Upward.

 

<3 :)
C.A. MacConnell

September Evening

 

C.A. MacConnell

Photo.

 

Good morning. Film shot.

Regrouping and looking for new work, and if anyone happens to see this, I'm reaching out! Never know, just thought I'd put it out there in the universe. Actually, I enjoy what I'm doing -- moving around, delivering, meeting new people, taking pictures -- but I'm not making it, and I'm struggling, so I need to find another route.

Of course, I will send out resumes, but I just thought I'd mention it here, in case anyone needs a writer, editor, or the like. See Bio. I'm open to anything at the moment.

Praying and doing the next thing. I've been through quite an upheaval in the past year, and I'm learning how to stand on my own, but it's been quite messy and difficult, I admit. Then again, change happens that way sometimes.

Hope you have a good day.

C.A. MacConnell

Hawk, Sunrise

 

Good morning. Feeling quite stressed, but I'm proud that I've been doing the best I can. :) This photo makes me feel protected and peaceful. Hope it does the same for you. Love to you, C.A. MacConnell

First Date

Maybe the eagle
Will come today.
We are so lucky.
Let's skydive.
I’ll take you.
Look.
That red-winged
Blackbird
Is fierce.
The pipes on him!
Or her.
Did you hear?
Yes.
Three days ago,
He was smiling
And eating cookies.
Look.
Five turtles.
Strange leaf.
A piece of gum.
Baby sock.
I’m in.
You are?
Sure, why not.
Half of a sandwich.
Hungry?
Look, he is.
The wingspan!
I told you
He would come.
Swooped down
We are so lucky.
Let’s skydive.
I think
We just did.
He caught the fish.

C.A. MacConnell

Kylin, Morning

 

This guy has passed on, but I saw a cat that looked like him today. <3 Thank you for supporting my site. Hope you're having a peaceful evening.

C.A. MacConnell

Look again. He's always there.

Good morning. In small towns like Roanoke, VA, in any coffee shop or restaurant, the vibe is quite different than in bigger cities, because everyone knows everyone. Even if you don't know someone's name, you know the face. It has a closer-knit feel about it, one that I enjoy; everything moves a lot slower as well -- people talk slower, walk slower, and no one seems impatient. People just amble along and say hello, ha. I prefer it, actually.

The scene and people always feel familiar, and this energy reminded me of this poem this morning. Hope you like it. The title is the first line as well in this one.

Love to you. Hope you have a good day. C.A. MacConnell

Look again. He’s always there –

the thinnest man in the sun.
Keeping time,
he throws crumbs
to any bird.
It’s true, he says.
For as long as I live, for as long
as you live,
I’ll be dusting feathers
from my jacket.
When it rains, he sells watches.
No insurance for the buyer,
but ten dollars
is all it takes
to slide one on the wrist.
That’s how Billy makes it
through the winter.

C.A. MacConnell

Girl on the Bus

C.A. MacConnell

 

The Purple-haired Girl

Sweat makes sense,
but animals
are free.
Why

am I the help.
Meanwhile.

My forehead presses
against yours,

as if we are two,
big cats.

Find some tight
clothes
for the family.

I am speaking
to thousands.

C.A. MacConnell

Chad

 

Film shot. :) Hope you're having a good day.

I'm beat! Saw this huge hawk today too...was watching me on my walk. I'm not sure how long, which is cool...felt like my higher power was secretly watching out for me...and wanted me to feel a little boost. :) <3 to you. C.A. MacConnell

Kelly

 

Film Shot. :) Love this one.

C.A. MacConnell

Hykeem

 

C.A. MacConnell

The Meat Cutter

Indeed, I got some new shoes. Ha, they're huge, but I'm grateful. A poem for you this morning...a bit of a character sketch as well. Hope you have a good day. C.A.

The Meat Cutter

Dark, he breathes. Dark, he goes.
In a visor, the pale crown shows.
The shoes are Maddens,
and the blue-grey shirt is custom.
Yes, Italian. Lunchtime, mid-soup,
he states, If you see trouble crouching,
ace in the hole, stab him in the jaw.
Most days -- the right girl. Tonight,
strangely, he chooses the left one.
When his thicker hand crawls
across his thicker middle, he curses
the weight. Clean-shaven, he licks
and smacks lips, hoping for chicken
on the bone.

