Breaking Rules

I spent some time this weekend at my home town - Mansfield, Mo. I had a few hours without the kids, so I took some time for a country drive to the cemetary where lies my Father, Grandfather and Grandmother. I don't always visit when you're supposed to - like Memorial day. There's something about commercializing my loved ones that just doesn't set well with me, and I'm not fond of those plastic flowers, either! I like to plant crocus and daffodils for them instead. And because its in the country, there are no rules that say I can't! I love that! Its really in the middle of nowhere and so very peaceful. The views are gorgeous and its quiet... Its not far from the house where my Dad was born, which is still standing today. The biggest changes from my childhood are that it has running water now and the outhouse is gone! I could write for hours with stories about weekends spent there. What I would give for more pictures from that time, and the older I get the more I'm drawn to that simpler way of life.

Now, this post isn't meant to be sad - no way! And the photo looks a little creepy, doesn't it? When I took it last year, the groundskeeper was there. His name is Freddie and he lived with his family just up the road from my Grandfather in our childhood days. He still returns to keep things nice and neat. I was using my Lensbaby to try for some interesting effects and he happened to be walking by. The old church hasn't been used in years. All the windows are broken and birds now inhabit the interior. But, I like this image for some reason. Many rules are broken here... sky is blown out, and the focus isn't good. Oh, well. Just like sometimes preferring not to visit on Memorial weekend, I enjoy breaking the rules with my camera now and then, too.