Poetry in Motion

"The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it." - Carl Jung

 

"Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain." - Carl Jung

 

 

 

For those that write, happy writing my friends.  There are so many page turners out there, ready for more chapters.  Churn away writers!

Thematic Photographic's -Cousin - Building Anew

"On learning to let go of the past." - Carmi Levy

From his blog, Written Inc. and the home of his legendary Thematic Photographic posts.

Which by the way, we normally post to his Thematic Photographic by now.  But, if I've learned anything in life, it's how "life" seems to get in the middle of, well, life and other things about us, and that sometimes, Carmi's not immune to it either, and he misses giving us the theme call. 

His post certainly swirls about my present moment in this adventure we call, LIFE. 

Carmi opened his post with this quote,

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates



Sometimes, the obvious, isn't so obvious.

 

What once was just a tree, is no longer, just another tree in the neighborhood.

Why not give new life, to a special friend?

 

 

Carmi's closing quote resonates with me.

"Please forgive me if I'd rather spend my future days striving for something better instead of settling for what once was." Carmi Levy

 

As his post asked, "Thoughts?" You can go here and leave your thoughts.

 

 

The Mag - Edgar - 193

If it were not for dreams there would not be such a thing as ballet, the cruelest of the performing arts." - Author Unknown

 

THE MAG
 

Edgar Degas 1895 - 96, Danseuse ajustant sa bretelle.

 

The curtain opens, upon empty chairs, and once the music plays, she dances into the darkness of her soul.

 

 

The Ballerina's Pointe

 

Lights once filled this ballroom

each pirouette and every leap

in perfect harmony.

 

Until this her last pointe

her final bow.

No more tiny steps

both elbows out

her hands claw through the air

as if warding off this

certainty.

She pursues

leading with heel

  body tight

tilting from toe to heel and back

she finds

 herself tripping

upon this

bleak and barren

Center stage. 

 Her moves

now of

shifting shadows

as she bows before her last hour

waiting for

Bravo, bravo,

which calls no more.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by for

Tess Kincaid's

The Mag

 

 

To view other Magpie tales go here.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - 10 November 2013

"Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me." - Carl Sandburg





SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY

Another go at this week again for Ashley's blog, Ramblings and Photos and her Sunday Scavenger hunt.  Her 5 choices are, Table, I collect, music, Yes! and Someone I miss.

These are my interpretations.

1.  Table

 

 

 

2.  I Collect

 

 

 

 

 I always collect my thoughts along the water's edge.

 

 

 

 3.  Music

 

 

Concerts on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

 

Even on days like this, if you listen very close, you can hear music. 

During the summer you'll find me here as often as I can make it.

 

 

 

4.  Yes!

 

 

 

I really, get to paint your face?

 

 

5.  Someone I miss!

 

A.

 

My thoughts of you are along the beach and under a rich blue sky.

 

B.

 

 

Never a time goes by that I don't think of you inside my favorite book store.

 

C.

 

The A, B, C of Missing You 

by John Waite

 

Every time I think of you

 

I always catch my breath

 

And I'm still standing here and your miles away

 

And I'm wondering why you left.

 

 

To see what others have collected with their scavenger hunt go here.

 

 

 

Six Word Saturday - 9 November 2013

 

"There's always immense fun in taking a sneak peek, every chance you can." - Me

 

 

 

WAY BETTER EXCHANGE
FOR PARKING LOT

 

ALWAYS PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

SIX WORD SATURDAY

Welcome to Bloomington, Minnesota and the Mall of America, something more useful than just another parking lot?


The birth of Radisson Blu Mall of America.

 

Over looking the lobby from an upper level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm thinking, family group picture moment?  Here we are, gathered by the roaring fireside, gently swinging in a Foofy Chair?

 

 

 

 

Another lobby view with great outward design.

 

A bit of random art displayed.

 

 

 

Described as Foofy Chairs (a big thing here) for fun while gathering.  I'd label this,

 

The Dr. Seuss "Think and Wonder, Wonder and Think" Room.