C.A. MacConnell

Sidewalk Fashion

 

Just a li'l joke, ha. My kinda fashion sense these days. Oh man. Help needed. Need new shoes first. My feet hurt. I have huge feet for my height. It's very odd. When God was giving out feet, he must've messed up and thought, "Hey, I'll just throw these on that Christine. She won't mind." Yes...which also means this:  I have a huge dick.

C.A. MacConnell

X

 

Hello. I love the depth in this one. XO,
C.A. MacConnell

Open Arms.

 

I've taken a few pics of this tree before..I think I got it's beauty better this time. Not sure, ha. I'll keep trying.

Goodnight. <3
C.A. MacConnell

Three Creatures

 

C.A. MacConnell

Drive Thru Light

 

C.A. MacConnell

Girl, Park

 

Finished work early, and it was nice to have some time to myself this afternoon. Saw this little, peaceful scene and took the shot. I love shooting people, but it's tricky to grab candid shots...which are what I love, rather than posed, but I always ask for permission.

Hope you're having a good day. I'm rather exhausted. My blog has been blowing up, and I'm not sure why, and I'm not accustomed to it, but I hope people are enjoying my creativity. Who knows...I just keep working and praying, hoping to do the next right thing. I suppose I have the desire for success and good things, and I'd love to be able to pay my bills, but if you asked me what is more important to me, I'd say it's just love. No question.

I pretty much always come from the gut; it's just my nature. I suppose I've toned it down some over the years, but I'm still rather transparent, even on the net. But I stick to my own side of the street. Years of journalism taught me how to speak the truth wisely.

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

Turkey Vulture

 

C.A. MacConnell

Wolf, film

Good morning. When uncertainty rolls in, my mind often naturally jumps to negativity...working hard to trust that I deserve good things. You do too. Love to you, C.A.

Look at this little guy. :)

C.A. MacConnell

All, Canvas

 
All

Canvas

Took these at the park today, one I haven't been to in about 15 years...sounds like Thunderbird is in the sky. :) love to you,

C.A. MacConnell

Bird

 

C.A. MacConnell

Spooky Tree.

 

Been getting in Halloween mode. Took this one yesterday. Hope you like the shot. 

Thank you for supporting my site. Please check out my books on Amazon.

Just had some healing work, and there was a hawk calling outside the window. Nice to hear my totem animal. <3 Peace and love to you. Turn it over. Sweet dreams. God's got it.

C.A. MacConnell

Photo

 

Yesterday's photos were rather spooky, ha. Guess I've been feeling the Halloween vibe. Aye, sometimes, I like the spooky feel.

Today, I'm posting something a little more uplifting. I took this a few years ago, but I've always liked it. Hope you like it too.

Gives me a vibe of love, joy, growth, creativity, freedom...lives intertwined. 

Positive thought for today, for me, for you: when I am willing to look inward, be vulnerable, feel the feelings, move forward, and grow, later sharing my honest, real experience, my authentic self, I am giving back to all things -- people, nature, and the universe at large. That is true success.

Love,
C.A. MacConnell

Loose Wires.

 

C.A. MacConnell

Office.

 

C.A. MacConnell

The Computer Lady

Good morning. I mess around with the traditional POV patterns in this one, and I definitely break rules, but I like the result. It gets interesting...fun little story with a great twist. Hope you like it. A fiction sample for you...C.A.

The Computer Lady

Grunting, The Computer Lady always arrived at Bumble Bee Cafe after lunchtime; she appeared around two in the afternoon. She was nearly forty-five years old, and her too-long, frosted bangs blended into her shoulder length, patchy-frosted hair. Sometimes she resembled a scarecrow. Short with small breasts, she wore a little extra roll around her middle, because every now and then, she enjoyed a Bumble Bee pastry. Sometimes she wore lightly tinted, Janis Joplin style glasses. Other days, she showed her face. But one thing never varied -- every day, after slowly eating her lunch (tuna salad on wheat, cup of soup), she sat and stared at her computer for hours. She drank water. From time to time, she asked the server, Jim, for more water. Mostly, she demanded it. Water, more water.

Several times, Jim had thought that she might need a hose attached to her lips.

Computer Lady raised the glass and shook the ice. No words at first. But when no one immediately responded, she changed her ways, and she began to scream. "Where is my water?"

Jim tried to keep the glass full to avoid the inevitable scene, but he'd been busy with the end of a lunch rush, so he'd been a little distracted. "I'll be right with you," he answered. Quickly, he found a full pitcher and refilled her glass.

