Dad and I have the same outlook on wrong turns, he phrases it as "if you don't take a wrong turn you will always go in the same direction." Needless to say we embrace wrong turns because we've made enough of them to know that just around the bend could always be treasure. Today we hit gold and stumbled onto "Porter's Museum." It's an old saw mill that has been in the family for a couple of generations. The father, recently deceased, began collecting old tractors and antiques, steel engines and even an old fire truck. John, the son, saw us strolling around and gave us the officially unofficial tour since the museum has been closed for the past year and only opens one or two days in the spring. To be honest, a lot of the stuff just looked like rusted junk but it lit up my dad's face. He loves these kinds of things - his dream being to have his own "car graveyard." Our farm is littered with junk but the story behind them makes them a part of history, and therefore part of my story. It had been a while since dad saw a steel wheel, the first for me, and we even found common ground with John - he uses an old satellite dish to cover his well and we used one as a permanent umbrella on our lake house when I was a kiddo. It was the perfect practice for me to get use to my new camera from Santa - the Canon Rebel T1i - so here are a few of my first and favorites!
We've always had a white swing in our houses. When we lived in Marks I ran away from home one day but never made it further than the front porch - so I sat on our swing for what felt like hours (but was probably 30 minutes) until my mom came out and asked why I hadn't run away. I reminded her that I wasn't allowed to cross the street by myself, so the swing was as far as I was going.
Gotta have a John Deere!
The old fire engine. The Porter's bought it from a small college - he forgot which - and said it was never put to much use putting out fires but the ladder was used quite a bit. Not sure about the details but I'm sure a good made up story would cover good ground. Again when we lived in the small town of Marks anytime the fire alarm when out we would hop in the car and see where it was going. We sure did find ways to entertain ourselves!
When we lived on Moon Lake in the summers before I knew Oxford even existed we went to a Methodist church in Clarksdale, MS. On the way to church we'd pass the levee and the cow's always seemed to be having "church." One black cow would stand in the front and I kid you not the rest of the herd would lay down semi-orderly in front of him.
We went duck hunting (with no ducks) a few days after.
Probably my favorite - riding back from dropping Brandon off as the sun was setting over the field!
I love black and white because I despise ambiguity, including the kind I make for myself. I prefer things to be black and white, no gray zone - but I'm coming to realize to find comfort and confidence in the middle ground. Resolution material.
You know that feeling when you are coming into your own? Mmmhmmm, well here's to a great 2011!
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