The temple business is clear even as the war god Quan Ti is strong and helps Lum find his hard won reward.
Joss House Wall
"My friend Lum passed by--
See here, his name on the board--
He went to mine gold."
© 2006 Jim Ross
Behind the wall to the left of the Joss House entrance is that of the caretaker. The walls are covered with names of people carved in boards and on the walls themselves, or brushed on paper. In the center of the room is a cast iron stove surrounded by benches on which men sat, smoking pipes and trying to find out where their friends and loved ones were; and discussing how to get along in California. Many of the men became prospectors or worked in the mining camps. The Joss House besides being their temple was a place of camaraderie and their information booth.
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Comments: 20
As I mentioned to Candida I'm chagrined not to have asked more questions, but places like this have great auras to absorb.
The word seemed to fit the ghostly qualities I felt there; like the messages themselves, some inlayed in gold, some barely visible on yellowed paper, were still viable and at any moment the person one was intended for would enter the room, see it and glow knowing all was well with their friend.
Somehow the synonym, "atmosphere" reminds me of a gas, and "ambience" speaks to mood--a present tense idea. But I don't really know if I've chosen correctly until I get the vibes from my readers.
thank you Jim
How I enjoy your comments! They balance so well the needs of the artist with the chronicler.
. . . and the day I was there did everything it could to help me reach for the images.
Thank you for your support.
Lives etched forever on walls
Educating all