Weekend Highlights on a Textured Tuesday

I'm linking up today with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday...

Edster and I (and the dogs) went to Berlin, Ohio this past weekend...right in the middle of the largest Amish community in the world.  It was my birthday...and it was good to escape from the city to the simplicity of this rural life.

This man, a blacksmith, had just replaced this horse's shoes and took him for a walk to check his work.  Of course, the dog had to go along...

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I came across five horses standing along the road...used most likely for transportation.  Here is a photo of three of them with Kim's waterfront27 texture.  They were all black...

except for this one.  This gorgeous Percheron (shown with Kim's 0212 texture) was stunning...

And I could not take my eyes off of him and those white lashes!

There is nothing so pristine as Amish farms...where nothing goes to waste. (Texture used is Kim's brisbane and sybil.)

I was moved as I contemplated how materialism complicates our life so much...and what we miss because of it.  I saw this buggy in the distance while it was snowing and the sun peeking through.  (Texture used is Kim's waterfront17.) One phrase came to my mind..."live simply."

Now, I must say that I am very hesitant to photograph the Amish, respecting their beliefs.  I try to be non-intrusive, never photographing a full face...often photographing from behind or from a distance.  At most...a profile.  But I was blessed by this bonus of ice skating youth on a frozen pond.  Watching them for nearly a half an hour, watching their smiles and their antics.  They were living their lives.  And one phrase came to mind..."simply live."

It was a beautiful weekend with those I love in a rural land truly and simply all its own.

Gratitude in the Air

I had a morning appointment yesterday...and afterward Edster and I and the furry boys went for a road trip to Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen in Mount Hope, Ohio.

Arthur took his normal seat...

Most leaves were down...lots of brown, beige, neutrals on a cloudy day...lots of leaf blowers going. And in Amish country where they can still burn leaves...there was a blue haze in the air...and the smell was loaded with memories of life after the school day as a child when we burned leaves in the city in the Fall.

Traipsing through the countryside, you could smell Thanksgiving...

The harvested fields made us ponder what we have...

Gratitude is in the air!

A Saturday Reminder

I had an early appointment on Saturday morning, so afterward, Edster and I, along with Arthur, drove about 45 minutes south to Kidron...located in the largest concentration of Amish  in the world.

Camera in hand...and not a stranger to this area, we roamed around 20-30 flea market tables.  Lunch was enjoyed at "Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen" in Mount Hope.  Then we roamed the side county  roads with no agenda...seeing what we might see.  Farms, animals, flowers, laborers in the fields, teams of huge Belgian work horses.

Now...I rarely will photograph the Amish out of respect of their religious beliefs...and in the few moments I have, it has always been from behind or showing only a fraction of the face.

This little boy (maybe about 3 or 4?) was walking down the road...hand in hand with his father.  I quickly snapped it with my 70-300mm zoom lens through the car windshield.

Making minor edits...I have found this quickly-snapped, random shot quite meaningful.

It reminded me of my relationship with God...and pondering the love and tenderness by which He leads and guides...trains and encourages...and blesses me.

The father is very focused, holding the child's hand securely.  Walking steadily, while the child is distracted by all that is around him.  Yet with full faith in his father, his hand remains clasped with confidence.  The father has a lot of experience on this road...wearing appropriate shoes to protect his feet.  The child...not so much...barefoot...and his feet getting so dirty!

God is good and so worthy of my trust...a fact that remains despite circumstances.

I am at peace when my hand is in His.