The Convent Sitting Room

The Convent Sitting Room

I went to a high school run by a religious order of nuns. Half the brick building was the school; the other half was the convent. The building was destroyed by fire a decade after I graduated and the only parts of the structure that were not harmed were the chapel and the nuns’ sitting room. (I have no clue how that happened – the two areas were in separate parts of the building!)

These two spaces were incorporated into the new building constructed for a seniors’ apartment complex. When in my hometown last week and visiting in one of the apartments, I walked past the old sitting room, camera in hand, and happened upon the shadows playing wildly on the parquet flooring. It just seemed like I should capture the photo for memories’ sake.

I once stood in this room as a 16 year old, accompanied by a concerned parent, and listened to a very long, very stern lecture. But I have no recollection what topic we were all discussing. . . that’s probably good.

About Bo Mackison

I'm a photographer, book-artist, traveler, naturalist, and creator of the Contemplative Creatives Journey, An Online Workshop and Community and Desert Wisdom Cards and Workshops. Though often not well known, I find the desert a welcoming place - a healing space. Its mysteries and gifts transformed me several years ago. Since that first encounter, I return again and again to fill my well in what most people think of as a desolate region. I'd love to share my desert discoveries and wisdom with you. Please subscribe to receive my five part mini email course The Gifts of the Desert. It's my gift to you.

Comments

  1. Beautiful shot – but lectures…sounds intimidating 🙂

  2. burstmode says

    This recollection brings back some memories for me but I doubt the room looked this nice that day when you were 16.

  3. cindydyer says

    Hi Bo,

    Love the sitting room sepia shot!

  4. Very nice capture in composition and light & dark. 🙂

  5. Gandalf says

    I love the shadow play against the parquet floor.

  6. Nicole ~ it seems it was rather…

    anna, gandalf ~ thanks, i love to play with shadows

  7. bravo

  8. Beautiful shot, Bo. I like the earthy colors and the play of light and shadows.

  9. How odd that the two rooms in different areas would make it through the fire. But how great that they just built around them. 🙂

  10. I like the story that accompanies the image, and what an astounding photograph. Again, you seem to crossover a bit into the surreal.

  11. jeanabaena says

    very nice. i like the flowers’ shadows on the floor.

  12. jpt ~ glad you like…

    Robin ~ sometimes you just gotta play with sepia…

    Lisa ~ it IS nice they saved the rooms. the chapel is simple but very grand. I’ll post some on it later.

    amuirin ~ hey, I feel a little surreal! Is it contagious, d’ya think?

    jeanne ~ thanks.

  13. HeyJules says

    Beautiful lighting and shadows in this one, Bo! Love it.

  14. lady.percy says

    I love this picture! It looks like something you’d see in a magazine or something. Great work!

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