Main Street in Okaloosa County (Lens-Artist #18- Standing Out)

Hello Readers, time to join in with the Lens-Artists. This week (here) we were invited to share thoughts and photos on blending in and/or standing out.

One of the first photos that came to my mind was this big fork I saw down in Florida earlier this year. I wonder if it is still there after Hurricane Michael went through their town (Okaloosa County).

It was just after dawn when we were driving through this town (on the way to the beach where they had emerald-colored water and white sand).

The Airstream food-truck also stood out.

The early morning shadows had a nice vibe.

I was thinking of Norm’s “Door Challenge” when I grabbed some of these early morning shots.

Red doors always stand out, and the splash of green in the door on the right (below) added complementary-color contrast. 

What also stood out to me was how the Iglesia de dios (God’s church) was juxtaposed with the Gun & Pawn- Guitars & Amps.

Then, as I was getting ready to leave, a man emerged from the Pawn shop.

I guess I stood out to him – even this early (barely 6 a.m.). He told us some tidbits about Main Street. 

He invited us in for a tour of his pawn shop. Darn! Had to pass. There are times when we must pick the adventure and I had to turn down an interview opp. Time was limited (“the tide would NOT wait”) – so I said, “No, thank you”

He sure was nice; he had southern hospitality, which is supposed to make the south stand out.

Okay, the last thing that grabbed my attention (I cannot say “stood out” again – whew) – so what “caught my attention” – was the fading train mural, which whispered of the town’s past. 

This Main Street area was a hub for the train station, which are days long gone.

 I took this photo last summer, and it was right after I had the chance to read – and then watch – some of Dickens’ classic works. I watched Little Dorrit (BBC 2008) and then explored some of the 1985 TV Mini-series of Dickens’ Pickwick Papers. It was boring and critics have argued (Giddings & Sheen, 2000) that the movie version does not deploy the wit and humor of this comic masterpiece; however, what did stand out from the Pickwick Papers was how Dickens used his writing to highlight and preserve horse transport (as railroads were taking over). Throughout Pickwick Papers we have Dickens highlighting beauty of the coach horse, carriage, and horse-drawn services, which Dickens knew needed to be preserved through story. We owe so much to good writers, don’t we?  

Let’s end this post with a Dickens quote. 

I chose this quote because it reminded me of why we stopped to take pictures on this very early summer morning. The giant fork was the main attraction, but it was also the emerging light as a new day was breaking. The sun coming up cast shadows from lamp posts and trees. In the above quote, Dickens wrote about the mood on a street – which was also enriched from light, but his light pertained to gas-lamps and a misty mesmerizing winter’s night mood in London. So in one way the quote is opposite (stands out against my quiet, dry morning), but there are some similarities in light being cast and a vibe all its own (so the quote blends or feel synced).  Do you agree?

Thanks for viewing!

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Care to join in with this challenge?  Check out the weekly hosts:

Week 1 –Patti of https://pilotfishblog.com/

Week 2 –Ann-Christine of https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/

Week 3 –Amy of https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/

Week 4 –Tina of https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/

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