Sunday, December 30, 2012

And they danced ...

And they danced...

The vultures were returning to the woods beside our house -- circling, looking for a good perch to land.

For me, this was a great time to practice manual focusing.

Luckily, I caught these two in the final moments of their evening date.

My camera clicked away as he walked her to the door.

She said it had been a magical evening.

He kissed her lightly on the cheek and turned to go.

"Want to come in for a nightcap?" she asked.

"Yes, of course," was his reply.

And they danced...



Monday, November 26, 2012

The truth about Doctor Who

It goes without saying that Doctor Who is the best program that ever is, will be or was.

It's a scientific fact.

I can say that (even though I said earlier it goes without saying) because my entire Nuclear family agrees.

"Nuclear" has something to do with science.

There are seven letters in the word Nuclear.

There are five people and two cats in my Nuclear family.

Five plus two equal seven. (Coincidence? I think not!)

I just did addition, which is a scientific method of combining smaller numbers to make bigger numbers.

Big numbers of adoring fans LOVE Doctor Who -- and that's a FACT!

Thus, I have PROVEN beyond a SHADOW of DOUBT that what goes without saying, should be said loud and clear:

Doctor Who is the best program that ever is, will be or was.


In my humble opinion!


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Happiness is what it is

I sat down to read a book the other day, and for those few moments I was happy.

I went outside to photograph whatever I could find, and for those few moments I was happy.

I made a Thanksgiving pecan pie for my family, and for those few moments I was happy.

I took my daughter to see a movie, and for those few moments I was happy.

 
Happiness
 can not be found
 by dwelling on the could, the would, or the what if.

Happiness is fixating on the now,
 until it drowns out
the madness.


Thursday, November 22, 2012

While the Ents stood guard

The Ents stand quard

I could live by this road.

A safe road.

A road to Hobbiton where adventures are frowned upon.

A daily walk to the local for a pint of stout.

Chimney smoke carried along on a cool breeze.

Rabbits rustling in the brush.

Silence.

And everything would be as it was meant to be.

While the Ents stood guard.


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Doctor Who? Who knew?

I remember watching Doctor Who when I was younger.

Actually, I can only remember seeing bits and pieces of the show as I was searching for something else to watch. I was pretty much a Star Trek freak, and Doctor Who seemed so low tech and boring.

Lot's of talk, no action.

Fast forward to today, and I'm watching nothing BUT Doctor Who.

Good stories, great action, even greater actors.

And now I wish I'd been watching it all along.

(It's even better than Star Trek, but don't tell my wife I said that.)

You see Port-a-Jon, I see TARDIS
The only bad thing about being a Whovian (The Doctor Who version of being a Trekkie), is that I now see Doctor Who stuff all over the place.

For instance, doesn't this look like The Doctor's TARDIS?

Don't know what a TARDIS is?

Look it up.

Or better yet, rent a Doctor Who DVD and become like me -- WHOOKED!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Learning Spanish

I learned a new phrase today.

Let me try it out on you:

Que tengas un buen dia!

And I really do mean it!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Misinterpretation

There's no need to fuss.
There's no need to wrangle.
Deciphering's too brutal,
it strips down and mangles
the meaning inside what we try to convey.
I love you.
I'm sorry.

ok?

Sunday, November 11, 2012

The sky is always bluer

Birds look like they’re having so much fun, flying from place to place. I doubt THEY think it’s fun. They probably just view the whole thing as common transportation – which is sad, because what schoolboy wouldn’t gladly wish for a little bit of superhuman flight to get him out of doing something as mundane as algebra homework or writing English essays?

Or what old man wouldn’t gladly trade his responsibilities for a chance to glide across the sky?

But then again, maybe birds view what WE do as something magical. Maybe they would gladly trade their wings for a chance to conjugate a verb or pay an electricity bill.

Maybe, but I doubt it.

There’s got to be a rational reason why birds have wings, and we don’t.

Whatever it is, oh how I wish things were different.

I’d fly across the world and never look back.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Change

Things change all the time.
  • Weather.
  • Speed limits.
  • Pant size.
Some things are in constant NEED of change.
  • Direction.
  • Goals.
  • Diapers.
Some things should NEVER change.
  • Turkey on Thanksgiving.
  • Ham on Christmas.
  • Popcorn at the movies.
Change is what it is.

