Joon Powell

Shortcuts Cost Lives

2012-01-25T16:45:00.000-08:00

Last year, two people died working on the Henley Street Bridge in Knoxville, Tennessee. One man was struck in the head by a track hoe and the other was hit by falling concrete. Each was a husband and father and both deaths were entirely preventable. The employer (Britton Bridge) continues to be awarded contracts to build despite a history of gross and repeated negligence.

On the anniversary of the first worker's death, labor leaders, religious leaders and other community members marched through the streets of Knoxville and then held a candlelight vigil to remember John Womac and Solin Estrada Jimenez. Needless to say, I was horrified to hear all this but was even more so when the investigating OSHA officer testified to the group enumerating exactly how Britton Bridge had intimidated workers to prevent them from speaking out about their conditions.

Education Week

2012-01-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

Last week I had a short and sweet assignment from Education Week. The article I was illustrating was about teaching cursive and handwriting in elementary school. I enjoyed seeing the talented teachers connecting with the kids while weaving in other lessons.

Winter

2012-01-20T16:22:00.000-08:00

Holiday! Celebrate!

2012-01-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas with my family is always a good time. This year we enjoyed the new addition of Hazel Jean as well as our annual paper/marshmallow war.

Shannon

2012-01-03T12:10:00.000-08:00

Here are a few portraits of my lovely friend Shannon who spent New Year's with me!

A Day's Work

2011-12-11T07:28:00.000-08:00

Besides making portraits last week, I spent a day or two visiting work sites organized by the Laborers. I tried to make photos which show not only the diversity of the union but also the diversity of their skills. I went to a cement plant where members pour enormous columns which hold up highways. I met a man who works in a tower, giving commands to a computer that fills up cement trucks. I met welders and wood-workers. I went to a cemetery and photographed the people who dig graves and maintain the grounds. I saw people operating cranes and moving giant pieces of rebar around. It was pretty awesome!

Faces

2011-12-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

This week I traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to photograph the Southeast District Council of the Laborers' Union Board, delegates and members. I haven't really been in a studio mind-set in a long time but just before the shoot I came across an inspiring set of photos by Bill Tiernan, a photographer at the Virginian Pilot. I was an intern and freelancer there many moons ago. Anyhow, I thought these few were particularly striking.

Ribbit.

2011-11-23T17:36:00.001-08:00

A Long Road

2011-11-17T13:53:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night Vanderbilt divinity students, union members and others came together to celebrate the fact that after a long battle, against the largest employer in Nashville, the poorest workers at Vanderbilt now make above the federal poverty line. Stewards gave testimonies talking about the very real difference this makes in their lives. Everyone lit candles to symbolize their commitment to uplifting these workers. The celebration was tempered with a sense of somberness though. Many workers were afraid to come and speak out about the conditions they work in for fear their bosses would retaliate.

Sweet Pataters

2011-11-13T20:31:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I've taken a hiatus from blogging. School has really had me too busy this semester but today something really photographable happened! A while back a branch brought down our electric fence. So of course I came home one day to find the goats chowing down on our sweet potato plants. Little did they know that was just fine! Why? Because it's time to dig them up anyway! Hooray! Garrett totally dug them up today and they are gorgeous. I've never planted anything so easy before. Now we're watching food shows about awesome ways to prepare them. Got tips? Please tell me about them!

Professors Behaving Badly

2011-10-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

The Chronicle of Higher Education asked me to photograph Vanderbilt Professor John Braxton, co-author of the new book Professors Behaving Badly, which is about normative behavior among graduate school professors. Read more here.

Matt & Megan

2011-10-11T13:35:00.001-07:00

Theirs was a day long in the making and very sweet when it arrived. I didn't have the time to make as many photos as I'd hoped but here are a few. This was easily the most diverse wedding I've ever seen, with traditions represented from all over the world.

Wage Theft In Nashville

2011-10-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I started working on a project I've been wanting to follow for a long time now regarding the issue of wage theft in Nashville. A fledgling group called the Workers' Dignity Project is doing a lot of organizing around this. In one case, the WDP is leading an effort to get a worker named Bernardino Morales more than $10,000 in unpaid wages, which an entrepreneur named Vito Randazzo owes him for many months of washing dishes. This small group of pictures shows Morales' wife, other family members and community members making signs and then picketing Randazzo's restaurant. (Morales had to work that evening.) The owner did not come out and produce a paycheck but Saturday certainly did not mark the end of this fight. Here's a link to the Tennessean's story.

