Whimsical Windows - Old Hotel

Whimsical Windows-Delirious Doors is a fun meme hosted by Toby. And these pictures have a whimsical family history behind them.

Grandpa liked to take lots of pictures at vacation time, and that included this hotel in the old (pre-Casino) Atlantic City, long gone Shelburne hotel. Today the Boardwalk is full of glass and steel casino hotels, and portals like this are not included. I guess each photo was taken from the mid-1950s (R) to the mid-1960s (L). I remember our large family of kids were witness to this phenomenon.

I never knew what the fascination was for Grandpa. However, a couple of years age my Aunt Terry explained it to me: “Grandpa liked to think that he could hang with the wealthy. The Shelburne Bar was a wealthy hangout. So, he always had his picture taken there, but didn't always go in to have an expensive drink”. So that explains it! I kind of wish the old seaside resort town were there now instead of the new…

Also posted as part of Tina's 29 Days meme

Shadow Shot Sunday - Memorializing

Shadow Shot Sunday-2 reappears this week, courtesy of our three outstanding hosts, Rose, MMT and Gemma. We look here, there (and perhaps everywhere) for shadowy objects. Today it is summer, a time of warmer temperatures, more sun and naturally, shadows.

The subject is the gateway to the impressive Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven, on the periphery of Yale University. This burial ground dates back to 1797, replacing the grounds on the New Haven Green. The portal here is in an Egyptian Revival Style, itself built in 1845, and the source of shadow.

The grounds memorialize over 14,000 historic figures who lived in Connecticut that are interred here, including: Lyman Beecher, abolitionist; Charles Goodyear, of tire fame; David Humphreys; Roger Sherman, who signed the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution; and Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin.

The shadowy lighting falls upon this stone portal, adding an aura to the history of the entry. See more shadows at this fun meme! 

Also posted as part of Tina's 29 Days meme

29 Days - Cooking without modern conveniences

Tina's 29 Days brings us way back, perhaps to the year 1762 in the New England region of the US.

We have many modern conveniences four our cooking needs these days with toasters, refrigerators and ovens.

Not way back then, where cooking required on open fireplace and heavy cast iron pots. Where preparing supper was an all day affair.

This look at how it used to be done is good to see, as today with even heat and computer controls, cooking is almost fun compared to in 1762 - when it wasn't...

29 Days - Dreaming of Spring

The day today is gray in Connecticut, the winter warmer than usual, but still winter. For Tina's 29-Days meme, I am thinking ahead of Spring, the first week of May to plant tomato seedlings in pots, all sitting on the (all-day) sunny side of the garage.

Naturally, fresh basil and oregano will be potted as well Like this. the fresh herbs the perfect addition to the fresh tomatoes. It may be a dream now, although I am confident that spring planting will be in order in three months!

Happy birthday to whom...

Tina’s 29 Days returns for day 2 of leap month February. We look back to the birthday celebration of a family member. Most people like birthday parties in their honor. Cats, however, do not…

It was in 2002, and the household humans celebrated this day in honor of incomparable Sir Humphrey. The party planners were ecstatic, but the honoree was underwhelmed, showing no enthusiasm. The humans violated that old rule: Never wake a sleeping baby cat. After the celebrations, no doubt the scheduled nap resumed...