Well, it finally happened. I think I may have run out of words. Don’t get too excited—I’m guessing (hoping? betting? praying?) that it’s temporary, but for the moment, the well has run dry. 

Maybe I‘m just tired. I have been running around “like a headless chicken” as Barbara Fox was fond of saying, and I have been taking a lot of photos. But that’s not really different from any other day/week/month, so I’m left scratching my head (since it’s actually still attached to my neck) over why I’m suddenly, and without warning, at a loss for words.

In the old days, we called it “writer’s block,” which as far as I know is still a thing. It is specifically regarded as “the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.” I put quotation marks around that last bit, because someone other than myself actually wrote that description, but I can’t (or won’t) remember who or where. Without specific attribution, it’s entirely possible that my editor, or the proofreader (or maybe even the dog) will remove said marks, since there’s literally no source to credit. I’m at a loss.

Oh, I know what you’re thinking: “What drivel; now he’s simply just typing words in order to fill the page.” And you’re probably correct, so I may as well use photos to help drive this non-column home.

I have been to a few places/events/destinations of late, and I absolutely had my camera (and dog) with me, but again, if I’m being honest, was slightly underwhelmed by most of what I’ve seen, save for the better-late-than-never fantastic fall foliage that exploded in short bursts scattered throughout the Upper Delaware River region.

Every year I look forward to cruising through beautiful, historical Callicoon in search of all things Art Walk. But this time around, the weather outside was frightful, and not only did I have expensive camera equipment hanging ‘round my neck, but was also being tailed by another photographer—the amazing Lidewij Mulder (I can’t pronounce it either; she’s Dutch), who was equally concerned about hers. 

Lide was one of many shutterbugs temporarily in residence at the world-famous Eddie Adams Workshop, which is based in Jeffersonville, NY. There photographers receive four days of instruction from industry-leading professionals who are experts in the world of photojournalism. (That’s defined by the Google as “one who communicates news by photographs.”)

As a result of the downpour, I didn’t hang around town as much as usual and That Dog Named Gidget smelled awful. So the rainfall left me basically unable to communicate anything, news or otherwise, via photographs.

In between cloudbursts, I pointed out places of interest to Lide, gushing over the autumnal display. She valiantly, relentlessly took pictures of me and my dog, as we were her workshop assignment, for better or worse. I don’t care for having my picture taken, which I explained to her ad nauseum, so she was fairly furtive in her attempts to do so. 

Naturally, I took a few photos of Lide taking photos, and while I enjoyed playing travel guide, it’s unlikely she won any scholarships from following my dog around the county. 

I also made my way last weekend to “Peace, Love and Pumpkins,” which was being presented by Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, but I was slightly underwhelmed. While there’s absolutely no denying (IMHO) the incredible artistry of the display created by Art Through Hammer Productions’ Christina Novak and Matt Pelzer, the walk-through experience felt a tiny bit “same old/same old,”—but I think it was just me. I strolled with some newbies who were mesmerized and delighted by the tableaux of carved pumpkins, so I’m gonna chalk it up to me being me. You know—Snarky and Whining, Attorneys at Law.

There you have it. Whole lotta nothing, with some pretty pictures thrown in for good measure. Not to worry—I have a couple of Act Underground one-acts to look forward to at the DVAA. And there’s an upcoming show at Bethel Woods featuring mentalist Vinny DePonto, a “mind reader” whom the NY Daily News describes as “both delightful and terrifying to watch.” Hopefully, by then, I’ll have my mojo back and be able to write about the experience with aplomb. Meanwhile, I’m at a loss for words.

Fun fact: According to Psychology Today, “humans cannot literally read the minds of others, but can create mental models so as to effectively intuit people’s thoughts and feelings.” Hmmm. We’ll see.