Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Wait and See

The first of the month means it's Theme Day for participating City Daily Photobloggers. This month's theme is Waiting.

I often drive past this bench on Arroyo Drive. It perches high above lower Arroyo Park with scenic views of hillside trees and open sky. Sometimes it is surrounded by high school kids skipping school. At noon it serves as an alfresco lunch seat. At dusk it often hosts a romantic couple or sunset-capturing photographer. Many times I've seen someone sitting on that bench alone, staring out towards the west with a familiar blank look that indicates a big decision -- or possibly even bigger regret. But a lot of the time the bench is just empty. Waiting.

You don't have to wait to check out other bloggers' interpretation of today's theme. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

(Be sure to head over to the sky is big in pasadena for Ben Wideman's exciting personal interpretation of this month's Theme Day.)

17 comments:

Julie said...

I like that concept of an inanimate object waiting for a human to come along who needs "healing" or comfort. A couple of bloggers have gone into this territory and it works well for the Theme Day.

Joan Elizabeth said...

It looks like a place where I would be happy to sit and wait for inspiration, hope or healing.

Kim said...

I like Julie's take on your post. . .sort of like the Giving Tree who waits for her boy to come around after a long time. Neat post Laurie, and very lovely shot.
-Kim

Judy Williams said...

I see this as a hopeful image. There is something about waiting. It tests our patience, our ability to anticipate. We are such a society of instant gratification. Whatever happened to waiting a week to get photos back? Remember driving in our car and going out to dinner without a phone to ring and interrupt? This photo makes us stop and think that if we would just pause and go sit on that bench and linger awhile, life won't pass us by. It will just slow down for a minute or two as we regroup and look at the beautiful view.

Tanya Breese said...

A beautiful place to sit and wait...Happy Theme Day :)

Jilly said...

OH yes I too love the idea of a bench waiting to give comfort, encouragement - and how could it not with a view like this. A lovely choice and so typical of your beautiful mind, Laurie.

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

what a beautiful place to contemplate life. great choice for theme day

Mister Earl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Halcyon said...

Beautiful photo and an excellent choice for the theme day!

Mister Earl said...

Waiting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8UahWI0GiM

If this link doesn't work search Susan Werner Time Between Trains on YouTube.

ben wideman said...

Great interpretation, Laurie! And thank you for the personal nod to my announcement!

Yakpate said...

This post and Judy's comment about today's fast-faced living make me realize that benches are relics from a recent past ... an era in which we weren't all connected electronically.

South Pas has a No Cussing Day... wouldn't it be nice if it also had a No PDA Day?

Petrea Burchard said...

Lovely photo and gorgeous colors. I love that you linked to Ben! He SO wins today.

Shanna said...

When I was out teaching a lot in the past, I would park my car in that very area and eat my hamburger, letting my mind wander and enjoying the view. That was long before we had this house with its own view in the same direction!

Alex said...

I confess to having enjoyed the view from that very bench on several occasions. Glad to see this spot featured on the blog:)

Laurie Allee said...

Hi everyone!

Welcome, Joan Elizabeth!

Thanks for all the lovely comments today, people. I hope you all had a chance to look at some of the wonderful contributions to Theme Day by other City Daily Photo members. There were so many touching entries -- though Ben Wideman's just wins them all, hands down, for the giant feel good factor.

Until tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

It was rather interesting for me to read that blog. Thanx for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to this matter. I would like to read more on that blog soon.
Alex
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