A City of Relics

The Daily Post at WordPress weekly photo challenge is to find your relic. The first thing that comes to mind is the fabulous and dying (but resurrecting) Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas.

However, I have posted about it many times, mainly because, I am fascinated and (mostly) terrified of it.

So that left my other fascinating relic, which is pretty much the entire city of San Francisco. And yes, I have posted about it many times too, and that is because I have SO MANY PHOTOGRAPHS in my vault that have never seen the light of day (until now).

Some of these relics are very old, and some are not so old, and some are just icons that may become relics.

© Angelia's Photography 2013
This is the creepy relic of a prison called Alcatraz. Softened by the gentle drift of a sailboat on the bay.


This is the absolutely stunning SS Jeremiah O’Brien. One of two remaining Liberty ships from the World War II era. It is distinguished as being the last unaltered Liberty ship that makes it historically accurate. The beauty moors at Pier 45 in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf.


These are the Historic streetcars, trolleys, and trams of San Francisco. They call them the museums of motion and that is so true. It is a flashback in time to ride, not to mention a genius way of moving around San Francisco, while saving your legs from the enormous amount of walking. This form of transport is classic and you will feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of the memories of these cool cars.

© Angelia's Photography 2013
Lotta’s Fountain is a donation to the city by the entertainer Lotta Crabtree in 1875. The most famous thing about this relic is that it is known to be the meeting place of the survivors of the 1906 fire/earthquake every year at 5:12 on April 18th. It is said the reason they meet is because many people, after the big quake, said “Let’s meet at Lotta’s Fountain”. It was the one place still standing that everyone knew the location of.

© Angelia's Photography 2013
Chinatown. Just look at the photo and you can see the relic signs in the background. The rich culture of an area with the elaborate displays of a heritage on every corner.

© Angelia's Photography 2013
This is the sign of a once vibrant sea port, and now famous for a vibrant tourism. It signifies a maritime history that only lives at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf.

I hope you can agree with me that San Francisco is a city loaded with history and relics.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Worn

This might surprise you, but I’m not a big fan of vintage photographs.

Despite every intention of my mother, I did not share her love of antiques either. I don’t know why, but I love modern. I love new. I love innovation.

Maybe, I just love the future and the possibilities; new ideas, inventions, and progress.

Because of those reasons, this is why I chose these photos for the weekly challenge. It was a challenge for me to re-create an old setting to capture a few photos that look (and feel) worn even though they were taken in 2011.

These photos make me appreciate the fineness of age, and the timelessness of our past.

These were shot on an 1800’s farm in Texas.

Vintage Shoot

Vintage Shoot

Vintage Shoot

The Shadow in Me


Sometimes, we catch a glimpse.

Of beauty.

Of life.

Our gazes wander and search.

For our fascinations.

For our dreams.

Maybe today, we catch our shadow.

Of who we are.

Of who we might be.

Our regal colors of intensity.

For our quest.

For our inspiration.

Maybe, we get lost.

We lose our way.

We lose our sight.

Our plans of peace, a shadow in our hearts.

Of what we want.

Of what we deserve.

But sometimes, our shadows emerge.

Our glimpses become clear.

Our hearts rejoice in the pureness of another day.

In all our glory.

In all our differences.

In every detail.

In every moment.

This poem is dedicated to my friend, and my mother-in-law, Sue Kelcey who has emerged from a brain aneurysm and stroke to tell the entire family and hospital floor how much she loves them. How special they are and to thank them for taking care of her since the end of September. Her heart filled with beautiful intention of getting home.

When I wonder why I am blogging, and what is it all for…..I think of her life journey. A journey that gives me inspiration to do what I do (and stop complaining already!).

I think of the pain she has been through. The struggle of physical therapy and her desire to hold hands with her family to celebrate life. Every memory, of every touch, and every touch, of every day; what kept her pushing through it all. I think of the moment this Sunday, when she hugged her granddaughters to her chest for the first time in months. Heaving sobs of gratefulness into their silky hair and squeezing them close with her one working arm. Every moment, every detail. It was beautiful. Hold on. You never know when your last day is here. Cherish the ones you have.

Encourage love. Encourage acceptance. Speak your heart. Live your dreams. Believe. The shadows are nothing but fear.

What inspires you?
PhotobucketMama's Losin' It
Prompt 2)Write about a time someone made you smile *through the happy tears*

Photos from the Butterfly Conservatory at the State Fair of Texas.

How Far to Heaven?


Image by Google

How long would it take to get there? Can we reach it with our spaceships? Can we see it in our telescopes?

Is it just beyond our nature walk? Half past, the serene beauty flowing under picturesque landscape. A path we cross over from one place to another.

**

Is it at the end of the peaceful rush of water? Trickling over and under to a destination we have yet to discover. Washing us clean, and renewing our life in the sliding cascade.

**

Is it not to the sky, but on the surface? Where the wonders of plump baby feet stand. The bliss of bare earth between our toes to grip, to run, to feel.

**

Is it a touch away? The gentle kiss from one to another, no matter the differences, no matter the reciprocation, just a gesture of kindness, a gesture of love. The purest love there is – acceptance and innocence – just as you are.

**

Is it as far as our adventures take us? The freedom of discovery. The direction of the unknown; awaiting with wondering eyes, and fervid exhalations.

Maybe, it’s just around the corner. Can you see it?
Maybe, it’s just up the trail. Can you follow it?
Maybe, if we run we can catch a glimpse. Can you seek it?
Or maybe, just maybe, it’s not as far as we think.


“How far to heaven? Just open your eyes and look. You are in heaven” -Shankar

**Photos by Angelia Sims

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