So... Here I am living in the midst of the US's largest collection of the "castles" of the 19th century commercial Robber Barons, so you automatically assume you're gonna see Newport's famed Bellevue Ave. "summer cottages". Well, you almost did, but... As I was signing up on the Theme Thursday blog Sunday, I got hit with a major brain-wave as a line from Joni Mitchell's song "Both Sides Now" lit up like Fourth of July fireworks: "... and ice cream castles in the air..." Some of you may know that I have another passion aside from birds and graveyards - I love taking pictures of big, fat cumulonimbus clouds piling up in the sky on a Summer day; I use my circular polarizer filter to give the clouds more definition, and I usually either shoot in black & white or convert to b&w (the preferred method) because it makes the clouds look more dramatic.
So today I'll show you some of my favorite castles. They may not be built of stone to last for millenia, but their very fleeting nature makes them all the more precious and beautiful. Oh yeah, and if you really feel the need to look at Newport's "castles", you can go here, here, here, and here. And don't forget to go check out the other Theme Thursday participants.
So today I'll show you some of my favorite castles. They may not be built of stone to last for millenia, but their very fleeting nature makes them all the more precious and beautiful. Oh yeah, and if you really feel the need to look at Newport's "castles", you can go here, here, here, and here. And don't forget to go check out the other Theme Thursday participants.
Of course, that means my first video offering is obvious - Joni Mitchell singing "Both Sides Now".
The other song that occurred to me almost immediately is Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower". I picked Jimi Hendrix's version because frankly, everybody, including Mr. Zimmerman himself, considers Jimi's version the definitive one. Enjoy!
Photos & text © 2009 by A. Roy Hilbinger
Gorgeous ice cream castles.
ReplyDeleteAmazing cloud photos! I like the third one best. I think it's the most dramatic of the bunch. lol.
ReplyDelete:D
excellent take on the theme.
ReplyDeleteI love that song! Wonder which of these castles Peter Pan lives on...
ReplyDeleteLOVE thos pics, and I always love hearing that song by Joni... Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteI really like the monochrome. It provides a perfect contrast for the ice cream castles against the sky and above the land and sea. Including the fence in the foreground of #2 was inspired. Long live Jimi and Joni!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the music and a wonderful take on the theme!
ReplyDeletegreat, great, great contribution to today's theme.
ReplyDeleteI had thought of those castles in the air (clouds) too, but don't have a good stash of shots in my archives, so didn't even go there other than in my imagination - so am so happy to see you pick up that path and illustrate it so wonderfully.
joni and jimi a wonderful musical pairing!! two of my faves, as you know
ahhh another favourite subject of mine...and one that is not easy to catch the beauty of...but you did it! Well done!
ReplyDeleteBows and flows of angel hair...
ReplyDeleteFabulous take on the theme, Roy. Stunning pics.
that last photo of those looming clouds is especailyl fantastic. Castles in the air indeed.
ReplyDeleteYou just can't go wrong with Joni Mitchell & Cloud Castles! Well done, Roy!
ReplyDeleteGreat take on TT, Roy. The cloud castles are even more ephemeral than sand castles, I think.
ReplyDeleteCan easily imagine Zeus lounging around up there, idly wondering where to toss the next bolt...
ReplyDeleteLovely and creative as always, Roy!
ReplyDeleteThe photographs are amazing. Your castles are in deed in the air.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised (a bit)that you didn't include the song: Castles in the Air... - a fabulous Don McLean song...
"And if she asks you why, you can tell her that I told you
That I'm tired of castles in the air
I've got a dream I want the world to share
And castle walls just lead me to despair"
Well done Roy!How original!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are beautiful Roy! Thank you for sharing with us :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Great post Roy. And the choice of Joni singing "Both Sides" was inspired. Can't get it out of my head now.
ReplyDeleteSorry Roy, late yet again. They're lovely ice cream castles and a nice take on the theme as well. Black and white certainly gives them drama! If it's any consolation just a pall of grey cloud covering ujs today. No puffies at all!
ReplyDeleteTwo of my favourite songs and some absolutely beautiful photos. Thank you! (Thanks also for the tip re getting better definition in the shots. All I need now is a new camera ...)
ReplyDeleteWonderful cloud photos! this is a great take on the theme
ReplyDeletebeautiful pics! and great take on the theme
ReplyDelete