Figure 1 – Simple Gifts, Antique cooking utensils, Charleston, SC, (c) DE Wolf 2014.

The phrase “simple gifts” refers to the Shaker song by that name and to the theme derived from it in Aaron Copeland’s “Appalachian Spring.”  At a deeper level it refers to the pure beauty that may be found in simple, often utilitarian, things.  And photographically this theme has been wonderfully dealt with in Linda Butler’s portfolio book “Inner Light: The Shaker Legacy.”

While in Charleston, we went on a tour of the exquisite  Heyward-Washington House.  This Georgian double house structure was built in 1772 by Thomas Heyward Jr a patriot leader in the Revolutionary War and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. In May of 1791 George Washington rented the home – hence the name.

When we entered the house, I asked the tour guide about the photography policy and was pleased to learn that non-flash photography was allowed. Later the guide asked why I had not taken any pictures.  Perhaps she did not notice the gloominess of the day and the fact that we had been touring the home like troglodytes albeit with sunny dispositions.

But then I went into the kitchen.  The kitchens were detached to prevent the danger of fire.  In the kitchen I found some antique cooking utensils hanging on the wall and the Shaker theme came immediately to mind.  The result is Figure 1.

“Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free

‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,

To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come ’round right.”

Joseph Elder of the Shaker Community of Alfred, ME