Except as noted, all images copyrighted by and should be attributed to E B Hawley.
I had become many eons ago a traveling literary gnome, inquisitive about places I had and had not visited,
walking the same paths of peoples from the past, through places once grand and still grand,
photographing images that now show me the places about which I still dream . . .

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Admiring the Grand in Electra


"You one of 'em cross-country bikers?"
I said, no, not me, then removed my helmet. He stared at me for a while, then said, "There's one of 'em cross-country bikers left New York for Los Angeles. S'posed to be here today. You ain't him. You're a girl."
My motorcycle is an F 650 GS with Touratech panniers; it's the bike used by motorcyclists to cross the African continent, which is why he felt impelled to ask me that question. If I had ridden a Harley to Electra, he would have known with a glance I am "'round these parts." I thought of saying, "and you're a boy," but I like to get along with folks, especially hopelessly nice folks like this fellow.
I asked him if I could have his photo in front of the Grand. After the photo, I learned more about him: He's assisted in the renovation of the Grand for many years -- decades. As a proponent of history, I felt a kinship with him. I asked him about fundraising, and he said they have eighty-five thousand dollars available that they are using to renovate the floors in wood. In addition, they'll need a couple million to bring the Grand to its former grandeur. (Pardon the rhyme.) The Grand was built in 1919, and was scheduled for its opening in 1920, which was interrupted by a snow storm, unusual for these parts of the United States. He asked me to send him a copy of the WFLAR, so I will, gladly, with a call for submissions. He sped away in his scooter.
One link to the Electra Grand Theatre:
http://www.texasescapes.com/Texas_architecture/Driveby_architecture/Electra_Texas/Grand_Theatre.htm
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Let Lovely Turn of Phrase Begin

JMHawley Gave Me a Kiss to Build a Dream On

Listen, will you? I think that . . . literature, poetry, music and love make the world go round . . . while mathematics explains things; I fill my life with them, then go walking in snowy woods.
Let us go then, you and I
like two etherized patients floating
through life, together feeling prufrockian.
DDB Jr. makes my world go 'round; during his absence, Pachelbel fills it up.
One summer I sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, then through the Gulf of Finland to reach Saint Petersburg; I pursued Joseph Brodsky in its alley ways. I dream of making that two summers.
I read “Biking to Electra;” found my way in a Jaguar car, and glanced at the flashing steel grasshoppers at sunset. I’ll follow K.O.P.’s footsteps after he followed N.Scott Momaday’s; find warmth and inspiration on a rainy mountain.
Throw chinese coins for the I Ching.
Save the whales, the spotted owl, the woman in toil.
Cast a fly for trout; my memories of fly fishing under the sunny blue Colorado sky remain; I yearn to build more . . . with more trophy Browns.
Listen for the swan’s calls on the Baltic Sea. Feel KKII's joy, his arms spread wide in Yazilikaya.
Good night, Jimmy Durante, where ever you are.