Thursday, November 3, 2011

Present Meets Past

I have lately found that I have a deep love of history.  I love American history, history from other nations and above all I love Biblical history.  I think so many times if we could learn from the past we’d avoid the mistakes we would otherwise make in the future.  I don’t want to get too wild here but I’m going to say right now I’m not for things that tear down all that’s good and right in this country.  Chaos isn’t an answer…violence is not an answer…it never will be.  I will continue to stand for the principles that made this country great and in God I will continue to trust.  I have some pictures now of what I guess you could call a sort of living ghost town.  Virginia City…not the one in Nevada but right here in Montana…speaks of another age but still has some modern relics like this recently enjoyed Root Beer bottle.  Yes, it’s just an old hand rail ball but I like the angle…so there!  This old chain link could actually rust…not like the stuff today.  Iron is wonderful stuff to photograph in my opinion…well anything that rusts…I love it.  I recently had to get a hole fixed in our tire…slow leak really but can you imagine fixing the wagon wheels of the past?  This is a far cry from the bling you see on some hubs of modern vehicles but I like it none the less.  Some of these things are really rusting in peace.  I love the facades on these old stores!  Imagine hopping into this old buggy and heading over to Walmart!  Looking at this picture might make you a peeping Tom!  Care to kick back and relax for a moment?  Here was the Walmart of the day.  I think I could easily make a whole album entitled “Decay” and have everything from rusted items to peeling paint.  I love how the old stores had the original items in them and on the shelves.  Just look at these old items!  Things from a different age.  Signs before the digital age.  I know this is sort of stereotypical Montana but I still like it.  I actually really like the old signs better!  These old shacks are just filled with textures.  Rust and wood…a winning photographic combination if you ask me!  Even a knock knock joke might destroy this old door.  The craftsmanship on this wall really is amazing.  This one store had a lot of totems and such…this one was pretty cool in my opinion.  It was starting to look a bit like a building from “Deliverance” or “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”so we decided to move on.  I noticed that the train moved through this part of town too.  There was a little waiting area with this lamp post that I thought was nice.  We headed back to the cabin as the weather started to become rainy.  It had been a very good day but we were ready to return to our cabin.  Besides there was a wonderful rainbow shaping upand it was so visible from the porchin fact was in stereo.  There’s always hope in a rainbow and there’s not a time when I see them when I don’t remember the good things God has done and will continue to do!

17 comments:

  1. Oh, I love those old things. "Rusting in Peace". What a great title for an album on decay. I think it was Harry Truman that said if we don't learn from history we're doomed to repeat it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful pictures Joe. You live in such a marvelous state with all kinds of things to see and do. I guess we all have things that stand out in our various states. My things most standoutish (made up word) are the corn and soybean fields. LOL

    Thank you for your continued prayer for me Joe. I appreciated it so very much.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Neat pictures Joe, I like to see this kind of old historical stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Joe

    Interesting pictures. Amen to what you say about rainbows.

    Have a blessed weekend/week ahead

    Nita.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I loved old things Joe. the other day we were talking with my sons about the old church at Christchurch NZ,which destroy by an earthquake
    How they can rebuild again?
    my thought was I hope no earthquake in Japan.
    Thank you for sharing pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a delightful post.. and your photos are wonderful.. you always have a way of bringing us with you in your travels through your words and photos..what a blessing you are Joe..
    winter is upon us.. time for reflection .. present meets past.. pretty profound words there.. we can only go forward now in faith.. faith in God the Fathers mercy.. we must hurt him so.. when we start to loose faith in His mercy and His love... can you believe its already November.. where did the summer and fall go ? within a blink of an eye.. it will be Christmas.. looking for ward to Christmas.. but then I always do.. my favorite time of year..
    keep warm dear friend..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amen to your words . Lovely blog and each photo does tell a story. Great captures. I love History also. If we didnt have history where would we be.
    I wish for a moment all the old doors windows and each piece of steal could talk of the hands that touched them and the places people went. Thanks for bring me along on your travels though you words and though you lens.
    Have a fantastic weekend coming up.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love these pics! I'm really surprised by the canned goods and lanterns still occupying some of the buildings---is this ghost town protected by the State of Montana? One would think a lot of those items would disappear, what with so many folks wandering through it. You're right about the history thing, too. I think as we age, history makes more sense to us. But I remember as a kid how much I hated history---and now I'm equally fascinated by it! Great job, Joe, on capturing this small corner of Montana!

    ReplyDelete
  9. All interesting photos, would love to see them in person. Rainbows, a wonderful way to end the day.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Joe, you have been and are even more so a master at capturing fascinating things. I love texture too so we share that but your captures are fascinating and varied. Mine are few and far between but I never ever fail to fully appreciate each photograph you present no matter where you took it and each description. You truly have a gift. Yes, you do.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Joe, Your post is very interesting as always. Love each and everyone of your photos. You have such a good eye for things. Thank you for sharing what you saw in your travels. It sounds and looks like you all had a very nice time away, and I am sure you did.
    Hope all is well with you and your family. Take care and have a wonderful rest of the week.
    Dianne :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I loved the countryside there in Montana and all the neat spots that Sue took me to. You sure have the eye and took some great photos of it. I have been to the Virginia City in Nevada and this place in Montana is HANDS DOWN better in my opinion. Hope the snow didnt reach you ..take care and stay well.

    ReplyDelete
  13. a wonderful rainbow to end ur fotoos. The old shack is awesome pic I love that one.
    and seems the angels cried when u were save in the car.
    In sri lanka it rained every day We say the angels cry
    But ppl there said Its elephant pee...Cos u know when it starts its coming down like a shower.
    U have a wonderful view from the cabin Joe
    its like a picture.
    Tx for sharing
    MJ

    ReplyDelete
  14. Joe, thank you so much for stopping by today. Yes, it is so good to know that God is in control of all things. Nothing surprises Him.
    You are a Blessing Joe, and I don't say that lightly. I mean what I say.
    Love you my brother in Christ our Lord, and Savior. Dianne :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great pictures! And I like the hand rail ball too, so there! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, and I LOVE this song!!! "Dream A Little Dream of Me" I just did a post on that :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Joe you are becoming a master at seeing and taking photos of details. Your angles and compositions make ordinary objects look interesting. I love this post right down the rain drops on the window and rainbows. What gift you have for this. I have tried so many times to take photos of stuff like this and just can't seem to make them look interesting like you do. Wonderful photos and post.

    ReplyDelete