Pic Today 8/31/16

 

 

 

IT'S APPLE PICKIN' TIME

Our rainy summer has been good news

for apple growers, on both sides of the river.

Pick-your-own orchards are already

taking visitors out to ripe and ready trees.

Granny Smith, Braeburn and Delicious

apple varieties are local favorites.

And sometimes the only way to get

the best ones is to climb into the trees!

What fun.

 

Pic Today 8/30/16

 

 

 

AN ARTISTIC AUTISTIC MIND

It's a gift

to be able to "teach" art

to an autistic child.

I am not the one teaching,

but receiving and learning.

The world is so visual, so expressive.

Not at all verbal.

I love the way he writes.

So fast, so precisely.

Each line a different color.

 (Not always understanding 

what he says, the connections.)

No matter.

 His visual sense of the world

teaches me so much art.

I am indeed the student.

 

Pic Today 8/29/16

 

 

 

 

TIE-DYE MASTER

It is fitting that

James Preston lives in

Haight Ashbury (San Francisco),

where tie-dye fabrics were

reportedly "invented" over 50+ years ago.

Preston is the acknowledged master

of tie-dye, and still creating masterpieces

at "Positively Haight Street",

a shop he has owned for 30 years.

James was a close friend of Jerry Garcia,

who selected some of his tie-dye work

for the covers of Grateful Dead albums.

Preston's tie-dye flag flew above

San Francisco City Hall

when Jerry Garcia died.

(Signed Preston tapestries are popular

world-wide, and hang in major museums.)

When I lived in San Francisco,

I purchased a huge signed tapestry

from him in 1999 (shown above.)

If you ever visit San Francisco,

be sure to visit "Positively Haight,"

1400 Haight Street,

where Preston resides 40 hours a week.

You'll enjoy the experience.

(If you're interested in purchasing the

above tie-dye tapestry, 60" x 90",

created by Preston in 1999,

please inquire.)

 

Pic Today 8/28/16

 

 

 

DEFINING FASHION

  Sometimes I wonder . . . 

how people choose to wear

what they wear.

(Oh dear.)

 

Pic Today 8/27/16

 

 

 

 

WHEN SIMPLE WORKED WELL

There was a time

when barn doors were simple,

and made to last,

With slide latches

crude and hand fashioned.

Designed to work.

With front gates

that swung open,

but kept the chickens

in the yard.

When a hook and nail

would keep traffic from entering.

Simple.  Functional.  Still working. 

Pic Today 8/26/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECENT DISCOVERIES,

ANTIQUE SHOPPING

 

I'm mostly disappointed 

with antique shopping.

Too much junk.

But my recent, accidental visit

to a local shop was 

 full of surprises.

Connections with an earlier age.

Authentic images and art,

from an time long past.

 

I bought nothing.

But took these few images.

 

(Fun.  Cheap, too.)

Pic Today 8/25/16

 

IF YOU BUILD IT,

THEY WILL COME

Purple Martins

love communal living.

This "speed demon" swallow

has simple requirements

if you want to establish

a purple martin condominium:

o  One or two gourds on a 

ten-foot pole,

with an opening & perch

o  In an open clearing 

  with lots of room 

  to dive and hunt 

All it takes is one pair

to set up house,

raise a family.

 

And they will return each year,

and attract more purple martins.

 

(The top photo is a local condo.)

 

Pic Today 8/24/16

 

 

 

 

A DELICIOUS WAY

TO ENJOY

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

If you're lucky enough to harvest

fresh brussels sprouts from your garden,

o  Pick a couple of sprout stalks

o  Snap off the top fresh buds,

rinse and slice in half

o  Toss with olive oil, sea salt,

    ground pepper and nutmeg 

o  Bake in hot oven until browned

o  Shake on parmesan cheese,

and serve.

(You'll love them forever.)

Pic Today 8/23/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TROPICAL DELICACIES

Look what Mother Nature can do,

   all by herself . . .

in tropical climes, as it is,

in the Climatron "bio-dome"

at Missouri Botanical Garden. 

Perfection.

In exquisite detail.

Pic Today 8/22/16

 

 

 

 

BEST SANDWICH IN TOWN

 Three cheers for Union Loafers,

St. Louis' newest cafe and bakery

(unionloafers.com)

The best bread, best ciabatta,

best sandwiches.

I had a delicious turkey and swiss

sandwich -- fresh, chewy, crusty,

yeasty, doughy, mouthwatering.

Plus a free taste of their daily ciabatta,

with mashed roma tomatoes and red pepper flakes

baked on top -- hot and tangy.

Definitely worth a visit.

(1629 Tower Grove Ave).

Pic Today 8/21/16

 

 

 

 

HARVEST GEMS

So many veggies,

ripe for picking,

from the garden.

Gorgeous eggplant,

melons, peppers.

Look at the perfection

in that cantaloupe.

(Such great design.)

Pest free, totally organic.

Plant a garden!

Pic Today 8/20/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHY WE LOVE

ROCK FESTIVALS

Sometimes it's best

to let the pictures

do the talking.

Support your local music festivals.

 You'll love it.