WQ #11: March 15: A BRIDGE/TO BRIDGE
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
““When you cross a bridge, never forget this: You crossed because the bridge allowed it!”
― Mehmet Murat ildant
Happy Wednesday and welcome to WQ. It’s been a hard week for bridges in Tulare County where we used to live. I hope your bridges have held up better than some of ours. When the Kaweah River floods, it brings with it debris from the giant Sequoia trees, which do a tremendous amount of damage. I hope you can see this video I found on Facebook.
Follow where your quotes lead you and have fun with your own experiences with bridges and bridging.
Last Week’s Featured Precious Green Bloggers Below
- KEEP IT ALIVE – “GREEN IS THE PRIME COLOR OF THE WORLD”
- LADY LEE – LIFE IS PRECIOUS LIKE A DIAMOND
- LOVING LIFE – NOT SPENDING PRECIOUS TIME WORRYING
- PICTURES IMPERFECT – “IT AIN’T EASY BEING GREEN.”
- SECOND WIND LEISURE – “EARTH AND WATER LUSHLY COMBINE”
- THIS IS ANOTHER STORY – THE RAREST TREASURE IS A TRUE FRIEND
For More on Bridges and Bridging…
Your post link goes here.
- BUSHBOY’S WORLD – BRIDGE OVER MANN RIVER
- KEEP IT ALIVE – ADVICE TO BUILD A GOOD LIFE
- LADY LEE – BRIDGES, PLACES FOR REFLECTIONS IN SO MANY PLACES
- LOVING LIFE – “HAND”SOME AND SCARY BRIDGES
- NOWATHOME – BEAUTIFUL ASSORTMENT OF BRIDGES
- PICTURES IMPERFECT – BIKING AND BRIDGES
- ROCKSTAR GIRL – ROMANTIC BRIDGE CROSSINGS
- TOFINO PHOTOGRAPHY – HISTORIC TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE VIDEO (MUST SEE)
- SECOND WIND LEISURE – FUN WITH BRIDGES
- THIS IS ANOTHER STORY – THE TEMPER THAT BLEW UP BRIDGES
- WRITERRAVENCLAW – FIND A BRIDGE, OR MAYBE A LUCKY PENNY
Don’t forget to use Hashtag #WQ even now that links are working.
Posting Discipline, Bridge to Successful Blogging
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
Jim Rohn
One of the many benefits I enjoy about hosting a challenge is that it brings consistency to my blogging. I can’t operate simply on the whims of what is going on in my life because I have readers that I know will read and respond to my posts. Establishing a routine in blogging builds a good reputation in the blogging world.
Bridge to Others
“Miscommunication is the number one cause of all problems; communication is your bridge to other people. Without it, there’s nothing. So when it’s damaged, you have to solve all these problems it creates.”
Earl Sweatshirt
The honor of presenting Elane Geller, a Holocaust Survivor to high school and middle school students in Tulare County was one of my most life-changing duties as a consultant in the Office of Education. She communicated what happened to her as a child during the Holocaust, giving students a first-hand glimpse of the horror of discrimination blaming others for the ills of society.
Before she arrived at this middle school, students had researched the lives of children who had died during the Holocaust. They shared their dreams on a long piece of butcher paper for her to read before she spoke. As they wrote their dreams, they came to grips with the fact that the children, whose names they recorded on paper dolls did not have the opportunity to reach their dreams.
After Elane spoke, she took time to speak to any students who wanted to talk to her. They asked her questions like, “What did you do for fun while you were in the camps.”
She answered them, “There was nothing fun about these camps. We were chewed on by large dogs. We ate toothpaste and drank urine. If you worked, you got food. We didn’t work, so we didn’t get any food.”
“I was four when I was taken. There were maybe a half-dozen very small children running around. We hid in the barracks when we heard someone coming so they wouldn’t kill us. We didn’t congregate. At times I snuck outside and compared the color of my skin to the piles of bodies stacked up at the fence.”
