A Mystery in the Middle of Nowhere...

Have you ever encountered something that made you feel as though you had stepped back into another time? A sight or smell that made you stop and say, "I wonder what it was like when..."? I recently had the good fortune of this type of experience and wanted to share a photo so you, too, could experience a similar feeling.

One day I was driving to a shoot through an extremely rural area - and when I say rural, I mean rural. The nearest supermarket was over 20 minutes away. To some people that distance may not mean much, but to me translates into the "middle of nowhere"! At one point I hadn't passed another car for nearly 15 minutes after leaving the main road. There were plenty of houses around, but nobody could be seen lingering around outside. Very fitting environment given what I suddenly came upon...

Just off the side of the road I noticed a stone fireplace and immediately pulled over to gain a closer look. The chimney and hearth seemed well worn but completely intact. Aside from this stone structure there were no other signs of a house anywhere around: no stone foundation, no remnants of walls, or pieces of glass from a window. It almost appeared as if the fireplace and chimney appeared out of the surrounding wilderness. As I stood looking at this curiosity, I was transported back to a time of log cabins and sweeping wilderness. I started picturing an old house that sat on acres of property without another house anywhere around for miles. I pictured horses roaming around the cabin, horses used to travel the long distance to the local store or plow the family farm. I imagined the road from which I took the picture being unpaved and gouged out by wagon wheels.

There was one curious thing about the area - what was the importance of the fence surrounding the chimney and adjacent grass. Was it the outline of the original building? I started wondering some other details of the story behind this solitary structure:

- how old was this fireplace?
- was it truly, originally part of a house or some other building?
- if it was a home, who used to live there?
- was this fireplace used simply to keep warm or to cook daily meals?

The possibilities are endless...but I guess I will never know the answers. Sometimes the fun is in not knowing but rather leaving the answers to imagination.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

In the Aftermath of a Storm...

Every so often I start to take a picture of a particular location or object and in the middle of the process find something else to include in the photo. Not necessarily a bad problem to have...I almost get two pictures for the price of one. My only job then becomes making sure each aspect is visible enough to catch the viewer's eye! Take a look at this picture...what is the first thing you notice?

After the recent deluge of rain that covered the northeast, I set out to capture the aftermath. I'm not one of those daredevils who will stand in the middle of a raging river to get the "perfect shot". I would much rather go back once the water has calmed and catch what remains - sometimes the photos of what is left behind are just as captivating. I thought that would be the case with this photo, but something else caught my attention. A few days prior to me visiting this creek water was flowing rapidly through the area. Once the rain stopped the levels subsided slightly but left behind debris and signs of overflow. I intended on capturing the trails of mud and branches piled along the water's edge, but instead became more intrigued by the ducks!

At first I was alarmed because it seemed like a fight was about to break out amongst these local fowl. Three of the ducks seemed to be attacking another one, trying to pin it to the ground. I felt bad for the "victim" - clearly it was not enjoying being tackled and having the feathers pulled out of its head! Upon closer look, though, I suddenly realized something...the duck being sandwiched on the ground appeared to be a female, while the other three most likely male. Hmmmm....it could be that time of year...I think rabbits usually mate in Spring, so it's probably a safe bet that a good number of other animals find the dawn of warm weather the perfect time to reproduce.

Suddenly I was amused, but still a little sympathetic toward the female. While I no longer felt bad because I thought the duck was being bullied, I felt sorry for her because she clearly did not enjoy what her male counterparts were attempting! I suppose I could have tried to save her, but really, who am I to stand in the way of nature? Instead, I quickly snapped my picture of the playful ducks - or rather the retreating creek - and went on my way! She looked like a tough duck...she could handle them.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

You Remind Me of Someone...

A blow-up lobster trampling a building...that is not something you can pass by without a second look! Your first thought is probably, "Oh, this must be near the ocean and the building that lobster appears to swallowing up must a seafood restaurant" - you're partly right.

On a weekend shopping trip, about 150 miles from the nearest ocean, I came across this large crustacean. The building is home to, from what I have heard, a pretty good seafood restaurant, though I have never eaten there myself. As I was enjoying a good laugh at the lobster's expense all I could think about was Thanksgiving...more specifically Macy's Thanksgiving Parade!

