In preparation for Thanksgiving last week, I was reminded of last year's Thanksgiving post of the Country church above and due to a door ajar...I found myself inside the church giving thanks for friends who I had not thought of for so many years.

Earlier this year, I again found myself drawn into a much different type of church while driving to Louisville on roads off the interstate. I had posted a picture of the Benedictine cathedral earlier taken from the front view but wanted to give perspective as to the magnificence and beauty of the entire building.

With churches, I always like to contrast different approaches to the same end. So different in construction yet they both are set aside for the same purpose. One (in my opinion) no more important or less important than the other...just different...appealing to different peoples. After all shouldn't everyone at least have the option to worship in a way that brings you and your individual backgrounds closest to your God?

Dan

Windows can let you see out or invite you to see in.

The first glass used in windows was by the Romans. They did not use it for viewing the outside world but for insulation. Window dressing, window shopping, "window to the soul", window to the outside world, corner office with a window...so many metaphors have developed throughout the centuries that we no longer even stop to think what a wonderful invention the glass window has been for civilization.

Windows are decorated for all to see as they pass by. Some are barren in order to give a clear view...some are covered to prevent a clear view. To gaze through a wall of windows facing out onto a sunlit mountain range or or peering though 8 inch thick glass from the safety of a deep water submersible onto floor of the deepest ocean trench can be a life changing moment.

The next time you see something truly amazing from behind the safety of a window or wall of glass...think not only of the amazing scene but also of the amazing invention you are looking through!

Dan

The City from Central Park...a trigger for conversation.

To be able to sit in the peacefulness of a park and view the City from a distance is one of the great things about Central Park...or any city park for that matter. I always think about the lights that are on in the skyscrapers...how many families are at home waiting for their spouse or their mom or their dad. A city like New York never sleeps...one civilization leaves at 5:00pm and another civilization fills the void. The two passing on the freeways and sidewalks often times never stopping to inquire about each others lives...too many things to do, a timetable to keep.

One thing I have always noticed about New York however is that the people on the street for the most part do not live up to their reputations. New Yorkers like the reputation of how they live on the front edge of culture, in the know, too busy for the tourists. The stereotypical in your face, short fuse is not what I have seen. Whether it is asking for direction on the subway at 3:00am or for directions to the nearest Starbucks...they are always more than willing to help and outgoing...once you approach them. I think that is the key...the visitor makes the first move. Without that first move towards a conversation, they continue towards their destination impervious to those around them. That is just the character of a city. I respect them for it and appreciate the great New Yorkers I have met.

Dan

For several years around this time Business always took me to New York City. So my thoughts always go back to the City with the Christmas season approaching. The lights are up, the building facades are dressed up in their best attire and music of the season is always magically heard in the air. I always left the City with sights I had never seen in the rural Midwest...such as this Hershey store. I counted 13 or 14 types of candy displayed on the store front.

I envy those who live within commuting distance of a large city this time of year...what a great get away from our daily routine to be able to leave the "normal" behind for a day and window shop to your heart's content.

Christmas in the country is a heartwarming experience like none other with a fresh snowfall and roaring fire but Christmas in the city has it's own atmosphere as well. An experience that should be enjoyed at least once during one's life.

Dan

Well...it has begun!

Welcome to Black Friday. Thanksgiving has just passed and we move on to the Christmas season. Let's hope that this Christmas Season brings more than gifts under the tree that last for a short while and are followed by a January and February that ladens us with debt.

I hope for a Christmas Day at home with family and friends...a bright tree, wassail and gifts which one cannot attach a price tag to...gifts of unrestricted time, real conversations and
re- connection.

Dan

Happy Thanksgiving

The second picture is one of the very few photos I have posted on my blog that I did not take. In the U.S today it is Thanksgiving and often our thoughts turn to family and friends. The person holding the camera is my Dad who is still living and is 85 this year. My mother is in the background facing the front. She passed away in 1999. I thought it appropriate today to put the focus on our families and other loved ones as we gather in homes across the nation to celebrate our nation's heritage, to thank God for our many blessings and remind ourselves that we are so lucky to be living in a country that at least as of today is still free in so many ways.

Like my dad so many years ago...I am holding the camera with the lens focused on you today and I am in hopes that the picture taken reflects a day of togetherness and for some re-connections with broken ties and even ourselves again.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Dan

I stared through the window of the storage room next to an antique shop in Old St. Charles, Missouri.

