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Friday, July 31, 2009

Environmentally Friendly Gas Station



Like the bells in my last post, which by the way I've never heard, (although there are plenty around here that I have heard) I pass by this muralised station all the time. This normally isn't my kind of thing, but in a strange way it kind of fits.
I almost forgot to mention that this gas station went out of business before I moved to the area.
Have a great weekend!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Cross and Carillon meet the Sky


I always notice this carillon when I pass by, so yesterday I decided to stop and get a few pictures. The plaque said that it was donated to the church in 1929. I took these just before a heavy rain storm.
To see Skywatch posts from other blogs please click here.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Old Millstone

This is part of a millstone that I found near the ruins of an old mill. I plan on doing a few posts about this old and interesting place which includes mill ruins, a mill house that's over 200 years old and the land that has several sycamore trees that are over than 270 years old.

Please see my Something Sighted blog for a peek.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Fly Low and Avoid the Radar


When I was in Bristol last month standing near the Delaware River, I looked to the right and saw this interesting sculpture, and what I later found out was Burlington New Jersey across the river. If you look closely (left side of bottom picture) you can see the Riverboat that I posted last week and the tall spire of St. Mary's church that was in my sepia post last month.

When I looked left I saw this duck zip down and fly just above the water. I really had to click fast to get the shot.

Immediately it reminded me of what KROQ disc jockey Dusty Streets used to say everytime her show ended in the early 1980's "Fly Low and Avoid the Radar"

This is my Watery Wednesday post.

To see other Watery Wednesday posts please click here.

Monday, July 27, 2009

More Princeton



Here are some more pictures from my Princeton University visit. The other Princeton posts can be seen here and here. I was racing the parking meter so I don't have as many details as I would like.
In the top photo the tour guide is telling his guests about the Harvey S. Firestone Memorial Library building.
The second photo shows chalk messages on steps written by students.
The building in the bottom picture looks old and very interesting, but I don't know anything about it.
I think I'll go back and take more pictures in the fall.

I you would like to see My World Tuesday posts from other bloggers please click here.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

A Hot Day in Doylestown




Yesterday Vicki and I went to Doylestown. It's not too far from Newtown and has more things to do. We started off at the James A. Michener Art Museum and Sculpture Garden. Then we did a little sight seeing (picture taking) and Vicki bought a used book. It was really hot and humid so we went to a cafe and had nachos and iced tea. After that, we paid a visit to Craig who owns "Let Them Eat Cupcakes" (more on him at another time).
On the way home we stopped at Tanner Bro's. It's a cool little market that's attached to a dairy farm. The produce and dairy products are wonderful, and the prices are the best that I've seen around here. (I need to go back and get some pictures.)

Today's pictures feature the museum entrance and some of the sculpture garden.
Notice the high stone walls; this museum is actually housed in what used to be a prision.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Best Blog Award!

Last night I dreamed that Thom gave me an award, and when I turned on the computer this morning, guess what? Thom had an award for me! I'm really happy that he thought of me!
Mahalo Thom!
Please check out his cool blog. It's called "Thom's place 4 well whatever".

This, like most awards has some rules:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I plan on following these rules but with a twist. I'm going to take my time passing it on, and only to a few people at a time. I guess I've always been a rebel. :-)

I would now like to pass this award to the following.
Asta - Hyperenergy and other obstacles
M_M - Nowy Sacz Daily photo
Jacob - Ocala Daily Photo
Martha- Martha's Project 365
Hilda - My Manila

I enjoy, and am a follower of all of these blogs.
Check them out.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Passing the Torch


I enjoy watching the sun pass the torch to the street lamps of Newtown.

Please click here to see other Skywatch Friday posts.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Historic Newtown Church

This is yet another old presbyterian church near my house. This one was erected in 1769 and repaired in 1842. It has a graveyard and little garden in back.
I decided to join the Window Views meme because if you look at the window in the top picture there is plenty to see, not only in the church but also in the reflection.

So can you see all of it?

To see other Window Views posts please click here.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

"A" is for Anchor


I don't know what ship this anchor is from or why it's displayed here but It starts with A and that's this weeks ABC Wednesday letter.

The steamboat in the background is called the Liberty Belle and it sits on the Delaware river.

I need to make my way back to Burlington New Jersey to find out more about the anchor and the ship, also St. Mary's church which I posted about last month.

To see other ABC Wednesday posts please click here.

Monday, July 20, 2009

A step inside the Ritz





This is the inside of the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia's rotunda building. It holds a lobby, a bar and a small restaurant. When we first walked in, I wasn't sure if I liked the clash between the modern decor and the classic architecture, but it soon grew on me. Notice the circular structure in the center of the room. This used to be a circular bank teller window. Now it's a fancy wine cabinet, and if you look into the center of its oculus, you will see the top of the ballroom chandelier of the floor below, which is aligned with this oculus and in the one in the ceiling above.
The mixture of natural and man-made lighting illuminated the granite in very interesting ways depending on what time of day or night it was.
You can find my other posts about this hotel here and here.
To see My World Tuesday posts from other bloggers, please click here.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Lambertville New Jersey


This is Lambertville New Jersey, it's on the Delaware River about twenty miles from Princeton and about twelve miles from Newtown. It's kind of a cute little town.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Philadelphia Parking Lot



This is a mural at a Philadelphia parking lot that caught my eye.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Some of the Faces at Princeton



And even a little of the famous ivy.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Beauty and Higher Learning

Yesterday I mentioned that I visited Princeton University. I've heard about the beauty and history of Ivy League schools, but this was the first time that I was able to see one for myself.
I was very impressed by all of the wonderful old buildings and the well kept grounds. I want to return and see much more, including a museum. I'm glad that Princeton is only a half-hour drive from my house.
Princeton was founded in 1746 and has been at this site since 1756. It amazes me to think that the school I was walking around is older than the United States of America. The list of famous alumni and professors is very impressive but not surprising considering the school's long history of academic and sporting achievements.
Stay tuned for more pictures.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Drink, Drink, Drink!


I took this picture today at a park near princeton university in New Jersey. The young man is giving it the old college try but I doubt he'll finish his keg anytime soon.

To see other Watery Wednesday posts please click here.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Some History of the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia

The Rotunda building was constructed between 1904 and 1908 at a cost of over 1.5 million dollars. 9000 tons of Georgia granite were used. When it opened as the Girard Trust in 1908, it was the largest dome in the western hemisphere, at over 100 feet in diameter. The oculas is 142 feet from the floor, the same as the Pantheon in Rome, which it was modeled after.

The first 8 floors of the tower were constructed in 1923. The remaining 22 stories were added in 1930 and 31. The tower has a steel skeleton and marble facade and stands over 375 feet tall.

The buildings became the Girard Corn Exchange in 1951, Girard Bank in 1970, Mellon Bank in 1984, and was painstakingly restored and converted into the Ritz-Carlton in 2000.

Last week, when I posted about our Philadelphia weekend, I promised to show more pictures of the inside and outside of the Philadelphia Ritz-Carlton. So today, I'm showing some pictures of the outside with some description and history, leaving the lobby photos for a future post.


To see all of the other That's My World Tuesday posts please click here.




Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Old Church of Saint Andrew

Do you remember these flowers? They are the same flowers, and the picture was taken on the same day as the pictures in my "Beauty vs Decay" post from two weeks ago. I took this picture while standing in front of the closed down 1950's era school. The Beautiful old church and cemetery across the street is about a two minute walk from my house.
"In 1880, a small band of Catholic families met together, searched for pastoral guidance, obtained land and finally built their church on South Sycamore Street, Newtown, dedicating it to St. Andrew."
Sorry about the power lines. :-(

For more Mellow Yellow Monday posts click here.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Another Newtown Church

This is one of the many old churches in Newtown. It's Presbyterian and sits elevated on a residential corner. One of it's stones says "Founded in 1734" while another simply says "1933".

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Obstructed View

I can imagine the statue saying "who's bright idea was it to block my view with these buildings" Even so there is still plenty of beautiful Philadelphia sky to be seen.

To see the other Skywatch Friday posts please click here.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

The Signer

"Across 5th Street from the Independence Hall group of buildings is a quiet pocket park where you can rest your feet and behold a dramatic statue. The Signer was inspired by George Clymer, a signer of both the Constitution and the Declaration, from Pennsylvania. The Signer is looking heavenward, holding a founding document within his grasp. The statue is 9-1/2 feet high, made of bronze, standing on a 6-foot granite base. The statue "commemorates the spirit and deeds of all who devoted their lives to the cause of American freedom."-U.S. History.org