Doug's Photo Blog

Sanctuary

2012-03-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

Sanctuary Sign, Angel Oak, John's Island, SC © Doug Hickok

We end this yellow week with wild birds gathering on a sign. After the wild week we've had, it's nice to have the sanctuary of the weekend ahead of us... maybe we need a "Hickok Sanctuary" sign in front of our home.

Tubing

2012-03-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

Rows of River Tubes, Whitewater River, near Harrison, Ohio © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

Have you ever been tubing? When it is summer time, and the living is easy, and the fish are jumping, and the cotton is high, somewhere there is a quiet river for your tubing pleasure. Jump in a tube, guide it carefully into the river, and float on the cool, soothing waters, move lazily with the calming currents, as though you had not a worry in the world. It is the perfect way to cool off on a sunny summer day.

If you don't have a lazy river near you (or if it's still too darn cold) here are a few photography links to explore indoors.

Odd and quirky sums up these images from Poland.

See the amazing undersea work of Wayne Levin, especially his fish schools series.

Finally, we present the incredible minimalist images of Matthias Heiderich.

Memories of Summers

2012-03-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

Castle Hill, Budapest, Hungary © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)

This week I have presented warm pictures for your enjoyment, mostly from summers past. This picture I remember well, because I made it in Budapest on one of the hottest days of that year. The hot sun heats up the warm colors on the facade of this historic house on Castle Hill... lots of yellow and orange, with a little splash of green and blue.

One day soon, summer will come again.

Glimpse

2012-03-14T00:03:00.000-04:00

Carriage Horses, Old Town, Krakow, Poland © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

While walking around the old city of Krakow one summer day, camera in hand, I decided to explore an open door that led to a long hallway. Finding a dead end there, I turned around toward the street, attracted by the sound of clip-clopping hooves. As I looked-up, I happened to glimpse a tandem of horses pulling a carriage. I made this quick image through the door just as the horse closest to me stepped forward.

A Tale of Knights Turning Tail

2012-03-13T00:13:00.000-04:00

Yellow Picnic Table, Folly Beach, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

There was a time, long ago,
when knights were brave and chivalrous.
But the knights I tell a tale of were not.
When trouble called, they were no where to be found.
When damsels were distressed, they ran away.
When jousting tournaments came to town,
they claimed a prior commitment.
When lords called upon them for support in battle,
they hummed loudly and put their fingers in their ears.
When a quest was required, they sent their squires.
These my friends were The Knights of the Yellow Round Table.

Designer Trappings

2012-03-12T00:03:00.000-04:00

Lobster Traps, Schoodic Peninsula, Maine © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

March 12, 2012

Dear lobsters,

Do not be tempted by these lovely designer colors.

You may think that getting away from the mirky sea bottom and rising to the heights above the sea is progress... success. You may have even heard of a process that will turn your shell from dreary and dull to a stunning shade of red and of bathing in fragrant liquids. DO NOT BE FOOLED! Trust me... There's no place like home!

Sincerely,

Becky Hickok

Interior Designer

Hue & Eye Photography & Design

cc Dorothy and Toto too

A Tarn Yarn

2012-03-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Goldenrod Flowers, The Tarn, Acadia National Park, Maine © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

At The Tarn we witnessed goldenrod swaying,
two loons yodeling,
three beavers drumming,
four chipmunks chuckling,
five trout clapping,
and a moose dancing in a birch grove,
all in a joyful greeting to the early morning light
of an Acadian summer day.

A Time for Orange to End

2012-03-10T00:03:00.000-05:00

Detail of a Kayak, Bohicket Marina, John's Island, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

To end our color theme week like clockwork,
orange dominates the entire composition,
leaving no room for other colors.

We have had a red week, then an orange.
With tomorrow we begin a new week,
and a new hue,
for your eye.

Linked

2012-03-09T00:03:00.000-05:00

Post and Chain, near Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)

Each moment in time is linked,
in directions both past and present,
like a chain.
Yet, where the links take us,
is a mystery.

Except for today.
Today, I offer links,
that contain no mysteries...
or do they?

Click this link to see Normandy in ghostly monochrome.

This link takes you to the impeccable Rodney Smith.

And the final link is Watanabe's Kabuki.

Buoys in the Hood

2012-03-08T00:03:00.000-05:00

Orange Buoys in a Window, Bass Harbor, Maine © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

A row of orange buoys hangin' out in a lobster shack window in the neighborhood of Bass Harbor, Maine.

Strolling

2012-03-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Green Railing, Market Hall, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

Strolling scrolls of green ironwork adorn the steps leading to the entrance of Market Hall.

Seperation

2012-03-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

Palmetto Tree and Shutter, Aiken-Rhett House, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

From this vertiginous point of view, a palmetto tree and its doppelganger shadow are cleaved in two by a roof's razor edge.

Safe Harbor

2012-03-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

Shrimp Boats at Sunset, Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

A row of shrimp boats anchor safely along Shem Creek, as the setting sun casts its reflection in a cabin window. As in yesterday's post, the dominant color today is blue, although a complementary spot of orange adds a defining accent.

A New Week Means...

2012-03-04T00:03:00.000-05:00

Display at an Open Bar, Folly Beach, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

... a new color theme.
If you wish to speculate which color it is, I will gladly help by giving you a hint. In China and Japan, it is the color most associated with love and happiness.

May your week be filled with love and happiness.

Exception?

2012-03-03T00:03:00.000-05:00

Stacked Canoes near Little Miami River, Harrison, Ohio © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

This black canoe is the only one in a stack of red ones. It is the oddity, the rara avis... which begs the question... does the exception prove or disprove the rule? This is a question that dates back to the Roman orator Cicero, from a rhetorical defense of his client. For example, would it be truthful to say that all of Doug's posts this week have the color red, therefore, red is always in his posts? Or, is it ordinary for Doug's posts not to have red, and this week is the exception that proves it.

