The sunrises lately have been wonderful–when we can see them! This week I was blessed to find a couple of wonderful photo opportunities, and I also met some nice people.
If you are new to this blog, I have a “sunrise project” this year: I am committed to creating pictures of each sunrise until December 31, 2023. Today is the 302nd day I have photographed the sunrise, and I have learned so much!
Things can get a little dicey, though. About a month ago, I was driving through some unfamiliar roads, looking for a good shot of the sun. It was producing a “sun pillar” and that only makes the third one this year, I believe, so it’s pretty rare. I was all caught up in the sun, and wasn’t looking much around me.
When I go around the back roads, looking for places to take pictures, I try very hard to avoid houses or cars, because I want to respect the privacy of others. But apparently I didn’t do a very good job on that day. I remember finding a flat field, and pausing to take one picture. I went past the house, drove halfway down the next field, and took another picture. I was just about to pull out when a vehicle pulled up next to me and the man began talking.
He was pretty upset, and I finally understood that he thought I was taking pictures of his house. I explained my project and tried to show him the photos I took, and that helped. He must have been pretty loud, because the police pulled up behind us and asked if everything was all right. (Thank you so much, my protector!) I explained the misunderstanding, and the officer left, though he circled around the block a couple of times after that just to be sure.
Once we got everything squared away, I was able to really listen to the man. The reason he was upset was because he was being evicted, and was not sure what to do. He was full of bravado, telling me what he was going to do to the person who tried to kick him out. I wasn’t afraid in the moment, even though I know his words were a veiled threat to me, since he still didn’t completely trust what I said.
I told him truthfully that I wasn’t afraid because I have the Lord to protect me. I was troubled by his plight, though, and offered to pray with him. And so we two strangers prayed by the side of the road, while our caution lights were flashing, and I saw a tear in his eye when we were done. The Lord is with us when we reach out to him–even if we have been running for years, all was have to do is turn around. Trust me.
They look like giant ribs!
Anyway, I had another encounter this week, but it was much more comfortable! I pulled up to the stop sign, and a large truck was sitting there in the early morning dark, not moving. I left considerable distance between us, and began shooting pictures. (I know–I’m an idiot. But I didn’t want to miss the sunrise and it was a clear shot.)
After a minute or two, another truck came up and I realized that it was the road commission. I pulled into the drive across the way and continued to shoot the sunrise. I heard a voice call out and so I drove closer.
“If you want to take a picture of something good looking, you got it right here,” a man said, laughing, pointing to himself. I responded that I would only take a picture of him AND his friend, and so they posed, and I did get a nice picture of him and his fellow worker.
I was so relieved that they were polite and friendly, and so I felt free to tell them a little about my adventures in photography. They listened and looked at some photos and then I went on my merry way. They asked me not to put their picture in the blog, but allowed me to use their names.
So thank you for being friendly and kind, Kevin and Dave! I hope you stay warm in the upcoming snow season, and I will leave you with a poem my grandmother wrote to ALL the road commission workers who have to clear snow from the roads:
In Appreciation
Salt truck soldiers, whose enemy wears white,
You’re out there doing battle on many a winter’s night.
The foe is quite elusive, his tactic: Hit and Run;
And when you think he’s conquered, perchance he’s just begun!
We, your subjects, have a better lot at firesides safe and warm,
As we listen to the newscast which depicts the icy storm.
So then we turn the lights off and seek a comfy bed;
But your trucks have lights a-burning, for the foe is yet ahead
Thus we would pay a tribute to you unsung men of night:
You are Knights in earthly conflict, for a cause that’s
OH SO RIGHT!
Arleen McMahon (1911-1999)
The Fullers Four 