Lives In Snapshots

I finally hooked up my "new" (one year old) Kodak scanner, copier, printer, fax, photo printer.  Now I'm scanning old photos as fast as I can.  For starters, here are a few of my mother and me through the years. All but the last two pictures were taken by my artist aunt Jeanie Garner.   My Dad, Gene Baker, took the one of Mom and me in our back yard, and the last photo was taken by Cheryl of Lizzy Frizzfrock fame at her house last October.  So much fun putting these memories together, and I'm excited to do more in the coming months!

My future's so bright I had to wear shades! 

Uh, put me down, Mom, I have a reputation 

to maintain...

You smiling 'cause I'm just too cute? 

Damn skippy! 

I learned by watching her play.  The piano teacher 

gave me a piece to learn: "March Of The Wee Folk." 

But I watched Mom's fingers, remembered the song 

and positions, and learned to play "Für Elise" by 

sight.  Teacher was not amused.  Said I wouldn't 

learn theory like that.  She was right.  "Für Elise" 

didn't need theory.  I was the star of the recital.  But 

I do wish I knew piano theory.  

Anyone can tell by looking at these three preceding 

photos that I had a horrible childhood.  There was 

laughter.  Fun.  Games. Family. More laughter.  I should

write a book about how deprived of drugs, booze, and  

domestic violence my upbringing was.  You can see how 

I was hurting inside.  Hurting from laughing!  I can still 

make my mother laugh, and when we laugh it brings 

tears to our eyes, and a couple more crows feet on our 

temples.  Thank goodness for my "horrible" childhood! 

Even back in the lean years we traveled together. 

TWA flight 533 from Amarillo, Texas to 

Honolulu, Hawaii via LA.  The flight from Amarillo 

was on a Lockheed Super Constellation, the one with 

three tails.  From LA to Hawaii we were on one of the 

first Boeing 707's.  It was September, 1961.  Hawaii 

had just recently become the 50th state.  I was out of school 

for two weeks.  Teacher was not amused! Gave Mom an 

attitude when she brought me to school after the trip. 

I guess she was a bit envious that we had gone to such

an exotic location.  I mean, from Amarillo to WHERE? 

Really, now......

During my high school years, my mother 

always stayed close, even when I went 

through those stupid pre-adult mood swings. 

 The years dont' stop to reflect.  But thankfully, 

we can.  My mother is a amazing woman. I pray 

there will be many more years of these photos, 

weathered as we may become, but of us laughing 

nevertheless. 

Rick Baker 

February 26, 2011

Rochester, NY 

Magpie Tales 106: Some Call It Art. Some Call It Food.

1965, Manhattan, New York, New York, 

USA  Andy Warhol looking at Campbell’s soup cans in 

Gristede’s supermarket .  Image by © Bob Adelman/Corbis

an argument for art: 

Andy's condensation 

of history 

there was no need. 

the wheel had been 

invented by some 

"one", or some 

collective, and 

here we were: 

searching for artistry 

in the past;  a grand 

condensation of ideas 

spawning creativity. 

or not. 

but money talks. 

as do the dead. 

as do those whose 

somewhat original ideas 

revolutionized everything 

and nothing 

at all. 

Poem © 2012 R. Burnett Baker 

Photo shared by Tess Kincaid

Magpie Tales 105: Calling Home

Finally.  This past week's Magpie prompt came to me.  I've been traveling for work all month, living out of a suitcase, getting up at 3:30am every morning, working till 3 or 4pm every day, and totally unable to even think about writing or doing anything remotely creative.  Finally.  I'm back home in my own bed, tired, but surrounded by my books, art, music, and dirty laundry.

And here's my rendering for Mag 105.  Too late for anyone to read, but here goes!  Cheers everyone!

 Photo shared by Tess Kincaid

undone

even as we do 

we leave much 

undone, cutting 

swaths of life-forests; 

blazing paths 

following leads 

connecting dots 

of drudgery and 

anticipation; 

pick-pocketing 

every beautiful 

moment: 

pick 

a number of days 

to accomplish 

your life, 

then reason, 

if you will, for the 

ample calling of 

that last breath. 

Poem © 2012 R. Burnett Baker 

Note:  The theme for this poem was actually inspired by Steven, of The Golden Fish fame!  Wonderful blog!

Magpie Tales Photo Prompt 103: Laying On Of Hands

serpentine night


diabolonian dreams
beg the question of 
how many orgasms
in life are enough; 


how many lives are 
required to satisfy 
an insatiable fragrance
of flesh.






Poem © 2012 R. Burnett Baker 
Photo shared by Tess Kincaid 

Magpie Tales 103: Hands And Legacy

A grave in the Novodevichy Cemetery, Moscow

salutation

I was the last one standing 
in the driveway to wave goodbye. 

visitors come then leave 

and it is our custom and 

good manner to wave as the 

visit ends.  remember to 

look back, look to your right, 

or to the left if you turn in a 

different direction, but look. 

remember my face, even if 

all you can see 

is my arm outstretched, 

my salutation, 

my hand open

to fading daylight 
and coming 

night. 

Poem © 2012 R. Burnett Baker 

Photo courtesy Tess Kincaid 

Adult Content: My Trip To The Liquor Store...Rated R

A co-worker gave me a $50 gift card to a liquor store for Christmas.  I didn't realize I presented myself as the kind of person who would need that much liquor, (A $5 bottle of Thunderbird and a brown bag would suffice) but I finally got around to spending it this week.  I did good:  Spent $50.78!  I actually don't go into liquor stores, but boy did I learn a few things this week about all the different beverages.  There's something for just about everyone at your local spirits retailer!  Here's a sampling: 

I wonder how this tastes with bran flakes?

What I know about wine is this: The 

fancier the label, the better the wine. 

Right?

Well, guess not.  I'll stick to 

something that is more suitable 

for a hick from Texas: 

Well I'll be!  Here's a little something 

for the plastic surgery ladies in 

California.  (Oh.  I thought that 

said "Botox")

For the sun worshipers:  But NEVER 

drink this while directly in the sun! 

Ah! A politician's wine of choice: 

The registered Democrat's wine of choice:

The registered Republican's wine of choice:

Yeah, I thought it tasted pretty bad, too:

Please don't ask for this drink while drunk: 

OMG.  It was bound to happen, right?

LOL! I'LOL THIS TASTES LIKE 

OMG! ROTFLMAO! 

Finally, truth in advertising: 

Remember: Never drink and drive.

Keep both hands on the wheel.  

Drink BEFORE you drive! 

(Just kidding, folks!  Just kidding!) 

Aging: Youth, Your Time Shorter Than You Think.

Photo: Google Images

fabric skin 

imperfections covered, 

clothing stylish and cut 

to strike a dashing figure 

               til' night arrives. 

               in subdued lighting 

I peel fabric skin 

revealing years of  

               flesh's reality. 

grateful to be, 

embarrassed to be like this, 

eager to cover the once taut self 

               with darkness and sheets: 

years demand a toll paid 

with youth and desirability, 

the onward journey a road to 

               humiliation or humanity: 

a difficult choice indeed. 

Poem © 2012 R. Burnett Baker 

Photo borrowed from Google Images