December 25, 2009

A winter storm arrived on the 24th leaving a blanket of snow across North Texas. Since the 23rd saw a 70 degree temperture, the ground was very warm but there was enough snow to last at least half the day Christmas making everyone’s dream of a white Christmas come true. I prefer the warm days.

Christmas morning after we let the baby tear wrapping paper and open his toys, I jumped in the pick-up and bravely set out across town to survey the white in the bright sunshine. The streets were frozen. The brightness was wonderful. A few others were out carefully driving along either going to family homes for Christmas or simply to look at the snow across town. I saw people standing together on the front porch sipping their hot drink enjoying the whiteness. My neighbor was on her front porch as she usually is smoking her cig wearing nothing more than her house dress and slippers. Cows munched on fresh hay bales that apparently had been dropped in the nearby field that morning. By noon, the snow and ice was melting.

This photo was taken down the road near where I live. A mask was used for the “through the viewfinder” look. You can find my tutorial in a previous post.

Sadler United Methodist Church

“First called Quillin’s Chapel. This church was organized in September 1876 in a schoolhouse just west of Sadler Cemetery, The Rev. William M. Robbins (1836-1898), then serving the Dexter Circuit, was the founding pastor J.P. Collier, E.J. Cravens, William Jones, James Mitchell, and W. S. Robinson were the original trustees. Renamed Salem Methodist Church in 1880, the congregation became Sadler Methodist when it moved to this site in 1895. Local contractor Joe Canker erected the present church building in 1910.” (History)

The year 2010 brings more photo opportunities both with my baby and with all that I love in nature. Spring 2009 I did not get out much to take photos of the Texas bluebonnets or stormy sky since I had given birth and brough home this little bundle of joy. It is my goal to shoot daily and post in a 365 gallery or blog. This most likely will develop into random shots although I do have several projects I would like to accomplish: sky 365; 10:00 a.m. 365; self portrait 365. The latter is very unlikely but is a popular project.

I have not worked much with my Holgas because I don’t have dark room supplies and it is really burdensome to take my 120 film to the metroplex. Living in rural American brings about fabulous photo opportunities but leaves little choice with developing of film.

Younger Sullivan House 1889

On the corner of Center Street and North Avenue sits this lovely victorian home in Whitesboro Texas. It was built in 1889 by Dr. Sullivan who was a prominant leader in the area. In 1923 it was purchased by Frank Edgar and Sarah Gordon Nichols, mother of the four Sullivan girls, Beryl, Hortense, Martha and Mona who lived in the home most of their lives. In 1986 it received a Texas Historical Marker and was willed to Whitesboro when Mona passed in 1986. It is popular for weddings and receptions.

Scanned in Chicago

Way back when, I carried an Olympus around with me and thought I had a pretty awesome camera a teen could carry around. I treasured it. Previous posts make reference to this little camera. The photo shot with the Olympus is scanned and is of the inside of building in Chicago, August 1986.

That was an interesting year. I was 19. I wanted to tour the US and visit family and did so on my own. Perhaps I will dig out more photos from this trip and post later for it was a cross country excursion.

Where were you in 1986?

West Texas List

First of all, this photo was taken a few years ago early morning on some very lonely road on my way home from Lubbock. No map and no idea, I drove eastbound because if you drive far enough you’ll end up in Dallas. That’s how it is here. You see a lot of this kind of thing in the country. This little shack probably has some use. At least it sets the scene for what it’s all about in this part of the country.

Lists interest me. I like reading bloggers lists and I like writing my own. The photo above influences this list:

Ten country favorites:

1. The smell of fresh cut alfalfa. Food for my horse
2. Big tractors–all kinds
3. Irrigation systems
4. Cattle ranches and oil fields. Maybe that’s two but they often share the same plot of land.
5. Miles of farm land with nothing else to be seen but maybe a tractor and a passing pick-up truck.
6. Cotton fields just before harvest
7. Small towns with great big silos
8. High school football. During the season, that is all that matters.
9. That thunderhead building in that big Texas sky in May.
10. The cafe on the corner where you can walk in, be greeted as if they know you, drink a glass of sweet tea and reflect on a hard days work.