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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:15 pm: | 
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the exposure is off a couple of stops, and the auto-focus missed its mark, but i like this pic nonetheless.
i asked her parents for permission first, then got only one shot before the little girl scampered off with a giggle.
my life is richer for gifts like this.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 18, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:16 pm: |
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a view of old Galena from the Ulysses S. Grant home.
lovely, isn't it?
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 18, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:17 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:18 pm: |
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"My fellow Hooligans!"
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 18, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:19 pm: |
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the view from Alex Prior's place in East Dubuque, Illinois.
the water floating the boat would be the Mighty Mississippi.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 18, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:19 pm: |
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this panorama, from one's backyard, does not suck.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 18, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:20 pm: |
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the view INSIDE Alex's place. 
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 18, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:22 pm: |
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on July 1st of this year, Alex Prior posted several pix in his "WI,IL,IA Tri-state area" thread in the "Home Town" pages of the Tale Section here on BADWEB.
his photos, basically of a glorified cornfield in the middle of Nowhere, Iowa, were preceded by the following words:
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again. Oh, people will come. People will most definitely come."
In 1989, the Lansing farm, in Dyersville, was where Field of Dreams was filmed. The farm is still there, along with the field.
the images that Alex presented that day were from THE Field of Dreams, and i was literally knocked to my knees.
i had no idea the field really existed, and was incredulous to learn from Alex that not only can you go see it, you can play ball on it!
i can't rightly explain why i was so astounded by this news, but i suspect if you've seen the movie, and if it tugged at your heart and soul, and if at the end it made you cry, well, i bet you have a little notion of where my words are coming from.
i called Alex and told him, with all the conviction at my command, that some day, some how, we would ride to the Field of Dreams together and play catch.
little did either of us know at the time how soon that day would come.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:23 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:25 pm: |
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a four-shot series of the Field of Dreams, looking from home plate out to right field, taken standing upon the small wooden bleachers along the first base line.
#1
(Message edited by Jerry_haughton on January 10, 2008) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:26 pm: |
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#2
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:26 pm: |
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#3
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:27 pm: |
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#4
note in the four photographs all the people playing on the field, dads and sons, moms and daughters, young and old and in-between.
lined up next to the backstop was a steady stream of batters, waiting patiently for a chance to hit some.
the pitcher, father of one of the kids i assume, threw ball after ball for an endless string of future Hall of Famers, with every position in the infield and shallow outfield anchored by someone with a glove in one hand and a youthful exuberance in the other.
in the deeper outfield are MORE folks, simply playing catch, enjoying a peaceful late summer afternoon in Dyersville, Iowa, perhaps remembering their youth, perhaps helping their children forge unforgettable memories of THEIR youth.
there was a gentle, quiet hum about the place, with cries of laughter and the occasional "CRACK!" as someone at home plate would really connect with one.
there was no anxiety, no strife, no competition, no harsh words, no stress.
the place was calm, serene and tantalizingly peaceful.
corny? yes.
but absolutely true.
everyone there that afternoon was innocent, and young, and free.
such is the power of the Field of Dreams.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:28 pm: |
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Alex! WE'RE HERE!!!!!!!
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:32 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:33 pm: |
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Alex Prior and i visit with Don Lansing, owner of the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa.
Erik, this is the gentleman you autographed the Buell brochure for in East Troy on Friday.
and yes, it is now in his possession.
Alex had visited with Mr. Lansing prior to FBRAT and secured permission for two very unique photo opportunities for us.
while we were all playing catch down below, Alex happened to look up under the trees by right field and saw Mr. Lansing sitting there quietly in the shade, enjoying the view down to his field, certainly enjoying the many people who were visiting this holiday weekend.
we hustled up there so Alex could introduce me, and i thanked Mr. Lansing profusely for his hospitality and support of FBRAT.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:50 pm: |
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on the left is the Buell brochure that Erik autographed for Don Lansing. no, not THE brochure, as that one is now in Mr. Lansing's personal collection. the brochure pictured above is one that is now in MY personal collection.
in the inside front cover of Mr. Lansing's brochure Erik wrote:
To Don Lansing
Thank you for the dreams.
Erik Buell
when i presented it to Mr. Lansing i explained briefly that the brochure i was presenting him had been signed just two days earlier by Mr. Buell himself, and the importance and significance of the new Ulysses XB12X.
Mr. Lansing was attentive and interested, and i was pleased and grateful for several moments of his time.
he admired the brochure and the message from Erik.
"I hope this finds an honored place in your home," i said to Don, thrilled to be making this presentation on behalf of Erik.
"It will," he said. "I'm going to place it right next to my autographed photo of Hank Aaron," Mr. Lansing said with a smile.
so Erik, how cool is THAT?!?!?!?!?
on the right in the photo above is MY memento from the visit, a baseball autographed by Don Lansing, in a protective display, which is sitting here on my desk as i type these words.
people, does it get any better?
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:53 pm: |
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with Mr. Lansing's express permission, for the first time in the history of the Field of Dreams, a motorcycle is ridden out onto the field.
but not just ANY motorcycle.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:54 pm: |
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WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:55 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:55 pm: |
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"Hey mister, what kind of motorcycle is THAT???"
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:56 pm: |
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searching for just the right spot.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:56 pm: |
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here it is.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:57 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:59 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 04:31 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 04:32 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 04:33 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 04:34 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 04:35 pm: |
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props to EBear for this photo series suggestion, and to Alex for convincing Mr. Lansing to let us do it.
these photos weren't easy - Alex and i were both dripping serious sweat when it was all said and done - but we didn't damage a single ear of corn in the process.
(Message edited by jerry_haughton on September 19, 2005) |
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