Thursday, April 6, 2006

Looking for a peaceful easy feeling....

What is it about spring that makes me so restless? I feel as if I am one step behind from where I am supposed to be. I am feeling anxious for no reason and that drives me crazy! Maybe I need to cut back on the caffeine...who knows!

I want to write but I have nothing to say, I want to grab my camera and go shoot but I am coming up short on inspiration on both counts. I feel a poem on the edge of my mind but it has yet to reveal itself to me...... Maybe this is my time to stand still and reflect on what is already here.

I am feeling very impulsive and this is when I can get myself into shopping trouble........there isn't anything I need just a huge, long list of things I want, nothing that I have to have right this moment though. I have an idea of a new photo subject I can focus on, I want to do a quick spread on "Front Porches."

For most of my childhood my Mother watched her children play from the front stoop of either our house or our neighbors. That was the time when you it seemed safe enough to let your children roam the neighborhood streets playing hide and seek or kick the can. Sometimes I would want to join in the fun and sometimes I was perfectly content on listening in on the grown up talk. There doesn't seem to be much sidewalk talk in my neighborhood, most people these days are too busy.

You can tell by the front porch of a home if they make time to sit and enjoy life go by somedays, there is usually plenty of comfortable seating available, some plants and flowers to tend to in warmer weather and a few more things to make it their own personal space. More homes fly the American Flag now since September 11, 2001 and while we are still at war even though the government refuses to acknowledge it in Iraq and Afghanistan...... I have family members in both places and I think about them every time I see an American Flag displayed.

Below is an older photo that I took a few years ago that I called "America's Front Porch" it's of an old farm house with cracked windows and peeling paint and an overgrown yard, but what drew me to is was the American Flag, the red chair and red wreath on the door. Gave me the feeling of days gone by....could of been shot during any of the last few decades and still look peaceful. It is what inspired my hunt for more of America's Front Porches....I'll post more "Front Porches" as I come across them....I already have another in mind! ;)


Americasfrontporch.jpg
kmh 2004


 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love porches, too !  Not surprising, huh? lol
Impulsive feeling ?  Head to NW Arkansas....how much more impulsive could that be ?  Just think of the slumberless party we'd have !!

Anonymous said...

I love your idea of doing photos of front porches!  I love homes with front porches, am always drawn to them when we've considered moving in the past.  The bigger the porch, the better....my daughter has a beautiful porch with a swing and wicker furniture.  She planted a wisteria bush at one end and it has taken off and covers one entire corner and she trained it to follow to the other end, around the beams.  The birds make nests in it each year and it is beautiful when in bloom.  Also, love the pic you included....pretty, especially with the snow too!

Anonymous said...

Oh what a great idea!!!!! I am looking forward to your entries.

Betty

Anonymous said...

Nice pic.  I too have a love for front porches.  They speak volumes.

Have a nice day-
Niki

Anonymous said...

why don't you get a job, like everyone else?

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

love the porch theme I want to play lol,
I just might
have a great day.
Missy

Anonymous said...

Kim, that is a beautiful photo, very representative of Americana.
I love your idea (you are so very talented)....
Ive noticed that builders are going back to creating homes with front porches again. And that is great, cause there is so much life there.
I have many many memories of playing on my grandpa's front porch.
This is an excellent idea you have.
I can hardly wait to see the photo's.....

Anonymous said...

Hey you know you are talking to me here!
Marti

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Holy cow.  I had to do a double take when I saw this.  It looks exactly like the back entrance (that at one time was the front entrance) to my dad's house.  What a great subject idea.  You girls inspire me so.  I can't wait to replace my camera. ;)  C.  http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies

Anonymous said...

Simply beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Great shot. The splash of red on both sides, in the flag and chair and the way that branches from the trees on both sides seem to form an almost arc like frame around the door, I just love it.
The only thing thing I would like to point out though is someone else commented about a vet living there, well I really dont think so because the flag is hung backwards. The blue field should be in the top left corner. Normally I would not criticize something that I know you as photographer had absolutely nothing to do with, but I figured I would just mention it in case another reader was thinking of hanging a flag on their porch :-)

Anonymous said...

I have one word:
W O W!
Gem