Comments on: Bridging a life

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:42:21 +0000

Every time I paddled my kayak beneath the bridge I looked up into its spiderweb of steel. Every time I pedaled my bike across the bridge I stopped to lean against the railing and stare down into the tea-dark water. There was always something that made me pause. A picture, not of the bridge but from the bridge, hangs on my wall. Maybe that’s what’s important, not the bridge itself, but what you can see from there. I think about the parts of your bridge story that are missing fom the essay. There was that small eternity of sitting atop the iron superstructure while the bear napped on the pavement below. And the snowy owl, don’t forget the snowy owl. It really did knock your hat right off your head. But then, it too was gone.

Thanks.

By: Adam Bednar

Adam Bednar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:37:52 +0000

I was looking to clear my head before writing a story. I read this and I’m still thinking. Not writing. Good piece Dr. D, However, My copy editor is not as impressed. But he’s waiting for copy.

By: Stephon Johnson

Stephon Johnson — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:44:57 +0000

A fantastic piece of work Denny. Dawn’s comment about the bridge being your life’s anchor is right on point. My anchor’s been through listening, discussing and writing about popular music. Sometimes just reading an artist and a song title can send me back to great places.

I’m also interested in that novel of yours.

By: Shane L.

Shane L. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:51:01 +0000

so vivid and honest, i feel like i’ve been to this bridge. i’m combing my annals for ‘my bridge’ now, which is a great thing. i definitely need to revisit this to soak it in. thanks for posting!

By: Dr. Denny

Dr. Denny — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:20:44 +0000

Thank you all for your kind words.

By: Franklin County

Franklin County — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:59:21 +0000

Thanks for touching my day. I lived right around there for a long time. Amazing area and it’s still inside of me, too. It’s a comfort. That one photo could be a life’s work. Seems worth it.

By: JS OBrien

JS OBrien — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:32:32 +0000

I wonder if we don’t all have a Carrie somewhere.

Beautiful, Denny. But, you know, you’ll never get that photograph. The closest you could get, perhaps, would be of a solitary figure on that bridge, but it still wouldn’t be enough. Sometimes, a few hundred words tell much more than any picture ever can.

By: jeff watson

jeff watson — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:00:28 +0000

Magnificent piece……absolutely magnificent.

Jeff

By: Mike Sheehan

Mike Sheehan — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:12:40 +0000

Thanks for sharing that, Denny.

By: Heather A.

Heather A. — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:05:17 +0000

Wait. You can write? I mean, well? Crazy.

By: CWMackowski

CWMackowski — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:54:07 +0000

Nice piece, D.

By: Lex

Lex — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:49:22 +0000

I though it was a fine picture at first look; the linear perspective leading to the far left vanishing point crowded by the tree drew my eye.

Then i went back and looked at the picture after reading the essay. Infused with words, the photo transcends the film…now it holds traces of the life that transpired there. I can see boys diving, puppy love, heartbreak, loss and forgiveness. For all that the bridge gave you, you returned the favor by giving it Life.

Yes, brilliant, lovely and touching.

By: Russ Wellen

Russ Wellen — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:30:56 +0000

Dr. D., you’re fortunate to have found a base or touchstone or whatever one wants to call it. Most go through our lives without it.

By: Dr. Slammy

Dr. Slammy — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:08:30 +0000

I don’t know about your photography. But you’ve finally captured the bridge.

I always wished I could paint or draw, but I’m helpless. I’ve finally accepted that words are all I have.

Brilliant essay. Just brilliant.

By: Maureen Ogle

Maureen Ogle — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:14:15 +0000

Oh. Lovely essay. Thanks. Just — thanks.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:10:40 +0000

Your bridge, it’s a life anchor. Thank you for sharing it’s many chapters.

I’m intrigued by your comments on photographing the West. Like you I have lived my life on both coasts. Fifteen years on the Puget Sound and still gobsmacked by it daily. I doubt the soul of the West is meant to be captured in a single moment – but it’s fun to keep trying.

Please tell me the title of your book.