This week’s Random Object Wednesday is brought to us by the first family member to contribute to the blog… my mom, Lucy Holguin. 

Mom:  “I’ve been thinking of what to contribute to Random Object Wednesday.  It has to be something different… that no one would figure out.”

This was a different approach than most other participants have taken.  I welcomed the interest and the challenge of photographing whatever she came up with.

That’s when she handed me this round object.  I took the item and examined it closely.  It has some interesting creases and interesting spots of color.

Here’s a closer look at the creases.

Most of my shots are indoors but for this object, I decided to go to my backyard.  The object looks more ‘at home’ on the ground.  I had to lie flat on my stomach to get the right angle.  I think it was worth it.

It was at this point that I got distracted.  I spotted a tiny little spider setting up with web.  I had to photograph it while I was in the neighborhood.

But I deviate.  Have you figured out what this object is?

It’s dirt!

How is this possible?

The dirt was gathered from the backyard.  Then it was compacted into a ball shape.  It was rubbed repeatedly to give it a polished effect.  The final step… it was put in the oven to dry out.

Dirt cleans up nicely!

As mom alluded to in her bio, she is quite the artisan.  When describing her talents to my friends, I usually say, “basically, if you see something you like at a store – whether it’s a painting, garment, art piece, jewelry, upholstered furniture, cake, cookie or other pastry or even a hairdo… my mom can look at it and make it.” And I think you’ll agree that my mom very much succeeded at even making dirt look good!

Camera Used:  
Big Bertha (Canon EOS 5D Mark II)

Date:  
November 2013