Seniors #2--Every Picture Tells a Story, Don't It?
Rockin' Rod Stewart borrowed the old cliche that "every picture tells a story" for an uptempo rocker of a song(is there any other kind?) of the early 70s. Treat yourself to an itunes download or a free play at your favorite download site like Rhapsody.This info (or even the quick listen) won't help you with your assignment, but it will add to your limited knowledge of 70s rockers. No, the 70s weren't completely disco, though even Rockin' Rod would sadly succumb to the strings and strobe lights.
Your assignment?
Choose a photograph that "tells a story."
Then tell that story. Here are two ways to do this. One involves straightforward analysis; the other requires some creative storytelling.
Then tell that story. Here are two ways to do this. One involves straightforward analysis; the other requires some creative storytelling.
Option I: Photo analysis
Step I: Look at the photograph and describe what you see objectively without editorial comments. Note figures, colors, objects, etc.
Step I: Look at the photograph and describe what you see objectively without editorial comments. Note figures, colors, objects, etc.
Step II: Begin to analyze the photograph, with attention to lines (specifically, where is your eye drawn?), shapes, balance, emphasis, contrast, proportion, unity, harmony, colors, etc. Here is an excellent link to a web site that will help novices like us to know WHAT and HOW to analyze. You don't have to analyze EVERYTHING, just enough of what you see and understand.
Step III: Reflect on how the photo makes you feel and/or what story (or message) the photo tells.
Option II: The Creative Option
Option II: The Creative Option
If I put too many limits on this option, then it wouldn't be too creative. But here are some suggestions.
From your photograph, you might want to write a short story treatment. A treatment is the written framework for what become a short story--it would include the basic plot, characters, setting, etc.
You might want to compose a character "sketch." Give your character a name, a job, a personality, etc.
Another option might be to write a dramatic monologue. Have your character talk to the reader to reveal who he is. Look at your Points of View book for examples of dramatic monologue.
Length?
For this assignment, write a minimum of 300 words
Must you post on the blog?
No, but if you do, you'll get three extra credit points if you post October 1.
Will you have to hand this in?
Yes, as part of your journal writings at the end of the quarter.
We're all being rank amateurs here (if there IS a shutterbug in the class, please speak up and teach us the art), so don't feel intimidated or fear that you'll be wrong in whatever choice you make.
I'll be interested in your impressions of the photo. I'll be more interested in whatever creativity is sparked from this exercise.
From your photograph, you might want to write a short story treatment. A treatment is the written framework for what become a short story--it would include the basic plot, characters, setting, etc.
You might want to compose a character "sketch." Give your character a name, a job, a personality, etc.
Another option might be to write a dramatic monologue. Have your character talk to the reader to reveal who he is. Look at your Points of View book for examples of dramatic monologue.
Length?
For this assignment, write a minimum of 300 words
Must you post on the blog?
No, but if you do, you'll get three extra credit points if you post October 1.
Will you have to hand this in?
Yes, as part of your journal writings at the end of the quarter.
We're all being rank amateurs here (if there IS a shutterbug in the class, please speak up and teach us the art), so don't feel intimidated or fear that you'll be wrong in whatever choice you make.
I'll be interested in your impressions of the photo. I'll be more interested in whatever creativity is sparked from this exercise.
Meanwhile, bad to Rod:
I couldn't quote you no Dickens, Shelley or Keats
'cause it's all been said before
Make the best out of the bad just laugh it off
You didn't have to come here anyway
So remember, every picture tells a story don't it?
posted by JTF @ 9:24 PM
17 comments
17 Comments:
You know Dave, I would have never thought that I’d make it this far in the world. When I started out in Rockville, I was in a musty, dank art studio, with the white noise of the highway just outside my window. I payed a lot of attention to that road, especially the millions of cars that would pass by everyday. Some cars appeared to be the bare minimum to me, just there to follow the tide. Other cars were inspirational to me. The sleek, yet conservative design, when I would realize that majesty does exist, hiding beneath all the static of the road. My art became centered around the cars I’d admired, with their power and grace leaping out of my canvas.
