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?

A Passageway to...

In the course of my travels I take many pictures, but I have to admit, this particular shot is one of my recent favorites. Even though the image is vacant of many people and movement, I still feel like there is so much going on - looking at this image sends my mind racing in so many different directions.

My mind first focuses in on the design of the building. I am still captivated, today, by the blocked ceiling in the same way I was when I first took this photo. The design is so simple yet full of perfect symmetry. The order and peace created is a welcome contrast to the chaos and crowds that normally fill this downtown train station. I love how these rectangles seem to build on one another and appear to continue endlessly into the shadows of the tunnel. Mirroring these cement blocks is the track itself. The glowing steel races through the middle of the station and into the tunnel, much in the same way as the blocked design does on the ceiling. The two seem to be challenging one another to see which can reach the tunnel first - racing toward something off in the distance...

After my initial amazement from this station's design, I start to think about other old buildings which are similar in beauty and mystic. Is it me, or have modern buildings lost a bit of character - a charm that seems to tell a story? Why do modern buildings sometimes leave you wondering, "Ok, but what else do you have to offer?" Don't get me wrong, this train station certainly isn't that old, but it appears to have been built at a time when buildings still told a story. How often have you walked down a city street and stared at buildings, trying to picture what they looked like when first constructed? Did you ever marvel at how human beings could take solid cement and bricks and create such curved, ornate masterpieces? How many times have you said, "They couldn't afford to build a structure like that anymore?" Old buildings seem to be full of minute details that are lost to the average passerby. Unless you stop and study the building you will not find some of the hidden beauty: the phrase inscribed in Latin, the fabled character resting atop the roof, the curves that appear to have been carved with a butter knife, the design work set above each window...all of these details help to tell a story.

I wonder what the story of this train station could be...one of thousands of yearly commuters traveling to and from work or play; a witness to the many successes and failures of daily life; or maybe the passageway to new opportunities.

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

Frozen in Winter...

Sometimes art is truly about catching something at the right moment...before anything changes, the sun shifts, or in this case the ice melts! I was driving past a building I have seen countless times, admiring its design as I often do, when I noticed something different. Outlining the entire front facade were hundreds of icicles. I immediately had to find a spot free of snow so I could jump out of my car without causing any major traffic problems (fortunately it was a slow time of day...) and take a picture.

From a distance the icicles didn't seem too imposing, but up close they looked much larger - and a little more dangerous! Even though it was hovering around 15 degrees, I was anticipating one of these large spikes of ice to loosen from the building and come crashing to the sidewalk. I am always certainly interested in capturing the perfect image, but have not been inclined to risk my life to do so - I have never been one of those dare-devil videographers/photographers. Fortunately for me, in this case, standing directly underneath the ice would not have afforded the best view! I was able to grab a great picture without endangering myself or the camera.

What is it about ice that seems to amaze bystanders? Is it the way light is reflected? Maybe the unique shapes that are formed as the water or snow freezes?

As I mentioned earlier, I have always been a fan of this particular building because of its contrasting textures and variety of color. On this particular winter day the icicles seem to add another dimension: a moment frozen in time. The first person to whom I showed this picture (yes, call it a sneak peak) said it looked like the water ran down the arch in between each brick and formed on the edge of the building. In its effort to travel down the brick facade and form a puddle on the sidewalk, the water was stopped midstream by sub-zero temperatures. Instead, it began to freeze in shapes that seem to reflect the building from which it originally fell.

Even though on the day I took this photo the sun was bright and shining, a reminder of the precipitation from days earlier was still hanging amongst the colored tiles of each pillar...waiting for a warmer day when it would finally be set free. Unless warm temperatures arrive soon, these icicles could become so long that they might actually come close to touching the sidewalk!

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

In the Middle of Winter...

Winter is definitely in full force, much to many people's dismay. A good number of residents of the Mid-Atlantic woke up this morning to an icy, sloppy mess! Unfortunately, mornings like that are not much fun at all. At least if snow falls the roads and sidewalks are a little easier to clear. When freezing rain falls and the temperature drops, after some snow has already fallen, shoveling becomes even more of a workout than normal. This morning was one of those days. In the midst of clearing ice off my car I thought back to last week when I was cleaning off snow instead and the picturesque White Pine. I realized how unfair I was to tell everyone how pretty that particular tree is after a snowfall, but to have never shared a picture. Well, here you go - at least part of it!

