The Owego Buildings

These buildings are one of my favorite subjects. I first photographed them back in the early 1970's in black and white. I have photographed them every once in a while since. Today while crossing the Allegheny River over the new bridge, they looked especially bright and cheery. I think that some of them have been recently painted in brighter colors. So much has changed since I first saw them. I believe at least two of them have been torn down (out of view of the photo, to the left) and last year there were terrible floods - their first floors were completely flooded - so hard to imagine on a day like this when the water level of the river is so far below. I love that they are always there - like an old friend - and that they are constantly changing in subtle ways, and that are such an interesting subject for me.

The Rings of Saturn

This is Rocky the dog, owned by some people we know. I stopped by their house today, and Rocky had just come home from the veterinarian's office after having eye surgery. Ouch! So they put this collar kind of thing, made of plastic, around his nick to keep him from trying to scratch himself on his face with one of his paws. It also made it very difficult for him to eat from his food bowl as well. Gee whiz, poor doggie. When I first looked down at that cute little face, with the ring around it, I thought of the rings of Saturn. Well, at least a little bit, right?

The Old Power Plant

I was on my way home from my astronomy meeting, and realized that I had not found a photograph for today yet. I did see the stacks illuminated by lights at the power plant, so got out my tripod and camera, and walked around to see what I could find. I liked the fact that the stacks were fading in the background. It turns out that this power plant is no longer in operation, and it is slated to be torn down. It has been here forever. I will be spending some time trying to get some more photographs of it before the demolition begins. Sure wish I could get inside the plant, though.

Painting the Garage

You have seen so many photographs of the garage before it was painted. I loved the peeling paint, and the raking sunlight on the doors, but it was way past needing painting. So I have primed everything, and so far done a finish coat on only one of the doors. The rest to come, now that the weather has gotten cooler. The doors do look beautiful in their new paint, I have to confess. Maybe I will do a close-up so you can see how nice it really looks.

It's About The Clouds

I have photographed these trees before, as many of you will recognize. So when I was driving along shore road, and saw the cumulus clouds in the distance, I almost didn't stop, because I have taken too many photographs here. But today was a bit different, because it had just rained, and the tree trunks were reflected in the wet pavement, and in the distance were the clouds. So I drove too far, but eventually stopped, and walked back to make this picture.

The Rule of Law

In a civilized society, there need to be rules - or laws - governing how we all behave. In our society it is called "Rule of Law." Rule of law implies that every citizen is subject to the law. It stands in contrast to the idea that the ruler is above the law, for example by divine right. So how come we all see people who have a sense of entitlement - who we see behave in anti-social ways? I mean, look at THIS idiot, who chained his bicycle to the sign that prohibits any parking here! Is that directly flaunting the law, or what? Oh wait! That is MY bike! I chained it there for safety while I went in to the bagel store! Oooops...

The Boat Motor

I guess I need to stop posting photographs of museum exhibits. But there are so many interesting things to see and so many creative ideas, I can't stop! You are going to love the title of this sculpture: "My Girlfriend Never Gave Me a Boat Motor." It is by Clint Newfeld. I was blown away when I rounded a corner and saw this! I wondered how this couch could hold up an entire boat motor! Guess what - it is all ceramic! It is a stunning reproduction of an engine in clay, and fired with a white glaze! Amazing. And of course, this is incongruous (my favorite new word) to find this engine on a beautiful, delicate upholstered couch.