Jim Morrison’s character and the forces which shaped his life and death as the reader is ever likely to encounter…”

Alan’s personal account of these events provides rare glimpses and intimate insights into the other side of Jim Morrison and the people who loved him.

Check out the new book here!

Alan also has several podcasts, including The House of Detention. You can listen to it online or subscribe here. He also has a forum site, LizardKingLounge.com.

Also click here to listen to Evan Marshall’s SOUL KITCHEN with Featuring Alan recorded live on BBS Talk Radio.

Today I posted my Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention photographs to gallery.TreeO.com. These photographs were taken in 1969 at Thee Image Club in Miami. They were taken one week before the Led Zeppelin photographs. Here is one of my favorites. Prints are available for sale at the gallery. Just click on the photograph below to see the rest of the images.

Today a good friend of Patricia Morrison’s, Jim’s wife, presented her with a framed print of Jim Morrison #9. She was thrilled and told me, “Thank you! The picture, hand-delivered by Fernand yesterday, is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much for being part of the surprise. Fernand is a dear young friend, and it was so considerate and kind of him to give me the photo for my birthday. Anyway, the picture is lovely. Now I just need to figure out where to hang it. Again thanks.”

Today is the anniversary of the Doors Concert in Miami, the infamous venue where Jim Morrison was supposed to have exposed himself. Read my story about the event here. I was there photographing the concert and subsequently ended up testifying at Jim’s trial as his first defense witness.