The Old Door: Scene and Story - February 2017

The old door sighed,
not a sigh of lassitude, but rather one of serene contentment.
It had lived its life from a young sapling which had grown into a fine oak tree in the forest.
One day, it was decided that the tree was big enough to cut down.
It was then transported to the lumber mill, cut into planks
which passed into the hands of capable and talented carpenters.
A fine door was made.

It could be seen from the patina on the surface of the wood,
that many years had passed, one hundred and fifty to be exact.

The door's constant companion, the rather elegantly shaped door-knocker,
had been there right from the start.
There was quiet, understated beauty in the harmonious lines and design.
despite the now tarnished appearance.

The old door and the knocker had retained the wondrous charm of days long gone by.
They both remembered ladies in crinoline dresses
holding up lacy edged parasols against the sun,
for it wasn't fashionable in those days to have a suntan.
They had witnessed suitors coming to visit the young ladies
living in the house, quickly adjusting their appearance before knocking on the door.
There had been many a shy kiss exchanged on the now worn door-step.

Horses and carriages had passed by in those early days.
Neither the door nor the knocker had become accustomed to the noise
and smell of cars and how they polluted the air.
"What is the world coming to?" they said to each other.

Yet here they are, holding strong, still together after all these years
facing the changes over time philosophically,
conscious of the joys and suffering of humanity 
and hoping their steady presence had been of some comfort and reassurance in times of need.

Neither of them knew what the future reserved,
but this did not worry them.
Through their intuitive inner wisdom, they knew that the only reality
was that of each new day
and that was the secret of their constant contentment.


***
On the first Sunday of each month, I join Sarah at Paisley Rainboots and Lee at Sea Blue Lens
for Scene and Story with a favourite photograph from the past month 
and the story it inspires.
Read other stories too on this monthly link-up.

It's story time again!


40 comments

  1. Oh Sandra, what a beautiful post - both your images and your words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Carola. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and the images.

      Delete
  2. What a great perspective to tell the story of the door and the things it has seen. Well done and this story definitely made me think about the doors I adore around my town and the stories they could tell.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words, Sarah. Beautiful old doors certainly tell us stories, I'm sure those around your town do also, just as much as this one I encountered on my walks last month!

      Delete
  3. I truly believe if old doors could tell stories, I would be traveling door to door downtown at our churches go hear them. Love this story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Patti. Old doors really do tell us stories when we slow down at sit quietly to listen to them!

      Delete
  4. Juicy descriptions and a picture that makes me want to run my hand over the door's surface. I highly enjoyed this story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Rachel. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. I know what you mean by running your hand over the surface of that door!

      Delete
  5. Great image and great story too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think I'll look at doors differently, now - what they've seen over the years. I love this perspective!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Karen. I feel that old things always have a story to tell!

      Delete
  7. Truth be told: I've often thought of what a door, a tree, a house would be able to tell, of what they've experienced over the years, of the people that came and went, of the birds and the wildlife,... Wouldn't it be great to listen to their tales?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I love the tales that this particular door and door-knocker told me! When you think about it, there are stories all around us! We just need to look carefully and then listen!

      Delete
  8. I love doors, especially old doors with the sense of history and (perhaps) mystery they hold. You really brought this one to life. I enjoyed your story so very much! Your last paragraph is a powerful idea, one to take to heart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your visit, Lee and for your comment. There's something so special about old doors and even old furniture, I find. They do hold a lot of history and because of their great age they impart their wisdom around them!

      Delete
  9. Beautiful story. It felt like a meditation to read it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Marcie. It felt so nice being part of the history of this door and door-knocker!

      Delete
  10. Sandra, I love this story told from the door and it's knocker! When I see doors, no matter their shape or condition, I always wonder who might have touched the knocker or handle and stepped across the threshold.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cathy. It's so lovely to be able to imagine the past life of the old things we come across. I also wondered who had stepped across the threshold of this house!

      Delete
  11. I love old doors and this one has so much character, along with it's knocker. Your post reminds me of the old saying 'if only the walls could talk'. I have never thought about a door and it's knocker talking before, I bet they hear wonderful secrets whispered right before someone walks into the house. :) I truly enjoyed your post. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're right, Michelle, about the wonderful secrets being whispered! Thank you for your visit and you kind comments!

      Delete
  12. Yes!! This is magical! I LOVE the story you told, and I could collect old doors...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So nice to see you visit, Adrienne. I'm glad you like the story. I agree that old doors are very beautiful.

      Delete
  13. What a wonderful perspective here, Sandra.
    Nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lisa. I really enjoy seeing things from another point of view!

      Delete
  14. Love love the story and the pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  15. wonderful images
    wonderful door and knocker
    your story was intriguing
    it made me consider my log cabin anew

    thank you ~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always so nice to see you visit, Tammie. I feel sure that the logs in your log cabin would have an interesting story to tell!

      Delete
  16. A wonderful story! I love old doors and door handles, door knobs and door knockers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mary! I love all those things you mentioned too! I especially love old doors because of the way the wood wears and tells a story all on its own!

      Delete
  17. Really enjoyed your scenes and the story, and your photos were lovely. I love old doors, and will no longer look at a door like this without thinking of how it was made and where it came from. Thanks for sharing...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting and for your comment, Jeanne!

      Delete
  18. I have a thing for old doors and what a wonderful story you have created. You are a woman of many talents, Sandra and your work inspires me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so kind of you to say so, Susan. I just adore old doors and their knockers and handles too! I always feel like running my hand over them!

      Delete
  19. I love the old door knocker and would to have that door as an entrance to my house

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting! Yes, I agree, it would be lovely to have this particular old door as our own front door!

      Delete
  20. A really lovely story, and a good idea.

    ReplyDelete