The items were "not quite good enough" to make it into the main parlor. I have a feeling that the original owners may have felt differently. Years ago these "2nd rate" items adorned the living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens of homes...homes of real people. Lamps with stained shades and frayed wires once lit a small living room...the owners so proud of the new electric service just installed. Wooden folding chairs that were brought out of the closet for the small ones to sit on at Thanksgiving gatherings or wakes for loved ones who had passed. Odd to us today but the copper pineapple on the table made visitors feel welcomed upon entering a home.

The potbellied stove kept a family warm on cold Winter nights...this stove served it's family well, now cast aside. The hand carved hawk...not the best handiwork but a labor of love probably made of wood native to the farm where it was proudly displayed. The handmade wooden box next to the stove was in bad repair but due to the hand cut dovetail joints...it still was capable of holding the tools that made it. And last but surely not the least of the items...the timeworn table in the foreground still sturdy after years of meals, family discussions and neighborly gatherings continues to be useful even today.

There is a great article by an Author named Jackie Curtis...I know nothing of her but her article relays so well my feelings about this room...I stumbled onto the article by accident. From now on...when I go to an Antique Store...the first question I am going to ask is "Can I look at your articles in the storage room"?

Dan

New York City...a church that was spared ruin on September 11th, 2001.


This scene is played out in all of the major cities around the world and thank goodness for it. The contrast of old historic buildings against the backdrop of modern superstructures. Often the historic center of a city remains as a testament to it's founders and the city elders had enough foresight to preserve them for future generations. At one time these old buildings were on the "cutting edge" of their time. Let's hope that in the day of our grandchild's child, he or she will see a remnant of Times Square or the Chicago Loop as they visit the cities of the future.

Dan

The original posting date for this image was November 19th of 2008. It was my 3rd post and had 2 comments and one was Laura Jayne of Poems Poetry and Prose. Through Laura Jayne it was my first introduction to sites that prompt writing topics.


It had been dry for weeks. The humidity caused the blowing dust to stick to my skin and form a mud paste like I made when I was a child. The musky smell told me something was about to change. Shortly after the release of the shutter, I was vindicated. The rain began with a soft gentle cleansing and the steam rising from the field told me that the tension had been released. The grasses, once dry and brittle, now could live another day. The old granary now had a new complexion, moist, smooth and glistening. I repacked my equipment, turned to survey the revived landscape and breathe in one more time, then left with a renewed sense of knowing that it was going to be a beautiful day.

Original posting date of December 9th, 2008.

Summer clover hay has a unique smell. Sweet, sometimes musty, but the presence of the air filled with clover is a sure sign that work has been done here. Family farms hold tradition, pride of ownership and loyalty as a road map for all of us to follow. Whether you hail from Europe, Asia, down under, or America...the smell of clover hay in the summer immediately takes you out of the six lane and transports you Shangrila - the land of eternal youth in "The Lost Horizon".

Cynthia...1957 is your lucky number!

Congratulations Cynthia...you ere the first today with the right answer! So one of my photos of your choice will be Oklahoma bound. Just email me at felsteadd@gmail.com with your choice and shipping address and I will get it in the mail. Thanks for participating!


A BIG THANKS to all who visited and participated in the contest for the last 4 days...I had fun and hope you did as well...let's do it next year. I am going to post two more days of early photo postings then back to the normal drill. I think I am approaching overkill on the celebrating the anniversary! I have probably milked this thing for all it's worth!
Thanks again,
Dan



King of the Road!

I posted this on Simply Heather's Photo Blog on Saturday after the car show but wanted to re-post here for this week.

Heather mentioned that it looked like this car was smirking! Indeed it is. For this 1957 Oldsmobile Rocket was the king of the road in those days...nothing more bawdy and nothing more 1950's than this piece of Americana.

America took to the open road in the 50's. Gas was cheap, highways were being built everywhere and the family vacation was on the move. The most famous of the treks was highway 66...an east-west two lane that catered to America on the road. Along route 66 you could see plaster dinosaurs...a must to have your picture taken in it's mouth, a restaurant shaped like a huge teapot, Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox the size of a school bus, and the creation of Drive-ins...you could actually order food and eat in your car...WOW...the wonders of high technology! This was a time of carefree America at peace after the World War and Korea. What better way to forget those horrors than to take to the road on a family vacation. The '57 Olds was the car to do in.

