Lens-Artists Challenge #94 – At Home
CAMDEN’S WORLD
“Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.”
Sarah Ban Breathnach
Amy’s “At Home” challenge made me really think hard for an appropriate response. The idea, of course, is since so many of us remain on lockdown we are spending a great deal of time in our homes. Here on Kiawah, thankfully, we continue to have access to the beach, running/bicycle paths and golf courses – while observing social distancing rules of course. In the spirit of the challenge however, I’ve included several images of the views I see from inside my home. My opening image features our next-door neighbor’s dog, Camden, lazing happily beside the lagoon we share. I shot it through my kitchen window earlier in the week.
DESPERATE TIMES, DESPERATE MEASURES
“Home is a shelter from storms – all sorts of storms.”
William J. Bennett
The golfers in the capture above braved a major rainstorm earlier this week on the green behind our home. Like most of us these days, they’re using individual push carts to maintain distance. Shot from the same kitchen window (also featured in this week’s header), it highlights the lengths to which some will go to enjoy the game, despite the teeming rain. These days the storm that keeps most of us inside our homes is COVID-19 . I recently read an essay called “We are all in the same boat” which went on to say that in fact we are not in the same boat. Some of us work from home while others are unemployed. Some of us have groceries delivered while others stand in line at food banks or soup kitchens. Some of us are sheltered inside warm, loving homes while others are homeless and alone. It’s important to remind ourselves of those less fortunate when we begin to feel put upon by current restrictions, and to lend a hand or donate whenever possible.
OUR PEACEFUL VIEW
“Home is where you can say anything you please, because nobody pays any attention to you anyway.”
Joe Moore
Mr. Moore’s quote above injects a bit of humor into today’s situation. They say the pandemic may cause an increase in two things: new babies and divorces – perhaps in jest, perhaps not. Happily my husband and I are too old for the former and have no interest in or need for the latter 🙂. Many, like us, are learning to share new responsibilities around the home and expanding our repertoires around the kitchen. When we’re lucky, we get to sit and sip an evening libation in our backyard, shown above, or on our back porch as the evening sun sets. And yes, if you’re wondering, we’ve watched many a golf ball go awry to be lost forever in the lagoon beyond.
IN A FOG
“Home isn’t where you’re from, it’s where you find light when all grows dark.”
Pierce Brown
My final image this week isn’t actually in my back yard, and isn’t visible from my window. In fact I have to walk to the end of my street (which takes about 2 minutes 🙂) to see it. So it’s “at home” only if one thinks in broader terms of my neighborhood. I thought it was appropriate because many of us probably feel like we ARE in a fog. Also, it brings to mind the old adage about not seeing the forest for the trees. Yes, the virus is frightening, and yes, it is keeping us away from many of the people we love. It has forced us to think more carefully about stocking our pantries and keeping our homes germ free. But it has also given our beleaguered earth time to heal and given each of us time to reassess our priorities. It has pushed us to be more creative and taught us to treasure and use our time and our freedoms more carefully. Hopefully we will emerge all the better for having lived through trying times.
As always, thanks to Amy for her creative challenge and to our followers for your continued support. We look forward to sharing a peek inside your homes and your lives as we make our way together through the crisis that surrounds us. Be sure to link your response to Amy’s original post here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.
Be well, stay safe and stay at home! We hope you’ll join us right here next week for challenge #95.
Travels and Trifles 
Great! I really love your pictures!
As the others have said, this is such a thoughtful post. Your photography and words flow so well together, and that last dreary image from a place elsewhere captures what the world is going through right now: confusion, uncertainty and a lot of fear. Agree with you that it’s not the same for everybody and not all of us are going through the same things right now. Some of us will have it easier, some will have it harder. The least we can all do right now is be kind to each other. Hope you are doing alright over there and take care, Tina.
Hi Mabel, thanks for stopping by. Yes as always it’s an unfair world in which we are blessed to be on the better side. Kindness at a minimum indeed
What a lovely post Tina, photos, text and quotes. What a beautiful and calming view you have and I love the reflections in the water in Camden’s World. Warmest wishes as always.
Thanks so much Andrew. Perhaps one of these days you’ll come see for yourself 😊
Wouldn’t that be lovely 😊
Tina, what a fantastic area you live in … do you play golf???? That last image … very beautiful … and enchanting.
Thanks Vivi. Yes, I do love golf and play often. Very grateful that the courses are open. It’s a fun way to socialize (socially distant of course) and get some fresh air and exercise
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I really like, “In A Fog”