Pat Williams on President Obama

Here is an article about President Obama by nine-time Montana congressman Pat Williams, who nominated me to West Point in 1987: http://www.headwatersnews.org/pat.obama012109.html

Inauguration Day

A concerned Barack H. Obama makes his way toward his first day as president, emerging from his predecessor, George W. Bush. Photo by Lyle Ford from NBC News broadcast.

Mirage Literary and Arts Magazine Seeking Submissions

Cochise College's literary and arts magazine, Mirage, is seeking submissions for its 2009 issue.

Extended Deadline: January 5, 2009.

Click here for details.

The Mirage Literary and Arts Magazine is produced by Cochise College students each academic year. Hard copies of the Mirage can be obtained at both the Douglas and Sierra Vista campus libraries.

Residents of both Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties, and students of Cochise College are welcome and encouraged to submit their poetry, prose, artwork, and photography for consideration of publication

Three of my photographs were published in a previous issue of Mirage.

1968 vs. 2008

I was born in 1968, perhaps the most tumultuous year in the recent USA history: war in Vietnam including the My Lai massacre, assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., election of Richard Nixon as president (and the concert return of Elvis the day I was born). It seemed to me that I was born then, in part, to help heal this world. I am encouraged that the US voters chose to elect a person as president who seems intent on healing rather than harming. Having served twice in my life as president of an organization, I know that the hardest part is fulfilling the vision of the people you serve. The challenge now is for national leaders to lead by example and put our money where our mouths are and have been for a long time. Yes, John McCain was humble in defeat, yes Chicagoans turned out en masse, yes Oprah Winfrey and Jesse Jackson cried tears of joy, yes the USA took a step forward...and now the real work begins. I will turn 40 at the end of an era and the dawning of a new time. I am energized and hopeful.

Gas Price Temperature Map

Here is a great gas price temperature map showing current average gas prices in all the counties in the USA. Click on the map for an interactive look at fuel prices in your area.

2008 Festival of Color Balloon Glow

ReMax and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives hot air balloons at the 2008 Festival of Color hot air balloon glow in Sierra Vista on November 1, 2008. To the left of the ReMax balloon is the crescent moon. Photo by Lyle Ford.

Prickly Pear Cafe

A paper wasp joins several bees at the local Prickly Pear Fruit Cafe. The wasp would actually go inside the fruit with the bees and they all got along just fine. The cactus and insects were found at the University of Arizona South campus during the 2008 High Desert Garden Fair in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Photo by Lyle Ford.

B Troop Cavalry from Fort Huachuca put on a display of riding formations and mounted saber combat during the Brown Canyon Ranch Open House on October 25, 2008 near Sierra Vista, Arizona. Photos by Lyle Ford.

Tombstone Rainbow Cloud

Rainbow in an isolated rain shower over Tombstone, Arizona.

Barrel Cactus Buds

Barrel cactus in my back yard set against a backdrop of monsoon sunset clouds.