Anniversary

2011-09-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

To celebrate our two-year anniversary, Garrett and I decided to head back up to Marty's Ridge, the site of our big day back in 2009. We did a lot of hiking and remembering. It's nearly impossible to capture the awesome beauty of the place but while there I tried. I've gotten in the bad habit of only taking pictures to fulfill assignments so, as an exercise that weekend, I took pictures just for the sake of light and line: no deadlines, no editors, no thesis, no haggling.

Voices of Labor

2011-09-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

Every once in a blue moon, photojournalists get the assignment they feel they've been waiting for. For me, this is one of those times. Last month The Laborers Union contacted me about collecting some of their history while certain people are still around to tell it. I interviewed and photographed Al Gross and Bruce Carr, two retired members who organized in the south during the Civil Rights Movement. I have hours of amazing audio. They talked about integrating public employees in Birmingham and Montgomery, meeting Martin Luther King, the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers' strike and on and on. Its crazy to think about how many times they put their lives on the line for the labor movement. They are truly unsung heroes. I'm not even sure how this work will be used yet but its very web-able. These are just a few of my favorite portraits. Carr is the one wearing purple.

Haslam & Jobs

2011-09-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I photographed Governor Haslam meeting with a roomful of business owners in Hendersonville, TN. The meeting was supposed to help inform Haslam as he makes a plan to address the state unemployment problem. The majority of business owners used the meeting as a platform to complain about worker's comp, OSHA, FEMA and just about every other regulation which protects their employees from them. One person stood out to me. The fellow pictured in the corner of the room with a mike in his hand talked about the sense of failure people have when they come to work in his factory despite some of his employees making six-figure incomes. I somehow doubt those feeling like failures are the same ones making all that money but I appreciated his slightly different perspective. He said not everyone is destined for college. While I guess that's true, I don't like that that the self-interested people in that room have such a strong say in unemployed people's destiny.

Karl Dean Wins

2011-08-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Mayor of Nashville has been re-elected! I photographed him at his victory party at the Adventure Science Center on Thursday. Here he is swarmed by media (including me).

Sandwiches, Dogs & a Union Cookout

2011-08-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

This summer has been a blur of sandwiches and dogs. Garrett & I have been holding sandwich-making competitions at our house on the weekends, so there has been some really fantastic eating going on around here. The first picture is just a taste. The second picture is from another Laborers Cook Out in Centennial Park. In the middle is Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. He is standing next to City Councilman Ronnie Steine. Both came to talk with workers about what they hope to accomplish if re-elected. Last I have more pictures of Otto, who I tried to dog-sit while his owner was on vacation. He looks sweet and harmless, doesn't he? Well, he ate four chickens during his stay in Whites Creek. Much as I love him, he had to go. Fern is still moping about her friend being gone.

Holga Art

2011-07-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

For the longest time I've wanted to play with a holga and just haven't done it. Finally I was inspired by a community art project I recently saw at the Frist. These photos were all made in the past month. Some are my family. Some are my friends. One is a montage of a walk in downtown Nashville. I wish I could find a better way to display these on my blog but please click on the pictures so you can view them a bit bigger.

Shadows

2011-07-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

This is outtake from a recent shoot I did with Buddy Baker who is running for city council again. I've photographed him before and I think he is just a great person. Here's a link to an old story about him.

Fern's New Friend

2011-07-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Sam & Chris

2011-06-18T16:21:00.001-07:00

About 15 years ago, I met Sam at summer camp in Cullowhee, NC. Last weekend I got to photograph her wedding! She and Chris’ exuberance made the whole event so beautiful and fun. Sam’s family is Sri Lankan so there were a number of traditions I had never seen before, such as the lighting of an oil lamp, and tying the couple’s little fingers together and sprinkling blessed water on them. The women wore fantastic sarees and I had some of the best food I have ever tasted. After the men donned their penguin suits, they ate oysters just before the ceremony. I thought that was awesome. Sam’s sister’s toast was especially memorable to me. She talked about how Chris doesn’t just get Sam, he delights in her. I just love that.

