Closed

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Mike

Once a thriving silo where good men were employed. Men without work are partially broken and lost. Take away a paycheck and the spirit is in trouble. Take away a man’s dignity and he questions his purpose. Foreclosures, despair, divorce.

36 thoughts on “Closed”

avian101 on September 23, 2012 at 9:19 am said:

I hear you Mike! We need a leader badly! Somebody that will bring America to her glory and respect again! Forgive me about this venting but your words provoked that from me. I fear for my grandkids future if it continues this decline.

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 9:21 am said:
  
  We have a leader. What we need is a congress to support him. I did not want to generate debate here, and will not make this political. But what you said needed a response.
  
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John on September 23, 2012 at 11:48 am said:

Such are the things loved and fostered by the current administration in Washington. I can see tumbleweeds blowing by the silo…

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 11:49 am said:
  
  Thank you very little for giving me political bullshit when I said on my last comment I did not want any. Hey John, stay the fuck away from my blog.
  
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  - John on September 23, 2012 at 12:22 pm said:
    
    will do, bub. 😉
    
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Mona on September 23, 2012 at 12:20 pm said:

Your image tells a sad story, which is expanded by your brief poetic narrative. Both well done.

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 12:28 pm said:
  
  Thank you Mona.
  
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Paul on September 23, 2012 at 1:20 pm said:

Mike, don’t you love when everyone feels they have to turn everything into a discussion of politics or religion? Even photography? I do not see anything political in this shot. What I do see is a true artist. I always love your work, I’m always inspired by every new post, no matter your politics. Or religion. I will be posting a shot on Wednesday that I’m sure people will read my political leanings into.It is something I saw that just made me laugh. It is not political- in my mind- at all. But hopefully you’ll take a look then and let me know your thoughts! Hang in there.

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 1:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks for this Paul. If I wanted to get political and join the insane parade of polarization I would create a blog to attract lunatics. Some lunatics can’t help themselves, and decide to assert their inane nonsense anyhow. Thoughtful and intelligent commentary is always welcomed. You are that, with a fine dash of hilarity and irony to boot.
  
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  - Carissa on September 24, 2012 at 2:13 pm said:
    
    I have two blogs. One for my photography, and one for my writing. The writing blog (open since 2005) has suffered greatly with my new addiction. I still post over at the other place, but no longer on a daily basis.
    
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  - Mike on September 24, 2012 at 2:20 pm said:
    
    I would like to write more but I fear I am too lazy, whereas taking a picture and adding a few words is very easy, but less fulfilling.
    
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  - Carissa on September 24, 2012 at 2:22 pm said:
    
    I’m kind of burned out on writing. It often feels like I’m spitting into the wind. Maybe I’ll get my mojo back one of these days. I think I just need to shift my focus.
    
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  - Mike on September 24, 2012 at 2:24 pm said:
    
    For me it’s about mojo too. And having something to say while being interesting is no easy thing.
    
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Gunta on September 23, 2012 at 1:50 pm said:

teehee… no blue skies here 😉
(so sorry, this post plus comments struck me as silly)

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 1:56 pm said:
  
  ‘ello Gunta.
  
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  - Gunta on September 23, 2012 at 2:00 pm said:
    
    hola Mike… and (in case you hadn’t noticed) quite often I’m plumb silly, too
    
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  - Mike on September 23, 2012 at 2:40 pm said:
    
    Gunta, my post was not intended to be silly. Some of the comments could be called silly, but taking the bait I will ask……what was silly about this post?
    
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Gunta on September 23, 2012 at 3:23 pm said:

Oh dear…. this is hard to explain because my mind tends to be a bit perverted at times, but I’ll give it a shot: I didn’t think the subject matter of the post itself was at all silly (even though I can see how my remark may have been interpreted to saying just that). Industries and jobs shutting down isn’t silly in the slightest. It’s tragic, really.

What I do find silly is how folks (on both sides) get so prickly at ‘politics’ these days. Once upon a time we could talk rationally about stuff having to do with how this country was governed…. these days, I just feel like you have a choice of either laughing or crying at where we’re headed. It’s sad and silly at the same time how we seem to have drawn a line and can’t discuss ‘politics’ at all. Everyone is down in the trenches and not about to budge.

Sorry about that….. (in so many ways)

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 4:03 pm said:
  
  Got it, and I couldn’t agree more. There was a time when politics was about discussion, and compromise, and now everything is ugly and vicious. Bad for our national psyche, bad for children to observe, bad in every possible way. We have lost any sense of civility and I did not want to be drawn into it, so I got a little uncivil too. But I stand behind my sentiment, and that particular guy needed to hear me say it.
  Thanks for the explanation….makes perfect sense.
  
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mobius faith on September 23, 2012 at 3:58 pm said:

I look at this and drool. I can just imagine all kinds of rusty grungy abstracts here. Great shot.

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 4:04 pm said:
  
  I actually came away from there with at least 6 good images and I was real excited at the time. Thank you Terry.
  
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Pat on September 23, 2012 at 4:27 pm said:

A sad commentary on society, but a beautiful black and white image!

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 4:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks for that Pat.
  
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The Jagged Man on September 23, 2012 at 8:13 pm said:

I was unemployed/underemployed for two years. I had great friends and source of water as I walked through that desert. Unfortunately most do not have either and life goes beyond the grey to black.
Great shot Mike.The composition is perfect!

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 9:14 pm said:
  
  thanks Jagged. I know you have some experience with this subject.
  Thanks for the comment bro.
  
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mcolmo on September 23, 2012 at 8:21 pm said:

Looks so still, like it was halted only yesterday. What a shame 😦
But, it’s a great photo of course.

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- Mike on September 23, 2012 at 9:15 pm said:
  
  Thank you Marielba.
  
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The Blissful Adventurer on September 24, 2012 at 10:45 am said:

good men often get what bad men deserve

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- Mike on September 24, 2012 at 10:47 am said:
  
  Ain’t that the truth. Seemingly no order and a good deal of chance.
  
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John Smith on September 26, 2012 at 9:38 am said:

Mike, it’s a long time since I made a comment here, though I look at your photos as often as I can and always enjoy them and the comments people make. Today you really moved me with your passion and righteous anger. I admire that so much. Keep up the good work, you have great blog and some wonderful support from around the world. Best regards, John.

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- Mike on September 26, 2012 at 9:40 am said:
  
  What a nice thing to say John. Worth waiting for. I really like your blog as well.
  
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George Weaver on September 28, 2012 at 7:22 pm said:

Smart choice to use hard light here. It suggests the “harsh light of day” is shining on this closed business. Even the clouds that would be fluffy look menacing. This treatment works really well. Much better than the dark, abandoned look that we normally see in this kind of photograph. Reminds me of the old Farm Administration photos of the mid-west when there was an exodus from the dustbowl. The sun always looked as harsh as the peoples’ circumstances. Really good photo! 🙂

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- Mike on September 28, 2012 at 8:34 pm said:
  
  Glad you like it George and very good to hear from you.
  
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lucyintheskyx on October 8, 2012 at 6:38 pm said:

This is just another great picture from you Mike. I really enjoy looking at your work.. The clouds in this shot are mesmerizing. =]

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- Mike on October 8, 2012 at 6:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks Lucy. Every dog gets a bone now and again.
  
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- Mike on October 8, 2012 at 6:41 pm said:
  
  Ah, I mean Jen:)
  
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