Posted by Viewfinder (Bradenton, United States) on 23 October 2007 in Architecture and Portfolio.
Amidst wildly twisted branches it sits, tattered but a constant presence, on a big Jacaranda tree limb. It waits, oh how long it has waited, for something living to enter inside. The trick or treat season is upon us.
But today it's not the poltergeist house, or the Amityville Horror. It's an old birdhouse in our back yard, which we inherited when we bought our present home. People from the South, or frequent tourists to the Tennessee city of Chattanooga, or its environs, will recognize the "See Rock City" logo on the black roof. And perhaps smile a quick, ghostly smile...
Please pray for Bella.
Bella Update: 10/12/08, Sun. Bella's in good spirits; we had our morning walk and a squirrel crossed her path. Highlight! Bella will see her doggie cardiologist again on October 14th. As always, God's good blessings and answers to prayer are our continuing hope. Blessings to all.
Bella's miracle, the one we're all praying for, is still a day by day process; it may take a bit of time for completion. Bella's battle for life, wellness, and needed healing for her heart isn't a sprint but a long-distance run. Bella and I thank you for joining her prayer "team" around the world. Each of you are truly special blessings to us.
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What a great bird house VF!!! And in a Jacaranda tree to boot! We have them all over the place here - the government has actually stopped people planting them now as they just take over the space they inhabit. But there is still nothing quite as lovely as a Jacaranda tree in full bloom. I was so thrilled to read you have them in your yard! Very cool picture VF, you brought a smile to my day! Blessings dear VF!
23 Oct 2007 2:24am
@Mandy: Wow, I didn't know jacarandas grew in SoAfrica too. They are beautiful trees and you're right, when they're blooming it's really a wonderful time. Ours blooms with a light purple flower. Sorry your government is restricting their planting. We have a non-native species, the Australian Pine, which along with a variety of mimosa, is being severely limited. It had been brought in to help dry up swampy areas due to its great thirst. But it found a real niche and began to spread like wildfire all across coastal Florida. Now there is a govt. campaign to cut them all down. Not everyone is happy about that, though, because they are fast-growing and fairly pretty trees that also produce a good amount of shade at the edge of many a hot Florida beach.
Great title and description! :) You really made it sound like a haunted house. Like the house in Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
23 Oct 2007 2:25am
@e.: Ha-ha! Thanks for the affirmation on my writing skills. BTW, the Shirley Jackson novel you mentioned is a really great and spooky read. To be compared to her writing is a big compliment. But then mine is only a sentence or two... heh.
haha,uncle VF,i think you could go into writing horror novels with great pictures like this to go along with it,i'll order it online,[or you could give one to me in exchange for my 'From Tyan's Kitchen' recipe book!]
Talking abt tree houses,having and living in one of them was always one of my childhood fantasies,but its not possible here in our country for some reason...maybe because if there was any tree that was big/old enough,it would be under some legal protection..LOL
Thanks so much for coming by and your kind advice and prayers.I really appreciate it:)
23 Oct 2007 2:37am
@tyan: Ha-ha, tyan. You are funny. Be sure to watch Amazon for my first scary photo book. I'll call it "Uncle VF's Chamber of Photographic Horrors and Other Adventures in Learning Digital Photography."
Great shot great story, in total.. stunning work !!
23 Oct 2007 3:00am
@ColNed Pictures: Thank you ColNed; appreciate these words of affirmation this morning my friend.
LOL Rock City! I have never been there, seen the signs a million times, but my husband grew up in chattanooga and really had his fill of Rock City visits ; )
23 Oct 2007 5:46am
@Jen: Rock City is one of those hokey, must-visit places in the old South. It's kind of like the old Florida Reptile Jungle places you see along the roadside. Ok, maybe it's a little bit better. Or that Civil War Diorama in Atlanta (which we never visited while living there either). First visited Rock City when I was in high school. From flatland New Orleans to the top of lookout mtn in Chattanooga, this was a pretty exciting thing. Went again years later with Mrs. VF and the kids, was surprised at how little had changed.
Great Find VF, totally rocks ;)
23 Oct 2007 5:49am
@Lorraine: Lol... Rock City "totally rocks!" Thank you Lorraine.
Looks like a bird house from Tom & Jerry cartoons. Amazing angle and beautiful subtle colors.
23 Oct 2007 8:25am
@Amir: Lol. Yes, it does have a bit of that Tom & Jerry look. Great of you to notice this Amir. Thanks!
I like Amir's take on this shot , I agree Tom and Jerry all the way ..... great desciption today VF !
23 Oct 2007 8:56am
@Me , Myself & Eye: Well, now that Amir and you both agree on the T&J look...
Great shot VF and love the title!! Once All Hallow's Eve passes maybe some nice birds will move in and pose pretty for you!!
23 Oct 2007 12:34pm
Great find!
23 Oct 2007 1:02pm
Nice catch !
23 Oct 2007 1:48pm
It looks well lived-in. I wonder what happened to the previous tenants, and whether birds have ghosts.
23 Oct 2007 3:00pm
Wonderful image, VF--and a great backstory. Ahhh, yes--Rock City. I pass the billboards every time I make the trip to Paradise (FL) from Indiana.
Wonderful capture!!!...
23 Oct 2007 3:48pm
*big spooked-out smile* :-> Really fabulous composition and subject today, sir! And may I say also, as dear friends above have observed too, superlative narrative, dear VF! Can’t help but love it too!! :)
23 Oct 2007 3:53pm
How cool is this! what a wonderful little bird house, VF!
23 Oct 2007 5:32pm
Thanks all for your visits today; and for leaving comments about both the birdhouse and the narrative that went with it. I've said before, that every good photo has a story to tell... Boo! And blessings to you all! --VF
23 Oct 2007 9:19pm
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