 

 

 

Taking a sneak peek inside one of the restaurants.

 

We have family staying there this weekend.  Will they be impressed at the $137.5 million it cost to build it?

 

 

For other Six Word Saturday posts at Cate's Show my face, blog go here.

 

Sepia Saturday - 202 - 9 Nov 2013

"You don't take a photograph, you make it."  Ansel Adams



For the next few posts, I'd like you to join me on a few road trips.  Not just any random road trip either, but one of memories linked to my very own family.






SEPIA SATURDAY

I hope to link each post with the current theme.  Photographer, beach, camera, children, hats, sand, tripod and even Corky the Cat, all have something to do with our theme for this week.

Or, mysterious suitcase.  What valuable, or not so valuable treasures might be locked inside this briefcase?

Shall we open it and see?

 

"What have we got here?"

"What on earth, somebody is selling a city?  Are they serious, an entire town is up for sale?"

 

Not just any town either.  Santa Claus, Arizona.

aka, Santa Claus Acres

 

My family is rich in stories at the mention of that Arizona town.  One in particular springs to mind seeing this old photo.

 

It wasn't a Pontiac in our story, but rather an older green, rust free Chevrolet, with a radio much like this one.  Remember that static sound?  My mother's brother joined us that summer for our family's summer vacation, and the long road trip to my grandfather's house in Florence, Arizona.  Can you picture three adults, two children and one dog driving from Mason, Michigan all the way to Arizona in one old Chevy with no air conditioning? 

Today, depending on which interstate, it can range from 1,900 to over 2,000 miles.  Back in those days I remember we often drove on Route 66!   Not sure how many miles that would have been.

I had just completed Kindergarten that year and much of that road trip is locked away, but there are major parts of that trip that easily come to mind.

Sadly, the town of Santa Claus wasn't one of them.  Possibly because it had become a thing of the past.  But, I do remember with much awe waking up, sleepy eyed in the back seat to a vision of the brightest, most intense lights ever seen in the outdoor darkness.  We were driving very slowly along Las Vegas Boulevard in Nevada. 

 

 I still wonder what was so unique about the town of Santa Claus that we still talk about it today, and my parents always had that twinkle in their eyes.

 

 

Maybe you'll know, after we visit today.

 

If not for a camera being used, I wouldn't be able to share this today.

It all began in about 1937,

by enterprising, real estate woman,

and owner of the town, Santa Claus,  Nina Talbot.

 

This photo was taken in 1940.

 

Ruins of Santa's Land of today go here.

 

In it's day the town of Santa Claus was hopping!

 

Tourists made this one of their destination points!

 

From as early as 1940 you were welcomed to town by good old Santa Claus.

 

 You just never know what you might discover in the desert.

 

 

Santa Claus, Arizona about 1960.

 

 

Have you ever heard of Santa Claus, Arizona?

In 1942 this was one of the tourist stops of America's west, on US Highway 93 14 miles NW from Kingman and 70 miles SE from Las Vegas.

Drive time is about an hour and a half from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Florence, Arizona (where my grandfather lived) is about four hours away from Santa Claus.


The story takes a turn in 1949 when Nina sells her interest in the town and yet in her heart, a dash of hope remained.  Maybe, springing forth from the old wishing well?  Funny thing that well still stands even now.


Others made plans during the 1950's to improve Santa Claus, which also received publicity through the writings of American novelist and famed science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein and other classic science fiction novels here.  Also, U.S. pioneer restaurant rater Duncan Hines and through 1961 advertisements offering  postmark letters from Santa Claus, for a small fee.



In 1983 owner, Tony Wilcox tried unsuccessfully to sell it for $95,000 which later was reduced to $52,500 by 1988.  What businesses that were still opened finally closed completely by 1995.  It seems the town became difficult to locate by 2000, and the structures that remained were weathered or worn away.

Some folks refer to it as Santa Claus the Ghost Town.

