Willard Suitcases / UTMB / Otters
Well, this is quite amazing. I had an incredible week in Galveston, which was capped off by a lovely dinner with the resident Osler Scholars, after which this lovely bust of Dr. William Osler was presented to me . I have never in my life as a photographer felt so respected and acknowledged. I spent the week talking about the suitcases in a variety of venues and was able to hear so many interesting comments on the collection. It is difficult for me to say how important this week was to me, but it was such a positive, affirming experience that I am at a bit of a loss for words. Huge thanks to Dr. Dwight Wolf and Rosemary Lindley for everything they have done to support the project.
Before coming home, Cris and I took the time to go out to Moody Gardens. It was so cool to see these giant river otters.
Back home now and trying to decompress from an intense week. A little stressed today as it seems the willardsuitcases.com site is having problems. I have been on the phone most of the day trying to get it sorted. The link above still is still functional but if you just type in the regular url it is broken. Arrrrgh. Hope to get it sorted soon.
Willard Suitcases / Madeline C / UTMB
I apologize for the long gap in posting about the suitcases. It has been an incredibly busy time. I have been devoting most of my mental energy getting prepared for a series of talks at the University of Texas Medical Branch that are scheduled for next week. This is a huge honor for me, as I will be a visiting Osler scholar. When I was in Galveston in 2016 presenting to NAMI Gulfcoast I was approached by Dr. Dwight Wolf about returning to speak at UT to the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department. Cristine and I fly out on Sunday (weather dependent), and there are events scheduled for the whole week.
Here is a rundown.
Monday the 15th – I’ll be speaking about the suitcases and my other work at the Galveston Arts Center from 6-8 pm.
Tuesday the 16th – Osler Club Grand Rounds, Temple B’nai Israel, 3008 Avenue O, Galveston. I believe this is open to the public but reservations are required.
Earlier that day I will present the project to residents at UTMB. This is not open to the public.
Wednesday the 17th – IMH Colloquium at UTMB during the lunch hour. Jennie Sealy Hospital. This might be open to the public, I’m not sure.
That evening I’ll be speaking at the Galveston Historical Foundation about the suitcases and my other documentary institutional work. 6-7 pm at Menard Hall, 3302 Avenue O, Galveston.
Thursday the 18th – There is an open mic event with Dr. Steve Fisher with a display of photographs of both of our work. Dr. Fisher has been photographing the collection of medical specimens at UTMB. Should be interesting. 3rd Floor Old Red. I’ve been told it is an amazing building.
That’s it for now. Thanks for following.
Beach Snow / Jellyfish
It is easy to see where the high tide line is here.
There were several of these interesting gelatinous creatures that had been washed up on the beach.
I want to call them jellyfish, but I’m not sure. They might fit into the cnidaria phylum, but I would appreciate anyone who could tell me what they are.
I love looking at the patterns that form when the tide is going out. This could be a photo taken from 20,000 feet, even though it isn’t.
Snow in Coastal Carolina
It was strangely beautiful here today. Rain then freezing rain then sleet then snow. At least a couple of inches on the ground. We didn’t make it to the beach today and the Olive is getting a bit eager to go for a swim. It will be a tad warmer tomorrow with sunshine.
New Year’s Day 2018
Wishing you all a happy and productive 2018. Thanks for following this silly little blog.
This is the annual Polar Bear Plunge on the island. It takes a special kind of person to run into the Atlantic when the outside temperature is 30 degrees.
Wilson, NC
We stopped for gas at the northernmost Wilson, NC exit. I wonder what this interesting abandoned building once was.
Delaware
Hi Everyone, lots going on. Sorry for neglecting this site. I’ll have some suitcase updates soon. Here we are looking toward the Delaware Memorial Bridge just before sunrise. / Olive is in the foreground on her morning stroll.
An Interesting Day or Two
Yesterday I took the train from Stratford upon Avon to Marylebone London. It was raining.
I made it with plenty of time to spare to make the 5.30 kickoff for the Fulham v Derby County match (ended in a 1-1 draw, but still fun).
After the match I walked back to my hotel past my favorite row of houses. Most of them have these amazing stained glass doors. Mind blowingly beautiful.
This morning I had a bit of a plan that started in Bishop’s Park.
I wanted to walk past the Cottage again. Last night, I entered the ground through door 36. Quite narrow.
I really like these graphic tiles set into the pavements along the Thames Walk. Especially the smell lines coming out of the poo.
Next stop was The Dove in Hammersmith for a pint of ESB. Nice
I started inside in the tiny bar and then moved to the deck out back.
Just before I got to my ultimate destination (next photo), I got a text from Cris at home telling me to call immediately. This is why; a giant fookin’ tree had fallen on my Element, and had knocked over my Vespa. I think the Element might just be toast, but the Vespa could be ok. Kind of put a damper on things.
Many years ago John Wilson surprised me at the end of a very long walk along the Thames with this view.
Here is a closer look at the Naked Ladies of Twickenham.
And another.
I made it back to the Dove for more beer and a Sunday roast. Tomorrow I have some meetings with folks interested in the suitcase project. V exciting.
Back in England
My friend John Wilson picked me up at Heathrow on Monday morning. After a jammed up drive to Stratford upon Avon on the M40, we made it in time for the dog’s evening walk. Here he is with Violet, and Sid and Lilly. Sid is a pup and Lilly wears a muzzle because twice now she has eaten small plastic balls that had to be removed surgically.
The next morning we all went for a nice long walk on the Welcombe Hills.
The obelisk off in the distance is very cool.
These sheep were very interested in the dogs, but the dogs couldn’t be bothered.
Here are Flora and Violet heading back to the car.
And Sid taking a bit of a break while he kept an eye out for squirrels.
Today was another warmish day so we drove to Broadway in the Cotswolds for another chance to walk the dogs.
I first met John when I was living in Berlin in the 1980s and we have been fast friends ever since. I have actually had this Barbour jacket (which he originally bought in Berlin) for the last 20 or so years. He needed it back for his dog walks so it is now his again. I hope to have it back someday.
Here is Sid patiently waiting for a treat.
I have always had a soft spot for Morgan cars. This one is sitting in front of one of the Broadway hotels, and it took my breath away when I saw it.
After our walk we ended up here for a lovely lunch. We have come to the Snowshill Arms many times, and it always makes me so happy.
While John was sorting out the dogs and Flora was getting Violet organized, I went in to see about a table. John said “Four people and two dogs”. Sid and Lilly were under the table the whole meal. Here is Siddy giving me a nuzzle. What a sweet boy.
Willard Suitcases / Rodrigo L.
Rodrigo was an extremely literate man. His collection of books was so interesting.
He was a writer as well, as this editorial from his Salt Lake High School yearbook illustrates.
Rodrigo’s collection of books tells us so much about his view of the world.
From reading his writings, I got the sense that he was a bit lonely, and deeply spiritual.
The autographs page of his yearbook had only his signature.
I love the logo for Oliver R. Meredith’s Trunk Factory. I looked for information online about the business, and didn’t find much about the company, but did come across this great gallery of photographs of trunk manufacturers.
From time to time I like to post a nice photo of Peggy Ross, whom I can never thank enough for her help throughout the years that we have spent documenting the collection of suitcases. I literally could not (and would not) have done this work without her help.
Thanks for following. Check out all of Rodrigo’s collection here. Moving on to Michael B. tomorrow.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
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