On a recent trip to Florida, I rented a car and headed out from the tourist mecca of Orlando to search for another side of Florida...the one of my youth. I was afraid it existed only my memories. Having been raised within spitting distance of the Chicago city limits, summer excursions to my uncles peanut, cotton and sugar cane farm in the Florida panhandle seemed like trips to another planet. The experience was that foreign and exotic. I drove north from Orlando heading towards Gainesville and the home of Pulitzer prize winner Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of "The Yearling" and my favorite, "Cross Creek", which is named after the tiny community where she made her home. Marjorie was a fabulous cook, using only the freshest of ingredients from her garden and whatever she could barter from the neighbors. It is said that she cared not what people thought of her writing, but was livid if they didn't appreciate her hospitality and her food! What I found in Cross Creek, was a Florida long past. A quiet place with sandy soil, and sour orange trees blooming in the yard. And Majorie's wonderful kitchen with fresh eggs, and her cookbook standing on the table.
3 comments:
The room was quite dark, lit only by the light from the uncovered window. This was cropped from a much larger shot, and was thus a little grainy. I decided to play on that and ran the final cropped version through a Photoshop filter called diffuse glow. It's a tool that creates a soft sometimes ethereal feel. I especially loved the dish towel lying in front of the bowls. Thanks for the comments. Regards, Suzanne
Beautiful. I like the softness of light and tones, it gives the scene a timeless feel. I enjoy your writing too.
Thank you for the Cross Creek reminder. I rode down there a couple years ago but arrived too late to visit her home. Did you happen to eat at The Yearling? I wonder if it's any good... I'll have to try it for myself. :)
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