On the drivers Ipod Playlist:

The Frank Sinatra Discology
Best of Tony Bennett
One eyed one horned Flying purple people eater
Hello Mother, Hello Father...Here I am at Camp Granada
They're coming to take me away HA HA
You aint nothing but a hound dog
Heartbreak Hotel
Rock around the clock
Blue Suede Shoes
Johnny B. Goode

Showing on the DVD Player:

The Wild Ones
On the Waterfront
Chevy Chase's "Vacation"
Cat on a hot tin Roof
Cleopatra
Giant
Them
The day the Earth Stood Still (Black and white original version)
Ben Hur

Last know tweet from Twitter:

"Just saw the funniest Burma Shave signs yet! @Big Bopper.com"

See you at the Drive in Movie tonight!

Dan

Just a quick recap of rules:
1. Read the clue
2. Search my blog for a post earlier than Aug '09 that matches the clue.
3. Return to the comments for today's post and leave a description of the photograph
4. First one to make the correct guess wins a matted photo of their choice from the blog.
5. I will announce today's winner with tomorrow's post.
6. I will be monitoring your comments in case you have a question.


Final Clue...Day 4:

Route 66 paved the way and life on the road begun
Plaster Dinosaurs ate our young
If there were IPODS in the 1950's
"Blue Suede Shoes" would really be nifty
Then again if at the movies
"The Wild Ones" would really be groovy

Thanks for all the participation and good luck!

Don't forget to leave your answers on today's comments.

Dan

Now I have to pay shiping to Sweden!

Congratulations Dawn Treader! Your multiple guesses paid off and Cynthia you were very close...the wolf was white but the albino deer was even more rare and then there was the smell of a wood stove in the air! Dawn Treader just email me at felsteadd@gmail.com with your photo choice and shipping address and when I save enough money for shipping...I will send it to you!

One more day and one more clue...good luck to all!
Dan

This was my very first post on the blog. As I posted it...I wondered if it was just going off into cyberspace and no one would see. My worst fears came true...the next day I think there was one comment. One year later all of your comments keeps me going...thank you.



I could hear the chit chit chit of rain falling on the already frozen ground forming a thick layer of ice. I walked out to soak in the beauty of crystal clinging to every branch. I found myself standing toe to toe with the albino. One chance for the shot, with the click of the shutter, she was gone. I have seen her since but she has never afforded another chance to capture her again. She can only be seen on her terms. Her fleeting image brings to mind the Native American folklore legend surrounding the albino deer. The albino, the crystal ice, the winter's chill and the smell of smoke from a distant wood stove froze this image in my mind and quite literally in the camera.

Just a quick recap of rules:
1. Read the clue
2. Search my blog for a post earlier than Aug '09 that matches the clue.
3. Return to the comments for today's post and leave a description of the photograph
4. First one to make the correct guess wins a matted photo of their choice from the blog.
5. I will announce today's winner with tomorrow's post.
6. I will be monitoring your comments in case you have a question.


Day Three...Clue Three:

White all around, Pink eyes alertly stare
Smoke from fireplaces perfumes the air
Rarely seen in photographers lair
Here briefly then no longer there

Don't forget to leave your answers on today's post.

Good Luck

Dan

And the Winner is...Sunny!

Sunny...the early bird got the worm! You were the first to guess correctly at 6:30 am this morning! Thanks for jumping in there and participating. When you have the chance, choose the photo you want and email me at felsteadd@gmail.com and let me know your choice and your shipping address.

Thanks to everyone for joining in the contest. The original post is below:


You can click on the individual picture for better viewing. Two images that go hand in hand. I hiked to the Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse. Like so many settlements named after a familiar landmark...a branch of the Little Greenbriar stream ran cold and clear just beyond the schoolhouse. Only in use for 3 months a year during the 1800's due to the children helping with life's duties...the crops, the firewood and the family cow for the children's milk. The graveyard held the stories of children who attended but never made it to adulthood...the settlement's community resting place. The park ranger pictured spoke from experience...she rode horseback past the settlement day after day as a youth and retold to us the stories of her great grandmother who attended the Greenbriar school. She spoke of the area as if it were a living entity unto itself...with at the same time a respect and a dread in her voice. The beauty of the land and the bounty it gave forth helped ease the harsh existence of day to day dangers of the wildlife, disease and raiders from outside the Cove.

I sat in the schoolhouse on the poplar board benches, forgetting about the darkness that was encroaching for the hike back, entranced by her recounting of early American education...truly... reading, writing and arithmetic. The reader was the family bible, writing was with gypsum on a slab of black slate dug from the Greenbriar and arithmetic counted bushels and miles.

On my return to the trail head, darkness had surrounded me. I reflected on the day, transfixed as I read....

