THE LIGHTNESS OF BEING IN THE COUNTRY

I collect Magic Lantern slides. They went out of style a century ago, but nothing’s ever come along to match that magical light show. The colorful slides were hand-painted on glass. A small kerosene lamp inside the Magic Lantern provided the light source. Light from the weak flame shone through the pictures onto a small screen, and that flickering provided the only movement for otherwise still pictures. 

Many children had little Sears kits with a small lantern, a set of slides, a script, tickets for the neighbors, and a poster. If there were portraits of famous American poets, the child would read the poems. If there were lyrics, the audience would sing. Many lantern shows took place at union halls or churches or schools. Some slides  had ads and others had admonitions for ladies in the front row to "please remove your hats." When lime light was discovered, brighter and bigger pictures could be projected. 

Magic Lanterns shows were mysterious and surprising. There are endless magical projections flickering over the fields, woods, and waters that rival those flickering images. They are there for the noticing. Every day.

There are a million  movies in the woods. Just look up.

A sunlight spotlight selects one object to feature. This time a May Apple.

This time a flower.

Dragonflies always show off when there's subtle backlighting

Geese drag light streamers across the pond at sunset.

This drive-in movie has a screen made of ice.

House of peep shows

Standing up for illumination

Sunlight gathered in by prairie grasses

Morning sun drips onto a foggy pond

Light being pushed along in front of a storm

Stained glass windows on the wing

Dreamy opacity

Leave a light on in the pulpit.

City lights, you have met your match.