dusk and the meaning of a bench

Bench – what the dictionary says:

A long seat, differing from a stool in its greater  length.

A long table at which mechanics and others work; as, a carpenter’s bench.

The seat where judges sit in court.

The persons who sit as judges; the court; as, the opinion of the full bench.

A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public; — so named because the animals are usually placed on benches or raised platforms.

A conformation like a bench; a long stretch of flat ground, or a kind of natural terrace, near a lake or river.

To furnish with benches.

To place on a bench or seat of honor.

To sit on a seat of justice.

…..and yet somehow none of these convey the sense of invitation and the wonder of a bench in a beautiful spot, regardless of the time of day:  come, take a load off those weary feet, sit down, relax a while and enjoy the view!

How do you define “bench”?

Blog Notes
Q :: Where do the definitions come from?
A :: They are at BrainyQuote

Q :: Where is this bench?
A :: at Dease Island Regional Park
not far from a tree
where the cry of an eagle
would be heard
just a couple of years later.



This Fraser River moment
was captured on
a somewhat cloudy July day, 2008

 
For more peaceful moments, take a load off your feet over here.

71 comments on “dusk and the meaning of a bench”

  1. 13 Jan 2012 at 10:16 Gloverlee

    Your photo defines it beautifully!!

    Like

  2. 13 Jan 2012 at 10:20 Britten Asplund

    Lovely picture 🙂 Soo peaceful!

    Like

  3. 13 Jan 2012 at 10:32 Gilly Goldsworthy

    What a lovely spot Kris!

    Like

  4. 13 Jan 2012 at 11:40 Jim

    Very peaceful!

    Like

  5. 13 Jan 2012 at 12:04 IsobelandCat

    Perfect reflection.

    Like

  6. 13 Jan 2012 at 12:41 Northern Narratives

    Definitely a peaceful place. I like the colors in the sky.

    Like

  7. 13 Jan 2012 at 13:01 Patti Kuche

    To rest and repose on this bench – perfect end of day! Great catch!

    Like

  8. 13 Jan 2012 at 14:30 Kate Kresse

    Bench: a place to be renewed and restored 🙂

    Like

  9. 13 Jan 2012 at 16:10 cobbies69

    Trying to get a bench for local character nice shot.

    Like

  10. 13 Jan 2012 at 16:57 Cedric de Alicoque

    I wish I could have something like that in a polluted city like the one I live in. Nice…

    Like

    • 15 Jan 2012 at 20:43 pix & kardz

      glad you like it.
      if it is any consolation – this is actually outside the city, and it requires a drive that covers at least two bridges and a tunnel to get there 🙂
      but always worth the time it takes to get here.

      Like

  12. 13 Jan 2012 at 19:32 nrhatch

    The perfect place to sit and ponder. 😀

    Like

  13. 13 Jan 2012 at 20:02 aRVee

    Great one P&K looks a very peaceful place to be in, just sit down, count the birds (if there’s any and if I can) or simply hear the sound of silence – that’s what I intend to do with that bench. 🙂

    Like

  14. 13 Jan 2012 at 23:11 Diana

    hmmmm…..benched — as in “get off the court/field/ice and go sit on the bench”

    nice post.

    Like

    • 15 Jan 2012 at 20:48 pix & kardz

      hi Diana, good one. that is one i thought of too, and it is a valid term, especially now that hockey season is back 🙂
      i was actually surprised that this particular definition was not included in the official list i found. however that is not the first thing that comes to mind when i think of ‘bench’, so i let it go.

      Like

  15. 14 Jan 2012 at 01:49 Nandini

    My definition would be what your photo describes. 🙂 Observing and observing… Great post, Chris. 🙂

    Like

  16. 14 Jan 2012 at 03:52 sweetdaysundertheoaks

    Perfect Kris! Peaceful it is.

    Like

  17. 14 Jan 2012 at 05:17 rutheh

    Enjoyed bench defined. Certainly looks peaceful, too. So inviting. We have three inches of snow today. Wish I were in your photograph instead.

