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Tiny Chapel
In 1991, I read William Least Heat-Moon’s book PrairyErth: A Deep Map, about the middle county in the middle state of the continental US, Chase County, Kansas. I read it with an atlas so I could follow along his deep explorations of the county. It’s a long book and I read it carefully; it made me re-think the way I looked at things I wasn’t even used to seeing (fence posts, for example, or a thicket of trees beside a stream). I am quite certain that this book influences my photography almost every time I pick up the camera, as it gave me the understanding that taking slow and deep looks into the mundane would yield great rewards.
Now, this tiny chapel at the geographic center is not in the same county where the book was set, but the visit here sent my mind thinking about the book for the rest of the day. And when I got home, I pulled it down from the shelf and put it in the reading queue: it’s time for a new look at this particular old friend.
at the geographic center of the continental United States
near Lebanon, Kansas
photographed 12.11.2020
Center Chapel
I can’t think of any rational person who would knowingly pass up a chance to visit the geographic center of the continental United States! I mean, really, what a great opportunity that is. The center! The EXACT CENTER. And the fact that it is only a few miles off the highway makes it even more of a must-stop location.
I am not quite sure what I thought would be there. I am very certain that I did not anticipate a tiny chapel as the main thing. Yet, somehow, there we were: a pair of travelers on a cold and windy day, standing in the middle, looking at a chapel.
That’s the fun of a road trip.
at the geographic center of the continental United States
near Lebanon, Kansas
photographed 12.11.2020
Foyer
We stopped in at the local place for a late lunch a few weeks ago. And of course I took my camera in with me. And this foyer made me realize that I had definitely made the right decision. And of all the things going on in that foyer, my absolute favorite is the double shadow cast by that single coat hanger.
My more civic-minded readers may be interested in knowing that the Rotary club meets at 12:15 on Tuesdays and the Kiwanis club is on Thursday at 12:05. And everyone needs to know that once I was giving a presentation to a local civic club; when I asked the restaurant hostess where the Kiwanis club was meeting she said, “Iguanas?” I don’t have a single idea what I was talking to the club about but I’ll never forget what her question.
Russell, Kansas
photographed 12.11.2020
Minimal View
Sometimes when I take a picture through a dirty window, I get an image that’s full of details I couldn’t see but that my camera spotted.
And other times, it’s more of a, shall we say, minimalist view. Depending on my mood, I like the simple ones better. This one, for example, with the heaviness of that white wood on one side offset by that cobweb on the other appeals to my eye.
Downs, Kansas
photographed 12.11.2020
White on White
White snow, a white truck cab, white clouds are conspiring to lighten the mood of the day.
There are two historical things to note today:
- This ends my 12th straight year of daily photo postings. What started as a whim on January 1, 2009, has taken over my head, my heart, and a good portion of my life. I’ve never been more content.
- But it also marks 15 years since my mom died, and it is still a day of great sadness. (But as I write this, I am thinking about all the people who’ve lost loved ones this year but weren’t able to be with them at the end. And my heart breaks for them.)
Meade, Kansas
photographed 12.12.2020
One Day | One Image 