Essays taken from a weekly newspaper column published in the Washington County News, Washington, Kansas. Look for my book, "Dispatches From Kansas," available from Amazon.com, or from the author.
Ihave so enjoyed looking at the Winter Solstice Project. An enlightening trip. Kansas has the best sunsets anywhere--we have long enjoyed taking time out to watch them. And looking at other mundane objects with new insight--it will make us more aware of our surroundings! Thanks so much for the undertaking. Now how about Spring Awakening!
The soltice sunset is my favorite of the project pictures. I don't mean to be anonymous but can't get it to take my comments any other way. I did enjoy seeing your photos; you did a great job.
Okay, so Tom, how is a person supposed to pick her favorite? I had to start by eliminating. The pictures that make me stand back and look again often give me a disturbing feeling, uneasy, restless. Why? I don't know, but even though I like the fact they make me look twice, I want to have a picture I can fall into without fear.
Well, baby feet and hands - of course they are my favorites but I would want them to be family feet, family babies, so they are out.
If something is really messy or I think I could restore it, it speaks of work undone and I have too much of my own to clean and to restore, so, no.
But, still, so very many. Black and white shadows, especially a cross shadow on adobe. Or, how about a bluejay in winter? I loved bluejays as a child and so my dad painted one on my bedroom wall. I loved it even though Dad wouldn't spring for new paint so it became a greenjay. Or, a couple of stacks of cardboard ready for recycling. Really? Why that one? Yet, it does draw me in and make me smile. Perhaps it's the beauty in the color and the ordinary and the indication that someone cares.
Then, of course, there is the stairway. Whose stairway? Going up into what? A second floor? Third floor? The sun is illuminating the texture in part of the stairway wall, and up the stairs, I can see shelves with books and perhaps folders of articles torn from magazines and newspapers. There must be a comfortable chair up there, where a cat sometimes sleeps; a chair close to the window for lots of good light as one reads or shuffles through ideas. So would that be my choice? It begs me to come up and have a seat, pull my feet up, rest in the warmth of the sun, so I guess - yes.
Deb -- You thought this one through, and, perhaps not surprisingly, your reasoning was much like mine. (I still can't pick a favorite though I'm leaning toward the sunset's reflection off the cab of my truck.) I enjoyed reading your journey through my images, and will now add you to the list of potential winners. Thanks for being part of this adventure.
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12 comments:
Tom, it has been a fine and enlightening trip. Thanks for the ride.
Thanks for sharing the journey. I have been enriched by the people I've met on the way.
I'm looking forward to the next photo project!! (No pressure.)
Pressure, pressure, pressure! It's noon o'clock and I haven't picked up a camera yet. My nerves are fraying...
I have really enjoyed following this photo project and I'm also looking forward to the next one!
Scott -- Thanks. I'll have to put on my thinking cap for the next project...
Ihave so enjoyed looking at the Winter Solstice Project. An enlightening trip. Kansas has the best sunsets anywhere--we have long enjoyed taking time out to watch them. And looking at other mundane objects with new insight--it will make us more aware of our surroundings!
Thanks so much for the undertaking. Now how about Spring Awakening!
Dede -- Thanks for joining me for the project. After the holidays I intend to try something new. Equinox project? Sounds enticing...
The soltice sunset is my favorite of the project pictures. I don't mean to be anonymous but can't get it to take my comments any other way. I did enjoy seeing your photos; you did a great job.
Anonymous -- Send me a private e-mail and I'll enter your name in the drawing for a free print. Thanks!
Okay, so Tom, how is a person supposed to pick her favorite? I had to start by eliminating. The pictures that make me stand back and look again often give me a disturbing feeling, uneasy, restless. Why? I don't know, but even though I like the fact they make me look twice, I want to have a picture I can fall into without fear.
Well, baby feet and hands - of course they are my favorites but I would want them to be family feet, family babies, so they are out.
If something is really messy or I think I could restore it, it speaks of work undone and I have too much of my own to clean and to restore, so, no.
But, still, so very many. Black and white shadows, especially a cross shadow on adobe. Or, how about a bluejay in winter? I loved bluejays as a child and so my dad painted one on my bedroom wall. I loved it even though Dad wouldn't spring for new paint so it became a greenjay. Or, a couple of stacks of cardboard ready for recycling. Really? Why that one? Yet, it does draw me in and make me smile. Perhaps it's the beauty in the color and the ordinary and the indication that someone cares.
Then, of course, there is the stairway. Whose stairway? Going up into what? A second floor? Third floor? The sun is illuminating the texture in part of the stairway wall, and up the stairs, I can see shelves with books and perhaps folders of articles torn from magazines and newspapers. There must be a comfortable chair up there, where a cat sometimes sleeps; a chair close to the window for lots of good light as one reads or shuffles through ideas. So would that be my choice? It begs me to come up and have a seat, pull my feet up, rest in the warmth of the sun, so I guess - yes.
So hard, so hard, so hard.
Deb -- You thought this one through, and, perhaps not surprisingly, your reasoning was much like mine. (I still can't pick a favorite though I'm leaning toward the sunset's reflection off the cab of my truck.) I enjoyed reading your journey through my images, and will now add you to the list of potential winners. Thanks for being part of this adventure.
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