I know finding beauty in the middle of a cold, icy day is not always easy. All you can usually think about are dangerous driving conditions and wet socks after having trudged through a sloppy, ice-filled parking lot. Last week when I took this photo everything was different. As you can see the sky was bright blue and the sun was helping to warm things up a little. This morning however, as I stood in a jacket and pants that were completely soaked, I tried to find some sort of "natural beauty" on a damp, cold day...the ice did look pretty as it crystallized on the bare tree branches and all of the grass appeared to have been transformed into a skating rink over night, but nothing compared to the White Pine covered in snow. I told myself that once the sun comes out (either tomorrow or the day after) everything will have a much more pleasing appearance...and the moment when I was drenched from head to toe would have passed.

So many people already are telling me that they are sick of winter and I feel a little bad for them. In their effort to rush through one season in order to arrive at the next they are missing everything right now! Nature aside, isn't it fun to watch all of the neighborhood kids make little snow jumps in the front yard and then slide down on their boards; or the occasional snowman adorned with the local professional sports paraphernalia; or the laughter coming from an afternoon snowball fight (either children or adults!). Winter may be cold and messy sometimes, but there is still a lot to enjoy!

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

On a Winter Morning...

I started the morning out by shoveling snow and cleaning piles off my car. Although my neighborhood did not receive as much snow as originally forecast, there was still enough that it could not be ignored. In the midst of shoveling I was constantly distracted by the beautiful scenery created by the midnight snowfall. Everywhere I turned there was a different snowscape glistening in the sun! When I was finally done clearing away all of the snow I took out my camera, tuned out the sounds of plows and snowblowers, and was finally able to capture some of the snow-covered serenity.

There is a particular tree nearby that always catches my attention every time there is a snowfall. It is a white pine (don't be fooled, it's only by chance that I know this particular species) so the branches never appear very strong; they are somewhat thin and are covered with even thinner needles The snow usually piles up on the needles and then each branch starts to bend down toward the ground - sometimes so far that it looks like it is going to snap in half. In an effort to prevent the tree from losing any limbs, I usually walk over and clear off some of the snow, allowing the branches to, once again, sway in the cold winter air. This morning, however, the white pine was not in serious trouble, so I was able to enjoy the beauty of the snow nestled peacefully on the branches.

There is something very "wintery" about pine needles and snow: the contrasting colors which have become associated with the cold months, reminders of trudging through a tree farm in search of a perfect Christmas tree, the fragrance that snow seems to draw from the wood and help pass into the air, and on this particular morning, the way the sun danced between the needles and lit up the snow! Even though my feet were starting to go numb (I guess I didn't wear thick enough socks) and I was ready for a cup of anything hot, I could have stood under that tree for another hour. I wanted to enjoy the sunlight streaming through every snow-covered branch as it glowed against the bright blue sky. What a wonderful way to start the day!

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

Sitting and Waiting...

You may be looking at this picture right now and thinking that you have seen enough Evergreen trees over the past month because of Christmas. Isn't there anything else around worthy enough of a photo? Truth is, these trees were not grown with the intent of being decorated with lights and tinsel, but rather to be planted in someone's yard! So, what inspired this unseasonal photo in the middle of winter...plenty!

In the midst of a cold, gray winter everyone needs a little inspiration - a push to keep them going to the warm, colorful days of Spring. As I was driving by a local nursery I noticed this row of vibrant Evergreens lined up along the road. They were all so green and fresh, the perfect addition to any landscaping. I immediately started thinking about Spring time and when these trees would finally be buried in the ground permanently. I was truly surprised at each tree's appearance: despite the cold temperatures and snowfalls that have passed through the area, everything looked fairly unscathed. I was reminded of the strength and resiliency of youth! If I had not known the date, just looking at these trees I would have figured it was April and they were going to be planted the next day.

Amazingly, this time of year you can also see other signs of warm weather:

How many of you have walked through a department store and seen bathing suits or shorts hanging on the rack?

Have telemarketers started harassing you about booking your summer vacation?

How many clearance shelves are full of winter sporting gear and accessories, with baseball equipment and sandals taking over the prime locations?

Even though the return of greener surroundings is still nearly three months away, the thought of Spring was very enticing the day I took this photo! I love winter for its cold, crisp days; peaceful, early morning snowfalls; and warm layers; however, after months of gray grass and empty trees I think colorful, new blossoms will be a welcome sight. Ironically, I feel like the last leaf just fell off the remaining tree and I am already looking for its return!

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