“We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it — for a little while.” (O Pioneers by Willa Cather)
My sophomore classes have been studying Willa Cather in the past few days. I assigned for them to read a short story called “A Wagner Matinee,” but years ago I taught them O Pioneers because the public library donated books for me to use. My students don’t love her as much as I do. I guess her words just speak to me. Maybe they will appreciate her work more when they are older.
I’m using a picture from Sunday’s photography drive. I woke up yesterday with a sore throat, and today my throat feels even worse. I have a pile of papers to grade and a busy day ahead of me tomorrow….so need to do some work and go to bed early tonight.
Thanks for all your comments on yesterday’s picture. I was quite surprised at your reactions to my picture of the Amish farm. I almost didn’t even post it, but I also had nothing else better to post. I guess that just proves that I may not have the best eye when it comes to my own work.
We are all critical of our photos. I think that I have posted a handful of good photos over the last two years. I like the composition of this photo. Looks like you are almost done with your project. Do you have anything special planned for four days from now?
this is lovely - great leading lines, sky and light
I think what we forget is that what is ordinary to us (like St Pancras station to me) is not to people from other places, so looking at an Amish farm from the UK is fascinating. I've probably only got the film Witness as a mental comparison.
oh yeah - we are our worse critics all right... nice pic again Mrs S... funny you are allowed on the tracks over there - today Network Rail (they manage the rail lines in the UK) were found guilty for improper safety equipment for allowing two young girls (11 and 13 I think) access to the track who were then hit and killed by a train about 10 years ago...
Yes, we are our own worst critics and I must have a terrible eye because I almost always think one is terrible and it gets the most comments, even from "outsiders" (not followers.) HA! I love everything about this photo, the sky and clouds, ice and of course train tracks leading to parts unknown. I have a TON of paperwork and assessments weighing down my desk and only one day to finish! :-S Such is life, I hope you're feeling better!
I love Willa Cather - she's one of my favorite authors. My mom's relatives are Nebraska ranchers so the subjects of her stories are close to my heart. My favorite of her books is "My Antonia".
I love this and poetry/quotes stir me emotionally when connected to photos. Fab perspective and I marked this one a fav, too. These are my kind of photos ;-)
Carla, this goes beautifully with the Cather story! Reminds me of her writings so much. I loved My Antonia . . she's a wonderful author. Your photos are awesome. :)
There's something special about your open sky railway line photos!
Here in Scotland railway lines seem to find their way along the edge of a valley or between a hill and a rough place or along the coast. Anyway I am looking forward to 'going home' to mum and dad's by train at the week end so smiled when I saw this!
Hope your sore throat feels better soon! Try a 'whisper day' in class! It works with small children and everyone whispers which is very nice!
Oh yes, the land will never go away....we can NOT make more land...we need to take care of it and not over develop so that we have enough land to produce enough food. You do have a great eye and you have depth in your soul. I love your work. Hope you feel better. My cold started like yours and I have had it for about two weeks. Very annoying! XX
Definitely- I feel that way too. Of a hundred photos, I will really like 2 and the rest are o.k. Out of 1,000 maybe 1 will be my favorite and the rest, o.k. But since I've been doing 365, I think I'm a little less critical than before and now maybe 5 out of 100 are acceptable! I think the thing is that you must be balanced. It's ok to challenge yourself to improve, but you must balance that with realistic goals and the ability to be satisfied with your work. I hope your cold is gone by now. And I really like how the railroad tracks lead us to the horizon on this one.
posted February 4th, 2012
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I think what we forget is that what is ordinary to us (like St Pancras station to me) is not to people from other places, so looking at an Amish farm from the UK is fascinating. I've probably only got the film Witness as a mental comparison.
Here in Scotland railway lines seem to find their way along the edge of a valley or between a hill and a rough place or along the coast. Anyway I am looking forward to 'going home' to mum and dad's by train at the week end so smiled when I saw this!
Hope your sore throat feels better soon! Try a 'whisper day' in class! It works with small children and everyone whispers which is very nice!