Touch

2011-05-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

Long Ago & Right Here

2011-05-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I photographed a tiny crumbling graveyard which is located near Goodlettsville, TN. The pictured woman standing in it is Deb Wilson who owns the land with her husband Ken. Apparently the land was once the site of a school and upscale resort but all that now remains is the tombstones of some of family members who once owned it.

Fried Chicken Fellowship

2011-05-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago I photographed some of the union workers at Vanderbilt having a get-together with divinity school students. There was a nice vibe with food and fellowship all around. It's always good to see those students interested in the lives of those workers. I think the event served as a morale booster for the workers who were going through a pretty grueling negotiation process at the time.

Lives Over Land

2011-05-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

Last week, I am proud to say I got an assignment from the fine folks at the New York Times! I spent three days tromping around the Missouri-Illinois border where the Mississippi River had swollen to historic levels in the past month. The Army Corps of Engineers was there fighting the flood with sandbags while monitoring the problem. If the waters continue to rise the Corps could blow a hole in the levee and flood neighboring farmlands. This would save the economically depressed town of Cairo, Illinois but it would destroy the livelihoods of many farmers. It’s an awful decision to have to make.

Cairo is already feeling the effects as the rising waters have put extreme amounts of pressure on the levee system, causing water to boil out of the ground from subterranean tributaries. This water undercut a major thoroughfare in poor little Cairo, creating a gaping sink-hole in the middle of the street. I couldn’t help but think: what if that hole had appeared under somebody’s house? Or while someone was driving down that road?

I split my time between the military, the people of Cairo and some evacuated farmers. Most of these photos are self-explanatory but I will mention that the African-American man standing on the levee is Cairo Mayor Judson Childs. He of course advocates for blowing up the levee. The woman in a hotel room is displaced farmer Ellenann Howton. Her house will be under many feet of water if the Corps uses the explosives. The pictured African-American man with long hair is Dorian Weems. He chose to remain in his Cairo home because he feared looters. He was fixing his lawn mower, hoping for the best while also preparing a boat in case he ended up needing to escape. The older man by the packed up car is Cairo resident 93-year-old Bob Simpson who decided to evacuate just in case. He had survived the comparable flood of 1937, during which he served as what we now call the Chief of Emergency Management Services. The next picture of the woman with pillows is Simpson's wife Anna, packing the car with the help of family friend Dolly Ruiz. The folks in the camper are the May family. They are displaced farmers, also waiting and watching.

The Endless Search

2011-04-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, The Nashville Scene had me photograph a felon-friendly job fair sponsored by a couple of local politicians and the NAACP. When I arrived, more than 1,500 people with high hopes stood in a line, which wrapped around the building and snaked through the parking lot outside. Inside there were tables where veterans could sign up for benefits, records could be expunged and people could get their voting rights back. There were three or four companies hiring. One boasted an electrical apprenticeship program, which guaranteed 5,000 jobs and at least four years of work. That sounded way too good to be true to me. The people who attended that fair are really stuck and employers such as Shur-Brite and Labor Ready can prey on that cheap workforce all they want. I think the creators of the event had the best of intentions and certainly did no harm, but the whole thing illuminated a huge problem. People should be able to turn their lives around after they've paid their debt to society, not just have to live and work in poverty forever.

The Intellectual in Twentieth-Century Southern Literature

2011-04-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

My sister Tara is coming out with a book in a few months! The title will be: The Intellectual in Twentieth-Century Southern Literature. We just spent the last few days kicking around ideas for potential cover art. I tried to make some images which which said: agrarian, feminine and academic, while keeping it simple and designable. Those were a lot of qualifiers but I think in the end I came up some real contenders. Here are a couple of my favorites.

Exalting my Yard

2011-04-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

This week I made some head-shots for my friend Christina, who is getting into theatrical work. Then I made a few portraits of Zoe Smith, the sweet little babe born to my friends Tom & Anne of Memphis, who I photographed back when Zoe was just a twinkle in her father's eye. After that, I toyed around with some ideas for the cover of my sister Tara's book. It resulted in some hilarious outtakes, such as this last one of my little goat baby, Wobbly. I didn't realize it at the time, but many of these are proof that I am totally in the throes of spring fever.