And whether you like it or not, it's coming.

So it's best to be ready.

And flexible.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Sunday morning

Rain.

Cool Breeze.

Drink my coffee.

Sitting on porch chair.

Watching the birds play tag.

Puddles filling to almost overflowing.

My coffee's getting colder and colder.

Not sure if sun will shine today.

But that's okay for right now.

I'm in a lazy mood.

And happy for once.

Got no worries.

Must pee.

Goodbye.

Morning glorious rain

Morning glorious rain

Friday, September 14, 2012

Flute talk

Here's another non-floozy cartoon.

My wife's a flute player.

She's NOT a floozy.

6-1-2012 flutes

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Birdwatching is for the birds

Every now and then I like to head out to the Great Outdoors (my porch) and shoot (photograph) the various forms of wildlife-ery (critters) that ponders within my shootin' range.

Like Yellow birds.

Yellow Bird

I'm not exactly sure what kind of bird this yellow bird is, but it's yellow, and it's a bird, and that's all I need to know.

Next, I took aim at some space aliens.

A Face Only a Mother Could Love

And don't you even TRY to convince me it's NOT a space alien.

Of course the Great Outdoors wouldn't be all that great if there wasn't a fight or two.

Red-Winged Blackbirds

Red-winged blackbirds getting cranky over some seed.

And finally, the lonely, the aloof, the solitary hummingbird that seems to know more than we give him credit.

Just Humming

Of course that's not all of the photographs I took this summer, but since space here is limited, that's enough for now.

Sunday, and the end is near

Not THE end, of course.

The end of Summer.

Which means it's time to get back to work. Back to the grind. Back to being on time, with my shoes on.

And which ALSO means the end of staying in bed until it's time to get back into bed. Not that I ever did, but I could have.

Only a few hours left before that morning alarm jars me from my comfortable bed, so what am I gonna do? What?

Exactly what I've been doing all summer.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

(Habits are so hard to break)



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Teacher Inservice

It won't be too long before students and teachers head back to class.

Whereas students fear calculus, boring lectures and the research paper, teachers have their own dreads. In-Service

Friday, August 3, 2012

The Leader of the Band

In honor of all those who are attending summer band camp, I give you... The Leader of the Band Drum Major Mantra

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Just another politician

I finally captured an image of a Texas cardinal.

It's plain to see he's republican.

Out making speeches.

Bent on re-election.

Red

Monday, July 2, 2012

Pinterest Alternatives

I’m really not interested in "finding" my favorite things and pinning them onto some digital board via Pinterest. But I might give THESE a second look:

Bunterest – Dedicated to your favorite sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, donuts, and whatnot. And I'll have a small coffee with that, thank you very much.

Finterest – It's all about the fish you like to catch, skin, filet and devour. But watch out for the bones.

Ginterest – Got a favorite drink? Well, pin the recipe to your Ginterest Board. Not limited to just gin-induced concoctions.

Henterest – For all those chicken farmers out there. And can I borrow a few eggs? Thanks.

Linterest – See what kind of animals you can make out of clothes dryer lint. Great fun for the entire family.

Pinterest – As in "Give me another pint, barkeep, and keep 'em comin.'" For beer lovers, of course.

Sinterest – There are seven deadly sins to choose from. Maybe even more. C'mon, we know you want to share YOUR sins with the rest of us. Don't be bashful.

Tenterest – Like to camp? Then Tenterest is for you. But not for the RVer set 'cause that ain't REAL camping.

Vinterest – Ideal place for classical car buffs. And we're talking Ford, Chevy, Chrysler. Those little foreign-car owners can find their OWN place -- maybe back on Pinterest.

Winterest – Any sports fanatics out there? I thought so.

Zenterest – For those who take each moment as it happens. Because it is what it is.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Happy Anniversary

Well, today is our Happy Anniversary. Twenty-seven years, three kids, four cars, two cats and one motorcycle later, we're still one big, happy family -- for the most part.

Family Portrait

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Alien vs My Back Yard

I got up early this morning to do some much-needed yardwork.

