PATTERNS AND CHANGES

An old plant display stand casts a shadowy pattern on the broken cement. The plant stand's pattern tells us change is upon us -- time to prepare for a change in the weather. Plants will have to wait until next spring to again sit upon the open wire plant stand. 

For me change is in the wind again too as I have just moved  to a college town about a hundred miles from the home I have been residing in for the past seven months. 

My living pattern since retirement (long ago) has been one of many changes. I wander about learning from the folks and landscapes that create the culture of different areas. Sometimes I feel that I will stay in an area forever but eventually get itchy feet and move on. 

I feel fortunate that I have been able to do this. I find that it has made my life experiences in retirement rich and varied. I'm looking
forward to discovering the odds and ends of my new area. Although I lived in this area several years ago I feel there are many opportunities yet to uncover especially in photography. 

So my exploration  will soon begin  -- when I unpack everything and get fairly settled in my new apartment in the woods. 

SUN, ROCKS, HOME AND MOVING WEST

The late day sun casts bare tree shadows on my home as I contemplate the work ahead for me. I have made a decision to move to Utah after long deliberation. Kentucky is a natural paradise that abounds with all types of fantastic wildlife. It has been a good place to nurture my interest in all things wild. Also, it is a treasure chest of folkways that I have attempted to record in part through images and a few words. I will miss this place as I am now in my fifth year of living here.


But, most of my family members are now living in the west, Utah and Oregon, and there are no more  members in this part of the country. And, I have a great love of the west with its grandeur of mountains and varied landscapes. This will be an opportunity to explore cultures of ancients, wildlife, and folks. Hopefully it will open a multitude of new views for my layperson's photography. 

Above are rocks that I have picked up along the many roads I have traveled in the U.S.  over the past twenty-one years. I think there are only about five states that I have not visited. I consider these rock fragments -- my fetishes. I use the native American interpretation of fetishes -- being sacred objects for spiritual awakening and to communicate with supernatural powers providing protection, promote healing and ensure success in ventures.

Of course -- the runway ahead can be a really long one before I take off with my dog Sal. Sales of houses are  slow and low. In the meantime I have plenty to do around the house and property -- trying to get it on the market in March. 

I will continue with FOLKWAYS NOTEBOOK when I finally make it to Utah. I plan on bringing a whole new western palette to my blog.

But for now everything is as usual with my postings. No changes. Except for me feeling completely overwhelmed!