52 Week Photo Project
September Surprises Surprise No One
We know what comes next…
September’s reputation here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina would be considered bad after last year’s bout with Hurricane Helene. When you start out with “bad,” it can only get better, yes? September 2024 took “bad” to another level. We’re hoping for improvement this fall.
№.36 || Bad — Like Michael Jackson, or not
Will we agree that war is bad? The little town of West Jefferson, NC has this bad looking war sign on a former hardWARe sign on a building downtown. I knew I’d have a hard time finding bad, so I’m going with bad WAR.
№.37 || Kitchen Confidential — Like the book, or not
“Confident,” the root word in confidential, gives me the confidence to share this pic of a school kitchen where hundreds of meals a day are confidently prepared for 400+ grammar school students in Kilimahewa, Tanzania, Africa.
I’ve witnessed the incredible meal prep process at a school that my friend oversees. No one complains about the limited menu — versions of rice, corn, beans, and other basic foods. Most of the students are boarders, so they get three meals a day here.
The all-volunteer nonprofit I’m part of, Friends of Imiliwaha, has begun raising money for the obviously-needed renovation. I’m confident the revised kitchen will be better.
№.38 || Higher Ground — Like Stevie Wonder, or not
Of all my lifetime experiences, hot air ballooning occupies one of the highest spots. I took this pic during my flight at the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. It gives “higher ground” higher meaning.
This image gives me such joy that I had it made into a metal print for my living space. Each time I look at it, I am taken to higher ground!
№.39 || Color Blind — See things differently
My first trip to Tanzania was in 2013. I fell in love with the country, especially the baobab trees! You know how it is when you fall in love — you take lots of pics. When I returned home, I had time to think of how to honor the cool tree by an uncharacteristic (for me) distorting of the color, a blindness, if you will. I’ve been back there 3 times, and still swoon over these magnificent trees. Word is that they’ve been used as jail cells, with the prisoner placed in the huge hollowed-out trunk, where biting ants provide the incentive for never being bad again. Hmmm….
Gratitude to the purveyors of the 52 Week Photo Project! This monthly challenge is a welcome change of pace and opportunity to peruse photos new and old.