More likely this is all just idiomatic gobbledegook.

Metal Mouth

2012-03-02T00:03:00.000-05:00

Old Red Truck, Danny's Classic Cars, Elko, South Carolina © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

I had braces... both of my kids had braces... if only our "grills" looked this cool!

Keeping-up with a new tradition begun here at Doug's Photo Blog, I will end today's post with a photography link for your weekend enjoyment...

Great images are often a matter of being in the right place, at the right time and/or having a creative mind.

Out Looking...

2012-03-01T00:03:00.000-05:00

Entry to the American Theatre, King Street, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

The voice in his head told him, "You never know what you might see when you are out looking". So he kept his eyes open and alert... all four of them. Little did he suspect that, when walking past this old movie theater, he would suddenly be enchanted by this wonderful collection of shapes, lines and warm colors. Doug could not resist the urge to take a picture...
so he did.
And, he did all of that (dramatic pause),
without tripping or stumbling.

Well, that was a really exciting story.

Symbiosis

2012-02-29T00:03:00.000-05:00

Rope and Shrimp Boat Hull, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view.)

The word for the day is symbiosis. It is a noun meaning "any interdependent or mutually beneficial relationship." The word dates from 1877 as a biological term, and refers to a mutually beneficial association of two different organisms.

In this photo I would like to think that the colors red and green are visually symbiotic, and the boat and rope are just as symbiotic.

In my experience, chocolate and coffee (especially chocolate covered espresso beans) going into my face, also exhibit traits of symbiosis... maybe... I hope the coffee and chocolate benefit... somehow...

I Wandered...

2012-02-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

Main Square, Old Town, Krakow, Poland © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)

... lonely as a cloud,
That floats on high o'er Krakow square,
When all at once I saw a truck,
a beacon, of bright red paint;
Beside the umbrellas, beneath the trees,
flashing and gleaming in the summer heat.

And even though this poem doesn't rhyme,
I don't mind,
'cause I made a picture,
Worth more than words.

Misty Monday - Low Tide

2012-02-27T00:11:00.000-05:00

Steps to East Quoddy Head Lighthouse, Campobello Island, New Brunswick © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

The only way to visit the lighthouse is at low tide (you can see how high the water reaches by noticing the marine vegetation, the rust on the stairs & railings, and dark stains on the rocks). On most days, here at the Bay of Fundy, tides will vary about
30 to 40 feet from low mark to high. Wading or swimming are extremely dangerous due to swift currents and cold water temperatures. Woe to those who get stranded on the island when the tide rushes in. They will have to wait about 8 hours for the next chance to escape.

Saint Philip & the Spider

2012-02-26T00:03:00.000-05:00

Spider Fountain, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

Backlit by late afternoon sunlight, the Spider Fountain at Waterfront Park glistens like a gossamer web against a Charleston skyline. Seen in the distance is Saint Philip's steeple standing tall above the French Quarter.

Bare for Now

2012-02-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

Bare Dogwood Tree and Fence Rail, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

But soon there will be white flowers...
and green leaves!

Residua of a Past Age

2012-02-24T00:02:00.000-05:00

Twin Bollards, Church Street, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

If I can beg your patience for one last image from the Hank's Seafood Cookbook... this one shows two stone bollards, the remnants of a place along Church Street where boats used to be moored. However, if you walk past here now, you will notice something missing... the water. The tidal creek that once bordered this house was filled-in during the late 18th century, so that habitable land could be expanded beyond the bounds of the old city walls. Today the surrounding neighborhood has many Revolutionary and antebellum era houses.

I will leave you a few photography links for your weekend perusal...

Have you ever wanted to run away to join the circus?

This Vermont artist, now living in California, pursued photography as ritual and story.

Lastly, see extraordinary color abstracts by Pepe Boulette.

Pirates and Cookbooks

2012-02-23T00:03:00.000-05:00

Ornate Gate to Pirate Alley, French Quarter, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)

Another picture from the Hank's Seafood cookbook? Yes, you guessed it. But what, might you ask, does a cookbook have to do with pirates? Nothing really. This image just happens to portray the gate to Pirate Alley in the French Quarter, which hints at Charleston's historic past (plus it makes an interesting topic of discussion for this post).

Pirate Alley is adjacent to the Pirate House, a purported hangout for buccaneers in the early 1700's. Although there once were pirates in colonial Charleston, they are now safely tucked away in history books, and the only ones likely to be seen today are in costume, leading walking tours through the city.

Bridge Wednesday - Twilight Glow

2012-02-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ravenel Bridge at Night, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

Aglow in the twilight, the Ravenel Bridge displays its symmetrical form while reflecting its illuminated towers in the waters of Charleston Harbor. This is another one of the images from Hank's Seafood cookbook.

Courtyard Garden

2012-02-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Fountain in a Small Garden, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)

Another picture from Hank's Seafood cookbook portrays a classical fountain in a small courtyard garden. These kinds of green spaces adjacent to homes are a significant part of Charleston's charm. Protected by surrounding houses and vine covered walls, these enclosed gardens usually have something blooming anytime of the year.

Cooking Charleston

2012-02-20T00:03:00.000-05:00

Saint Philip's Churchyard Gate and Carriage, French Quarter, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

As I alluded to in a previous post, Charleston has been receiving much favorable attention as a travel destination in recent months. Conde Naste Travel Magazine ranked it as the number one city to visit in North America. Fodor's Travel went even further by placing Charleston among the top 21 "to go" attractions in the world. They described it as a "buzzy" destination that is "foodie-centric" and "leading the Southern food revival". Charleston, for such a small city, is indeed graced with an abundance of fine restaurants and cafes. There is a menu for almost anyone's taste.

