Ladies and gentlemen, you have an assignment. Should you choose to accept it.
If you want you may simply read this blog, look at the photographs and continue on your Merry Way.
However…if you’re game…take out your notebooks and write down your assignment.
Window of blue--and vines
The next time you’re visiting the city, buying your organic vegetables and veggie burgers, get out of your car. Lock it, if you must. Bundle up in warm clothes and toasty boots. Take your camera in hand.
Start out walking around a block where you have walked many, many times before. Where your thoughts insist, “There is nothing new to photograph here. I have walked this block a dozen (or a hundred) times.”
Your assignment is to find six new and interesting views of things you have noticed or photographed before. Try to view them in a different light. Get on your knees or stand on your tiptoes.
See if you can show your know-it-all Mind that it really doesn’t know it all.
Portage Bridge in sunlight
You may have to walk on a snowmobile trail if you live in the North Woods. Especially if you’re attempting to walk near the canal in Houghton, Michigan. Watch for snowmobiles. You don’t want to get run over, especially if you’re staring mesmerized through your camera lens with a pack of snowmobiles approaching at top speed. (Luckily, that didn’t happen to me.)
You want to wade through snow?
Let your eyes sweep the horizon before looking up close. Be alert. Look at everything. Don’t let anything escape your Curiosity and eager camera lens.
You wouldn't really go swimming now, would you?
What do you do if you come upon a fire zone and want to photograph the burned-out building? Do you…dare…tiptoe within the boundaries of the yellow tape…and sneak just one picture? OK, two pictures? Especially since no one is around and you’re not that close.
Quick. Snap that picture and get out of there.
The back of the burned out Surplus Outlet store
How many pictures do you have now? More than six, don’t you? More like twenty, I’ll bet. You won’t even be able to post them all in your blog today. You’ll have to save some for tomorrow.
How about another quick walk by the Douglass House to stare at those dried vines by the window? Yes, yes, I know you have to meet your husband at the Pilgrim River Steakhouse in Chassell at 5:15. But you have a few more minutes.
Vines, snow, lamplight...
So what do you think? Are you surprised? Have you seen much more than you expected? The next time your mind tells you “There is nothing new to see around this city block” will you believe it?
I suggest we don’t.
Lake Superior Spirit 
Fantastic blog post – I thoroughly enjoyed the journey – thank you!
Hi Laurie! You are one of my all-time favorite creatives. Glad you enjoyed the journey.
Oh…..I didn’t know that the Surplus Outlet burned! Sometime I’ll have to tell you stories of the things my sister and I bought there…….
Like the year we thought Air Force Parachute pants would be cool.
So we each got a pair and wore them to ski down Mt. Ripley. They were so nice and warm, like snowmobile pants, but watch out if you fall down….. No stopping power!
We shrieked all of the way down the hill and we’re still laughing about it today!
Thanks for the photo tour Kathy! ~*~
My goodness, Susie Q. That is SOME story. I would be scared to ski down Ripley with normal snow pants…let alone those zipping Parachute Pants! I’m scared to even LOOK at Ripley, LOL. Glad you enjoyed the Houghton photo tour (more in today’s post). Cuz I think about you every time the camera and I are in the Copper Country.
LOL We were too dumb to be scared! I don’t think I’d do it again!!
Thanks for bringing me along on your trips to the CC. ~*~
You’re on. Tomorrow I’ll take a walk I’ve taken a thousand times and look for six new things. 🙂
Why do I know they’ll be there. See you tomorrow.
And you did it! I am so excited you took on the challenge. Your photos are magnificent, as always. Love, love, love that you’re game to play these photography games…
I was trying to figure out which block the Surplus Outlet was in because I don’t remember one at all. And do people still live in the floor below the burned out part?? I really enjoyed the tour of Houghton. I think you were inspired because there was SUNSHINE!! 🙂
My “block” here at home is 4 miles around. I haven’t been around it yet this winter. But we’re supposed to get a heat wave so maybe…
The Surplus Outlet is (was) right next to the Gazette Building. If you go a little further down Shelden Avenue toward the bridge you’re at the Ambassador. As of now, everyone is out of the building. The fire actually started in one of the upper apartment buildings (where the windows are knocked out.) They actually say they are going to rebuild by next summer. That’s great because they have good quality items.
You know, Dawn, the minute the sun came out my mood improved 99%. I am convinced that the lack of sunshine affects us more than we know.
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I loved that first image of the door entwined in vines. You have so much snow compared to us.
I accept the assignment. Does that mean my computer will now self destruct in 30 seconds? I hope not. I’ll be in touch when I have my 6.
Oh Amy I am delighted that you will be doing the assignment as well! (The vine image was my favorite too.) Yes, we do have lots of snow. You really can’t walk anywhere without snowshoes. Except with our day of snow-melting, who knows?
Laughing, I thought about saying something would self-destruct in 30 seconds. But NO I don’t want ANY of our computers to self destruct. No. that wouldn’t be good.
Hi Kathy,
Well, I read Part 2 first, and now that I’m at Part 1 I have decided to take the challenge–at least for today!
Martha, how exciting! Let me know if you post it. Happily awaiting to see what miracles you discover.
I’ve really been enjoying these posts, Kathy. Especially the views of the ice on the canal. The light is always so interesting this time of the year.
The light IS so interesting this time of year. Especially when it’s shining. We have had so many days of gray. When it comes out it’s utterly inspiring!
Fun! I’ve was out of town this weekend (went to Appleton – Jen & Kenzie came up – to see the stage show “Mama Mia”…it was fabulous!) so will have to complete my assignment this week. I’ve been wanting to take pictures of the snow in my gardens so this will give me th oomph I need!
cindy, I would love to see some of the photos you would take. Your gardens must look beautiful this time of the year. Hey, I wouldn’t mind taking pics of your winter gardens! Maybe you can post ’em on FB are somplace? Oh and I would love love love to see Mama Mia. Sounds like a great time.
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So glad you played, Amy!