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.
Cheryl -- I wandered around in this salvage yard for about ten minutes in a freezing cold wind and knew that I was in way over my head. So many cars, so many colors and hues and textures, so many varieties of rust and emblems and oh bother, as Pooh would say, oh help, I have to go back!
I've spent the past half hour trying to find a pair of photos. Maybe I imagined them. Was it a schoolhouse? One photo was of the back wall, shot up over the rubble leading to it. The other was taken at a bit more distance and showed the corners of the walls.
The first was just wonderful - maybe my favorite of all that you've taken. It had the look and feel of an Aztec temple - it seemed to be elevated as well as somewhat removed, and the fallen bricks had the feel of steps.
Anyway, real or imaginary, they were great photos!
Linda -- What I find fascinating about salvage yards (or junk yards, or the place where automobiles go to die), is the varying hues and textures. Your problem is that you deal with perfection and, I imagine, a professional insistence on a velvet smooth surface that shines like the evening star. Rust is probably as welcome as barnacles. Here in the middle of the country rust is what we're left with after the economy bottoms out.
I'm not rust-averse. I think it's just that these photos seem so sad to me. I'm the sort who names cars. Drove my last one until it hit 358,000 miles, and had a 1958 Ford F-100 up in the country that was as much rust as metal. I loved that truck, wing vents and all - I cried when it had to go.
LOVE these! My first thought when looking at this set was "Vintage Heaven." Is the 2nd to last a wagon, with the sides meant to look like wood? I think my favorite from this set has to be the rust patterns with the flecks of turquoise paint. The contrast of colors is striking. The ring patterns make me think of the patterns in a rock or a tree stump.
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14 comments:
Oh man, I love salvage yards, though sadly it's been years since I've had the chance to wander around in one.
Those cars tell stories like you would not believe
Cheryl -- I wandered around in this salvage yard for about ten minutes in a freezing cold wind and knew that I was in way over my head. So many cars, so many colors and hues and textures, so many varieties of rust and emblems and oh bother, as Pooh would say, oh help, I have to go back!
Splendid. You've given me some inspiration & challenge here.
I hope you go back soon, because I can't wait to see more.
I admit it - the cars aren't my favs, although that Impala name did bring back a few memories.
However: I have a friend who always is saying "Oh, bother!" I didn't have a clue about the Pooh connection. See? Always edifying, that's your blog!
I've spent the past half hour trying to find a pair of photos. Maybe I imagined them. Was it a schoolhouse? One photo was of the back wall, shot up over the rubble leading to it. The other was taken at a bit more distance and showed the corners of the walls.
The first was just wonderful - maybe my favorite of all that you've taken. It had the look and feel of an Aztec temple - it seemed to be elevated as well as somewhat removed, and the fallen bricks had the feel of steps.
Anyway, real or imaginary, they were great photos!
Linda -- What I find fascinating about salvage yards (or junk yards, or the place where automobiles go to die), is the varying hues and textures. Your problem is that you deal with perfection and, I imagine, a professional insistence on a velvet smooth surface that shines like the evening star. Rust is probably as welcome as barnacles. Here in the middle of the country rust is what we're left with after the economy bottoms out.
Kim -- If I've inspired someone, I'm immensely pleased. Just passin' it along, as Chase Jarvis might say.
I liked the bumper sticker on the one car. And then the one car with Skylark, had one of those before one of my sons totaled it.
CH
Chod -- I got a kick out of the bumper sticker, too. The way the paint is peeling off the truck, I might need one for it.
I'm not rust-averse. I think it's just that these photos seem so sad to me. I'm the sort who names cars. Drove my last one until it hit 358,000 miles, and had a 1958 Ford F-100 up in the country that was as much rust as metal. I loved that truck, wing vents and all - I cried when it had to go.
Like Cheryl says, there are all those stories...
Linda -- Okay, I take it back.
LOVE these! My first thought when looking at this set was "Vintage Heaven."
Is the 2nd to last a wagon, with the sides meant to look like wood?
I think my favorite from this set has to be the rust patterns with the flecks of turquoise paint. The contrast of colors is striking. The ring patterns make me think of the patterns in a rock or a tree stump.
I agree with k, your pictures are inspiring!
Kaytabug -- Second to last was indeed a wagon with faux wood panels. The colors and textures were intoxicating! For a rust addict, it was heaven.
Wow! There are so many favorites in this group. I love how you frame the shots...it's inspiring. I also can't wait to see more. Beautiful work.
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