The Ukazoo Journey-“Snapshots and Memorabilia”

Fifth week of Ukazoo Art Exhibit

“Blue Sphere, Green Man”

Regarding the Ukazoo Art Exhibit Opening Reception held Saturday, March 15, 2014.

A few days ago I wrote an open letter to members of a Thursday evening painting group I am associated with.

Thursday, March 13, two days before the Ukazoo Art Exhibit Opening Reception they offered to bring a dish to share and/or a bottle of wine to the Reception. I didn’t refuse.

The letter I sent to painter’s group, expressed that I was overwhelmed by their offer of support and help with the Art Exhibit and how wonderful it was to know such a exceptional group of painters/friends.

The same sentiments can be said of all the family, friends, and guests that attended the Opening Reception, Saturday, March 15th.

I have a small place and with the setup I have to work on art, the space is not conducive to entertaining company. Under these circumstances, the art exhibits I host, have become my vehicle for not just sharing the art I create but more importantly “my party” to connect with family and with friends I have met over the years. It also allows me to meet additional guests new to my artwork.

With hosting this event, I hope I didn’t make too many social grafts as I met/didn’t meet, introduced/failed to introduce, or cut short a conversation here and there to meet a new arrival, etc.

I enjoyed the evening immensely and regret not being able to spend more time with each of you.

Thank all of you for attending.

Last, but not the least, one unfortunate event of the evening was the absence of two close friends, Mac and his wife, Laura. Mac had helped me that morning hanging the artwork for Saturday evenings exhibit and later that evening, just five minutes before leaving their home to attend the opening, Mac was rushed to the hospital due to having a mild stroke. I was made aware of the situation during the reception, and the duration of the evening, while enjoyable on one level, was shrouded by a cloud of concern with his condition and knowing I would be informed if things would have taken a serious turn. I drove directly to the hospital after the exhibit to visit Mac and assured he was doing much better with additional testing still to be done.

Thanks to Todd and Lois for giving me updated information on Mac’s condition and location.

On a Ukazoo Journey “Snapshots and Memorabilia” note, I found another photo I took while visiting an Art Gallery in Bowling Green, Ohio.

I had met a couple just as I arrived and Harlan, the husband, not an art aficionado, let his wife Harriet to do most of the wandering around.

I saw Harlan a little later when I wandered out to the Galleries sculpture garden. With several of the garden sculptures being interactive pieces and Harlan finding one of the these sculptures having a small incorporated shelf that looked inviting, he sat down to wait on Harriet. Settling in, Harlan showed little movement as he blankly gazed ahead while engaged with his own internal meandering thoughts.

Becoming such an unmoving part of the sculpture, several people had inquired with the gallery owner that if the price of the sculpture included “Harlan”, they were interested in purchasing it.

I took this picture just before Harriet, ready to leave with a newly acquired small painting, had quite a laugh when she found Harlan. Still sitting in much the same position as she last saw him an hour ago, Harriet jokingly informed him that the sculpture was interactive not in-active.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Ukazoo Journey” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please view:

FaceBook: Craig L Haupt – “Journey to Ukazoo Album” or

Blog: http://www.craiglhaupt.com – “Journey to Ukazoo”

See “Slide One” for a brief synopsis.

Craig L Haupt’s Ukazoo Art Exhibit of New Art Works, March 15, to April 13, 2014, at Ukazoo Book Store, Towson, MD 21204

The Ukazoo Journey-“Snapshots and Memorabilia”

Posted by Craig L Haupt

The Ukazoo Journey-“Snapshots and Memorabilia”

Fourth week of Ukazoo Art Exhibit

“Island of Spheres Surrounded By Sea Serpents”

The next manila envelope at the bottom of the now almost empty box of mail had a confusing Postmark with just a series of letters and numbers which read “DZT4736L^-^B471c”.

Opening of the envelope produced similar contents as the envelope I received from Idaho, a letter and accompanying photo. I recognized the author of the letter immediately-“Henri”, the dad of the waylaid family I met outside of Roswell, New Mexico (Slide 10).

Besides opening greetings, Henri informed me that their communication equipment had finally been fixed (a found “bobby-pin” inserted between two circuits provided an electrical pathway to the main signal relay system) and contact with home had been restored.

