Friday, July 2, 2010

I am a bold, brazen article

Growing up and attending Catholic school, I constantly heard this expression being used by the nuns. “You bold, brazen article!” they would shout. But it was even scarier to hear it quietly: “Well, aren’t you the bold, brazen article?” This happened to me one day.

But when you see something that you want to photograph, say on someone else’s property, you have to be a bold, brazen article.

But I always ask permission.

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It was two weeks ago today and it was the last day of our vacation in Maine. I’d gone out to get a gift for the girl I’d hired to care of our plants and our cat. In my travels, I came across a glass shop and went inside.

Angel Antics is located at the northern end of Sullivan on coastal Route 1. As I perused their wares, I looked out the window and saw a beautiful little garden complete with a miniature house and a lily pond. So I asked the owner if I could take photos. I really didn’t think she’d say yes, but she seemed happy that I was so interested. She came out back and busied herself potting hanging baskets, while I walked around snapping pictures and chatting with her and her husband.

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This is the entrance to their little garden oasis. She had her husband drill holes into the stones and strung them on thick wire.

It was a beautiful warm day and just that morning, my husband and I chuckled while listening to the weather forecast. Residents were warned of a heat wave that was to last for the next 3 days with temperatures in the 85’s to as high as 90. Suggestions were given as to how to keep cool (wear a hat, stay hydrated, seek shade).

I guess that IS pretty warm for an early June day, but it struck me funny.

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I posted a picture of this pond last week on my other blog. You can see the fish, but can you see the little frog? He’s just to the right of that white lily.

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He’s a biggin’, isn’t he?

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I made the fish nervous.

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The lupines were in full glory when we arrived, but by the end of the week, they were really beginning to wane.

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The owner told me she’d been born nearby but had spent most of her adult life in different parts of the country, finally returning to Maine after her father gave her a tract of land he owned.

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I loved this. I remember her telling me she’d found this bell somewhere and designed the stone display for it.

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Sometimes you have to bite back your fear and simply ask if you can take out your camera. And most of the time, people actually say yes.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

41 comments:

Ann On and On... said...

It's so fun to find hidden treasures... The photo of the frog is so cute.

Julie Harward said...

Heck yes...be brazen! Great pic's. love the frog and the stone arch...all so pretty! I think thats what it's all about...talking to people and loving them...so many interesting people in the world! Come say hi :D

altar ego said...

love that frog, love that peony! Great post, you brazen article you...

Mary said...

Wow, what a beautiful garden! And aren't you lucky, you brazen article, you! I'm really shy about asking other people for permission to shoot something... sometimes I'd love to take a picture of someone on the street, but asking permission for that seems really creepy... lol

Love your pictures -- they really capture the whimsy of those garden ornaments, and the beauty of the pond and flowers. :)

Anonymous said...

That entire yard is so sweet. Seems to be the week for frogs on blogs... I like looking at them... just don't make me touch them or I'll scream like a girl.

Di

Chrissykat said...

That bell is just the BEST! Love love it.

Hilary said...

Wonderful shots, you bold, brazen article, you! ;)

Lili said...

Oh I had no idea they had that adorable little garden spot there! I've only stopped into their shop once about 5 years ago, looks like I've been missing a lot since then! I love the way you write and weave your images together in your posts. ~Lili

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Lovely garden --enjoyed the pics!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Love that frog!!!

Love the red cottage..

I always ask, better to be brave than regret not having the guts to do so. I often think later about the shots I regrettably missed.

Mental P Mama said...

Oh my darlin', just amazing;)

Kathy said...

Re: asking to take a picture of someone you don't know, have you heard of the 100 Strangers Project? You are to ask strangers to take their picture and get their permission to post it somewhere. It's an exercise to enable you to step outside of your comfort zone. The ultimate goal is to improve your photographic technique. It is very scary and rather intimidating. I started the exercise a few weeks ago and posted my eighth stranger photo today. So far no one has turned me down. I've seen many people who I'd like to take their picture but just can't get up the nerve to ask! I tell myself the worst thing that can happen is they might say no. You can learn and read more at 100strangers.com and also at http://www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/

I'll bet the more people you ask to take a picture of either them, their home or something that makes them unique, you will get more comfortable!

beth said...

you pack your bags and i'll pack mine and maybe if we ask nicely, she'll let us move in :)

just saying....

wow...what an incredible place....and SWOON...cripes i love that frog !

mrs mediocrity said...