It was 77 degrees already at 6, and I knew it wasn't going to get any cooler.

I clipped, and mowed, and weed-ate, and sweated.

Drank some water. Always good to stay hydrated.

I clipped, and mowed, and weed-ate, and sweated some more, and then out of the corner of my eye I saw THIS:

Tomato Hornworm

Four inches of what had to be an Alien Monster fetus.

I'm no Sigourney Weaver.

I hightailed it out of there and I have no idea when I'm going back outside again.

If ever.

Friday, June 22, 2012

The not-so-great Outdoors

WIFE: There's just too much outside, outside. I would enjoy being outside more if it were more like being inside.

ME: So I guess that means we're never moving to Alaska?

WIFE: Were we ever?

ME: Well, it was a dream of mine. One day pack up all our cares and woes, and go to the Great White North in search of nature, solitude and killer snow skiing.

WIFE: But you don't know HOW to ski.

ME: I could learn.

WIFE: And ski right into a tree, leaving me an old widow up there in the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on my back and your mukluks? I don't think so, buster.

ME: Well, at least you wouldn't have to deal with my snoring anymore.

WIFE: Hmmmm. I hear Alaska is beautiful this time of year.

ME: I'll pack the bags.

(Based upon an actual conversation between me and my better half, which did include talk of the outdoors, allergies, and Alaska. Death and snoring were never mentioned, at least not in THAT conversation.)

Peace and Trumpets

This is one of my first cartoons.

It was created before I got all fancy-smancy with Photoshop.

I hate writing "fancy-smancy", but it was the first word to smash into my skull.

I'm surprised it didn't knock me out.

6-8-2012 peace

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

On the fence

I could tell he was just resting.

Maybe he'd had enough flying for the day.

Or maybe the crosswind was just too strong.

Thankfully he stood on the ledge long enough for me to capture his photograph.

Moth

I went back later and he was gone.

The cat probably ate him.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Shooting the bird

I think in my next life I'll come back as a wildlife photographer.

That is, if I get a second chance.

Listen to the Mockingbird

Here's a link to my Critter slideshow on Flickr.

If you don't like critters, here's a creepy bird photo.

Vulture

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Taking out the Trash

Every Wednesday morning I take the trash out to the street.

Roll the smelly black bags down my dirt driveway in a green dumpster to sit by the grey ashpalt and wait to be taken by men in a white garbage truck.

I pull the dumpster over rocks, around rain-formed channels, past potholes and ant hills and small animal tracks in the sand.

The same chore, the same route, the same way, and leave it all by the road in exactly the same spot as last week.

Every Wednesday morning.

Without fail.

And nothing ever changes.

Nothing.

Ever.

Changes.



Except for today.

Today I looked beyond the routine, and found marvels.

Sunflowers

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The Venus Transit Across the Sun

It's amazing what you can do with a fancy computer and a blatant disregard of U.S. copywrite laws.


The Venus Transit

Enjoy it now because I won't be doing this again for another 107 years.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Spare Change

Okay, let me be a little more specific about "change."

MY change.

(And I'm not talking about a sex change! How dare you even think it!)

For the past 20 years I've been a band director.

Start beginners, hope they make it to junior high, prepare for contest, Monday-night rehearsals, Friday night football games, solo and ensemble competition, concert and sightreading competition, Christmas concert, Spring concert, homecoming parade, Christmas parade, band fundraiser, band trip, and hope they sign up again for next year.

After so many years, the routine grinds along on automatic.

New faces come, old faces go, but the road is never ending with nary a speedbump or offramp in sight.

Well, I hit a speedbump. I took an offramp. And now I'm heading in a different direction.

My school is allowing me to start a new music program.

Mariachi.

Not only that, but I'll be the new choir director this coming fall.

Okay, I'm still in music, so the change isn't that grande, but in a way, it is.

It's a new opportunity for me to stretch my wings and travel well beyond my comfort zone.

And whenever you're offered a chance to stretch and travel, it's best to take advantage of it.

Change is on the horizon and it looks like I'll have plenty to spare.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Welcome

This is my new site. The old one just got too dusty and I needed a change.

Change is good.

Dust is bad.

