Pages

Thursday, June 23, 2011

STUDY IN ORANGE

I've never loved the color orange which is why I gave myself the challenge of studying the color in a season other than autumn. (No pumpkins allowed!)






There was also the problem of having no literary device to combine with the color other than Willard Espy's poem,
The four engi-
neers
wore orange
brassieres.
As a study in enjambments (one or two syllables of a word added to another word to make it rhyme) the poem is clever enough. But not something on which to base a blog. So that means we're left with my humble thoughts. At least I have some photos to go with them.
In Northern Virginia, this building would prove the need for draconian HOA rules. Except this house, sparkling in the sun, reminded me that not everyone is bound by the Mt. Vernon color palette. 
Two of my favorite girls. 
I was practicing with a different close-up setting on my camera and took twenty pictures of this flower. Too bad they turned out blurry. Thank goodness I snapped one photo on the basic setting or I would've missed this.

I love the color of old bricks. This building dates to the eighteenth century, but in Virginia that's considered modern.

I'm pushing the concept of orange, but I couldn't resist snapping this picture to prove to my husband that sometimes overgrown weeds in my garden are a good thing.

























The irony here is lost since I don't have a picture of the pool. But the deep end of this adults-only pool rose to three feet. Max.





























More tropical flowers. I have no idea what they are, but they were even more vibrant up close.

Shannon, a good friend of mine, once told me, "Never dress your children in clothes the color of pavement." It's been great advice. Not only do vibrant colors keep kids visible, it makes catching them in the edges of photographs a bit easier. Especially when they're always running away.
I'm so glad this roof hasn't been replaced yet. 








No idea if these are a fruit or a veg, but the color was so vibrant it made me consider repainting my dining room.


































I love lavender, but had no idea when I took this picture the frame would show more orange than purple.

After a few days in paradise, I took the flowers for granted and almost didn't take this picture. These vines were so commonplace, they didn't seem special enough to warrant the time to pause. But I'm so glad I did.

Sometimes color can be found in the most unexpected places, including an early foggy morning at the beach.


The water in the basin? Rust or divine compliance?
Color and coincidence: a few weeks after taking this picture, we were invited to dinner with Mr. Hunter deButts, the great grandson of General Robert E. Lee. Not only were Hunter and his wife Jane wonderful hosts, they let my children hold Lee family artifacts including a calvary sword. Too bad they're too young to appreciate the experience.





























What is a "Study in . . ."?
A visual record defined by a single element, such as color, texture, or type. My previous journal entries include Studies in PurpleStone FacesYellow, Bark, and Iron Gates.
I hope you enjoy them.
Sharon

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

MULTITUDES ON MONDAY {285-294}: ANNIVERSARY IN JAMAICA

#285 Last week my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica. 
Sandals Bridal Bouquet
#286 After renewing our vows in Mary Gate of Heaven Church in the seaside town of Negril, we headed for Whitehouse on the south end of the island.

#287 When we first saw the bright blue sky, we held hands and shaded our eyes.

 #288 He pulled me close when tropical flowers filled our line of sight with color and the air with a heavy fragrance.


 



































#289 I took his arm while we walked two miles of white sand beaches--a perfect backdrop for swimming, volleyball, and hours of reading,

#290 and gave him a kiss when our room with a view provided a cool respite from the heat of the day.

#291 We found shelter on the beach from sudden, violent rain showers,

#292 laughed together when early morning walks on the beach brought unexpected surprises and picture perfect scenes,




#293 while new and unusual friends made us scramble for our camera.

















 #294 But the most memorable moment of our trip was when Father Jim Bok asked us to repeat those two all-important words, "I do." Which we did. Again.
Sandals Bridal Bouquet


Come visit me over at my book blog where I also keep a 
writing gratitude journal.

Join the community at A Holy Experience.


Hope to see you there,
Sharon