Hamlet, NC Fireworks Display, July 4th, 2009

I'm taking a portion of this entry from an email I sent to my cousin in Seattle yesterday evening.
He was being sweet and shared some fireworks shots he'd taken on the Fourth that were simply beautiful. He knows how much I admire his photography and enjoy venues from the place I've called my second home many times. The Emerald City. Occasionally, he shares some of his photography with me and coaches me a tad. He shoots for perfection in his photography and is quite gifted. And I do aspire to be as good as he is one day. Yet, on the other hand, I don't aim at perfection. I'm still very much the novice. I just shoot what strikes my fancy and as I've mentioned several times in this blog, I'm into showing off how there is beauty to be found within "life's" imperfections. It also continues to be a method I use to help rewire things "up there"... and to keep my creativity flowing.



Much of it comes into play in my photography because I choose to do minimal or no edits. I also use subject matter others may not find appealing, such as my lavender glass photo which appears in the right hand side panel of this blog. Or, i.e. iron rails and bolts.

It could be anything, and yes, I most assuredly do shoot to capture beauty, as my eyes see it. The venues are many, even if I don't leave my yard... the opportunities are endless. Just look up! The sky canvas changes constantly. Try it, you'll see...




Anyway... back to the fireworks! The reason I'm posting this entry...

The pyrotechnic displays in and of themselves that my cousin shot are much more complex than the City of of Hamlet can afford as compared to a larger city, of course. Yet, the *small town* Americana type show was quaint and wonderful. People were everywhere. In cars and pick up trucks, sitting in lawn chairs, and on blankets. Babies, dogs, even crickets came out for the show. Many humans and even a few canines wore red white and blue. There was enough smoke in the air to keep the mosquitoes at bay temporarily. Quite a feat here since a person can't walk outside without often becoming a feast for the insects.

Our particular venue was directly east of the Hamlet Historical Depot & the Hamlet Crossroads rail road tracks at the Bridge Street crossing. The entire area was packed out for the Fourth of July celebration and street festival. It was wonderful and heart warming to see smiles on everyone's faces. Hear giggles from adults and children. It appeared to me as if the entire town showed up to join in the Independence Day celebration.

Earlier in the day my husband and I had taken some visiting family members from out of town down to the Depot Museum so I could show it off to them. As we strolled from the depot to the ice cream parlor on Main street we could see preparations were underway for the late afternoon into the evening event. Children were already having a great time as the games were being set up.


There was a lady walking around in a dress made of Capri Sun drink pouches. That was kind of interesting, however, I'm beyond open for unique ways of marketing, so I really didn't bat an eye. When we'd finished our treats at the parlor, it was time to head back to our home.


My husband and I decided we wanted to return to the area to watch the fireworks later in the evening and try our hands at snapping photos of the pyrotechnic displays.

When we arrived at about 8:30 p.m., the town of Hamlet was alive with people. The depot and surrounding areas were packed out with everyone enjoying themselves and the festivities. There was a nice band. I recognized all of the songs they played and they were in tune... yay! And even bigger yay, they played rock! :)

It took us a few minutes to figure out where to park, and I suggested to my husband to pull into an area on the north side of the east/west track, and perhaps if we did, others would follow suit. They did. In less than 10 minutes we had oodles of company.

There was one black gentleman near us singing what sounded much like an old spiritual song about freedom and America. Not at all loudly, nor invasive. His voice was very smooth and rich as velvet is to the senses. Pleasant to my ears. His simple verse could be heard in between the booming fireworks bursts. I kind of doubt most people heard him since everyone appeared to be caught up in watching the sky. Personally, hearing him sing his humble song magnified the experience for me. It was even more poignant since I didn't get to see him... I could only hear him. He caused me to think about our nation's beginnings and recall some Civil War history ingrained in me. A war fought on soil back where I grew up and here, as well. The gentleman's voice and song also brought to mind my grandmother Holland's childhood and teen years living on a small plantation in Smithfield, NC. Some of the stories she told.

We're all so blessed in our nation to have been born in the USA. It's something I'm forever thankful for and truly think about almost everyday. It helps me keep things in perspective. We don't get to choose our parents, our families, our heritage, our roots...

Think about it.

This was the first time my hubby has ever taken any photos of fireworks. You have to be quick on the draw and anticipate the launch and the burst. He says he's ready to give it another whirl next time we have a night sky filled with sea urchins from the deep ocean... Yep! That's the image fireworks always conjure up in my brain. ;)

I've more photos to post in the next few days, plus an update about my latest trip to Wake Forest Baptist for the second in a series of three sleep deprived EEGs. I so don't want to get into it, yet it's a must do.

