Autumn vividly signals transitions & changes both nature & manmade...

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Autumn signals many changes.  We've already turned the clocks back from "fast time" as my grandmother Holland used to call it, even though she never turned her clocks back.  She said she'd had enough of that during WWII, and she stuck to it!

In Hamlet Autumn means the Seaboard Festival for townspeople and for visitors from all around.  It also means the colors of the season's change can be seen up and down the old side streets vividly and in places like Main Street Park.

Toward the end of Autumn after the Seaboard Festival, there's a little bit of a lull while shades of yellow, orange, gold and red appear on the trees and leaves begin to delicately fall, before they're either raked, bagged and taken away.  Or, returned to the earth as Mother Nature's natural mulching material.  Once the color peak becomes a thing of the past, and more leaves are on the ground, than on trees, Hamlet begins preparing for the upcoming Holidays.

The transition doesn't really happen overnight if you're frequently in the area, but if you aren't it surely may seem like it.  Even old timer trees get into the act in prepping for the holidays by allowing Mistletoe to adorn their upper limbs.  They want to make sure everyone gets kissed during the Christmas season.

Up above, banners that line the streets signaling events, holidays and season changes are in the midst of transition, too, to reflect greetings for the season.  And giant soon to be lighted snowflakes sit on the ground waiting for a quick boost up from city workers.  They'll softly light up the streets for the holidays with a certain type of warmth and old timey charm one can only find in small town America cities, like in Richmond County, NC.

I believe of all of the seasons, as Autumn begins to roll in the changes it brings to the naked eye are more obvious, than Winter, Spring or Summer.  As the leaves begin to fall, and breezes kick it up a few notches, we know what's ahead for us.  Yet, we're stuck kind of in between Summer, Autumn and Winter with the way the temps swing to and fro in the Sandhills.  Often, there are 40 degree differences from dawn until dusk.  That's like three seasons in a single day.  Some trees stand leafless, while others either hold tight to the few leaves they have left, or their foliage as long as they can with merely a flag pole in between them.

They know it's going to turn cold, just like we do.  The difference, they undress for it, while we bundle up.  Now, ponder that one for a few!   For warm weather lovin' people like me, we actually begin to brace ourselves for the icy temps and the dreary weather.  For me it means some extra pain in my head and throughout my body, but whatever.  It's part of my life now.  I don't like it, but it's the way it is, that's why I do everything I can to distract myself every waking moment of every day.  At the first sign of cool temps, I begin layering my attire, even inside my home.  My homemade iced lattés become steaming hot yummy concoctions to warm myself inside out, inside my home.  Pots of delicious hot tea made from my husband's and my favorite loose teas become must haves, frequently.  I begin switching from showers to hot baths to warm my forever cold feet and hands when nothing else will.  As leaves begin to fall, they begin showing up inside my home with the help of my four rescue Springers (and my husband).  So, with Autumn I find I must tap into my hope reservoir and remind myself that it will get warm again even though the deciduous trees are preparing to hibernate by dropping their leaves.  I keep in mind that we're just in transition and remember how easy it is to find beauty in the imperfections.  During the colder weather that means skies filled with a variety of clouds, and sundogs are apt to pop out at random during icy feeling late afternoons.  I find myself actually looking forward to taking pictures of my favorite sleeping trees, as I affectionately call my tree friends.  I find myself hoping and anticipating lavender, pink and red sky sunrises, and sunsets on cold days, that are so refreshing and renewing to my spirit that they have the ability to warm my heart and soul.  Sky views that only come along with winter.  I begin praying for a few pretty snows, too.  Nothing significant, just enough to  blanket the ground with fun white stuff for kids and critters young and old to enjoy.  And, I know that no matter how cold or icky it gets, a splendor of fresh flower blossoms and delightful fragrances are ahead as Spring rolls in and becomes Summer.

