Priorities

Priorities (click to enlarge)
X-T1, 16-55mm f/2.8 lens @ 23.4mm; 1/340th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200

This post isn't necessarily about photography other than I was out wandering yesterday and photographed this old house. As I drove by this place, situated in a nearby small town with a population of about 2000, something struck me as odd.  So, I turned around and went back to figure it out.  What struck me was the condition of the structure in contrast with three television satellite dishes on the roof.  I thought it odd that the owner would prioritize television reception and its associated costs over the basic condition of the home in which he or she lives. 

That got me to thinking about the other things I've seen over the years that seemed out of whack with sensible priorities.  For example, I've seen a brand new automobile in front of a house, literally, with no front door.  Lots of other examples over the years come to mind.

All this being said, I live in a wonderful country that allows its citizens to pretty much set their own priorities in life.  I don't set the priorities of the individuals who live in this house and they don't set mine.  If you choose to live in an automobile, have at it.  If you choose to have 14 automobiles and never drive them, good for you.  If you choose to wear shorts in the dead of winter, that is okay.  If you choose to become morbidly obese, that is your business.

In the United States, we pretty much have unfettered choices in how we live our lives.  As long as what you do or don't do doesn't break a law (and every year thousands of new laws are passed on local, state and national levels which, in fact, hinders our freedoms more and more, slowly eating away at our freedom), we can live our lives making the decisions we want.  There are many places in this world where you either are prohibited from making a wide variety of lifestyle decisions or are unable to make a variety of decisions.

Just some thoughts on what a great country we still have, despite all of our shortcomings.

As a side note, there were also two rather large and mean dogs on the other side of the fence on the left side of the image so I'am happy the homeowner made the decision to prioritize a strong fence!

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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