Category Archives: Photography

Americana, Photography, Tennessee

East Tennessee Day Trip

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While looking for a new subject for my podcast, I came across the Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum. I also noticed they were having a Cherokee Fall Festival. It would make the perfect East Tennessee day trip. So, we made our way from Knoxville, TN to Vonore, TN.

Greenback TN

The Greenback Drugstore and Diner in downtown Greenback, TN.
Greenback Diner

When I travel, I like to stop at local places to eat, so I searched for diners between Knoxville and Vonore and found the Greenback Drugstore and Diner in downtown Greenback, TN. It’s more diner than drugstore. But it’s a great little spot for a quick breakfast. Right across the street from the diner is the historic Greenback Depot, home to several small shops. None of which were open when we came through town.

The historic Greenback depot in downtown Greenback, TN.
Greenback Depot

Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum

At the Cherokee Fall Festival, we were surprised to find Civil War reenactors. I am famous for not reading descriptions all the way through. Apparently, the reenactment is because a troop of Cherokee joined the Confederates for several major battles. We did not stay for the reenactment, battle isn’t my thing. But I did get some cool shots of the actors and their camp.

Civil Ware reenactors are presenting the flags during the opening ceremony for the Cherokee Fall Festival.
Presenting the flags
Tents in the Civil War encampment.
Civil War Camp

The festival was held on the grounds of the Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum. Sequoyah created the first written language for the Cherokee Nation. He is also believed to be the first person to create a written language without ever knowing how to read or write another language. Listen to the episode to find out more about Sequoyah.

Maryville, TN

On the return, we spotted this abandoned grocery store. The signs on the outside were new. The soda machines out front seemed to be working. There were items inside, but it was early Saturday afternoon and the place was locked up tight. So, I am assuming it is closed for good. I had to stop and take pics.

Abandoned Super Market in Maryville, TN
Super Market

For lunch, we stopped at Jake’s Place on Highway 411 in Maryville, TN. Jake’s is a country cookin’ joint. We BBQ sandwiches. Hubby got fried okra on the side, made with fresh okra, not frozen. I had onion rings because it’s been years since I’ve had them. They were good, just enough breading without being overwhelming. The pulled pork was perfectly smoked without being overwhelming.

Jake's Place on Highway 411 in Maryville, TN.
Jake’s Place Menu

Sometimes it’s difficult to go on a real vacation. A quick day trip usually isn’t hard to find. Our travel time was about an hour each way. We ended up being out of the house for about 7 hours. I’d love to hear about your own day trip! Tell us about it in the comments or share the link to your blog!

Prints are available of the photos in this blog, just click on the pic.

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Photography

Window Photography

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More favorites in honor of my birthday month. Windows are a favorite for most photographers. They can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used to enhance your subject. But most of my window photography is all about the window itself.

Window Light

That soft glow that you can only get from window light. In all honesty, I think there is an additional light in the stairwell, but it still looks cool.

The light from windows in the stairwell of Matthias Church in Budapest, cast a glow on the stairwell.
Four windows are reflected in a pool of rain water inside an old, abandoned warehouse.

Window as a frame

No need to change a thing. It’s a built-in frame.

A young woman takes a selfie in the window of an upstairs loft in downtown Knoxville, TN.
Women make dumplings in London’s China Town. Her work station is setup right in front of the window, allowing passersby to see the art of dumpling making and trust that those will be amazing dumplings.

Window Reflections

Got a window? Then you’ve got a reflection.

While having coffee at Cafe Gerbeaud in Budapest, Hungary, I noticed this cool reflection with the window sign reflected and had to take a picture.
An old, historic building is reflected in new mirrored glass building in downtown Budapest.

Just Cool

Some windows are just kind of cool.

A deep window arch in a medieval castle affords a view of the surrounding countryside
They’re everywhere in Cuba, the large windows and doors with the beautiful, decorative arches at the top. The columns and the decorative iron covers just add a special something else.

To see more of my window photography, please visit my gallery.

Photography

Favorites

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It’s my birthday month! That means it’s all about me! So, I decided to share some of my favorite images and the memories associated with them. Enjoy!

Simple

Sometimes an image doesn’t have to be complicated to stand out or be pleasing to the eye. I love these images because they are so simple.

The fan shape of the Gingko leaves are a favorite of many photographers. These two were placed perfectly on the ground.
A single ground cherry with a thread hanging out at the top. I feel like if I pulled that thread it would all just fall apart.
I just love these boots.
I used this camera years ago in college. It cost $12 at that time. Took some technically terrible photos, but the light leaks made for great effects.
The shapes of these locks caught my eye. They work so well together.
Americana, Kentucky, Photography

Downtown Danville, Kentucky

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For a recent episode of my podcast, Tourist in your Town, I visited my hometown of Danville, Kentucky. Growing up, my time spent downtown was spent at the library or shopping. I paid very little attention to the historic aspects of my small town. So, I decided to be a tourist on my most recent visit.

Ephram McDowell Museum

The home of McDowell and the location of the first successful abdominal surgery. The surgery was performed on a woman named Jane Todd Crawford. Want to know more, listen to the story here.

Ephram McDowell House Museum

The Pioneer Playhouse

An outdoor summer stock theatre. Founded in 1950 by Eben Charles Henson, the theatre is an intense summer program for up and coming actors. The Playhouse puts on 4-5 plays every summer. To hear more, listen here.

