Middle of a story
I’m trying out a new look here at Across the Page. This theme has an enormous banner at the top, one I can change as the mood strikes. Currently, it displays a picture of the valley seen from my in-laws’ home.
I’m a true novice who hasn’t figured out the vast majority of what my camera can do, but I have lots of enthusiasm. :-) Thank you to those of you who have left encouraging comments about my budding photography skills — it keeps me trying. The main thing I like about having a better camera than I’ve had before is that it is helping me to see the beauty of my “place on earth” (Wendell Berry).
Sabrina puts it better, of course, in this scene:
Sabrina: Just look, don’t take a picture, just look.
Linus: Uh, ocean, ocean, ocean, quiet little fishing village. Ocean, ocean, lighthouse, a guy going into the light house. There’s a job for you. What must that be like? What kind of a guy takes a job keeping a lighthouse?
Sabrina: Every time I look through a camera I’m surprised. It’s like finding yourself in the middle of a story, like you just did. What kind of a guy takes a job keeping a light house? I think I’ve been taking pictures all my life, long before I ever had a camera.
Even brooding skies have a loveliness. (It’s a good thing to recognize, living around here…) My current header image is a section of this picture, which displays said brooding.
It’s a vista that can change character many times in a single afternoon. My husband’s father drove past this site many times as a young man and thought, “I’d like to live there someday.” Eventually he bought the property, married, and designed and built the house that stands there today. It’s where my husband grew up, looking out across this valley so suited to developing visions and dreaming dreams.
I grew up in a hundred year old house nestled at the foot of a wooded hill.
We’ve often talked about the ways our different perspectives on things reflect the environments we grew up in. It’s frustrating sometimes, but on the whole it’s more complement than conflict. Both settings are inviting and beautiful in their own way, and so are both kinds of vision.
I’m struggling to see the forest for the trees in some decisions about our home school next year. It’s not a question of whether to continue, but of what to include and how to restructure our approach so that the most important things get the most time and energy. I’m praying for a scenic outlook within where I can get a reliable sense of the big picture. There’s no question that we’re in the middle of a story. But… where does it go from here?
9 Comments
bekahcubed
It’s inspiring, isn’t it, to have a camera that takes pictures that at least somewhat reflect what you see when you’re taking the picture? I’ve been enjoying your photos quite a bit!
I said a quick prayer for you as you make decisions about homeschooling.
Amy @ Hope Is the Word
I love the new look, Janet. I’m experimenting with mine, too. I like a clean look, and I love having photos I’ve taken as the banner. (If only mine were as good as yours!) I like the little photo on the side of your post, too. I *think* my template might do something similar, if only I had the time to figure it out.
We’re in the decision-making phase regarding next year, too. The end of this year was extremely stressful for me, and I’m actively looking for ways to make next year go more smoothly (which don’t include sending my girl off to the nearest brick-and-mortar ;-) ). I pray that we all find what fits our homes and families best, and that we don’t feel bound by false expectations!
Barbara H.
Love the photo with the sun’s rays filtering down to the valley.
I like this blog theme, too. I don’t know if it is available for the free WP blogs — I’ll have to check.
Janet
Amen. Heartfelt thanks to both of you for the prayers!
Amy, on this theme, if you go down to “featured image” on the lower right of the screen while you’re writing a post, you can upload an image there that will show in the thumbnail. (I’m just figuring it out myself!)
Janet
Oops, Barbara, your comment came through as I was writing mine. I’m not sure if this theme is available on WP.com either, but they do have an increasing selection for sure.
Ruth
Where does it go from here? Ah, THERE is the question.
DebD
praying for you during this homeschool decision making season. There are so many good choices out there, it is hard to whittle it down to what is good for you and your girls.
Love the header. It makes me want to visit that area because it is so beautiful.
Andrea Gretz
Janet your photography is awesome and you are correct. A good camera makes all the differance in viewing the photos. I will look @ a flower & think that is pretty and snap a photo. When I go back to see on my camera I say ” WOW, Amazing “. Where do you go from here you ask….? To the next chapter…. a good book is always hard to put down and you look forward to each new exciting chapter. I will pray that you find what you are looking for in that nex tchapter.
Janet
Thanks for the encouragement, Andrea!