A local milk producer is about a half a mile from my house. I see their trucks early in the morning, all during the day, and in the late afternoon leaving the facility.
I remember the days when milk and creme were delivered in bottles and left in a insulated silver box near the back door. The milkman arrived in early morning except for my friend, Jim, who became a milkman during the summer of his senior year in high school. He talked to so many of his customers along the way that by the time he got to our driveway it was 7:30 at night.
We’d ask him to dinner and he’d accept saying “Just a little something, OK? I’ve got a few more stops before I finish my route.”
I gave his eulogy in 2005 and told the mourners in the church that I thought we all might try to finish his route for him as I felt sure, despite the occasion, that he never ever truly made it to the final stop.
©Pat Coakley 2009
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Great story and eulogy. Those were the days — when we knew the milkman, and invited him in!
Maybe that’s the dawning light of a friendlier time shining through the clouds at the top of your picture…
beautiful dark skies with the light peaking through, without the memories of those we loved, what would we do?
Very dramatic Pat. It’s been a while since I’ve been on here. I’m excited about perusing through what you’ve posted recently…
What a beautiful story, Pat. I love that he was so connected to his customers that he couldn’t make it all the way through his route in the mornings. And the sky in that picture is amazing.
I’ve given you an award. It’s waiting for you here.
Again it’s the contrast between the grey areas and the bright area with the yellow light that make this a powerful shot. When I first saw the image I imediately thought of the end of days.
What a beautiful story that eloquently matches the feel of this photo. Is it the end of the day or the beginning? Never really matters.
Pat,
I’ve been away for a while, and I come back to this?!
You move me, girlfriend . . .
In reverse order:
Tysdaddy, Yeah, go away for awhile…come back…and it’s still the “end of days” here!
Conni, You’re back!!! Yea! I’ve been thinking alot about crisis is opportunity, so the end is the beginning sounds right and this case, wow does it matter. But, in all other instances of this image, you are right…it doesn’t matter.
Razz, Ever since I started taking multiple exposures of images I’ve been able to improve the contrast. Am I wrong or did film had a broader range in one exposure (if of course you got it right) than digital? I wouldn’t want my end of days to be low contrast, now, would I!?
Stacie, How nice! An award! I’ll go to your site today to see. Unfortunately, this template I use doesn’t allow for me to post anything other than the photo of the day…no widgets, gidgets or anything. But, I appreciate the gesture!
Hi, Chris, take your time, I’ve been a busy girl!
Tipota, I’ve just been thinking about how much space would be in my memory without those memories….WoW!
Don, I think you are genetically an optimist, right? I need your spirit to surround my house, OK? Obama can’t do it all, now, can he?
I’ve just looked at the last 4 photos (including this one). I think your photography is getting better and better though I didn’t think it could. Very nice stuff.
Your thoughts are quite keen as well…
Thanks, S.Le! Fear and anxiety has motivated me to go out every day for months to try and master something, if only the landscape of my town.
Reminds me of a conversation I recently had with some of my Danish friends. Apparently northern Europeans are the only geographic group with a natural affinity for milk. I mean, they CRAVE it. I’ve seen them chug a glass of milk faster than you can blink.