Nashville, Tennessee
(No postmark - early 1900's)
During the railroad's heyday, many cities built architecturally grand depots where people, commerce, and mail flowed every day. Such was Union Station in Nashville, Tennessee.
Completed in 1900, the massive gothic style railway station served for years as a center of activity. Its train shed was said to be the largest such structure in the world. As passenger rail service in the U.S. declined following World War II, so did Union Station. When the last passenger train ended its run there in 1979, this once grand building was abandoned.
The building stood unused until redevelopment brought it back to life as a hotel in the 1980's. Its grandeur is preserved today (albeit without trains) as Union Station - A Wyndham Historic Hotel.
— Dan Hardison
February 27, 2009
Postcard: Union Station
February 13, 2009
Winter Visitor
If the time of April
were upon us,
you'd be just another day –
so much like the ones
that came before you
and the ones that would come after –
that your loveliness would go unnoticed
in the sameness of a springtime sequence,
when beauty follows beauty
from sun to moon to sun again.
But now, in winter,
you violate the mandates
of a calendar that dictates
what your nature ought to be . . .
and your warm kiss
is made the sweeter
when felt on cheeks
that recall the touch of winter . . .
just a day ago.
were upon us,
you'd be just another day –
so much like the ones
that came before you
and the ones that would come after –
that your loveliness would go unnoticed
in the sameness of a springtime sequence,
when beauty follows beauty
from sun to moon to sun again.
But now, in winter,
you violate the mandates
of a calendar that dictates
what your nature ought to be . . .
and your warm kiss
is made the sweeter
when felt on cheeks
that recall the touch of winter . . .
just a day ago.
— Jim Metcalf
From his book “Please to Begin”.
Photo by Dan Hardison
Moores Creek National Battlefield
Currie, North Carolina
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February 6, 2009
A Time for Sleeping
Trees that have stood
so stark and forlorn
are sprouting new leaves
as Spring brings new life.
Summer brings fulfillment
with trees full and shapely
casting their shade
with life at its fullest.
With Fall life has slowed
as leaves begin to fall.
Days grow shorter
and living has taken its toll.
In Winter trees are bare
and life seems weary
in need of a rest –
a time for sleeping.
so stark and forlorn
are sprouting new leaves
as Spring brings new life.
Summer brings fulfillment
with trees full and shapely
casting their shade
with life at its fullest.
With Fall life has slowed
as leaves begin to fall.
Days grow shorter
and living has taken its toll.
In Winter trees are bare
and life seems weary
in need of a rest –
a time for sleeping.
— Dan Hardison
Photo by Dan Hardison
Bledsoe County, East Tennessee
Also available:
Read or print PDF
Listen or Download MP3
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