Monthly Archives: November 2021

Favorite Spot

Posted on by
6

My favorite spot in Columbus, Ohio is right here under this glass ceiling. It’s at Franklin Park Conservatory which I have told you about a few times.

I was there this fall and was glad to spend a little time in this spot, staring up at the pretty glass in all the fun colors. The ceiling was created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly whose work can be found throughout this place.

I have seen people walk through this area without ever looking up. They’re talking or they’re tugging at fidgety youngsters. What a thing to miss!

No matter what, always look up!

An Old Friend And A Good Book

Posted on by
2

An old friend wrote a book and kindly sent me a signed copy.

We met during my short stint in newspapers. Steve was the editor of a local paper, experienced and worldly compared to my youthful ignorance when we met. Nonetheless, he always treated me respectfully and as a colleague rather than the know-nothing-fresh-from-college kid that I was.

He has a kind of quiet wisdom about him and his book fortified my belief that still waters run deep. I devoured his book and have thought about one section ever since.

Here’s the line that I keep turning over and over in my mind.

“Sometimes, maybe always, people appear in our lives who have such influence that time spent with them changes your life. Don’t ignore these encounters.”

Want to read Steve’s book? Find it here!

Back To The Future

Posted on by
3

Each September, the Hagerty Drivers Foundation partners with the Library of Congress archives and other agencies to host a series of events on the National Mall. Held every Saturday in September, it’s called Cars at the Capitol. Each Saturday morning features a different theme and we were fortunate enough to catch one with great Hollywood history.

They were displaying the 1981 De Lorean DMC-12 time machine hero car used in the 1985 hit Back To The Future.

The one on the case is the movie car. The others are replicas built out of stock De Loreans.

It drew quite a crowd and was a fun unscheduled stop. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. This is why we travel – to make discoveries and to learn. I went for the history and found an artifact from my childhood!

Scout In Costume

Posted on by
4

I forgot to share Scout’s Halloween picture. He hated the hat but was surprisingly cool with the cape. He knows how to rock a great costume with the confidence of a model on a catwalk.

Here’s his other costume. He liked this one better because it didn’t require a hat that covered up his nice ears. He really does make a nice Batcat!

Happy Saturday, friends. Go forth and enjoy this day.

At Least I Tried

Posted on by
1

The resolution of this picture isn’t great because the camera on my new phone is disappointing and the zoom is terrible. That’s putting it kindly. Still, I hope you’ll overlook that weakness and appreciate it for what it is.

I think it’s kind of cool.

And isn’t that just life? You think you’re upgrading to something better only to learn it really isn’t as good as what you already had. You try your best do something and it doesn’t work out the way you hoped. Chances are, whatever it is still has value so celebrate it anyway.

At least you tried.

And so has become my motto lately. At least I tried. If you’re reading this, please accept my congratulations. You made it to Friday! Let’s try to make it a good one!

Lawrence County Courthouse

Posted on by
5

The Lawrence County Courthouse is an imposing building in Ironton, Ohio. Like most river towns, Ironton is home to some varied and interesting architecture. This courthouse stands out beautifully in the heart of this old town amidst many interesting old buildings .

It was completed in 1908 after fire destroyed the old courthouse. The three story cut stone structure is in a striking Neoclassical style. The dome is extraordinary.

It took two years and $150,000 to build this courthouse.

It appears that an annex added on to the back in 1978 must have doubled their space.

There are a couple of noteworthy things on the grounds. My favorite of these is a replica of the Statue of Liberty that was donated by the Boy Scouts in 1951.

There’s also a replica of an iron furnace like those that once dotted the landscape here in southern Ohio. Much of southern Ohio was known as the Hanging Rock Iron Region which was the leading producer of pig iron and charcoal during the nineteenth century.

You’ll also find a pair of howitzer canons because nothing says welcome to our courthouse like a couple of canons.

If you like public buildings or courthouses in particular, this one is well worth a visit when you’re in the area.