Pony Up The Patriotism ...

“I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land.”

                ~ Ronald Reagan

                  ~ 1911-2004

             ~40^th President of 

              the United States of America

                    ~ 1981-1989

The historic 1860 Walnut Street Pony Bridge “ponies up the patriotism” festooned with American flag bunting in time for Memorial Day in this painterly, HDR image I shot as the bunting reflects in the Saucon Creek in the light of May’s early evening sun.

The bridge, built in 1860, is the last remaining cast and wrought iron bridge in North America. It is located on the grounds of the historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill, just off the Saucon Rail Trail in Hellertown, Pennsylvania.

 

May Springs Up At The Grist Mill ...

 “The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.”

  ~ Edwin Way Teale

   ~ 1899-1980

   ~ American naturalist, photographer & writer

  ~Teale’s works serve as primary source material documenting environmental conditions across North America from 1930 – 1980. He is perhaps best known for his series “The American Seasons,” four books documenting over 75,000 miles (121,000 km) of automobile travel across North America following the changing seasons. 

 

It’s a beautiful Saucon Valley spring as the evening sun dapples upon the historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill, located just off the Saucon Rail Trail, Hellertown, Pennsylvania, in this HDR image I shot on the first day of May.

 

The Grist Mill dates back to the 18^th century and operated into the 1950s. The Borough of Hellertown took ownership in 1965, and nearly two decades later it was turned over to the Hellertown Historical Society. The Grist Mill is now an historical museum and a portion of it, the Tavern Room, may be rented for private functions.

 

The grounds include The Wash House, the smallest stone structure overlooking the mill chase and ponds. Built in the 1700s, it most likely served as housing for early millers and their families, along with a portion of the Grist Mill. It is now referred to as The Wash House, because after the construction of the Miller’s House in the 1800’s, it was utilized to wash sacks for the grain and possibly as the family’s wash house.

 

The Grist Mill grounds also include The Miller’s House, home of the offices of the Hellertown Historical Society; and the 1860 Walnut Street Pony Bridge and a barn across the street.

Think Spring ...

“For the winter is passed. The rain is over and gone. The flowers are springing up. And the time of the singing of the birds has come.”

         ~ Song of Solomon 2: 11-2

I spotted this painted rock, which paints the hope and joy of spring with a canary songbird, nestled in a bird’s nest on a mid-March afternoon along the Saucon Rail Trail, Hellertown, Pennsylvania. With spring just around the corner, the winter is almost passed, hooray!

I’ve been lucky to see a good number of painted rocks along various trails, but I’ve never seen one so creatively presented in tangent with its meaning as this one, placed in a bird’s nest!

The sight harmonizes perfectly with the words from the Song of Solomon 2: 11-2 in the Holy Bible.

This painted rock is likely part of the The Kindness Rocks Project, which was founded by Megan Murphy of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, who wanted to spread encouraging messages to strangers by writing them on rocks she found on the beach. The practice spread and launched similar projects across the United States.

The grassroots project encourages people to leave rocks painted with inspiring messages along the path of life. People are encouraged to take one, share one or add to the pile. You can see just how much impact she’s made when looking up #TheKindnessRocksProject. Learn more about how to join the movement at http://thekindnessrocksproject.com.

When Autumn Leaves Start To Fall ...

“The falling leaves drift by the window

The autumn leaves of red and gold

I see your lips, the summer kisses

The sun-burned hands I used to hold

 

Since you went away the days grow long

And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song

But I miss you most of all my darling

When autumn leaves start to fall …

     ~ “Autumn Leaves”

    ~written 1945, released 1946

 ~Popular song & jazz standard composed by Joseph Kosma with original lyrics by Jacques Prevert in French, & later by Johnny Mercer in English. An instrumental version by pianist Roger Williams was a number one best seller in the U.S. Billboard charts of 1955. It was recorded by Nat King Cole in 1955 and many other artists throughout the years, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra & Tom Jones.

 

I captured this candid shot of a man walking alone along the Saucon Rail Trail, Hellertown, Pennsylvania as sunset loomed on a beautiful mid-November afternoon.

 

Though autumn is the season of colorful fall foliage, I thought presenting the image in infrared was in tune with the melancholy mood of that beautiful song, “Autumn Leaves.”