Henri’s letter went on. “Back ‘Home’, relieved to hear our voices after 66 long earth years, our parents then held a bake sale to raise enough money to buy and send an upgraded star system computer app to chart a return course, plus, by Shipping-Pods, enough fuel for the return trip. ‘Home’, being a planet of vast areas of water, with a network of domed cities resting on numerous islands. Enclosed is an aerial photo from our long awaited approach to our home/city, ‘B471c’, which translates to your language as “Island of Spheres Surrounded by Sea Serpents”.

Henri explained, “One evening, when the city was build, four thousand earth years ago, a group of young space cadets were flying back from a flight-school graduation party. Noticing, that from above, the curled red connecting bridges to the smaller perimeter security spheres looked like the tongues of sea serpents ready to eat the spheres. Over the next several years, what began as comments said in jest, the residents’ gradually adopted the name for our city.”

Continuing to write, Henri, also noted that the space travel went smooth, but they did make one stop. A ’must’ stop for the family.

“During our earlier years in New Mexico, we ordered ’Delivery’ from a place we had heard about called “Spaceburgers” because of their “first order-free delivery” offer, but, while wonderful burgers and fries, we could never afford the $11,345.14 delivery charge for any subsequent order. The intergalactic trip home wouldn’t have been complete without stopping for another of their universally famous burgers and fries. The kids also had a great time meeting the local inhabits of the planet.”

“Wish you the best with your upcoming Ukazoo Art Exhibit. Keep well my friend.”

Henri and Family.

Such a coincidence, I will have to write back one day about my getting to eat one of those famous “Spaceburgers” (Slide 15)

This is the picture they enclosed.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Ukazoo Journey” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please view:

Blog: http://www.craiglhaupt.com – “Journey to Ukazoo”

See “Slide One” for a brief synopsis.

Ukazoo Art Exhibit, OPENING ART RECEPTION of New Art Works, Saturday, March 15th, 2014, 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Ukazoo Book Store, Towson, MD 21204

The Ukazoo Journey-Snapshots and Memorabilia

Posted by Craig L Haupt

The Ukazoo Journey-“Snapshots and Memorabilia”

Second week of Ukazoo Art Exhibit

“The Kiss”

Looking through the slowly diminishing box of retrieved mail, that had accumulated at the post office during my journey, I spotted a small box nestled in the corner. The return address was from Rhododendron, Oregon.

It was from Max and Melanie. Fond memories of a three day impromptu music fest on their apple farm came to mind. As I opened the box and peered at the contents, I remembered two small occurrences during of my short visit. The first, during my days of in and out of their home, I happened to notice, scattered around the rooms, a collection of beautiful, unique, ceramic Salt & Pepper shakers.

The second item of note, was, when Max and I went to gather additional apples for the growing assemblage of family and guests, we passed a small knoll near the apple orchard. Cut into the side facing us, was a crude stone laid, earthen pottery kiln. I questioned Max about the kiln and a nearby wooden state-of-disrepair shed. Max related how, years ago, Melanie had been heavily engaged in making pottery. One of her particular interests, beside the dozens of bowls, vases, and cups she made for our home was a series of salt and pepper shakers. Other home and family responsibilities came to the forefront back then and Melanie ceased to spent time with clay, and her kiln and shed has sat unused for years.

The note, accompanying the items in the box read:

Craig,

Hope your journey to Ukazoo was successful and you enjoyed the apple tarts. Max and I will always appreciate all the help you provided during those three crazy wonderful days in late September. With all the family members and friends that stopped by, old times/good times conversations were floating around continuously. A recurring topic of those reminiscences was my years ago flurry of pottery making.

After all the goodbyes and the approaching holiday season, Max and I toyed with the idea of dusting out the pottery shed and reworking the earthenware kiln to make some new cups and bowls, as well as my favorite, salt & pepper shakers, again for gifts. We did it! Enclosed, as a small token of thanks for your help and friendship is a set of salt & pepper shakers. Of all the designs I came up with, this one reminded me of the artwork you had shown us in your portfolio.

All the best,

Melanie and Max

P.S. If you are ever able to stop in again, let us know and we will have some apple tarts ready for dessert.

This is a picture of the small set of Salt & Pepper shakers I lifted from the box.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Ukazoo Journey” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please view:

See “Slide One” for a brief synopsis.