An hour or so later, Jim thought she was gone, so he cleared her table, taking her water glass with the plate, the fork, the knife, the soup spoon, and the always-wet napkin. But that was the wrong move, he found out. Way wrong.

Suddenly, Computer Lady returned from nowhere and yelled, "Where the hell is my water?" She yelled it loud enough for every customer to hear.

Heads turned.

"I'll get you another one. So sorry," Jim said quietly, hoping his tone would soothe her. "I thought you were gone."

She muttered, "Hmmphhh," shaking her head with disgust. "You always assume I'm gone. It's not right."

Jim grinned and hurried to get her another water. With lemon.

She went back to her computer.

When it was time to close, Jim took the check to her. Seemed like the thing to do. He'd been doing the same thing for years.

She looked up and yelled, "Do I have to pay this NOW?"

"Well, we are closing," he whispered. "We always close at six. You know that."

"Hmmmphh," she said, handing him her credit card.

After Jim rang the card, he took the slip over to her. Again, it seemed like the natural course of events.

When she saw the slip, she scowled at Jim and asked, "Do I have to sign this NOW?"

"Uh, that'd be great," he muttered, trying to hold back a chuckle. She wasn't just simply rude. She was beyond rude. He'd seen it before, but it usually wasn't that bad.

After Jim finished rolling his silverware at the Bumble Bee, he had some time to kill before he met up with his friends, so he headed to Lucky Dog Coffee for a shot. Then he glanced to his right, and there she was again. The Computer Lady. As always, she was sitting by herself, staring at her computer, drinking water.

Jim called out to her, "Hi there, I just saw you. I work at the Bumble Bee...you know, where you just were. You writing a novel on there?"

"No," she barked.

"Oh, okay," he said, introducing himself. "My name's 'Jim' by the way. I've never told you all these years."

She muttered, "Laura" and went back to her computer.

He knew her full name. He'd seen the credit card slips for years, but it was nice to hear her say it. Then he asked, "Why do you come into the Bumble Bee every day?"

"Oh, I banned that place for a while because of bad service, but now I go back because I like the soup," she answered, still staring at her computer.

He nodded, rose, went to the bar, and ordered his espresso shot from her, the Barista. No, not one, a double shot. On the way back to his table, he walked near The Computer Lady, sliding right by her, wanting to look at her screen, wanting to know what she was searching for, wanting to ask more questions, but she was still buried in the computer. So he gave up.

He thought about how she came in every day at the same time, how she ordered the same thing. She always stayed for hours, and she rarely looked up from her computer. What was strange was that she rarely typed anything either. He couldn't figure out what she was doing, and he'd never had a chance to sneak up behind her to look at the screen. Well, he'd had the chance, when the tables were slow, but he'd never had the guts. Sometimes "not knowing" was better. But his next mission was this: he was determined to make her react, to hear some sound come from her other than choppy words and angry grunts. Perhaps she was a closet genius, and she was creating something brilliant on that computer, right there, right in the Bumble Bee Cafe. Could be anything. Maybe she was a nurse. Yeah, she worked the early shift, and she came into the restaurant after. Yes, she saved lives. Maybe she was creating the cure for Cancer. Or Diabetes. Or mental illness. Maybe she was memorizing the famous paintings of the world. Looking at photographs? Videos? Her kids? Nah, she definitely wasn't the motherly type. Strangely, he wanted to give her a hug. She looked like she needed one, but he was afraid she might crack. He wanted to do something, anything. He wanted to know what stories lived inside such an angry heart. She might crack.

Jim's phone vibrated. He checked the screen. Text from Jason, the sensitive one who couldn't hold his liquor. Jason wrote, Jim, you better come out with us. You've been a hermit, and I'm already buzzing, and I need help with that girl, you know, I can't talk to her, and I know she'll be there, she is so amazing, holy shit. Jim's phone vibrated again. Text from Kara. Heya, I'll be there now, I changed my mind. I'm getting wasted. Lisa broke up with me. Again. I need you. Five more texts. Five emails. Then he got hooked on some YouTube. Even after his espresso shot was long gone, down the hatch, Jim sat next to Computer Lady, staring at his phone. He was there for hours and hours and by then, it was getting a little late to go out. Might as well just chill and go home. Jason would make it happen with the girl. And Kara had serious muscle. They'd be all right. He thought about sending a group text that said this: I'm here. Who is going to help me? Then he looked up and saw her, the Lucky Dog Barista.

