Driving down a rural road a few weeks ago, I came across two young Mennonite girls, barefooted, picking wildflowers in a meadow. Wearing bonnets and print dresses, their arms full of bright flowers, they made a lovely picture in the late afternoon sun.
Sometimes you cannot stop a take a picture as it is intrusive and destroys the innocence of the moment. Many Old Order Mennonites do not appreciate having their pictures taken and a stranger approaching young children to ask for a picture could be taken in the wrong way.
But the picture remains in my mind, a vision of childhood summers, a simple way of life and the beauty of a meadow.
I have no qualms about taking pictures of the wildflowers themselves. These pretty blooms grow in marginal soil, and flower if it is wet or dry or cold or hot.
Bloom where you are planted!
When we travel here through Amish country, there are such picturesque scenes, but I refrain from photographing them, and like you, keep them in my mind.
ReplyDeleteTou have captured such beauty with these wildflowers.Too bad you were not able to capture the children as well,but I do understand the problem.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Respecting their privacy is something I can well understand. You would have spoiled the moment for them, surely. And I'm glad you chose not to. As you say, you have that picture in your memory - and have graciously shared it with us, for I can visualize little girls in their summer dresses, laughing in the sunshine, and picking wildflowers. Much as I would have done as a girl (except I would not have been in a dress, but a pair of shorts and T-shirt).
ReplyDeleteLove your yellow flowers. I think yellow is my favourite colour in the garden. So cheerful and happy!
I think there is as much beauty in the fact that you respected their privacy as their innocent joy. I love these flowers, especially the first one, do you know what kind it is?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love yellow summer flowers.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are beautiful. And the image you paint with words of the young girls forms a picture of innocence in my mind.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures, even the one we can't see.
ReplyDeleteI could just close my eyes and imagine what a sweet sight that must have been Ruth. :c) Love the wildflowers... and blooming weeds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers, and I have a lovely vision of the little girls. My husband attended a convention in Lancaster, PA and I rented a car and drove through the surrounding Amish country. Like you, I took no photographs, but I have wonderful memories of the children, especially the ones lined up on the schoolhouse porch having lunch.
ReplyDeleteBright and beautiful post...
ReplyDeleteI can remember days my brother and I spent in the meadows...running and playing chase. It is sad that you could not take a photograph, a sign of the times I think......
Dandelion is lovely...they always look so fresh.....
Your description of the girls was photo enough, and the blooms...well, they're just plain showing off!! Lovely shots!
ReplyDelete"Bloom were you are planted" - good words for me!
ReplyDeleteRuth,
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the Old Order Mennonites and you painted a lovely picture of the girls picking the wildflowers. I could see it in my mind. Beautiful.
Had some catching up to do. The fishing photos below are fantastic. I bet the Blue Herons got more than the humans.
Loved the pictures of the Baltimore oriole and the pileated woodpecker. They both beautiful birds and some of my favorites.
Enjoy our hot temperatures today. I can't believe it's been sunny for three days running.
Blessings,
Mary
What a beautiful arrangement of sunshine yellow. We are so fortunate to live in an area with Amish/OOM. When we travel to and from the farm we often take the off beaten roads just to travel through their country. There are so many wonderul picture opportunities with their way of life...but I too respect their wishes with no picture taking.
ReplyDeleteNice flower photos Ruth.I"m in the spirit of summer as much as I can be right now-enjoying gardening and fixing up the yard. My wife and I can enjoy sittting out on cool summer evenings.-I'll bet that I would prefer the temperatures in your area as opposed to our area.
ReplyDeletemy girls were always guilty of picking flowers.
ReplyDeleteSome times I take the back of people if I think I am intruding into their privacy, or I think I might be asked for my memory card.
Just Lovely..the story and the captures of the wildflowers!
ReplyDelete