But change can be scary. To yourself as well as others.

You don't really know how the change will affect your life. Will this be a good move, or bad?

Friends and coworkers don't understand why you NEED to change. They might feel threatened. Betrayed.

Loved ones are scared you've gone bonkers.

At times you think maybe you HAVE gone bonkers. What was I thinking? I had a routine. Security. A corner office.

But with change comes new opportunities. New goals. New dreams.

You can once again feel your heart beat in anticipation of a new day. You feel alive again.

Being alive is good!

     #     #     #

This is one of the first cartoons I drew when I started drawing again. It has some heavy cosmetic Photoshop surgery.

Need More Oil?

I have some early cartoons without facelifts or liposuction. I'll show them to you later.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Construction in progress.

As you can see, there's not much to look at around here.

Just a bunch of lumber on the ground.

And nails in plastic buckets.

Contractors are hired and scheduled to begin heavy construction in late May. I should get the keys to the new place on June 1, 2012.

The Farr Place. It's about cartoons. And maybe other things.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Another day, another test

I really wasn't planning on posting another cartoon until my June 1 "opening extravaganza", but the STAAR test (Texas' standardized test for school children) has been on my mind, and this one just couldn't wait.

The Lone STAAR State

P.S. Whenever I try drawing Texas, I always wish I lived in Colorado or South Dakota. Easy to draw states.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Lessons I've Learned from my Brother

Today is my brother’s birthday. His name is Scott. We grew up together in the suburbs of Dallas, and like most brothers, we didn't always see eye to eye – actually, we’ve NEVER seen eye to eye because he’s quite a bit taller than me. But that’s neither here nor there. We didn’t get along and it was mostly my fault. I didn’t realize it then, but I do now.

My brother and I, although raised by the same parents, are as different as night and day. I went to college, and he got a job. He joined the Army, and I enlisted in the Air Force. He plays the drums, I play the banjo. He knows how to fix a car and make it run like new. I know that if I step on the little pedal thing, it will go.

Over the years I've learned a lot from my brother – some of it amazing, some of it painful. I learned that it’s best that we don’t talk about religion or politics. I learned that just because I have an opinion doesn’t mean it was given to me by God. I learned that a 6-foot tall younger brother can slam a 5-foot 7-inch older brother into the ground and actually have fun doing it.

I’ve learned a lot of other lessons from my brother, such as the following:

Just because I'm older, doesn't mean I'm smarter. It just means I’m more likely to lose my hearing, hair and teeth before he does.

I am not the center of the universe. The heavens, planets and stars do not rotate around me. My goats may think I’m important, but that’s because I feed them and they don’t know any better.

I am not always "right," and my brother is not always "wrong." And most of the times when I think I’m right, it’s really not worth the fuss.

Never embarrass your brother in front of his girlfriend, unless you're ready to have the wind knocked out of you.

Saying "I’m sorry" does not always fix the problem. It’s best to say I’m sorry while the girlfriend is still around to hear it, but even that’s no guarantee you won’t get hit again.

Sarcasm works for Don Rickles. I am not Don Rickles.

Having a college degree does not ensure intelligence. Believing it does is certain proof of the contrary.

Studying music in college doesn’t make you a musician. The love of playing music makes you a musician. Beyond that, nothing else matters.

Sometimes it’s best to not talk about who’s more qualified to be president. It’s much better to talk about hunting, cooking, camping, fishing, NASCAR and the Dallas Cowboys (and sometimes, not even the Cowboys).

Going deer hunting alone and shooting your first buck is not near as much fun as hunting with your brother and shooting nothing.

Buying new things and watching them grow old can be depressing. Buying old things and making them like new again – now that’s something that can really lift the spirits.

Reading a book is a poor excuse for shutting yourself up in your room and not socializing with relatives who have come to visit. The books will always wait for you – the relatives won’t.

God should have elaborated more when he said, "Love thy neighbor as yourself." He should have included brothers.

I learn something new each and every day from my brother because he’s a good teacher. Some of his lessons are easy to grasp. Some have to be pounded into me year after year. And even though I know I’m not the best of students, at least I’m trying. I just hope to learn all my lessons before the final bell rings.

Saturday, January 21, 2012