Eventually, just looking at them on the highway wasn’t enough for me. I decided to visit a couple local repair shops, and see if I could make any discoveries. So, as you know, I eventually ended up at the Express Body Shop, where I saw two remarkable steeds. One was a vibrant red giving off a feeling that the car was just going to explode out of the garage, into the sky. The emblem was on it’s two feet, showing to the world it’s might.
The other was roughly shaped compared to the other crimson rocket, but was still intimidating. The dark blue body, with headlights glaring into its path, decorated with two symbols, a silver horse running at full velocity, and in small letters on the back “Mach 1”. The only thing that blew my eyes open was when a mechanic turned it on. The other horse’s visual might was nothing compared to the roar that bellowed out from this car. It shook the entire building with just the burst from starting it. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, I always knew the body of a car was an art, but I never realized the power and awe that is demanded from an engine.’
Another mechanic was standing nearby, and heard me. He said to me, “If you really want to know about the inside of a car, talk to Dave. He could plan three full blueprints in a sitting.” I didn’t know what this meant, but considering the look on his face, it must be something remarkable. I walk into the door with “Dave” written in indigo Sharpie just below the window, and I see you, with piles of papers skittering around the surface of your floor. I knew then that I had met my counterpart.
And here we are. Your design and my inspiration created our own car company, selling internationally, and with all the resources in the world, I still go my musty, dank art studio in Rockville to bring my imagination to life.
No matter what they say, you’re never too old for Disney World, or at least I’m not. I look forward to going every summer without fail, and every summer I never want to leave. Maybe the attraction is of being able to pretend I’m a young child again (to a certain extent) and no one will say anything otherwise. In any case, I find some new magic every time we go, obvious or not.
The day had been a hot and miserable one. The humidity had skyrocketed early on in the day, it had rained sporadically the whole time and we were confined to indoor attractions, most of which were crowded. It didn’t help that my brother had decided to be a brat that day and complain about everything from the food to how tired he was. It wore on my already thinning nerves and didn’t help much. Fortunately for him, it stopped raining at all by early afternoon, so there wasn’t any funeral that day.
The evening we spent simply walking about the Magic Kingdom was one that I cherish. It wasn’t full of the hustle and bustle of the other days as we fought to get in every attraction in that short week we were there. It was a pity that we had to rush, but we couldn’t stay forever and we couldn’t dillydally. We were starting to run out of things to do, though, so we decided to just take it a bit slow and walk around before dinner.
I was with my dad at the time when we were exploring the pathways around Cinderella’s castle (one of my favorite places in the park) and we were talking about this and that, when it occurred to me to look at the castle itself. By that time, the sun had set enough so that the lights had been turned on to change the color of the castle. At the moment I looked, I gasped in awe, grabbed my dad’s camera and snapped a quick succession of three shots while he glared at me, a bit miffed. It didn’t matter, because I had just captured a breathtaking scene on film. The castle was colored a nice pinkish-purple at the moment and was framed by a magnificent sunset reflecting various shades of pink, purple, blue and orange off the sparse layer of clouds that hovered above.
My dad was full of complements after seeing that shot on the camera’s viewing screen. I could only think, jokingly, of course, that it belonged on a postcard. I looked from the captured image back to the original and realized that I’d just found a bit of magic after all. It wasn’t in a show, or in fireworks, or many of the staged performances set up by Walt Disney or his successors. All it involved was the castle, a gorgeous sunset and perfect timing with a camera. It was a picture Walt would be proud of, though I really wouldn’t know, would I?
