Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Ice-Storm Day + Two

Photos celebrating the beauty of nature in my yard--enrobed in ice. Song Sparrow nest in the flowering plum in my front yard. It has been fun to watch the sparrows return to this nest the last two years. I also have a couple bird houses in this same area of my yard that get used annually.Ice-covered Holly.
White pine in ice.

NC

Ice-Storm Day Part II

After scraping the ice and slush off the drive, sidewalk, and front approach, I treated the girls to BG's best hamburg at Corner Grill; then we were off to the Wood County Historical Center and Museum for some icy photos.

In reviewing the photos I took last Friday, I noticed something Abbey-esque. In the same way that the reader of Edward Abbey's homage to nature and seasonal park rangering, Desert Solitaire, would not be apprised to the historical reality that he was not alone, from the following photos, it would appear that I was alone. In this same way, I have obscured the historical fact that Jessica and Emily were with me all the while. The following photos were shot "on the fly" (using in-camera tricks) and have not been manipulated with any photo editing software.

I hope you enjoy your vitual holiday tour of grounds of the Wood County Historical Center and Museum:Front entrance. The stone arches and walls gracing the complex were completed using resident labor during the 1920s East entrance, looking toward the Portage River.The Pest House. Nest door to the former Lunatic Asylum. Those with communicable diseases would stay here.
Evergreen in icicle.
Mini light encased in an icy sheath.
A calm place to think icy thoughts. Ben: an homage to the Museum's farming tradition.
Front entry of the former county home. This area was mainly used by staff and guests, not residents, or patients, or both. The Wood County Poor Farm was in operation as a poor farm from 1869 to the 1950s. From the 50s on, it's main use was a nursing home for the elderly. It was closed and slated for demolition in 1971, when a group of concerned citizens proposed a new use. After extensive renovation and preservation, the county home reopened as the Wood County Historical Center and Museum in 1975.
The Staff Dining Room, decorated for the holidays.
Wall sconces in the main entrance. Notice the delicate shadows made by the intricate cuts in the crystal.

NC

Friday, December 19, 2008

Ice-Storm Day

Here's another photo to add to the Empty Nest Series; I shot it this morning off my front porch.Overnight, a massive weather system made it's way across the Midwest dumping eight or so inches of snow across Southern Michigan and a narrow band of ice from Nebraska, all the way across Southern Iowa, Central Illinois, Northern Indiana, Northern Ohio, and to Philadelphia, PA.

Today was supposed to be the last day of classes for Bowling Green Schools before the long holiday break; however, due to weather conditions, school was cancelled before 5:30 AM. It's slick-slidin' out there, and ever-determined Michelle went to do her daily swim at the BGSU rec center this morning at six, and then to Ben's Table a local restaurant for breakfast with the swim team. Some things are natural, others are just crazy. I think I'm going to take Jessica and Emily to Corner Grill for breakfast and then to the Wood County Museum; crazy?

NC

Friday, December 12, 2008

Fall Semester 2008 has expired

Wow! Look at that...did you see it? Time just flew by. And now? Fall semester 2008 is over--It's been a challenging semester with an overabundance of ambivalent students, liberally peppered with with freshly-cracked whine--my glass runneth over. I'm tired. I'm fed up, I probably should not be posting these thoughts on my 'family-friendly' blog, but to quote the masters of rhyme and lyrics, Nada Surf, "Oh fuck it, I'm going to have a party," and no students are invited.

I'm really looking forward to the winter break to catch up on all the things I have neglected this past semester, like breathing, and writing about the nasty-ass, dead albatross hanging around my worthless albatross-killing neck--no offence to Sam Coleridge, but his beautiful piece of prose has become a cliche used by folks who have never read "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"--the dread dissertation. I have to wrap it up or I'll be the one getting wrapped (or tagged and bagged for you crime drama folks).

NC