Memorial for Ned McWherter

2011-04-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

I know this is a strange set of outtakes but photographing a funeral for a person you never met is a pretty surreal experience, as is most velvet rope photography.

Community Garden Demolished

2011-04-08T14:49:00.001-07:00

In response to complaints from two nearby homeowners, the Tennessee Department of Transportation razed a 20-year-old community garden in Nashville today. I've never heard a garden called an eyesore before and I've never seen so many crying gardeners. I doubt the demolition will look much better than the greenhouse and compost heap did, so I don't think anyone will be happier as a result of today's bulldozing. Both photos show volunteers reacting to the razing. The latter shows EarthMatters TN ED Sizwe Herring comforting 94-year-old John Ewing who had volunteered at the garden for 18 years.

Powell Gals United

2011-04-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

The stars aligned recently to allow my sisters and I to all get together last weekend. This is sadly an increasingly rare occurrence! Here's a little collage I made from when we briefly convened in a Waffle House. Watch out for Ava. She will put things in your coffee.

New Darlings

2011-04-07T14:50:00.001-07:00

After a long winter of waiting my goat Wanda finally had her twin babies. They are beautiful and so much fun. They make it very difficult to concentrate on homework however!

Gulf Coast

2011-03-30T18:37:00.000-07:00

Father & Son

2011-03-17T18:32:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend I photographed my husband's co-worker's cute little baby Elijah with his dad, Maurice. Mom was a little camera shy, but they are really a beautiful family!

Leela Sophina~~Queen of the Air

2011-03-16T20:58:00.001-07:00

Chop From The Top!

2011-03-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of empathy. More than a thousand people from across the state rode buses to Tennessee's capital to oppose stripping teachers of their right to collective bargaining. Painters, custodians, electricians, steelworkers, teamsters and many other allies all came together to speak up for teachers. After an inspiring rally the group marched to the governor's office to make their demands. Chants of "This is our house!" and "Open that door! " filled the capital. A group of young people even went to jail in an act of solidarity with teachers. The last photo shows one arrested protester's mother speaking with journalists about the pride she feels for her daughter. The journalists' expressions seem in keeping with the feeling of the day, empathy.

Lives Well-Lived

2011-03-09T18:17:00.000-08:00

A few people from my mom's hometown died in the past year. Two of them were men I had photographed and interviewed years ago when I was delving into the town's history. I really really liked both of them. I feel the world has just a little less color without them.

The first portrait is of Louie Bounous, my granddad's cousin. He grew up in Valdese, speaking the patois of his parents. When we spoke, he recalled other kids throwing rocks at him and calling him a wop when he was a kid. He'd always been proud to be Waldensian though and holds the Waldensian emblem up in the portrait. He was also a WWII veteran. He survived being a prisoner of war. When I got to know him, he liked to make homemade wine, bake bread and make mountain instruments. He always reminded me of my own granddad.

The second photo is of Gus Tron. We're not blood-related but I did feel he was a kindred spirit. In his youth he had been part of a Waldensian anti-fascist underground guerrilla movement. He moved to the US from the Italian valleys in his 20's and designed beautiful furniture for a living. When I got to know him he made that part of our family's history come alive. He continued to speak all the old dialects and was generally just an awesome person.

Ava & Hazel

2011-03-07T18:05:00.001-08:00

Our Fair City

2011-03-03T19:33:00.001-08:00

The City Paper has kept me busy the last couple of days and it has been really fun! The first couple are from a piece about Nashville's affordable housing. The last couple are of a republican state rep from Franklin.

Chronicle of Higher Education

2011-03-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

Last month I got to photograph this little piece about how some colleges are controlling health care costs. As an example, Nashville's very own Lipscomb University not only offers wellness classes to students but employees can take a chunk off of their monthly premium by taking exercise classes. The first photo is a portrait I made of a wellness instructor. The second is an aerobics class for employees. The last photo I made during a wellness class exercise, which illustrated the importance of hand-washing to prevent the transfer of germs.