Feeling satisfied, Julie cupped her warm coffee, enjoying the crispness of the fresh snow that had just fallen. She loved this time of year, it reminded her of the winters in Vermont growing up, ice skating on the pond, snowball fights after school, all wonderful memories. Oh how much had changed since then, she thought, if only things were still that simple. She found that a cup of coffee was the only thing that could relax her lately, after the bitter divorce with John, not many things could do that. But there was something about the glistening white snow that gave her hope. A fresh start, yes, that’s what I need, she thought. I will finish this cup of coffee, go inside, and start rebuilding my life. Oh how ambitious she got after drinking her Folgers. She knew that after she was done, she would go inside and cry with Luke, her golden retriever, the only steady man in her life. But there was something about the air today; maybe this was a day for change. She kept sipping, enjoying the tranquility that can only be had at five in the morning. After another sleepless night she had gotten up and made her coffee. She knew soon the kids would be running out of their houses, shrieking with joy at the 4 inches of fresh powder that blanketed the ground. Though she loved children, the thought of their noise interrupting her quiet morning disgusted her. Yes, she would go inside now, have a good cry, and start thinking about the next step. It had after all been 3 months since the final papers had been signed. Yes, today was the day; she would get her life back. She would call her friends; she would get out of the house. Luke would be happy; she might even take him to the park, his favorite place to chase the ducks. She was finally ready to let go.
In my picture, there are three people standing on the Olympic podium where the Olympians received their medals at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. There are three steps, and three flagpoles behind the steps. There are mountains in the background and some trees in the view closer up. There is a covering of white snow on the ground, but there is not any snow left on the trees. All of the people in the picture are wearing black snow gloves, which would make you assumes that the weather was very cold that day.
When I look at the picture my eyes automatically go to the three people in the center of the picture. I notice that the person’s jacket matches the flag color behind them. A red jacket with a red flag, a blue jacket with a blue flag, and a white jacket with a white flag. The picture is not that balanced, since there are trees in the picture on the left side of the picture. Although the balance is not very good, there is nice spacing in-between the three people on the podium.
This photo makes me feel happy since it brings back memories to me about my family skiing trip to Lake Placid. The photo was taken after we watched the ski jumpers at their practice session. I was amazed by how tall the actual ski jump was and how brave all of the athletes were to go off of the jump. I also like the picture because of the expressions o the people faces that are on the podium. My sister is on the 2nd place podium and she is not very happy that she isn’t on the 1st place spot. My younger brother has a big smile on his face and he really enjoyed the ski jumpers, since he especially likes skiing.
My picture contains a group of people all huddled close together to take a group photo. They all look very happy and excited, some more than others. They all look as though they are having a good time and enjoy spending time with each other. This picture was taken during a nice, warm, and sunny day, judging from the sunglasses and clothes some of them are wearing.
When I first look at this picture, my eyes are guided to the man in the very center of the group. He is the only one who appears to be yelling with his mouth wide open. The way this picture is taken, you are guided from one persons face to another. The lines go around the circle of each persons head directing your eyes to each individual persons face. Then, once you’ve seen all of their faces, your eyes start looking towards the back of the photo at the cars with their trunks open, and the buildings behind them. Everyone in this picture is dressed in a white shirt. Therefore, this almost makes everyone seem to blend together and appear to be connected to one another. They seem to be a close group of friends that at least know one other person in that group. You can then tell that they are all at some type of event in which they are to wear white shirts since they all match one another. Only one person seems to be not as close with this group of people as the others. He’s kind of in the back of the picture not really leaning in towards the others as much. You can tell he’s not as comfortable being there as everyone else is. Each person in this picture has an individual style and each one of them is very unique in some way.
This photo makes me feel cheerful because everyone looks so thrilled to be there. It’s such a lovely picture. It’s a bright and sunny day out, and everyone’s smiling. They all look exuberant to be with one another. I think that this picture shows you that even people who look and seem very different from one another can still be great friends. It shows you that you need to give people a chance and not make judgments about them based on appearance. Having friends is an important aspect in life. You should be grateful and enjoy the time you have with one another and make the most out of every situation.