During Autumn I have some special places in Richmond County that call me each year.  One of these places is very nearby me.  So close, I can actually walk to it.  Two are in Rockingham -- the Historic area, and Hinson Lake.  One big favorite, I just featured in my other blog, Project Rewire.  To see an amazing yellowish gold sight, considering clicking "here" to take a quick peek.  The fourth, of course, is Main Street - Hamlet and the Depot area.  The colors aren't as vibrant as in years past, in my opinion, and when I look back through photos, but nonetheless, they're still pretty to me.

 

In strolling around the area, I still see beauty in the imperfections all around, however, it does hurt just a pinch to see how the frost turned the Kudzu lace upon my old telephone crosses into a vine.  It reminds me of the thorns Christ wore on Calvary, even though there are no thorns.  Again, I keep the image of Spring in mind when the green returns to prove God's plan for the cycle of the seasons was the perfect way to go!

Man made transition is so apparent up and down Main Street.  The rehabilitation of several buildings has now taken place and it's so good for the hearts of those who live in, or have heart ties to Hamlet, like me.  The changes have taken what were practically eyesores, to literally stunning joys to behold.  Particularly, when you can see the contrast right before you, as I can via photos I've taken over the past couple of years.

When I began this blog, I shared some photos of the Lackey Building, but there's many more in my stash.  I also held back pictures of Main Street Central because it was in the transition process.  Plus, the photos showed a building of yesteryear, sadly fallen into disrepair.  The aerial above, doesn't show it all, thankfully, but it shows enough to give you an idea of the way it was before it was given a new life by Nancy Rivers.

Even though, I've not talked with her personally, nor do I know her, she obviously saw that it was high time for a change.  That the old anchor building on the corner, needed some badly TLC hands on care to bring it back to it's attractiveness of decades long since passed.

Talk about another amazing transition!  The work Nancy has done, is nothing short of a miracle!  It's gone from being a place a person couldn't get by fast enough, to quite welcoming.

I mean really, what could look more comfy and welcoming than seeing this entry way along Main Street Hamlet?

I've yet to get a chance to see the interior, but I've stood and just to admire it a couple of times now.  In fact, day before yesterday I had to take package to the Post Office for mailing.  As I often do, I went to the Hamlet Post Office.  Yes, it's a nostalgia thing.  I get to walk up the steps and through the doors like I did as a little girl with my granddaddy to retrieve mail from Box 128.  I took this little trip on my own since my husband was working.  These days, I don't get behind the wheel of a car very often.  So, it's a big treat to go off on my own even for simple errands.  Of course, I had my handy dandy point 'n shoot camera with me, because I'd planned on taking a few shots of Main Street Central while in Hamlet.  Standing there soaking in Nancy's handiwork from the Happy Holidays way she has the porch decorated, to the paint scheme, truly was the cherry on the top of my day.  

I looked at the building closely and the hard work that's so easy to see from the outside and appreciated it for several minutes.  To say it's night and day, is an understatement.  It's like a breath of fresh air on that corner now, compared to what always struck me, and others, as sadness and despair for too many years.  I hope to go back soon during the Christmas season to take a collection of photos with my Nikon, and perhaps, get a peek inside the place.

Now for a few comments about this blog from the blogger...

Obviously, it's been almost a month since my last entry.  It's not that I haven't had thoughts, words and photos to share.  It's not that I haven't been compelled to share.  More or less, it's been a matter of holding myself back to give some further thought to this place -- my hopes for it, blended with reality.  And, to be honest, to give my Aunt Jane, the subject of my last entry, which was an open letter to her, some time to get set up with a new internet provider.  I didn't want that special post to get covered up by other entries, so she could easily discover it on her own as she rehabs from the stroke.