Lazy Sunday

2011-02-28T12:11:00.000-08:00

I was sad to see my mom drive away from Nashville yesterday! She had been in town to help with Laura's new baby. Then she spent a day with me helping with various homesteading projects. After she left, Garrett and I relaxed on the front porch with friends. It was warm enough to bust out a Chrismas present from my sister Tara: a remote control cooler. We named it the BeerBot. Fern started to sniff it out till Garrett made it move, at which point she freaked out and jumped onto my lap in terror, thus resulting in the second picture, which I find hilarious.

Newness

2011-02-21T12:13:00.001-08:00

Burlesque

2011-02-17T12:09:00.001-08:00

Last weekend I photographed a well-renowned Nashville burlesque troop, one member of which is a trapeze artist as well as a dear friend of mine. I present to you~ Diletta Delight, Miss Lolly Pop & Leela Sophina, Queen of the Air.

Hazel Jean's Second Day

2011-02-17T06:21:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the world, Hazel Jean.

2011-02-15T17:15:00.000-08:00

Today I was present when my sister Laura had her 2nd little baby. She has a highly coveted name amongst us sisters, after both her great-grandmothers. I was surprised at how weak I felt when go-time came. I could barely bring my camera to my eye. Anyhow, she is so beautiful and I'm so glad to share these pictures.

La

2011-02-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

My sister Laura is due very soon!

Jude

2011-01-31T15:25:00.000-08:00

Today I created a few headshots for a photographer friend of mine, Jude Ferrara: a beautiful person who has helped me in more ways than one in the past year! These are my picks.

Snow Goat

2011-01-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

This photo shows my little goat Mow exploring the snowy hill behind our house. She's got a great little disposition. We're hoping she'll breed with our friend's billy and then we'll have kids we can sell to the Nashville zoo as well as a season's worth of delicious goat milk/cheese/soap.

Starting the Year Off Right

2011-01-09T12:47:00.001-08:00

A Revolution of Snow

2010-12-26T15:37:00.001-08:00

Dahoo Doorays!

2010-12-26T15:30:00.001-08:00

Something to Love

2010-12-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got to make photographs of my friends Tom & Anne Smith. They are going to have a baby any day now!

According to the Needs of our Bodies

2010-11-30T11:17:00.000-08:00

I hate that I have neglected my blog the past month but I have had a lot of distractions to be sure. I’ll try and keep this blog updated better in the future as I think it’s a good exercise for me.

Here is a small selection of photos I made around Thanksgiving time. Looking over these shots, I’m reminded I’ve really got a great bunch of folks in my life! To explain the woman in mid-air, the town where I spent the holiday boasts a giant wind tunnel where people can pay to practice skydiving! Some of my family did it on a lark and I got to make this strange but pretty picture of my sister Amy flying.

Critters

2010-10-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

The past year I have fallen in love with animals. Before now, I've always been so allergic to everything, I never really observed nature anymore than anti-histamines would allow. Now chickens, goats, dogs, et al. make up a huge part of my world and makes it seem so much more colorful than before. The adorable little frog that likes to sit on my hose spigot makes my heart skip a beat just as my goats crowded into the trunk of my car makes me laugh at the very thought.

Mallory Moo

2010-10-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to be one of those photographers who families go back to year after year and I think I might actually get to achieve that with the Lykes. I had a wonderful time photographing their wedding last year and yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing their new little girl. It was so fun every time we got her to smile.

How do you measure a year?

2010-10-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

One year ago, Garrett & I got hitched! It's a little crazy to think back on everything that's happened in the past year (moving, changing jobs, starting school again, getting goats. So much!) On the precise date of our anniversary Garrett and I babysat for my two-year-old niece Ava. She's a great kid at a truly magical age~totally entertained pushing pine needles down the slide one at a time or demanding avocado-not guacamole- and yes, she can say both those words. Later on, Garrett and I celebrated by spending a weekend at Marty's Ridge, the campground where we got married last year. Garrett actually took this beautiful surreal picture of our dog Fern with sun flare but I'll take the credit for toning it.

