The old building was quiet, reverently quiet. What once was an arsenal built in 1840 is now a military museum. I was the only one in the building except the curator. I slowly wandered around looking at the displays from the various wars and the interior of this historic building. I started up one of the back staircases and was delighted to find that it squeaked. I have this thing for squeaky floors and staircases. The more they squeak, the better they are. Now, these stairs just didn’t squeak in a couple of places, each step squeaked…loudly. I loved it. No one would be able to sneak up these stairs…totally impossible. I wondered about the people who climbed these stairs. How many soldier’s boots had trod up and down the stairs as they went about the business of storing weapons, munitions, cannons, canon balls and gunpowder. Later, military families lived here. How many children ran up and down these stairs.
As I stood at the top of the stairs I had the thought that the curator in this quiet building has heard the sounds of this building many, many times. He knows where the squeaks are and most likely he knew exactly where I was. This was a little disturbing to me. You see I don’t like to be noticed. I’m one of those who’d rather slip in, slip out and no one the wiser. I’m working on that this year. I’m stretching out of my comfort zone and trying to be brave. I have this goal to at least do something brave once a month. So far, I’ve done three brave things...things I had trouble with, but I overcame the fear and just did it! Maybe being noticed isn’t quite so bad!
I'm linking today with Kat's Photo-Heart Connection at Kat Eye Studio. I just realized that I've doing this link up for two years this month. I did miss a few months last year, but I'm looking forward to getting back in the practice of looking at each month's images and seeing which one engages my heart. You should join us. There's still a couple of days left in this link up!
I would love to be able to wander around a museum all by myself! Sounds like heaven. And it sounds like you had a grand visit!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Great writing and story telling. I love that the stairs squeaked, as they should for that age. You go and be brave. Live with no regrets!
ReplyDeleteI love these stairs, Cathy. They remind me of the stairs we had when I was a child and we went up to bed certain steps squeaked too!
ReplyDeleteSo this is your 'brave' year! Good for you getting out of your comfort zone!
Great texture in your shot of the stairs. I think it would have been (weird) to have been there all alone except for the curator but also great because you could wander around at your own pace and not worry about disturbing anyone. We have a few stairs in our house that squeak, if you know where to step you can avoid it though.
ReplyDeleteThe shot of the stairs is very nice! I can't imagine being in a museum alone.
ReplyDeleteyay for being brave my friend! you have such a lovely gift to share with the world!
ReplyDeletePerhaps it was the military connection, but I read "stepping outside my comfort zone" as "stepping outside my combat zone"! Perhaps that's apt - I know for me, it usually requires a bit of a battle to get out of my comfort zone. I smiled at the thought of you enjoying those squeaky stairs, because I HATE squeaky stairs and floors. Great Photo-Heart Connection, Cathy. Congratulations on stretching that comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteFor a moment I got lost in that building with you... a wonderful photo-heart connection and what a powerful determination: to do something brave once a month, this itself seems brave to me
ReplyDeleteI think it's very brave to wander around in this building on your own- it's a sure way to get noticed by the curator. Good luck with your efforts of bravery!
ReplyDeleteSis, I am so proud of you. Love your journaling.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love...and your pov of the stairs is scrumptuous.
ReplyDeleteKeep stepping out of that comfort zone, creaks and all!
ReplyDeleteAwesome DOF
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to be in the museum almost alone! I need to get out and be braver too. ;))
ReplyDeleteI love the story you have attached to these stairs
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Great stair image to go with your story, Cathy. Good for you for stepping out and taking risks! I, too, have been fearful much of my life, but in the last few years I have pushed myself to move out of my comfort zone, and it feels good!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I too have a love connection with old buildings. I enjoyed your words as much as I enjoyed your photo. Good luck with stepping outside your comfort zone. Many times I have to push myself to get out and about. So I take a big breath and just do it. The first step is always the hardest, after that it gets easier. Have a fantastic week!
ReplyDeleteI can almost hear the squeaks! Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate your reaction to the squeaks and groans of that old house and your musings about the people who lived there over its many years. A photo-heart connection for sure!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story - we definitely share the desire not to be noticed - I am a person who likes to slip in and out as well. Being brave - what an inspiration! Kudos to you for taking on this challenge. I like the way you have captured this staircase - almost abstract, consisting of beautiful lines and shapes.
ReplyDeleteCongats Cathy! Being noticed is not all bad. In fact, it's good much of the time. :) You are an inspiration with being braver. Feeling the fear, and moving through it, is what courage and bravery are all about. The more you do, the easier it becomes. You know the fear can be overcome! Thank you for sharing in the Photo-Heart Connection, for this month and for the last two years!
ReplyDeleteGreat point of view..I too love to slip in and out, capturing magic with my camera, but not being noticed myself. Love this post.
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