Beauty in the Imperfections - One

Going to type speedy like because my husband is off today and we've errands to run. I get to get out of the confines of my house and yard today! Whoopie!! The pollen has already begun to fall, but today, I could care less about being yellow dusted. I'll breathe in between the particles and wear my wrap Oakley sunglasses. I'm horribly light sensitive and own several pair of sunglasses. But, my Oakleys are an old fave (like fave bedroom slippers) and do fantastically in keeping wind and dust out my eyes. They also remind me of my beach. Ha!

Anyway... I have a saying about "seeing beauty in the imperfections". I've always thought that, but being pretty much home bound (so hate that phrase), I've learned to observe at nature and closely watch the seasons change. Fortunately, God has blessed me by giving me a home and a piece of property where I've lots of nature to keep my eyes busy while indoors looking outside of my windows, and of course, while out of doors, too. It's so wonderful and peaceful. Literally day by day I see the changes all around me. They don't slip by me, not by one day.

I've also always adored looking at trees during the winter... the leafless "sleeping" ones in particular. Metaphorically, they tell quite a story and give perspective. There are a few in our area that I'm watching closely. Ones I'll ask my husband to deliberately drive by so I can snap a few shots. Which goes along with the way I take shots in progression.

Anyone who has been reading my blog for any length of time will know that one of my favorite places on the planet is the Hamlet Historical Depot, in Hamlet, NC. It's one of my most special venues for my photography. I'm a born and bred trainiac, and have many fond memories coming into the station as a child. Even my 89 year old mother has memories of coming into the station as a child. The renovated train station, in and of itself, is a sight to behold. It's a jewel... a Victorian era structure like no other in the US. The area surrounding it, is wonderful, too. There's a park that's interesting, and there are also old buildings and some unkept grounds, old railroad rails and just odd stuff... but I find beauty in all of it. From the hawks that fly overhead, to the giant old trees. There are a couple of trees in particular in the area, that I photograph often. Each time my husband and I go the station, without a doubt, I'll snap a few shots... sometimes several of the same trees. And, usually, I'll toss in a shot of a train or two, since they pass by frequently. Whatever my eyes see, or catches my fancy, I'll shoot. But, more I'll share about all of this in time... getting ready to take a much needed getaway...

Later...

Slideshow below......

If things work out as I've planned, this will be the beginning of a series of photos.........

It was great meeting you two!

Just a simple post to my new friends from the triad area of NC... the adorable couple my husband I and met at the Hamlet Depot last Sunday afternoon.

I knew the moment I saw you both run across the field to photograph a train passing by that you were diehard trainiacs. That we were train kindred spirit! Both my husband and I enjoyed your company ever so much. The fellowship was grand. And gosh, the weather couldn't have been more perfect for train chatting and photo taking.

Looking forward to connecting again sometime soon... and take that hike to the trestle! Yes! In the meantime, below is a little slide show of the photos I took. Most were taken when I slipped away on my own, so I'll warn you... all of my pics won't be trains. Hope you enjoy, anyway.

Also, I'm going to include another slide show of a few photos Steve took from the bridge last Autumn -- to give you that interesting perspective I mentioned to you. There will be many shots of me, I must warn you... I've a lavender sweater on, and this is Epilepsy Awareness Month and the "cause" color is lavender, so I figured I might as well, take the opportunity to put a face on Epilepsy, while showing you the bridge perspective. I've one of mine I could have used instead, but there are too many photos of it for you to track through.

Let's stay in touch!! Come back down for some fries! But, let's bring our own buns to be safe. LOL!






These were taken last fall... when I first fell in love with the Hamlet Depot and all of the old trainmen volunteers there, and their remarkable stories!

Goody! The word is we'll have snow on Sunday!

The weather guys are calling for 3 to 6 inches, but I'm in the area where it really looks like we'll get the six! There is nothing like a fresh snow to lift one's spirits... that is unless you live in a place like Ohio. I did a long time ago... and I adored the snow, but it can get to the point when the freezing part gets old. I don't like being cold. Not one bit. Rarely will you hear me complain of the heat down here in the South unless it goes over 100 degrees. I enjoy being warm that much!