She did not want students who only knew camps to mean something fun to misunderstand what hatred and prejudice could do to innocent children younger than they were.
Bridge, An Example of Art
“Good composition is like a suspension bridge – each line adds strength and takes none away. Making lines run into each other is not composition. There must be motive for the connection. Get the art of controlling the observer – that is composition.”
Robert Henri, artist
This year I vowed to do more than curate my photography and was challenged to take or make my compositions compelling. To do that I have spent more time processing than actually taking pictures.
“The first modern examples of suspension bridges were built in the early 1800s. Simple suspension bridges, which lack vertical suspenders, have a long history in many mountainous parts of the world.” Wikipedia
In this photo, there are many lines that run into each other and I like and appreciate them. Even though I am the world’s worst at drawing a straight line, I love the straight sturdy lines represented by the safe-looking planks that form the base of the bridge.
People crossing this bridge surely value and trust the strong lines of cables suspending the bridge high above the water. The little I learned from my classes in art is how triangles are often used in construction because they are a firm structure. How many triangles can you spot on this bridge?
Each tree in the background has a solid linear trunk supporting its thick branches. The lines on the shade structure offer a place for a picnic and respite from the hot summer sun. Steps and fences form lines in the picture that save people from having to jump off a cliff to cross to the other side of the ravine. Even the shadows form lines on the bridge that add depth and interest to me.
Do the lines make this picture compelling, or are they just jumbled without meaning?
“If you love a bridge, you must also love the abyss beneath it, because if it wasn’t for the abyss, that bridge wouldn’t be there either!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan
Poetry, A Bridge Across Our Fears
“Poetry is not only dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.”
Audre Lorde
Perspective As a Bridge
My life, my pleasure, feet, cars crossing my pavement, Safety over the abyss, The gentle stream far below. I smiled down at the stream, A mere babbling brook, bounding over boulders, Caressing the banks with butterfly kisses. This morning I awoke in pain, My limb useless and shattered, by my dear stream gone rampant, Sticks and stones breaking my bones. I lay helpless in frigid waters, Pouring over my cement skin, Ripping and tearing at my guardrails, I cry out a warning, my voice muted by turbulence. Friendly waters turned explosive, Silky snowflakes joining force, Taking me down to my grave, My years of service ended abruptly. ©Marsha Ingrao Free Verse using Personification
Inspired by
- The Skeptic’s Kaddish – W3 prompt last week to write a poem using Personification
Upcoming and Ongoing on Always Write
- WQ Page
- WQ #12: March 22: SPRING/VIVID
- WQ #13: March 29: CHANGE/WRITER’S CHOICE/DOUBLE DIP CHALLENGES
- #DICKENSCHALLENGE started February 7th. Join Yvette Prior, Trent McDonald, and me in reading ONE – not THREE Dickens’ novellas by June 9th. Donna from Retirement Reflections posted an excellent review on her challenge, What’s On Your Bookshelf this month.
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
69 responses to “#WQ #11: Bridges In Times of Distress”
[…] WQ #11 […]
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[…] https://alwayswrite.blog/2023/03/15/wq-11-bridges-in-times-of-distress/ […]
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http://writerravenclaw.com/2023/03/19/bridge/
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[…] Wednesday’s word prompt https://alwayswrite.blog/2023/03/15/wq-11-bridges-in-times-of-distress/ […]
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Hi Marsha, here’s mine
http://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2023/03/19/bridges-a-symbol-of-change/
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[…] In response to WQ # 11, hosted by Marsha […]
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[…] Marsha’s Wednesday Quotes: Bridges […]
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Marsha, I enjoyed this post and got a bit more the second time I perused it today.
The “Perspective As a Bridge” poem at the end was POWERFUL- yikes
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Thank you, Yvette. And thanks so much for taking a second look! Who does that???? That is an awesome compliment!
