Wordless Wednesday - Cousins at attention

Cousins (aged 10 and 7) are really paying attention to the speaker at an extended family function recently...see WW and WW

Ruby Tuesday Too - Cousins

We look for rubies all over for the meme Ruby Tuesday Too. And the red brick of a restaurant built in a 150 year old thread factory is a fine backdrop of two cousins, the six-year old cousin fixing the hair of her three-year old younger cousin during the event held that evening. Despite the blur of the pic, I would describe this scene as precious, cute or disarming...

Whimsical Windows - Sunnyside and Shadyside

For the architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I am featuring the Maritime Center office building on the harbor in New Haven Connecticut. I took these on the land side and this structure is a fairly modern, attractively styled, the blue mirrored windows the key styling detail. The views are on the sunny and shady sides, the bright side being more brilliant, the darker side a bit more somber. The windows are like aqua zebra stripes that reflect the blue sky that envelops the building...I look forward to seeing your links!

Shadow Shot Sunday - Ringside Shadows

Shadows appear in many a venue, and they fall about an old sports venue. Thus, for Shadow Shot Sunday 2, we have shadows from the Naugatuck Connecticut YMCA, a 1924 building with a boxing ring as its centerpiece.

The mayor of our small city of Ansonia, Dave Cassetti, developed, host and promotes a youth boxing program. Cassetti himself was an amateur boxer in the early '80s (and a good one, with a 49-6 record. He's the referee in the white polo shirt). This was at the 2015 Triano-Rossi Youth Boxing Tournament.

On at late afternoon, the sun allows for brilliant and subtle shadows...

Boxing had a well deserved reputation in the heavyweight area, with less than savory promoters and sanctioning bodies. Yet, for youth, boxing is actually a pure sport that encourages discipline, tecnique, determination and paying attention to the coaches. It's learning to work hard. I like the kids working hard and even hugging your opponent after the two round matches were over - a purity of sportsmanship so many adults have lost sight of...

Wordless Wednesday - King of the box

King of the Amazon

Purrfectly at home...

You might say our kitty is the King of the Amazon - box that is. Once we clear the carton of its contents, Linus McDonald takes over as king. Perhaps we household staff should place a blanket in there to better pamper HRH Linus...see WW and WW

Ruby Tuesday Too - Ruby cakes and crêpes

Ruby Tuesday Too allows us to find ruby red subjects anywhere we can. So we look to a story the always lovely Patti wrote last week about a business that is celebrating one year in business, Lighthouse Rum Cakes of Shelton CT. A red awning and the lighted LED OPEN sign (and delicious breakfast crêpe :) will do for today's RT treats!

Whimsical Windows - Ringside Rays

It's time again for the preponderance of portals in the meme Whimsical Windows-Delirious Doors. For me, I revert to last Saturday and the Triano-Rossi Youth Boxing Tournament, developed and promoted by the Mayor, Dave Cassetti (with a 4-6  amateur boxing record in the early 1980s), of our small city of Ansonia CT. The development, determination, discipline and dedicated work of all the kids participating is rewarding to see. What of the venue? It is the Naugatuck (CT) YMCA, opened in 1924. These views are ringside at wheelchair height, and the charm of building such as steam radiators and old windows is easily seen, the late afternoon sun filtering in. Retro venue, determined kids - it was a good time!

Watery Songlines - Gazebo

This my first foray into the meme Watery Songlines. Being inland a mere 20 minutes from the nearest saltwater, that being Long Island Sound. This tidal estuary is 110 m/177 km long and stretches from New York City to Block Island, RI. It is generally quiet with small to no waves in the best weather. On a sunny day, it is as blues as it can be, and lovely. Here is the gazebo above a sea wall in West Haven, CT. A nice view, and meme, to be drawn to!

Ruby Tuesday Too - Roses are red...

For this week's version of Ruby Tuesday Too, I am traveling back in time to 1991 when our daughter Allegra was a mere two-years old. She is peering at the photographer while being nicely framed by the ruby red roses in bloom. She is much bigger now, the fence and rose bushes gone. But the memories remain!

Whimsical Windows - Lake Shore Smiles

This week's edition of architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors takes us to a familiar subject, that of my Grandpa, Ralph I. Villers (1902-1981) of Steubenville, Ohio. He liked to take a lot of pictures wherever he traveled, perhaps to show others just where he had been. Here is the Summer of 1964 in the Windy City of Chicago, at the Lake Tower Motel. Long gone by a high rise condominium on the pricey lakefront on Lake Shore Drive, it shows a cool 1960s charm, with newer buildings way more glitzy but devoid of charm. Grandpa's smile in these B&W prints adds a element of his happiness in chronicling his travels...

Shadow Shot Sunday - Siblings celebrate

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is a meme that compels us to look for interesting light designs that allow for shadows of varying intensity. Perhaps at a combined sibling birthday party - brother and sister have birthdays that are close enough to share the celebration that included many pizzas and ice-cream cake. Happy Birthday kids!

Wordless Wednesday - New baby nephew

A once young nephew is having a birthday today. 32 years a blink of any eye - Happy Birthday Bobby! See WW and WW

Ruby Tuesday - Grilled rubies

We look for reds all over for Ruby Tuesday Too - sometimes in restaurants. Here is a grilled vegetable entree. Mostly in a green hue (asparagus, eggplant, zucchini and olive oil), the topping of the roasted peppers adds the requisite ruby. Good looking - and good eating too:)

Whimsical Windows - Divinely dwarfed

At a time of year where faith is showcased, I present for Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors a divine setting. The year is 1982, I was walking back then, in the (then West) German city of Köln standing in front of the impressive and imposing Cologne Cathedral. Completed in 1880, the twin spires soar toward the heavens reaching a height of 157 M /516 feet. I was absolutely dwarfed by this huge house of worship...I hope to see your windows and doors links!

Shadow Shot Sunday - Icy shadows in the Spring

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 compels us to seek interesting lighting in any place or season - and we happily comply. Here is in Bacon Falls, CT alongside Main Street. It may be Spring, but the shadowy lighting means that despite lots of sun, it has not allowed the last vestiges of the preceding Winter to yet melt away. Be they dark or light, shadows add a complex artistry to many a scene...