As soon as histories are properly told there is no more need of romances. ~Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
The Opposite of Solitude
I grew up in a country that was excited to mark its second centennial. Now I live in a place where I can touch a wall and walk roads built by Romans two thousand years ago. I’ve called home a castle whose stone stairs have seen a thousand years of other footsteps.
When I’m most alone, I’m most aware of the millennia of those who stood here too.
I’m really not a photographer, but Cathy’s beautiful post spoke to me today. I thought I might try Hugh’s photo challenge this week, with the theme of solitude.
Ritu said:
Beautiful take on the prompt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
barbtaub said:
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ellen Hawley said:
If the ground’s as rocky as north Cornwall’s, the marvel isn’t transporting them, it’s digging them in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
barbtaub said:
I was amazed to find that they are as deep below ground as they are tall. Sadly, most are missing, including a few that were obviously made into millstones (judging by the reject attempts still lying around). But the actual stones aren’t from anywhere on Arran. How did Bronze Age people transport such massive things there, place them so exactly, and yes—dig the holes?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ellen Hawley said:
No idea, but it does indicate that they had a fair bit of free time. And got up to all kinds of strange things when they got bored.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cathy said:
That’s a fabulous photo, Barb. I love those ancient places and Arran looks beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
barbtaub said:
Photo taken with iPhone. I’m not to be trusted with any camera more complicated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cathy said:
I used my iPhone all the time up until I got a camera for my birthday earlier this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
barbtaub said:
Digital camera phones that let you delete the 99 shots of the ground, your finger, people with their eyes shut, kids with fingers in places that posterity does NOT need—preferably the kind that put little boxes around faces and jump up and down beeping “Now, stupid. Click now!”—are the only things I can be trusted with. Nobody in their right mind would ever give me an actual camera.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Cathy said:
I only use the automatic point and shoot feature 🙂 Everything else is beyond me. Great zoom though! But yes, those pictures we definitely don’t need are easily deleted too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paul said:
Nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
barbtaub said:
Thanks, Paul.
My normal photography mode is to only take pictures if the subject is a baby or a relative—preferably both—but it was just me and the iPhone that day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugh's Views and News said:
Hi, Barb. Thank you for joining me in my weekly photo challenge.
If only stones like these could tell us their stories. I guess it doesn’t stop us trying to figure out what they are telling us, although they may remain one of the great mysteries on our planet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
barbtaub said:
Thanks Hugh! I’m really not a photographer, but as you say…it’s the stories that appeal to me as a writer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugh's Views and News said:
I agree. I use photos and pictures all the time to get inspiration for my short stories. It always seems to work.
I use an iPhone for all my photos as well. Can’t complain about what I’ve produced. There’s so much to photograph these days.
Have a great weekend, Barb.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Hugh’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Week 20 – Solitude #Photography — Barb Taub – musnadjia423wordpress
Marie said:
Love your pict Hugh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugh's Views and News said:
Thank you very much, Marie.
LikeLike
Sue Vincent said:
Lovely shot, Barb. I’d love to see these stones one of these days 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
barbtaub said:
You in particular would appreciate them. Maybe we’ll see them together soon?
LikeLike
Sue Vincent said:
That would be good 🙂 Just a few minor things to take care of before I think about roaming though, what with all Nick’s plans…
LikeLiked by 1 person
patriciaruthsusan said:
Lovely and interesting take on the prompt, Barb. 🙂 —- Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
barbtaub said:
Why thank you!
LikeLike
patriciaruthsusan said:
I tried to press the “Like” on your answer and it didn’t work. Anyway, “You’re welcome.” 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
barbtaub said:
I think (hope) that was just WordPress messing with your head. But thanks all the same!
LikeLike
Paul said:
Did you know Barb that in some cities, some of the “Walk” buttons at intersections are not hooked up to anything. They put them there so people can push them and feel like their needs are being taken into account. They do this at intersections where other criteria are more important – like timing to facilitate traffic flow (you don’t want cars backing up onto the highway so a pedestrian can cross). Your like” button is like that. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Léa said:
Oh Barb, I hear you! I grew up in southern California home of the strip mall. Now I live in a house that is over 360 years old. The chateau behind me is over a thousand years old. My last post featured a plaza with a section of the Via Domita at the centre. Léa
LikeLike
Pingback: ‘A gentleman’s gentleman with a heart of gold’ Jenni reviews Charlie Smithers: Adventures in Arran by C.W. Lovatt | Rosie Amber