Brunch with Battutah
Totka's door
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 15 September 2008 in Architecture and Portfolio.
Our great aunt, Totka, died 15 years ago. She used to visit us every day and teach us Slovak songs and poems. Her small one-room house in Cigel, Slovakia has been vacant since she died. This is her door. I think of her every time I walk by and usually start to sing one of her songs. Material things decay, things of the spirit like memories don't.
Angelique from Netherlands
Beautiful textures and nature.
I love these kind of shots!
15 Sep 2008 6:21am
@Angelique: thanks so much, Angelique.
saeed from ahwaz, Iran
lovely shot and beautiful door! your description was great and effective! well done
15 Sep 2008 6:59am
@saeed: Thanks so much, Saeed.
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
you are so right Michael -- and this is such a beautiful, timeless piece! wow! thank you for sharing this wonderful shot and a piece of your family history with us -- just beautifully done: peaceful, eloquent and very touching!
15 Sep 2008 7:11am
@dj.tigersprout: You are very kind. thank you very much, Jaycee.
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
Excellent exposure Michael! Gorgeous tones! Your great aunt sounds like she must have been a wonderful lady!
15 Sep 2008 8:13am
@Craig: Yes, she was very energetic even into her late 80s. thanks very much, Craig.
@zahra: Thank you, Zahra. I appreciate that.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
Excellent, Michael. A beautiful door... and beautiful memories each time you walk by.
15 Sep 2008 10:34am
@Betty: thank you, Betty. I appreciate that.
Wolfgang - vu@granby from Granby, Québec, Canada
Before reading your write-up I thought about all the mysteries that lie behind this door, then your text gave even more body to my thoughts. You captured the mood really well!
15 Sep 2008 12:30pm
@Wolfgang - vu@granby: Thanks so much, Wolfgang.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
As if the tree is caressing the weathered door. Love this mood and your story Michael. Beautiful image and memory, thank you for sharing.
15 Sep 2008 12:33pm
@bluechameleon: I'm happy you found it interesting. thank you, bluechameleon.
michele from Penacook, United States
great texture & color. thank you for the description.
15 Sep 2008 1:01pm
@michele: A pleasure. thank you, Michele.
Peter Miller from Lichfield, United Kingdom
wonderful story and the picture of the door is very poignant. So many memories behind that door
15 Sep 2008 2:08pm
@Peter Miller: Very much so. thank you, Peter.
sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Such a beautiful door and sad to see it left. It looks like something from a greeting card. I'm glad the memories are good ones:-)
15 Sep 2008 2:46pm
@sherri: Thank you for the great comment, Sherri.
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
The weathered door is a thing of beauty in its own right. The memories make it that much more beautiful.
15 Sep 2008 2:50pm
@Steve Rice: Thanks for the great comment, Steve.
hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong
What a beautiful painting like image and touching story!!
15 Sep 2008 3:14pm
@hugo poon: Thank you, Hugo, for the delightful comment.
paulski from Muncie, IN, United States
the colors and textures here are very interesting; nice image...
15 Sep 2008 3:30pm
@paulski: Many thanks, Paulski.
Nilla´s Swedish world from Sweden, Sweden
What a nice story. This is a great photo of a beautiful green door. Even more beauty when I heard the story.
15 Sep 2008 4:09pm
@Nilla´s Swedish world: Thank you, Nilla. that is a heart-warming comment.
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
Your words are perfect. The house can disappear completely but she will live on in your memory.
15 Sep 2008 4:14pm
@Michael Rawluk: Very well put. thank you, Michael.
@Alline: Merci, Alline.
@Ramiro De Leon: Thank you very much, Ramiro.
Rui from Leiria, Portugal
It's a wonderful feeling to have such memories... Remind the loved ones for that reason! And this is a great tribute to her! Excellent and touching work Michael
15 Sep 2008 5:16pm
@Rui: You are very kind. thank you, Rui.
