Photo: Jill Posener © All Rights Reserved
My friend Candye, who I've had the honour of photographing, and who is one of the gutsiest and warmest women I know, had cancer surgery today and I've been passing a few hours listening to Candye's thumping rousing funny and sexy woman identified blues, and looking through the pictures I took of her. I went to a club in San Francisco, Bicuits and Blues, a couple of years ago to listen to her band and I'd been struck, again, by just how freaking beautiful she is, but it's when I look at my own pictures of her that I get the biggest smile, because Candye being one of the most gracious women you'd ever meet put up with a sort of date with me - 12 years ago - when to be quite honest, I just flunked. I mean, what would you do, if you're a half way decent butch, given the chance to take the delicious Ms Kane on any date you chose?
We went to dinner, that was a good start. I watched her eat seafood with her hands and spill juices down her chin. She grinned, she laughed. And then I blurted out that I wanted to take her somewhere special. We got in my car, and drove through the foggy evening towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Sounds OK so far, right? But I wasn't taking Candye for a sentimental view of the City from the Marin headlands. I turned off the main road and drove through the silent Presidio until we sat, on a quiet unused roadway underneath the massive pillars of the freeway leading to the Bridge. The moon was bright, the air cool and Candye must have wondered what the fuck I was doing.
I opened the door, and beckoned her to follow me across the street. And there I introduced Candye Kane to the small, old pet cemetery created by servicemen living on the Presidio military base. It's an astonishing place and Candye and I wandered around looking at the makeshift memorials to pets belonging to men and women who had returned from war or might yet die on foreign soil. It's an emotional place. But possibly not the best choice for a 'date'.
Photo: Jill Posener © All Rights Reserved
Soon after, I drove Candye back to her hotel. She's always been very gracious about my awkwardness that evening. So today, as she is facing pain and fear and a new beginning, I'm looking back and smiling.
What a rich and diverse life you lived! I alway read in amazement over the people you have known and the circles you have ummm, circled in?
btw, I would have been totally enthralled at the pet cemetery. But I'm just sorta like that.
nina
Posted by: nina | April 19, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Jill, sending good energy to your friend, Candye.
Posted by: Deb in Minnesota | April 19, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Keeping good thoughts for your friend and that she she touches.
Peace.
Posted by: Deborah | April 19, 2008 at 04:32 PM