How often do we find ourselves leaning on a fence rail, or looking out the window, maybe even sitting on the patio and taking a break. Any of those places provide a perfect place and time to wonder about things. Things like the future, the scenery before us, or more likely, a task that’s proving difficult to get finished.
Or maybe we’re just . . . leaning on the rail.
Every time I see this photo, I focus on the dreamy quality of the setting. The model’s seemingly relaxed gaze across the beautiful fall landscape could be misleading. The scene might make me wonder what interesting thoughts this person would be having in this serene setting.
- I can picture a sadness because she’s waiting for someone who may not return.
- I can see a woman walking to a neighbor’s house and paused to enjoy the smell of fall. She’ll describe it to her friend later.
- I can see an artist searching for the perfect spot to paint from. There’s so much to choose from!
Only, I know the model, and her thoughts were none of the above.
My sister and I had been to an auction, and we were both very tired. But I had my camera with me—and I love old falling down fences with peeling paint. Especially old fences with rustic red peeling paint.
I made Ruth, my sister, go stand by the fence. She complained that she looked awful and she didn’t want her picture made. She didn’t look awful, but I compromised and said she could stand with her back to me—I just wanted a figure by the fence.
My point is that many times what a thing looks like and what it actually is, can be worlds apart. The next time an image makes you wonder what’s going on in the scene, pause for a moment, and try to imagine three completely different scenarios to fit the image.
It’s fun. And for the writer it stirs the imagination.
I was pretty sure that what Ruthy was thinking was far different from the dreamy image I wanted to depict to my viewers.
I hurried the shot. 🙂
Until next time,
Mare 🙂
Keep God first in your plans, things work out better.
Mary's Moments 
Hi Mare,
As always, you’ve written something worth thinking about. How true that we should consider things carefully and from different vantage points. Some things are definitely not as they appear. (: Which makes for delightful stories.
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Thanks for your comment, Marsha.
This past week our visiting preacher said something in a lesson about how people read a poem or view a painting and then go into a deep discussion of what the creator of the piece must have had in mind.
But later when the person behind the work is asked about their motive, or intention, they often say, “I was just enjoying myself—no motive.”
I thought that was funny because I play ‘what if, or I’ll bet . . . all the time. 🙂
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Love the color of the leaves and the casualness of Ruthy. I have a feeling she wasn’t feeling casual. 🙂
I think, as adults, sometimes we get too busy to just relax and purposefully daydream.
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I agree, Dani, we adults probably don’t take as much time to daydream as might be good for us.:-) I do try! 🙂
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Another thought provoking post. We never know all the story behind a scene which leads to all kinds of “what ifs ” to our imagination. Sometime we get so busy we miss out on all the stories that are in simple things.
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You are so right, Jenny!
I think it’s kinda’ fun to wonder and make up stories to fit the scene. Ten people looking at the same image will all come up with a different idea of what’s going on. That’s one of the reasons this world is so interesting! 🙂
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I always love your posts. Sandy 🙂
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Thanks, Sandy! 🙂
Glad you like. This looks like the kind of country we like, doesn’t it?
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