Welcome mat missing
Delray Beach, FL
December 2008 [Click to enlarge]
This home sits on a road barely two blocks away from one of the nicest neighborhoods you'd ever hope to visit. Yet ask people who live around here if they've ever seen this old house, you'll usually get shrugged shoulders.
It's easy to see that once upon a time, this was a grand place to live. But countless years of abandonment under the relentless sub-tropical sun have taken their toll. Whoever lived here is long gone, as are the stories of their lives under this imposing, now-sagging roof. As I slowly walk around the perimeter and shoot in with my camera, I carefully watch where I step, as some of the more recent, transient residents seem to have left behind ample evidence of their own passage here.
It's always sad to see something so downtrodden. You almost wish you could close your eyes and imagine what it must have been like in its prime.
Your turn: This photo kicks off this week's Thematic Photographic theme, busted. For the next seven days, we'll be looking at things that are broken, run down, worn out or in otherwise sad condition. Obsolescence has so many stories, and I look forward to seeing what stories your photos will be able to tell over the next week.
If you're new to Thematic Photographic, here's a quick primer:
- Every Wednesday evening, at precisely 7 o'clock Eastern, I post a new Thematic Photographic entry.
- Each entry has a unique theme. This week's is...busted.
- You post a similarly themed image over on your blog.
- You paste a link to your entry in a comment here.
- If you've already posted something that fits (on a blog, Facebook, MySpace, wherever) simply post the link to the existing entry. Old or new, all photos are welcome.
- You may post as many photos or links as you wish. For the next week, I'll be supporting this theme with a related picture/posting each day. I encourage you to do the same. This is all about sharing, so feel free to share to your heart's content!
- Please share this link with friends, too, and encourage them to join in. The more, the merrier.
- And please accept my thanks for your enthusiasm. Your participation has made TP a true highlight for me each and every week.
Posts
43 comments:
Mine is a busted icicle :)
Here's my busted photo A very sad building
people don't seem to paint their stairs here but I remember it from back east very much forgot my link http://joyismygoal.blogspot.com/
Seeing old buildings past their prime saddens me. I wish someone would bring them back to their former glory - or tear them down if they are too far gone.
i'm busted over here.
Great photo of neglect. I like the soft gray and almost pink on the steps, the sticks of foliage and the peeling paint. Happy WW! :)
busted Heres my photo, there are some very naughty people about
I've seen many, many such places and it's always just a little heartbreaking. Fortunately, here there's been a real concentrated effort in the last 30 years to restore some of the historic homes especially in the Oakwood and Mordecai districts. It started in the 80's when the "urban homesteading" initiatives really took root. Homeowners were given extraordinarily attractive mortgages with the stipulation that they restore the homes they bought. Even now a 3% mortgage would be an attention getter, but in the fading days of the Carter administration with the prime rate sitting at or above 20%, it was unfathomable.
But I went with something a touch more oblique. And colloquial. which I'm sure surprises everyone to no end.
Thematic Photographic 37 "Busted" v.1.0 "Sometimes No Words Will Do"
Look upo my works
you mighty
and dispair. . .
Aloha, Carmi
Yeppers those stairs need fixing really, really, really, really bad. Like the textures in your photograph. Peeling paint is favorite part of shot.
Here is my post: http://lightandvoices.blogspot.com/2009/02/thematic-photographic-busted.html
Just popped over from Hilary at Smitten Image. Your photographs are awesome. Some are so unusual and really artistic.
Good to "meet" you. I'll be back sometime. (I think I've been before...)
unfortunately not a happy camper post...timely though.
good theme this week Carmi...and I do love your photo. I am drawn to those type of homes all the time and see many in my travels in rural NB.
http://mayfairplace.blogspot.com/2009/02/blown-to-bits.html
Exact opposite of a stairway to heaven, by the look of it...
You make old and weathered look mysterious and intriguing. How about you come take my portrait? ;)
This reminds me very much of a house in the middle of Oklahoma City. Apparently several mass murders happened in this house (I think it was a brothel) and because of its past associations no one will buy it or do anything with it. It just stands there in the middle of a rather nice area. It's a large two-story house, and could have been beautiful, but now it slowly falls apart while people drive by and imagine all the dried blood stains that must still coat the walls. (Apparently it was a rather messy affair.)