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

Just a quick recap of rules:
1. Read the clue
2. Search my blog for a post earlier than Aug '09 that matches the clue.
3. Return to the comments for today's post and leave a description of the photograph
4. First one to make the correct guess wins a matted photo of their choice from the blog.
5. I will announce today's winner with tomorrow's post.
6. I will be monitoring your comments in case you have a question.


Day Two...Clue Two:

Little Greenbriar runs cold in the fall
A bell rings and the schoolhouse calls
Education and community is the tether
Children risk bears and brutal weather
Graves mark lives lived on the land
History preserved showcasing the spirit of man.

Don't forget to leave your answer in today''s comments.
Good Luck!

Dan

Congratulations Heather!

Heather...you have won the first day of our contest! Sunny...your guess was very close...
The post about the clown had several of the key components of the clue. It had the "nod", the "streets" and "not being seen again" but it lacked the key part of the clue...."young and naive". The picture above was taken in the 70's...and truly I was "young and naive"! Heather...when you have the chance, choose your photo and email your shipping address to my Google email:
felsteadd@gmail.com and I will print it up over the weekend. Below is the narrative that went with the picture posted on November 22nd of 2008.


Arenys de Mar, Spain. The Gold coast. I spent 3 weeks in a hostel while hitchhiking Europe in the 70's. I walked the winding bricks streets camera in hand hoping for a chance of a lifetime. I found myself staring eye to eye with a child. I was so mesmerized by the innocence and lack of any pretense that he offered me. Almost hypnotized by the spell, I couldn't look away. Finally I realized...I have a camera, I can capture this spell forever and relive it as many times as I need for the rest of my life. I raised the camera, focused, and released the shutter. As I looked through the viewfinder, he was still staring. I nodded my head and walked away. I looked back before I rounded a corner and he was gone. Was he really there? 6 months later in the darkroom after returning home, I watched with skepticism as the image at first ghostly began to develop. Again, I was fixated on the eyes and he returned the innocent inquisitive glance. He WAS there, the child that explored my soul without permission. Now many years an adult, he must be a philosopher or shaman.

Post Time Change

I just realized (I am learning as I go here....) that I am slighting folks who live West of me! I was going to post the clues as did today at 6:00 AM but that would make it 4:00 AM on the West coast! Even I would not get up for a blog contest at 4:00am!!

So for Wednesday, (Tomorrow) the post will be at 6:00 AM Central just like today. Then on Thursday and Friday...the post will be at 8:00 AM Central. That will give two days for East and Midwest and two days for Mountain and West. You can of course jump on and guess any day no matter where you live...I am just trying to make it as easy as I can for you to post. For you all on the other continents...I now have you totally confused! I am too!

Dan

Additional Chances to win!

Hi folks, Sunny had asked the question...Can someone win more than once over these 4 days? Originally I wanted the maximum number of people to win so I said that you can only win once over the 4 days. BUT.......

Here are some changes:

Each person will have a chance to win 4 times...once each day. For example, If you are the first to correctly guess today...you will win a matted 8X10 image of your choice from the blog.

If that same person is the first to guess correctly tomorrow...you will win a set of 4 note cards with photos from my blog (I will pick the photos). Now...if that happens...I will move to the next person to guess correctly on the comments who has not won yet and they will win the matted 8X10 for the day. That way, a different person each day will win the 8X10 matted print. Remember...to win more than once...you have to be the first person of the day that guess correctly.
If by chance a winner also wins more than one extra day...they will get the note cards for each time they win and I will vary the images.

Just to clarify...the note cards are not a second place win...they will only be given if a past winner is the first to guess correctly on another day.

Have I confused you??? Don't worry about it...just guess each day and I will sort out the details and keep you posted.

Dan

One Year Anniversary!

365 days and 375 posts later...I have made it through my first year with the Blog!

It goes without saying that I want to thank everyone for the camaraderie over the past year and your putting up with my sometimes over the top pictures and narratives. I appreciate you all so much and I treasure all the friends I have made all over the world...it is truly an amazing thing...this wired world. Again, I have said it before but if I ever begin to waver from my purpose: posting images and posting narratives that relate the back story of the picture when I took it or with some relative facts historical or otherwise...jerk me back on track. Hopefully we can all meet here again one year from now! Thank you one and all...I treasure each of you.
Dan


Just a quick recap of rules:
1. Read the clue
2. Search my blog for a post earlier than Aug '09 that matches the clue.
3. Return to the comments for today's post and leave a description of the photograph
4. First one to make the correct guess wins a matted photo of their choice from the blog.
5. I will announce today's winner with tomorrow's post.
6. I will be monitoring your comments in case you have a question.