Today's image is one that is featured in a coffee table cookbook recently published by Hank's Seafood Restaurant. It is replete with delicious recipes presented by nationally recognized chef Frank McMahon. The intent of the image is to offer a taste of Charleston's historic and charming ambience.

Travertine

2012-02-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

Colonnades and Lantern, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Italy © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

A solitary lantern hangs between the rows of large columns in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City. The centuries old colonnades are made of travertine stone, a common material of buildings in Rome, and throughout Italy. Travertine is a limestone formed from mineral or hot springs. The word itself derives from an Italian word meaning

"of Tibur", an ancient Roman town, which is today called Tivoli, near Rome.

It was a preferred stone of Michelangelo... and Bernini, the builder of the

colonnades pictured here.

Time Capsule

2012-02-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

Gresham Mill, Canton, Georgia © Doug Hickok

Gresham Mill, amid the suburbs of Atlanta, seems like a Depression era time capsule preserved for modern eyes. Not far from a busy interstate highway, it is a reminder of who we once were, and how dramatically times have changed, even within recent memory.

The Edge

2012-02-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

Palm Trunk and Shutter, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

Today's photograph illustrates color contrast between warm and cool colors, and is an apt segue into my Favorite Photographer Friday selection, Tom Mackie. He is a renown practitioner of color design, creating saturated images with vivid impact. He teaches about seeking conditions that maximize atmospheric lighting and color, conditions that create tension by being in a state of transition... for example, the edge of day and night, the edge of changing seasons, or the edge of clearing storms.

My take on this visual tension is the above image, which portrays the edge of light and shadow, where the setting sun briefly illuminates textures on a palm trunk, while the background lies in deep blue shadow.

I hope you take a few moments to look at his website.
Have a great weekend!

A Wheel and the Great Beyond

2012-02-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Tiller Wheel, The Old Depot, Lewisburg, Ohio © Doug Hickok

Teeth on the wheel of this old tiller form an alternate pattern, seeming to move with the wheel in a relentless path toward the heavens...
to infinity and beyond!

Bridge Wednesday - Into the Darkness

2012-02-15T00:03:00.000-05:00

Cape Creek Bridge, Coastal Highway 101, Oregon © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)

This arched bridge, reminiscent of an ancient Roman aqueduct, disappears into the Stygian shadows of a mountain ridge as daylight fades to night. Who knows where the road may lead, or what lies ahead... perhaps only the Fates can say.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Shadow of a Chair on Shell Pavement, John's Island, SC © Doug Hickok

I know, I know, the color is a bit over the top...
but it's Valentine's Day,
so why not go to extremes!?

Misty Monday - Veil of Obscurity

2012-02-13T00:03:00.000-05:00

Sun and Fog, Newfound Gap, Great Smoky Mountains NP, North Carolina © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

Beauty, behind a shroud of mist, will reveal itself for those patient enough and
willing to see.

Guardians

2012-02-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Bronze Door, The Basilica of Saint Anthony, Padua, Italy © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)

Saints of the Church, like guardians of the faith, peer down at the faithful from their ornate alcoves on the Basilica of Saint Anthony's tall bronze doors. The basilica was completed in 1301 to honor Saint Anthony of Padua, who after his death became the patron saint of lost people and things. The basilica is a major destination for pilgrims from all over the globe. If you have lost something dear to you, perhaps this is the place to begin your search...

"Tony, Tony, look around. Something's lost that can't be found."

Weathered

2012-02-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Blue Door of a Restaurant, Folly Beach, SC © Doug Hickok

Rusted metal, peeling paint, worn wood... this weathered blue door seems to have the character of an old mariner, exposed to years of salty seas at the helm of his weatherworn ship.

Friday Finials

2012-02-10T00:03:00.000-05:00

Tourists on Legare Street, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

Finals in the shape of stylized pineapples decorate this 19th century mansion on Legare Street. Pineapples are symbolic of hospitality, a tradition that dates back to the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. Eventually the tradition spread to Europe and then to colonial America, where pineapples became a common architectural motif, from door knockers to finials to fountains.

As one of the images featured in the Spoleto Festival USA ticket brochure, this picture gives a sense of Charleston's historic setting and the old world feel that the city can sometimes convey.

I've listed a few photography links to click on if you have some extra time this weekend.

Here is a collection of stunning images by the renown photographer Peter Turnley.

A police officer with camera makes poignant images.

Finally, consider how different everything looks in the light of night.

Have a good weekend.

A Ride Back in Time

2012-02-09T00:03:00.000-05:00

Horse Carriage and Old Exchange Building, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)

One of the fun ways to see historic Charleston is a horse carriage tour. It makes you feel like you have journeyed back in time, to an era when life moved at a considerably slower pace.

This is one of the images from the Spoleto Festival USA website, from a section that promotes things to do when visiting the city. If you come, remember to bring your Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara costumes, along with your carpetbags. But please, no scalawags or rascals allowed.

City at Night

2012-02-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

City Lights, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

Another one of the images used in the Spoleto Festival USA ticket brochure, one that suggests a lively night life... theater lights, restaurants, cafes, the fluxing auroras of city streets...

or maybe alien crafts landing at the site of an active volcano...

Palm Tree Cloud

2012-02-07T00:03:00.000-05:00

Palm Tree and Cloud, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)

Palm tree fronds wave against an azure sky in this image from the Spoleto Festival USA ticket brochure. Although this picture may suggest a tropical island setting with visions of white sandy beaches, grass huts and coconuts, it's not... Charleston has more of a semi-tropical coastal climate. There are tan sandy beaches, but no grass huts or coconuts that I know about.

