Driving across the Cumberland Plateau on our way to the Ozone Falls we saw this interesting old wooden trestle. As I approached the tracks a distant train whistle sounded and a few minutes later this engine, with an interesting livery, appeared pulling several car. Lhoist is, among other things, is a mining concern. This line is only 15 miles but it serves a vital link from one of their major mines to an interchange for other main line rail service. The wooden trestles are more sturdy and there are more of them than I knew, according to at least one railfan.
Portrait Project #20 /
This one bends the rules a bit but then I made the rules. I did meet Jean for the first time so, technically a stranger. However I met her in her home for dinner along with her family. They are dear friends of Jill. But back to Jean. She is a gem: sharp, witty, wise, beautiful and funny. Oh, and past the mid point of her 90’s. (The Sunday I met her was her 96th birthday.) She has a sparkle that rushes from her smile to your heart. She will reminisce with you, recalling details decades old about life in Flat Rock, or talk about the latest event or the UT basketball score. She still cooks but not as much as in years past, but when she does you are in for a treat. Ask me about her strawberry pie or the award winning lemon pie we had last week (her recipe, but her daughter-in-law, Marilyn, made this one). Perfect. She lives alone with a bit of help and more from her daughter and her son and daughter-in-law. They gather each Sunday for dinner along with a few friends, including Jill. So, I too was invited for the excellent meal and good conversation. A table made all the more lively with Jean at the head.
Another Cumberland Falls /
This one, Phullium Cascade, is in the Cumberland Mountain State Park and it was the object of our hike that day that we chose not to climb down to Ozone, the 100 foot falls I posted Saturday. This waterfall is not as high, only about 24 feet, but it was roaring after the recent rains and the wind was blowing spray into my lens so I had to constantly clean the lens to get a shot of any kind. There were some hikers on the ledge when we first arrived and I wanted to get them in the shot but they left just as we came into view of the falls.
Of course, this could all be conjecture since the actual hight of the falls should have been given in inches. What day is this again?
Sunday Scripture: Photo is from Cumberland Homestead, a 1930's home. /
100 Feet /
That is how high the top of the waterfall, by the lady in red is from the splansh zone below. This is Ozone Falls in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee. It is a short drive from I-40 and a very short walk once you get to the parking area. You can also hike to the bottom. As Jill and I had other plans for hiking later that day we decided this would be “another” time.
Congratulations /
From a bridge at the Seven Islands Birding Park Jii and I noticed a couple along the river and as we watched it unfolded that he was proposing. I took some photos of Joshua and Hannah and gave them to them after. It was a sweet event we were able to witness. We wish them well in the new journey together.
Knoxville Christian Arts Ministry (5 photos) /
KnoxCAM is a group of musicians (instrument and vocal), dancers, actors and support crew who share the message of Christ through the music and original dramas written and arranged by the director, Jill Lagerberg. I was privileged to travel with the group to a small Kentucky town for a benefit concert to support a local food distribution program. I will share some photos next week of the whole event but for today, Jill, the Director of KnoxCAM, in the midst of the performance.
Jill, hard at work directing an exuberant section of the program. Her deep faith is the creative spark behind KnoxCAM. (And dare I say she is beautiful as well!)
The Soft Side of Spring /
Wandering in the gardens of the University of Tennessee’s Botanical Gardens was a treat in the early spring. The weather was a bit nippy with a wind off the river but flowering trees and the first of the bright and colorful flowers were starting to emerge and a few ferns just showing the tips of the fiddleheads. I loved the color of these Lenten Roses in the overcast light of the morning.
Portrait Project #19 /
You may well ask what happened to 15-18? Well, 15 is too young even through his father gave permission, I just don’t feel good about him, but he counts. If you recall the brief on the project, I suggested than that not all are going to be posted. The next three have their information on my desk and my desk if 350 miles away. So meet Hannah. She is a super cool young woman who was working at the UT Creamery. Yes, the UT Creamery is back. It began in 1915 but about the time I moved to Knoxville for school, it closed. Now reopened and better than ever. Had a scoop of peppermint with dark chocolate pieces. Whoa Nellie, good.
