Earl Moore
Marshland Spring

We purchased our current home in 2006 knowing there would be many changes needed to make it seem like ours, to fit our taste, but the “bones” of the house were good and the layout was greatly to our liking. Five years later, with large or small revisions to every other room, it’s my office’s turn next week. The project begins with painting and wainscoting and will end with more contemporary furniture.

I’m using this as an opportunity to clean out and throw away things not used for years. My office had become a “marshland” in its own right for old computer parts and miscellaneous junk — kind of a computer/photographic nerd man cave. Even now there’s a little voice in the back of my head telling me I’m going to need those “widgets” or thing-a-ma-bobs” any day now.

I’ll be glad when it’s finished and I can settle back in.

This above image was made in a marshy area above a small pond in one of the local parks I visit and it shows all the signs of spring growth both directly and via interesting reflections. Have a good weekend.

TGIF – Have a safe weekend!

26 Comments

  1. Earl, sitting in my own “computer/photographic nerd man cave”, I only know too well what you are talking about :) More often than not I am consoling myself that the creative output is still there, photography and computer wise. Of course one can argue about the output/mess ratio…

    Your “Marshland Spring” is marvellous – the opposition of those clean linear structures against the “mess” on the surface is excellent, and the tight framing helps to concentrate on that iuxtaposition.

    • Markus, you know that’s something I’m curious about. Will there be any additional or different feelings of creativity or changes in thought patterns with the new surroundings…I’ll have to wait and see.

      Oh, the mess was definitely starting to over-shadow the output part in my case.

      I’m going to work very hard at keeping the new cave from becoming like the old cave over time. :-)

      Thanks!

  2. fantastic image, nice composition. it’s amazing how quickly things get cluttered up. I throw away stuff every chance I get if I don’t feel the need for it anymore.

    • Thanks. Clutter certainly creeps up on me and it’s going to take an effort on my part to prevent it from happening again. Throwing stuff away…a weak point for me. Like I had a drawer full of different USB cables…It’s nice to have an extra when you need one but how many of do you really need? LOL :-)

  3. “… kind of a computer/photographic nerd man cave.” LOL Felt like you were talking about me. I will be moving into my own apartment in 2-3 weeks, the first time in 4 years since I’ve lived alone. One of the first things I will do is setup a man cave that includes a small sanctuary for quiet time and a desk to work on my photography. Are you doing before and after images?

    • Monte, congratulations on getting your own place. I know you’ll be glad to get moved in and busy making it your own. I think the human creature within us needs a nest…even if it’s a man cave.

      Heck, I didn’t think about a before photo and it’s too late now…the man cave’s almost empty. But it’s just as well — even I have a shame factor and the “before” cave had certainly breached those boundaries. :-)

      I’ll certainly do an after photo.

  4. Isn’t that always the way of things … I can’t throw this thing away that I’ve not used in 6 years because I’m sure that, tomorrow, I will need it. :D Well, having visited your renovated home before and seeing the fantastic job that you have done with it, I expect that this next project will be no less of a success. I can’t wait to see it. I’m glad that you finally got around to your side of the house. Enjoy it, Earl!

  5. Earl, don’t forget the words that sink the budget of all home improvement projects — “while we are at it”

  6. Oooh I really like this intimate landscape. Beautiful reflections and light! I hope the rennovations go well. A man NEEDS a proper man cave!

  7. Here is that perfect opportunity to get rid of those floppy disks you’ve been hanging onto (even though you haven’t had a floppy drive in 10 years). Good luck with your home improvement project.

  8. Awww man. I’m eagerly awaiting the day I can clutter up my own cave again. I sorely miss having my own space. Best of luck with yours Earl.

    • Thanks, PJ. I can understand how you must miss your own space…hopefully soon you’ll have it again.

  9. Yeah, I wish I had a man cave. Now, there’s only the garage that I can use completely to my own disposal. The car stands outside, there’s no room for it. Computer and camera gear is kept in the house, I wouldn’t dare keep it with my other junk, oh pardon, equipment and tools. :-)

    I love the image, the lit-through plants really jumps out from water surface like two scissor-hands. Very architectural, very beautiful.

    • Ove, I’ve gotta have at least a small man cave I can call my own. I do enjoy escaping to it at times and loosing myself among endless pursuits that usually result in nothing. Thanks!

  10. I am quite interested in the discussion of the man-cave, but overwhelmed by the stunning photograph. What a terrific job.

    Now about caves: Women need them too, you know. And, no, a bath room spa doesn’t do it for some of us. My husband and I share an office, I get a studio in the house, while my husband has his barn, tack room, and the garage. There is one little rub: all those phones he isn’t ready to give up on and old computer parts end up in my studio. By the way, who says it’s safe to give up those floppy disks? Unfortunately, my spouse and I are well matched in our inability to promptly ditch things we no longer need. It makes for a mess.

    Since we didn’t get to see “before” pictures, I hope we will be treated to photos of your cave “after”. I predict a wave of jealousy here and perhaps new resolutions to get some of our rooms in better working order.

    • Anita, while the need is similar I can’t see women ever fondly calling their space caves. In any case, I’ll certainly be putting less back into that room than I took out. Five trash bags have be filled thus far plus a trip to Goodwill and additional culling will take place when I start to carry things back into the space.

      I’ll share a photo when the furniture I ordered arrives…perhaps the end of this month. Thanks!

  11. Ha! Sounds a lot like my own cave. So much stuff packed in that I am not sure what to do with. Gizmos I can’t believe I wasted my money on and rarely used. But we must have had the same calling of late, as I gutted a lot of it this past weekend. I am still going through things, but the clutter really gets to me at times. One of the big issues I have is with photography magazines, never really sure whether to throw them out or not. I always think I will go back and look something up, but in reality I rarely do. I suppose I just have to let it all go. Good luck Earl.

    • Mark, I always enjoy it after I clean and organize but I hate the process…I won’t even talk about the number of unused gizmos I uncovered which have only seen a couple of uses. Some I got rid of by I admit there are still some I’m storing for the rainy day. ;-)

  12. What a compelling image – I particularly love the beautiful reflections and warm lighting. I hope the de-cluttering won’t be too stressful and you will soon be able to enjoy your new office! Have a wonderful weekend Earl.

    • Martina, they say an organized life is a less stressful life but they don’t take into account the process of getter there! I’m already enjoying what has been completed and I can’t wait for rest of it. Thanks, and a wonderful weekend to you as well.