Sunday, February 1, 2009

Pathfinder

The first day of the month means it's Theme Day for participating City Daily Photo bloggers. This month's theme is Paths and Passages. I find this a particularly intriguing subject, and not just because of the meaning of my last name.

This theme gives me an opportunity to post another night shot from the sidewalk at Garfield Park. During the day this sidewalk welcomes tricycles, scooters, strollers, skateboards and many first steps from toddlers. At night, it beckons lovers, dreamers, curfew-breakers, a few scavenging skunks and raccoons, and at least one photographer who likes to prowl around in the dark. (This theme also gives me an excuse to obnoxiously wax philosophical, a pastime I find almost as much fun as taking nighttime pictures...)

This sidewalk is a great example of how a single path, even when it seems straightforward, can curve toward the unexpected. But don't most paths reveal surprises if we bother to pay attention? Sure, there are those paths that deep thinkers use to seek enlightenment -- the Eightfold Path, the Simple Path, the path of righteousness, the path of reason-- but what about all the other ones? Like the everyday sidewalks and alleyways that host the majority of our steps.

A pathway can call us out to explore adventure or help us find our way home. It is a great symbol of the present moment because a path is not the origin or the destination; it's not the past and it's not the future. Nope. A path is simply the bridge from this way to that way. And everybody knows a view from a bridge is usually spectacular.

I tend to seek paths that are less traveled, but I gladly admit how comforting it is to walk a beaten track in a place I know well. And in a place that knows me. So here's one of the familiar paths, lit by streetlamps after a rain, pointing toward possibility. Like Matsuo Basho said, "Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home."

Take a few moments to explore the paths and passages of all participating City Daily Photo Theme Day bloggers.

16 comments:

Keith said...

Words and photo are beautiful as always. I especially like the light in this one. Wax away!

Anonymous said...

It is a kind of super highway for people on shoes or feet. Nice shot at night.

I wrote in my Memories blog about the roads of my youth and how they were to travel in the winter time.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Theme days belie our personality. Narrative and image steeped in Noir for me. Your husband has my birthday. That is eerie.

Jilly said...

A lovely night shot and love your waxing lyrical! The road less travelled - that's the one.

Tanya Breese said...

Beautiful Laurie and I really enjoyed your posting. Happy Theme Day :)

Virginia said...

And for most parents, The Path of Least Resistance!
Great entry today. I knew it would be dark!HA
V

San Diego Farmgirl said...

Love the shiny road, maybe the combination of dew and the street light. Reminds me of the Wizard of Oz, like if I started down this path everything would spring into Technicolor.

Petrea Burchard said...

Nice reflections...

Unknown said...
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Yakpate said...

Beautiful post, Laurie. I think all seekers prefer the path. It is the process of change that is most thrilling... so when seekers reach a destination, and turn and reflect on their starting point... they usually set out again. There is no substitute for adventure!

penny said...

I love way light and shadows seem to dance in your black and white photo;) Beautifully done;)

Mister Earl said...

As Yogi Berra said, "When you get to the fork in the road, take it." It all sounds very path-o-logical to me.

(Actually, Yogi explained that he lived at the end of a street in which there was an island that divided the road into two roads at some point. So, if you were going to Yogi's house, it didn't matter which of the two branches of the road you took. Hence, he gave the above direction to a friend.)

Laurie Allee said...

THank you so much, everybody. I appreciate the kind words.

I have really enjoyed the images presented by other City Daily photobloggers today. Babooshka, you're right -- these theme days reveal much about each photographer!

Until tomorrow...

USelaine said...

I like how you kept the real secret for the end, ironically enough, "the journey itself is home."

Anonymous said...

i love this theme! i'll have to go look for some paths to photograph!
i love this park but i've never been there in the evening. it's so beautiful and mystical! thanks for sharing!

Tash said...

Splendid, just splendid!