Wednesday, June 22, 2011

SHAKER STILLNESS

ON A WINDOW LEDGE

BY A WINDOW

LIGHT IS SUBDUED
CENTRE FAMILY DWELLING 1824-1834
SHAKER VILLAGE, PLEASANT HILL, KENTUCKY

16 comments:

  1. Your photographs are beautiful still life portraits!

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  2. Jayne, thanks for stopping by -- barbara

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  3. Sheri -- thanks for the nice comment -- barbara

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  4. Everything is subdued along with the light... so still and restful, gentle and peaceful. These beautiful photos are like a quiet meditation in pictures. Wonderful!

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  5. Laloofah -- the Shakers practiced a hushed lifestyle -- no talking loud, no shuffling of the feet on the floor as you walk, only closing doors gently -- their material goods they lived with reflected this same gentle simplicity. Thanks for the comment -- barbara

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  6. I completely (though softly, lol) applaud and endorse their hushed lifestyle! If only it would make a widespread comeback! I hate all the loudness of modern life and behaviors. Such the pity the Shakers didn't last. And it's a shame too that I lived in Maine and never visited the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community there! Have you ever been?

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  7. Laloofah -- I have not been to the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community. I understand that it the only operational Shaker community left of the original 19 communities. The Shaker Village here in KY is only about an hour from my home. If you like silence or hushed tones this is the place to visit. The village is in the actual location of where the Shakers set up their community. It is all very lovely and serene. There is another Shaker community in KY called the South Union Shaker Village. I have not been to it. Next time you are in ME -- maybe you can visit Sabbathday.
    -- barbara

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  8. There is something so peaceful and uncluttered about these images. Lovely.

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  9. Beautiful pictures! We visited there once and at times it was like being in some sacred place.

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  10. Tess -- thanks -- you can't help but feel peaceful when you go there -- barbara

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  11. June -- Shaker village is a landscape that reflects past principles that they lived by. It lends itself to the camera. thanks -- barbara

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  12. Vicki -- I agree with you -- the place certainly has maintained its feeling of purity.

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  13. To me it really is a joy to be simple. I love the Shaker world, partly owing to the fact that some of my ancestors were Menonite, partly owing to my Mom's collection of Shaker things. You are so fortunate to have a museum near by. Dianne

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  14. Dianne -- I agree -- it is a joy to be simple. Maybe this is the reason that Shaker materials so intrigue me. Your mother collected Shaker things -- she must have had a good eye for special items such as those produced by the Shakers. Thanks for the comments -- barbara

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