Tag: Photography

Lock

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Inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo: Lock

 

As I was visiting my daughter this week, I noticed my old black trunk nestled in the corner of her dining room. Topped with my grandson’s toy trucks parked in a neat row along one edge.

I had filled that trunk with bell bottoms and books to bring to college. To my first apartment. To my internship. Often covered with a cloth and used as a coffee table. A bench. A shelf.

It came with me to the home where I raised my children. Where it was stored in the basement for years.

I passed it down to my daughter when she went to college. And she has been using it ever since. Its lock is now loose. The key…probably long gone. Not really necessary anyway.

The mechanism…barely holding on.

Lock

 

Now an antique…
…but what tales it could tell.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Trees

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Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Trees

 

I am visiting my daughter and her family in Washington DC.
A 3 day celebration of her successful defense of her doctoral dissertation. After 7 years of hard work, perseverance and dedication. Including…as she puts it… “producing a human.” My adorable three year old grandson.

Yesterday afternoon…we enjoyed a brief respite at one of her favorite places.

This is the view…bordering the rear parking lot…behind Politics and Prose.

 

trees in DC
Washington DC


A bookstore and coffeeshop in one!

We browsed the shelves
Of so many books.
Until time for
Cookies and tea.

Precious time
To chat
With my daughter
The new PhD.

 

 

 

 

 

Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

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Inspired by Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #58: Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

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My entry for this week’s challenge dates back to 1980.

 

house 19800

When thanks to a first-time homeowners federal loan program…we were able to borrow 95% of the dollars needed to purchase our first home.

A new four room cape on a half acre lot. Simple and small. Two bedrooms. Living room. Kitchen. One bathroom. Full basement. Unfinished attic.
With my father-in-law’s help we planted new shrubbery. Those tiny rhododendrons eventually reached the windows.

We chose Potomac Blue for the color…which changed 6 years later to Barn Red…and 5 years later to We-Are-Tired-of-Painting white vinyl siding.

What was this land before the builder covered it with houses?

Old farm land.

 

 

Photo a Week: Still Life

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Nancy Merrill’s Photo Challenge this week: Still Life

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO OF STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY.

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Wedgwood pottery/china caught my eye during my one and only trip to London in 1975. I was there with a group of college students for a 3-week winter semester break, ostensibly to study Art. Which we did.

We also did a bit of shopping.

I bought the ash tray while I was there. The other pieces in my collection were gifts or purchased when I got home.

I don’t think I ever ended up using the ash tray…why dirty something so beautiful?

wedgwood still life

 

Profile

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Inspired by One Word Sunday: Profile

 

Many years ago…

During a rare visit from long distance family, I caught this moment of rest for three very sweaty and tired cousins. Collapsed on the living room floor after a hot August day spent playing outside in our backyard. More than ready for some down time.

My son and two of his cousins…watching television all in a row.

cousins 1993014 copy

 

 

Overhead

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Inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo. The prompt: Overhead

 

During a recent visit to the Currier Gallery of Art in Manchester, NH, I noticed this steel sculpture next to the front entrance.

Its moving parts caught my attention in the slight breeze…

overhead 2

as I stood underneath to catch them in motion…

overhead 1

 

steel art
Side View
info sign
Sculpture Artist

Taking a Break

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Inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #57: Taking a Break

…respond to this week’s challenge by showing how we and/or others “Take A Break”…How many ways can you think of for getting away from the daily grind and finding peace?

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I like to walk. Outside. I will admit I count steps – or at least keep track of them – via an older model fitness tracker I wear every day. No bells, whistles or flashing lights. Just an app on my phone which records how many steps I’ve accumulated. If I can count at least 5,000 in a day I don’t feel like a slug. 10,000 is the elusive goal. It all depends on how I’m feeling. How well various body parts are cooperating.

If nothing else, it motivates me to push back my desk chair, close my laptop, find my walking sneakers and head outdoors. Sometimes I call a friend to go with me – we chat and discuss the world’s problems.

Five years ago, I had a regular walking buddy – also a good friend – who would drive to my house for an afternoon walk. At that time I lived in a quiet neighborhood on a cul-de-sac. A relatively level road. Perfect for walking and talking with minimal huffing and puffing (more for my benefit – my friend, an experienced hiker, slowed her pace down for me).

Since then, she moved to California and I moved out of the house on the cul-de-sac. To a condo a few towns over. The “walking trail” promised by the developer is no trail at all. Just crushed stone gradually being taken over by grass and water runoff from the roof drains.

My steps outside now consist of walking up and down in front of the condo buildings.  I can also turn the corner and walk further into a neighborhood of matching houses…which are really condos. One “active adult community” next to another…but without many active adults visible.

A big change from the old neighborhood. No swing sets. No children on bikes or running to catch a ball. Rarely anyone at all.

Sometimes I drive downtown and walk to the end of the main street to reach the town “parkway” – which isn’t really a parkway like the infamous Garden State Parkway I grew up next to. It’s a quiet two lane road next to a tidal river. Grassy areas on either side of the road. Lined with memorial benches…often filled with locals finishing up their ice cream cones.

And for those of us who need one…a resting spot…to take a break.

parkway benches

The parkway’s sidewalk is next to the river.

Perfect for walking…especially late in the day…

river downtown

It doesn’t get much more peaceful than that.

 

parkway sign