OPENING ART RECEPTION of New Art Works, Saturday, March 15th, 2014, 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Ukazoo Book Store, Towson, MD 21204

The Ukazoo Journey-Snapshots and Memorabilia

Posted by Craig L Haupt

The Ukazoo Journey-“Snapshots and Memorabilia”

First week of Ukazoo Art Exhibit

“Purple Haze, White Flower”

While unpacking, I was looking through the pictures I had taken during my journey to Ukazoo and turns out there were a few extra pictures I had taken and put aside.

All of my four stops in Maine during this journey, have been at Inn’s I have frequented in previous years and have become good friends with the hosts of these inns.

During my stop in Damariscotta Mills, Maine at the Mill Pond Inn, I was put to work.

The Mill Pond Inn visits have become rather unique, in that every time I have driven to Maine to stay there, I make sure I include my carpenters tool box in my packing list. Somehow, on my first visit to Mill Pond Inn several years ago, Billy had asked for a hand with a small project around the Inn and I assisted. Since then, it has become an ongoing ritual that when I get there, Billy always has a few projects lined up for the both us to work on.

From the helping with relocating a dishwasher to their outdoor bar, fixing a door, to working on putting together the stage for local bands playing at the annual Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder Restoration festival, I have enjoyed time spent being a part of these projects.

This past stop (Slide 33, “For You My Love, Flowers”), the project, Billy and I were working on, was getting some under-brush cleared out near the waters edge. Jack also lent a hand while his wife, Myrna, their three daughters and Brandy were in the town for lunch.

I worked my way behind a rather large dense bush and spotted several flowers that were not common to the area. I took this picture of one small flower with the close-up lens and then continued with the clearing out project. I had forgot about it till now.

Besides the unpacking from my journey, I also had to work with getting artwork ready for the Ukazoo Art Exhibit.

What was to be just one Two Month long Art Exhibit at Ukazoo Books, featuring new Oil paintings and Watercolors has changed in format to become Two separate Exhibits. In order to respond to requests of seeing Art images and the corresponding stories from the Journey on display, 16 selected images and the matching text were installed yesterday, February 16th at the Ukazoo Bookstore. Thank you Mac, for your help. These images/stories will be on display till March 14th.

The Second Exhibit will start on March 15th. I will change the Exhibit to display the new art work previously planned and have the Opening Reception. Hope to see you there, to either see anew, reconnect, or meet those for the first time.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Journey to Ukazoo” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please view:

FaceBook: Craig L Haupt – ‘Art page’, “Journey to Ukazoo Album” or

Blog: http://www.craiglhaupt.com – “Journey to Ukazoo”

See Slide One for a brief synopsis.

Opening Art Reception, Saturday, March 15th, 2014, 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Ukazoo Book Store, Towson, MD 21204

Journey to Ukazoo-Slide 36

Posted by Craig L Haupt

Journey to Ukazoo

Slide 36: “Raise You Two Clams”

After leaving Connecticut, rather than a more direct route to Ukazoo, I veered to the East and stopped in Ocean City, Maryland.

At week’s end, while sitting in a local tavern, enjoying the company with a few of the regulars I had met during my stay, we quelled our conversation to listen to an interview on the radio, hosted by a local DJ, DJ Batman.

DJ Batman plays music, lots of great music, but today, in-between tributes to two classic bands, he slotted a 15 minute interview with a local area college professor. The discussion centered around the professors in-progress Thesis about what Maryland Blue crabs actually do during the winter months.

Well, the six of us, already in a very loose “got some time on our hands” mood, called the radio station during the question and answer segment, to avail ourselves to the professors suggested underwater quest for answers. Keen as the offer sounded, the good professor did a back-track on his grand plan, admitting it was far too cold for him to do any diving and he was very much content to get his information off the internet.

Well, that wasn’t fair, with our curiosity now primed, we announced over the airwaves, without considering logistics of such a project, we would tackle this issue ourselves.

DJ Batman, intently listening to our call to action, seized the moment, and promptly put out an on-air request for donations of any equipment, supplies, or help we might need for our underwater endeavor. Filtering into the Radio Station, over the next several hours, were scuba diving outfits, lights, rope, a couple of tents to warm up in after the dive, hot chocolate, even a couple of donuts. One of our group, Gerard, wanted the kind with sprinkles on top.

With DJ Batman setting up an on-location remote, on a nearby pier, to provide listeners with live updates between songs, it was only natural that he started off the event by playing “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay”.

The bay still iced up from a recent cold front, we had to cut a large entrance/exit hole. Of our group, Briggs and Cosmo volunteered to stay behind to keep the ice from reforming around the hole and work the guide-lines hooked to each of us. Gerard, Poole, Newman and I, donning wetsuits, air-tanks, facemasks, and my camera, also took some soft-glow flashlights, as to not startle the underwater residents.

At first, we only spotted a few small groups of crabs, some just relaxing, others conversing with a few fish on their way to school. As we proceeded onward, we noticed the crabs lifted an upward turned claw to their mouths.

Of more interest was a couple of crabs, sitting on rocks, reading books. One, a short story, entitled “Chicken Necks, Do You Really Need One.” and another, a novel, “Soft Times/A Hard Life ”. Again, as we continued on, each crab put a claw to their mouth.

The most intriguing sighting was near the end of our dive. As we looped back around for our return, we came upon a foursome of crabs playing poker. We paused, to watch the hand play out. I took this picture as the final bets were being made.

Newman, gave a slight hand signal, directing our attention to our left, where we noticed the one crab concealing an extra Ace. Noticing ours eyes shift, the other three crabs, always alert to picking up on a “Tell”, did a shuffle to the left and right to check out the nature of our interest.

Seeing the partially hidden Ace, their front claws shot upwards churning the water, becoming livid by the audacity that one would cheat. They banished him from the game. Retaining his forfeited clams, the three crabs offered them to us for our part in unintentionally solving how he was winning every hand. As they packed up their remaining clams, departing to find another player, they turned and each put a claw to their mouth.

We finally got it. Clearly a gesture asking us to maintain a silence about our witnessing the activities of crabs during the winter months, we nodded our agreement. Not a word!

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Journey to Ukazoo” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please see Slide One for a brief synopsis.

Opening Art Reception, Saturday, March 15th, 2014, 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Ukazoo Book Store, Towson, MD 21204

Journey to Ukazoo-Slide 31

Posted by Craig L Haupt

Journey to Ukazoo

Slide 31-”On the Pier”

After an overnight stop to break up a 13 hour drive, I arrived at Belgrade Lakes, Maine.

Belgrade Lakes is located between two large lakes, Great Pond to the East and, connected by an inlet ending in a narrow spillway, Long Pond to the West. The village of Belgrade Lakes and Wings Hill Inn, the inn I checked into, face Long Pond.

During the morning of my first full day, with sketchbook in hand, I walked from the inn, to a small park on the banks of Long Pond next to the spillway. Opposite the spillway are a grouping of weekly rented cabins, each with their own weathered wood pier extending, like fingers, onto the lake. The cabin closest to the spillway was newly occupied by a family of six, two parents and their four children of various ages.

Relaxing to the gentle lapping of waves I couldn’t help but overhear the parents relaying directions, tips, and mounds of information to the kids regarding the art of fishing. On the pier with lines cast, it wasn’t long before the next to youngest screamed out in excitement that she had one hooked. With minimal parental assistance she reeled the fish in, unhooked it and dropped her catch into the holding bucket. Shortly, the two older boys saw their red and white bobs dip below the surface and following suit, unhooked fish went into the bucket. Over the next hour or so, the same three managed to catch at least one more fish apiece.

Lost in their success, however, was the youngest of the four had not entertained so much as a nibble.

As the long morning of fishing ended, mom and dad offered assurances to the youngest of possibly catching one tomorrow.

Returning each morning to the park over the following four days, I occasionally watched the parents and the three oldest continue to catch varying counts of fish, and each day the youngest was the only one to walk away empty handed. Dejection was evident but anger, crying, feet stamping, “not fair” never was an emotion I detected and each day he was just as willing to quietly try again.

At weeks end, I noticed the beginnings of packing so it was apparent today was the last day the youngest would get a chance to catch a fish.

Sitting at the park, I noticed an unusual scenario unfolding. With the older kids engaged in other activities, the parents of the youngest, as during the preceding days, set up the fishing gear, pole, worms, etc. As mom helped ready the hook for her son and offered words of encouragement as the line was cast in the water, dad quietly slipped away. Making his way to the park side, close to where I sat, using the reeds and cattails at water’s edge to conceal his presence, he sat and waited patiently, relating what I had already deducted. Giving his youngest son as much an opportunity to catch a fish on his own, he would tip the scales for a moment of success if needed.