My picture came from a Coca-Cola ad during the Beijing Olympics over the summer. The picture shows LeBron James (should have been Kobe, but he isn’t affiliated with Coke) and Yao Ming face to face. LeBron is wearing the USA uniform and Yao is in the Chinese uniform, which they each wore as they represented their country during the Olympics. In the background there is a lot of objects and symbols of each country. There is a group of soldiers in civil war uniforms across from a samurai-looking group of soldiers. Santa is mirrored with a Chinese icon. On each side, there are fireworks, which are similar yet different. The Empire State Building is across from a famous skyscraper from China. The Bald Eagle is face to face with a dragon, as is the buffalo and the ram. Floats from a parade on each side show different, yet similar shapes and designs. Though all of these things seem very different, the balance is obvious. As culturally different as the U.S. is from China, the balance is obvious. The commercial was designed to show unity. We tend to think that just because we are brought up differently and have different languages, idols, and myths that we are different than the people half-way across the world. But if you take a step back and really look at it, we are very similar. And in a competition such as the Beijing Olympics, when people are gathered from all across the world, regardless of the political situations and wars, unity is a very important concept. No matter what country the athlete came from, they are very similar to the other athletes around them, regardless of culture. They each grew up wanting to be like their favorite athlete or movie hero, they each had a very big dream of competing in the Olympics, and they each worked extremely hard to be where they were.
The picture I chose is an abstract and unique picture created by Marc Chagall. I chose this picture because I liked the different colors and it seems like it has an interesting story behind it that no one knows. In the picture there is man holding up a women in the air with one hand. By the way he is standing and how his body emotion is shown, it looks as if she weighs nothing. When I look at this picture the first thing I see is the man dressed in black starring right at me. Then my eyes follow his arm till it meets the women’s hand and then I noticing her in light purple attire floating in the air.
Color plays a big part in this picture. I see that each color has a different meaning. The color in contrast to the man to me has sense of power, not in the sense of strength but in mind. To me that is why he chose the color black it’s a bold and steady color. The women’s dress was a light purple color, meaning less dominant and that’s why she is in the air she has no control over the situation. Another example is how all the houses except one is green. The one that is not green is a light pink color and is taller than all the other houses giving it some importance and it draws your eye to the back of the picture. The lines shown in this picture are fun and have a lot of movement. They roll, curve, and are sharp. The lines are moving everywhere there is not one straight line they all have a unique form to it. Texture is rough in this picture with the jagged edges around the bottom of the houses. The sharp edge of the ruffs, the slightly curved houses, and the wrinkled clothes all examples of great texture in this picture. The spacing in this picture was quite interesting because the only thing around the to main objects were two discreet plants and the ground beneath them. The rest of the objects were in the background, in the distances behind the man and the women. The elements I used to analyze the picture, is what makes it such a creative and amazing work of art.
Love is the most important quality that holds a family together. Two years ago, my family was torn apart by an ugly divorce. Out of nowhere my dad decided to leave my mom. Everyone in my family just seemed to fall apart, even my cousins became distant and everyone changed. Now looking back at pictures and videos, I have finally realized that the family we used to be never really had the foundation of love to hold us together. Last Thanksgiving, my mom got engaged to the nicest guy I have ever meet. The picture I found was right after my step-dad proposed and I think the picture shows a new family full of love coming together as one.
Looking at this picture of my new family brings back so many memories from last Thanksgiving. I can remember early in morning of the day Lawrence proposed, he came up to me and told me he was going to propose to my mom. It was so hard for me to keep quiet about the big surprise; I was so excited. The time came when he was going to ask the big question. The whole family was sitting at the dinner table about to say grace. All of a sudden I saw Lawrence stand up. His hands and voice were so shaky, I thought he was going to faint. My mom started to cry and of course accepted the proposal. I think a sigh of relief came about everyone in the cabin that Thanksgiving. It is still so hard to believe that my family has expanded so much and now we are still as close as we look in the picture.
I think this picture shows so many elements. The most important element in this picture is unity. We are all so close and I think the picture shows that we are very comfortable with each other being a new family. When I first look at the picture, my eyes a drawn right towards my mom and Lawrence; they are truly the glue that holds us together. You can tell that they love each other so much. Lawrence’s poise signifies that he is relieved and proud of his new family. The smile on everyone’s face shows that we are all happy to be together and the smile makes the whole picture harmonious and flow together. The background of the picture cannot really be seen, but it is a comfortable setting just like a little cottage. The whole feeling of the picture is just relaxing and full of love.
