There’s a story waiting to happen here. What do you say?
Through the gate- PSandsPhotos
I passed this setting on my way to pick up my four-year-old granddaughter this afternoon and nearly drove off the road as my eyes were drawn to the shot with such intensity. Kate and I walked back up the street so I could take the photo. The fragrance that filled the air was almost overwhelming but so exceptionally beautiful.
Does that ever happen to you … where you simply MUST get the shot? Remember, you can click on the photo here to enlarge it and wander through that gate.
I just had to pop back in and add this comment – I took the shot with my iPhone! I didn’t have my trusty Canon SLR with me at the time but didn’t want to miss the moment. Gotta say, I’m lovin’ that phone’s camera! Thanks for the stories and thoughts you are leaving … lovin’ that too!
Patricia Sands lives in Toronto, Canada when she isn't somewhere else, particularly the south of France. With a happily blended family of seven adult children and, at last count, six grandchildren, life is full and time is short. Beginning with her first Kodak Brownie camera at the age of six, she has told stories all of her life through photography. Much to her surprise a few years ago, she began to write and has now published three novels, including two that are part of a six-book series set in the south of France. Love France? Love her work! Check out her website www.patriciasandsauthor.com She is particularly drawn to the rewarding friendships of women and the challenges many embrace once their families are grown. "It's never too late to begin something new," she enthuses. "As the saying goes, just do it!"
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53 thoughts on “A story waiting to happen …”
Yes, absolutely. It happened to me ALL over India. I love this photo you’ve taken. Beautiful. Almost doesn’t look real it’s so perfect. I’d like to be laying out in that beautiful place, on a blanket, just soaking it all in.
Honestly, it was hard to resist walking through that gate. That whole property was surrounded by lilac bushes that have been there for well over a hundred years as has the home. You can feel the stories in the air there …
Aww, thank you for visiting! And I haven’t forgotten about your book! Life keeps getting in the way of having much quiet time to read, but I have enjoyed what I’ve read thus far! 😉
Absolutely beautiful. The gate opening is for you to go through and soak up ideas for your next book. I would give anything to escape and be in such a tranquil setting reading The Promise of Provence.
Absolutely gorgeous! The blossom is stunning against the green leaves and the pristine white, like a veil that’s pulled apart to reveal the hanging tyre in the distance – who uses it, a child from the past, or one from the present? Gorgeous! xxx
I would be the child swinging on that tyre! Great photo. There have been many times when I’ve seen a beautiful scene like this (a photo opportunity, as we call them) and come back with a camera to capture the moment.
Oh yes, I know you would have! There’s something so visceral about images like that, isn’t there? You simply cannot ignore the compulsion to capture it one way or the other. I am still stunned that my cell phone caught it just the way I wanted. Of course, Mother Nature helped too with the lighting nothing less than perfect!
Thanks, Amber! I feel the same way the more I return to the shot … I’m embarrassed to say how often that’s been. There were a bizillion lilac bushes in bloom all around the property and every time I revisit the shot the fragrance wafts around me. It was magic!
Yes, I have those moments! Luckily with camera phones, I now always have it with me at least. Before them, I hardly ever had a camera with me for spur of the moment photos. Although I would absolutely love to have a real good camera.
Honestly! I just added to this post that I took that with my cell phone and am so thrilled with the shot. I have a very good camera but of course did not have it with me and … voila … ! So keep using your camera phone and capture those moments!
If I were more prolific with the camera, I’m sure it would. For me, I’ll see something like this and itch for a pen. I’ve learned to carry a notebook in my purse with me…or my iPad. You’re right…that’s a scene itching to tell a story. Lovely! Was that a John Deere tractor I saw in the background?
You won’t have seen the comment I added … that I took the shot with my cell phone … and am stunned with the quality. I didn’t want to miss the moment but did not expect the shot to be anything like it would have been with my SLR. I’m delighted … and am grateful to Mother Nature for providing the perfect lighting for the moment. Carrying a notebook in your purse is such a good thing to do too! LOL – I think the John Deere had just moved back to the barn but you are right: it must have been there!
LOL – I can relate to that! Photography can be an extreme sport at times! Thanks, Susie! You have such a good eye with your shots, I can see you stopping for this one too!
I love that scent as well and could just keep my nose buried in the blossoms. My husband is allergic to fragrances so I can’t bring them in the house.*whine*
That’s a terrific shot, Patricia. I felt like I could practically smell the flowers. I carry a little Canon point and shoot in my satchel all the time, but it never fails that when I’m not carrying my satchel, that’s when I’ll miss a great shot. One of my great regrets was not having my camera on me when a pigeon wandered into my go-to grocery store. All the shoppers stopped. The pigeon stopped, too. I sensed it was thinking, “This was probably a bad idea. A very bad idea.” I don’t think after it was captured, it was turned into squab. I also carry a notebook in my satchel, too. One never knows when inspiration might strike. I like to be prepared, quill in hand.
