Borrow A Book? Anyone?

A (very) small lending library (click to enlarge)

The other day. for the first time since last October, I was actually able to get out and wander the countryside for several hours looking for anything to photograph that caught my eye.  If you have read my previous posts, you might have seen the post when I wrote about my wife suffering from two very serious medical incidents—the first in early October and the second toward the end of November.  If you are interested, you can read that post here.  I have only been able to get out to photograph very briefly in the past four months—maybe an hour or two at most—but not the majority of a day.

Well, I’m very pleased to report, my wife is doing better.  She is recovering very slowly but, always remaining optimistic, still recovering, if more slowly than either of us would like.  Progress is slow but steady.  That is the key.  Progress, not regression.  The doctors tell us it may be a year for full recovery.  We’re patient.

Since October 3rd of last year I’ve been home with her 99% of the time assisting her with her daily living activities.  I’ve gotten out for an hour or two here or there in the past but this is the first time I’ve been out to photograph for several hours (7!) in a single day.  Since my wife has now improved to the point where both she and I feel comfortable for her being home by herself for longer periods of time, opportunities for getting out to photograph more often finally feel realistic.

I don’t know about you but not being able to photograph for almost 5 months has taken a real psychological toll on my creativity, mental well-being and general disposition.  Of course, the winter doldrums didn’t help.  Getting out last week did wonders for me.  I feel rejuvenated and my shutter finger, although a bit rusty, now feels ready to push that button whenever needed!  Additionally, with the warmer temperatures, the newly budding flowers and lots of the pastel colors of spring—lime greens, pinks, reds, golds—of newly forming leaves, all of that has also bolstered my mindset.  Two thumbs up!

As I was out wandering the countryside, I passed through a very small town (it might not be large enough still to be called a town) and just happened to notice this “Sharing Library” in front of this old derelict building.  Immediately I thought I needed to photograph it so I just stopped in the roadway (no traffic anywhere), rolled down the window, grabbed the camera from the front passenger’s seat and made one exposure.  I thought it a unique scene worthy of capturing.  A pleasant scene to me.  A scene to make one think about who is behind this little sharing library and their motivation for creating it and providing this service to their neighbors.  Additionally, it makes me wonder who it is that loves this particular shade of red paint!  Everything seems to have some of this red paint on it!  Lol.

Sometimes, in the most unexpected places, we happen upon little vignettes of life sometimes showing generosity and kindness toward others.  If you don’t keep your eyes open, you may just miss these little things.  

I think we should be thankful and grateful we can get out to photograph or engage in other favorite activities.  I know I am.  I no longer take anything for granted.  You never know what tomorrow will bring or even if there will be a tomorrow. 

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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