As morning waned, sensing a need to finally intercede, “Dad” donned rented scuba gear, readied a fish he had in a water-filled container as his son’s final cast hit the water, and slowly, still out of slight, he eased into the water.

I took this picture as “Dad” made his way to the fishing line and was about to place the fish on the hook.

Completing his task, he gave the line a slight tug. Feeling the bob pull beneath the water, his son, all smiles, reeled in his first ever caught fish.

As mom and son, arm in arm, walked along the pier back to the lawn, he half turned in the parks direction, where dad, still concealed, was slowly climbing out of the water, and said “Thanks mom and (displaying a wink and raising his voice a notch) I don’t see him, but also thank you Dad”.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Journey to Ukazoo” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please see Slide One for a brief synopsis.

Opening Art Reception, Saturday, March 15th, 2014, 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Ukazoo Book Store, Towson, MD

Journey to Ukazoo-Slide 30

Posted by Craig L Haupt

Journey to Ukazoo

Slide 30: “Strolling Lawn Vases”

With Passport in hand I crossed the Border into Canada. By Wednesday, I made my way to an Inn in Saguenay, Quebec. I was offered advice from a recent acquaintance to brush up on my French, qui, heureusement, je l’ai fait (which, fortunately, I have done so).

On Thursday a delightful group of fellow artists from the U.S. checked in and I was invited to join them for a day of art activities and an evening of pleasant conversations by the fireplace.

Yesterday, the day before I was to depart for Maine, I spotted an excellent mystery book in the B&B’s Library. With only one full day to read it, I resigned myself to the front porch to start and finish the story before my head hit the pillow later that night. Engaged in the “who-done-it”, I was periodically aware of a procession of activity in front of the inn. I did take one picture of Three Strolling Vases and noted the rest on an index card. And this is what I saw.

On my first completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

An alligator beside a Maple tree.

There he sat, with fork and knife, staring at me.

On my second completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

2 Running Shoes.

Searching left and right for a couple of feet before turning into a yard.

On my third completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

3 Strolling Vases.

Out for some shopping, and afterwards a well deserved drink.

On my fourth completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

4 Calling Cards.

Signaling they were roaming the area for a phone.

On my fifth completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

5 Spelling Bees’.

Looking to wheel and deal before buying a vowel.

On my sixth completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

6 Walking Sticks.

Discussing politicians, who sought their unwavering support.

On my seventh completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

7 Jumping Beans.

Even wearing heavy coats, they looked a little chilly.

On my eight completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

8 Smoking Jackets.

Reading posted warning signs of dangers ahead.

On my ninth completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

9 Butterflies flying.

Spreading out, they melted away into the sunset.

On my tenth completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

10 Leaping Lizards.

Ecstatic, over someone finally adopting a little Ann Arbor girl.

On my eleventh completed chapter, I just looked up to see,

11 Wandering Radio Waves.

Creating a soft breeze with their frequency.

On my twelfth and final chapter, I just looked up to see,

12 Mummers strumming.

Brilliantly in unison, practicing for an upcoming New Years Day Parade.

Today, as I leave to continue my journey to Ukazoo, I make sure I wish all a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful Holiday season. As for the Alligator, he was satisfied with the 1/2 a ham sandwich, potato salad, and chocolate chip cookies I shared with him.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Journey to Ukazoo” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please see Slide One for a brief synopsis.

Opening Art Reception, Saturday, March 15th, 2014, 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Ukazoo Book Store Towson, MD

Journey to Ukazoo-Slide 29

Posted by Craig L Haupt

Journey to Ukazoo

Slide 29: “Reflection”

Continuing my Journey to Ukazoo, I stayed in New York and made my way to a remote area near Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Park.

Usually a Bed & Breakfast is called a Bed & Breakfast but the one I found was Unity’s “Soft Comfort to Heavenly Dreams” & “Taste Bud Sensations”. Primarily known as a Self-awareness and natural foods retreat, the Inn’s decor was an array of candles, incense, beaded curtains, and lining the walls, artwork depicting every known deity. Within the context of the inn’s name I was greeted by the lady of the house and resident sculpture artist, “Morning Dove Among the Clouds”, and later at the ’community’ dinner I met Morning’s husband, “Marble Hitting the Forest Floor”. Marble, not only the inn’s chef, but spiritual guide to several of the meditation and yoga classes, informed me, everyone just calls him “Butch”.