And... to be totally honest, I wanted to see if anyone would take me up on my offer to share photos from the Hamlet's Seaboard Festival.  But, no one approached me.  Has that bothered me?  Maybe a pinch, but it's not that I didn't expect it.  And, I'm not throwing off on anyone.  People need to get to know me, to trust me, and the vehicle for that is partially through this blog.  The non response from locals helped me to see that this particular blogging endeavor will be pretty much "my" thing, rather than a community driven blog as I'd hoped.  Not my original intentions, but changing directions "now" in my thought processes is an easy transition.  Down the road would set me up for possible disappointment.  Hopefully, in time people within the community will embrace All Aboard Hamlet, and climb on board by taking time to read and comment here and there.  Hopefully, in time people will get to know me and share their stories with me.  And, in time allow me to share there stories on All Aboard Hamlet, if they are uncomfortable sharing them themselves.  I don't claim to be a photographer, nor a writer, but I do enjoy sharing stories and memories.  I believe it's important for future generations in Hamlet and elsewhere to hear about "then" for several reasons.  One, so we can appreciate the contributions made in getting to  "now".  Two, so "now" as compared to "then" will become crystal clear.  Three, so we can understand how change and transition, although difficult at times, is necessary to bring about a better future.

I could go on and on with this train of thought, cementing it in various examples, but Autumn itself, illustrates it much better than my humble attempts via words ever could.  And what's one of the best things ever that Autumn has to offer?  Well, Thanksgiving, of course!  This year I'm especially grateful for having an opportunity to make a little bit of a difference at The Hamlet Historic Depot & Museum.  My husband and I both enjoy our volunteer gig there, and working with my partner, Dave on the website project has just been great.  I enjoy cyber networking to promote The Depot and all that comes with it, and Hamlet as town with a bright future.  I'm also especially grateful for some special new bonds I've made this past year with some of the town folk and the encouragement they've given to me.  As I walk up and down Main Street Hamlet, I'm thankful for all of the efforts a collective group of people in giving a good part of the street a much needed face lift.  The strides that have been made are both heart warming, touching and amazing.  Thank you from a person with heart string ties to Hamlet.

My best wishes to all for a blessed 2010 Thanksgiving!

Hamlet has some terrific events to enjoy locally ahead.  The ceremonial lighting of the Christmas Tree in Hamlet's Main Street Park this coming Monday, November 29th at 5:30 p.m. tops my list of my "Hamlet" must dos.  How about yours?

 

To see this lovely tree in it's glory, you must see it 

at night once it's lighted for the Christmas Season!

As the righthand side panel states...

"I see beauty in the imperfections for without the contrast against perfection, how would we ever recognize unblemished beauty when we see it?

Take time to look up into the heavens and in between the sky and the tree tops and roof tops. There are blessings to be seen and captured. I take comfort in watching the clouds during the day and the starry night skies. Something I can always share with my loved ones far away, is the sky. My view may be a bit different, but whenever I look up, I know that a heavenly sight is above them, too.

Metaphorically, it's important to look up in spite of whatever life throws at us. Much in life comes down to attitude and perspective."

A view looking west up from 2 Main Street, Hamlet - October 24, 2010 - 4:35 p.m.

At the moment, I'm going to focus on perspective.  Not how you view things, but how *I* do so you can get to know me.  And secondly, because I don't know how *you* view things, yet.  Plus, views are better shared in first person as they create the foundation for common ground to be discovered and maintained.  We are all different, so what captures my attention, may not be anywhere near what captures yours.  Like most photogs, when I take pictures, often I'm selfishly into focusing in on what appeals to me -- what my eyes see and/or what catches my fancy.  I like snagging details others may not see immediately.  Or, happen too quickly to be noticed.  I like taking rapid progressive shots of movement, but detest being hampered by programed burst shot settings.  So, I don't use them.  I like taking still shots and waiting for nature to cooperate with me is no biggie.

I have a handful of favorite subjects.  Of course, it goes without saying that one is Main Street, Hamlet and along with it, its evolution to rebirth.  As well as the landmarks and surrounding areas close in proximity.  From the Hamlet Historic Depot & Museum to Main Street Park and Tornado Building to points North, South, East or West.  This could mean the tracks, or the trains traveling along the tracks, or Hamlet Crossing, itself.

