Found Heart

In the rubble of the demolition of The Abandoned ...

A heart appeared.

In an unexpected place!!!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday"!

End of an Era ...

This is the front of the building across the street ... back when it was still a thriving mega-church in the early 2000's.

The entire complex is 42 acres, at it's high point there was over 40,000 square feet of main building, outbuildings ... and 69 retreat cabins scattered throughout the beautifully landscaped property.

Bankruptcy.

Sale.

Vandalism.

The beautiful and vibrant building became "The Abandoned".

(photo taken 2010)

 "New Owners".

Demolition.

The End.

February, 2013

I've Been WHERE?

A couple of years ago, Sissie and I spent several winter days at the Oregon beach.

It was cold, and in fact we woke up one morning to snow on the sand. If you look closely at the heart-shaped rock we found, you will notice a tiny bit of snowy white ...

Here's where the story gets a little off balance.

Because apparently I've been to South Africa!

Seriously!

Based on a tip I saw on a news segment, I went to Google's "Image" search, clicked on the little camera, and uploaded a random heart from my files. It was this one.

And found a huge surprise.

My photo, of a heart-shaped rock on the Oregon beach ...

Was apparently taken in South Africa!

And I don't even remember the trip!!!!!!

To see hearts from around the world (including South Africa!) - visit "Random Hearts" and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday"!

Semi Salad???

Just in case you get the freeway munchies, and are tempted to nibble on this semi truck ...

Don't!

It's INEDIBLE!

Who knew???

To see signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

TTV Fence

This fence is one of the first TTV shots I took with an old Kodak Duaflex II camera I found at a thrift store last year.

I played with TTV for a while, then misplaced my Kodak ...

I recently found the old camera again, and can't wait for the weather to improve a little so I can go out and take some more OLD shots - "Through The Viewfinder".

It's "Friday Fences" time!

I have just heard breaking news about a horrible school shooting in Connecticut. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by this senseless tragedy. I just don't understand.

Please Pull Up ...

I know the sign itself isn't so funny ...

It's the mental image I got when I read it.

I kept seeing myself in my car ...

"Please pull up to pay for your order ..."

"Please pull up to flush ..."

Ack!

To see signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

Reflection of Mom

I took this picture a couple of years ago. Mom was asleep in the chair, with the sunlight warming her face. When I looked out the window, I saw mom's reflection superimposed over the cedar trees out front.

To see reflections from around the world, visit James' "Weekend Reflections"!

One Word ...

Dang.

One word says it all.

Today the new owners of "The Abandoned" are firing up the big machines ...

To chew down the building.

Soon there will be nothing left ... except memories.

And pictures.

 

Dang.

 

Linking up with Lesley's "Signs, Signs"

 

 

Abandoned Fence ...

Last week was so hard, with Dad being in the hospital after a major stroke (his prognosis is not good) ... all the running back and forth ... the stress and worry ... the grieving that comes when you have to prepare to lose someone you love ...

A bright moment in the darkness came when the abandoned church across the street was over-run with activity - an episode of the TV show "Grimm" was being filmed there.

I have never seen Grimm, but I from the sounds I heard coming from the set, I can only imagine what kind of creatures and situations they deal with! There was lots and lots of gunfire, and the occasional howling in the woods.

After 2 nights of shooting, they packed up and left.

They didn't pick up their props (like this chain link fence and barrels in the usually bare hallway) for a couple of days -

I was lucky to be able to get a couple of quick shots!

I specifically took this shot because

It's "Friday Fences" time!!!

Fencepost After the Rain

 The raindrops kept dripping, long after the rain had stopped.

They seemed to glow as they fell past the old fencepost ...

Bringing a splash of beauty into my world!

It's "Fridays Fences" time!

Capturing the Sun

Photo copyright ClytieGarretson

The sun was starting to burn through the fog yesterday morning as I dropped mom off at the train ... I was driving away when my eye was drawn to the metal sculpture greeting the travelers who pass through ... I quickly parked and .........

I had time for one quick shot before the fog closed in again!

I am linking this up with "Skywatch Friday" ...

A Seagull Picnic

I watched the gull, perched on the wooden fence, as he carefully inspected each and every car that passed by. 

My guess is he was waiting for someone to bring him a snack ...

After all, it was the perfect place for a seagull picnic!

(We did, however, decide to do our own lunch elsewhere)

It's "Friday Fences" time!!!

They Say There's a Bacon Shortage ...

Not in Yamhill County!!!

To see signs from around the world, join us for Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

Bolt with Shadow Heart

The sun was lower in the sky than it usually is when I go for my walk.

Maybe that's why I never noticed this rusty bolt with shadow heart before!

To see shadows from around the world, join us for "Shadow Shot Sunday"!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday"!

Defeat on Defense

Oops, I meant

"De Feet on De Fence"!

It's time for "Fridays Fences"!

"NO".

Just "NO".

To see signs from around the world, visit Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!

Autumn Leaf

Oh look - Autumn is officially starting!!!

While most of our leaves are still green ... I found a bit of color.

Deer in the Distance

I probably wouldn't have seen her relaxing in the sun ...

Except she seemed to glow in the distance!

And that's exactly what my camera picked up.

So I decided to play with the shot ...

(For those who don't know, I'm "photo manipulation challenged";

So when I say "play", I really mean "I-don't-know-what-I-did-but-I-did-it-anyway"!)

I kind of like how she turned out!

It's been a long time since I've linked up with "Camera Critters"!

The Fence That Was

What used to be gravel is now pavement ...

Mailboxes that once nestled back from the street are now terrifyingly close to speeding traffic ...

The fences separating the rural properties have been torn down to make way for "progress", expansion and an ever-widening road ...

 

Like this one-time fenced-in mailbox.

With rusty chains hanging mutely ...

From the fence that was.

And now is not.

It's "Friday Fences" Time!

No Hunting Here ...

Don't bother setting up deer camp here ...

The deer have been warned!!!

To see signs from around the world, join us for Lesley's "Signs, Signs"!