Where Time Stands Still – a Photo Essay

Where Time Stands Still – a Photo Essay

Rural South Photo Essay

There is a farm, a small family farm, in the rural South where time seems to be standing still. Time moves on, of course, but here, like small farms everywhere, little changes. The sun still rises over the pasture across from the house just as it has for decades. It traces its arc over this little farm and sets each evening in the backyard, just as it always has.The mockingbirds practice their song repertoire, a dog barks in the distance and an occasional car passes by on the gravel road. As it was yesterday. As it will be tomorrow.

Rural South Photo Essay

Rural South Photo Essay

Farm implements and old vehicles from days past, scattered here and there, seem to have taken root and become part of the landscape.

Rural South Photo Essay

Rural South Photo Essay

John, a widower now, no longer able to plant the corn and soybeans as he had for years, leases most of his land to a cattleman.  But he is still “farming.” As he drives the aging pick up to the cafe at the four-way stop for breakfast he mentions how sleek the heifers look and “Oh, there’s another new calf.” He makes a mental note of a section of fence that needs mending and that the lawn needs mowing this afternoon. The talk at the cafe is as you would expect. “We sure could use some rain” and “I don’t think soybean prices have been this low in years.” The farm report is on the old TV hanging on the wall and the waitress, with pot in hand, asks “How would you like them eggs darlin’?” and “You ready for a refill?”

Rural South Photo Essay

Rural South Photo Essay

Time seems to move slowly here, that’s for sure. And for me, that’s a good thing.

Rural South Photo Essay

Ron Mayhew

Fine Art Photographer specializing in Still Life and Commercial Photography.

This Post Has 18 Comments

    1. Thank you Kat and thanks for visiting.

  1. A riveting post, Ron. Your words and photos paint a timeless tapestry.

    1. Thank you, Sylvia. I found myself writing to the photo instead of writing about them, which I really enjoyed.

  2. Lovely. Living in a city where people seem to be in a frenzy (they seemed to have gone beyond rush years ago), I feel tugged by places and lifestyles like these, where the pace is slow, where one can read between clockticks. Regards. P.S. just loved the clouds in that photograph!

    1. Yes, this lifestyle is quite a contrast to the way most of us live. It tugs at me too. Thank you.

  3. Thanks, Ron.

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