Today what remains of the town of Santa Claus isn't very pretty.  Gone are the Dasher and Dancer Omelets, Santa Claus Burgers, delicious Rum Pies or big style family breakfast plates for only seventy-five cents at the Santa Claus Inn.   Presently, what remains in Santa Claus are red and white striped abandoned buildings and the only real visitors are those motorists traveling between Phoenix and Las Vegas or the Hoover Dam.



For my family, the same story remains.  We each have our own memories of this old town.


If you want to view other Sepia Saturday posts, or perhaps bring your own story go here.

Thematic Photographic - Power 2 The Unknown and Google

"Man's greatness lies in his power of thought." - Blaise Pascal


THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC


FIRST The UNKNOWN

 

The power of thought will have your eyes seeing the living beauty within this unknown place of what, or where it is.  But would you ever guess that this isn't a house where the living reside?

 

Photo I took this summer at Lakewood Cemetery.

 

 

 

"All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come." - Victor Hugo

 

 

 

SECOND Google

San Francisco, California

 

Locals refer to this mysterious floating barge as a secret project.

 

Read this story or this CNET story here  to discover what is known so far about Google being connected to the mysterious goings on at Pier 1, Treasure Island Marina, in San Francisco, and another one near the coast of Maine also linked to Google as well. 

 

Oh yes, the power, not just in the mystery of the unknown, but more to the point, just how powerful is Google? 

 

 

For more power posts at Carmi's Thematic Photographic go here.

Thematic Photographic - Power

Quite a bit of POWER play going on where I live.  What monster is cutting through prime agricultural land and natural resources in our township?  Power.  Aka CapX2020 Project.

 

 

Power lines of yesterday weren't so noticeable.  However, that isn't always the case anymore.

 

 

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

 

POWER is pretty big business around my neck of the woods.  So much that a few neighbors already sold their houses and moved on.  One family was finally bought out by the very power company that's digging in our neighborhood.  Don't get me wrong, I'm basically happy, we all desire and need power right?

 

I haven't once stood in our township hall whining, "We want it, we want it, just put it somewhere else."  Yes, there are some still fighting that issue.

 

 

 

 

Mostly we all want the power, but like the photo above it's often not pretty.  This last weekend I thought about snapping a few pictures of the cranes, and monster cylinders and other whatnot objects that stretch over a large mass of our township.  I prefer taking country roads when I can, and I've noticed even the deer are objecting.  Well, what do they need power lines for?

 

 

Just three of the various posts placed in our yard.

 

 

Power, as Carmi mentioned can be presented figuratively, or otherwise.  This power represents where our county is purchasing (quite cheaply) a portion of land from each and every land owner along our county road.  It will be safer, widening the shoulders and adding turning lanes, but it's going to be a mess until it's completed.  Then, there's the loss of trees that won't always be replaced.

 

 

Luckily ,the original owner for our house built far away from the county road.  Not the case for everyone.

Change of power please,


The power I'd rather post about comes from,

"the ability to do something or act in a particular way, esp. as a faculty or quality."

Like a dog's loving kiss, or the mere licking of his wet, little tongue, reminding you just how special you are.

 

 

 

Or, the very power that you know without a doubt your dog is taking care of business and will never let a stranger or suspicious character enter his domain.

 

Must check it out, you just never know, right Misty?

 

 

 

"The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace." - Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

To view other Thematic Photographic Posts go here

The Mag 192

"If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave."  - Mo Willems

Thank you Tess, for this week's engaging photo.

THE MAG

Resurrection Reunion 2, 1945 Sir Stanley Spencer

For someone close to me, I write this, on the dampened ledge of her need to flee life as only she knows it, for parts unknown.  Her endless, flood of tears lead her to this place, she now calls home.  She lives now, questions free.  Yet, in her wake, she leaves so many questions from those that love her. 

Unquestionably

 

Usher in by all means

Sacrificial Loving.

 

The Drawing of Arrows

at random, stood still.