In a special way this photo represents more than love. It shows how much two families can overcome hardships and come together as one. Before my mom got engaged I never really knew how a family acted together because my family before was never together, but you can tell just by looking at the picture we are all close and comfortable. Every family has their special moments they will remember forever and this picture represents the beginning of my new family.
Last Thursday started as another normal day; I got up, had my coffee and read the paper. Then the phone rang around 7:30 that morning; I answered. It was the Athletic Director of Northeastern High. I said hello with a drone in my voice. Still tired because the coffee hadn’t kicked in yet. George, the Director, was basically screaming. “You did it Coach! Southern lost last night in over time. We play tonight for the state title.” I almost dropped the phone. I asked him if I heard him correctly. That we, a mediocre team from the small town of Quincy, would be playing for the High School Basketball title of Illinois. He said, “Yeah, you heard me right. You better get down to the school and get ready. The game’s tonight!”
I drove to the school and it was a mad house down there. Everyone was so excited that we would be playing for the title, even though we would be the underdog. And when I say we were underdogs, I mean we were underdogs. The other team, Central High, hadn’t lost a game in 3 years; and had two players who had already signed contracts to play basketball on a full ride at the University of Connecticut. I wasn’t going to tell the team, but I thought we had no chance of even coming close to Central. We had gone 15 – 5 on the season, but didn’t have a tough schedule. We went into the playoffs ranked 17th in the state. We got lucky in a couple of our games winning in OT. Have you ever heard of a 17th ranked team in the state, competing for the title? I thought no way was it going to happen.
That day went by so slowly. I went over the playbook a couple times, but there really wasn’t anything we could do now, that we hadn’t done already to prepare. The game was in Springfield, which is about 50 miles from here. The team boarded the bus and I could still see the shock in some of their faces. The bus was silent most of the way; the players were getting mentally ready for the game.
About two hours after our departure, we were there. Shock hit us all again. I knew for sure this wasn’t a dream. We had made it; this was the big time. I looked left and saw hundreds of college scouts; to my right were at least 10 different TV stations. Back in Quincy we were lucky to get one.
We got off the bus and headed into the gym. This gym was at least 5 times the size of our little gym. We headed to the locker room. Like at the beginning of every other game this season, we huddled together and said an “Our Father.” After this we took the court for warm-ups. The team went through their pre-game routine, and got ready for tip-off. When they got back to the bench after warm-ups, not really knowing what to say, I said, “Alright guys, we can do this, go get ‘em.”
The starting line-up took the court for the tip off, and the referee blew the whistle. The next thing I remember we were back in the locker room for half time. It went by so quickly, I couldn’t tell you a thing that happened. All I know is that we were down, not like I thought we would be, but we were still down. I needed to pump these guys up if we were going to have a shot at winning. The other team was stronger, faster, and tougher; they were just an over-all better team. Of course I didn’t tell the team this, but they knew it too. So I thought for a minute and then I gave them a little pep talk. I remember saying something like, “ Alright guys we got to get it together if we want to win this. Sure, the other team is up; but they think they’ve won already. We got to go out and give ‘em all we got.” The team went crazy.
They came out of that locker room like a new team. I’ve never seen them play with so much intensity. The other team didn’t know what hit them. Before I knew it, it was the 4th quarter with 1 minute left; we were down 5. We had a shot, and they knew it. They gave it all they got. With 10 seconds left, we were down 2, and stole the ball on the inbound and called our final time-out. They were depending on me now. They looked to me to come up with the perfect play to win it. I came up with a play, drew it on the clipboard, and said, “Make it happen.”
We inbounded the ball, threw it down to the post. Back out beyond the arc and our guard took the shot. He nailed it. And the next thing I heard was the buzzer. I thought to myself, had we done it, did we win? I looked at the scoreboard; 73-72, the clock all zeros. Yes, we had done it; we pulled the upset. The seats cleared, and the whole crowd stampeded onto the court. Fans and players both lifted me up onto their shoulders, and I got to fulfill my dream of cutting the net off of the rim.
