omg i love this picture.
omg i’m crying :\
Crying.
Listen… It has many stories to tell by anómyk on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
Among the many myths and legends ingrained in our childhood memories, none ever seemed to inspire the level of intrigue and fascination as those ghastly tales of the haunted abandoned mansion or decrepit old building that plagued the imaginations of our youth. The stuff of legend indeed, yet as we have moved forward into the new century those myths and tales have increasingly become works of fiction as the creepy old mansions and homes to which these myths and legends were based have largely become a thing of the past.
During a long afternoon of rural exploration with Brian (vanishingsouthgeorgia.com), I had the opportunity to visit one of these increasingly rare behemoths that have become the archetype of countless childhood ghost stories and folklore. The Harville House has an actual history that captures the imagination just as much as the mysterious tales that have come to surround its existence. A historical marker has been erected recently on site that explains its early history. You can read it here.
I have been especially intrigued by some of the various personal accounts of the family that have been shared online by long time residents of the community. The “Harville Sisters”, the last living of Keebler Harville’s eleven children, last occupied the house during the 1960’s. The period during their residency may have provided the basis for some of the later mysterious rumors associated with the house, most likely due to the sibling’s supposed reputation as a couple of eccentric spinsters (neither were ever married) both with an equally odd demeanor. Nevertheless, the two sisters were evidently always held in high regard within the community. One memorable account offers some brief insight:
“Dr. Bohler would make house calls to the two sisters in the house. said it was neat as a pen and they would be dressed like made up china dolls without a wrinkle in bed spread!” (courtesy of joe, vanishingsouthgeorgia.com).
The last of the Harville family passed in the early ‘70’s, leaving the house abandoned. I was told that afterward it eventually gained favor among the college crowd and became well known as an ideal out-of-town party destination for a while (must have been great having such easy access to these places back then. I envy the Gen X’ers. They don’t realize how great they had it :)
So here we are 50 years since this place was last occupied. And as I observe the number of ‘no trespassing’ signs dotting the property while at the same time staring in awe at the dilapidated mansion standing on the hill, I feel much like I did when I was little; so enlightened yet so hesitant to approach any further over the fear of what will lie ahead. Only this time I’m not concerned with encountering a ghost, but more likely just a disgruntled property owner with an overzealous 2nd amendment fetish…
Despite my current paranoia of confronting armed landowners (justifiably so), I’ve read from several others that the owners were open to talking with visitors, and mentioned that they were hoping to begin restorations on the house soon (are in the process now). Looks like they will be at it a while. I’ll check back in another year or two.
Olympus OM2N
Zuiko 50mm f1.8 (aperture jammed, corrected for color & exposure)
Fujifilm Superia X-tra 400
Bulloch County, GA
Before: 5’4 268 pounds.
Current: 5’4 172 pounds.
Total loss: 96 pounds.
I haven’t been this size since at least my freshman year of high school if not earlier. I remember getting on a scale during my junior year of high school and the scale saying 235 pounds and I told myself that was normal even though it wasn’t. I kept getting bigger and I allowed myself to think that was okay and not see a problem with my weight. Looking back on it now, I’m mortified of the person I used to be and refuse to ever go back. These before and after’s are such a crucial part in my weight loss journey in that they remind me on a daily basis of who I was and who I used to be.I’m currently in the process of switching from low-carb to low-calorie. 1200 a day but still keeping a very close eye on my carb intake. I’m also in the process of training for my very first 5k, running at least 3-5 days a week.
Anyone that tells you that you can’t is lying, you can do it. Find the motivation in yourself or through someone else and make your first move.
NY under water.
The eye-catching swimming pool in Mumbai, India, has been built to raise awareness about the threat of sea level rises as a result of global warming.
It was constructed by attaching a giant aerial photograph of the New York City skyline to the floor of the pool.