Spoleto Festival USA 2012

2012-02-06T00:03:00.000-05:00

Cover, Spoleto Festival USA 2012 Ticket Brochure © Doug Hickok

Original Image, Riviera Theater Marquee, King Street, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

I am proud to announce that Spoleto Festival USA selected this image to feature on their ticket brochure this year. Spoleto Festival USA is one of the largest international arts festivals, not just in the USA, but in the world. It has been a center piece of Charleston attractions since it was begun here in 1977 by the founders, who were looking for an American venue to correspond with the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. The two week event runs from late May through early June.

Charleston was selected because it would "provide the charm of Spoleto as well as its wealth of theaters, churches and other performance spaces..."

This image was made at night using a quick zoom blur with my tripod mounted zoom lens. I'll show you more images from the ticket brochure and the Spoleto website, in the following days.

Stitch Design Co., an awarding winning design and marketing group, did exceptional work, as they always do, in designing the brochure and selecting images.

Supercalafragalisticexpealadocous

2012-02-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

Old Ornate Gate, Saint Michael's Churchyard, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

This is a detail of one of the most famous decorative wrought iron works in Charleston, Saint Michael's Churchyard gate. It was made in 1840 by a German born blacksmith,
J. A. W. Iusti. Inside the gate are the tombs of John Rutledge and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, signers of the U.S. Constitution (1787).

As you may know, the first 10 amendments of the Constitution are the Bill of Rights, which allow for, among other safeguards, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion, etc.

It furthermore allows for the drinking of coffee on a leisurely Sunday morning while humming songs from Mary Poppins... "Supercalafragalisticexpealadocous" anyone?

Polly

2012-02-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

Playground Turtle, Daniel Island, SC © Doug Hickok

Having journeyed to South Carolina for sun and fun, Polly the Prefabricated Plastic Turtle was saddened to learn no swimming was allowed in the park.

White Point Light

2012-02-03T00:03:00.000-05:00

Late Afternoon Light, White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

White Point Gardens on The Battery is a pleasant place to sightsee or simply find a place to sit and while away the hours. Light from late afternoon sun glances across the grassy grounds where outdoor weddings take place beneath the 19th century gazebo. Among other highlights, Charleston has also become one of the top wedding destinations in the U.S.

For your weekend pleasure, I'll end today's post by shedding some light on these fun photography links. Hope you enjoy!

A National Geographic photographer demonstrates how to use available light in a variety of situations.

See phenomenal images of the recent spike in arctic aurora activity.

Check out the editing process of Magnum photographers and see how a handful of great images were selected from their contact sheets.

Kumbayah

2012-02-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Sweetgrass Baskets and Camellia Petals, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

The word of the day is Kumbayah. It is a Gullah expression which means "Come by yah" or "Come by here". Its connotation is associated with closeness or spiritual unity, and derives from a 1930's African-American spiritual. The Gullah language (also called Geechee) was the Creole spoken by slaves of South Carolina's sea islands.

This sweetgrass basket image was used recently in a Town of Mount Pleasant advertisement, with the title "Kumbaya. (Come by here)". The basket design is simple, but other basket designs are quite elaborate, displaying the artistic skills of the weaver. Some are featured in art museums.

The local craft of basketry is an art form brought to the Carolina Colony by slaves from West Africa. It is prominent in the fabric of Gullah culture, a weave of African and New World elements. Sweetgrass is a native plant which grows in Lowcountry tidal marshes, and is gathered and dried for basket weaving.

The red flower petals are from the sasanqua camellia bush, which grows readily in our climate, and is featured in many Charleston gardens. Ironically it is not native, but derives from the southern coasts of Japan. It is a cultivar dating from the Edo period (1695-1733).

This concludes your South Carolina history/biology lesson of the day!

Appalachian Snow

2012-02-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Birch Tree Trunk and Rocks, Roan Highlands, North Carolina/Tennessee © Doug Hickok

A dusting of snow adds texture to tree trunk and rocks in this scene along the Appalachian Trail. Many blogs that I have visited this January have displayed beautiful images of snowy winter wonderlands. We don't have snow in Charleston, so I had to pull an image from last fall when Becky and I took a hike in the highlands of North Carolina. With an unusually warm winter (thanks to a La Nina cycle), apparently, this will be the closest thing we will have to a snowy wonderland this year.

Stretch

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

Bike Taxi Rider at Night, King Street, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

A little bit of camera panning goes a loooooooooong way.

Misty Monday - Spanish Moss

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Tidal Marsh, Daniel Island, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

Heavy Live Oak branches draped with Spanish moss hang over this tidal marsh on a fogging winter morning. Spanish moss is not actually a moss or lichen, but an "air plant", an epiphyte, that gathers nutrients and moisture from the humid air of southeastern US climates. It has a fondness for Live Oaks and Bald Cypresses, because these trees have foliage that provide abundant mineral nutrients. Creatures such as birds, bats, snakes and spiders make their homes in the pendant air plant, because it's a "cool" place to "hang out".

Spanish moss is also closely associated with the imagery of Southern Gothic folk tales and literature.

Budapest and the Top 21

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Saint Stephen's Cathedral, Budapest, Hungary © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

Seen from the top of Castle Hill, through the columns of Fisherman's Bastion, the dome of Saint Stephen's Cathedral rises prominently above Budapest on a hazy summer day. Fodor's Travel recently gave Budapest the highest of praise when it listed the city among the Top 21 travel destinations in the world. A few other top spots included London, Paris, Milan, Belfast, South Korea and guess who else? Charleston, the only North American selection, made the list too, for the first time ever! I'll talk a little more on this in a follow-up post. In the meantime, congratulations to all the finalists!

Last of the Old Guard?