I lived in the mid-west years and years ago, and seriously my hands and feet still haven't warmed up yet. The first "few" snows of the year there were truly wonderful. Exhilarating. Gorgeous. It can mask a lot, yet be so much fun. However... the blizzards...oh my word! What an experience for a person like me having grown up in Virginia Beach. Then, when we'd get snow after snow that would all pile up on top of each other. A few inches could turn into 3 feet in no time. Yet, the cool thing is, for the most part driving was easy because the roads were constantly being plowed. Now, on the sides of the roads and streets you'd see snow piled a mile high from all of the plowing. And, if you had to park your car on the side of a street, like I did my very last year there, the thing would have to be dug out. Sometimes more than once a day depending upon how much snow was falling. I remember a few times when it was so cold... the below zero kind, when I would have to put my boots on every hour, coat, hat, mittens -- the whole nine yards... tramp (or would that be tromp -- can't tell sometimes with the pesky word retrieval issues)... anyway, to start my car every hour during the night like clock work, just to keep my battery charged.

Sorry for the side track... my main purpose in this entry was to actually embed a slideshow of the photos I took during a recent snow (first one in years here actually) of the marvelous Hamlet Historic Depot/Museum Train Station. I'd post a link for the place, but their web site is pitifully lacking at the moment, so I'll spare you.

The station was built in 1900 -- Victorian Era and is a jewel to behold. The only one in the nation. I adore Victorian architecture ever so much. One day, I'll share a story about the depot and the tracks behind it... what they mean to me as a gal with railroad roots going back a couple of generations.

But, onto the slide show... as usual remember, I take shots in progression and don't do edits. It's a method I truly believe God as led me to use to help "rewire" my brain and tap into the left side creative part... it helps me learn as I go back and look at the pictures... and it also takes pressure off of me to try to capture the perfect shot. I'm not perfect... don't claim to be, or wanna be -- too boring. Although I do wholeheartedly aspire to take better photos and eventually not learn, but retain certain camera settings in my brain. Stuff like that used to be SO easy for me... it's a wee bit better, but I'm not fully healed there yet...

Again... onto the slide show huge apologies for all of the ramblings. Ramblings are better than rantings though!

And, if you wouldn't mind, please keep me in your prayers... the reason I needed my spirits lifted is I've a few family members I've been a bit worried about... and I've also been very human today. I can't tell if it's due to stuff going on around me and in my life, or due to side effects of the KeppraXR, so I've taken myself off my medication. My intuition told me to, yet, I don't recommend it, but it's the only way I can tell and I've an appointment coming up very soon with my Epileptologist. So, the timing logically feels right. The 24/7 neuro activity I feel never goes away anyway... even though the cluster issues seem better. The headaches are practically non stop and the pressure, rarely do I not feel it. Also, since my words have improved... in writing and verbally... creative ideas are popping into my head all of the time now... and if things remain better, it'll only prove to encourage me... I'll know for sure Project Rewire is working. It'll build my faith stronger. And, I bet I'll be even more intriguing to my Epileptologist. At least I'm not boring. I've also had those 85 to 100 Springers who have come into ESRA's care are heavy on my heart, too. Hoping to hear some news of a transport soon.

One thing led to another last night and today... didn't keep my thoughts "up" and I fell into the trap of thinking about my upcoming appointment for the pre-surgical type MRI and consult following afterward with my Epileptologist at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital Medical Center on March 13th. I'm honestly looking forward to it and so hope we'll get some answers. Even though I believe God is healing me... I still want to know what's going on up there, so specific prayers can be said focusing directly on the problem area in my brain. My Epileptologist isn't exactly sure I even have Epilepsy because I'm so interestingly atypical. Often, I don't allow fear to set in... and I didn't today. Today was more of I don't know what to feel, since I don't really know what I have. Once I know... it'll make more sense and with my personality type... my goal in life is to understand everything, everyone... even me! On the ever search for truth.

So, enough about that... this pic below was taken of me inside the Depot/Museum... it's one of my favorite shots ever taken of me. That is a speck on the mirror and not on my sweater. And, there's a bit of a blur to it -- it's an old mirror. One last thing... just so ya'll know, as much as I post pics of myself here and on Facebook... I don't like photos of myself or putting myself out there in public period. Just believe God is leading me to put a Face on Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders -- Brain Stuff. Same thing with ESRA. Well, this entry has been all over the place... kind of like the way I am in my head right now.


P.S. One day I'll talk about my conquering black ice in Seattle, WA. Sliding down the east hill in Kent sideways. Yikes! But, God's natural snow artwork on the glass ceiling panes at Shakey's were amazing. Those of us with Temporal Lobe misfires (and mine are mid temp) never stop remembering... or trying to remember. Thanks for the prayers!