Saint America

from a distance
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

When the ship passed close by
I saw that she was a woman.
Below her there were so many boats
that I thought it was
the Madonna of Porto Salvo.
She was dressed like the statue
of my mother church;
at least it seemed to me.
It didn’t matter that she had
a stern face and a strange crown
on her head with threatening spikes.
I knelt down and started to pray.

A barber from Palermo who arrived
in America for the second time told me:
“Get up stupid. It is not a Saint.
It is Liberty.”
But I was unable to understand.

I cried like a baby at the thought that
soon I would be reunited
with my husband and children.

By now Sicily was faraway
and also her Saints.
I decided that she was my new Saint.
It was America. Saint America!

I remained on my knees
and continued to pray.”

(From the diary of an immigrant woman, 1907)

New York State of Mind

Lady Liberty stencil
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

One week ago, I was awaiting my first trip to New York City. And today I'm back and reflecting on my whirlwind tour of a city that moves at breakneck speed. I have much to share, but that will have to come in bits and pieces.

In the meantime, here's a stencil of Lady Liberty from one of the walls at the Ellis Island Musem.

In a Blur

train
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.

What happened to November? I hardly remember, the days slipped past so quickly. Work had me on the road 15 of the first 20 days of the month.

I started out in Klamath Falls, where I snapped this very apropos shot of a train along the banks of the Upper Klamath Lake as the sun was beginning its rapid slide into the horizon.

From there, I journeyed to Portland, Eugene, Medford, Woodburn, Forest Grove, and Canby. For those of you checking your odometers, that was a little over 1,501 miles behind the wheel.

Travel for work in on the decline for December, but picking up on the personal side with my first trip to NYC and a holiday in southern California with family. I'll be back with pics and hopefully some stories!