December 17, 2010

Snow & Shadows Fall on a Fine Winter Walk

Too early in the morning's grey cold comes shadows made for winter.
Light flows from the early east; a proof it's morning.
The trees watch as if it were nothing.
Ravens dream of home as they rest on a  familiar pole.
Shadows make ink on the new winter grey.
On the ground, plants curve up from their tiny past.
The black cat roams in constant directions; but maybe he's just following me.
The ice will not move where the waterfall froze; but gusts of wind blow clouds of snow sideways.
There will be time to think about the shadows the fence made later.
After all, it's time to go inside and enjoy the fire.
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writing and photographs by Fred Peace

June 28, 2010

Braxton Dixon and Maryanna McConnell Dixon Revive a Vermont Dairy Barn

Master Builder and Preservationist Braxton Dixon continues to use his architectural gifts to bring a 200 year-old Vermont dairy barn to Sumner County. His re-invention will be a post and beam private residence located on a tree-surrounded hillside next to a happy creek.
We spent a good time one morning recently with Mr. Dixon, (also the builder of Thistletop) his beautiful wife Maryanna, and Debby Church, trading stories over hot breakfast at Cracker Barrel and marvelling at how much information is attatched to each historical artifact from the Dixon collection. The only item not permanent to the house was an amazing wooden panel from a Mississippi Riverboat. It was on display hanging from the rafters...along with a pinch of dust from another time.
 (You may click on a photo to make it larger)
Braxton and Maryanna are a treasure. Their partnership shares a focus and reverence for the found pieces and their relevance to the new construct.
 Maryanna's gifted singing voice is resonant in the crisp Tennessee morning. Sometimes pausing to describe a point, one thinks she might just break into a song by Jerome Kern or Cole Porter. We wish she would.
photos by Fred Peace

Fred Pierson Visits Thistletop

Award winning Tennessee photographer and International Traveller Fred Pierson has visited all three-hundred plus parks of America as part of his personal quest. Check out  http://www.nps.gov/index.htm
After his recent visit to Thistletop, he shared a few of his favorites for us to feature on our Blog. His love of travel and appreciation of the Earth makes him, in our opinion, a great American Ambassador. Yep, that's him walking with the Lion Cubs! We can't wait for him to return. (click on the amazing photographs for full view, please) All of these photos are by Fred Pierson.Thanks, Fred!!!