2012-01-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

Old Truck, Danny's Classic Cars, Elko, South Carolina © Doug Hickok

When life gets tough, sometimes you must put-up your guard and plow straight through. That seems to have been the philosophy of this old truck. Times have changed though, and life strategies have become more sophisticated... you can hire a life coach these days to help you survive the intricacies of the modern world, and achieve your goals. Outdated modes of thinking have become like this rusty relic from another era.

Single House Style

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Single Houses, Colonial Lake, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

A distinctive form of Charleston's architectural style is the single house. Many of the original plots in colonial Charleston were long, narrow properties, running perpendicular to the streets. A house built on this land was typically one room wide (a single house), or sometimes two rooms wide (a double house). Entry to the house from the street was through a side door which opened onto a porch or piazza.
The two houses pictured above on Colonial Lake are examples of the single house style.

I'll leave you with some cool photography links for your weekend pleasure... hope you enjoy!

A photographer from Chicago took a picture everyday of the same hill for four years.
Another photographer composed portraits of identical twins.
13 famous photographers posed with their most iconic images.
Here are the winners of the 2012 Hasselblad Masters Award.
Lastly, see some amazing waves from Tasmania!

Sea Turtles and Mermaids

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

Folly Beach Pier, Folly Beach, SC © Doug Hickok

Folly Beach Pier is one of the longest on the East Coast. I remember when it first opened, we walked along the high boardwalk to the very end, admiring the beautiful views. Peering down into the ocean waters, we glimpsed a Loggerhead sea turtle suddenly swim to the surface, poke its reptilian head above the waves, and quickly dive back into the mirky depths. It was a thrilling site to see!
I think about ancient mariners seeing creatures like sea turtles, sea lions and dugongs (sea cows), and imagining them to be human-like beings such as mermaids and sirens. These ancient people were ignorant, trying to make sense of their world without the benefit of modern day knowledge. Hence the invention of myths, legends and supernatural tales.

Yet, I wonder how often imaginations still rule our perceptions, when we are ignorant of truths... and how will future generations look back on our myths, legends, and supernatural tales?

Bridge Wednesday - Triangle

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

Lamp Post, Ravenel Bridge, Mount Pleasant, SC © Doug Hickok

I know that I am breaking some rules of composition with this unorthodox image, but I like the implied triangle shape within the frame. Whether it is an effective composition or not depends perhaps upon the viewer.

Life Savers

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Life Savers, Folly Beach, SC © Doug Hickok

Not only do life savers give life saving support to sailors lost at sea, but they also provide chic decor for landlubbers dining outdoors at this Folly Beach restaurant.

Misty and Mysterious Monday - Claws

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Limbs of an Old Oak Tree, Wando River, Daniel Island, SC © Doug Hickok

Hanging over a misty river on a wet and foggy day, the dead limbs of this ancient oak are like claws of a monstrous being from Middle Earth, ready to grab any unsuspecting souls that pass by.

Winter Churchyard

2012-01-22T00:03:00.000-05:00

Old Headstones, Unitarian Churchyard, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

The lush appearance of the Unitarian Churchyard is just one of the attractions of this old Southern Gothic graveyard. Ironwork fences try to contain the luxuriant growth of ferns and grasses. Crepe Myrtle trees draped in Spanish moss overhang ancient headstones that tell brief stories of mysterious past lives. A walk among the rampant growth and slowly decaying graves, in the shadow of the Colonial era church, is like stepping back in time to a place completely isolated from the present.

Know Your Books

2012-01-21T00:04:00.000-05:00

A Stack of Books in front of Blue Bicycle Books, King Street, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

Books, Books, Books!

On cold winter nights, what a joy it is curling-up with a good book. If you enjoy books, or just knowing all about books, take some time to explore Goodreads. This is the place for you, especially when looking for that next perfect book to read. A word of caution though... Goodreads can be habit forming.

Pharaoh

2012-01-20T00:03:00.000-05:00

Faux Pharaonic Mask, Antique Shop, Mount Pleasant, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)
The word for the day is Pharaoh. It is a noun meaning "great house", and applies to the official title of the kings of ancient Egypt. The word dates from the reign of Akhenaten (about 3,500 years ago), but was made popular by its use in the Bible, especially in the Book of Exodus. Famous Pharaohs include Ramesses the Great, Tutankhamun and Steve Martin.

The phrase "Pharaoh's Chicken" refers to the Egyptian Vulture, the symbol of which appears commonly in hieroglyphics. A philosophical question that might be asked is, "Which came first, Pharaoh's Chicken or the road kill?"

Completely unrelated to today's word (but it rhymes) is the phrase "fair row", which is when Crew teams don't cheat during a race.

Conveyances

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

Vessels, Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC © Doug Hickok

The calmness of Shem Creek is momentarily disrupted by the passing of a pair of watercraft. The kayak and the motor boat, in conjunction with the docked shrimp boat, are examples of nautical conveyances typically found on Lowcountry tidewaters.

What you will not find in these waters is the infamous Yellow Submarine or Captain Ahab's Pequod.

(Oh... and Happy Birthday Bucko!)

Torch Light

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

Outdoor Dining Tent, Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC © Doug Hickok

Like a flaming torch light, the glow of a setting sun illuminates an outdoor dining tent near a seafood restaurant on Shem Creek. On cool winter evenings you can sit outside beneath the enclosed canopy and keep warm while watching the fading light of day... a pleasant way to enjoy your favorite fresh seafood.

Battery Promenade

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

East Battery and Waterfront, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)

Perhaps Charleston's most iconic setting is the High Battery, perched on the waterfront and lined with antebellum mansions (built before the Civil War). A stroll along the promenade atop the seawall is ideal during the peacefulness of dawn or dusk. From here you experience the sights and sounds of this unique American vista, where waters from the sea and history converge.