Now the clue for today's contest ...remember to post your answers on today's comments:

Young and naive I walked winding streets
Eyes held me hostage, never again to meet
A thankful nod and I walked on
Looking back...he was gone.

Good luck!
Dan

"Courtship is the traditional dating period before engagement and marriage. During a courtship, a couple dates to get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement. Usually courtship is a public affair, done in public and with family approval.

It includes activities such as dating where couple go together for a meal, a movie, dance parties, a picnic, shopping or general "hanging out", along with other forms of activity. Acts such as meeting on the Internet or virtual dating, chatting on-line, sending text messages or picture messages, conversing over the telephone, VoIP, instant messaging and the like, writing each other letters or e-mails, and sending each other flowers, songs, and gifts constitute wooing."...

Wikipedia.

I don't think Wikipedia was around when Ralph Gregory courted.

"Boys and Girls" from Ralph Gregory's book mentioned above.

"When I was a little boy I noticed the big boys interested in girls came to the homes of the girls. Usually the girl's family knew who he was and knew his family. Sometimes the young man was invited to supper. He and his girl of interest would visit in the parlor or outside in a swing or ont he porch steps. Ocasionally they got some privacy by sitting in the buggy he came in. The youth would sometimes stay all evening and join in several games of cards. He could not take off with the girl in his buggy........

In the search for girls, the boys in town had an advantage over the boys on farms. Girls were nearer for boys in town and they had some use of the telephone. They could easily walk to their dates in town. A boy in the country had a long walk, horse or buggy ride to get to the girl he wanted to visit, unless she was on a neighboring farm. The farm boy was often to tired for that.

I recall the old saying that went something like this: ""Behind the plow and going hence, saps the zest for romance"". So the farm boy usually did his courting on Sundays. Sometimes it began with taking a girl home from church. If the girls home was in town and her parents were not walking behind he could take the long way home or walk to some scenic point and back. ...........

The extreme difficulty of courtship for a farm boy is well represented in what Fred Parde told me of his days courting. When the century was new, Fred Parde of Clover Bottom needed to visit his girl in Warren county. His only buggy horse was a female that had recently foaled. He could not leave the little horse that was nursing the mare at home. So he let the little one walk along beside its mother. It went the ten miles to Washington, went across the Missouri river on the ferryboat and more miles to the farm of his girl's folks. Fred stayed several days and then the three made the long trip home."

The rituals of courtship have changed but the determination of two young persons in love are still guided by the heart rather than the mind...even today!

Dan

Rules for the Contest

Ok...I have decided on the rules for the upcoming contest beginning on Tuesday November 17th and running for 4 days ending next Friday.

1. Anyone can participate whether you stumble onto the blog from Japan or are a loyal follower.

2. The answer to the question of the day must be posted in a comment for that day so I can determine the first person with the correct answer.

3. Each of the four clues will be posted at 6:00 AM Central Time U.S. each day.

4. I will post a poem (written by me so don't expect much!) that will lay out clues for one of my past posts dating back to November 17th, 2008. (HINT... no picture will be chosen past July '09...all pictures will have been posted before then.).

5. The first person to comment that day with a description of the correct post will win. No need for a long dissertation...just so I can determine which post you have chosen.

6. On the right had column of the blog, at the very lower right...you will see "ARCHIVES"...you can click on that and go to a particular month...might save you some time.

7. In a nutshell: 1. Read the clue 2. Search the post 3. Leave a comment with your answer.

8. I will post the winner the following day along with the post itself and a clue for the next day. You can only win once during the contest.

(Again, anyone can enter....except Sunny who has already tried to game the system and Dawn Treader who is already complaining about not making the contest too hard! JUST KIDDING OF COURSE....I just couldn't resist!).

Winners can choose any photo posted on the blog...your choice...I will mat and send it to you postage paid. There will be 4 winners...one each day.

Good luck and have some fun!

Dan

Where does our time go? Someone once said that the poor man and the rich man both have 24 hours in a day...time is the great equalizer. Each person is given 24 hours...it is what we do with it that sets us apart. So often I get caught up in a hectic schedule and before I know it, it is time to go to bed...what did I accomplish during the day? If I am honest with myself, I would have "more time" if I managed it better. Ralph Gregory speaks of the memory of a hot breakfasts prepared by the time he got up in the mornings...this was prepared by those who had none of the "time saving" conveniences of today. Maybe "time savers" only give us more time to waste. I am speaking to myself here.

