Both Sides Now
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I’ve looked at love that way
But now it’s just another show
And you leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away
I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say, “I love you” right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way
Oh, but now old friends they’re acting strange
And they shake their heads and say I’ve changed
Well something’s lost, but something’s gained
In living every day
I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all
It’s life’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know life at all
Joni Mitchell

The lyrically rich song written by Joni Mitchell that you see above, has always been a powerful bit of writing in my view.

Life indeed has its ups and downs. The Neil Diamond version is my vocal favorite but the incredible Ms. Mitchell does great justice to it herself.

I love clouds (one phrase in the song), but I realize to many, they merely get in the way.

Clouds add and subtract much from photography, but whether they soften the sun for a gentler scene or subject (such as flowers), are the subject in and of themselves, or they add to a sunrise or sunset, clouds have often been my friends.

In and of themselves, means of course treating clouds as a main subject, like say a mountain or a building.

When you combine great photographic subjects, and then flatter them with clouds, your batting over 300.

Color is not the only way to share the majesty of the cloud.

Storm clouds and beautiful places make for winning images.

Getting near dusk in the Arizona desert and some pinkish clouds to flatter the hills and cacti. Like anything we shoot, we need to be out there for it to happen.

Of course, those of you who know me know that the mixing of clouds and sunrise or sunset, with water or the land, seldom looses in my book. Hills forests, mountains, lakes, rivers and on.

Finally the reflections of some sunrise clouds in a tidal pool.

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I was sad to see the passing of one of my alltime favorite country singers, Toby Keith.

I have featured him on these pages, including the lyrics to his recent hit, Don’t Let The Old Man In.

He was not suggesting in that song we keep elderly men from going places. He was getting old himself and he meant that as long as he survives, he will keep writing and singing.

His hit song I Should Have Been a Cowboy, is also one I can identify with. He read my mind.

May God Bless Toby, and each of you.
Wayne