At the farm, you don’t need to go far to find something that catches your attention. You might say that being a spectator is a regular activity. Sometimes fairly big crowds of 25 or more people will be looking on. Other times, just a quiet pair observing a quiet activity.
What do you think has caught the attention of these two? Let me know in the comments.
Sarah watches every step of the sausage making process. She doesn’t try to get close. Instead she waits patiently. She knows that, at the end of the day, some of the sausage will end up in a skillet over the fire and that she will receive her share.
There are times when the quality of light is a pure joy to me. On a recent visit to the farm, the sun and clouds combined in a way that seemed to defy the overcast sky.
Here is a second example. The scenery behind Jason and Charley almost looks as though it’s been painted on canvas. To me, the light feels surreal.
Do you ever experience light in a new or amazing way?
Before butchering hogs, you first need to scald their carcass in water so that you can scrape the bristles off of their hide. At the farm, we use an ancient steam engine to heat the water.
Then a team of men get to work scraping the hair from the animal. It’s not pretty or pleasant for modern sensabilities. How easy it is to buy our food from the market and have no real idea of how it got there.
Typical of late fall weather here in Ohio, we’ve had plenty of rain. Slow falling, drizzle, the kind that seeps into your bones. The kind that creates lots of mud.
The animals don’t seem to mind at all. And so, I suppose that I shouldn’t be bothered by the weather either. But, I am. As a photographer, I like the textures and saturated colors that come out in the rain. As a human being, and one in his fifties at that, I have begun to enjoy my creature comforts too much to fully embrace cold wet weather. I am not after all, a pig. Though some might say otherwise.
Friday afternoon, I spent some time relaxing at the farm. Carriage Hill is serene and tranquil on most days. A place to wander, explore, and visit with friends. One of the rare exceptions to the quiet on the farm is when the summer thunderstorms roll through, throwing lightning in all directions and booming in loud echoes.
Not long after arriving, I wandered down to check on the horses. That’s when drops began to fall and within moments, the sky opened up and the deluge began in earnest.
Soon, the rain was everywhere. Drops bounced off the fences and dripped from the roof lines. The water collected in pools and ran in rivulets through the barnyard.
Unfortunately for the horses, they were stuck in the downpour. There is an overhang on the back side of the barn and though they found some protection, their rear ends were soaked. Poor Jimmy and Charley had to endure the full force of the storm. because there was no room for them.
Thirty minutes passed before the thunder storm moved on and left the farm transformed by the wetness. I like the residue of the storm…wonderful light and dark wet wood and brick.
And while it’s nice to see the drops on the flowers, the sheep probably don’t appreciate being soaked with heavy wet wool.
That was the excitement on my Friday afternoon. How did I fare? Not badly at all. I found the shelter of the well’s pump shed and rode out the rain.
Have a great week, folks.
Do you remember tracing pictures onto paper when you were a kid? I would take the original and lay a fresh sheet of paper over it and then run to the window. The brightly lit glass was the closest thing I had too a light box. Pencil in hand, I would outline the drawing until I had a near perfect copy. That’s when the crayons came into play. On the table, I would fill in the tracing with color until I was sure I had yet another masterpiece on my hands. That’s when my finished art work would go to the refrigerator to be held in place by a banana magnet…the sure sign of success.
Seeing Jen tracing a drawing using the very same method brought back a lot of wonderful memories for me. Thanks Jen.
Have a wonderful Sunday, folks!
The extended farm family was enjoying the threshermen’s meal under the giant catawba tree when the sky’s opened up. The solution was obvious and near. The big side porch fit everyone with room to spare.
Enjoy your Saturday, folks.
How many portraits have you seen of Debbie sitting at that same chair? Sewing, quilting, talking, or laughing? Well, here is one of Jen. Like Debbie, Jen can sew, talk, and laugh. I am not so sure about quilting. I’ve never seen her do it, so the question remains unanswered. I am guessing that she can.
Well, Jen? Can you quilt? The fine folks reading this blog want to know.
There are days when I like a good challenge in a photograph. I like to look at a photo and try to figure out what the photographer was thinking and what they are trying to say to me with their work. If you are one of those viewers, then you are going to be disappointed today. I am not trying to say anything to you and you won’t find this image challenging at all.
It’s simply soothing in it’s simplicity. It is pretty and maybe nostalgic. Maybe simple images are a kind of pabulum. I am too tired and have too big of a migraine today to wrestle with those kinds of issues. So please, just sit and enjoy the image for what it was intended. Simple pleasure. Look at it and let your thoughts become lost in the wind.
tim mcmurdo 