Park Ramble

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Pineapple Fountain, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

A lovely way to begin the day is a ramble in the park... Waterfront Park in Charleston offers beautiful fountains, shady lanes and pleasant views of the harbor, especially at sunrise.

The Duomo of Florence

2012-01-15T00:04:00.000-05:00

Northern Facade, Bascilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

Few man made structures dominate a city center like the Duomo of Florence. Begun in 1296 and finally completed in 1436 by Brunelleschi, the famous Gothic cathedral towers above the 15th century Renaissance city, a symbol of Florence's religious and secular power. Centuries later, you still get a sense of its immense size with this view down a narrow street toward the Duomo's ornamental facade. The final step in construction was the making of the facade. Marble was quarried from various parts of Italy and transported to Florence to decorate the facade,... from Carrara, white stone, from Prato, green, and from Siena, red. This task was not completed until 1887. The Duomo was truly a long term project!

A Deceptive Quietude

2012-01-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ruins and Old Olive Tree, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

A peaceful moment in the Roman Forum inspires reflection upon the immense depth of history found here among the old olive trees and weathered ruins. Yet, it is a deceptive peace. Not only was the Forum a hubbub of activity in ancient times, but it still is during tourist season, when throngs of visitors file past the remains of the once vast and seemingly indestructible Empire of Rome.

La Serenissima

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

View from the Canale Della Giudecca toward the Fondamenta Zattere
and the Bell Tower of Santa Maria dei Carmini, Venice, Italy © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view.)

The "Most Serene Republic" looks just that, serene, on a bright gem-like winter day. Perhaps Venice has seen more prosperous days, but in vivid light and glowing color, it is still a city of incomparable beauty.

Letters to Sala

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Placards, Old Town, Krakow, Poland © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

One of the amazing stories to come from Holocaust survivors is the story of Sala. Beginning as a 16 year old, she spent five years in seven different labor camps. Remarkably, she was able to hide over 300 letters, post cards and photographs from the authorities, documents that told the story of her young life.

If you would like to read further about her story, here is the link.

X Factor

2012-01-11T00:03:00.000-05:00

Balconies of the Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

When I visited the Fox Theatre in Atlanta last summer, my goal was to frame an image that illustrated the variety of brickwork on its facade. The X in the brickwork of this foreground balcony caught my eye, so I sought to make it the focus of my photograph. But, I also wanted to include the rounded Moorish arch over the window as a counter balance to the X.

Just as I was thinking about my composition, the sun came out from behind the clouds, illuminating the X. This emphasized the X, while leaving the background window in shadow. Lastly, a tilt of the camera... just enough to make the horizontal lines slightly diagonal... made the image more dynamic.

Composing a photograph is sometimes like putting a puzzle together. When something unusual happens, like the burst of sunlight, then that extra twist, the X factor, puts the final piece in place.

Time Weathers All

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Rusty Door, Savannah, Georgia © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

More rust than door.

Misty Monday - Ageless Shores

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada © Doug Hickok

Some places have a timeless feeling, a sense that little has changed since the dawn of the earth. While walking along the stretch of ancient shore seen above, I had this feeling. The rocky coast of Campobello Island has an ageless spirit... the scene above could be from the present or from a million years ago, before the age of man.

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."
John Muir

A Transcendental Spirit

2012-01-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Sand Beach and Newport Cove Headland, Acadia National Park, Maine © Doug Hickok

There are places in the great outdoors that exude an inspiring energy, a feeling of awe or wonderment or a transcendental spirit. For me such places are often ancient mountains, old forests and wild coastlines. These feelings are especially strong when the three ecosystems converge into one. Examples of this convergence in North America are the Big Sur of California, the wild coasts of Oregon and Washington state, and the Down East shores of Maritime Canada and Maine, such as the picture above from Acadia National Park.

"We are attracted by wilderness, the Otherness of it, the sense it is something inevitably outside of us."
Henry David Thoreau

The Leaf that Wouldn't Fall

2012-01-07T00:03:00.000-05:00

Dead Leaf and Window Curtains, Old Farm House, Lewisburg, Ohio © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

This leaf, miraculously clinging to the smooth surface of the front door glass, symbolizes the possibility of the "impossible". Many things once thought to be impossible have become reality... horseless carriages, telephones, television, exploring the depths of the sea, satellites photographing distant galaxies, the internet, laser surgery,
Doug having a photography blog...
What next!?

Eat the Rich

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

Lobby Table and Chairs, Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, Ohio © Doug Hickok

A table for two at the
"Occupy Cafe".

Universal Language?

2012-01-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

Letters on a Gas Station Sign, South Carolina © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

Momeed ~~higsoci~~) peasing unitHar n~~osser~~ly carizink ffexte es~~tem~~bou, hunDica ~~caliblab~~ Aliter diapst. Slogreti eeklyisu roortic arfdi otikesp loogext:
C0nfirm y0u aRe NoT a ~~Spa~~Mmer! setksh olocombesse misho radjhba ifformf 154, quigmaXe dradig ~~asesses~~ W0rd Ver!ficAtioN monvami va~~rnu~~m ingnu iggy sty?

CAPTCHA! Ha, ha, ha!

FROPPLIP!!!

Log Jam

2012-01-04T00:03:00.000-05:00

Logs Washed Ashore near Elephant Rock, Seal Rock State Park, Oregon © Doug Hickok
(Velvia Slide Film)

The above collection of wooden jazz musicians, known as "The Logs", have pilled-up together along the Oregon coast for a jam session. Rhythmic thudding and thumping have become a signature sound of this tree-mendous group. You can hear them "live" at Seal Rock State Park, especially on days when the tide is up-tempo,
and the winds are blowing hard.

Joycean Twist

2012-01-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

Shadow of Doug with a Passing Bicyclist, Wedding Gazebo, White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

A Portrait of the Artist...
not as a young man...
but as a tree trunk.

