Inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo: Retrospective

Feel free to look back across 2019 or the 2010s, or whatever comes to your creative mind, when you are feeling retrospective!

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Five years ago last November, my husband and I were still living in the home we had bought in 1980. The cape style house had been remodeled several times – adding space as our family grew larger. However, the dining room (originally an office & then my daughter’s bedroom) stayed virtually the same, with the occasional wallpaper and rug update.

I enjoyed eating breakfast in that small, yet cozy, dining room…something I had rarely done years earlier when life bordered on hectic. By 2014 our children had long since grown and moved on. I had (mostly) retired and treasured my mornings, lingering over the first meal of the day. No need to spend more time than necessary in the kitchen!

My seat at the dining room table faced a window looking out on our quiet neighborhood street. I sipped coffee with a clear view of the changing seasons…an occasional car…yellow school bus…jogger.

For some reason…I don’t remember why…I took a photograph of my window view one November morning in 2014. Perhaps it was the autumn leaves still hanging on despite the colder temperatures. Not sure, but I didn’t question the impulse.

Then…one thing led to another…

I thought it would be fun to document – on a regular basis – the changes happening outside…as seen from my seat at the table. At evenly spaced intervals of course. Not too surprising, as I am known to do that sort of thing (just ask my children…). Capturing moments.

For the next 11 months – on or about the 10th of every month at breakfast – I took a picture of that view…trying to line up the shot the same way each time.

The first photo…November 10, 2014.

The last of the monthly photos was taken October 12th, 2015.

I am glad I chronicled this evolving, yet familiar, scene. Little did I know at the time, but major life changes were on the way.

One year later – in October 2016 – we sold our home of 36 years.

I wonder if the new owner is enjoying the view as much as I did.

I hope so.