Monday, January 26, 2009

The change of seasons often brings about certain traditions based upon where one lives. In the Midwest, I always look forward to Autumn when that first premonition of colder weather teases us with early morning frosts and the beginnings of the fiery reds and sunburst yellows of the maples. Homemade apple butter from large black kettles filling the air with a mix of cinnamon, red delicious, and smoldering oak always reminds me that the Summer has passed and Autumn is on it's way. Mixed with samples of roasted corn, ham and beans and homemade root beer makes for a day long anticipated each year. Each of us has our own seasonal traditions whether it's in New England, Alabama, Australia or other places we call home...traditions that bring us back to our roots.

7 comments:

Karrie said...

Hey Dan!! Awsome picture!!! I love how you make me think. Being a stay at home mom I like to think of things besides kids, family and chores...LOL. I am glad to know all I have to do is come to your blog for some uplifting words and pics.
Look how I did the tag on my blog. You list 8 random things you would like people to know about you and then tag 8 other people and hopefully they will do it. It is a nice and fun way to get to know more about the person behind the blog. You see what the person writes about but may never really know the real person. Have fun!! Any questions just ask :) Have a great week!!

Sacha van Straten said...

Wonderfully evocative words and some neat filter play in PS for the image.

Another winner!!

S

Sacha van Straten said...

P.S. I went to the Annie Leibovitz retrospective at the National Portrait Gallery in London last Saturday.

It was amazing, not least because of the mixing of formal work with her personal home and holiday snaps.

The three portraits of the Queen from last year are remarkable. She makes the monarch seem omnipotent and fragile at the same time. Quite a gift.

Dan Felstead said...

Karrie,
The feeling is mutual! I have spent some very rewarding moments on others blogs gaining insight about the world around me. This open media is a wonderful forum for learning and sharing.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Sacha,
I don't know if you noticed but one of my favorite photographers is Annie. She has this knack of connecting with other humans, no matter what the profession or background that enables her to make images of the true person with no pretenses. She cuts right through any walls the person may have built up. For a person who photographs people and their surroundings...what a key element for success. I envy that talent.

Dan

Sacha van Straten said...

Hi Dan,

Sure, I'd noticed that you like Annie's work, so I thought you'd appreciate the fact I'd gone to check out the retrospective!!

I would love to have an ounce of her talent to play with...I'm guessing this is a show that's either been, or will be coming to the States at some point.

What was interesting was how her personal material of home life etc is often quite cold and distant, which isn't how her subjects come across at all. There was a loneliness to a lot of her own stuff, although the family gathering pics were jolly.

I liked your posting over at Laura Jayne's blog by the way, regarding using masks in PS. I hadn't thought about it like that before. The Tao of PS, gotta be a book waiting to be written. Get onto it!

I tried writing in rhyming couplets, which isn't my natural inclination, but seemed like a good 'mask' to adopt.

Anyway, I've just returned from a parents' evening and I'm pooped. Speak soon,

Sacha

Lynda Lehmann said...

Dan, a lovely, nostalgic post and wonderful photo!

Your beautiful words were enough to pique on MY nostalgia, even a longing for the past.

I don't have any seasonal treats in the house, and it's a gray, drab, and raw winter day, so I guess I'll just have to listen to some oldies! That always makes me feel warm--and younger! :)