Thoughts Encountered on a Curving Path by Chipka
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
There were sparrows in the trees on the day that I walked (yes, with Corey) by the North Branch of the Chicago River. There were woodpeckers, and starlings. There were squirrels, chattering their odd and territorial quacking noises at one another while flicking their tails and sniffing after nuts.
It was warm on the day that there were sparrows and quacking squirrels in the trees and as I walked with Corey, my camera found small things, large things, and a bewildering array of things I can scarcely remember. In standing with our decades-long custom, Corey and I talked and laughed. I smoked: occasionally remembering old Native American admonishments to treat tobacco with the proper respect, and to exhale a breath of prayer as each cloud of smoke escapes from the lungs. It is from Native Americans that I learned not to smoke casually, and to savor, cherish, and—always—respect each stinging lungful of soot and heat-released chemicals. I won’t be a smoker for my entire life, but I’ll always see smoke (breathed from mouths or nostrils) as a kind of prayer, and as a writer seeing such things, I’ll probably always think of a pack of cigarettes as a pack of twenty prayers.
And so, with smoke in my lungs, smoke in the air around my head, and a camera full of recorded images, I walked with Corey, not really thinking of prayer. Ah, but maybe such thoughts were not so far from my mind, as I recognized the upcoming Hebrew Sabath. I spied members of the Jewish faith—many of them: all dressed in ways that speak of old European sentiments rather than brash, American mindsets. I saw Kafka in each of the men, and wondered if any of them were descendants of Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the man who gave Prague her golem. (I’ve only recently learned how to spell his name correctly, and I still doubt whether or not my spelling here is accurate. I’m sure there should be some dots and dashes in there somewhere…but maybe that’s just me.) It is said that the famous golem is still hidden in Prague—ironically, in the rafters of a Catholic church, according to some. Others say that the golem resides in a particular cellar bar beneath the courtyard of a now-defunct (and greatly missed) hostel
I have no idea where Prague’s golem might reside; I don’t think he’s in Chicago. I think of Prague’s golem, from time to time—especially as I smoke. I wonder if smoking and thinking of a golem is, in a sense, a prayer. We’ll see…if I find muddy footprints leading into or out of my apartment, I’ll have a strange answer to that question, and more questions in need of strange answers, but until then, I’ll spend as much time with Corey (and Kate) as possible…wandering around with my camera, taking sneak-factor shots of people in impressive hats in parks by the river, where sparrows argue and squirrels quack at one another while fluttering their fluttery tails.
Oh yes, and squirrels do quack—not like ducks; squirrel quacks are a bit more musical in tone, and when you hear it, you’re in the presence of one miffed squirrel!
As always, thank you for viewing, reading and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a fantastic week. I’m back at home now, but things are still hectic, so it’s still going to be a wee bit of time before I can really catch up (to my satisfaction) with commenting, though I get to peek at the galleries quite a lot.
Comments (19)
Sepiasiren
just marvelous Chipka--don't know what to say but that I love it
Orinoor
I really like that you think squirrels quack, I guess since I'm fond of ducks. I've never thought of them as quacking, more huffing and barking, but we all interpret things differently (or perhaps squirrels in Chicago are just that different). Wonderful photo.
NefariousDrO
I love reading your thoughts on the people passing by. It'd be a real joy to sit in a nice warm park and talk with out about the various stories the people you see trigger. As for the squirrels, I admit to a growing fascination with them. They're crazy, they don't seem to realize how small they are, and I think they're all getting organized: the squirrel revolution is coming!
MrsRatbag
My squirrels make a whole assortment of strange noises; I've never heard a quack that I could attribute to them, but you never know. Interesting... What a lovely image!
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
auntietk
I love your postwork choices in this! What a cool shot. I would love to have been there with you, strolling and taking pictures, enjoying the smoke. (Even though I quit several years ago, I still enjoy other people smoking!) Great composition, and the tone is wonderful.
bmac62
Now, I know what a golem is...you just never know what you will learn when you log onto RR. Love your picture of two probably carefree souls out for what looks like a Sunday stroll. All is just right for a peaceful smoke...the kind where the smoke slowly curls up, up and a way...:)
helanker
This is such an awesome shot and I love the tone you gave it. Love the spinnings alot too :-)
durleybeachbum
I enjoyed those musings, and I like the pic. I should love to people-watch with you for a while, that would be most enjoyable..
KateBlack10
Love your narrative and the shot - they go together in that great way that makes up you - I love the way the path curves and the strolling gentlemen are walking away from you - don't know how you did the post work but I like the color tones on my PC it gives it a slightly greenish sepia tone. Very nice
flavia49
stunning work!
jac204
Great capture.
CaressingTheDark
wonderful image and love the sepia effect for this
RodS
Wonderful, calm and serene photo, Chip! Love the sepia treatment on this - it just seems so right... LOL @ NefariousDrO! Squirrel revolution, indeed! LOL!
sandra46
EXCELLENT IMAGE! SUPERB WORK!
SerenityBlue
In addition to greatly admiring your entire gallery, I also appreciate learning from you. There is wisdom there in each of your gallery pieces, and something to contemplate. I love this image you have done, and love the explanation that goes with it. Just one piece of advice can I give you ... please stop smoking, live longer and healthier. I know you probably won't appreciate that, nor take it, because I have relatives that smoke (and heavily suffering for it). I know they will never quit. But I had to say something, because health should be valued far more than it is in our society. :c) But I loves ya anyway... regardless. Just saying all of this with caring in mind.
lick.a.witch
Absolutely super narrative and simply stunning image! It is hard to believe this is an image from 2010...it looks as though it belongs in a bygone age. It invites you in and also make one (me anyway), wonder just what sort of conversation is going on between the two chaps... ^=^ (warm regards to Corey).
danapommet
Despite being “Born Again” Christians, we live in a mostly Jewish gated community, in south Florida. We bought here because many of our friends, from the north, now live here. This posting is very common in our community and is a perfect capture of a life style gone by. The stories and conversations are a valuable history lesson for a history nut like myself. The sepia look is perfect. Super shot and super share. Dana
praep
What a great scene. You captured well and the postwork is also perfect. First I saw the two man I must think about Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy or Charlie Chaplin. Lovely.