lights, camera...Click!

Tuesday already?!  The week swept by as I searched my native Arizona for the perfect representative picture.  Kelly suggested cactus trapeze.  Hm...I laughed.  And when I mentioned the whole movie scene tid-bit to Jim, he suggested a trek to the sacred grounds of ASU’s football stadium, filming spot for part of Jerry Maguire.  Hm…I considered. 

Then I remembered my first pull to the silver screen…8 years old, living in Page, Arizona, hearing that scenes for a Superman movie were going to be filmed practically in my backyard.  We watched a helicopter dangling a box of cargo.  I remember feeling proud, important, as though this filming was intricately connected with my young life.  I know we saw nothing more than this helicopter, but somehow in my child's mind it morphed into the man, the cape, the tights, the bad guys, Lois...All.  Imagination, mostly the property of 8-years-old and younger, is the master of such deceptive magic. 

A lifetime later I was watching a movie with my brother Tyler...just the type of ridiculous movie we laugh at together - Evolution.  David Duchovny and Julianne Moore.  We chortled through all the silly, but the best came when an alien was found in a house on the very street in Page where we had lived… the movie showed the very scene from whence we dreamed of Superman.  Lights, camera, action.  The camera actually even zoomed out to show our old house.  And, later in the movie, aliens were hatched and dying on the cliffs straight behind my house.  The same cliffs that saw a helicopter dangling Superman cargo.  The same cliffs that watched us lose ourselves in Play.  I think this "deceptive magic" can both call forth things that didn't exist and poof away those that did.  I don't remember my parents, but I see me and siblings playing on cliffs.  Truth is quite elusive in the looking back.

Parents present, hidden or hiding, I remember the *feel* of our Page days vividly.  Little reality & lots of Imagine.  This was where I produced plays, mastered Chinese jump rope, roller skated, ran a part-time grocery store, built forts, taught school, invented floor dancing, manufactured magnificent Barbie mansions.  Leaps and bounds from The Real World, we lived in one composed of Light and Make-believe. 

So, with this week’s challenge and my tangential nature, my mind traveled to this time separate from all others - childhood memories of Page.  I could have attempted cactus trapeze, hoping for a hospital picture theme next Tuesday.  I could have gone to the ASU stadium.  Jerry Maguire was surely a better movie than Evolution. 

 

Instead, I re-entered the world of Imagine…finding my way to a picture at Lake Powell.  For the love of deceptive magic.  Steps away from Superman, Evolution, and years of memorable Make believe.

Comments

[lelly]

i really love your take on this challenge.

oh? and i'll take you at chinese jump rope any day!!

[Annalisa]

I'll take you both on in Chinese jump rope.
Childhood memories are magical. I'll have to go back and watch Evolution to catch a glimpse of your youth.

[Mandy]

I really like your picture and the description of your childhood. Childhood really is magic. Sometimes I want to go back there.

[Megan]

Fond memories of floor dancing, you were quite good, especially when using scarves. And you were also a Barbie nazi! We could never play with you unless you got to be the prettiest Barbie, with the best outfit and came up with our story line. I still loved it though. Fun memories. Can't remember much of Page though, I think I was still in diapers.

[Megan]

I forgot to add that your picture cracked me up. Can you teach me to photoshop? I could have used some help with the challenge today.

[Amy]

How to Photoshop: 1. Get a talented brother-in-law named Jared. 2. Send him two pictures to merge. 3. Perhaps promise cookies. 4. Say thank you.

[Anne]

What a great post and what great memories! The comments to your post are also cracking me up! Nice work!!!

[Price Cream Parlor]

HA! Loved this photoshop today and the memories of your childhood! So fun!

[sista #2]

It looks like a helicopter ride over the lake!haha
Actually,a striking picture! FUN -ciao

[Elizabeth]

I forgot about Chinese jump rope. Mine was pink and white. I need to get one ofthose for my daughter.
Great idea for your shot. I love how these challenges seem to bring memories back.

[carlo]

:)

sweet picture of you, kelly!

[jenny c.]

Lake Powell is one of my FAVORITE places to be. I can't wait to get our ski boat and ski away there. I didn't know they filmed Superman there. Interesting. Isn't photoshop the coolest invention? Cute picture.

[amy m]

Childhood memories are the best. Funny lake powell has many childhood memories for me. Love your creative photo.

[Jordan]

Today, I lamented the presence of too much reality. I think, even my 3 year old felt it. He was out "making a cake for Lucy" in the sand and I asked if I could have a taste. He scowled at me and said, "No! It's just sand!!" Yes, too much reality is a bad thing. Bring on the magic and the make believe! Great post, wonderful words as always and darling cut-n-paste photo!

[Kelly]

Well, despite being a little disappointed that you couldn't round up a cactus trapeze photo, I love your imaginary picture! It is good to have the imaginary to look back on!

[Shanon]

All I have to say is that we love the movie Evolution and how cool that your house is in it! I am jealous that you lived there!!!!

[JoDee]

You can't forget roller skating in the basement with Kenny Rogers blaring in the back ground. I also love the Page days, it felt like a normal time in life. We had friends, a neighborhood we liked and were part of a community. I missed that when moving around all the time.

[Barb]

How funny to watch a movie and see your old house! My dh served a mission in Chicago and he loves to watch movies set there and spot familiar neighborhoods.

[Amy]

Was it Kenny Rogers? I remember Olivia Newton John. Good times. I truly want to attempt that kind of community normal sometime. You definitely have it in Cedar.

[Amberly]

Amy, I am also in Phoenix and while I missed out on this week's challenge, it was super fun to see your creative streak here! thanks for visiting my blog... I love to keep up with what's going on with you!

[crystalyn]

i have no idea how i missed this last tuesday! i'm so sad! love the photo and love your take on the whole challenge. i would love to get together and have you show me a little floor dancing...this intrigues me ( : childhood memories really are the best