I came to the park to photograph the light of the dying sun I have something in my eye oh it is my camera did I remember to put my car keys in my pocket getting chilly spaghetti for dinner I hope I don't step in dog poop some people don't clean-up after their dogs here comes one now no it is a woman on a bike ooo lala look at my shadow gotta get this shot hot chocolate...

A Hike in the Highlands

2012-01-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Plank Bridge, Appalachian Trail, Roan Highlands, North Carolina © Doug Hickok

Last fall we took a hike along part of the Appalachian Trail. We began on a high ridge, a treeless Appalachian bald, with 360 degree views of the Roan Highlands. As we progressed up a mountain side, through a spruce-fir forest, we hiked through a wonderland of snow.

The beautiful scenery and silence along this section of trail was invigorating, giving us the feeling that we could go on forever.
We enjoyed this hike so much that we want to return again another season.

Happy 2012 !!!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Angel Oak at Sunrise, John's Island, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

Hail to a dawn of new beginnings.
May 2012 be a year of peace and beauty for all of us!

Humdinger

2011-12-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

Fountain of the Moor, Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

The word for the day is humdinger. It is an informal noun meaning an excellent person or thing. Its origin is American English slang from around 1905, derived from the words hummer or dinger (perhaps a beautiful woman). The following are a few possible usages...

An art critic from the Ozark hills once described La Fontana del Moro by Della Porta as "a humdinger example of early Baroque sculpture".

That fashion dive Medusa had one humdinger of a hairdo.

After winning the tiddlywinks tournament, Roger rewarded himself with a real humdinger of a hamburger, stacked high with dozens of pickles chopped into tiny chips (hence the invention of picklelywinks).

Some spin-off words might include humdingerthon, which may refer to a spectacular, long-lasting event... as well as the rowdier version of the word, humdingerpalooza.

So twist and shout, and toot your horns... have a New Year's celebration that is one big humdingerpalooza!

Decay

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Abandoned Gas Station, Elizabethtown, Ohio © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

Decay may delay your stay with a warm ray from the late day.

It has been a long time since I made my last Favorite Photographer Friday post, so I would like to end 2011 with an introduction to the work of photographer Stephen Wilkes. He is a fine art and commercial photographer who's projects include focusing his camera on abandoned settings like Ellis Island and Bethlehem Steel.

I hope you have a great weekend, and a wonderful New Year!

Cutting Edge

2011-12-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Medical University of SC Parking Garage, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

A thin edged corner of this modernistic building slices through blue sky, proving that parking garage architecture does not have to be dull.

I hope to get caught-up with everyone over the next few days. I very much appreciate your visits and comments during my absence.
Thank you!

Cinderella

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

Door on Storage Shed, Folly Beach, SC © Doug Hickok

There is a lovely hued door beneath all the soot and scratches... a Cinderella just waiting to be revealed. Perhaps there is a little bit of Cinderella in all of us...
if given the chance.

Night in Shining Fountain

2011-12-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Pineapple Fountain, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

The darkness of night enhances this fountain aglow with lights.

Warm for the Holidays

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

Christmas Wreaths, Old Church Street, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

We have had warm weather leading up to Christmas in previous years, but this year may be the longest stretch of warm days yet. As I mentioned in a previous post, we have had an extended Indian Summer this year, dating back to October. It has been so mild that Spring flowering plants are blooming. We have a forsythia bush sprouting yellow blossoms in our yard at the moment. And autumn leaves still hang on trees.

So, as we begin the season of the Twelve Days of Christmas, we will relish these mild days of December... that is, until Old Man Winter finally arrives.
Hope everyone continues to have a wonderful holiday season.

Merry Christmas from Charleston!

2011-12-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

Giant Christmas Tree and Saint Matthew's Church, Marion Square, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia Slide Film)

Our warmest wishes to everyone on this special day!

Delivery Man

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Santa Claus, Helen, Georgia © Doug Hickok
(Velvia Slide Film)

Climbing up the side of a Christmas store in Helen, Georgia, Santa is either looking for his lost reindeer and sleigh, or scouting for the best delivery route to make his deliveries tonight. Either way, this delivery man will soon be making a stop near you.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Ahoy Mrs. Judy!

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Shrimp Boat, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

I found this "Mrs. Judy" at the Shem Creek shrimp boat docks, and thought it perfect for a post dedicated to someone special.

You see, ours is the original Mrs. Judy, a one of a kind gal.

So thanks Judy, for all you do for us!

Peace and Goodwill

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Mini Van with Bumper Stickers, King Street, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

A Bumper Crop of Bumper Stickers!

Bridge Wednesday - Port

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ravenel Bridge, Mt. Pleasant, SC © Doug Hickok

Graceful and imposing, the Ravenel Bridge stretches across the Cooper River, offering easy passage by foot or auto. Framed beneath the bridge's span are two container ship cranes, part of the Port of Charleston where thousands of tons of cargo pass each year.

Perhaps one of your holiday gifts passed through this port...

Scrollwork

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ironwork Scroll on Railing and Red Door, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

Charleston has an abundance of ornamental ironwork. The scroll is a very common ironwork motif. The origin of the word derives from a 13th century Anglo-French word that refers to "a roll of parchment" (for example, the Dead Sea scrolls).

This spiral shape is simple and graceful, and is commonly found in nature... as in sea shells, flower blossoms, fern fiddleheads, eddies in rivers, swirls in clouds, crop circles, and in the whipped cream atop cappuccinos. Yum!

Well perhaps the last few were a stretch, but you get the idea.

Still Dawn

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

Kiawah River and Cloud Reflections, John's Island, SC © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

When conditions are just right, when the high tide is at its peak and the air is perfectly calm, the still waters of tidal creeks and rivers become mirrors of the dawn sky.

