This week Tina invited me to share images of places and things that have, “seen better days”. Evidence of our past is easily found here in Northern California. When I go out with my camera in hand, I am on the lookout for these abandoned items, settings, and buildings.
I came across this abandoned bee hive in our local nature preserve, Effie Yeaw.
These passengers have seen better days! This Thunderbird set the stage for Halloween parked in Old Fair Oaks
Greeting travelers in Strawberry, California
What’s the story behind this Buick? Could this be a subject for a crime novel?
Some cars make it into an auto museum and some cars are just abandoned.
The base for what kind of vehicle?
I wonder what was the price of gas when this gas station closed?
The innards before pumps went digital.
How many times have you misplaced an article of clothing? I’m surprised at where these lonely ones were found.
Is the owner a right handed person?
Out worn its usefulness
Did this companion hop away?
One hand will be cold today!
A scarecrow could still make use of this straw hat!
Flip flops flop after a grueling hike in Kauai
Gold and silver mining had much to do with the creation and downfall of many towns in Northern California. Bodie is one such example. In 1962 Bodie became Bodie State Historic Park, and an official gold rush ghost town. It is an example of “arrested decay”.
From barns to sugar mills, from government buildings to stores these places have a story to tell.
Berkeley store
Fireman’s Theatre in Tuolumne Ca.
Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg Ca
Barn
Outhouse
Another barn
Angel Island Immigration Government Building
Two boats cast aside. One found near Martinez Ca. and one found in Esparto Ca.
This pier off of Berkeley Marina needs a little work! But some wildlife finds it useful.
This may have worked for Superman, but forget about making a call.
When my friend Anne and I went out with a fellow photographer Greg we often ended up exploring forgotten place such as Knight’s Landing.
Knight’s Landing railroad trestle crossing the Sacramento River.
Knight’s Landing water tower along the Sacramento River.
Found in Marysville, Ca. this safe is no longer secure.
I took this photo the day after Valentine’s Day in New York City. I hope the flowers were appreciated.
Taking photographs of items with history behind them makes me think about the back story.
My idea of living with the pandemic evolves. When I made the decision to cancel my trip to New York in March I was thinking about a couple of months and then a return to the way I usual do life. As many hunkered down, I prepared for lockdown mode. My pantry had enough provisions, and I bonded with my puppy.
Things opened up, but my husband and I kept to ourselves mostly. Went out only when the risk warranted. Learned how to Zoom, and kept in touch by telephone and FaceTime. I enrolled Charlie in classes online Zoom style. Risk lowered, and the nice weather called me to explore the world. But still I hesitated.
After I took Charlie to the groomer I was tempted to lower my guard and take myself for a haircut. The last time I had my haircut was in early February. It seems like a lifetime ago. For the first time in many, many decades I can pull my hair back into a ponytail. Not exactly the look I was going for in my seventies. So I masked up, called up my stylist, and trimmed up my hair. My hair is now one length, I can still pull it back if I need to, and I feel so much better.
Selfies are not my thing!
So here come the holidays. Halloween just passed, and I decided that I would avoid the “Trick or Treat” scene. My grandsons stopped by in their costumes and looked like they had a fun day.
Actually the only character I recognized was “The Hulk”, but they all looked Super!
As it happens, our block was especially quiet. Not one visitor rang our doorbell. I hope that by next year Charlie will be able to calmly greet costumed kids.
Charlie calmly sharing time with us while we play Zoom BINGO with Ed and Leti!
This year would have been a challenge. Maybe next year I will find a Halloween collar that I know I still have somewhere in the house. I have a full year to decide what if any humiliating costume I will put on Charlie.
For now, I can look over my photos of Halloween over the years. Staring Alyssa, Isaac, Eli, Lucas and Wyatt. Rachel and Sean are along for the ride!
Next year we have another Pumpkin to treat!
Our election is over in everyone’s mind except for you know who. I worry about the next couple of weeks until January 20th. What’s life without something to worry about?
Sanity restoration needed for 2021!
My grandson’s 5th and 3rd birthday sandwich Thanksgiving Day. The country is not moving in a good direction with the pandemic. Numbers are rising, and I hope to ride out CoVid 19 and really have something to celebrate in 2021! So I guess, as all the special occasions that have been delayed these celebrations will need to wait.
For now, I will shop online, be thankful for all that surrounds me, and enjoy the little things that make my life special.
October 31st and Old Fair Oaks was ready for the holiday. The park had games set up for the 3-5 year old set, and Lucas was just the perfect age to enjoy the activities.
This Ford Thunderbird was parked in front of the Fair Oaks Coffee House and Deli. Treats for the kids, coffee for the parents. So nice!
Changed this
to this. What do you think?
Still need time to practice with this new processing program. Enjoy the last day of Daylight Savings Time. Fall back tonight!
A Photo's Worth 