A crisp fall morning, dew clinging heavily to soybean pods as sunlight works to burn away morning fog, these are the things that kindle the desire to be riding into a new day. The journey from bed to the road isn’t always easy; the desire to sink into bed just a bit deeper, a while longer is strong. Following my disposition I would probably never see a sunrise or experience the mysteries of dawn. This morning I had chores to do but was glad to be out on the road to be experiencing the world.
Writer Joyce Carol Oates has commented on the concealed benefits of chores:
As a farm girl, even when I was quite young, I had my ‘farm chores’ – but I had time also to be alone, to explore the fields, woods and creek side. And to read.
I have to agree — riding my Vespa to do chores and errands almost always provides those things.
A longer than normal walk with an insistent dog got me on the road later that I would have liked. The sun had already burned off the heavier fog that can completely shroud this area. It did not diminish the quiet though to be alone with my thoughts and explore the place where I live.
Autumn is screaming. Farmers are chopping corn and the leaves have already dropped from the ash trees next to my house. Before long there will be snowflakes in the air. Still, it’s worth stopping and looking around. I remember the first time I make a photograph of this particular field nearly twenty years ago and it still holds the same visual attraction. I’ve parked the Vespa here many times so I could walk around and wonder what I’m seeing.
Opportunities to explore and make photographs were hampered this morning by the influx of traffic into the valley for Penn State’s homecoming football game. I didn’t want to cope with the tens of thousands of vehicles that fill the roads and streets during the run up to the game so I put the camera away and turned towards State College, Pennsylvania to take care of a few errands.
Had to stop to make one last picture before heading into the gauntlet of football traffic and hopes of a loaf of Gemelli’s french country bread. No luck on that score then on to Wiscoy for Animals for a back of bird food and on home to relax. It’s dark now but the effects of the ride linger. Can’t wait for the morning and one more chance to move through the world…
Great photos and story. Spring coming here, yellow Canola fields everywhere, it’s great to be on the Vespa.
Cheers
Our canola blossoms are long gone but the image of those sweeping yellow fields are etched in my memory. Camelina as well. Have a fine time with your spring weather down under.
Ride safe!
The quiet surroundings portrayed in your photos are a real contrast to the visions of a homecoming football game. Glad you survived the melee…
I’m not sure if it was timing or just good luck but I found things far less chaotic this year than in the past. With 102K plus in the stadium and who knows how many more outside the town really does swell. But travel a few miles from town and you are in the bucolic world of central Pennsylvania. No Amish buggies that close anymore. You need to go an additional 5 miles for them.
That stadium is enormous. I can only imagine.
BTW, WordPress had my info tee’d up, not the previous poster’s, which is as it should be.
It is a big stadium. Inside, along the sidelines for a game, it’s quite overwhelming to have that many people screaming in your ear. I wear the same earplugs to the game on the rare occasion I have to photograph that I do when I ride — -38dB.
Well, as far as WordPress goes, I haven’t changed anything except apply all the updates that arrive. Maybe there was a bug that was fixed.