Every year the Thanksgiving parade, with its 5-story high balloons, has been a tradition in my family. I still enjoy watching those giant characters float down Broadway amongst the 40-story skyscrapers. How much does this lobster remind you of one of those famous balloons? Can't you picture it bopping down the streets of New York City? The only thing that could prevent its appearance in the festivities is its mean face...I don't know much about lobsters, but are they generally mean creatures? If you look closer, this lobster could be a little scary: mean face, climbing over the top of the building...just an observation!

I will admit, the only encounters I ever have with lobsters are through the glass at the grocery store. Occasionally, I'll stop and watch one of them lumber across the bottom of the tank, at speeds reminiscent of an 80 year old. Once in awhile I'll see a couple of them start to fight and claw at each other; but otherwise, they seem pretty friendly.

Sadly, I was not enticed enough by the blow-up lobster to go in and sample some food. I guess I wasn't in a fish mood that day...and my car companions most definitely were not. Fortunately, when I do want to venture back someday I won't have any trouble finding the restaurant...my friend can spotted atop the roof from far down the road!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Walking Through History...

I love when businesses find creative ways to grab your attention! I was driving by a local store one day and saw this horse pulling its cart along side the road. Literally, this horse is about 10 feet from the road and there is no way you can miss it passing by! Does it remind you of anything...remember that steel man I found last Spring...it was made out of machine parts, metal buckets, and who knows what else. This horse is kind of the same thing...except in a more rural atmosphere!

I stood for a few minutes trying to figure out all of the pieces that make up this sculpture. I noticed chains for its mane, wire meshing for the coat, and is it that a telephone dial for eyes? Can anyone spot anything else in this equestrian creation?

Even if this isn't your style of art, you have to admit that this is very unique. I am still amazed that someone was able to twist and conform so much steel till it resembled a horse. The way the horse was positioned along the road was the best. Just a few feet away from a busy road is this horse pulling flower pots and other goods. It really fits in with the history of the road...

As I said, this is a pretty main road that actually connects several towns in the area. I imagine that it started out as a dirt road, traveled mainly by horse and wagon. As the largest state route in the area, people most likely relied on this byway to visit friends and family, attend church services, work, or go shopping. All done compliments of the family horse. And now, nearly a century later, another horse is still making the same trek. I passed by several days after taking this original picture and the items on the cart had changed...as the seasons change, so too do the goods being carried. It is very reminiscent of how the horses used to travel the same road when it was first built.

There is a very good chance the business owner was not considering any of this when he/she placed this horse out in front of the store...but you never know!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

The Wilderness Outside My Window...

One recent morning I woke-up to the surprise of a few inches of snow. The meteorologists had predicted a little snow would fall, but to be honest I didn't really believe them. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised when I awoke to a beautiful winterscape. If there is such a thing as the perfect snowfall this would have been it: all of the grass and trees were covered with a light coating of snow, while the streets and sidewalks were just wet - all of the beauty of snow without the hassles of dangerous driving. As I looked out of my window I also noticed a set of paw prints passing by...but they didn't seem to have a beginning or an end.

Around my neighborhood there are plenty of "wild" animals, including cats, rabbits, squirrels, and even the occasional deer! Out of all these critters, the cats have been the most visible lately. With the recent warm weather, I can only assume they have been roaming around in hopes that their "animal neighbors" might also be on the move. I think this particular morning one of the cats was on the move again. The amazing thing was, like I said, it was hard to tell where the tracks started or ended. All of surrounding snow was completely untouched, with just a single line of paw prints that seemed to begin out of nowhere. Maybe the cat jumped off of the adjacent railing...but still, there would be some sign of him or her landing on the ground, which I did not see. Each print was perfectly shaped, no signs of "shuffling" like you would normally see when a person walked through the snow! Looking at these prints in the snow I was reminded of how amazing wild animals can truly be - even the ones I do not ordinarily like.

Anyone that knows me knows that I am not the biggest cat lover...there are a few cats that belong to friends for which I have a small affection, but on the whole I don't enjoy these "feline friends". With that in mind, I do however enjoy watching the cats roam around outside in my neighborhood. Ironic isn't it? I think I have an appreciation for them because they are not inside my house...they're not climbing around on my furniture, just my front porch. When I stop and watch these wild cats they are quite interesting. The other day I saw one sitting motionless near the front path watching a little hole in the ground. Obviously, he or she had seen something crawl into the hole and was waiting to make its move in an effort to catch breakfast! I am constantly amazed that in a completely residential neighborhood, a family of wild cats can live and thrive, for generations, on "natural resources". I don't think any of the neighbors feed these cats; if anything people usually run and lock the doors since they aren't the nicest animals around - as they shouldn't be having lived in the "wild" since birth. Watching these cats I have a glimpse into the natural "circle of life"...survival of the fittest being lived out in my backyard!