All quarries of

smelly feet

mixed-matched patterns

in one's own life

too big a space between your teeth

or

too long of feet

and pug-noses

all laid aside.

 

The moral says

their pose of

indifference

and

manic utterances seized

hence observance

mere objects

tossed

in a burning fire.

 

All Intolerance

up in smoke

they dance. 

They live.

 

 For other Magpie Tales
sponsored by
Tess Kincaid

go here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scavenger Hunt - Sunday 3 Nov 2013

Searching is only half the fun.....





SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY



These are Ashley's rules if you want to play along too.
The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate.
2. You’re encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge. Creativity is also encouraged!
3. If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive (although I’m not too strict about it – I do my best to take fresh shots).
4. Link up here on Sunday (or Tuesday at the latest) – you can use the button above.
5. Leave comments for at least five entries around yours (with so many new participants each week, it’s the only way I know to be inclusive
6. Have fun!

This week's words are,

Dress Up, Candy, Pumpkin, 4. Spooky, 5. Orange 

Dress Up

Going as Mr. Frankie-Scare Crowstein

 

 

CANDY

Hmm, shall we think this over first?

 

"Do I really want to take his candy?"

 

 

PumpKin

SpOoKy!

Which witch went which way past my window?


Orange

 

 

 

To view other Scavenger finds or perhaps post your own go here.

Quote It Saturday - 2 November 2013

Our quotes for this Saturday has no theme given out. It's what we desire.


















"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."  - Martin Luther King, Jr.

The radio makes hideous sounds."  Bob Dylan

 

 

Listen instead to nature's voice.

 

THE SINGING, RINGING TREE

Our lives are made up of sights and sounds and smells, and we shall grasp them all before reality of life sets in.

The Singing Ringing Tree, is a wind powered sound sculpture that resembles a tree set in the landscape of the Pennine hill range that overlooks Burnley, in Lancashire, England.

The Singing, Ringing Tree can be heard (best) here and also from heard here.  Photos of it as well.

 

"Music is nothing else but wild sounds civilized into time and tune." 

 - Thomas Fuller

 

 

For other Quote it Saturday posts, or to post your own quotes on Freda's Voice blog go here.

Sepia Saturday - 201 - 2 November 2013

November really?  Doesn't it feel like this is all a dream, and we should still be wandering about the month, of let's say, July or possibly better yet, April?  An April with genuine spring like weather.  Oh well, it is what it is, right?

Anyway, please enjoy my presentation of "house" for this week's theme at Sepia Saturday.
 

 

There are dream houses, and mansions, houses from Victorian styles to Farmhouses galore out and about, and many of them will be presented right here.  Except, for the one single house I've posted here. 

I can't imagine anyone else posting this.

 

Architecture in houses is as diverse and varied as the county, or architect that builds it and often, the best or more unique designs are created by unknown architects.

SEPIA SATURDAY

First off, since I was born and raised in Michigan, I wanted to concentrate on a house from there.

Just think, this quaint, little place began as, a cabin in the woods.  Pickle Barrel House, located in Grand Marais, Michigan on the Upper Peninsula, on the southern shore of Lake Superior.  For all the delicious details go here.

 

 

At one time, this endearing, little barrel house was located in the woods outside Grand Marais.  It was built by Reid, Murcock and Company in 1926 for William Donahey and his wife, Mary.  Donahey, was the creator of The Teenie Weenies comic strip which was popular in the early part of the 20th century.  Another link is here.

 

 

The two-story barrel house was a replica of a pickle barrel, more on the story here.

 

 

Are you wondering what it appears like in the inside?

 

 

 

A peek inside.

 

 

 

If you found this house interesting you may enjoy checking out this next design to round out your taste for the unusual.

 

 

 

 

Presented by Bjorka, this inviting design is The Errante's Guest House, from Chile. 

 

 

To view other unusual oddities for houses check out this link at

The Errante's guest house in Chile.

 

 

For other Sepia Saturday posts go here.