Beyond Day SixMy sometimes-daily blog of a photograph or two with a few words, celebrating all the days of life that flow through creation into perspiration, inspiration, reflection, sabbath, and resurrection. Snow in the Higher ElevationsEspecially in the mountains, autumn weather can be quite a mixture. We enjoy visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park in any season. And the autumn colors can be eye-popping. From one of our favorite vantage points one cold morning, we saw the span of color at the lower elevations and snow on the higher mountains with the ever-present fog nestled in the valley. The show is beginning soon.
Reworking the OldI've been trying to improve my ability to process my images, even working on photographs that are older. This one is from the Oregon coast on a trip in May, 2005. The westward wind was driving massive waves into these enormous rock formations and then exploding the spray into the air. Quite a bit of fun!
Rain in the FallI began my college education at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. My intention was to become an aeronautical engineer. Many of my classes were on the other side of campus from where my dorm was. So I walked. And it seemed that it was often raining in the fall when I would go to class. I often got soaked. And the leaves would fall on the sidewalks. Wet leaves. Long walks. And I have learned that cloudy, even wet days, provide great opportunities to take photos of fall color. Especially with wet leaves, it is a good idea to use a polarizer or try to avoid reflections that eill leave "white holes" in your photos.
Further Down RiverIt's the season with cool nights and colorful leaves. Just at the right time, they release from the branches and fall to the earth. Some fall in the streams and float down river. And then occasionally some are caught and held by the force of the water. This is an 8 second exposure, revealing what the eye does not see. Sit still and watch, and there it is.
AuTrain FallsI have a print of this photo hanging on my wall. It reminds me of a favorite spot on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where fall colors are absolutely gorgeous. Cool days like we are experiencing now makes it feel like autumn, even down here in Nashville. We will be heading north in two weeks to visit with friends and enjoy the colors. And probably take some more photos.
EnduranceI am intrigued by this photo. I like it, obviously since I'm sharing it in this blog. But I'm uncertain what to say about it. I have thought to share where this is and the significance of this building, but I don't think that's important. That knowledge doesn't add to one's appreciation of the photo. I do find myself drawn to scenes like this.
Morning at My HouseMorning often begins early at the Hideaway. Moving east 5 years means that dawn come earlier than it has for nearly the last forty years. I don't use the alarm clock in retirement. Besides the early dawn light attempting to shine through the slats of our bedroom blinds, there's the mockingbird that seems to enjoy the crape myrtle trees in the front yard as he greets the morning with a repertoire of brief melodies. And the school bus from the county to the south turns around in the cul-de-sac at 6:30 with the required beeping sound when the driver puts it in reverse. And this time of year, flocks of Canada Geese transfer from one pond to another, honking an encouragement to the youngsters to keep us as they fly in formation. It's good that I am awake before all this starts. And now we have two outdoor cats that wait on the deck and look through the door anticipating that Judy or I will go out into the garage to open a can of food. I make my pot of coffee, with a little more than a cup, and sit in the great room if it's too chilly to sit outside. And this week the sun streams through our front door in a straight line and illuminates the top of our treasure table. And I notice the morning light. And I give thanks, for another day.
Our Own HouseToday is an anniversary for us. Five years ago today we bought the Hideaway, our own house, our first house that belonged to us (and the bank). I lived in a parsonage from 1975 until I retired in 2012. Before that Judy and I lived in rental homes or apartments. My parents never owned a home while I was growing up. So it was a big deal five years ago to go through the search for a retirement home and complete all of the paperwork for a mortgage to get to this point where we were handed the keys to our new home. We drove from the realtor's office, invited Mike and Amy and Maddy over and jumped in the pool. It was chilly that day. From September through June I drove the 400 miles between Springfield, Illinois and our new home. I got to know the road pretty well, especially dodging all of the road construction in Illinois at the time. We probably bought too big of a house for just the two of us. (Duh, ya think!) But we wanted space for our family and friends to stay when they came to visit us. And Nashville is a great place to visit! We have come to love this house, and living in Nashville. And Friday night was the Harvest Full Moon, hiding for a moment behind the clouds. And today members of our Sunday School class will celebrate with us, another one of the 50 events that we are using to remember fifty years of marriage. Burgers and brats, and s'mores of course. Life is good. By the way, since we came home from Seattle after visiting our cherished friend, Linda Summers, I've been in that pool 115 out of the last 123 days. Yeah, this is great!
For Sale at Antique ArchaeologyWe have been to LeClaire, Iowa, just across the Mississippi River from Moline, Illinois. There are several good places to eat there. And it's also home to Mike Wolfe and Frank of the "American Pickers" television show. Each week's episode finds them exploring a different part of the USA in search of treasures hidden away in barns, or basements or abandoned stores. The people they meet are often worth the episode all by themselves. Mike and Frank bargain with the owners to buy some things that look valuable and old and other things that look like junk. Mike seems fascinated with old clothes. Whoops, I just realized I have a fifty-one year old pair of pants. (see earlier blog post "Trend Setter". Maybe Mike would want to buy them, they are valuable!) Mike and Frank have also opened a store in Nashville at the historic Marathon Motor Works, just south of downtown. It's a must stop for the millions of tourists who come to Nashville yearly (generating $100 million in tax revenues!). And among the items was this oft-mended denim jacket. Seriously. Now who would buy this? And why? I think they'd rather have a pair of 51 year old corduroy pants. I could make them a deal.
|
