There is a narrow black top road that runs through a place called Davis Hollow, a lowland area lying between a segment of low mountainous parts of Appalachia. Sparsely populated, it has very few homes along its main roadway.
Local linguistics pronounce Hollow -- Holler. You would get a big smile from locals if you said Hollow instead of Holler. I know.
When you turn onto the blacktop into Davis Hollow there is a sign warning you that there is no outlet. I turned down it anyway as I always am curious about such roads. As I rode down the "no outlet" road I noticed a sign saying FARM MACHINERY. Now I have never noticed a sign such as this before when I have been out and about. I took the sign to mean watch out for traveling farm machinery. There was a large farm near the sign so perhaps the farmer put it there however the sign looked mightily official.
So I snapped a photo of the sign. There is always a reason to click your camera's shutter no matter how important or irrelevant.
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Quite a few, "hollers", around my area. Rich in fine people and traditions. And, you are quite right about using the camera.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- Agree with your assessment of fine folks in the hollers. Sometimes I take the weirdest photos that sometimes become some of my favorites. My motto is just click if it pulls at you. -- thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteMaybe, saving words, it's a "watch out for" sign. Which leads me to wonder what is the genesis of the old expression "a hoot and a holler?" :)
ReplyDeletetroutbirder -- That is good explanation for the Farm Machinery sign. As to the old expression of "a hoot and a holler" I looked it up online and it means to shout disapproval. A "holler" (hollow) is a geographical designation. So the two are not related. I think the "holler" term comes from saying hollow with a southern accent??? thanks for stopping by -- barbara
DeleteThat sign does look very official. Also the photo on your header just now looks like my idea of house one might find in a holler, although I take it the houses you saw where in better shape. You take some interesting drives and many interesting photos.
ReplyDeleteJune -- My header photo of the cabin was found in a holler. It was tucked into a ridge and I was lucky my camera captured it. Some hollers are large geographically and some small. There are several around where I live having both large nice homes and small old homes in them. thanks June for the comment -- barbara
DeleteMeant to also say that is a very fine looking fence beside the road. That farmer seems to be fairly prosperous.
ReplyDeleteJune -- The fencing you mention is common on farms in this area. Almost always painted black like most of the barns in this area. This area has several different styles of fencing -- my favorite being the beautiful natural rock fencing which is everywhere around here. thanks -- barbara
DeleteBarbara, I love hearing about your hollers/hollows. As far as taking the picture: that sign caught your eye, but then the whole scene has such gorgeous light...I think you captured the holler feeling here with the hill & the farm. To me, the painting has a sort of pastel painting quality to it...it seems to me, that going out with camera means looking consciously, exploring, eyes & senses open. And I appreciate that you share some of what you see & know here with us...
ReplyDeleteSketchbook Wandering. You are so right -- a camera can mean to look consciously, exploring and keeping eyes and senses open. I feel there is an image to be captured just about any place. Your head has to be in the right place or else it doesn't always work. I enjoy art of all kinds and I consider photography an art. I think the art you are doing is terrific. So enjoy your thoughts too. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteWe have a road near us. The sign says SHARP HOLLOW but we all know it's SHOP HOLLER -- and there really was a shop there once.
ReplyDeleteVicki -- That is funny. The road signs around here always say hollow if it is part of the name -- never holler. I felt like my old English teacher would slap my hands if I said holler but know I feel one needs to do as the locals do. thanks -- barbara
DeleteExcellent takes. Enjoyed them as usual.
ReplyDeletesparkle100 -- always nice to have a visit from you -- thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteWe need one of those signs in the area where I live. Seems there's always tractors driving down our road, especially in the summer. And I grew up in a holler - love them!
ReplyDeleteJanet -- I would think a farm machinery sign posted on farm roads would give a heads up of what we can expect along a roadway especially on sharp turns. thanks for stopping by -- barbara
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