One side “Main” Street at the Pioneer Playhouse
The other side “Main” Street at the Playhouse.

Constitution Square Historic Site

The site is considered the birthplace of Kentucky’s statehood. In 1785, Danville was the first seat of government. The square has the meeting house and several other buildings, mostly reproductions.

Prints are available. Visit my gallery for details!

Americana, Kentucky, Photography

Artist Collaboration

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I recently traveled to my hometown of Danville, Kentucky. While there, I wanted to get some photos of the places that were important to me when growing up. One of the most important places was the public library. I spent many days after school at this magical place. So, while in Danville, I swung by and took a quick photo.

This is now a small part of the library. But it was the whole library when I was growing up. It did have a lower floor, so it’s bigger on the inside (some of you will get that). When I got home, I uploaded the pic to my Pixels account where I sell prints. Not long after uploading, I received an email from a man wanting to use it as the basis for a charcoal, pen & ink drawing. Of course, I said yes! Because I love nothing more than artist collaborations! So, without further ado, here are the 2 images. Both are available as prints. If you click on the pic, it will take you directly to the page for purchase.

Photograph by Sharon Popek

Drawing by Jonathan Broyles

Americana, Photography, Tennessee

Evelyn Hazen: A Story of Sex, Lies, and Love Letters

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Evelyn Goes to College

Evelyn Hazen entered college at the young age of 14. She was a young, naive girl, raised by a very proper victorian woman. She falls in love with a man named Ralph Scharringhaus.

Sex

For over 15 years, the two have a relationship. They start having sex early on. She agrees with the promise of marriage. There are several love letters where he talks about when they will get married. But he continually delays marriage with excuses and lies.

The Lawsuit

When Ralph breaks it off with Evelyn, she feels lost and afraid. She is in her early 30s and her reputation is in tatters. So, she files a lawsuit against Ralph for breach of promise of marriage and seduction. Image what it was like for her in the 1930s, to have the whole world know that she had sexual relations outside of marriage. She was embarrassed and devastated. But stood up for herself and did what she had to do. Want to know more? Listen to the podcast on touristinyourtownpodcast.com

Prints of the above images are available, just click on the pics!

Americana, Photography, Purchase Fine Art

Photography from Cincinnati Ohio

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Downtown Cincinnati

I recently traveled to downtown Cincinnati Ohio for an episode of Tourist in your Town, my travel podcast. While there, I managed to capture a few photos. Prints are available, just click on the image and it will take you straight to the page!

Ezzard Charles

Ezzard Charles, also known as the Cincinnati Cobra, was an American boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion. Some say he is the greatest boxer of all time. I don’t know a thing about boxing, so I’m not the one to ask. I do know that this mural is a great tribute to a local hero.

Ezzard Charles Mural
Ezzard Charles Mural

The Skystar Ferris Wheel

This ferris wheel is located right on the banks of the Ohio River. This view is from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. You can see Northern Kentucky just across the river.

Skystar Ferris Wheel
Skystar Ferris Wheel

Empty Warehouse

This image was taken as we walked through the warehouse to enter the underground tunnels on our walking tour.

Inside a local warehouse
Inside a local warehouse

If you want to know more about my visit, be sure to listen to the podcast. You can find it anywhere you listen to podcasts. You can also visit the website, Tourist in your Town.

If you are looking for travel photography, be sure to visit my gallery.

North Carolina, Photography

Travel Photos from Asheville North Carolina

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I recently visited Asheville for my travel podcast, Tourist in your Town. I did several walking tours, ate some great food, and drank some excellent beer while there. Oh and I took some photos. I enjoyed my visit and will definitely return to this town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

At Dusk

The Orange Peel at Sunset in downtown Asheville
The Orange Peel, in downtown Asheville, NC
Wicked Weed in downtown Asheville at dusk
Wicked Weed Brewery in Asheville, NC

After Dark

Downtown Asheville after dark, featuring Double D's double decker bus.
Double D’s double decker bus after dark.
Orange Peel Marquee is lit up after dark
The Orange Peel marquee at night
Church entry at night
It’s after dark and the church’s entry is lit up in this image from downtown Asheville, NC
Photography

Asheville, NC The Block

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On my recent trip to Asheville, NC, I took a walking tour with a company called Hood Huggers International. The tour features the history of African-Americans in Asheville, as well as a look to the future of the community. The tours founder, Dewayne Burton, took me to an area called “The Block”. The block is an area of downtown Asheville that was once a thriving African-American Community. Burton is very involved with his community and is working hard to improve the lives of African=Americans, not just in Asheville but in the United States. He has created a new “green” book that features black owned businesses in Asheville and is hoping to expand the book. If you want to know more about my tour, you can listen to the Podcast here.

  • The Block is a small club on the corner.
  • Triangle Park Mural
  • Triangle Park Mural
  • YMI Marker
Photography

Midlife Angst: Trying Again

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So, here I am starting something new. I’m almost 48 and feel a little too old to be starting over with something I know nothing about. I have decided to start a travel podcast. It’s called Tourist in Your Town. Head over to the website and check it out.

I know nothing about audio recording or editing. But I guess I’ll learn. I thought this might be a good thing for me to try. I love to travel and I love to talk about it. So, it seems a logical step for me.

I have 2 episodes out now and am having a great time with it! Give it a listen!

Rail yard in the Old City