"Remembering Breakfast" from Ralph's book above.

"Grandma was frying sausage and eggs. Biscuits she had made and set aside. Coffee was near to boil and the big table in the kitchen, covered with oil cloth was set with tableware. I remember vividly the wooden handled forks and the Meakin china. (Meakin China was hyperlinked by me for clarification). Some of the plates were cracked. When all but baby mouths came to feed, we sat down. Most of the children sat on a bench with their backs to the east wall and window. Some egg shells were put in the coffee to help settle the grounds. (again hyperlinked by me). Adults would drink the coffee and children were given milk.

After breakfast we dressed in heavy clothes and stocking caps and got into the snow. Some children began immediately making snowballs and throwing them at somebody. The older boys went for the homemade sleds of wood. We had skis made of barrel staves. Few families farming could afford "store" sleds, but some had large sleds used for farm work and horse power to pull them. With these big sleds and homemade "bob" sleds we had good sleighing. ................

In 1912 there was at Washington a heavy snow and drifts of snow to six feet deep. The river froze solid and thick. A few horses and wagons went across the ice and a Ford car was driven over. I saw some men cutting ice, pulling it from the river and hauling it away.....With horses, ropes and tongs they easily brought the ice out of the river and up a slide into a wagon. I think these men were getting ice to store and sell. Some farmers also cut ice in the river or from the creeks near their homes.

Ice compartments were in the cellars of some houses. The Owens house in town had one. I remember a crude ice house in the country made in the side of a hill. Wheat and oat straw were used for insulation. My folks in town and on farms near town bought ice from Busch's Brewery. "


Next we will see how "courting" took place last century.

One year coming up next week!

Good afternoon folks,
Next Tuesday the 17th is my first year anniversary on the blog. Since I had no followers when I started...I figured I would re post some of my first blog photos next week beginning on the 17th for 3 or 4 days...kind of a trip down memory lane!

I will also run a contest beginning on Tuesday. I am not sure what the rules will be as yet but I would like to give away 4 8X10 prints matted in a black mat which will measure 11X17. The winners will have their choice of any image I have posted since the beginning of the blog.

I am not good at coming up with ideas for contests so bear with me on this one!

Dan

The first real snowfall of the year always takes me back to my childhood and the anticipation of waking up with everything transformed into shades of white. Ralph Gregory in his book referenced above reflects on a first snow of the season while growing up.

"Snowflakes"

I remember waking one Winter morning in that bed (his grandfather's bed...Dan's words) and looking out the small window and seeing the first snow of Winter. It was a big one. Evidently, in the night the snow fell long and light. The snow was several inches deep on tops of fence posts. Near and far a white white world it was.

A little patch of snow was on my bed. It was on the thick cover where my feet were under. It had come through a crack in the window frame. That the snow had not melted shows how cold the room was. I left the warm bed eager to get into the world of snow. I gathered my clothes in my arms and hurried downstairs to dress by the kitchen stove. Some of my cousins, younger than I, were excitedly talking and looking out the south window.

The memory now makes me think of Whittier's poem ""Snow Bound"". ""When the morning sunlight shown, We looked upon a world unknown, on nothing we could call our own."" Yet the poem was not true for us then. The fences and buildings, trees and fields, woodpile and wagon and more were ours, though wonderfully covered with the white stuff. The cows and horses and mules were in the barn. The hounds and chickens were in their houses. The hounds no doubt curled head to nose. The chickens could not get out. Their low door was blocked by the snow. "

In Southern Indiana we have not had our first substantial snow of the season as yet...but when that day comes you can count on me...outside in the quiet of the falling snow...listening and breathing deep the the winter chill. The excitement will keep me warm.

Tomorrow...a hot breakfast and then out to the snow for some fun.

Candles were so important in the days before electricity. Read Ralph's account of coping before there were any light switches on the wall.

"Candles"
"When I was a boy, candles were still in use and some were made at home. They were made of beef tallow or beeswax or a mixture of both. They were made by dipping stringy wicks in the melted stuff or by pouring the material in molds.

