Several weeks ago, I received an email from Sue, an art/photography teacher from Connecticut who was interested in photographing cotton fields. It seems that Sue had traveled through the south a few years ago after the cotton crop had been harvested for the season. She was intrigued by the bare fields with all the leftover white “fluff”. In her online research, she had discovered a blog post I had written years ago and contacted me to ask for suggestions in finding cotton fields, when the cotton would be best for photos, etc.
Sue made the trip to our area last weekend, and Motor Man and I (with some help from a friend) showed her “all things cotton”.
After my initial correspondence with Sue, our area experienced some nasty weather courtesy of Hurricane Matthew, and I worried that the cotton crop would be severely damaged. Although the winds and rain may have had some negative effect, we did manage to find some pretty cotton.
Sue was so excited to photograph her first cotton field
Cotton bolls are so interesting: look at that tiny star in the center.
It just so happens that a friend of ours and his family own two nearby cotton gins, and he graciously took time out of his very busy day to give us a mini tour.
He then had his dispatcher locate a farmer who was picking cotton that day and arrange for us to visit the field.
Soon after we arrived, the huge machine was heading toward us, and the driver offered us rides. Sue was a bit hesitant initially, so I went first. This picker actually forms the cotton module during the picking process. When the basket is full, the driver pulls over, and the module travels by conveyer from the picker onto the field.
Sue, heading to the picker for her ride.
You go, girl!
During our country road travels, Sue spotted this abandoned old house in the midst of a cotton field and asked Motor Man if we could stop for photos. But of course.
All too soon, Sue’s weekend in Virginia came to an end. But, before she left, she gifted Motor Man and me with one of her paintings: a pastel that was inspired by a trip to the Outer Banks. A beautiful (and perfect) gift.
Once again, because of this blog, we met someone we probably would never have otherwise met. I just love it when that happens.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 