Polaroid Love

I am in love.  I found a Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera at an antique shop in Hill City, South Dakota in August.  It was buried on a shelf of old cameras and I saw it!  It was in great condition, complete with original leather carrying case and instruction booklet and I paid $7 for it all. 

I also found one of these old Polaroid One Step cameras at the same shop.   It is just like the one I received for a gift when I was 10 - my first camera. 

After finding these Polaroid treasures, I bit the bullet and bought 2 packs of 600 film from polapremium (not an easy or inexpensive task, since Polaroid stopped making the film....)  Total cost for this "test" = $50 for 20, yes 20, photos.  I popped one of the packages of film in the One Step and after that telltale hum of the film loading and the cover sheet being ejected...the camera systematically spit out one picture after the other.  It took about 5 seconds to eject all 10 photos while I panicked.  Twenty-five dollars down...the...drain.  Ouch. 

Needless to say, I was reluctant to try the second package of film in the SX-70.  It's been sitting on a shelf for 2 1/2 months, waiting for me to gather up the courage to try it.     

This morning, at the urging of a fellow Unraveller , I mustered up the courage.  I unwrapped the film from it's shiny silver packaging, popped open the film compartment of the camera, slid the precious film in ever so gently, took a deep breath and closed the compartment.  Then, there was the telltale hum, the ejection of the cover sheet and...nothing.  Quickly, I ran downstairs to the piano room where I knew there would be the best light (best of the worst at 9AM...) peered through the tiny viewfinder and "click."  Voila!  It just worked! 

I just adore the nostalgic look and feel of the photos - so dreamy.  Sometimes, you just have to leap.  Now, can I gather up the courage to use the remaining 9 shots???  I think I will likely go broke buying film for this camera, but sometimes it's just worth it when you find something you love.

GG

Today would have been my grandmother's 95th birthday.  She was a woman of stunning grace, eternal optimism and quiet strength.  She taught me many lessons, many of which I'm just figuring out now.  What a gift to pass on wisdom in a manner that unfolds even after your departure.  But, she was like that.

Today, I'm going to sit quietly with a cup of tea from this treasured cup that was a gift from her.  And then, I'm going to bake her famous sugar cookies.   

Happy Birthday, GG.   

Welcome.

Welcome to my blog, Ghost Canyon Creative.  This is a step on my journey to live a more authentic, creative, inspired life.  

Where the heck is "Ghost Canyon?"  Let me tell you.  I grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where there is still untouched wilderness, inspiring landscape, and cowboys.  Ghost Canyon Ranch is a place near Hermosa, South Dakota, at the end of a winding, dusty, dirt road, back in a hidden canyon among rolling hills, open meadows.  It is surrounded by pine trees that smell like butterscotch.  I attend horse camp there when I was younger and it represents for me the first step in my life toward independence, creativity and an appreciation for nature.  It holds a very special place in my heart.  

I visited Ghost Canyon in August to find that it is now a bed and breakfast, but some of the buildings and landscapes remain just as I remember them.  

The old barn and corral where we'd retrieve our tired horses each morning.  Poor Rusty and April (my two horses from the years I was at camp,) so patiently allowed me to lead them in and prepare them for the day's rides.   

 

The storage shed where our bridles, saddles and saddle blankets were stored.  

The main house where the owners lived and where we ate all of our meals.  

Although the 2-story bunkhouse where we stayed has been torn down and replaced with a new building, it really looks much the same as it did when I was there.  I remember so clearly lugging my steamer trunk (one of my prized possessions - made me feel so "well traveled") up the stairs to our sleeping quarters.  I remember listening to Prince's "Purple Rain" soundtrack in the afternoons when we'd all sit on the porch, read books, write in journals or sketch.  I remember racing to get to the shower because there was only so much hot water and I REALLY wanted a hot shower.  Funny how it all comes back to you. 

Those were some wonderful times and speak to me in volumes about my childhood in South Dakota.  It was a treasure.  This child still lives within me and I'm working to give her a voice.  So, I've named my new endeavor, Ghost Canyon Creative, to honor this special place in my life.  I hope is will serve as a constant reminder of the peace, tranquility, sense of community and appreciation for nature that I experienced there.  

Here's to the future...and all of the wonderful things to come.    Thank you for joining me.