Rural Ohio

On our recent visit to south/central Ohio for Catherine's graduation, we had opportunities to drive around a bit and "see the country." This part of Ohio, east and slightly north of Columbus is right out of a picture book, and one published in the 19th century at that. Yes, Columbus and its citizens, looking for elbow room and a little slice of heaven, are encroaching, but taking just a few turns off the main roads brings you face to face with our rural past. Dirt roads, horse-drawn plows and buggies (one of, if not the, largest Amish communities anywhere - yes, even Penssylvania)and farms--some large, well laid out, and apparently prosperous and others scraping a living and a life from hilly, rocky terrain. From a photographer's viewpoint - they are all lovely, but I am not so romantic as to think that it is easy. Perhaps that is what makes them beautiful?  
 
 
 

May Madness

 
 
 
 OK. So I promised no more long breaks between posts, but I am not in charge of the calendar. If I were, there would be no month of May. Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of wonderful things that happen in May. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Leave May for graduations (see photos nearby!!!) and Mother's Day. Spread the inevitable "end-of-the-year" concerts, recitals, and meetings around the calendar a bit. And admit reality. Summer in Wisconsin doesn't really arrive until mid-July, so stop the flower and plant madness! Otherwise calm, good-natured women glaring, grasping, and shoving as they clear out the entire stock of sweet potato vine and dinner-plate dahlias? Nursery parking lots filled with SUVs and mini-vans packed to the gills with geraniums and hanging baskets - in a crazy, mad rush to get ready for, what? The first weekend of summer???? Memorial Day?? puhleeze. 50 degrees and raining more often than not.
Anyway, that's my excuse for not blogging and I am sticking to it.

Catherine graduated from Denison University on May 13th. It really was a great day in all ways. Thrilled and exhausted grads, relieved and terribly proud families, brilliant sunshine(in Ohio!)and a beautiful campus. All the usual on display - smiles, tears, caps flying, school colors everywhere.