Curiously, the Barista was staring back. She thought he was attractive for an older man. She was only twenty, and he appeared to be at least twenty-five. The way the Phone Man was dressed, maybe he was an artist, yeah, a painter, or a musician. No ring on. He always came in at the same time every day, around 6:30pm. And he always sat next to the woman who was buried in her computer; the Barista assumed she was his mother. How sweet, he's hanging out with his mom on a Friday. Not a great resemblance, but it was there -- their quiet ways, and the expressions -- utterly unreadable. She'd been a Lucky Dog Barista for a long time, and she could usually read a face, but when it came to the Phone Man and his mother, the Barista remained stumped. Phone Man always ordered one shot, like a poet. But that day it was two. Strange, very strange. Perhaps he'd be interested in a free shot. She could deliver it to him. She was sexy, playing with a straw, making eyes at him. She wasn't trying to be sexy. She just was. Often times, on her days off, when she dressed for the occasion, she made men and women drool. She thought about making him something free. But she couldn't tell...maybe he wanted to be in his own space. Like his mom. He was impossible to decipher. Every day, she tried to make him smile. Maybe if she could make him smile, she could make the mother smile too. So far, nothing. Always, he simply stared at his phone. What was strange was that she saw the phone flash and vibrate, but she never saw him text anyone back. He just looked at his phone and sipped his espresso. Maybe he was an undercover cop or a Dad. Nah, he didn't seem like the fatherly type. Maybe he was an actor, yes. He looked like one. So handsome, in a weird way. Some days she wanted to hold his hand. But he might shatter. Other days, she wanted to grab his shoulders and shake the pretty face right out of him, to know his real heart. It was maddening.

The Barista cleaned the espresso machine, and she made as much noise as possible.

Jim went back to his phone.

The Computer Lady held up her glass, shaking the ice. Then she yelled, "Hey, can I have some more water?"

"Right away," the Barista said to Computer Lady. She said it ever so softly, trying to keep the scene calm.

That voice, Jim thought. He too knew what it was like to keep a customer from breaking, really breaking. He wondered about her, the real person attached to the voice. Jim turned off his phone and looked sideways at the Barista.

The Computer Lady yelled, "Water!"

The Barista swooped in, handing a tall, dripping glass over to The Computer Lady. She rolled her eyes, and then she looked at Jim, smiling wide. "You always come in here at the same time, every day."

Jim's eyes widened.

In a huff, for no reason, the Computer Lady rose and said, "I'm never coming back here." And she left.

The Barista shook her head. "What's wrong with that lady? I thought maybe she was your mom."

Jim glanced down. "She is. She just has no idea. She gave me up, you know, way back when."

The Barista sat down at Jim's table. She sniffled a little. "Oh my god. That's why you come in here every day."

Jim looked back up. "At first, yes. And then I realized...well...now I come in here for you."

-- C.A. MacConnell

Ground

 

Rad,

C.A. MacConnell

Untitled.

 

C.A. MacConnell

Playground, Bird Feeder

 

Hi there. Some photos I just took. :) Hope you're having a good day. Love, me.
C.A. MacConnell

Photo

 

Nothing special about this shot, but I just thought it was a beautiful tree, so I guess it is special to me. I've been doing some healing work on some things...it's been difficult, but it looks like it's going to be a lovely day.

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

Lexington

 

Film shot. Good morning,
C.A. MacConnell

Step Up, and a Note.

 

Today, I delivered four items...the exact ones...early...to a customer who proceeded to scream at me through a video doorbell. At first, I calmly attempted to answer some of the questions, but I could barely understand her, and she continued screaming. So, startled and shaken, I waved goodbye and left, because I was concerned for my safety. Of course, I reported the incident, but it was so strange...verbal abuse for no reason.

And I am being completely honest when I say this -- I work hard as hell, and I do the best I can, always. Sure, I've made mistakes. I'm human. And I address them, and I try the best I can to improve. But in this case, there was no reason for it, but it happened. 

Happens to all of us at times, I suppose.

Alas, when I got in the car, I was shaking. Certainly, one can say to oneself..."Don't take on the other person's angst," of course, and I told myself that, but it's still hard sometimes. I'm not accustomed to raised voices. And I never yell either. It affected me for a while, but then I let it go. Actually, in my car, I prayed for the lady. I wasn't sure what else to do, so I sent her some peace. Why not.

