365 Project Day 292: High Cotton

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.5 aperture, 1/200 shutter, 100 ISO

My favorite moment of the day today was this one. It rained most of the day during my drive to Virginia, and I was beginning to wonder if I would be able to find anything inspiring to photograph. It was so dreary. Then suddenly the clouds broke, and I saw an amazing cotton field on the right side of the road. It it seemed to stretch on for miles and right in the center was an old barn, weathered and wonderful. I passed it but quickly did a U-turn and pulled in right next to it. Cars buzzed past me as I stepped softly in the sandy soil, sinking up to my ankles with a big smile on my face. My heart began to fill as I bent down to touch and photograph the fluffy tufts of cotton, still soaked from the rain.

Then I got another surprise. My phone rang, and Annie was calling from England. “Hi!” I answered excitedly, ” I’m in the middle of a cotton field!”  Instant favorite moment of the day. Maybe the week. I was having an adventure of my own, and then it was if Annie dropped by to join me from across the ocean. I stood under a substantial oak tree, taking it all in. Happy moments were tumbling one into the other. The sound of my daughter’s voice, my sandy wet feet that reminded me I was alive, and the view of the fields, popping with color and texture. All so wonderful to me.

The phrase “high cotton” is often used to express that things are going very well. I was in high cotton today indeed.

I cannot wait to see what other adventures await me on this trip to Virginia.

Psalm 118:24 ~”This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”