Skip to main content

About Bob

It's been over a year, and I still think of him about once or twice a week, every time I pass Church Street. I wonder how he's doing, if he's well, if he's had his 1972 Pirsch Tiller ladder truck out on the road yet this Spring.

I wonder what he's added to his massive collection of fire department memorabilia — any new fire boxes, bells, photos, ledgers, record books? I'd love to spend an hour or two listening to that slow, methodical syncopated drawl tell about his latest acquisitions, and why he finds them fascinating. I truly believe every gem he has found is, to him, one more rescued and adopted child of unique and priceless value.

I wonder if his children and grandchildren know what a treasure they've got in him. I wonder if he's got any new projects in the works.

I wonder what kind soup is simmering on the stove in his comfortable kitchen — he was cooking up something special for Mrs. Graham when I was there last.

I wonder if I'll ever get my act together enough to make another date with him, so my own dad can come out and see his restored masterpiece, or the hand-built replica of his favorite Rochester Fire Station on the corner of Barton and Genesee — Engine 21. My dad would love that.

Who am I kidding? I would love it.

I think about Bob a lot. Where did I put his phone number...


Also available at: VictorPost.com

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Mertensia Bluebells: a breathtaking 'walk in the park'

I've heard tales of the spectacular "Mertensia Park bluebells" for years. But despite my best efforts to juggle work and home schedules, life never lined up so I could experience them first hand. At last I was able to visit this week — twice — and discovered hidden treasures and peace of mind both times. Healing, even. I took my Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM   along to see how it would handle closeups and longer distance shots, and it was good to forge a relationship with what I've previously considered to be my uni-tasker.  Walk with me....  

Backyard bluebirds: the feathered upside of quarantine life in 2020

These on-the-fly bluebird captures were a total gift. Taken at very long range with a Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary zoom lens, they're essentially unedited (apart from cropping and a very slight boost of texture.)  I think he was more at ease from a substantial height and distance so he took a quick moment to enjoy the view.  So did I. I love this guy who, as it turns out, is quite aggressive about defending his territory from the sparrows. You've got to admire that.  Good looks and an attitude, too.  

Perspective

In this composite using my macro rose with a friend's drone photo, I combined his expansive perspective with my intimate point of view.  It's a great analogy for how I like to create — examine all sides of a subject before shooting, writing or forming an opinion about it. Both views are essential, and it's often of great benefit to view them at the same time.