Even though I doubted my team, and thought we had no chance of winning, we pulled out the win. That’s how a normal Thursday turned into a day I will never forget.
During the Great Depression times were strenuous and convoluted in Germany. I was young at that time, only eighteen, but I still remember my experience vividly. Escape from Depression was crucial. My family was poor farmers who were trying every day to get by. Supporting eight children was found to be difficult for them. Being the second oldest I found courage in myself to start my own life. I did not want to leave my family in the condition that surrounded them, but it would be beneficial to them and me if I went to find a new life in an alien world. In February, my mother’s sister, my sister, and I found ourselves in front of the boarding dock of a ship whose length doubled the cornfields. The smoke stacks towered ten times higher then the little two story cottages back at home. The desks of the boat were huge and already there were people sun bathing and children playing hopscotch. I thought at that point that this journey would be easy and exciting, but I never foresaw the obstacles that would overcome me. Our little third class quarters were cramped with what seemed approximating million upon millions of people. We did not have money for the extravagant first class, neither did most people, so we made do with the conditions in which we traveled. The weather was cold and sickness overcame many people. Since the living conditions in the third class were not exceptional, sickness was wildfire, spreading from person to person with no escape. My family and I were lucky to not succumb to the viruses that were being passed around. However, I did know one individual who was taken by a disease. Her name was Anna; she was going to American to meet her mother and one-year-old daughter who went over seas just months before. We were also sailing at a time of disastrous weather. Storms surround the ship for days. I remember looking up and seeing the clouds form in spirals above and seeing the flashes of lightning in the distance. Nights when the wind blew fiercely, waves struck the sides of the boat like a hammer pounding in nails. Other then the sickness and weather, the trip went smoothly. On the sunny days, being on the deck was quite enjoyable. The best day though, was when the ship arrived in New York harbor. The sky was clear with not a cloud in sight and the water was glass. Every aspect of the Statue of Liberty could be seen: her green figure, torch, and smile. Her tall, proud structure greeted us to our new home.
My phone’s ringing? No one ever calls me. I never call anyone, so why should they call me? Ah, it’s Chris. My cousin always calls when he needs me to look up something if he’s away from the computer. I don’t ask questions. I probably should though. Something’s different. He sounds in a hurry. He’s never in a hurry, even if it’s urgent. That’s just not Chris. I’m logging into his cell-phone account. At least, I’m hoping it’s his. He wants call records. He wants to know when a certain number was called. Now I know for sure it’s not his phone. I should probably say something, but if he needs his younger cousin to tell him to trust his girlfriend and mother of his daughter, than he’s gotta learn it the hard way. Trusting people when he’s never had a reason to be trusted just isn’t Chris. I didn’t find the number. In all honesty, I searched my hardest, scouring over every number twice. “Something’s wrong. Is there an edit function for that page?” It’s a call log, Chris, not Wikipedia. “No, I don’t see anything like that one here,” I tell him. “Alright, I’m gonna call T-Mobile, and see what’s up. That number should be there.” “Alright, talk to you later.” “Later.” Good. If this comes up in the future, I’m playing dumb. He never said what he was looking for, or who’s number it was, or why. As far as I’m concerned, maybe he wanted to make sure she called someone for something important. I don’t know. I just want to get my homework finished and go to bed. He should’ve gone into the NAVY like he said he would do. I honestly believed him, but I guess I'm just optimistic like that. Doing what he’s supposed to do? That’s just not Chris…I’m gonna turn my phone off for the night. I’m done playing Mission Impossible.
“I made the right decision, I made the right decision. It didn’t feel right,” I told myself. I sat in the hotel room looking intently at the window, as if it contained the answers to my problems. Looking out the window calmed me in a way; it allowed me to clearly analyze my thoughts. Mike was a good guy; he certainly did not deserve that. What cruel and insensitive person deserts their husband at the alter. Sadly, that person was me. What will my friends and guest have to say to me? Forget them, what will my mother say to me. I bet she’s already flooded my phone with her furious voicemails.