I've popped over from my friend Hilary's post talking about you and her shared family.
I thought maybe my favorite outhouse picture fit your "busted" theme. It's here:
http://addhumorandfaith.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/the-duplex/
Nice to "meet" you. :)
Hi Carmi .. . finally back to regular blogging and updating my blog list ... just added you as a favorite in my side bar.
I often think of your blog and the "Thematic Photo" thing and hope to begin participating soon.
I'll be looking for some things that are busted and telling my niece about your blog ... she loves photography.
Happy New Year, Happy Valentine's, Happy Day and I will be back soon!
Maybe it is the way you capture it, maybe it is the longing of your words, but to me, that house is so beautiful. What part of you is worn-weathered like those steps? I'd like to know.
I always enjoy your photos and shares, but sometimes one really grabs me. This is one. Excellent.
Hugs,
Holly
my thought,there used to be a housewife who scrubbed those steps until they shone. where is her kind of work ethic, diligence and pride?
where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?
Hi, Thanks for your visit..now I wonder if I can find a pic to fit the theme???
Have posted my pic at my "view through my camera lens".... ~Tricia
Here from Hilary's.
This is a very interesting photo. The theme is intriguing; as soon as I purchase a new camera I will join you in these challenges.
Now off to see the interpretations of "Busted..."
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a great comment! It's nice to "meet" you. I actually had just read about you on Hilary's blog this morning and then received your comment! I love stuff like that! :) Looking forward to reading more of your blog.
Carmi, I take your challenge. Here is my post!
http://onthepathofleastresistance.blogspot.com/2009/02/busted-thematic-photographic.html
Via Hilary to your place! Your comment on my little world made me come and take a 2nd look, so I've come back to jump on the bandwagon and join up with T.P.
Thanks for the inspiration!
~KC
(Should I thank the previous owners of my house for the photo op?)
http://kcinnova.wordpress.com
my first time playing
here is what i'm sharing
http://rainbow-glasses.blogspot.com/2009/02/busted.html
Christy
Here...an easy one and i still havn't been back to see what's happened to it........
hey Carmi -- I'm finally up with my interpretation of busted
I'll be back later to read every one elses work. It's been a busy week and even my back feels busted. ha ha.
What a great idea! I found your blog from Joyce over at Light and Voices. I already participate in a similar thing, only about writing. I think I'll give yours a try next Wednesday!
Hi, Carmi and everyone. So now I see that it's a 7-day "event!" hooray! Because here is my "busted" entry:
www.doves2day.blogspot.com
My contribution to "Busted" is up now.
Wow! Look at all these comments. I'll have to get busy going to all their sites.
bobbie-almostthere.blogspot.com
So --- how do we call attention to our other "busted" entries? Do we email you or do we just repost them in the latest comments? I have a couple more "busted" photos coming.
g: Glad you asked. Just post additional links in a new comment on the original Thematic Photographic entry (aka this one). As many as you like. In fact, many participants post a number of similarly-themed entries each week. The more the merrier!
Hope that helps. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm!
Carmi
My second "Busted" photo-post is up
www.dove2day.blogspot.com
Great fun, Carmi. I look forward to Wednesday!
I found posted my Busted photo here - http://notesoflife.co.uk/?p=215 :) Looking forward to seeing everyone elses!
Well, I can't get to a lot of the photos I'd like to that suit this theme, but I found a recent one that at least lets me play along this week :). And just under the wire, too!
http://bit.ly/HNiv9
(It's a view of the Tennessee River probably like you've never seen it!)
Back from our trip, I have photos of busted, the aftermath of one of nature's recent rampages.
I am sliding in at the last minute... as usual! But here is my take on busted/broken!
I got one last "busted" shot up. Waiting for tomorrow's idea!
www.doves2day.blogspot.com
Once again, Carmi, you've forced my hand, and I just had to post something. Thanks for the inspiration.
This is a great theme! I really like your photo. It reminds me of my childhood neighborhood. Here's mine...
http://fraasefamily.blogspot.com/2009/02/thematic-photographic-busted.html
I wish I had pics of my old van, too.
Great theme. Here's how I incorporated it into an internet date I had!!:)
http://swile67.blogspot.com/2009/02/or-bust.html
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