247: The Old Ways

It seem the old ways have been set aside for newer stuff. Sometimes it is good others I think not. It seems many churches have relegated the congregation to an audience rather than encouraging them to participate in worship.

The Old Way

227: Doll in a Basket

Where Have The Little Girls Gone?

210: Abandoned

Well a hallway is a hallway and besides the revenuers showed up. (A revenuer is defined as a law-person who interferes with your fun and/or profit.) I was told it was not permissible to take pictures while inside the building. So being one who obeys the letter of the law, I quit taking pictures while inside the building. I changed my position and started taking pictures of the inside of the building through the windows.

Abandoned

203: What is in a Name

Elmo on the Porch

Recently I have again become embroiled in a name controversy, so I feel some clarification is in order. During most of my life most people knew me as Bob, a nickname for Robert. When I first came to North Carolina I was given a severe verbal beating, by a person who eventually became my best client, about how I was disrespecting my parents by not using the name they gave me. When I was finally able to get a word in edge ways, I explained that I was raised in the same city as my father and grandfather and as I was a third and to use either Robert (the name my father used) or Elmo (the name my grandfather used) could cause some confusion. Therefore, my parents chose to call me Bob.

After moving to Monroe, I found every activity I participated was loaded with Bob's. Along about the same time, I started suffering with a stiff neck. In my wisdom I determined my stiff neck problem was caused jerking my head around every time some one hollered Bob. In an effort to relieve the neck condition I decided to change names. Robert sounded to formal, but I knew I could never meet the standards of my Grandfather Elmo. After careful consideration I decided as he was my grandfather he might forgive me for defaming his name so Elmo was my choice. Besides I would have a unique name, who besides me would accept being called Elmo.

Beimg Elmo has partially relieved the neck issues, but has not been without its down sides. I recently went to the pastor of a local church for a little spiritual guidance. After entering his office and him closing the door. His first statement was "What is your real name, because we cannot talk if you are not truthful. " I tried to explain that Elmo was my real name. He refused to believe me. At which time I did as Jesus instructed, I got up walked to the door stopped and brushed the dust off my feet and left. I have never seen a preacher with such a truly dumbfounded look on his face? However, I am not sure he recognized my little act of protest. Later when I decided to become a member of a local church (a different one from above) I had to show them my drivers license before they would believe my name.

Oh, before some one makes a snide comment about the little sign attached to Elmo's arm (Shown above), it is true. Just push my button and see how trying I can get.

193: Patience

This is the image for the day. Because I followed the little still voice inside and made (set up) this shot I got a couple of others (see previous) today.

PATIENCE

When I was much much younge I used to sit on the creek bank and patiently ( it took some effort) wait for my cork (when I was young all bobbers were made of cork) to signal a fish was going after my bait. As I grew older I started using a rod and reel to fish. With this busy-work method I no longer sat still and patiently waited for the signal. I have found that applies to life.

Now that I am older I realize the right way is to sit still and wait for the signal. I now think of all I have missed in my lifetime while doing busy-work. The old railroad crossing signs used to express it perfectly: Stop, Look, Listen.

91: Signs -- A Trip to the Store

Having overdone it yesterday, I sort of played lazy today to let my bum ankle recuperate. Late this afternoon I thought a little hot tea might be a welcome change to coffee. I heard a nearby old country store had reopened yesterday, so I thought that might be a change of pace. So I headed out. When I got there I noticed the sign on the door.



Feeling right at home I went in and found me some tea bags.



My only issue was I was afraid they might be a little stale. Well they offered me a glass of iced tea (for a small price) and it was great, not stale at all. The down side is the iced tea filled my tea urge and I came home and made me another pot of coffee.

So now, you have just encountered another one of Uncle Elmo's Wild tales, but is serves a purpose. One of which is, should that sign be on all church house doors, and mean it.

In closing the images were taken at AW SHUCKS located on Plyler Mill Road just south of the intersection with Griffith Rd. The place is AWESOME. Lots of stuff to remind one of the way it was and a great environment for the kids to have a great time. Where else can you and the young ones enjoy an old fashion hay ride? And when you need some time alone, send the youngsters to the corn maze. Simply just a great place and the workers are fantastic. I'll be back!!

81: Still Life -- GrandPa's Peanuts

While talking with my friend Marty this morning he reminded me of an old tale about my Grandfather. As a result I went to the store and got some peanuts, carefully parched (roasted in the shell) them, took them to the table to enjoy and reminisce.

Parched Peanut Snack

This result was a vivid reminder of my Grandfather. He managed a wholesale warehouse that supplied fresh fruits and veggies to most of the stores and restaurants in Central East Texas, and he loved parched peanuts. Every day, a man, carrying a cardboard box slung off his shoulder by a piece of rope, came by the warehouse. The box was full of small bags of parched peanuts and my grandfather bought a couple of bags to enjoy throughout his work day.


Well the story goes like this. The first question my grandfather always asked when he interviewed someone for a job was, “Do you Like Peanuts?” Think about it; he and his desk were covered with peanut shells and husk, what would you say? If you said yes, you did not get the job.

His reasoning was not selfishness but that there was always stuff for one to eat around the warehouse and you were welcome to eat it, but everything in the warehouse except peanuts one could eat with one hand and work with the other. It takes two hands to eat peanuts.

I know this tale is true and it brings to mind a question. Are we, as Christians, eating with one hand and working with the other, or are we just eating?

55: Table Tops And Trains

There was a period of time when I was out of photography due to film related cost and the lack of a darkroom. I started taking a few images after digital came on the scene to support my Genealogical research. About that time my grandson developed an obsession with trains. We spent many hours watching trains together. I started photographing the trains. As of this date I have images of over 5000 different locomotives. It was train photography the got me started trying to do thing correctly again.

One thing I am not that good at is still life's or table tops. I was recently given a train statuette. It means a lot to me so I decided to give photographing it a try.



Not all that great but better than I expected as the only light I had was a Mini-Mag Flashlight. Rest assured you will see this little beauty again.

36: Street Photography -- No People

Most street photography contains people in it's effort to Document the Human Condition. I have on rare occasions found the inclusion of people is not required for such documentation.

Table on Main Street in Late Evening

Living in a small rural type community, I find things more like when I was young and not everything has to be locked up. I wonder how long this setting would remain in a big city. I suspect it would either be stolen or at least defaced.