No, this isn’t a picture of where the Mendota Parish of Saint Peter Presbyterian Church meets. But I passed by this sight on the way to Mendota on the Lord’s Day, and it is a beautiful place. I also discuss Kodachrome.
This is the Pine Grove Baptist Church. From the sign over the main entrance it was built or established in 1860. It is on Barnrock Road about 0.3 miles to the East of Swinging Bridge Road along the North Fork of the Holston River.
For those that travel from the East to attend church in Mendota, it is along the way. This would include Elder Buz Wellons, who lives about 2 miles to the East of here, as well as a few that come from Abingdon or Bristol. There are other stunningly beautiful sights to behold in this valley, and also along Mendota Road in the next valley. I know that the brothers and sisters in Saint Peter appreciate the wonderful area that God has called them to live and work in. I’m told the soil in this valley is some of the best.
For those interested in photography I’ll admit that this was created from the RAW file by cropping, straightening and increasing the vibrance and saturation, as well as recovering some of the highlights on the steeple and church building. I like the Kodachrome feel that goosing the color gives it.
For the music I remember so well that comes to mind at this point, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujhdf9_IO4w. And here are the lyrics:
When I think back
On all the crap I learned in high school [public school, obviously]
It’s a wonder
I can think at all
And though my lack of edu—cation
Hasn’t hurt me none
I can read the writing on the wallKodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors [good saturation]
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don’t take my Kodachrome awayIf you took all the girls I knew
When I was single [I'm single now, but that's another story]
And brought them all together for one night
I know they’d never match
my sweet imagination
everything looks WORSE in black and white [I don't completely agree, I like B&W]Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors [good separation in the highlights]
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don’t take my Kodachrome awayMama don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama don’t take my Kodachrome awayMama don’t take my Kodachrome
Mama don’t take my Kodachrome
Mama don’t take my Kodachrome awayMama don’t take my Kodachrome
Leave your boy so far from home
Mama don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama don’t take my KodachromeMama don’t take my Kodachrome away
Paul Simon, 1973. [The Kodachrome lyrics and song are the property of the respective authors, artists and labels, and the lyrics and song are provided for educational purposes only, etc., etc., etc.]
I’m happy to be alive and working with a Nikon, all things aside such as my education, which hasn’t hurt me none. And I’m also grateful that my Mama didn’t take my Kodachrome away! Comments are always welcome.
Posted Tuesday, September 2, from the Wendy’s parking lot in Bristol, Virginia
Hills Alive :: 120 Years Ago… George Eastman and Kodak | 04-Sep-08 at 5:25 pm | Permalink
[...] shining down in its glory. I was driving between Bristol and Brumley Gap today and singing along to Kodachrome by Paul Simon. Out of the corner of my eye I saw this digital sign. It has indeed been 120 years today since [...]