Now about Hannah, she is a vocal major at UT specializing in opera! So I will be going to see her with Jill in mid April. It will be my first opera and I already know a star. I took a photo sans hat but I thought she looked very cute with the hat, so it is posted. Best wishes to Hannah for a long, fruitful career and thanks for letting me take your portrait.
Art v Life /
At the top of a small hill at the North Carolina Museum of Art is an outdoor art installation and mirroring that work from across the street is a crane working on a new building for the medical community. Art imitates Life or Life imitates Art, your choice. You may assign the bird to either.
Sunday Scripture: Photo is from an abandoned house in southside Virginia. /
And One More /
These are vincas. Amazing that I knew that I know but someone told me what they are. Anyway these are at the front of my house along the walk and it makes a carpet of color for about three weeks.
More Flowers /
This is from the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh and the annual, Art in Bloom. This is a very popular show held each spring for the last 10 years and hard to get tickets if you are not prompt! Outside of the exhibit were a few arrangements - I took this one because I liked the colors and the design of the arrangement.
A Welcome to Spring /
Such a pretty time of the year, the red and white trees rich in color, the flowers appearing overnight and adding beauty to the newly greener grass all signs of the warming of the year. Then the longer days begin to take hold and more birds are singing - just a lovely time to enjoy the season of renewal and beginnings. And a perfect reminder that Easter is just a week or so away, the ultimate renewal of life. I included two wildflowers I shot with my new lens last week. I may learn what they are and will add that if I do.
New Lens #2 /
Man reading a book. He was across a large field from me, perhaps 100 yards. I waited until no one was visible on the trail in front of him to add to the solitary pursuit he is engaged in on the park bench. I cut him close to the edge to avoid the large and overflowing trash can to his left and if I moved to get a better space the tree bisected the man, so this seemed to be the best option.
New Lens Trial /
So, I have a very nice new to me lens, technically it is a largesse lens:) I took it to the park on Sunday afternoon to try it out but the walk was cut short to get an email sent to a friend who needed some information. However, it was still evident that it is a very good lens and fills a need I have but was really unaware that the gap in my lens collection was as large as it was. No longer true. I shot only about 20 photos, but I will get some more tomorrow and Wednesday to round out what I was trying to do. One of the images, the bluebird here, was taken from 40 feet or so and the bird at least 20 feet high in the tree. And behind branches. I would normally have taken a second photo using manual focus to clear the tree branches but the bluebird had other ideas and flew up and away. But the point was still clear, this is a good medium distance bird lens and MUCH smaller and easier to carry than my other option. And super clear; the branches and detail of the tree - exceptional. And I decided to still show it here because the bird was not only nicely framed but inquisitive. So I will share a few more this week and then the lens will be just a regular part of the TLT arsenal. And a big thanks for the amazing gift.
Praise Team (four Photos) /
I was at a church in rural Maryland last week and took some shots of the praise team preparing for the day. I shot photos to emphasize an individual while trying to keep the sense that they were not solo performers.
Sunday Scripture: Photo from a farmers market in Clermont, FL. /
Another Look /
One more set of photos from the slave quarters at the Kingsley Plantation. There are 24 or so of these arranged in a semicircle at the edge of the property - the swamp is right past the trees. Each place to live had one or two families or an extended family living in the small quarters. You will see a brick fireplace still remaining in one, for heat in the cooler weather and cooking year round.
Where Carousel Horses Retire /
Of course, they go to Florida! Here we see a home for retired merry-go-round horses having a nice afternoon on the porch. I imagine tea has just been picked up. Fernandina Beach is a perfect place for them as there are nice beaches near by, good food everywhere and, of course, excellent weather to keep them looking sharp and tanned. These old horses recall their ancestors when carved horses were suspended from a pole and were used to train young warriors (carousel derives from the Turkish word for “little war”) as early as the 12th century in Turkey. This practice was refined into a crude earliy version of the carousels of the last century that dotted parks and small towns across America. Those carousels were replete with magnificently carved horses and other animals and fitted with calliope musical devices. Some restored carousels are still in use today, there is one in Raleigh that generations of children have enjoyed.