After taking this photo, I started to wonder...were the tracks really left by a cat or some other animal? The beauty of nature. Just another reason to love snow days!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

A Moment to Relax...

Have you ever sat and been totally amazed by something extremely trivial? Many times people associate this behavior with children, but I think it is more connected to individuals who are completely relaxed. Sometimes allowing your mind a few minutes to decompress actually helps to relax you; and once you are calm the possibilities of what can be achieved are endless.

Recently I was taking a few minutes to enjoy some fresh air when I was suddenly mesmerized by melting snow. Ever so slowly, water was dripping down from the roof into a large pot on the ground, then making its way down through the dirt till it accumulated in the bottom tray. At the same time, the water was dripping directly into the tray - filling it up at an even faster pace. Since there was so much water everywhere the tray was in a constant state of overflow, which led to a perpetual, slow drip of water onto the pavement. This process may sound mundane - even bordering on foolish - but for some reason I found it captivating! As I sat watching the water slowly drip down onto the blacktop, I could feel the stress slipping away from my body. This had the same calming effect as sitting along side a flowing river. Have you ever noticed how relaxed you feel whenever you're near a body of water? That must be why people enjoy going to the beach so much.

When I took a step closer I noticed many of my surroundings staring back at me from the reflection. Isn't it amazing how the world looks so different in a reflection. Even though it is the same object(s), a new perspective changes the entire appearance. Then when you look up from the reflection, the object looks like itself again. When I stared into the puddle I could see the trees across the street, the blue afternoon sky, and the pot itself with its faded mums hanging over the edge. Individually these things wouldn't say much, but when put together they create a clear picture of the many pieces that form a person's environment: the sun starting to set on another day, the constant flow of water, or the trees and mums that have gone dormant for another winter! Each piece adds its own dimension and purpose to a landscape, whether it be for beauty or functionality, and is necessary when trying to understand how a place came to be.

After a few minutes of gazing at this dripping water I was completely refreshed. I got up, exercised for a little bit, then returned to work even more productive than I had been before. There is definitely some value in stopping to enjoy the simple things in life!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

A Meeting at the Corner...

After all of the talk last week about "old buildings", and the character that is usually embedded in their walls, I had to share this photo. I was driving through a little town, that I think literally has only one stop sign, and spotted the local Post Office. Granted it doesn't have a tremendous amount of ornamentation or elaborate design work, but I think it still tells part of the story of this small town.

The more I look at this brick building the more interesting features I notice. I didn't realize how ornate the wood trim was around the roof line or the design above each window. Remove that large metal awning from the front of the building and it has a simple, classical look to it. (Don't ask me what type of "classical look"...remember, I have a film degree not an architectural...) I imagine at one time the building had a very stately appearance standing prominently on the corner. Much of the story of this building, I believe, is hidden...

I wonder what was around the area when the building was first built and was it even a post office. I would think, originally, most people used to walk to this post office instead of driving up in cars as they do now. I wonder if its lobby or front porch used to be a common meeting place for the local residents. The building sits at the main intersection of this particular town, so I would not be surprised at all if people did congregate inside or around the front door. Since most of the residents don't live near each other, small towns such as this usually some sort of meeting place. A spot where they can catch one another up on their lives or speculate about the upcoming farming season...well, you know most of these towns were probably farming communities, right! Imagine what life would have been like walking to the post office instead of driving there in 2 minutes; the trip became more of an afternoon adventure than a "quick errand". Once you arrived, there were probably "neighbors" you had not seen in awhile so why not stay for 20 - 30 minutes to socialize?

This building has experienced many comings and goings over the years; I wonder what kinds of stories it has gathered along the way. As a witness to the perpetual growth and decline of a town, I'm sure there are many amazing details...

Have you ever witnessed one of these "centers of town" before?

Do you live in an area where one might still exist?

Old buildings do so much more than impress a passerby visually, they can also share a part of the local history.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?