Deep down, I know I made the right choice, at least I hope I did. I just couldn’t blurt out those two little words. The whole incident just happened in a blink. One minute I was walking down the isle, and the next minute doubts cascaded in my head. The day of your wedding she be a joyous day, not filled with reservations and uncertainties. People look forward to spending the rest of their lives with their significant other. For me, speaking those two words felt like a commitment to forever, a permanent state where there was no turning back. Twenty-four is too young for me to get married. All I could think of were the numerous possibilities in the world that I had not yet experienced. I’ve always wanted to travel Europe or go skydiving. I felt as if marriage would strip me of my freedom. There would no longer be “I,” it would always be “We.” “I” want to go to Europe, not “we.” I hoped Mike could understand that. I desperately wished he wouldn’t resent me forever. In a way I did him a favor, why would he want to marry someone not fully committed. I know there will be someone out there for him who will not carry the doubts I do. For me, my future lies out the window where there’s a world of possibilities for me to experience.
I came home from college for spring break looking for a good time. I have this friend, Tim Jones, who has this cottage on a horse farm in Virginia. His dad was a preacher and left him the farm when he left to find God. I grew up there as a kid. I dreamed of making my rounds, hanging out with the guys, maybe visiting the pool hall or the fire station. Nothing in town seemed to change. It was as if time had stopped. As I drove towards 34 Enmy Road, I saw the stop sign I shot when I was sixteen the first time I got drunk. I half expected to pull in the dirt lane and see Tim walking down the road with his old dog Rosco. No one greeted me on my drive in. The dirt lane was paved. I walked towards the barn to see the horses gone. Tim called me on his cell phone and told me the horse trailer axel broke and it would be several hours before he could get home. It is always something with Tim. He never knew what to do because he always had everything to do. He told me to make myself at home. The house was locked but the barn was open. I opened the overhead door and saw Tim’s old exmark, covered in dust and hay. I eagerly climbed up on it, blew off some dust, cranked the glow plug and the engine kicked over. There is nothing like the smell of burning diesel. I felt like a kid again. Overhead storm clouds were rolling in. The wind is cool, but not a day you feel hot nor cold. I decided to kill time and started cutting the pasture. So now I am in the middle of a field, chopping away, waiting for a long lost friend and the hope for meaning.
Gloria and Lucy were playing in the yard, when their mother called them inside. She asked them, “Girls can you help me with something?”
“What is it Mamma?” they responded.
“Well I had these two dimes, and I just didn’t know what to do with them.” She never let it seem like she was taking money out of our savings. “I thought you might want to head down to the corner store to get yourselves a treat.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” they said together.
“Can we leave right now?” Gloria asked.
“I’ll get my shoes.” Lucy hollered as she ran inside.
Their mother handed Gloria the dimes and said, “Make sure to share with your sister, and come back as soon as you leave the store. No wondering around town!” The girls started running down the driveway. They had not been given a treat like this in such a long time. Two dimes was much more than they were ever allowed to spend on candy. Their mom was really treating them today.
“I want a lollipop!” said Lucy.
“You can probably get two if you want too,” responded Gloria.
“Really? This is so exciting!”
The corner store was a little over a half mile from the house. It took the girls about five minutes because they were off and on running due to their excitement. They held hands most of the way. The girls were close like that. Gloria was always looking out for her younger sister. They had no other siblings and most of the neighbors’ kids were much older or much younger than the two of them, so they were each other’s best friends.
When they finally made it to the store, the girls raced in. “ I won!” Lucy said.
“Yes you did.” Gloria had gotten in the habit of letting her win, but this time Gloria wasn’t sure she had let her. Lucy was getting older. “Maybe I should start to try again,” she thought.
“I want that big rainbow lollipop that is hanging on the wall, and a gum ball.” Lucy demanded.
“Ooh, good choice, but I think I will get a chocolate bar,” said Gloria.
“Ok,” said the cashier “That will be 20 cents.”
