Sunday, March 08, 2009

Caution - Amateur Photographer

I’ve been inspired by both Sherry and Bee regarding the subject of perspective – captured either via the camera lens or by making a conscious effort to see your own world/life from a different point of view.

I decided to combine the camera angle (uh-oh – Beth with a camera…) with things I see in my every day life. I carefully observed both the objects in my home and their placement and questioned myself as to why they’re there, how long they’ve been there and why the hell I still have some of them around. Would th
ese objects and their location appear odd to other people? And would I care if they did?

Using the camera to capture the images served to emphasize either the incongruity or beauty of some of these objects. (Keep in mind - beauty is in the eye of the beholder!)

This exercise taught me certain things – how I see the world (specifically, my home) and what is precious to me. It also taught me that apparently I’m quite capable of becoming oblivious to certain objects over time and/or I don’t like change. The latter observation is not a news flash but a reminder as to how an
aversion to change affects my living space. One cannot prevent change from occurring in life but one can attempt to control it in certain environments.

I’m just showing a few samples. Trust me, there were plenty more. Turns out my home is a crazy place! Perhaps I’ll post some others another time
– as on ongoing reminder to view the world (and my life) from a new perspective. Doing so really does open your mind – and your heart. It also encourages you to do some housecleaning.



On a shelf by the kitchen window – a teapot, an emergency candle, an egg poacher and a little wooden turtle that fell off a key chain one of my sons gave me. And, yes, what appears to be a tiny particle of brown dirt or a dead bug. Each item (except for the dirt) was placed here with no conscious thought and no decorating sense. And they remain as is – although I did get rid of that bit of dirt.



My childhood copy of Winnie-the-Pooh resting on a table in the dining room. I placed the book there after writing a post about it ages ago. And left it there because it gives me pleasure to see it every day. And that’s a good enough reason for me for keeping such an oddity in the dining room.



This image of (wooden) tulips on the fireplace mantle may not strike you as odd but I was once told they should be removed throughout the winter months – displayed only “in season.” Why? I am able to see real tulips in season. It’s during the winter months I crave a reminder of spring and some colour. Nor can I afford to constantly buy fresh tulips in the off-season. And why would I? These ones make me happy.


And there you have it – a few decorating idiosyncrasies from my home which I have discovered reflect some of my own idiosyncrasies. So be it!



10 comments:

Sherry said...

What a great post and a great experience you gave yourself! We all do this -- place objects in places with no thought as to "why" and can't give a reason when asked what the significance is.

I love keeping the tulips out in winter because they make you happy!!

And seeing the Winnie the Pooh that makes you very happy and enjoying it every day? You've got the right idea!!

Cipriano said...

Great pictures, Beth.
I like the Winnie the Pooh one because I just love Winnie. One of my most recent poems is about the Bear and his pal Piglet.
And yes, if I took a camera for a little tour of my apartment, I would end up feeling too guilty about the severe lack of housecleaning around here!

oreneta said...

Somewhere I have exactly the same edition of winne the poo....and the tulips I love, the tea pot collection is eclectic!

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

Your house looks amazingly un-cluttered. Thanks for a peek inside. Funny how things, like the pooh book, can take up residence somewhere. And I agree with you about the tulips. One of my favorite flowers, I would choose to look at the year long too.

Beth said...

sherry lee:
Well, I certainly discovered my decorating style - it's based on sentiment, happy-inducing objects and clutter!

cip:
Here's to childhood loves! May they always stay with us.

oreneta:
There is a lot of eclectic around here - works for me!

the bodhi chicklet:
Ah, the cluttered areas I could have shown! My dignity remains (semi) intact.

Ed & Jeanne said...

Now who can go wrong with Winnie the Pooh?

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures.

There doesn't always need to be a 'reason' that we like stuff . . . sometimes Just Because is good enough.

A pretty teapot, colourful flowers, and a nostalgic book are all things I might have picked too.

hmmm maybe I'll tote my camera around with me today too.

NYD said...

I like the way the world looks through the viewfinder. I like even more when I see something after it's been printed that looks very different from when I first saw it.

Keep the tulips out. Everyone needs a bit of spring during the winter.

Angel said...

I happen to love tulips in the winter!!! and your photos are awesome! dirt and all. ;)

Bee said...

My daughter has some lovely wooden tulips on her desk, and there they stay. The only problem with having something out ALL the time is that (perhaps) you stop being able to see it?

I bought some lovely pale yellow tulips today, btw. But they ARE in season!

P.S. COVET that Winnie the Pooh book.