Some people preferred the light of a candle to that of a coal oil lamp. I remember a newspaperman saying he preferred a candle when setting type. I well remember and visually image myself carrying a candle to bed at my German grandparents house. At the bed, I would hold the candle down a little and let some melted wax drop on the window sill by my bed and then set the bottom of the candle in the melted wax. The bed was up to the wall and window. After getting in bed, I would lick my thumb and forefinger and pinch out the flame of the candle. Soon I was asleep under a big feather-holding cover. Sometimes I would have fearful dreams. Dreams came in life-asleep as real as life awake, and my heat beat in them as strong as in life at stake. "

Last winter here in Southern Indiana, we had an ice storm of gigantic proportions! We were without electricity for several days. Living by candlelight during those days was a real treat...the mood of the room seemed to change as a candle was lit. The pace slowed down, the golden light inviting me to read a book or just relax. So hard to do with the TV on or other appliances whirling and buzzing or beeping. I am sure to live day by day with only candlelight as Ralph did became as routine for him as flipping a light switch is to us. But nowadays when we are jolted back to the days of candlelight...for that brief time...what a nice change of pace and serenity it brings.

Tomorrow...the first snow of the season as seen through Ralph's eyes of his childhood.

Today is the first installment of excerpts from Ralph Gregory's Book posted above. You will notice that Ralph's style is to tell it like it is...or was...with no embellishments. Just a true from the heart description of life growing up in Missouri 100 years ago. Take the time to travel back with him to an America that none of us have experienced...only heard about. What struck me as I read his book is that it makes no difference whether you live in New England, Arizona, Minnesota, Europe, Australia...there is a strain of truth that we can all identify with and probably wish we could have experienced.

The blog is now read by nice folks all over the world thanks to the global internet. I remain truly thankful and humbled by your loyalty and continued interest over the last year. My challenge to you is if at all possible, seek out someone in your area who has the perspective of years on this earth with learned wisdom from life experiences both good and bad. Take the time to talk with them about their life...we can learn so much from them. It will be conversations that you will never forget.

I hope you enjoy the next few days with me.
Dan


"Peaceful State"
As I think back, people in Washington and around entered this century (20th century...Dan's addition) in a prosperous and peaceful state. Of course a little boy has little general knowledge of social and economic conditions, but as, I believe, an unusually curious boy in town and country I saw nothing I would call suffering poverty. I saw no homeless of local origin. Families took in and cared for their own, old, sick, handicapped or whatever. There were "bums" and "tramps" and we always helped them. But as a boy I saw no sign of hardship and danger among people I was growing up with before World War I.

Some people were poor by our standards now, but they felt secure, were working hard and enjoying life. Washington and the county wre in thier "Golden Age". The civil war was long past, the industrial revolution was in full swing and the Spanish-American War and the war in the Philippines did not scare practical life...............

Our family went to farms of relatives along the Missouri and Bourbeuse rivers and stayed for days. Going in a wagon, we would not be expected to return the same day. Anyway, we came intending to stay a while. We were always well fed and bedded. We did the same for their families when they came to town or my grandfather's farm."

As I read Mr. Gregory's accounts...I noticed a continuing theme throughout his book...The strength of the family unit and how everyone cared for their neighbors and friends as if they were family.

Tomorrow we will visit Ralph's grandparents as he goes to bed by candlelight.

Meet Ralph Gregory

WITHOUT THE PERSPECTIVE OF HISTORY...WE ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT

Dear Mr. Felstead,

Yes, as far as the Washington Historical Society is concerned, you may use quote’s from Ralph’s book as long as proper credit is given. I looked at your blog and enjoyed it very much. The picture’s of Ralph evoked many emotions as he has been a ‘mentor’ of sorts to me for many years. He is an amazing man on many, many levels. I for one, appreciate your interest in him; I know that he appreciates it.

Sincerely,

Marc Houseman

Museum Director

Washington Historical Society

For the next few days, I am going to depart from my usual posting of a photograph and writing some prose about it.

I have mentioned Ralph Gregory in past posts...he is an historian who lives in Missouri about 1.5 hours south of St. Louis in the small community of Washington. Among his past experiences of being a prisoner of war, a philosopher, historian, curator of the Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal...he has one other unique quality...100 years old and still active in his trade.

I found the video of his 100th birthday party and a very informative blog post about him on Dianna Graveman's blog. Dianna had the video on her blog and I have included it as well. It can be found on You Tube. If you have the chance ...visit Dianna's blog to see the article. She among other things is an instructor in the MFA in Writing program at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

The above book is one of Ralph's books he wrote when he was 90! I was glued to the words as I read about life at the turn of the 20th century. The amazing thing to remember as you read excerpts over the next few days is that Ralph is not a Harvard Professor with a doctorate in Anthropology musing about how things "may" have been in those days...Ralph lived those days...and writes of his life growing up in the first decade of the last century and still lives today! That takes a while to get your head around! Tomorrow I will begin the excerpts.