Saint Stephen's Lion

2011-12-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

Lion Head Door Knocker, Saint Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Hungary © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

Saint Stephen's Basilica was built in the neo-Classical style in 1905 and is the tallest building in Budapest. As with the tallest church in Charleston (Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church, 255 feet.), city regulations state no building in Budapest shall be taller than Saint Stephen's (315 feet). This door knocker shows beautifully ornate metal work, and a rather docile looking lion head awaiting your entry.

Sage Advice for the Road

2011-12-17T00:09:00.000-05:00

Lines in Road, Auburn, Alabama © Doug Hickok
(Click on image for larger view)

Some roads take you to some places.
Other roads take you to other places.
In the end, you end up someplace.

- Doug -

(Every other weekend I try on this new template to show a better overview of my blog. Please enjoy a browse or two.)

Gone Fishin'

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Crab Traps on Boat Dock, James Island, SC © Doug Hickok

To make their daily catch, fishermen are awake before the crack of dawn (as well as some photographers) and out on the water plying their trade. In the blue light of dawn, fishing boats have pulled out from the dock, but left behind is a stack of extra crab traps used for nabbing blue crab. The large net overhead deters pelicans and gulls from mobbing the deck.

Hope you're able to nab a good weekend, even if you aren't fishing for crabs.

Photo Note: Here are some ideas for photography gifts this holiday season.

Sparkling Wishes

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

Bernini's Fountain in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Italy © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

Today I felt the need to post something happy... something bright, sunny, and sparkling... something endearingly Italian! Whenever I think of our visits to Italy, I think warm thoughts. So a Bernini fountain in Saint Peter's square, splashing in joyful sunlight, serves the purpose.
I hope you enjoy this refreshing photo as much as I do.
Have a sparkling day!

Mediterranean Color

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Palmetto Shadow and Shutters, Aiken-Rhett House, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

This could easily be a scene from Italy or southern Spain. The light, color and palm tree shadow have the look of the Mediterranean. Yet it is here, in Charleston. There are times and places where Charleston has hints of an old world appearance, an old world charm. This was one of the first impressions I had when we first moved here from the Midwest.

Charleston Shutters

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

Shutters, Tradd Street, Charleston, SC © Doug Hickok

As you stroll along the narrow streets and alleyways of old Charleston, you will notice most residential windows come adorned with a functioning pair of shutters. For a city that can be exposed to heavy weather from the sea... tropical storms and hurricanes... having shutters that quickly close to protect windows is a benefit. Shutters are usually made of timber and painted an assortment of colors pre-approved by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR).

But one shutters to think what would happen if an unapproved color was ever used... say, neon pink polka dots over a dayglow green background. Egads!

(If you click on the link above and "Launch Color Visualizer", you can paint the town red... or any color you prefer!)

Misty Monday - Fog Bank at Sea

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Fog Bank off the Coast of Oregon © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)

An ominous bank of sea fog moves over the ocean in late afternoon, casting a dark impenetrable shadow above the horizon. The moods of the sea fascinate me... and so do stories about the sea.

My favorite story about the sea was one of the first novels I ever read as a teen in Ohio... Hemingway's Old Man and The Sea. It made such an impression on me that it led me to a love of great literature, and yarns about the sea. Other favorites of mine include Treasure Island, Moby Dick, A High Wind in Jamaica, The Dark Frigate, Voyage of the Narwal, The Perfect Storm, The Wreckers, In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, and Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists.
Hummm... maybe that's why I moved close to the sea...

Do you have any sea story favorites?

A Journey to Trust

2011-12-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Stain Glass Window, Saint Jude's Chapel of Hope, Trust, North Carolina © Doug Hickok

Back in the autumn of early November, we took a road trip to a little community called Trust in the western mountains of North Carolina.

These pictures show a bit of what we saw along the way.

When we finally reached Trust, we found a little chapel at the crossroads.
The story of this chapel is remarkable.

It was built by a cancer survivor who dedicated it to St. Jude.
(Saint Jude is the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes.)
The cancer patient went through intensive treatment, but her prospects seemed so grim and the side effects so ravaging that she stopped therapy. Instead, she put her trust in a higher power and turned to prayer. Remarkably her cancer vanished.
On a plaque outside the chapel is a quote...

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help".

The chapel is peaceful and full of heart and hope.

We trust you enjoyed the ride along with us. Come with us next time as we venture along the Appalachian Trail and find snow.

Gander

2011-12-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Detail of Painted Cart, Old Depot, Lewisburg, Ohio © Doug Hickok

Today's post is brought to you by the word gander. It is a noun that means a male goose (derived from the Old English which dates before the year 1000). Used informally it means a quick look (of more modern origin). For example, "Take a gander at this painted wagon... it reminds me of the colors on Christmas wrapping paper".

Interestingly, according to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable the word gander-mooning describes the "aimless meanderings of the gander when the goose is sitting".

As you might expect, I have derived a few new words and phrases of my own...

Get your gander on - to strut your stuff in front of the hens in the goose pen.

You've been ganderized - somebody has been looking at you rather intently.

gandermonium - when the goose pen gate is left open and hundreds of ganders are running amok in the farmyard.

Carpe Ganderum - seize the gander... and maybe have him for dinner. Bon Gander!

Quoddy Head

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

East Quoddy Head Lighthouse, Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada © Doug Hickok

MaesTro, your music is an inspiration and a beacon to those who listen. Wish we could be at your concert tonight, but 1,723 miles is a bit far for us to drive...
even for a stellar night out.

Break a leg!
(But not really because it's difficult to move furniture that way.)

P.S. If the woman in orange looks familiar to you, it is because she is!

Hope you and everyone else in the whole world has a great weekend!