A Captured Wartime Moment

In 1970, James Speed Hensinger was a 22 year old paratrooper serving in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Phu Tai, Vietnam. It was two years after the infamous Tet Offensive and near the end of U.S. involvement in the war. In the hills near the army camp a Viet Cong sniper was firing down nightly. According to Hensinger the rifleman would unload a magazine from his AK-47 rifle. Finding one man in wooded hills in the Vietnamese country side would've been a virtually impossible task. So they planned a blazing response for the next time the VC sniper attacked. In preparation Hensinger set up a Nikon FTN on a long exposure to capture the return fire. These amazing photographs capture a wartime moment. What you are seeing are thousands of rounds of M-60 and 50 caliber machine gun fire and 40mm explosive rounds being launched into the hillside. Keep in mind they don't know where in the hillside the sniper is hiding. The plan was to decimate the hillside in hopes of killing the sniper. Like burning down a house to kill a rat.










































The next morning a patrol was sent out. A blood trail was found but no bodies like this scene in Predator.

Hensinger also released some wonderful photographs of the beautiful Vietnamese country side.













Meet the photographer now living in Colorado. I salute James Hensinger for sharing these wonderful photographs with us.

Abandoned Homes With Beds Made

Photographer Niki Feijen is an explorer with a camera. Like most people he wonders what's behind that "do not enter" sign. However unlike most others who view this as a trespass warning he views it as a location for which time stopped. In his series Disciples of Decay he explores long abandoned homes complete with furnishings and made beds. Let Niki take you past that "do not enter" sign and explore homes where time stopped after families left.

The Apartment Time Forgot

For 70 years this apartment sat empty, abandoned by a woman before World War II.

When she died at 91 years old her apartment was opened for the first time in 70 years. Much like Howard Carter opening King Tut's tomb it truly was stepping back into the 1930s/1940s complete with dust, cobwebs, a million dollar painting, and other treasures. Neither words nor photographs can describe this feeling.

Romae Natalis Beati

Happy 2,776th birthday to the Eternal City of Rome. Rome was founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus who were conceived by the pagan god Mars who snuck into a virgin's temple both literally and figuratively. The twins were thrown into the Tiber River where they were found and raised by a wolf. There is no way I can compress millennia of Roman history in a single post so enjoy the pictures. Go here for the Daily Mail article for these and more pictures.

Gilmore's Florist & Gifts

Since 1937, Gilmore's Florist & Gifts has provided awesome floral arrangements for any occasion based out of Conroe, Texas. I remember as a kid going up there to visit my aunt and cousins who showed us the nursery nestled in the woods on the property behind the store. Sadly I only remember bits and pieces of exploring the forest, walking through the nursery, and family get togethers. Over time my only encounter with the store was in passing while driving to and from college. It wasn't until this year that stepped foot in the store in many years while planning my wedding. There was never any doubt to use my family's business (who did an outstanding job by the way). I tried to bring up memories upon seeing the store for the first time in years but alas I couldn't. Instead I took some pictures to share.




Since 1937









Now I don't know if this register was actually used here or a prop.











For anyone in the Conroe area who needs a floral arrangements allow me to plug Gilmore's Florist!

The Crowds of Costco

My fiancé had a good idea when she suggested we buy a Costco membership. I'm impressed with the bargains we find. Typically we go during the week however one Sunday afternoon we felt the urge to stop in for some groceries. I was rather surprised by crowd.












We love the samples! They make great snacks to hold one over.






This sample was very yummy. Sadly I couldn't taste any alcohol.











This is the checkout.











Did you know they haven't changed the price of their hot dogs in over 20 years? I think we shall stick to weekday shopping at Costco!