Dan

I have spoken about and shown so many images about the Osage Valley in Missouri over the last couple of weeks that I thought I would add a bit of perspective. I have mentioned that the valley was settled in the early 1800's by Travelers with Daniel Boone.

However, there were inhabitants of this land long before the white settlers ventured across the Missouri river. The Osage Indians. They were a waring people, larger than most other tribes...some say 6.5 to 7 feet tall. The link will show an artist's rendition of an Osage Indian Village. You will see that their abodes were very similar to the ones in today's photos.

The working farm that we visit each year actually has a separate area devoted to the very early settlers of this area...the Indians and the fur trappers. Replicas of the Osage Indian abode have been meticulously re assembled. They are pretty amazing structures. We so often think of Tepee's being the typical Indian habitat but for the Osage...they chose this type of hut made out of wheat, reeds and other indigenous plants. Often they would then coat the hut with a mud mixture making it impervious to the elements. A hole in the roof acted as a natural draw and kept the smoke out of the living quarters...similar to a Tepee. The floor was built of wooden planks...often better than many of the log cabins at that time with dirt floors.

Just some history today...hope I didn't bore you!

Dan

The rest of the family was making candles.

It was obvious as I watched the family...different members had different jobs to do. Some were dipping candles in the hot beeswax, some were stringing the newly formed candles to dry and harden and the boys were keeping the fire under the large black cast iron pot to a red glow. The three were nearest to me were a child and two older children who had been given the responsibility to keep her out of harm's way while the work was done.

As they sat and talked of the days events...the little girl at times wandered but was quickly returned to her place in the family hierarchy. I think she was also curious about what I was doing!

Dan

The Hex sign at the top of the barn fit well within this German working farm. The two story structure was living space above and storage of harness and implements down below where there was easy access for the horses. All the buildings on the property are authentic buildings of the period and once walking inside of them...takes one back to the period immediately.

A truly enjoyable experience if you are ever in Missouri ...the third week of October.

Have a peaceful and re vitalizing Sunday.

Dan

I hope this Saturday finds you well and you have a chance to get together with family or friends.


I processed this and tomorrow's post as a painting of sorts. I felt like it portrays a more idealistic scene of days gone by. Tomorrow's post will be of the red building at the upper right of the image. This was taken at the working farm we visit each year in Missouri. The day was spent entirely on the farm and we were literally the last to leave the farm. Staying around after the visitors had left gave us a true feeling of what it was like to have actually lived here and experienced the beautiful setting on a day to day basis.

We visited the old Historian again as well. He is the person who I wrote about on an earlier post...the picture of the old man in the hat holding an old book. He is now 100 years old and still actively participating in the days events each year. I spoke to him this year and congratulating him on his 100th. He told me that he was 102...one hundred years and 2 months! He said at his age, he no longer counts by the year but by the month! He said his health is still holding up but 2 months ago he fell off a roof and hurt his arm. Can you imagine that he would even be on a roof at his age! He is one of the most interesting peole I have ever talked to and he has such a broad perspective on history.

I bought a book of his that he wrote when he was 90. An easy read but so interesting to hear of his youth and how things have changed over the last 100 years in his small town. I am thinking about posting small excerpts from the book from time to time because it dovetails so well with many of my photographs.

Have a great Saturday.

Dan

With Halloween now behind us...Thanksgiving and Christmas lay directly ahead. This is truly the beginning of a magical time of year. During our visit to the working farm in Missouri, we watched as one of the residents intently completed her work of love. The warm lighting surrounding the quilter reminded me of a Christmas scene and I am going to post this again along with others like it closer to Christmas. No machine stitching or quilting here...this is truly an effort from the heart...when finished, given out of love on a grandchild's wedding day.

Dan

To those who have followed the blog over the past year...you know I have an ongoing love affair with porches...porches of all kinds...small intimate ones, sprawling grandiose ones...porches of all kinds.

To the outsider, a porch is an invitation to interact with the residents...to the insider, they are a window to the world just beyond the sidewalk. You can imagine my excitement when I saw this house at first sunrise sitting high on a hill on our trip to Missouri. A DOUBLE PORCH! What could be better! Behind me lay the intimate Osage Valley still silhouetted against the new orange morning sun. To be able to sit on either porch in the morning or at sunset and take in the view would be a dream come true for me.

Dan