Gorgeous. And I might just have to adopt that phrase if you don't mind, you bold, brazen article!

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Kate:
I'm so happy you asked and were able to share these wonderful images with your readers. I especially love the bell and its rocky display. Have a relaxing and fun patriotic weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Donna

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful garden area! I really like decorating a garden and yard with stone. The archway is so creative! This is what my idea of a backyard garden oasis would be.

Thanks for sharing this with us, Kate!

Char said...

that's my philosophy - the best they can say is yes....and if they say no, it's not like they shot you. :)

so glad she said yes.

Anonymous said...

Well, Hallelujah you were a bold, brazen article! You hit the jackpot finding this place! I'm bringing my husband back here to look at the little cottage - so adorable! And I love the rock arches! I wish I could have a small pond like that, but I would be inviting the water mocassins and rattlesnakes around here. :( Thank you for sharing this place.

Mary Lou said...

Amazing..Aren't there such fun, interesting things in other people's worlds..And you photograph them beautifully.
I saw the cutest red wicker chair on someone's porch last week, rang the door bell and asked if I could take a picture. He looked at me like I was nuts but said yes. Today I went back and left a note asking if he wants to sell it..no answer yet. But, you never know.

Unknown said...

And thank God they do say yes, this is a very beautiful place to have the privilege to be..
thank you for asking.
thank you for showing us.
blessings

Marla said...

Beautiful place... I love the picture of the frog.

Marla @ www.asthefarmturns.wordpress.com

ELK said...

what a strange saying, but I like it!!...glad you asked and took those amazing photos...

becky up the hill said...

You rock..pun intended. Never seen a rock arch! That is amazing! Beautiful. I'm getting more 'cheeky' and asking if I can take pix. Thanks for sharing this beautiful garden. Just in from tending my garden and I think I'm beginning to wane. ;o)

Low Tide High Style said...

I'm glad you were a bold, brazen article so that you could share that beautiful little oasis with us!

Kat :)

Maria said...

Wow. What a pretty, pretty garden. I LOVE those stone arches....and of course, the frog too. Goes without saying. Not sure why I had to say that. :-)

Merisi said...

Beautiful images all!

Asking never hurts, I agree! :-)

Jayne said...

What a gorgeous garden! Indeed, if we never ask, we're never accused of being a bold, brazen article!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Brazen article? Never heard that phrase before. Brazen hussie, yes.

That nun wasn't calling you a brazen hussie, was she? I'll say it again, do I have to come up there and whip somebody's a&&?

Valerie @ Intelligent Expressions said...

That frog picture is the best! Love that shot!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

absolutely beautiful.... our fish drown the frogs but occasionally one stays around a while... when the fish were much smaller the frogs stayed all summer... Love her pond it is beautiful and the rock arch and bell hanger are super cool too! :) glad you asked her for pics!

Infrequent Flyers said...

I'm glad you said that the rocks were strung onto wire. I was trying to figure out how they did that, thinking it was a sheer balancing act!! The photos are all amazing!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

That's so beautiful and reminds me of the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, Romania.
http://www.romaniatourism.com/pressclips.html

BB said...

Oh I loved that shot with the pond and the purple flowers and the red hut. Almost Monet. Or something.

I always ask (well nearly always). Certainly when I include people in blog pics. What lenses? Esp that frog pic!
:-)
BB

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lovely pictures Kate, especially that froggy. I think you are right - most people are pleased that you are interested - it is as well to ask - they can always say no if they wish.

The JR said...

I firmly believe that most people who have beautiful yards and gardens are flattered by the attention. I can't see many of them saying no.

What a georgeous place they've created. I'm down to the creek now to find some of the bigger rocks. Gotta try and make something now......

Deb said...

what a cool arch...great photos...

Carolynn Anctil said...

I think anyone would be delighted that the hard work they'd put into their labour of love had been noticed by another with eyes to see. That little house is absolutely adorable!!!

Happydog said...

I am a bold, brazen article...great on a T-shirt yes!?

JacksDad said...

How did you stop from saying 'A, AN or THE?" :)

GailO said...

...so glad you are a bold brazen article so that we get to see this adorable garden. Love the arch of stone! It is similar to an arch I fell in love with at the winter garden show...Beautiful photos Kate!

Daryl said...

What a lovely thing and your narration was perfect... lovely photos