They had the perfect amount. The girls slapped the money on the counter, “Thanks!” they yelled as they ran out. The way home took much longer because they took their time, just eating their candy as they went.
When they finally got back, they thanked Mamma, who answered, “Get washed up for dinner.” Their Mamma knew that they wouldn’t be hungry so she allowed them to have only a few vegetables, which was never allowed no matter how full their stomachs felt. She must have been in a good mood. Maybe it was because Papa was home for good.
You might look at this picure and see a lifeguard huddled to take a picture with three adorable kids. Well if I may say, the lifeguard is me. This past summer I spent most of my working days at the Devon in Wilmington guarding the people that lived there (mostly older). It may have been one of the greatest times of my life. Some days were better than others, but the Devon felt like a second home to me.
Each child grows up and wants to be something. My calling was to be life guarding old geezers. The good days were when the elderly brought their families including their children and grandchildren for a fun day by the pool.
The young, excited boy in this picture is about six. His name is Jack and the first time I saw him, his eyes were glued to me! What a catch he had found! Ha! Jack is the kind of boy you have to watch closely because he will canon ball anywhere: on top, behind, or even ON a person! There are two little girls in the picture that are related to this wild child. Hannah, who is the younger one and is Jack's sister. She is about four and she shows it! Always loud and wants your attention right away, but you have to give it to her because she is too cute! One day Hannah and I had a noodle in the pool and we were shooting water at Jack through it! Next, there is Megan who is a lovable six year old. She is the girliest of the two girls, always flaunting her new suit or new Barbie toys! Lastly, there is the uncle taking the picture. He is one of the funniest people I have ever met! Him and his wife found out I liked cheese steaks and brought me one for lunch one day at the Devon because I looked hungry! Over, all the people that I talked to there were older of course, but honestly they were wiser! Much of that summer I can remember when I look at the picture. A picture can tell you a lot.
Hope
Colonel Sebastian and his partner Sergeant Marshall cautiously patrol the streets of Europe, looking for any stray or unworthy men or women. Colonel Sebastian spots something in the corner of his eye moving, and curious about the odd movement in the bushes. Sergeant Marshall oblivious to his surrounding stands there wondering and questioning if the service was the right choice for him. Colonel, still confused on what the movement is, decides to investigate the ruckus occurring from across the street. He begins to walk over to the rumbling in the bushes, drawing his weapon immediately only to find two young girls with dark brown hair and bright brown eyes appear from behind the trees dangling a Jewish emblem from each there necks. Marshall still standing there in his own world takes no notice to his partner as he stairs with disbelief at what lies before his eyes. He panics and frantically looks around to see if the children were seen by any near soldiers marching the street for fear that they would harm or throw the children before his higher power, which indefinitely would show no mercy. If the children were seen they would be considered unworthy or inferior to the supreme Nazi power and race. He quickly rushed the children behind a building and asked for their names. The children knew the dangers of being seen or caught by the soldiers and stared in fear as they trembled. The soldier looked around for any sight of a parent or someone who could take the children to a safe haven; because now the soldier knew if anything were to happen to the children he would blame no one but himself. He believed in the Nazism he stood for, but could not grasp the concept that a child so young could be harmful or threatening in anyway. He stood with a blank face not knowing what to do, until in the corner of his eye he saw a light in a corner house with a small hand protruding out. He reacted without thinking, grabbed the children and ran towards the waving hand. By this time Sergeant Marshall's eyes were rested upon his partner as he sprinted across the road. He watched in disbelief and confusion on what was even happening. Before he could blink the children which were once in sight were no where to be found, and the light in the house was nothing more then a figment of the imagination. Colonel Sebastian wiped his forehead with his hands, sweat dripped down as he slowly walked over to his place next to Sergeant Marshall. They looked at each other for a moment, but the night was silent and they continued to patrol and the incident was never spoken of again. So maybe the Nazi’s were not that great, but all it took was one brave soldier with one big heart.
ch purple made a very good comment, -iulia
Post a Comment
<< Home