While not engaging in the many classes and seminars offered, I found the quiet environment and extremely interesting hosts augmented my creative process and I accomplished more artwork than anticipated. Possibly the only low point during my stay came at the weekly evening campfire and Butch’s new recipe for s’mores . Tofu cubes, heated over a fire, topped with carob squares, and placed between two yam-crackers. After I tried the first one, I politely refused a second by a “Thank you, but n’mores”.

Towards the end of the week, busy checking in new arrivals, Morning asked if I would wander up to the Reflection pond and remind Butch it was time to start dinner preparations. Entering a beautiful topiary/sculpture garden I saw Butch, deep in thought, staring into a rectangle shaped pool of crystal clear water . Not wanting to interrupt, I sat opposite the pool and quietly waited.

After a half an hour and still no movement from Butch, I got out the camera and took this picture. Maybe it the click of the shutter, the chirp of a nearby bird, or a slight wind enhanced ripple in the water, but Butch suddenly looked up, a little startled but seemingly delighted by my presence. Sensing an opportunity for a fresh insightful opinion, he recounted a perplexing problem that was weighting heavily on his mind. After picking a flower for Morning, he inadvertently knocked a spherical limb off Morning’s newly created grouping of sculptures. “I’ve tried fixing it to no avail and then, resorted to pondering excuses and stories of how it happened-a strong wind, a lightning bolt, a rogue alligator swishing his tail. I don’t know what to do and have been here for hours trying to resolve my dilemma”.

“Any suggestions?”

The Truth, you’re always talking about seeking the truth, well, tell her the truth, was my suggestion.

Back at the inn, holding out the broken piece with a downward gaze, he told her, and his head lifted when she related she was well aware of the potential problem. She was working on a doweling system and would rework all the spherical limbs. She was glad Butch had let her know. Even gave him a big kiss on the cheek.

Butch turned and silently mouthed a thank you in my direction.

Speaking of truth, I then mentioned to Butch my thoughts on his s’mores. I like yams and I don’t mind tofu in certain dishes and I loved all the meals you prepared but I think your recipe for s’mores should be reconsidered. He laughed, and told me he had received quite a few anonymous notes in the suggestion box echoing my sentiments and later today he would be placing an order for marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Journey to Ukazoo” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please see Slide One for a brief synopsis.

Journey to Ukazoo-Slide 28

Posted by Craig L Haupt

Journey to Ukazoo

Slide 28: “But the Map Says….”

From Ohio, I stopped at a Bed &Breakfast in North Tonawanda, NY, 13 miles south of Niagara Falls.

By weeks end, on Friday, I was sitting on the front porch of the inn when a passenger van, with secured rowboat atop, approached the B&B. Instead of stopping it moseyed pass and parked several houses down. With six gentlemen exiting the van, I could just make out their animated discussion involving which house was the B&B. The driver, quiet, seemed to wait patiently for a resolution, while four of remaining five insisted they were at the B&B. The last of the six, holding the Inn’s emailed directions, was pointing back towards the Inn. The four wouldn’t listen and made their way to the front door and were consequently directed, by the owner, to the same place their colleague had pointed.

As they checked into the B&B, I learned that they were six buddies on a trip without the wives, intent on a rip-roaring guys-only good time. I sensed an interesting weekend ahead.

For dinner, they decided on one of the Inn’s recommended restaurants and the same four were adamant that clearly by the restaurant’s name, Antero’s, Italian food was offered. The driver, Marco, offered no opinion and the sixth, Enzo, noticing no Italian dishes listed on the Inn’s sample menu, mentioned “but the Menu reads….” to no avail. They left. Thirty minutes later they returned to the inn, rechecked the Inn’s sample menu’s and found a restaurant that served Italian. Antero’s was Finnish.

The next morning, sitting on the porch, the topic of heading to Grand Island developed into similar discussions I had witnessed yesterday. The same four, spearheaded by Theo, insisted the island was East, Marco, again silent of any input, and Enzo, with a tourist brochure in hand tried to persuade his friends to head West. Overruled, they piled into the van and headed East. Within 15 minutes, I noticed the van retracing its route, now heading West.

That evening was the planned boat ride under the stars. They asked if I would be the designated driver, taking them to launch the boat and drive down river to retrieve them.

