Through the View Finder

August 21, 2025 by Donna Hopkins

“To embrace the handmade today is to recognize that beauty doesn’t have to shout. Sometimes, it just needs to show up. Again and again.”

—Handmade in the AI Age (Part III): The Beauty of the Ordinary

*Argus 75 camera, Through the View Finder, August 2025*

I bought an old Argus 75 camera at a local antique mall (the kind with lots of vendors and booths). The camera was $25 and looked like it might be fun to play around with. It takes 620 film which might take a little work. I thought I recalled reading that it would be necessary to buy 120 film and re-spool the film onto a 620 spool which is a little longer and thinner. But I did find, with a some research, that I could actually purchase 620 film from Film Photography Project. I watched a YouTube video from Aly’s Vintage Camera Alley and learned how to clean the camera (and most importantly, put it back together after the clean-up). Looking through the big, bright view finder is a joy and I took a few pictures looking through the viewfinder. I am not sure I’ll invest in film and take a test roll simply because of the expense, but I'm thinking about it.

440 Farms

August 20, 2025 by Donna Hopkins

“Value doesn’t always come from innovation. Sometimes, it comes from the rhythm of repetition. From working within limits. From making something not to impress, but to serve.” —Handmade in the AI Age (Part III): The Beauty of the Ordinary

I really need to remember to keep cash on hand and an insulated cooler in the car because I never know when I will want to stop at a farm stand on the way from here to there. This one had homemade granola and baked bread. Fig jam and hand-dipped candles and fresh eggs. And cookies, too!

Finally . . .

August 19, 2025 by Donna Hopkins

Driving through rural areas near my home this week, I spied several flags that read “Trump was right about everything!”

I do not contend that these folks do not have the right to fly their flags, nor to voice their opinions.

Even though. I see things differently.

Finally . . .

Today I saw a flag I can fully support.

Commercial Waterman and Crab Pots

August 18, 2025 by Donna Hopkins

*Picking Crabs at Parker’s Crab Shore, 1960’s*

My grandparents, parents and aunts and uncles owned and operated a seafood restaurant up until 1998. They spent a lot of time sitting around a stainless steel table picking crab meat, telling stories, and trying to scrape out a decent living so their kids could have a better life. I wouldn’t have this beautiful life without their hard work.