I was proud of the way I handled everything, though. I still am. Most of the time, I meet some really cool people and animals, but there have been a few scary ones. I'm sure I'll write some stories about all of this later. I already have some rolling around in my brain. I'm considering some new fiction, a new project, a love story or a comedy, something fun. We'll see. For the time being, I've just been OK with taking pictures, using less words, and sinking into more of a quiet space. It's been nice to just kick back and listen.

Anyway, be kind. Remember to love. We're in this together. I wish you success!

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

Limo in Woods

 

Most people don't know this about me, but I worked for a limousine company for about eight years, starting when I was fifteen years old. No, actually, it was around six years, now that I think about it. But it seemed like eight, ha. Before I could even drive, I was wearing a pager and arranging transportation for musicians, comedians, businessmen, and on and on. It was truly an adventure. At the time, I suppose I didn't realize how strange it all was, because I was so young when I started...there's a lot to this story, but I will save it for another day. But I will say this...it was absolutely wild all of the time, every day. Never knew where I would end up each day, or who I would meet or talk to each day...it was always strange and interesting, to say the least. :) Thinking back, I can see how odd it all was, but at the time, I didn't know any different...no matter who called or who I talked to, I was just ready to take directions and do my job. Tours were tours, and that was that. From a bachelor party to an enormous tour, I just tried to make it all smooth.

I'm still that way, I suppose...to me, people are people, and I rather enjoy the variety, but I take them all in the same way. It affected me, though...the stress and the noise. Later, the music stuff came in handy, b/c I worked as a music writer for eight years...that's why the number eight was stuck in my brain.

C.A. MacConnell

Picnic

 

C.A. MacConnell

Little Yellow House

 

C.A. MacConnell

Roof.

 

Sending some love and light...

C.A. MacConnell

Three

 

<3
C.A. MacConnell

Matador

Probably one of my best, technically speaking. Indeed, oftentimes the writing is better if I'm distant from it. :)

Matador

Now, your thick whip. The fat man
with the mustache raises a mud-lined
hand, calming the rattled voices.
No photos please. The feral crowd
notes that you are the one, a rare
breed; indeed, you are ambidextrous.

And when the battle begins, you dance
within one abstract tattoo, a sudden
story, a spinning, reckless ride across
ring sand -- the circles, and the spirals --
and how well you hold the earsplitting
crack inside. Then, soon, the tell-all

moment will come -- the killings,
the dust, the release of your two-sided
cry, your strange victory, your secret
noise. But this time, your left hand shifts.
One, startling, elusive twitch. Feeling
the blow, falling to the right, you cough,

clearly tasting something metallic,
and you realize that close up, creating
steam, the animal is breathing heat.
Drifting off, you smile, remembering
mother’s hand-wrapped, slightly salted,
butter-soft caramels, how one was never

enough.

C.A. MacConnell

Padlock

 

Had many interesting experiences today. :) Drove down one road, and a woman was walking her horse. I'd guess he was around 16' 2 hands, bay with a white blaze, very beautiful gelding. I stopped, and we talked for a bit. By his conformation, I could tell he was a former jumper...I told her I used to be a horse trainer. The horse was 28 years old, but he was a former hunter/jumper champion. He looked quite familiar, actually. Perhaps we had crossed paths before, not sure...definitely possible. Not one that I had ridden though. I'd remember that...but I think I'd seen him before.

Never know who you might run into again. :) Love,

C.A. MacConnell

Photo.

 

Took this one yesterday. I just liked the simplicity. :)

C.A. MacConnell

Nasti

Hahahaha. Good morning.

C.A. MacConnell

Chevy, Ford

 

I love that Chevy. I was wishing it was mine, ha. <3

C.A. MacConnell

Yellow Garage

 

C.A. MacConnell

Gravel Alley

I took a bunch of shots today. This one was my favorite. :) Hope you have sweet dreams. Love,

C.A. MacConnell

Parking Lot at Lunken Airfield

Fork, knife, napkin, spoon,
God.
Breath, uncle, water, moon,
House.
Today, I saw a brave rabbit.
And a single, crushed, black
Glove.
I thought about the shot.
I thought the pavement
Should be blue.
At five, I’ll leave them
All.

C.A. MacConnell