JP's Photo Journal

June 29, 2009: Gears

2009-07-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Taken at the "Gadgets" area at COSI (Center of Science and Industry) in Columbus, Ohio. My kids had it set up so that all of the gears on the table were connected -- turning one made them all move.

July 2, 2009: Santa Maria

2009-07-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

Columbus Ohio has a replica of Columbus' ship, the Santa Maria. It is a wonderful way to look back in time and see what Columbus and his crew lived during their voyage to the New World. Unfortunately, the Ohio Santa Maria is lacking funding at the present and it's starting to show a little bit.

This is a shot taken from the main deck, looking up toward the crow's nest.

July 1, 2009: Great Gray Apes

2009-07-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

Taken at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. I *love* this shot!

July 3, 2009: Full Moon & Fireworks

2009-07-10T05:42:00.000-07:00

Taken at the Red, White & Boom! celebration in Columbus, OH.

June 30, 2009: Bee*Daisy

2009-07-05T10:34:00.001-07:00

From the German Village Haus und Garten Tour in Columbus, Ohio.

May 30, 2009: MoMA Interior

2009-06-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

The interior of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC has a lot of open spaces that allow you to look up or down at other floors. This was by far the loveliest space, as rays of sunlight helped create an artistic image of its own.

May 30, 2009: Alwyn Court

2009-06-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

While walking through NYC, I happened upon a gorgeous building called Alwyn Court. I don't think I've ever seen a building so fascinating. Here are some photos of it...

May 30, 2009: View from the Top

2009-06-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

The last thing we did in NYC before catching the bus to come home was go to "the top of the rock," which is a rooftop observation at Rockefeller Center. The view was amazing no matter which side you stood on -- Empire State Building on one side, Central Park on the other.

May 30, 2009: Chains of Love

2009-06-07T06:01:00.000-07:00

Another item from the MoMA Architecture & Design exhibits -- every link of this chain is a heart. It reminded me of one of my favorite songs from my college days: "Chains of Love" by Erasure.

May 30, 2009: Household Art

2009-06-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

The most interesting section of the Museum of Modern Art (for me) was the Architecture and Design section. There were actually quite a few things in there that I liked. This was not one of them, but it most definitely is interesting.

It's a chaise longue made entirely of cardboard, designed by Frank Gehry in 1987. Here's the official museum blurb:

Gehry worked with an unexpected, throwaway material—corrugated cardboard—in two series of surprisingly sturdy and humorous home furnishings. The instant success of the first series, Easy Edges, introduced in 1972, earned him national recognition. Gehry conceived its cardboard tables, chairs, bed frames, rocking chairs, and other items to suit the homes of young as well as old, of urban sophisticates as well as country dwellers. The Bubbles Chaise Longue belongs to Experimental Edges, the second series, which was introduced in 1979. These objects were intended to be artworks; yet they are sturdy enough for regular use. As the cardboard wears, it begins to appear suedelike and soft. Gehry's material lends itself to the curving form of this chair; its rollicking folds are, perhaps, a play on the corrugations themselves.

Heavily marketed and intentionally inexpensive, this furniture epitomized Gehry's interest in promoting affordable good design. The choice of "lowbrow" cardboard for Bubbles reflects Gehry's broad interest in using industrial, commercial, and utilitarian materials. An award-winning architect, he has worked with exposed chainlink fencing, corrugated metal, and plywood in concurrent architectural projects. In both the furniture series and the buildings, Gehry has given value to seemingly worthless materials by using them to create lasting designs.

June 2, 2009: Baby Snapper

2009-06-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

I found this little snapping turtle outside my office this afternoon. I don't know how old he was, but he only measured about 3 inches including his tail.

May 30, 2009: Horse Drawn Carriages

2009-06-01T18:45:00.000-07:00

One of the fine looking horses that pull the Central Park carriages. They were so pretty, and the carriages so romantic. What a wonderful tradition that is surviving the modern age of hustle and bustle in the big city!

Later in the day, we saw a protester holding up a sign about how the horses are not well-cared for. Suddenly, it didn't seem quite so wonderful. You can read more about this issue here.

May 30, 2009: Oasis

2009-05-31T19:34:00.000-07:00

This lovely scene comes to you from none other than the heart of New York City. It's a view of Central Park, and I have to say I fell in love with that place. I think that without it, everyone who lives in NYC would go absolutely bonkers. I know I would.

May 21, 2008: Bird Watcher

2009-05-22T00:43:00.000-07:00

I went on a field trip to the beach today with DD's class. When we arrived, we ate a picnic lunch. This fellow was quite interested in us, but kept glancing the other way. It was as if he wanted to make sure no other gulls found out about the potential treasure trove of discarded food scraps.

May 16, 2009: Hi, Biscus!

2009-05-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

My grandmother had quite a green thumb. She had all sorts of plants in her yard, and as long as I can remember, she told me what type of plant it was. When she pointed to one particular flower and told the preschool me that it was a hibiscus, I misunderstood. Many years later she told me that when I passed by that flower I would throw up my hand in a wave and say, "Hi, Biscus!"

Now, every time I see a hibiscus, I think of her.

May 13, 2009: Hatched!

2009-05-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

When we went to church this evening, we noticed that the mama goose had three little goslings under her wing. I don't know when they were hatched or if there are any others.

May 4, 2009: Deep Sea Golfing

2009-05-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

No school, so I took the kids to the local resort town for a game of miniature golf. It was a cold and rainy day, so I was glad to find a spot that had an indoor mini golf course. It had an underwater theme and was one of the more nicely decorated mini golf places I've ever seen.

May 3, 2009: Mother Goose

2009-05-03T15:53:00.001-07:00

There is a Canada goose who has chosen the parking lot at our church as her spot to build a nest and lay eggs. I feel so sorry for the dear, cars right by her all the time. Yet she is always there. It reminds me of the robin who built a nest right above my mailbox. Why do birds pick such bad places for nest-building?

April 28, 2009: In Bloom

2009-05-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

We have many azalea bushes in my front yard. This one is one of my favorites because it puts out both all-white blooms as well as these mostly-pink ones.

April 21, 2009: Good Morning!

2009-04-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

When I walked into my office this morning, a fine looking gentleman was outside the window, waiting to greet me:

April 11, 2009: Bowling Night

2009-04-12T17:12:00.000-07:00

Our cell group went bowling for this month's party. We discovered we were much better at Wii Bowling than the real deal. DD was impressed by how many pretty colors the balls came in...

April 3, 2009: Curious Birds

2009-04-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

We ate dinner out and DD insisted that we go window shopping at the local pet store, just a few doors down from the restaurant. These birds were very curious as to what we were doing.

Technical Difficulties Have Returned

2009-04-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

Once again, I am unable to upload photos. I have taken photos -- of birds, buildings, art and people. But the computer with my photo editing software, which I use to crop and fix my photos, has just about died. I hope to be able to post photos soon without having to resort to straight out of the camera shots.

March 29, 2009: Abstract Flowery Thing

2009-04-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

I have been so bad about not taking photos lately. So when the bushes out front started blooming, I made myself take photos. And then I decided to get all artsy and creative and do an extreme close up/abstract shot like Ree does at The Pioneer Woman.

(I like hers better.)

From My Archives: Foggy Morning

2009-03-29T00:19:00.000-07:00

Taken in November 2006. I love this photo because it's so eerie looking.