Thanks, V.A. (I think you have a beautiful name, BTW) I can just picture that pigeon incident! I carry a notebook too after running out of parking slips and purchase receipts to write on! Now I am truly in love with my iPhone and not just for Words With Friends now! I hope you are enjoying a fab long w/e!
Patricia, thanks for visiting my author blog today and for your kind comments. Really appreciated. I see we have lots in common, the writing, photos for a start….not chocolate, but I am a licorice lover. I use photos as visual aids/notes and so love your photos and can think of stories looking at them. My husband is in India at the moment and he has taken some lovely photos. I have lots of India photos from the 1920’s-late 1940’s as my Dad was born there and his father was in the British Indian Army so he grew up there. I have my camera with me all the time too. Good luck with everything and thanks so much for visiting me….come again and we can chat. I shall be back too.
Oh … India … I can just imagine the great photos your husband is taking now, but what a treasure to have photos from those past days. How special! And yes, let’s keep up the chat.
It happened to me almost everyday I was in France last week, only I didn’t drive off the road I ran into people or came close. My mind is still processing what I saw and experienced.
I hear you! I only saw your lovely post about England and didn’t realize you were in France too. I’ll check your FB page … I hate to miss photos! Welcome home!
Stunning! And I am so loving my iPhone camera, I’m having to remind myself to go out and practice with my Canon. This photo is definitely the cover for a book.
Thanks! I’ve been admiring your iPhonography shots recently! I just didn’t expect mine to turn out so well for some reason. I love my Canon too but … this is soooo easy …
What a beautiful photograph!…I can almost smell the lilac! There are more times than I can count that I have been without camera in hand – spotted something so fabulous – missed it – only to think about it over and over. It happened last week and the shot would have been fabulous – an antique car with a driver and in the back seat a young lady dressed in her wedding dress – guessing on the way to the church. The car sat there for a few moments and I kept turning around – thinking how fast can I run home and get my camera – but as I turned one more time they were gone.
Thanks! That’s such a complement coming from you and I feel the same way about the scent of those blossoms … smellography! Now you have to make sure you at least have your phone with you! Do those missed shots haunt you for a while? I can recall some I missed years ago!
Thank you for your lovely words. Oddly I did have my phone with me and it did not even dawn on me to use it! I have sort of trained myself – camera in hand!
It is a captivating scene. A lot of laughter in that little nook but it also rains there and get dark. Those would be other parts of the story.
Patricia Sands 
Yes, absolutely. It happened to me ALL over India. I love this photo you’ve taken. Beautiful. Almost doesn’t look real it’s so perfect. I’d like to be laying out in that beautiful place, on a blanket, just soaking it all in.
Fransi, I’m serious about seeing your photos from India. Do you have them on your iPad?
Yep!
I see the gate is open, inviting us in.
Honestly, it was hard to resist walking through that gate. That whole property was surrounded by lilac bushes that have been there for well over a hundred years as has the home. You can feel the stories in the air there …
Yes, it does! Great shot!
Wander through and escape for a while. I was thinking about you this morning and am going to visit your blog right now! So lovely to see you here!
Aww, thank you for visiting! And I haven’t forgotten about your book! Life keeps getting in the way of having much quiet time to read, but I have enjoyed what I’ve read thus far! 😉
Absolutely beautiful. The gate opening is for you to go through and soak up ideas for your next book. I would give anything to escape and be in such a tranquil setting reading The Promise of Provence.
Absolutely gorgeous! The blossom is stunning against the green leaves and the pristine white, like a veil that’s pulled apart to reveal the hanging tyre in the distance – who uses it, a child from the past, or one from the present? Gorgeous! xxx
“Like a veil …” – beautiful imagery, Edith. The stories abound!
I would be the child swinging on that tyre! Great photo. There have been many times when I’ve seen a beautiful scene like this (a photo opportunity, as we call them) and come back with a camera to capture the moment.
Oh, definitely!
Yes – all the time!! I would have definitely stopped for that one too :).
Oh yes, I know you would have! There’s something so visceral about images like that, isn’t there? You simply cannot ignore the compulsion to capture it one way or the other. I am still stunned that my cell phone caught it just the way I wanted. Of course, Mother Nature helped too with the lighting nothing less than perfect!
Oh my goodness, I love this.
And yes, a story brews and develops the longer I look.
Thanks, Amber! I feel the same way the more I return to the shot … I’m embarrassed to say how often that’s been. There were a bizillion lilac bushes in bloom all around the property and every time I revisit the shot the fragrance wafts around me. It was magic!
Yes, I have those moments! Luckily with camera phones, I now always have it with me at least. Before them, I hardly ever had a camera with me for spur of the moment photos. Although I would absolutely love to have a real good camera.
Honestly! I just added to this post that I took that with my cell phone and am so thrilled with the shot. I have a very good camera but of course did not have it with me and … voila … ! So keep using your camera phone and capture those moments!
Oh, yes. Definitely.
I would love to hear what you would write and know it would be intriguing and brilliant!
🙂
Such a beautiful shot. I can picture myself walking through that gate and sitting on the tire swing, breathing in the smell of dewed grass.
