Tag: Photography

Unique

~ oneletterup ~ 13 Comments

Post inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #51 The prompt: Unique

 

My friend AR came into my life when we were 15 or 16. I met her when I joined “PF” (aka “Pilgrim Fellowship”) – a Congregational Church youth group. Basically a group of high school kids who met on Sunday nights. We formed committees. We planned activities, trips, coffee houses and spaghetti dinners. It was a friendly and welcoming group.

AR and I attended the same high school – a regional school drawing students from 4 towns – so we may not have ever crossed paths if not for the church connection. She was quiet, shy and…I was to find out…brilliant. And talented. Some may have added…eccentric.

We were both the oldest in a large family. She was the oldest of 6. I was the oldest of 5. We both had difficult childhoods; although at the time we didn’t openly discuss the darker places we later found out were eerily similar.

The summer we were 18, she embroidered a swatch of denim (~14″x18″) with words from one of our favorite songs by The Rolling Stones. I don’t remember what the occasion was – or if there was even a specific occasion that sparked her creativity – but I still treasure this unique piece of art. It is framed and hangs on the wall over my desk.

You can’t always get what you want…

Now isn’t that the truth.

abby patch2
Crewel Embroidery on Denim – 1972

 

AR and I went our separate ways to college. We kept in touch with frequent letter writing. Letters I still have – with her tiny perfect script – detailing her struggles with making ends meet, making friends, experimenting…and…charting an uncertain future. Always signed: Your loving and sincere well-wisher.…

Shortly after we graduated from college, I lost track of her for a few years. Until her letter arrived telling me she was now Sister M.

My Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan loving friend had converted to Catholicism and joined a cloistered community of nuns. Beginning her new life in a monastery.

I have visited her off and on over the past few decades. We chat as if we were still those two goofy teenagers at PF meetings. Her eyes are bright as they look back at me from beneath the white habit she now wears. Denim a long forgotten thing of the past.

Once I showed her a photo of the beautiful detailed embroidery she made for me.
She was incredulous.

You still have that?

Of course I do! 

She smiled…Oh my!…that was such a long time ago. 

 

Flower

~ oneletterup ~ 13 Comments

Nancy Merrill is hosting a photo challenge. The theme this week:  Flower

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO FEATURING FLOWERS OF ANY KIND.

 

iris trio
Immigrant Iris

 

As anyone who lives in a condominium may know, there are rules. So many rules. As a former homeowner they have sometimes been difficult to accept.

However, I knew going into this new lifestyle what was expected. I signed the papers. By-laws. Rules and regulations. Blah blah blah.

I don’t regret the move, but sometimes I do let my mind wander to what was….

And one of those mind wandering destinations is flowers.

As anyone who reads my blog knows, I loved the flowers and flowering shrubs & trees at my former home. Where I could plant whatever I wanted. Whenever I wanted. Anyplace I wanted.

I could also shovel snow. Snow blow the driveway. Hack ice off the eaves. Rake leaves. Fertilize the lawn. Chase down wasp nests. And so on.

But I digress.

One of our new condo friends had the foresight to save a collection of iris bulbs from his former home. Where his gardens were spectacular – as he showed us in photograph after photograph.

One day in the fall of 2017, he stealthily planted several of these bulbs amongst the legal bushes around our building. They popped up the following spring.

As iris do, they spread…this past spring there were a few more.

They are…almost…an exact match to the ones I left behind.

 

 

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Two

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Cee’s challenge topic this week: 2 Items or the Number Two

 

two chairs

On a recent trip to visit with two dear friends, I spent the better part of a bright sunny day at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont.

I highly recommend it.

The museum is actually a collection of close to 40 buildings. Filled with unique exhibits of America’s past. Plus the permanent home on land for the Ticonderoga – a 220-foot sidewheel steamboat.

Many photos were taken! I could have easily returned for another full day and still have more left to see.

Twenty-two gardens are planted on the 45 acre site. These antique chairs were shaded from the sun under one of the many trees…an open invitation to sit for a moment. And rest.

 

 

Trees

~ oneletterup ~ 17 Comments

This post inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #50

The prompt – Trees

I enjoyed trees all around me at my former home. In the quiet neighborhood where we raised our two children. Surrounded by…red maple, white birch, oak, dogwood, hemlocks, peach and apple trees.

We discovered some were hardier than others.

A favorite survivor was the white dogwood.

dogwood
Dogwood Tree

It was framed by a red maple and an oak tree that we planted as a baby in the ’90’s. Tucked in the backyard. Birches and hemlocks peeking out from behind.

The maple tree planted by the town stood curbside and center in the front yard. It transformed to white after a late winter snowstorm during our final year there.

snow maple
Maple tree

It lasted over 30 years…
Still standing the day we moved out.

 

 

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: One

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Cee’s challenge topic this week: 1 item or the Number One

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

During a cruise to Bermuda in 2008, I enjoyed the beautiful scenery both on and off the ship.

One day, I noticed this bird perched on the ship’s rail. All by itself. Taking in the sun’s rays.

Perhaps sensing that I was not an experienced bird photographer, it held still long enough for me to take this picture. Obviously used to tourists and enjoying the attention.

I have no idea what kind of bird it was. I welcome any ideas!

Favorite Things

~ oneletterup ~ 18 Comments

This post inspired by Lens Artist Challenge #49

The prompt: Favorite Things

~~~

With a focus on things – rather than people or places – my favorites narrowed down to the irreplaceable.

The sentimental things…that connect with my favorite people.

The massive downsizing I endured 3 years ago crystallized what, in theory, I had known all along. The things I let go of…it was just stuff. Not so important after all.

IMG_9364

The things I kept: photo albums dating back 40 years…filled with favorite people and places.

And…

Two scrapbook journals. Documenting my children’s school years. From all perspectives. Spaces for tiny handwritten Montessori “books.” School photos. Sample schoolwork. Report cards. Awards won. Games played. Birthdays. Sports. School portraits. Trips. Thoughts. Reflections – as only a young child can voice.

…End of school year answers on the “Favorites” page: Friends…Books…Music…Sports…Teams…Television Shows…Movies and Videos…Clothes…Foods…Places to Go…Things to Do.

And my favorite? Starting in grade 5…Aspirations and Goals 

schoo days

Bindings stretched to the breaking point with details and documents.
Then carefully repaired.

Preserving snapshots of time from preschool to grade 12.

Tucked in the back…college graduations. Marathon stats. Wedding clipping. Post grad honors. Stretched a bit more.

Two childhoods well lived.

Two children well loved.

 

 

 

 

Wild

~ oneletterup ~ 8 Comments

This post inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #48

The Prompt: Wild


Want some fungus, Ma?

My son’s favorite joke when he was growing up.

I loved mushrooms. He did not. I think it was the texture, because when I chopped them up into really small pieces…he didn’t spot any in the tuna casserole.

If his eagle eye discovered any recognizable mushroom sections, he calmly plucked them out. And arranged them in a semi-circle around the edge of his dinner plate.

When his grade school education included a science lesson on what constitutes a fungus, his delight in passing on this gem of information was palpable.

It didn’t stop me from eating mushrooms however. Fungus or no fungus. They are delicious. And nutritious.

One day last year, during my walk around the neighborhood, I spotted a clump of wild mushrooms.

The color is what I noticed first.

This fungus did not end up in a tuna casserole.

wild mushrooms
Wild Mushrooms