Wednesday, June 15, 2011

this old house


This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about


CHORUS:
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints


This ole house is a-gettin' shaky
This ole house is a-gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
On his knees I'm gettin' chilly
But he feel no fear nor pain
'Cause he see an angel peekin'
Through a broken windowpane


This ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles
When the night wind flings its arms
This ole house is gettin' feeble
This old house is needin' paint
Just like him it's tuckered out
But he's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints


This ole house dog lies a-sleepin'
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd sit there and howl and grieve
But my huntin' days are over
Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more
Gabriel done brought in my chariot
When the wind blew down the door
 

The lyrics are from the song "This Old House" by Stuart Hambelin. I have it on a Brian Setzer cd and I love it. I would share it with you but I can't find it on the internet. I found recordings by Hambelin and by Rosemary Clooney but they just aren't the same.

I am nearly done with my second photo shoot and need to start writing a seminar for Saturday. I am teaching a seminar at the library where my sister works. This will be the fourth one I've taught. Thia year's theme is "You Are Here." On the poster, she made to advertise it she has the following bullet points:
  • Learn to take photos that depict a place, a time, a people.
  • Learn to write descriptively about photographs (she has a poet working with them on this part).
  • Critique one another's work to improve your skills (I had them go through and critique some of my work last year and I was amazed at their intuition - the kids apparently enjoyed it because they requested a critique session for their own work this year).
  • Have your work published in a book (April applied for and received a grant so she could do this for the kids).
  • Receive a copy of the book for participating in the program.
I am considering using these photos, photos from a festival we took my youngest to last weekend, and photos from our trip to Circus World.

Speaking of photography and teaching it. I am wondering if my readers would be interested in a weekly posting on photography tips. I've taught three seminars, this will be my fourth. I am also teaching a student one-on-one in the fall.

If you are interested I could start distilling and expanding sections of my seminars into lessons for my readers (which would, incidentally, help me start organizing my thoughts for my student this fall).

By the way, for those who might be interested I passed this farm probably a dozen times or more over the years and I've always wanted to stop (it is right next to the highway). I am so glad I did. If I had been wearing jeans and sturdy shoes (and didn't have kids with me) I could probably taken pictures for hours.

9 comments:

  1. Melissa - These photos are fabulous! It made me wonder about the family who once lived there. Love the song too! I've heard it before, and I agree, Setzer does it best. ☺

    Umm, YEAH! I would LOVE some snap tips. I aspire to be able to see through my lens as you do. Thanks! ☺

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love old houses and This one has stories to tell Melissa. I could always use photography help.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, great photos. I love the house, it looks like a haunted house from a Scooby-Doo cartoon.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would love some tips. I admire your work so much.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'd love some photography tutes Melissa, that would be great!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous post and I would love to get any tips you are willing to give - you are such a gifted photographer. Sounds like a great seminar.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The photos are wonderful! I for one would love if you posted photo tips each week! I'm trying to learn to take better photos - finding I need to, to get my sewing tutorials accepted on some sites!!

    I'm off to find more of your snowmen - (haven't been by in a while!)

    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such beautiful photos! I would love reading your tips on photography!
    Sophie

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love any tips you are willing to share. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete