Pic Today 11/12/12

IT'S STARTED

It's hard to believe

but the holidays have already begun.

(. . . at least in St. Louis suburb, Webster Groves.)

The holidays began in style,

with shops and markets open on Sunday.

Christmas carols being sung . . .

horse and buggy rides . . .

holiday treats for all, and of course . . .

Santa Claus!

(Are we rushing it just a bit?)

Pic Today 11/10/12

ESCAPE TO THE RIVER

Not that I need an excuse

to get out of town

and spend time on the river,

but . . .

This past week has been a tough one.

Lots of stress and worry.

With the job, health problems, too many bills,

and of course worries about the election.

So Saturday was "get out of town" day.

No work or assignments,

and balmy 80˚ sunny weather.

Down to the cabin, 

on the crystal clear river.

The only colors this time of year --

the green, green water cress at water's edge

and the trusty, vintage red river cabin.

So peaceful.   Always comfortable.

Shangrila!

Pic Today 11/10/12

ARMOR PLATED

WALNUT TREE

There's a tree here

that stands out from the others.

Silver against the autumn colors

of every other tree.

It's artist, Robert Lobe, 

who found this long dead

walnut tree trunk,

and hammered sheets of heavy gauge

annealed aluminum all around.

And fastened it with

stainless steel hardware.

So this walnut tree lives on, magnificently,

shining bright in the fall sun.

A sculptural echo

of a Missouri walnut tree.

Pic Today 11/9/12

OUTDOOR INTERACTIVE

SCULPTURE

FOR THE BLIND

Something new in outdoor playground installations:

Touch and play earth sculpture

for the blind.

First stop --

a braille podium model

of the earth installation, small scale,

with directions and explanations

of the giant earth version nearby

(in braille, of course.)

And then a chance to feel and explore

the exact same "face"

recessed into the earth,

only bigger!

(It's fun for kids, too.)

Pic Today 11/8/12

"Oh beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain."

                                 -- America The Beautiful