Weekly Photo Challenge: Old Fashioned
Old Fashioned. Such a state of mind. I could take a mug shot of myself and present a rather confronting picture of old and fashioned what with the facial lines and the lipstick but why would I do that to you? Why would I do it to myself? Far safer to stick with architectural realities, one faded but still there in the gritty reality that is Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, the other, the telephone lobby of the Wilshire Grand also in Los Angeles, remaining shiny and new but of its time in the past. If those telephones could talk . . . .
The third, and very dear to my heart, is my fountain pen. I take it everywhere and I can’t imagine a day without that comforting scratch of pen and ink upon a page. Whenever, wherever. This wherever happens to be Central Park, in New York City.
When men never made passes at girls who wore glasses . . .
When telephones sat on walls and people sat at bars and tables, talking face to face . . .
Blogging, the old-fashioned way . . .
Wherever I lay my pen, that’s where I’ll be.
I like the photos, but more then them, I love the pen, and the angle from which you shot it.
Lovely 🙂
Thank you kind Doctor. I found the pen photo after the event so to speak. This week’s challenge was definitely challenging for me.
I like the photos a lot Patti. Both are very interesting. BTW my fountain pen goes everywhere with me too. Lately I have been using it when sketching out mandalas while sitting in doctors’ offices and laboratory waiting rooms. I’d love to be in that image and toasting your photography with a glass of wine. Salute! 🙂
Sacred space, making the best of wherever we happen to be. With our fountain pens!
TT, if ever a thought were to count, please know that you are with me in spirit and I raise my glass to your good health.
Cheers and thank you so much!
Those photos are just striking, makes you think of the times you visited a place of good memory . And if only those phones could talk…that could have been one cool story.beautiful view of the city, no wonder it brings you so much inspiration.
Thank you! I have fiddled (edited . . . .) this post so much, wishing I had done this or not done that. Does this ever happen to you? Now I want to do separate posts on each photo. The hotel, so of its time in the LA of the late 50’s, early 60’s, is soon to be pulled down, according to rumour, to make way for an office complex. Another one to bite the dust.
Every letter and card that I have received from you in nearly 28 years has been written with that (or one very like it) fountain pen, in your stylish hand.
I never thought about it before. It was just a given. I’m so pleased you took that photo. It’s a bit of a ‘derr’ moment for me!
Gaynor, this post drove me crazy because of all the changes that I kept wanting / needing to make. I found the pen photo after posting the first two which was my big “derr” moment. Do I leave it as is or do I change it with the edit facility? I like to think I am not re-writing historical fact but rather smoothing the creases which are irritating me so much.
Words on any page from a pen however sit forever and, always, they come from the heart. It has always been such a pleasure writing to you, thank you so much for so many years of wonderful friendship.
Lovely memories of bygone days…hugs for sharing! 😉
My absolute pleasure and thank you so much for stopping by!
LOL, don’t you believe it! I had lots of ‘passes’. Maybe it was out of pity 😉
No pity about it. It’s that penetrating gaze! Hard to resist! Thanks for the laugh and for popping in.
your photos do have subliminal meaning of being an old fashioned..by the way I also love the third shot I can feel how dear is it to you that you stick with it no matter how technology changes everything..though you can carry with you your laptop and type everything that comes to your mind still you have that precious fountain pen savoring its ink whenever ideas come upon..
Nice post and photos.
Thank you John. For some strange reason I feel far more self-conscious in public with my laptop than I do with my pen, plus it so much more compact! Having said that, I do love my laptop and the world that social media has opened up, as in enjoying your lovely photos, and thoughts for which I thank you!
Cheers!!
and cheers to you! Thanks for the look!
I think your photos are beautiful, and they are made more so with your personal story that comes through in your post and in your comments. I wish I could say I had an old fountain pen…I do have all my grandfathers knitting needles, even though I took up knitting after he died. Not exactly used for words, but they still make gifts that “sit forever and, always, they come from the heart”.
Was it your grandfather’s influence that led you to spinning the yarn? How lovely to think of a grandfather with such a special talent as knitting and, with his needles and your memories, you know exactly where you are from! Have fun in your workshop and thank you so much for such a lovely, thoughtful comment.
my favorite: number #3, pen, table, lake = my paradise
Frizztext, thank you so much! I have moments of panic when I can’t find my pen. I love your equation of paradise and the blissfulness of solitude provided by these treasured factors.
A nice set of photographs. I still have an ancient Parker fountain pen with a big wide nib that I use for writing letters, so much better than modern type. I’ve replaced the nib several times now
And don’t you just love the ink stains on your fingertips? Looking forward to seeing what you can do with that Box Brownie!
Artistic and thought provoking on so many levels. I love the phones.
Oh Alan, those telephones looked so sad and lonely. And to think how hard they were worked when they were in their prime. The joy, the heartbreak, the drama . . . . I want to give them a screenplay!
Wonderful old-fashioned theme. Love the photos! Great post!
Thank you! It has been a fun theme this week but definitely a challenge on the perception of old fashioned!
Wwhat a lovely post. I think the pen and paper look great especially with that wonderful back drop.
I have an inflated sense of that view as being my “office” where working conditions are wonderful but the pay is lousy! Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
Great shots. I especially like the last one of the fountain pen and pad of paper. Great choice.
Thank you Cecelia! The last one came to me after the event so to speak but it was there in front of me the whole time. Certainly a challenge!
Very nice photos! Seems like alot of blog posts floating around reflecting on “the good ole’ days.” *sigh* They are missed.
Marcia, I know what you mean! And if I am being completely honest I also have very strong memories of youthful boredom and longing for the excitement of the future!
All wonderful entries!
I love the lighting/long shadows in the first, the rhythm of the second and the elegance of the third!
(before I met my wife I remember hitting on women who wore glasses…
many threw beverages similar to the one featured in your third photo at me in response)!
🙂
Thank you for your thoughtful and entertaining comments! Shocking waste of a drink if you ask me or was it all part of the fun?
Love the phones, I went to a hotel in Oxfordshire recently that had an area just like the one in your photo but the phones were no longer on the wall, it looked really odd, just an empty alcove.
I suppose they were no longer needed what with phones in every room these days allowing you to make outgoing calls.
These areas always look like sad little patches of “ghost town” to me. Such a shame they didn’t leave the phones on the wall, even if only to keep them there as museum pieces! Thanks for popping by!
wonderful photos…love the telephones, the colors so striking. I also can’t do without my pen, lovely photograph.
Thank you! This has been such a fun challenge and I hope you get as much of a kick out of your ink stains as I do from mine!
Stunning photos. I love the weaving of your thoughts through them as well. : )
Imagine all the plans and life changes made on those telephones. Plus, does anyone write love letters anymore? Thank you so much for your lovely comment!
Love all the snaps…the last one in particular…the angle…the fountain pen and paper…timeless !!
Thank you! I think of my pen as my “hard copy.”
The thought that you truly give time to write on paper with your precious fountain pen is amazing!!! Love it ♥
Now I want to write you a letter of gratitude for your lovely comment! Thank you so much!!!
You’re most welcome 😉 Have a wonderful life ♥
Love the last shot!
Thank you!
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