Progressives in Tennessee

2010-09-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

I was recently commissioned to make promotional photographs for democratic state representative candidates Jeff Yarbro, James Hale and David LaRoche. I found them all extremely likable wish them much success! While it's unfortunate for the district that Yarbro lost the primary to a old-school dem who opposes health care reform, I was glad to learn that Hale won his primary. It is impressive that Hale cut his teeth politically unionizing workers at Vanderbilt in the 70's and I enjoyed seeing many friends of labor at his fund raising event in Carthage. Though I am just getting to know LaRoche, he seems like a very genuine person and perhaps a very real contender to his opponent.

Shayna & Megan

2010-09-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't wait.

2010-09-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got to photograph Shayna & Megan's wedding! I felt weirdly cosmically connected to them as their wedding held some very similar themes to mine. Needless to say I am really enjoying working on these photos.

These two women and their families and friends put together a truly inspiring event. Throughout the day I kept hearing people comment in one way or another about how these two always allow others the space to be themselves. I can't think of a more desirable trait to seek in a partner.

Some of this edit is from the Friday night Lady Gaga themed pre-party. I think the feel of these photos is so drastically different from the rest that they call for their own post. More to come as I wade through all the files.

Fall Dreams

2010-09-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

Derrick Couture

2010-08-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

Last night I was hanging out on my front porch with friends and made these pictures of my friend Derrick in his many moods. I wasn't really thinking about it or trying but I think I just took some very fashiony pictures. Anthropologie should pay me jillions of dollars to sell white v-necks! Ha! But seriously ladies, he is single and quite awesome.

Giant Raft!

2010-08-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, our friend Derrick took Garrett, me and a group of traveling friends on an adventure. He found a craigslist ad for the most enormous raft ever known to mankind, which we picked up, blew up with an air mattress inflater and then transported to Old Hickory Lake (no trespassing this time). It has five seats and a giant reclining area and a built-in cooler! Afterward, we rode back home and had beers with tomatoes, goat cheese and basil. Great times had by all!

Hilario & the Buzzard

2010-08-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Hilario tried to return to the labor camp to retrieve his things. He did not feel safe facing the armed boss alone, so he was joined by representatives from the Central Labor Council, Guestworkers with Dignity, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Hobson United Methodist Church and others. He also wanted to show the world the conditions in which the H2B guestworkers live. He said the housing is full of mold and there are holes in the ceiling. There is one bathroom for 13 workers.

We were kicked off by the owners before getting even halfway down the driveway. This picture shows Hilario standing off to the side while the everyone else spoke to the owners. He will not even stand near Jeffrey Vanderbilt. In a recent newspaper article, the company denied the abuses and welcomed investigation. Hilario said getting kicked out made him angry because if Vanderbilt Landscaping didn't have anything to hide, he surely would have told us to go ahead and let him pack his clothes.

As we dragged ourselves back to our cars through the heat, we came upon an injured buzzard. Hilario tried to corral it out of harm's way. Our friend Megan asked him, "Tienes un corozon por el pobrecito?" He said yes. I started to think about how many living things are born into a life where they have to do strange things just to survive~like eat roadkill~or leave your family for a job in another country.

Human Trafficking in Tennessee

2010-08-13T17:29:00.001-07:00

When Hilario Jimenez was recruited in Mexico to work for Vanderbilt Landscaping in Smyrna, Tennessee, he did not know what he was in for. While his previous experience with the H2B program prepared him for grueling work with low wages, he did not expect to have his passport confiscated by his employer. He did not expect armed guards to patrol his work place, loading and cocking their guns to intimidate him and other guest workers.

Late Wednesday night, an organizer with the Alliance for Guestworkers with Dignity helped Jimenez break out of the workers' sleeping quarters. The following day, the 35-year-old laborer shared his experience at a press conference, backed by local labor, faith and community leaders. Hilario and his supporters then marched to his employer's office and demanded his passport and his last paycheck, both of which he received, though some hours were missing from the paycheck.

Police were called to the scene, not because of the demonstrators, but by the demonstrators as an employer cannot legally hold employees' passports. Complaints were filed with the National Labor Relations Board. Labor camps are being investigated. It was a small victory for Hilario and Middle Tennessee Jobs With Justice, but a heartening one at the same time.