Oh yes, I see you there … enjoy the moment!
If I were more prolific with the camera, I’m sure it would. For me, I’ll see something like this and itch for a pen. I’ve learned to carry a notebook in my purse with me…or my iPad. You’re right…that’s a scene itching to tell a story. Lovely! Was that a John Deere tractor I saw in the background?
You won’t have seen the comment I added … that I took the shot with my cell phone … and am stunned with the quality. I didn’t want to miss the moment but did not expect the shot to be anything like it would have been with my SLR. I’m delighted … and am grateful to Mother Nature for providing the perfect lighting for the moment. Carrying a notebook in your purse is such a good thing to do too! LOL – I think the John Deere had just moved back to the barn but you are right: it must have been there!
Today’s cell phones are capable of doing so many awesome things. 🙂 Either way, captivating shot.
I have almost been hit by cars racing down the highway because of that overwhelming desire!
Great shot!
LOL – I can relate to that! Photography can be an extreme sport at times! Thanks, Susie! You have such a good eye with your shots, I can see you stopping for this one too!
I would have!! 🙂 Thank you!
Gorgeous picture! Spring is finally here and that that shot makes me want to sit in the shade with a glass of lemonade and smell the scented air!
Right you are, Phil! A glass of lemonade fits the image for sure … or a Long Island Iced Tea for the New Yorker, perhaps?
Many this weekend!
Yes! I love it when that happens. That picture is stunning. I want to walk through the gate and discover what magic lies beyond.
I love it too! That old gate and rusty hinge really beckon you in, don’t they? I can just imagine what fantasy world you would conjure up!
Love the scent of lilacs! What a beautiful photo. Could be a painting!
I love that scent as well and could just keep my nose buried in the blossoms. My husband is allergic to fragrances so I can’t bring them in the house.*whine*
But you can decorate the Veranda ?
That’s a terrific shot, Patricia. I felt like I could practically smell the flowers. I carry a little Canon point and shoot in my satchel all the time, but it never fails that when I’m not carrying my satchel, that’s when I’ll miss a great shot. One of my great regrets was not having my camera on me when a pigeon wandered into my go-to grocery store. All the shoppers stopped. The pigeon stopped, too. I sensed it was thinking, “This was probably a bad idea. A very bad idea.” I don’t think after it was captured, it was turned into squab. I also carry a notebook in my satchel, too. One never knows when inspiration might strike. I like to be prepared, quill in hand.
Thanks, V.A. (I think you have a beautiful name, BTW) I can just picture that pigeon incident! I carry a notebook too after running out of parking slips and purchase receipts to write on! Now I am truly in love with my iPhone and not just for Words With Friends now! I hope you are enjoying a fab long w/e!
Patricia, thanks for visiting my author blog today and for your kind comments. Really appreciated. I see we have lots in common, the writing, photos for a start….not chocolate, but I am a licorice lover. I use photos as visual aids/notes and so love your photos and can think of stories looking at them. My husband is in India at the moment and he has taken some lovely photos. I have lots of India photos from the 1920’s-late 1940’s as my Dad was born there and his father was in the British Indian Army so he grew up there. I have my camera with me all the time too. Good luck with everything and thanks so much for visiting me….come again and we can chat. I shall be back too.
Oh … India … I can just imagine the great photos your husband is taking now, but what a treasure to have photos from those past days. How special! And yes, let’s keep up the chat.
It happened to me almost everyday I was in France last week, only I didn’t drive off the road I ran into people or came close. My mind is still processing what I saw and experienced.
I hear you! I only saw your lovely post about England and didn’t realize you were in France too. I’ll check your FB page … I hate to miss photos! Welcome home!
Very secret garden feeling. I need to get out more.
LOL – love your comment! Do it!
Stunning! And I am so loving my iPhone camera, I’m having to remind myself to go out and practice with my Canon. This photo is definitely the cover for a book.
Thanks! I’ve been admiring your iPhonography shots recently! I just didn’t expect mine to turn out so well for some reason. I love my Canon too but … this is soooo easy …
What a beautiful photograph!…I can almost smell the lilac! There are more times than I can count that I have been without camera in hand – spotted something so fabulous – missed it – only to think about it over and over. It happened last week and the shot would have been fabulous – an antique car with a driver and in the back seat a young lady dressed in her wedding dress – guessing on the way to the church. The car sat there for a few moments and I kept turning around – thinking how fast can I run home and get my camera – but as I turned one more time they were gone.
Thanks! That’s such a complement coming from you and I feel the same way about the scent of those blossoms … smellography! Now you have to make sure you at least have your phone with you! Do those missed shots haunt you for a while? I can recall some I missed years ago!
Thank you for your lovely words. Oddly I did have my phone with me and it did not even dawn on me to use it! I have sort of trained myself – camera in hand!
It is a captivating scene. A lot of laughter in that little nook but it also rains there and get dark. Those would be other parts of the story.
Oh Ontario. Never lovelier than in the Spring!