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| Window in the Shaker Farm Deacon building 1809 |
Window panes are like eyes to the world. As you gaze out a window you frame a space that becomes part of your thoughts. How many of you sit by a window looking outside all the while letting your thoughts roam while including the landscape seen outside. Perhaps something is seen that triggers your mind to stray to another place that contains emotional occurrences.
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| Windows Shaker Farm Deacon Building, 1809 |
Shakers did not mix freely with the outside world. They left their ties behind when they joined the sect. Yet with all their discipline and vigor to remain true to the Shaker principles, I wonder if they didn't daydream as we do when we look through windows to the world beyond. If what we view is natural beauty we are more than likely to take a holiday from our busyness and float on a stream of private thoughts.
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| Lots of windows Shaker Centre Dwelling with herb garden "where Shakers slept and ate" |
My photos taken at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill -- an original Shaker site in Kentucky complete with original on site buildings.
BOOK RESOURCE
Shaker Communities of Kentucky: Pleasant Hill and South Union, The (KY) (Images of America) [Paperback]
James W. Hooper (Author), Larrie Curry (Foreword), Tommy Hines (Foreword
I'm inclined to think they did, just the same as we do.
ReplyDeleteNCmountainwoman -- I think so too. Perhaps that is why so many left the Shakers eventually. Thanks for the comment.--barbara
ReplyDeleteLovely thoughts for this morning Barbara. Windows have always held a fascination for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome building! I wonder if they thought of it as looking out or letting the light in. Two very different mental states. I imagine both ... but people are so varied, maybe many answers are true.
ReplyDeleteI bet they did, too. What a beautiful building - such fine dwellings for the early 1800s.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that they did. That wonderful tendency of letting the mind drift is a very human thing. Maybe a big part of what makes us human.
ReplyDeleteMama-Bug -- Yes, I guess I am drawn to them also. Didn't realize this until I started taking photos as a blogger. Thanks for the nice comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteJune -- Hmm I didn't think of that possibility. I'm sure light was important to them -- all their buildings have lots of window-light. I find the village's location is like a step back in time -- no commercialism and acres and acres of rolling open countryside. A peaceful place to visit. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteJanet -- Originally there were 300 buildings in Shaker village during the 1800s -- now I would guess there are about fifty left of those 300? Beautiful serene place to visit if you are ever in Central Kentucky. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteLouise -- I remember my sister getting a comment on her report card by one of her elementary teachers saying she was always looking out the window daydreaming. I could never figure out why this teacher thought this was wrong. The teacher obviously did not recognize where creative thoughts came from. -- Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and skillfully crafted building. Nice thoughts on window-gazing, Barbara.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos -- windows are magical things, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteVicki -- I agree. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteSheri -- At one time the Shakers had 500 beautifully crafted buildings in the 1800s. Then when the sect closed down Pleasant Hill the buildings went into decline of which most could not be saved. Yet today quite a few still grace the former village of the Shakers in a pristine, peaceful setting. -- barbara
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