Zygene from morlaix, France
J’adore ce style de photo prise dans ces petits coins intimes.
15 Sep 2008 5:45pm
@Zygene: Merci beaucoup, Zygene.
@Melissa: Thank you very much, Melissa.
Laurie from Lincoln, United States
Touching memory, Michael! This weathered door with cracked and peeling paint slightly covered by vegetation speaks volumes. Nice image! =-)
15 Sep 2008 7:08pm
@Laurie: Thank you, Laurie. I appreciate that.
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Love the story and love the picture. The green leaves covering part of the blue door with the paint peeling from it speaks volumes. I just looked at Laurie's comment, honestly I didn't copy it. ;D Memories are so sweet sometimes.
15 Sep 2008 7:14pm
@Marion: I agree. Your comment is delightful. thanks so much, Marion.
dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa
Beautiful words and photo. It's sad to think that the room has remained empty - it would seem there's a huge amount of love inside there that someone could, and should, benefit from. If it's songs that make you remember her by, then she brought something really wonderful into your life.
15 Sep 2008 7:40pm
@dobbino: I agree completely. Thanks for the really kind words.
Marcie from United States
Love the texture and color of peeling paint..and the contrast of the green leaves. Nice!
15 Sep 2008 8:48pm
@Marcie: Thanks so much, Marcie.
Radel from Amsterdam, Netherlands
so true.. your narrative reminded me of my own grandmother and my time with her. she is no longer too and her little place is in shambles but the memories are so strong. nice texture to the door and the growth around it says it all.
15 Sep 2008 9:22pm
@Radel: A fine comment. Many thanks.
Robin from Lunenburg, United States
Amazing texture and what an interesting door.
15 Sep 2008 9:48pm
@Robin: Thanks so much, Robin.
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
The old door is a painting Michael, it has a charm. The gift your aunt gave to you however will not decay, but will turn golden in time.
15 Sep 2008 10:12pm
@Observing: That's a great comment. thank you, Mike.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
I really like your processing: it's all so delicate - like your memories.
15 Sep 2008 11:55pm
@MadScientist: thank you very much, MS.
John Maslowski from Dallas, PA, United States
Very touching, you are so right that memories and the spirit live on forever. Lovely picture, like the blue textures and the off setting green plants.
16 Sep 2008 1:06am
@John Maslowski: thank you very much, John.
Nan from Quezon City, Philippines
Oh nice, you're trying up some texture in processing, huh? Try a slight vignette for this too; it could make the image more intimate :)
16 Sep 2008 2:09am
@Nan: Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try sometime.
Brian from Seattle, United States
The creamy colors here accented by the green foliage here really gives this photo a sense of calmness and relaxation. It looks almost like a painting.
16 Sep 2008 3:48am
@Brian: thanks very much, Brian.
claire from alberta, Canada
very nice texture and toned down colors. your words are so true. :)
16 Sep 2008 5:04am
@claire: Thanks so much, Claire.
Cat from Tel Aviv, Israel
Beautiful textures and subtle colours. I like your explanation or commentary on the picture too - it goes well with the contrast of the worn, old (yet beautiful) door with the natural wood showing through, and the new green leaves. I haven't seen much of Slovakia - but Bratislava was really lovely.
16 Sep 2008 12:23pm
@Cat: Many thanks, Cat. The old town of Bratislava is lovely however other parts can be very unpleasant. In general, Slovakia has very nice countryside like Austria but the villages can be poor and shabby.
JM@somedaysomewhere.net from Marseille, France
Really love the feel, color palette and framing here - excellent photography
17 Sep 2008 8:40pm
@JM@somedaysomewhere.net: Many thanks, JM.
Rachael from Heber Springs, United States
This photo looks like a painting. Such nice pastel blue for the door. It sounds like your memories are good ones:-)
24 Sep 2008 2:19pm
@Rachael: Yes, they are. Thanks so much.
Pentax Optio A30
1/80 second
F/3.4
ISO 100
55 mm (35mm equiv.)