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Well I came back looking for dickens stuff – I don’t normally read posts twice – hahah
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LOL, sometimes I add a few tidbits to my posts. I couldn’t resist adding Donna’s link. She does a fabulous job reviewing and I haven’t had a chance to write another D. post to link it to. 🙂
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[…] this week’s Wednesday Quotes, Marsha challenges us to think about […]
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Hi Marsha, you story about the holocaust survivor is amazing. It is incredible that a four year old survived. She must have been very scared by memories for a long time and is a strong person to have risen about it all. Great bridge pictures and your poem was very poignant.
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Thank you so much, Robbie. She was a very strong person. She remained very afraid of all dogs all her life. Every time the news came on with unrest anywhere in the world, she worried. The experience in the camps for 5 years colored her entire life even through she married, had two children, worked and was a public speaker – a person we would call a successful overcomer. Her life demonstrates how early childhood damage influences a person’s existence.
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[…] WQ #11 […]
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Gorgeous photos, Aletta. 🙂 Thanks for linking!
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Wow. Marsha. Those were great. Quotes and photos. That last one was kind of crazy. I saw a couple of those quotes when I was searching and they really made me pause and think a bit. The one about loving the abyss below it was good, even though sometimes my fear of heights might keep me from looking into the abyss.
https://troyerslovinglife.blogspot.com/2023/03/putting-fingers-to-keyboardwq-theme.html
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I agree at not looking at the abyss. Take a look at Aletta’s abyss. It’s crazy scary but gorgeous!
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Yes, I commented on hers that it looked scary!!!
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It did to me too!
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Your photos are beautiful Marsha! I will have to look through my archives to find something suitable
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You did an amazing job, Aletta. Thanks for joining in this week. I love your spin on challenges! 🙂
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Thank you so much Marsha!
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[…] Marsha’s Wednesday Quotes #11: A Bridge/To Bridge […]
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Great to see your neck of the world, BB. I enjoyed the song, too!
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I too spend more time sorting and filing my photos than taking them as well Marsha. I love the poem and your photos are wonderful especially the suspension bridge. Still working on my post 🙂
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Thank you, Brian. Each time I do a post, I spend hours hunting, in spite of categorizing key words. It’s easier than it used to be, but I know it takes time.
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Same
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🙂
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The survivor’s story is pretty harrowing indeed, it’s good she got a chance to tell it. I love bridges and have so many photos and would normally participate in this challenge but very time poor at the moment. Flying back to the UK tonight to check on my parents. Long haul economy with my daughter and a 2yr old and 4 yr old!
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That’s totally understandable, Ali. I’m sure there will be other times, but feel free to link later, if you like and I’ll link you up on a different post. I’d love to see your pictures. I love bridges, too.
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great post, Marsha 🙂
https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2023/03/16/lets-build-bridges-not-walls/
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That suspension bridge photo is amazing Marsha!! You could frame that one and sell it.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
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Thank you, Jodie. You are so kind. I can’t wait to see you in April.
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Love the photo of the suspension bridge, Marsha. I managed to see the video and that’s a lot of water! I hope it will soon return to normal. So much content in your posts, hon! Informative, sad, artistic… it’s all there.
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You are the sweetest, Jo. Things will eventually return to normal, and CA does need the rain, but most of this rain will be lost to the ocean, which probably also needs rain. It’s a cycle! I feel so bad for the folks who suffer so much dammage. It takes a long time to recover!
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🤔🩷
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two words………Tacoma Narrows
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Meaning, the river widens?
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Thank you sending the link. Wow! what a scary video. That poor dog! I’m glad the person got out alive!
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yes and on a side note, when Engineers graduate they get “their” ring. Which is worn on the pinky and is made from the steel girder beams that came crashing down. As a memory of the tremendous responsibility they have in making sure what they build will stand.
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I would hate to have been the person who designed it. The cost alone would have made it such an embarrassing mistake.
