These cooler mornings have been bringing fog and some incredible light to our ridge. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing or photographing it. Combined with the absolute quiet, it is a kind of magic I’m glad I’m able to appreciate at this point in my life.
In my last newsletter, I’d mentioned some change that was afoot. Next Friday, October 17, will be my last day at Appalshop where I’ve worked for nearly five years at first as the Operations Director and then the Director of Artistic Programs. Since learning the news last week (budget cuts), I’ve tried to allow myself the latitude of feeling the full range of human emotions. I’ve landed on being at peace with the decision and trying to figure out what that means for my next career move.
My good friend, Kate Fowler, messaged me to offer some encouragement and reminded me that I got to experience “touching the magic” that is Appalshop. Working there has been one of the proudest moments of my professional and personal life. I got to touch the magic for a while and that was really something.
I’m not sure what will come next, but I’m going to trust that I’ll land where I’m supposed to. In the meantime, I’m trying to catch up on splitting wood and some other things around our house and property I’ve been neglecting. I’m also just trying to practice gratitude, compassion, and empathy. And is it even practice unless you’re being tried?
Monday night, under a near-full moon, I stopped in Whitesville (Boone County) to photograph the Upper Big Branch memorial. I’ve photographed this a number of times over the years, but the moon lured me into pulling over and trying to make a picture.
A decade and a half ago, 29 miners were killed in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia. It still feels like yesterday. This memorial was erected shortly afterward.
I read their names under the moonlight.
Carl Acord, 52
Jason Atkins, 25
Christopher Bell, 33
Gregory Steven Brock, 47
Kenneth Allan Chapman, 53
Robert Clark, 41
Charles Timothy Davis, 51
Cory Davis, 20
Michael Lee Elswick, 56
William I. Griffith, 54
Steven Harrah, 40
Edward Dean Jones, 50
Richard K. Lane, 45
William Roosevelt Lynch, 59
Nicholas Darrell McCroskey, 26
Joe Marcum, 57
Ronald Lee Maynor, 31
James E. Mooney, 50
Adam Keith Morgan, 21
Rex L. Mullins, 50
Joshua S. Napper, 25
Howard D. Payne, 53
Dillard Earl Persinger, 32
Joel R. Price, 55
Deward Scott, 58
Gary Quarles, 33
Grover Dale Skeens, 57
Benny Willingham, 61
Ricky Workman, 50
Let us never forget.
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- Roger
I'm sorry to hear about your job. I pray you find something new and just as fulfilling. Your photography is beautiful -- don't forget how talented you are as a creator. :-)
All the best, my friend!!