Old Lines

Day 25: I have watched these electric poles following the Ashford Junction tracks for many years. I love the rhythm of the lines going from pole to pole, but with one snap of a weathered line, chaos ensues. With a “zing” it would free itself in a wild dance that would create a domino effect, magnifying down the line and eventually cumulating in a tangled mass.
I can remember my first Christmas being married. I stopped by the homestead on a cold, snowy night to see the Christmas tree my mother-in-law had decorated. It was beautiful with homemade ornaments that she had made all year long. As I studied the ornaments I noticed tiny candles clipped to some of the sturdier branches. She noticed me looking at them and began telling me about how when she was a young girl, the tree was kept in the parlor and the doors were closed to keep it cold. On Christmas Eve the 10 children would sit around the tree and their parents would carefully light the candles, one by one. With increasing light the tree would flicker and the candlelight danced around the room, bouncing off the ornaments. After 5 to 10 minutes the candles would be extinguished.
My Mother-in-law then did the most memorable thing for me. She turned the lights out and lit the 12 candles on the tree. The flames threw shadows that danced around the room and reflected on the colorful glass ornaments. It’s simplicity was beautiful. I will always remember that history lesson and the chance she gave me to step back in time, if only for 5 minutes.
“Old Lines” watercolor 5”x3” (SOLD)

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