![]() |
Flag above the old Hamlet Bank Building on Main Street -- taken July 2009 |
In a way, it's like the knee bone is connected the shin bone sort of thing in that photo taking and blogging go hand in hand for me. Both serve a purpose and have been instrumental in helping me regain much of my vocabulary that was lost, and the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing... again. Articulation has improved greatly, although, there are moments of stumbling and not knowing what or where my brain is going on a retrieval word focused mission. Or, how that will play out orally or off the tips of my fingers. Although, this blog isn't about my personal challenge and struggles in those aresa, it very much ties to ways God has used my passion (and my mother's) for Hamlet's future. It has been a factor in my healing and rehab process. It's much like my work in canine rescue and my hands on tender loving care with my very own special needs rescues. Together they have given me reasons to get up every day. And to face the day along with the unique 24/7 challenges and push on and through while focusing my attention and at times drive, elsewhere. But, enough about that!
There have been some other things to hinder my writing here, but as much as I believe in stating the un-saids at times. Particularly to those we care most about, there are times the un-saids are the only kind and gracious route to take. Just know without going into detail or specifics that my time spent away wasn't wasted and that Hamlet benefited from some of it in one way or another.
So, what actually prompted this blog entry, like out of the blue? Well, the red, white and blue when you really get down to it. And thinking about our glorious nation and a little town that believes it can...
I spent all day yesterday going through Hamlet Fun Day - Fireworks photos that my husband, Steve, has taken over the past three years - 2009, 2010 & 2011. I first concentrated on viewing and processing photos from 2010 that I had not yet taken the time to finish digging through. Reasons explained above. Then, last night I took on 2011's. There were over 500 in all from 2010 and 2011. Thankfully, I got on a fun roll and processed close to two hundred for album sharing. Some of the shots from 2010 I still find very interesting and continue to captivate me. They appear to provoke the same in others, as well, because the comments we've received have been beyond favorable. One even from a dear friend whose an archival/vintage photo expert with ties to Ken Burns, of all people.
Just below is one of the most special from 2010, I think I'm drawn to it because it truly reminds me of days gone by, and simpler times, as well as old Polaroid Land Camera photos that my dad used to take. I am pulled toward the beam of light moving right about 2/3 of the way from a brilliant fireworks blast (not showing) above the in the photo and is strikes down directly aligned with an old telephone pole. As if it were pulled there for some reason, if only to capture my eye! Then, the old pole to the far right, as I've mentioned before in this blog, it's another that reminds me of cross Jesus was crucified on around Hamlet. The smoke makes it all dreamy and almost magically mystifying. And those are only a few things that jump out at me when I look at this photo. People have made jokes at the way I look at and describe photos, but again that's part of the rewiring process for me. I look as closely as possible to discern every detail I can see, and the ones I can't see, also. Each photo has a multiple stories... the one in view... the one that belongs to the one behind the camera... and at times the subject has quite a story, too!
In some ways it reminds me of back in the day of drive-in movies, where all vehicles were pointed in the direction of the big movie screen to watch a new release, or a favorite again and again. It was such fun, inexpensive, simple and casual entertainment to do with folks we enjoyed being around at its *very* best. Much different than these days where everyone is attached to one or multiple techy devices doing their own thing for entertainment while together. Some actually texting each other, rather than talking. Or, communicating with folks off in the yonder, and Lord only knows where that is. Anyway, there is always lots of chatter and movement going on until the show begins. Then, all eyes are focused and glued looking in one direction.
Hamlet's fireworks show is no different. The vehicles you see above are filled with adults of varying ages, teens, kids, babies and in some cases dogs. They have snacks and drinks on hand to make the occasion even more fulfilling. Or, would that be filling? Some folks (and even dogs) are wearing red, white and blue to mark our nation's birthday. The vehicles you see above are filled with smiles, laughter, and gleeful cheering in between hushed moments of expectation and anticipation as they relish in their front row seats. Ooooooohs and ahhhhhhhs are echoing all over! I could go on and on about what these photos represent. But, it's the softness which gives room to my imagination, vs. a shot of a gorgeous work of fireworks art dangling in the air... I prefer the shots with telltale signs of joy filled people where I can envision the colors not reflected...
Yet, I certainly can give some metaphorical meaning for choosing the circle framed display of fireworks shot above, I'll spare you for now, and possibly forever. And get on to the point of this blog entry that's come out of the red, white and blue...
For the past three years my husband and I have been a part Hamlet's Family Fun Day festivities. The first year, we simply took photos and sat with the hatch raised on the rear of our SUV facing the once a year evening show. It was our first time ever taking pics of fireworks, and believe me, we were amazed that some actually came out. In fact, surprisingly most did. We didn't mingle, but certainly enjoyed people watching. While Steve took photos of fireworks, I took candid shots of people. It was our first time watching the fireworks in Hamlet ever together. And, also our first time watching Hamlet celebrate the Fourth from the area in front of the Hamlet Historic Depot. For me, it provoked memories of the last time I celebrated Independence Day in Hamlet during a visit to my cousin's when I was a girl who'd just turned 16. I loved how the town seemed to gather together to mark our nation's birthday with old fashioned hometown-ish fireworks. Growing up in Virginia Beach, I was used to watching the reflection of large fireworks displays over water, but in Hamlet, I see the reflection in the joy on people's faces. Flash forward 40 years, and honest to goodness, the feelings I experienced four years ago were identical. I guess there are some things in life that don't change the way they affect us regardless of our age. Or, where we've been, or what we've done. The very essence of those things are embraced for a lifetime, embedded in our minds, memories, and hearts. Moments of renewal comes to us in the form of adding to the memories as times moves ahead marked by more special 'never ever forget' times. One memory connects to another, to another. With me they mesh together, but I prefer to keep each in tact as I lived it, otherwise, some of the specialness wears off.
Both the second and third years we were blessed to be able to be a part of the very small volunteer staff manning the Hamlet Historic Depot and the Tornado Building. Both years we had the honor and privilege of working with Mr. Riley Lee Watson. In our opinion, he's Hamlet's most valuable living artifact whose family represents over 200 years of dedicated service to the railroad. As a railroad grandkid and niece, I admire that more than I can even begin to express. It's hallowed common ground. And Riley is always a pleasure and dear to work with any time, but on Fourth of July, it is something that we all have looked forward to doing together. Similar to a family.
This year, however, we aren't going to be a part of things in Hamlet. Hence, the reason I dug through all of our photos related to Hamlet Fourth of July - Family Fun Day Celebrations to put together the album I was unable to create last year, just in the nick of time for this year. In my mind, it was unfinished business, that sorely needed to be done. So, even though we won't be amongst the crowd and mingling a bit with our friends along Main Street, or spending special time with Riley, these photos to us capture the very spirit of the festivities. And even though we won't be there tomorrow night, we will indeed be there in spirit and in our memories, This flash slide show doesn't last very long, in fact for me it moves much too quickly to see all of the detail. But, I've had to set it to auto because the feature when used in blogger can be a bit buggy. And posting 59 photos in blogger would be a bear to do. There are 59 photos in all with the first being the photo which appears at the top of this entry. It's a from a series of several hundred "looking up" perspective shots I did along Hamlet Main Street to capture the amazing roof top and facade architecture which remains to this day from the early 1900s.