The Glorious Lamp of Heaven

2010-08-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

It seems all my favorite Tennessee swimming holes require trespassing. Today Laura, Ava, Garrett & I visited a longtime favorite and my little niece enjoyed her first taste of illicit fun. We ventured out to a limestone quarry where the machines hit a spring years ago and ever since the giant cavern has been filling with pristine water. Recent floods brought a little life to the place, so this time we actually saw a few fish darting around. It feels like summer is quickly disappearing, so we hurried to gather our rosebuds.

Bounous Diaspora

2010-08-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Like I said, I've been driving all around North Carolina visiting various family members before school sets in and life changes completely. During my ramblings, I was able to spend one evening with my great aunts who were having a little get-together in Blowing Rock last weekend. I made a quick photo of these two women who are my granddad's only surviving siblings. At left is my great aunt Naomi. At her side is my great aunt Barbara. Barbara's biological father was murdered when she was just a kid, so my great-grandparents raised her just like she was their own, although she's technically a cousin of some sort. I enjoyed getting to listen to these two talk a bit about their mother (my great-grandmother) who emigrated from Italy when she was 11 years old and died before I was born. My mom always called her Nona (Italian for grandmother). Apparently she made her own cheese and raised goats and chickens (just like me!)

Dad's Birds

2010-08-02T07:27:00.001-07:00

Whilst visiting my hometown on a recent North Carolina wandering, I got to see one of my dad's recent projects. As a quail hunter, you wouldn't think he would be preserving these birds, but hunters actually are doing more to maintain these little critters' habitat than anyone else in northeastern North Carolina. These photos show our little visitation to where he is raising 200+ quail. Soon they will be released into the wild to grow larger and wilder, until Thanksgiving when hunting season commences. Only a small fraction of these birds will be shot and made into a delicious stew. As an ex-vegetarian, I feel I have a special appreciation for this free-range, organic, locally-raised meat. I think these birds enjoy wonderful lives before they are eaten. I know it sounds strange, but I like to think about some of my energy coming from these beautiful creatures.

My Favorite Thing in Elizabeth City

2010-07-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

is this old wallpaper mural in the Board of Elections, which I'm sure looks like our waterfront a hundred years ago.

The Rockets Red Glare & Baby Blue Birds

2010-07-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

Holga

2010-07-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

Jamie & Chad

2010-06-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

Two of my best friends married each other last weekend! As a bridesmaid, I couldn't get all the photos I wanted to, but here are a few from the rehearsal, getting ready and some other shenanigans. What a wonderful wedding!

Alive Alive-O!

2010-06-17T10:36:00.001-07:00

Recently my husband & I went on a belated honeymoon to Ireland. We had all sorts of adventures! We toured Kilmainham Jail in Dublin, drove across the country (on the left!), explored beaches, a fjord, many pubs & of course a dairy goat farm. more to come when I get film developed!

My Sister the Poet

2010-06-14T10:55:00.001-07:00

This blog entry is to announce that my sister's poetry chapbook from Finishing Line Press, Physical Science, is coming out this fall, complete with a cover photo by me!

A few words about Dr. Tara Frances Powell:

“We require a nervy, skillful poet to make this kind of music—and now we have found one.” ---Fred Chappell

“In the midst of the physical world’s glories, this poet knows that the dark matter of the universe threatens the embrace of lover and all living things. Yet she searches the sky for stars, for the light of language that gives life to her imagination. And, again and again, she finds it!” ---Kathryn Stripling Byer

“This thoughtful, intelligent, and often humorous first collection of poems takes it all on. In a new mode for a new century, Powell explores the ‘dark energy’ of women’s erotic desire for men that threatens, in its old forms, their contemporary commitment to be the author of their own narratives, and celebrates hard-earned, post-feminist new forms of women and men loving each other.” ---Kate Daniels

Order your own copy of Physical Science online at www.finishinglinepress.com

Click “New Releases” & scroll down to find the title. Copies are $14.00 each.

