The Narrative Image

An Associated Press article by Brian Skoloff indicates that thirty-six states will “face water shortages” in just five years from now. The reasons for these shortages are listed as a combination of, “…rising temperatures, drought, population growth, urban sprawl, waste and excess.” Autumn leaf at light-rail construction site Bruce Lieberman of the Union-Tribune writes that we are in the process of changing the chemistry of the oceans (they become more acidic as they absorb carbon dioxide) threatening the viability of plankton, the bottom of the food chain. Remember when dying oceans used to be a science fiction premise? Back in 1973, the movie Soylent Green depicted an overpopulated world that depletes its ocean resources by 2022 and is forced to resort to an interesting food-source alternative. Brian McLaren, in his new book Everything Must Change suggests a metaphor for what we humans are doing to the world. He writes, “When the social, political, and economic machinery of a societ...

Mt. St. Helens from Kelly Point Park Gentle wavelets disagreeing – at the bank of the Willamette River A Ship taking on grain as night falls. Rhymed couplets Portland pulls on its winter blanket The sky reminded me of these ripples. I guess that’s why they call it a jet ‘stream’. Smith and Bybee Lakes is just down the road to the east of Kelly Point Park – about 5 minutes. By means of a water control device, Metro takes pains to mimic nature’s definition of seasonal wetlands. The acreage here has not yet filled up with winter rain and deer take advantage of the lush grasses and plants that spring forth from the rich sediments exposed to the sky. The trees here seem to lag behind their higher altitude brethren when it comes to changing color. Funeral bier at Oaks bottom Wildlife Refuge Why do these things have hair? I receive an invitation as I approach the Oaks Amusement Park.

It’s a paradox. Bars and fences and various gates are clearly intended to keep people out. So why is it that they tend to look like invitations? They scream, “Hey! There’s extremely interesting valuable stuff in here!” I glanced over to the Monkey-cam and shrugged, “Might as well check it and see if it’s really locked.” But it turned out it was really locked. Just around the corner was an abandoned work shed with one of the most intimidating danger signs I’ve ever read. “This,” I said, turning toward the Monkey-cam, “looks like a job for the Monkey-cam.” The Monkey-cam studied my face. I could almost hear the little wheels spinning in his head. He looked at the mine shaft again, looked at the danger-sign graphics, and reluctantly reached into his pack for his crash helmet while doing a nervous little potty dance. Trembling, the Monkey-cam cinched his chin strap. I couldn’t keep a straight face any longer. “I’m joking, you little dork.” I finally confessed. We went back to peer throu...