Hanging Out to Dry

It was a perfect spring today. Lots of sunshine, a slight breeze and a blue sky made me think about hanging wash out to dry. At my grandmother’s house in Pennsylvania, it was one of the few chores that I really enjoyed. Fighting stiff sheets in the breeze while trying not to swallow the wooden clothespins grew into a talent. I loved grabbing the pins and stuffing them into the swinging bag. My cousins and I would race to the finish. In Manhattan, we had a clothesline strung from our fifth floor apartment across the airshaft to a friend’s apartment in the opposite building.The clothes dried, but not much could be said for their cleanliness, and if you missed grabbing a pair of underwear, they were lost forever. To my knowledge, no one had ever safely navigated the bottom of the air shaft. It would be like an archeological dig.These photos taken at the children’s garden in the Memphis Botanic Garden sum up the experience and beauty for me. I think we’d help ourselves and our planet if we resurrected wash lines.

Refound Images – View Through the Window

Another refugee from the hard drive crash. This photo was shot through the window of one of the few Victorian houses remaining in Memphis. Slated to be restored, it waits silently for its fate. The photo has undergone a bit of transformation in this newer version. I gave it a more ethereal, softer, and out of time look. I hope this majestic home remains safe.

Rusted Sunset

 

Rusted panels and silhouette sunset shots make great companions. Playing in layers gave me several images. I’ve posted both because although one feels more ethereal, making decisions is beyond me. I’d love to know what you think.

Losing the Rust

Sometimes you just need to start moving. Stand in one place and rust starts to creep in – into your thinking and you begin to still your senses until you find yourself frozen in attitude . So I’m off on a road trip. Hopefully the person who returns will be a bit more flexible and inspired. For the next two weeks, my posts will be more sporadic because of internet connections. If I’m late with a comment, it still matters to me and I will respond. Thank you for helping me to connect with so many wonderful new friends.

 

French Roses or Playing with Layers

I could leave well enough alone and just enjoy the roses as they start to fade. And I do. The scent changes. The edges transform and as the colors watercolor into a softer palette,  I let them sit for much longer than I should. All because I hate to let them go and love to shoot their portraits.Today’s photos added French text and illustrations to transform them further.I do love playing with layers. No harm was done to the flowers.

Tired Iris

I shot a number of photos with my phone of an iris that one of my students brought me from her garden. As it aged, the colors and textures deepened. Being unable to let well enough alone, I added some textures to emphasize the weathering and enhance the  patina.

WordPress Photo Challenge: Unfocused Pink House with Blue Shutters

I would love to have seen if the interiors of the house were as colorful as the outside, but no one was home.