    Like

  18. 14 Jan 2012 at 06:21 Cardinal Guzman

    Looks like a perfect place to park myself for a while…

    Like

  19. 14 Jan 2012 at 09:53 Gracie Sam

    Such a beautiful place. Have a great weekend!

    Like

  20. 14 Jan 2012 at 12:47 diggingher

    What a lovely picture. I enjoyed your definitions as well.

    Like

  21. 14 Jan 2012 at 14:18 Fergiemoto

    Very peaceful place at sunset!

    Like

    • 15 Jan 2012 at 20:58 pix & kardz

      funny how sunsets lend themselves to that…
      reminds me of the lyrics to taps, a song from summer camp years ago:
       
      Day is done, gone the sun,
      From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
      All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
       
      Fading light, dims the sight,
      And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
      From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.
       
      Thanks and praise, for our days,
      ‘Neath the sun, ‘neath the stars, neath the sky;
      As we go, this we know, God is nigh.
      (author unknown)

      Like

  22. 14 Jan 2012 at 17:04 thirdhandart

    Great entry! A very peaceful, inviting scene. Love it.

    Like

  23. 15 Jan 2012 at 08:01 Venusa

    i love it! The sunset, it’s like a painting 🙂

    Like

  24. 15 Jan 2012 at 11:02 Caroline

    That’s a very beautiful photo. I love all the definitions – very creative!

    Like

    • 15 Jan 2012 at 21:03 pix & kardz

      thanks Caroline.
      sometimes the changes are quicker than the plans. i was actually looking for some quotes about benches, and yet when i found the definitions, they seemed to be the perfect fit. glad you enjoyed this one 🙂

      Like

  25. 15 Jan 2012 at 17:19 Just Ramblin' Pier

    Very cool. Amazing photo and interesting information. : )

    Like

  26. 15 Jan 2012 at 21:39 john tugano

    your photo speaks for serenity..beautifully shot..

    Like

  27. 16 Jan 2012 at 03:28 the island traveler

    The bench and the view of the dusk seems to be calling, ” come and take refuge. rest and find peace. cry and I will listen. love and I will cherish you forever.” Beautiful photo. Thanks for today’s wonderful inspiration.

    Like

    • 16 Jan 2012 at 22:21 pix & kardz

      thank you island traveler.
      some great thoughts. that’s exactly how i see a bench – it extends an invitation.
      glad you enjoyed this one 🙂

      Like

  28. 16 Jan 2012 at 15:08 jakesprinter

    I love it very peaceful
    I invite you http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/2012-logo-a-review/

    Like

  29. 16 Jan 2012 at 18:52 stephanissima

    Ahhhh, such a great shot!

    Like

  30. 17 Jan 2012 at 07:00 Madman

    Peaceful, definitely 🙂 I love your interpretation. Thanks for the share!

    Like

  31. 17 Jan 2012 at 13:10 Prada For Breakfast

    Stopping in time.

    Great post and I love the definitions at the bottom.

    Halie

    Like

  32. 21 Jan 2012 at 06:10 latebloomerbuds

    My favorite time of day. That and early morning just before sunrise. Beautiful Chris!

    Like

    • 24 Jan 2012 at 18:45 pix & kardz

      thank you latebloomerbuds – the lighting at both times of day is my fave as well, when everything turns golden. thanks for stopping by!

      Like

  34. 23 Jan 2012 at 07:23 Cris

    That’s a really nice photograph. I like the way you have framed the bench with the water and partially by the tree. The colors are great.

    Like

  35. 27 Jan 2012 at 18:48 Caryn

    This one really pulled me in. As has already been noted, the framing is beautiful. Not to mention the gorgeous color, the light shimmering on the water, and of course the silhouette! Lovely image, Chris!

    Like

    • 30 Jan 2012 at 18:39 pix & kardz

      thank you Caryn. i still remember how cool the air was getting as dusk began to fall. we were about to step into the car to head for home, and this bench caught my eye. it’s funny how sometimes the random moments become the poignant ones. glad you enjoyed 🙂

      Like


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