I had the pleasure of photographing Jack Finley of Finley Farms last weekend. I caught him at Coppell Farmers Market near Dallas. I arrived late at about 10am. Of course, I was not surprised to find Mr. Finley had just about sold out. He was left with a couple tomato baskets and I was searching for greens. We talked for a bit about the growth of Dallas into surrounding farm land and the unfortunate results of a larger population (ie. the inability to have a loud summer BBQ because it disrupts the new neighboring subdivision.) Grrrr.
Having grown up every summer with beautiful and bountiful gardens produced by my master gardener mom, it is of no surprise I began to garden myself. I have so far learned three things this spring:
1) Lettuce and spinach like cool weather not hot.
2) Cow manure is different and far better than simple compost.
3) Late frosts are devastating.
I have replanted and am excited for what will grow later this summer. I replanted three tomato plants, to make a total of five, in addition to two pepper plants, two basil plants, one eggplant, one cucumber, one squash, and a variety of other herbs.
I’ll keep you updated on the progress.
It is not news that current trends in US manufacturing has lead to the shipment of jobs to cheaper, less restricted international factories. From a business perspective it is easy to see the cost benefit of moving to India or China. Why pay $20 an hour to a skilled worker in the US when you can pay $5 for the same result to workers living outside our borders? We are seeing the obvious results of life in a post-globalized business community as our jobs get shipped elsewhere – leaving US industries on the brink of bankruptcy.
Granted, our current dismal economy is certainly the result of poor business decisions (think General Motors investing in Hummer), corporate fraud, and irresponsible bank loans. Yet, the lack of integrity, honor, and basic interest in the development of US based industries has not helped.
I photographed a metal manufacturer the other day. They have jobs and they are hiring. Yet, there are not enough skilled workers who know how to run the machines. The reality is that there are jobs in the US. Problem is, there is little or no satisfaction at being a machinist. Why would anyone want to work in a factory? The commercialization of society has morphed us into the lazy swelling of community and the drying of motivation. Tradition is of no importance when products cost less. Machinists of the industrialized era were artists. And most of them have died or moved on leaving their tools as relics, alone to collect dust.
Perhaps a lesson in history would serve to stimulate our job market. A look back to the power of invention and hard work that created the great American business would do our country well.
Published on
February 23, 2009 in
Clip, Dallas, I Likes, North America, Texas, animal, camera, dog, expression, faces, gesture, moment, people, photo, photography, photos, picture, portrait, portraits and woman.
Tags: assignment, digital, faces, people, portrait.
They make a cute couple don’t you think? Jane Simmons-Moake, of Houston, makes the trip to Dallas almost every week to compete in various dog shows and agility competitions. On this Saturday, her golden retriever, Susie, won the coveted seventh competition to reach Mach-7 status.
I found out later that Susie is famous…well kinda. Her grandmother was famous. I’m talking movies and stuff. I can’t tell you which movies, but I swear I was impressed just hearing the rumors. Jane is also famous. She is an all-star dog trainer and winner of many national competitions. You can checkout her company here.
Dog shows are fun. I wish I wasn’t on a deadline so I could photo more dog people. I also want a dog. A lab I think.
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