What arrow?

One arrow. One man. Both lonely and silent, yet they have so much to say to us. We look at the arrow and the direction, and the message is obvious, "Go this way," yet we look at the man and he's going the other way. People often say, "Go against the flow, step outside the box, or don't be afraid to go off in your own direction." But that doesn't work for everyone, especially when the direction we should be headed is so obvious.

My arrow was a twenty-five year career in corporate communications which eventually led to developing our own photography business. Although it was a broad arrow, the direction I needed to take was obvious. Yes, there have been some blemishes and cracks along the way, but I was glad that I never turned my back and wandered off in the other direction.

So where does that leave you? Is there a bold arrow in your life that you chose to ignore? Did you even see the arrow, or did you miss the point altogether?

Fair weather friends

Warm weather brings out some of the coolest people, many of whom become my "new best friends," at least for ten or fifteen minutes, anyway. We found this musical duo on a bench in Collinsville, Connecticut. We were eating lunch at a sidewalk table in front of the Lasalle Market & Deli, across the street, and these guys were just enjoying the surprisingly warm 80 degree day in March, as they laughed and strummed.

Neither one sang, nor did they play loud enough or long enough to gather a crowd. In fact, I was the only crowd, as Lois went and hid in the car as soon as she saw me take off my glasses and pick up my camera. It seems she knew we weren't leaving soon.

I did my usual preliminary check for visible gang tattoos, chains, brass knuckles, guns or knives before I moved in and started photographing them. I always use a wide angle lens for subjects like this, and then get in as close as I can, well inside their personal space.

I'm not sure why one has such a surprised look on his face. Could it be because I was resting my elbow on his knee? Perhaps, but when his friend pointed his finger at me and said, "Are you going to let him get away with that?", I decided it was time to leave.

P.S. Always carry a camera, and don't be afraid to use it!

The town of Green . . . CT

I'm not sure why so many people don Irish identities to celebrate St. Patrick's Day each year. After all, in the fourth century, when Patrick was a sixteen year old boy growing up in Wales, Irish raiders kidnapped him and took him to Ireland as a slave. Six years later, he returned to England, entered the church, became a bishop and then went back to Ireland as a missionary. He was canonized in the seventh century.

St. Patrick was about as Irish as all the people who claim to be Irish each year about this time, but what better place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than in the town of Green . . . ,Connecticut. It seems every city has a parade in his honor and every bar serves green beer. Green banners line the streets, shamrocks and leprechauns are everywhere, and even Manhattan's Empire State Building takes on a green glow.

As for me, I see it as an opportunity to clean out the back shelves in my refrigerator in search of anything green, just for the halibut. Oh no, wait, I think that was salmon at one time. Never mind.

March Madness

Question: When does March Madness really begin?

Answer: Probably at about eight years old.

Today marks the beginning of the second round of the college basketball single elimination playoffs to determine who will be this year's national champion. But mind you, it's not just one or two games today and tomorrow, but 16 each day. Is it any wonder why it's called "madness?" It's one of the hottest sporting events of the year, especially when it gets down to the final four teams during the first weekend in April.

Sports mavens and odds makers alike pour over regular season game stats in an attempt to predict the final winner. Wagers are made and millions of dollars change hands throughout the two week rush as ravenous college basketball fans follow each game day and night on their smartphones, tablets, and big screen televisions until their hopeful wins or is eliminated.

As for the ten giants on the basketball floor, they are fulfilling a lifelong dream, playing in the national championships. No they don't have zillion dollar NBA contracts, but maybe next year they will. As for now, their focus is on helping their team through the brackets to the sweet sixteen, the elite eight, the final four and ultimately the national championship.

As for our grandson Eli and his friends, they are definitely March Madness hopefuls - for 2022, that is.