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the bridge itself was sound but It was the location that was the problem.
The wind would rip through the narrows at times. The wind put the bridge in resonance!
It had a nik name “Galloping Gertie” and I’m sure my Aunt Gertie was not amused!
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I could probably look this up, but how long did it last? What a crazy thing to happen! It’s like a sci-fi picture! I’m so glad you shared Galloping Gertie.
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I wasn’t sure myself Marsha but it collapsed 4 months after opening. I suspect the bridge swayed during those 4 months when the wind picked up?
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Great story and video, for sure, Wayne. Glad you shared it! 🙂
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my pleasure Marsha!
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Funny you should share this. In my post I mentioned being scared to go over this bridge when I was in high school and we had to take the school bus over…too high for me!
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How scary, so you crossed it? Whew!
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are you saying you actually went over the original bridge that collapsed 4 months after opening?
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Kirstin’s not that old! She probably went over the Astoria Bridge, which is scary enough!
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Oh, …..thanks for clarifying Marsha!
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That’s just my guess. Did they ever rebuild a bridge across that area?
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The failed 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge was replaced in 1950 by a new span stiffened with a web truss. To address growing congestion, a parallel bridge south of the original opened in 2007; the 1950 bridge now has four lanes of westbound traffic and the 2007 bridge four lanes of eastbound traffic.
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Then that is probably the bridge that Kirstin had to cross. She grew up in that area.
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Haha, Marsha! Nope, not that old, only 54, BUT I grew up not far from Tacoma and we had to cross the Tacoma Narrows for band trips and I hated it because the bus was so high up and I could see over the edge. My hubby and I crossed it a few years ago and I was a bit nervous, but did okay. The seattle floating bridge always freaked me out too. Astoria bridge is okay, but certainly not a favorite.
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I think we would have the same kind of time on bridges, Kirstin! 🙂
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Great photo of the suspension bridge over the Spokane river.
Here is my take, slightly off-road, … sorry off-topic, I’m afraid: https://picturesimperfectblog.wordpress.com/2023/03/15/where-would-i-cycle-without-bridges/
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[…] Wednesday Quotes #11 […]
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I started reading this in the app and realized it would take too long to tap in a comment, Marsha! I love the bridge theme and have some ideas for my Sunday Stills post on Sunday! Thanks for that inspiration! I was touched by your information on the holocaust survivor’s story. It’s an important part of world history and for the school children to hear it firsthand will forever impact them and keep alive the notion that there is evil in the world and how they can be a positive future force for good!
Back to bridges, we certainly enjoyed our walk on the suspension bridge spanning the Spokane River. I haven’t been there since then, but the snow is likely melting quickly around there. My daughter in Mountain View told me there is so much water from the rain, the levels are super high as she walked across several bridges. The water is roaring she told me! I love your poem–you really caught the essence of the bridge’s job in life and feeling the sadness when it fails–so very touching!
Your quotes and shots of bridges are excellent. BTW, you keep killing me in the fitbit weekly steps, but I will soon start catching up since most of our snow is melted! Game on!
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haha I have to be ahead some of the times. You will kill me once you can walk outside again. I’m pretty good about 10,000 steps a day, but that’s about my max. When you start going, you are just getting started at 10,000 steps!
The devastation in Tulare County is pronounced. They typically get 9 inches of rain per year, and they got that in one day in places. Prescott is killing the drought, too. Yay! But the destruction to get there in CA is immeasurable.
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Wow your poem is so vivid and powerful Marsha and I love your pictures which you curate so beautifully💗
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Thank you so much, Cindy. It helps to have a vivid picture and a challenge to write to.
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You’re so welcome. Glad it came to you!!! 💗
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Were your ears burning today? Yvette and I briefly discussed your wonderful poetry. 🙂
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Oh aren’t you cute. Thanks Marsha. We should chat via text and yours as well! 💗
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Thanks, Cindy! 🙂
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always Marsha! ❣️
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