Taking A Break

I do hate blogs that drift off without notice, growing more and more scarce as time goes on. Mine has been doing just that because I have been dealing with some personal issues. I believe that this issues should be under control within the next month or so and will resume regular blogging then.

See you all later,

Barbara

Duck Festival People Peeping

Sorry about disappearing for awhile; my body has not been cooperating with my spirit.

When I last wrote I was talking about one of my favorite subjects: People Peeping. I am fascinated by people reactions, interactions and priorities. This couple caught my attention.

At first glance it is easy to see that even though the couple looks like they are passively sharing their seats in the shade; there is definitely something going on between them.


Her body language tells me that she is solid in her chair, and has no intention of moving. Considering how hot it is in the afternoon sun, in August, in the desert of the Southwest; being solid in your chair in the shade is the only way to go. This posture could also mean that she has an opinion and is not budging from it.

He is ready to spring into action; one foot ready to push off, the other foot extended for the first step, one hand ready to push himself up from the chair, and the other hand grasping his hat to keep it from falling.

The expression on her face could be bored, she could have just said something to him that she thinks will cause a reaction and she is waiting to see what that reaction will be, she has just said something to him she knows he will react to and doesn't care what his reaction is, she has just said something to him, knows his reaction will not be favorable, and she has hidden behind a passive expression.

He is obviously reacting. I can feel the motion of his head swinging towards her. His brows are up, and his lips poised to speak. His eyes look to me like they are angry.

I would love to know the beginning and end of this story, but I could not ask them what had transpired, nor could I linger and observe any longer without being more intrusive than I already was.

Was this just a bad moment in a good marriage, was this a repetitive saga of passive/aggressive behavior, or was this merely a suggestion by her that he get up and buy her some ice cream?

People Peeping is a creative sport.

Duck Festival People Peeping

Last week the Duck Festival was held in Deming. It is held every year at the end of August. The end of August is hot, very, very hot and this year I was not up to attending. That got me digging in my picture archive. I thought I would share some of those pictures and my thoughts on them. I also have some pictures of ducks but it is much harder to read into their characters from a picture so for now I will stick to what I call "People Peeping".

This gentleman is fully focused on his roasted corn. He and his buddies have found a spot in the shade, have water to drink, and are indulging in the guilty pleasure of carnival food. Carnival food is the great equalizer of fair attenders: roasted corn, corn dogs, turkey legs, funnel cakes, candy cotton, candy apples, curly fries. Our hearts urge us to taste our childhood memories, and later our adult digestive systems will make us pay. But oh that first lovely fist bite......

There are free performances by local musicians at the festival. The bleachers are only partially in the shade and if you can stand the sun in the high two digit, or sometimes, low three digit weather you can sit and enjoy some of the local talent Deming has to offer. This woman took my fancy: she is somewhat isolated from the rest of the crowd by her positioning on the bleachers, her hat casually placed so space is preserved on one side, and sitting at an angle which blocks off her personal space on the other side. Her arms and leg are crossed to hold in her private space, and even the lit cigarette is used to extend her protective barrier. I wonder is this is part of her personality or can it be attributed to the heat?

I know this couple and therefore won't read my speculations into their body languages. I will point out that they added denim vests to their outfits, which had to add a layer of heat, and yet still are compelled to hold hands and move through the crowd as one.

Ah this couple; they deserve a post of their own and I will revisit them tomorrow.