Tuesday, October 08, 2024

A Well Made Torso Contains All Of Life

Torso of a Man by Auguste Rodin, located at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Modeled mid-1880s, cast in plaster c. 1926.



* Title quote attributed to Rodin.


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  I've Got New Rules
2017:  Flashback To A Flashdance Summer
2016:  Make Your Reservation Now
2015:  Every Year Is A Good Year For A Hero
2014:  Peace Through Understanding
2013:  Goodwill Hunting
2012:  Approaching Talladega
2011:  Music Sets The Stage
2010:  Tacky Prevails
2009:  Not As Hot As It Looks
2008:  Burst
2007:  Stockholm Syndrome
2006:  Playing In A Dream Near You
2005:  The Greatest Story Ever Told

Monday, October 07, 2024

Drip

 

A water faucet in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.  Photo taken by my friend Vicki.



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Gratuitous Zac
2017:  Tall, Foxy, And Toxic
2016:  Magic Shoes

2015:  Finally Fall
2014:  Fruit On Main
2013:  Circling The Shark
2012:  Unlimited 
2011:  Autumn Leaves Begin To Fall 
2010:  I Wonder What Color The Ancient Estruscans Wore? 
2009:  You Ask, I’ll Answer 
2008:  You Can’t Hide From The Eyes Of A Truck Driver 
2007:  Flurry Of Ruffles 
2006:  A Bag Full Of Dicks 
2005:  Go West Young Man!! Uh, I Mean East. East.

Sunday, October 06, 2024

City Art

Neighborhood art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  I'm Not The Only One
2017:  A Teddy Bear You Don't Want To Cuddle
2016:  You Are Scored On My Heart
2015:  Truckin' Punkins
2014:  How To Achieve 365 Days Of Perfection
2013:  Leaving Las Vegas And Bypassing That Damn Dam
2012:  A Difference As Big As The Grand Canyon
2011:  Not Even Technology Can Fix Stone Cold Stupid
2010:  Three
2009:  Not Exactly “Daily” By Definition
2008:  I Almost Married This Man
2007:  Greeting Fair Lovers For Over Fifty Years
2006:  The Infinite Wisdom Of A Grandfather
2005:  Swingin’ Good Times

Saturday, October 05, 2024

Back East

Fall on the backroads in Ashford, Connecticut.  I miss the East Coast so much, especially this time of year.  I think it's time for a mini-vacation!




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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  
One More Look
2017:  Not Exactly "Woodland" Creatures
2016:  Hot Is Hot
2015:  Washy Watercolor Morning
2014:  The Piano Man Put Us In A New York State Of Mind
2013:  Eddie Sandwich
2012:  Scenes From An Italian Kitchen
2011:  Living Deliberately But Not Without Scars
2010:  Maybe They Just Don’t Like Oklahomans
2009:  Mexico? Derecho.
2008:  Juxtaposition
2007:  Eddie Sports Pigtails Friday
2006:  Gambling Under The Big Sky
2005:  Sleeping Beauty


Friday, October 04, 2024

Thursday, October 03, 2024

Abandon Every Hope, Who Enter Here

This is the first bronze cast of The Gates of Hell sculpture by Auguste Rodin, located at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The original plaster model is at the Musée D’Orsay in Paris

The plaque nearby says, "In 1880 Rodin was commissioned to create a set of bronze doors for a new museum in Paris.  Inspired by The Divine Comedy, an epic poem written in the early 1300s by Dante Alghieri, Rodin planned to decorate the doors with characters that Dante met on his fictional journey through hell.  The sculptor eventually discarded the idea of a strict narrative and instead created a weightless, chaotic world filled with more than two hundred figures in the throes of pain and despair.  Although the planned museum never came to fruition, Rodin worked on the sculpture for early thirty-seven years, periodically adding, removing, or modifying elements." 

On an unrelated note, I feel like I'm living on the other side of The Gates of Hell right now because the air conditioning in our house went out three days ago. Yes.  Hell.

The part to fix it will take two weeks to get.  Two weeks!  Sure, it's October, but it's October in Southern Arizona.  It's been in the mid to high 100s for weeks.  The temperature inside the house is currently 84 degrees, which is a picnic compared to the 102 degrees it is outside, but nowhere near the level I usually keep the house at when lounging around daily.  We keep the house between 65-70 degrees during the day, and at night, I drop the AC down to 53.  I could easily live in Alaska.  

I was in the kitchen the other day making dinner and I felt like I was in the Bronx in the late 1960s - there I was, in my muumuu, standing in front of the oscillating fan, cursing under my breath in Italian, and dripping in sweat.

Ed said this is how he grew up.  He's not bothered one bit.  I grew up with a father who kept the house freezing cold.  I obviously inherited the hot gene from him.  When I was a teenager, our summer house didn't have air-conditioning, and even if it did, my step-father wouldn't have been running it 24/7 like my father did.  We would go to sleep at night, moving as little as possible, directly in front of the fan.  I survived.  But now I don't want to do that. I don't want to move slowly like they do in the South to deal with the heat.  I don't want to feel my head surging with heat and the sweat dripping down my back. 

I am considering sleeping in the semi-truck since the AC in the sleeper works, but I guess I'll see how it goes over the weekend.  It's there if I need it.  I'm not at the point of abandoning every hope yet.

But I'm close.


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Pure Eddie
2017:   Make Time For This Market
2016:   Capture The Flag
2015:   Arizona Dinosauria
2014:   Twilight In New York
2013:   The Sun Also Sets
2012:   Summoning The Mountains
2011:   The Power Of Gold 
2010:   Where’s The Beef? 
2009:   If One Could Love A Convenience Store 
2008:   Eddie Home On The Alien Range Friday 
2007:   N Is For Nanny. Oh, And Negligent. 
2006:   The Answer Will Be Revealed In Nine Months 
2005:   Lipgloss And Cocoa Puffs

Wednesday, October 02, 2024

A Delicious Treat For The Eyes

Look at this beautiful line of haircare products!  When I was in Philadelphia, I needed some dry shampoo so I went to the salon in the hotel. 

I almost couldn't make a decision because I was so transfixed by this colorful display. When faced with so many beautiful choices, I experience a kind of retail paralysis, so as I looked through the products I was saying to myself, "Focus. Focus. Focus. You only need dry shampoo."

They did have what I needed and I wound up loving what I bought.  And, it was convenient.  But now that I'm home I'm considering buying more of their products.  I mean, the colors are gorgeous and I'm a sucker for beautiful packaging.

Amika is definitely the kind of product line that would look great on anyone's bathroom vanity.  



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Apple Picking
2017:  Maybe None Of Us Should Have Pizza
2016:  Ed Talks Meat With Elvis
2015:  Slickrocks, Domes, Bowls, Fins, And Things
2014:  Have Another Piece Of Cake
2013:  I Was Searching For Leather Goods And Found Something To Dream About
2012:  Tomatoes Under Glass
2011:  The Best Seat In The House 
2010:  Countdown To Pisa 
2009:  Eddie Goes Waaaay South Friday 
2008:  Port Of Long Beach 
2007:  Layers Of History 
2006:  Would I Be Cheesy If I Said I Wanted To Drive THIS Rig?? 
2005:  Paper Glow

Tuesday, October 01, 2024

Stone Cold Roman

Stonework at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lenox, Massachusetts. 

That nose definitely belongs to a Roman.  


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  We Prefer The Slow Grind
2017:  Texas Really Does Have A Thing For Big Stuff
2016:  Two-Wheeling In The Desert
2015:  Moab Is The Place For Premium Baked Goods 
2014:  A Precursor To The Real Deal
2013:  Only In The Summertime
2012:  Craving Italy
2011:  A Perfect Way To Start A Month
2010:  Old School
2009:  Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
2008:  The Clubhouse Girls
2007:  Morning On The Air Train
2006:  The Other Side Of The Tracks
2005:  Vicki Bin Laden   

Monday, September 30, 2024

Wieners Since '65

Wiener World in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Inside The Beast
2017:  Time For Tomatoes
2016:  The King And Queen Of Friday Night
2015:  A Tree Grows In Moab
2014:  More Is More
2013:  Pick A Patch Of Dirt And Park Yourself On It
2012:  The Heat Of The Road
2011:  My Super Handsome Man
2010:  It All Started With Betty
2009:  Traffic Stopping Skyline
2008:  When You Are Proud To Be Told Your Roots Are Showing
2007:  Engulfed In Color
2006:  Fish And Loaves Of Bread Are Not The Only Things He Is Generous With
2005:  23 Things

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Meet Me Under The Clock

The Kaufmann's Clock, located at the corner of Smithfield Street and Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Kaufmann's Department Store was founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1871 by Morris, Jacob, and Isaac Kaufmann.  In the early 20th century, the store was owned by Morris's son, Edgar J. Kaufmann

Edgar was also known for commissioning the architectural masterpiece Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. 



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sign Of The Times
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  
Essential Travel Preparation
2017:  Getting The 'Ol Girl Washed
2016:  Lit From Below
2015:  The Devil's Highway Takes You Past A 27 Million-Year-Old Rock With Wings
2014:  One Of Millions 
2013:  I Walked In The Footsteps Of Richard Gere
2012:  Flower Bar
2011:  A Sign For Sore Eyes
2010:  A Primm Landscape
2009:  I Am A Kandee Addict
2008:  The Tiny Intersection Where The Colors Collide
2007:  Loved Shack
2006:  Holy Mother Of Pearl
2005:  The Starfish Effect

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Saying Goodbye To The City Of Brotherly Love

So long, Philly!  See you again soon.



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Football Season In Minnesota
2017:  Ideas Blooming
2016:  Blushing Rain Clouds
2015:  Last Night Was Super!
2014:  Sloths Are The New Kittens
2013:  In The Shadow Of Mount Olympus
2012:  Toni And Her Sisters
2011:  Paper Boy…And Girl
2010:  Breakfast Of Champions (And Truck Drivers)
2009:  Vegetarianism Brings On Extinction
2008:  It’s Beauty Is Just The Beginning
2007:  Eddie Relaxes In Style Friday
2006:  How To Tell Your Parents You Don’t Have A Roommate
2005:  You Just Know When You’ve Met “The One”

Friday, September 27, 2024

The Hawk Will Never Die

We went to Philadelphia a week and a half ago to attend my cousin's wedding.  You've already seen some photos of Philly from our trip.  We had a great time.

We stayed at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, which is right downtown, and a block from the Wanamaker Building where the reception was held.
The Crystal Tea Room was a beautiful venue and Finley Catering did a fabulous job with the food. 

This wedding was one of the finest events Ed and I have ever been to.  The cocktail hour food was amaaaazing - Seafood (shrimp cocktail, crab legs, lobster tails), Mexican (tacos, beans, tortilla chips, salsa), Italian (ravioli, mozzarella sticks, tortellini, assorted meats and cheeses, bread), Meditteranean (hummus, grilled vegetables, olives, roasted red peppers, button mushrooms), in addition to the canapés being served by the wait staff.  And, an open bar.  It's not a big deal for us since we don't drink, but man, that's something else considering it extended all through the reception, too.

The meal was also very good.  Ed had the eggplant parmigiana and I had the filet mignon.  The seafood option was crabcakes.  Delicious dinner served by the professional and attentive waitstaff.  

They had a band that played all night - much too loud for me (considering I'm deaf these days!) but several good singers and lots of well-known songs, new and old.  

After the cake was cut, we asked about getting some because it wasn't automatically served at our table.  While the server poured coffee, he directed us to not a Viennese dessert table, but a Viennese dessert room.  That's right.  A room full of treats!  Wedding cake, cream puffs, pastries, puddings, hot beverages, and liqueurs served in chocolate shot glasses.  Holy cannoli!

I have never seen such a display at a wedding.  Maybe I'm not attending the right kinds of weddings but in all the years I've had to go to various events, even ones that were considered "nicer" than others, this one takes the cake.  I couldn't have been more impressed.

Although, wait...

I'm not sure this impresses me because I'm not much of a sports fan, but it's certainly something I've never seen at a wedding - the Saint Joseph's University Hawk!  Yes, there was a hawk on the dance floor.  Cutting a serious rug!  And no, I didn't get a picture because it was kinda impossible...

As if the wedding events at this point weren't impressive enough, there was an afterparty.  We didn't attend because we were kinda pooped at that point and since it was being held at the pub affiliated with the wedding venue, we figured it would be a lot of drinking and probably, mostly the young people.  But...my cousin told me they were serving Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches.  What?!  Yes, more food!  I should have gone just for the cheesesteak.

The next morning, the day we were set to leave, they hosted a brunch at the hotel.  That, too, was delicious.  So we joined everyone for breakfast and then headed back to the room to get ready to check out of the hotel.  Since we had an evening flight, we did a little sightseeing in the afternoon and then had lunch at a delicious stir-fry place we found close to the hotel.

Overall, we had a fantastic weekend and we are so glad we decided to attend.  I am thrilled that we were able to make this happen and I look forward to seeing everyone again in the near future.

Best wishes to the new Mr. and Mrs.!



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Morning At MOA
2017:  Ed And The Goddess Of Agave
2016:  Toys At The Continental Divide
2015:  Where Indiana 558 Ends
2014:  Steeler Nation Night Life
2013:  The City Of Dreams Is A Dreamy City
2012:  Five Fantastic Finds
2011:  Hand Dipping Tastes Better
2010:  The Skies Were So Dark, Even GE Couldn’t Brighten Things Up
2009:  Not So Deep Impact
2008:  My America. Your America. OUR America.
2007:  Frozen In Time
2006:  Ohhh, Paaablo
2005:  Apparently, Aliens Tell Time With Their Ass

Thursday, September 26, 2024

The Climb To Fifty-Six

Happy Birthday to my brother, the cutest tree climber there ever was! 

Wishing you a healthy, happy, and prosperous year!!



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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Born In MCMLXVIII
2017: A Big Delivery
2016: Killing Two Birthday Birds With One Stone
2015: The Greatest Spectacle In Racing
2014: Fall Babies
2013: We Are Family! I Got My Brother And Me!
2012: The Highlight Of My Life
2011: Dream Big. Live Bigger.
2010: Always Merry When Around My Brother
2009: Living Outside The Touch Of Time
2008: Girls And Their Boys
2007: Living History
2006: Company On The Prairie
2005: Rack Eyes

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Representing The Love Of Wisdom

While in Philadelphia, Ed and I visited the Rodin Museum, one of the world's great collections of works by Auguste Rodin, and the only dedicated Rodin Museum outside France.

The museum was a gift of movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum to the city of Philadelphia.  According to Wikipedia, "he began collecting works by Rodin in 1923 with the intent of founding a museum.  Within three years, he assembled the largest collection of Rodin's works outside Paris, including bronze castings, plaster studies, drawings, prints, letters, and books.  The museum houses a collection of nearly 150 objects."

This sculpture sits outside the courtyard of the entrance to the museum.  The plaque beside it says":

"The Thinker.  1880-81, Enlarged 1902-1904.  Auguste Rodin (1840-1917).  Rodin first imagined The Thinker as a small figure near the top of The Gates of Hell, a sculpture now installed at the Rodin Museum entrance.  The Gates of Hell is based on The Inferno, an epic poem by the Italian poet Dante, and Rodin conceived the contemplative figure as representing the poet's creative force.

Rodin later enlarged The Thinker to monumental scale.  In this form, it has come to symbolize all creative thought.  The arrangement here, with an architectural façade behind the sculpture, matches Rodin's gravesite near Paris.  The bronze cast, made in 1919, was donated to Philadelphia by movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum."



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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Museum Quality
2017: Aisle Of Palms
2016: A Lively Evening
2015: 106 Years Of Racing Has Happened Here
2014: Towering Jewel
2013: Port Townsend Honor System
2012: This I Love
2011: Wooden Shoes, Tulips, And Now This?
2010: Universal AND Contagious
2009: Ed Smiles With The Pasties Girl Friday
2008: Who Needs A Man When You Have A Kindle??
2007: Phone Calls And Fellatio
2006: Color Ring
2005: We Go All Out!

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

It's Fresher

Old signage for Dimling's Candy Shops in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Their tagline, "It's Fresher" can be seen at the top left of the sign.



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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Priceless Antiquities Get A Ride In A Big Rig

Monday, September 23, 2024

Cheers To Another Year!


In the photo above, I'm celebrating my first birthday.  Today I celebrate my 57th.

Oh, how time flies!  




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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Me, Augustus, And Kublai Khan
2017: The Ultimate F Word - Fifty
2016: Cheers To 49!
2015: Loving Snow For Over Four Decade
2014: Hey, Hey, Hey! It's My Birthday!!
2013: Once, An Angel
2012: Halfway To Ninety
2011: Aging In Soft Light 
2010: Why The Crying? 
2009: From Swings To Eighteen Wheels 
2008: Fishing Expedition 
2007: Eggs Of Wisdom Apparently Start Hatching At Forty 
2006: The Birthday Wagon Train Takes Off Today 
2005: 38 Special