In Plain Sight

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Muffler Family

Outside Franklin, Tennessee, on a beautiful country road, the muffler family welcomes friends and family.

Muffler family

South of Franklin, TN

Pig on a Pillar

Just off Howell Mill Rd there is a quiet, well manicured, charming neighborhood with a most unusual representative - a cement pig on a stone pillar.

Pig on a stone pillar

Off Howell Mill Rd

View of the left side of the pig

Other neighborhoods have eagles and lions protecting their driveways... I think I would enjoy living in this neighborhood!

Marshmallow Dress

As we toured Virginia-Highlands one happy day, my sisters and I came across a particularly magical window display: a wind-blown evening dress made of marshmallows... and a bit of chicken wire!

Window display

N. Highland Ave, Virginia-Highlands

View from a slightly different angle

I hate to say it, but I've become a hunter... a hunter of odd and creative things, with a compulsion as fierce as any backwoods deer stalker. When this particular vehicle glided past me on the road I knew I was a goner. I stepped on my accelerator, shouldered in front of three other cars, and roared through a yellow light so as not to lose sight of my prey. I had my camera out of the glove compartment and I was snapping pictures as we made the turn.

To my delight, a few blocks on, the driver turned into a gas station and pulled up at the pumps. I flew into a side parking space, barely closing the car door in my haste. I ran toward the van, my camera at the ready. At the moment I rounded the front fender to blurt out a request for permission to take pictures, it occurred to me how incredibly bizarre my behavior had been and how I must look to the now-cornered driver of the van. I took a quick check of myself... was I drooling?

I was overcome with embarrassment concerning my condition. Fortunately, the driver, a lovely young lady, had a big smile ready for me. She understood! She was as taken with the bungalow-on-wheels as I was, perhaps more, as she was the owner!

The Gypsy Van turning at the light

Austell Rd at Floyd Rd

Owner of The Gypsy Van, Lorrie

Passenger side of The Gypsy Van

Gentleman friend at the back of The Gypsy Van

Bird's nest surviving the ride

On the back door, a happy, yellow wreath

What a happy photo shoot I had at that gas station! The owner of the vehicle, Lorrie, and her gentleman friend were taking The Gypsy Van to its new home, a lovely spot on the edge of a secluded lake where it would be enjoyed and appreciated and it would complement the scenery.

The Gypsy Van's new home

I came away from this adventure giddy with excitement. After all, I had captured my prey forever in a simple set of photos. I had documented something wonderful and unusual. My hunter's fever was satisfied. As I walked back to my car, I realized that I had received a real treasure this time: the chance to meet a extraordinary person!

Thank you for the photos, Lorrie. Thank you for the shared laugh and for making me feel welcome. I wish you many happy hours looking out on the lake and the woods from the cozy interior of your Gypsy Van!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

On the War Path

In the dark, trapped in morning traffic, I spied something unusual. A tall man in a light shirt was bent forward and walking fast in the opposite direction. I realized with surprise that he was wearing a headband with feathers and... war paint.

I turned my car around as quickly as I could. I had to take a picture!

When asked about the occasion/motivation for his dramatic appearance, the man replied, "It's a long way from Tennessee!"

Indeed!