I Got It! FINALLY!

For a couple of years now, at least, there’s been this mural on the wall of a pizza shop out in Gloucester, MA that I’ve wanted to photograph and post to this blog. But, every time that I’ve passed by the place, the parking lot has been full of cars (apparently, they serve great pizza) and there has been no clear view of the mural. Until today, that is!

Today, a Sunday morning, with comfortable temperatures but still not real warm, the parking lot was empty and I got my chance. Just check it out!

Beginning farthest to the left, that's not a real window! Look at the shadows, the depth created by the patrons farthest inside, the seagull peering in the window at the man eating a slice of pizza.

Moving to the right, here's an artist (maybe "the" artist) painting "plein air." Notice, again, the shadows cast by the strong sunlight.

And, moving farthest to the right, the end of the building! Look how the artist has created the feeling that you are peering around the corner of the building, standing on the pier looking at Gloucester in the distance!

An overall view of the wall.

Finally, I am and have always been a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due! Here's the artist's signature and phone number.

What a great sense of perspective! What a great use of shadow and light!

I just LOVE this mural! Don’t you?!

Two Tickets to Springtime, Please!

I can’t tell you the number of years that I’ve wanted to attend the New England Flower Show. Of course, I do recall that I’ve admitted at least once before that I am a procrastinator extraordinaire. But this year folks, I FINALLY GOT THERE!

Then again, maybe my “subconscious” just knew that there really wasn’t any rush (and if you believe that one …). This was, after all, the 137th New England Flower Show, making it “the longest continuously running” show in the world. And, with “38 gardens and 192 floral arrangements,” this is also the “third largest flower show in the world.” (Massachusetts Horticultural Society)

Trust me, my feet could attest to the size of this event! Still, I did not manage to see the whole thing. For example, there were “222 retail vendors [and] live music performances” plus “lectures, demonstrations, and competitions.” I did get plenty of photos though! But I promise, I won’t make you look at every single one of them! 😀

But where to begin?!

How about with this landscape garden near the entrance to the show and a fitting place to be I might add. Did you know that the pineapple is a symbol of welcome?

Do you like orchids?

Then again, perhaps you like “traditional” outdoor flowers like flowering quince, azaleas or peonies.

There were numerous water gardens.

And even a couple of “non-flowers!”

Finally (and proudly), I just have to show you my hometown’s entry.

Had enough?! I thought you might so I’m putting the rest into a slideshow (that is, if I can remember my password) for your viewing pleasure.

[rockyou id=106145651]

Well, … It Fell Over!

 

But, really, not before I was, … well, … almost finished with the new one! Still, before I show you the finished product, I’d like to show you “the work in

Uh-Oh! It’s Gonna Fall Over!

I really am feeling a bit embarrassed by all of this; after all, I see this post every single day. But it really wasn’t until the last time I filled the feeders and the post wobbled. It was then that I stepped back and took notice of the way in which the post had begun to lean, somewhat like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, ready to fall over at any moment. I was, naturally, alarmed simply because I don’t want that to happen when a bird or even a squirrel is peacefully eating seed. I don’t care to hurt any creature.

But in my own defense, from the vantage point of the window where I see this post, or, more accurately, where I watch the birds at the feeders, it is not leaning quite as severely as it is in the photo. Still, I’m normally a very observant person; I should have noticed.

In part, too, I’m feeling guilty because I know I have myself to blame, at least for the wobble. I should have used pressure treated wood but, instead, chose to use fir. I did apply a clear wood preservative and set the post in cement but that was, obviously, not enough. The lean, however, is another story. It’s because of the constant pounding that the post takes from squirrels that launch themselves from a nearby maple tree; a tree that I had planted some years back but had no idea that it would grow so fast! The tree just didn’t seem to be all that close to the post … well, at least not back then!

What I’d really love though, is to get some video images of the squirrels approach and launch to the feeders. They are so much fun to watch; after all, squirrels are incredible acrobats! The post is approximately 10 feet from the trunk of the tree but, early last year, the branches overhung the feeders creating an easy walk to the feeders for the squirrels. So, one by one, I cut back the branches to the trunk of the tree and, one by one, the squirrels would find another branch to use. My poor maple tree now looks a bit lopsided but, finally, there were no more branches for the squirrels to use and I felt certain that my squirrel problem was over … that is, until one day when there sat a squirrel, looking quite proud of itself, at the very top of the post! After scaring it off the post several times but to no avail, I decided to watch and see its new approach. I figured it was another branch that I would just trim back some more, however, I figured wrong. The little devil scurried up the trunk then perched in a crotch that was almost level with the top of the post. Then, setting its feet against the limb and concentrating its gaze at the top of the post, the squirrel makes one giant leap for squirrelkind and lands on the post, sometimes a little precariously, but, nevertheless, hanging on with obvious feelings of great satisfaction. (There are occasions, too, when the little devil overshoots the post! I can’t help but laugh out loud when that happens.)

Still, funny as it may be to watch the squirrels’ antics, it is also a bit frustrating because 1) they won’t leave the poor birds alone and 2) they empty the feeders far faster than the birds are capable of doing. Thus, I had in mind to move the post anyway but, because of the wobble and lean, I guess my someday project just got moved to the top of my list instead!