 
I don't at all claim to be a photographer by any stretch of the imagination.  I don't even consider it to be a hobby.  Yet, it is an extension of me.  I don't care at all for the confines of composition.  I actually enjoy having a skewed rebellious perspective.  Meaning what I see as beauty some may just shake their heads and wonder "is she crazy?".   And to be perfectly honest, my brain the way it works now -- or doesn't work now, has a difficult time hanging on to camera settings and such, so I don't even try to any longer.  In a nutshell, I just have at it!  Having said all that though, I enjoy taking pictures and sharing them.  Snapping photos is a very personal and actually comforting activity for me, because whenever I'm looking through a viewfinder, I feel better than my usual normal.  It's like laughter, it's quite good medicine and has literally helped re-hab and rewire areas in my brain that needed some tweaking to make connections work more cohesively.  Hopefully, as the community embraces this blog and partners with me, we'll get to see what captures *your* attention.  Whether it be in photos, or in other avenues, my hope is for it to be viewed as a comfortable safe haven to share.  In the meantime, the blogging is up to me.

So, back to my take on "perspective"  using late yesterday afternoon as a prime example.  I'll start off using an interesting photographic object lesson on the visual merits of Kudzu.  Tell me what you see.  In this case do you see it as the invasive "vine that ate the South"?  Or, do you see it's cosmetic attributes similar to that of a green vegetative snow like I do?

Kudzu covered trees, weeds, fencing is akin to snow effects,
but just lasts much much longer.

Something to ponder?  Yes, no... maybe so?  It's part of what I pondered once the Kudzu captured my eye and caught my fancy, yet again.  Admittedly, I went seeking various contrasts and examples of seeing "beauty in the imperfections".  So, when we arrived late yesterday afternoon at the HHD&M around 4:30 p.m. instead of our usual popping our heads in to say "hi" thing, Steve and I along with our most recent rescue Springer, tiny Roxy, meandered around the surrounding area.  I wanted see what touches Autumn was making to the area.  I had my little flying point 'n shoot camera with me, as I often do, and the conditions couldn't have been more perfect for snapping photos.  The sky was a vivid gorgeous Carolina blue.  The clouds were just a glorious mixture of white fluffies with light dove gray to dark almost steel gray hues.  The Autumn sun was beaming brilliantly creating diagonal rays across the southern sky and brightly reflecting off of Main Streets' old timey rooftop "skyline".  It dappled through the trees as it danced upon various weeds and expansive Kudzu growth giving them a nice dose of vibrant natural highlights.  Nearly blinding at times when not tempered with the sky blues, and earthly yellows and greens.

One of my most favorite subjects for Summer and Autumn are the old "T" telephone/power poles that run behind the backside of Hamlet.  I hadn't spent any time this past Summer enjoying them, so they were a welcome sight.  To me, the Kudzu adds a lovely lush lacy trim to the cross like structures which never fail to remind me of Calvary.  They are also subtle reminders to me of hope and faith -- that Hamlet is anything but God forsaken.

 The dying leaves act as a natural intricate frame
surrounding the Kudzu cross in its entirety.

 The Kudzu cross looks small here,
yet it's not quite overshadowed, by its friend the big tree. 

 The Kudzu cross has an important job in stringing we people together upon its lines.

 To me, the poles look much less intrusive against the beauty of the sky blanketed and laced in Kudzu cover.

Next time you catch glimpse of one a Kudzu covered pole, 

you may see it with new eyes.  Or, maybe not...

In closing...

Steve and Roxy did a lot sitting and waiting, while I did a lot of wandering and snapping.  Every few minutes, or so, I'd take a break and sit on a bench beside them.  The benches  up and down Main Street, and in front of the HHD&M are placed conveniently and were very much appreciated by we three.  Give them a try some time as you ponder "seeing beauty in the imperfections".

Needless to say, I had a lovely time, looking up, looking over, looking through, looking in between, looking up close and, of course, beyond, too.  How do you know when you've looked beyond?  It's when you see things that would normally be considered unattractive, or down right ugly.  However, with the right lighting, the right angle, the right perspective, or framing, their beauty strikes you out of the blue, and perfection can be seen.

I have a few more examples of yesterday, which I'll be sharing very soon, so you're invited to stay tuned.