• Feature

    Oct. 14, 2012: Exhibition

    In collaboration with many talented friends, it’s my sincere pleasure to present you with quality original photography and fine art projects I hope you’ll find to be extraordinary. Through several impressive fulfillment vendors, I’m very proud to offer you excellent values in digital photographic printing for the works of art you will find here: https://www.flickr.com/people/rdarnell Among the latest additions are some of my own photographs taken over the past 24 months. As you’ll see, you can now order prints with mounting and framing services, and specialty gifts and photo products. When viewing any given image, please click the “Buy” button…

  • Feature

    Thanks friends

    Originally published in November 2011. After joining in the November 6, 2011, demonstration against the Keystone XL (KXL) Pipeline in Washington, D.C., we have been celebrating good news for the past two days. Courtesy of Professor Harvard Ayers, Ph.D., co-author of “Arctic Gardens: Voices from an Abundant Land,” it’s my pleasure to share the following news about KXL. “A landmark decision was made yesterday by Mr. Obama — HE PUT OFF ANY DECISION ON THE KEYSTONE XL TAR SANDS PIPELINE FOR 12-18 MONTHS, probably killing this horrible project for ever. The incredible forces lobbying him to approve it LOST!!! There…

  • Feature

    August 19, 2012: Hemingway

    Looking back, I can see that – like so many others – as a young student, my education was greatly affected by certain teachers and faculty-members who went out of their way to ensure I learned something valuable during my days at school. When it comes to English classes, as I made my way through four different high schools in three different states, the lessons I received ranged from advanced and accelerated to “never mind!” Luckily, when registering for classes for my senior year of high school, the phenomenal Oak Ridge guidance counselor Carolyn Smith sounded-out my interests and aptitude,…

  • Feature

    2012 photo update

    Here’s where to find our newest family photos. Over the weeks ahead I plan to add others from our trip to America’s legendary Theodore Roosevelt, Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain National Parks.

  • Feature

    May 23, 1992: Hoot Owl Holler, Episode 2

    On the 20th anniversary of the best day of my life (the day I married Beth Kiefert, and she became the now-celebrated Beth Darnell), it’s a sincere pleasure to invite you to enjoy this second installment of “Hoot Owl Holler.” In this video presentation that uses more footage shot by my dear cousin Bart Ridings, you can hear some of the fun-loving wise-cracking from our loved ones who gathered together on May 23, 1992, in Greenville, Illinois, for our wedding. Also shown are too many others who are no longer with us: They are all missed greatly. On we proceed…

  • Feature

    May 4, 1992: Twenty-Five and Going

    I wrote this poem just a little over twenty years ago… a day before my 26th birthday, and a few weeks before Beth and I were married in Greenville, Illinois. It’s quite amusing to me that I mentioned feeling like I was 46, as that’s the age I am now; for the record, it feels very different than I guessed it would at that time. The good news is, it’s even better than I expected.

  • Feature

    April 6, 1992: Careful

    Thinking back on my life 20 years ago, I have to say that today seems so much simpler. I wrote about that key personal era in “Arc of the Poet Part 6,” and although I think it makes for interesting reading, recalling those days is rather bracing for me. I had so much to prove to myself and the short list of others whose opinions really mattered to me, and although I was confident in my strengths and abilities, I was unsure about so much more. While I had come very far with the gifts provided by my family, as…

  • Feature

    Ewasko: Days and Lights

    Tommy and I are very proud to announce that our book “Ewasko: Days and Lights” — which was nominated for Blurb’s “People’s Choice Award” — is now available as an instant ebook download for Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).