Here is one poem from this lovely book:

Hydrophobia

“He can keep the whitewater,” I joked,

but the old fear shimmered in my body

like sun spangling the whitegold river

my pregnant mother saw looking up, pinned

against the dark rock with the world

rushing over as she teethed the cold current

and remembered snowfall, each crystal

a softening lens, like rainbow fading

to its ends, poised just past struggle

in the hug of rock and water—

closing her eyes, she wondered herself

to daylight, just as I would do a few weeks

later, and each morning thereafter,

as sunlight outlined the world in shapes

through her eyelids, imagining surface.

Ash-Lee & Jared

2010-06-09T19:15:00.001-07:00

Ash-Lee & Jared got married at the Highlander Center in beautiful eastern Tennessee. Not only did they make a commitment to each other on the day they jumped the broom, they made a commitment to social justice. I thought the mosaic of families present and the thoughtfully written ceremony were lovely. These two are truly in love and plan to make a better world through their work & partnership. Congratulations!

A 2-Year-Old's Kingdom

2010-05-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

Lately

2010-04-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

Liz & Ryan

2010-02-25T18:57:00.000-08:00

My Life of Late

2010-01-27T09:27:00.001-08:00

Introducing Fern

2010-01-13T07:51:00.001-08:00

The Atnip Family at Ellington Ag Center

2009-11-21T20:27:00.001-08:00

Vanderbilt Works Because Workers Do!

2009-11-16T21:44:00.000-08:00

Jessica & Jason

2009-10-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

These two had a really sweet country wedding in Adams, TN. These are just a few of my favorite shots.

Reece & Anice

2009-10-19T06:19:00.001-07:00

Wedding Week

2009-09-23T08:05:00.001-07:00

Ava goes on down front.

2009-09-23T07:56:00.001-07:00

proud godparents to be.

Quiet at Home

2009-08-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

Rally for Our Lives

2009-08-14T10:41:00.001-07:00

Ain't no party like the healthcare party, cause the healthcare party don't stop!

Found

2009-08-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

We found the most unbearably adorable baby bunny rabbit in our driveway last night. He found his way back to his mama, but not before we named him Levon and took his picture.

Wrightsville

2009-07-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

Working Uninsured

2009-07-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Knoxville-based freelance journalist Carole Borges has health insurance for the first time in her life. No, her employer does not offer her a policy. No, she could not afford to purchase an individual plan from a private health insurance company. Neither did she qualify for Medicaid. Carole Borges simply lived long enough to become eligible for Medicare.

Although Carole worked her entire adult life and continues to do so, her various employers never offered her health insurance. As a part-time English professor at several universities and a continuing education teacher for adults at a non-profit organization as well as many years as a waitress, Carole has never been able to afford a private health insurance policy.

When she suffered a prolapsed uterus and bladder at the age of 60, Carole was uninsured and could not afford to see a doctor. She feared accruing a medical bill she could never pay. Carole Borges lived with this condition for a very uncomfortable five years until she finally qualified for Medicare and was able to get the surgery she needed.

Carole Borges’ story is not an isolated incident. There are many Americans who are working and yet cannot afford to receive needed medical care. With health care costs rising by 10% each year and wages going up less than 3% every year, more and more of us are becoming uninsured, making the Carole Borges of America a common reality.

Auger

2009-07-09T15:43:00.001-07:00

G & I had some musical visitors recently and I thought it would be a great opportunity to get MORE chicken photos.

bok bok bok.

2009-06-24T08:16:00.000-07:00

DC Pilgrimage

2009-06-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

2009-06-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Life's been wild and unphotographable of late, but here's a cell phone picture I like which I made of 2 friends on our hammock.

My Big Backyard

2009-05-22T13:44:00.001-07:00

complete with aquaponic farm, movie theatre and installation art space.

Cell Phone Voyeurism

2009-05-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

Being cameraless is difficult for me. I did manage to chronicle my adventures with my cellphone though. I'm noticing just how hard it is to enjoy stuff without a camera in-hand!

Merrily Merrily Merrily

2009-04-27T13:18:00.001-07:00

Woke up to beautiful light on the wall.

G tried to get in my picture.

Preparing for a canoe trip.

The things you see when you get lost.

Good and lost.

Tadger Tales lost.

Moments before my camera was plunged into the abyss.

The Beautiful People

2009-04-22T12:14:00.001-07:00