Dropping them off, the same argument transpired with Enzo, map in hand, trying to tell them they were too far up river. They claimed, again with no feedback from Marco, they were down river from the falls and eased the boat into the water.

Not twenty minutes into driving, I noticed a series of smaller waterfalls and rapids to my left and further downstream, the American side of Niagara Falls. I pulled over and could just see their boat, making it’s way to the edge of the first line of waterfalls. Too far away to verbally warn them, I quickly called 911, then I got out my camera and attached my long lens to keep them in sight. As I took this picture, I could make out the same scenario taking place. Theo and the other three insisting by their calculations that the emanating sounds of the ‘falls’ were behind them and therefore maintain course. Marco rowing, nervously mute, going with the flow. In the back of the boat was Enzo, map spread out, dimly illuminated by a flashlight, still asserting “But the Map says…”.

Sirens sounded of approaching rescue vehicles and the whirl of rotors overhead signaled a helicopter was zeroing in. The first set of falls, a preamble of the rapids and looming larger falls, offered a seven foot downward plunge. They went over. Capsized, Enzo and the others managed to swim to a protruding isolated rock while a now empty boat floated to an unfortunate end. After their rescue, still wet, embarrassed, and minus a boat, I drove them back to the inn.

The next morning while they were preparing to leave, Theo and the others mentioned they wanted to at least stop at the Finger Lakes region before heading home and all, in unison, turned towards Enzo and asked with humbled voices “Which way should we go?”.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Journey to Ukazoo” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please see Slide One for a brief synopsis.

Journey to Ukazoo-Slide 25

Posted by Craig L Haupt

Journey to Ukazoo

Slide 25: “The Cap”

Reaching a crossroads, after leaving Minnesota on my journey to Ukazoo, where the plan was to turn North, I took a second to consider an opportunity to visit Chicago. A “second” was all that was needed, turning South, I made my way to the “Windy City”.

Spending this past week taking in Galleries, Museums, some live music and a play, I concluded my visit by joining several guests from the B&B and went to a poetry recital. The evening’s featured author was a tall slender woman named Mya, whose melodious voice, recounting family, life’s affirmations, and recent personal triumphs, flowed throughout the dimly lit room like a gentle insightful song.

Prior to her final poem, Mya paused to reflect on the warmness she felt tonight with returning to her hometown after 17 years. As such, she found it appropriate to close with a touch of levity, by reciting a poem she wrote, then as a teenager, just weeks before leaving Chicago.

I took this photo just as she softly announced the title, “Wind O Wind”, then put the camera down and listened with a smile to the following poem.

Wind O Wind, you came through the bedroom window.

You blew so hard, blew so strong,

You blew so unbelievably long.

With a gust, off went my cap covering my hairs,

You sent it sailing down a flight of stairs.

I chased it down the hallway and into rooms

While I tried to swat it down waving a broom.

I ran after it frantically for what seemed like hours,

Past chairs, lamps, and tables holding vases of flowers.

You sent it through the kitchen, barely missing a pie,

Out an open window and high into the sky.

Nearly missing Ravens, Flinches, and a Purple Martin,

Downward it turned heading into the garden.

In between potatoes, tomatoes, corn, and beets,

Along bricked pathways, sidewalks and streets.

You made my cap twist around buildings, and a very tall steeple,

Then it descended, just above hands of helpful people.

Tenuously sending it across a quiet road,

You paused for a breath, and it landed on a toad.

As I closed in to make a lunge for my cap,

I felt an intake of air rush down my back.

Your breath started up again, stronger then ever,

You quickly decided to be very clever.

Up again it went, out of my reach,

Outwards past a crowded, sandy beach.

You made it flip,dip, and drop towards the sea

‘Stop, stop, don’t let it get wet” was my desperate plea.

At that moment, a hesitation, I didn’t foresee,

either by my words, or maybe you tried of playing with me.

You sent it back up, into the sky instead

and gently lowered it down, onto my head.

During the closing reception, I purchased one of the few remaining copies of her first, and now out of print, book, “Mya’s Poems for a Smile” which she graciously signed. This morning, now packed and ready to “for sure” head North, I can detect the whispering of Mya’s Poems ready to accompany me on my journey to Ukazoo. Hope to meet her again someday.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of “Journey to Ukazoo” Slides are every Monday Evening.

New arrivals to the “Journey” please see Slide One for a brief synopsis .