The Abandoned: February 2014

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Mysterious Forest -Guest Heart Thursday

I took this photo last spring. Though buildings of The Abandoned are gone, there is still the forest of my childhood. It is a small, mysterious pocket of wild wood, which seems filled with ancient enchantments. If one listens close enough, one might hear the laughter of children and the song of faeries.

If you look closely, there are hearts hidden everywhere.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Honeysuckle Leaf Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

As I type these words, it is snowing outside. It has been snowing all day long. This winter storm is one they say is more like a January snowstorm, here in the Mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon. It has only snowed once this winter...in comparison to the rest of the country, which has been locked into a snowy deep freeze.

These are the blooms of honeysuckle from the forests of my childhood, tucked in amidst the hazelnut trees. I have some very special memories involving these wonderful vines. I've seen them twirling up the side of a gigantic fir tree to swing fragrant blossoms overhead.

But by far my favorite memories are from when my brothers and sisters and I would make hallways and rooms by tying and twining the branches of the hazelnut limbs together. The honeysuckles would grow up and throughout the walls of our magical play place. These memories are lovely to my heart. I can still feel the grass beneath me, the crickets singing there in those fragrant rooms.

Have a beautiful day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Wild Rose

This is a wild rose, found in our area--especially throughout the forests surrounding what once was The Abandoned.

Once more, I find I am longing for Spring.

The Abandoned

Years ago, I dedicated this blog to The Abandoned, a huge complex of abandoned buildings in rural Oregon.

Surrounded by wetlands and old growth timber, The Callahan Center was built in the 1970's by the State of Oregon as a rehabilitation center for people recovering from injuries on the job.

In 1992, the property was bought by a mega church. However, the Living Enrichment Center closed in 2004, amidst financial scandal and the property was abandoned.

The buildings stood empty for many years. Over that span the property was vandalized and looted. Yet the beauty of its rare architecture shone through the shambles of abuse and disrepair.

In the summer of 2013, the complex was completely demolished. We were all sad to see the buildings go, but because of trespassers and vandals, it was necessary to take them down.

The area where The Abandoned once stood is filled with $500,000 mushroom houses (homes built so fast they pop up like mushrooms) built on postage stamp lots. There are sidewalks and tall lamps where I once watched the foxes of the field leaping above the grass, hunting rodents.

The surrounding woodlands still survive. It is my prayer the wetlands and forests with their pristine creeks, native trees and flowers, as well as the wildlife which shelter there, will be protected.