A Beautiful Place to Rest

This interesting insect made its way into my house and unfortunately for him met my husband's hand. I loved the markings on the translucent wings and the body. My orchid will soon be nothing but green sticks so it seemed natural to pair the two.

Renewed Bradford, PA

This was once Bradford's City Hall and has been renovated into an office complex. Years ago the city sold the building for $25,000, the new owner did nothing with the building, and years later it was bought back by the city. More than a million dollars later this is the result. Old City Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Next to old City Hall is the former Pennzoil building. The original building had been added on to over the years, but those additions met the wrecking ball. The building now houses 2 doctor's offices. My husband had a hand in the restoration of this building- his business was the HVAC contractor.

Bradford's Old Post Office sat vacant for years. Carolyn (Boser) Newhouse, owner of Super User Technologies, had the vision to turn this old building into something grand. The building houses her very successful business, the Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau, and other businesses as well. My husband was the plumber and HVAC contractor on this building and I was able to bring my son's Cub Scout Pack on a tour when it was a work in progress. Out front is one of the few remaining sections of brick road still left in town. The sunshine was welcome, although it didn't make for a great photo.

The former Carnegie Library Started the trend of re-purposing old buildings. Due to the library not being handicap accessible Bradford built a new one. The structure now houses the restaurant Beefeaters. The tables have old newspaper clippings under polyurethane that make for interesting reading while you wait for your meal.

Bradford has been acquiring quaint street lights as result of the national Elm Street grant program. The upgrades do not include Bradford's Elm Street- The grant got its name, because apparently almost every town in America has an Elm Street.

We now know when we can and can not cross the street thanks to these handy signs. I must say I feel this to be a big waste of money and electricity. Bradford's population has been on the decline for decades and not using the crosswalks is common.

Celebrate Black and White

I follow a blog of a photographer who chooses to shoot primarily in black and white and the contrast helps to create a mood in his photos. http://www.Highton-Ridley.co.uk is Mark's site and his photographs have been chosen for a BBC Devon website. Mark shares his love of photography by having a monthly give away of his work. You can enter his monthly drawing by going to http://www.Highton-Ridley.co.uk/blog/2009/09/september-freebie-prize-draw-now-open.html and following the entry requirements. You should visit his site and peruse his photographs - I personally like Canadian Pine and Hot Air Balloon Stack. Good luck to those who enter.

Nap Time

School has begun and so has Kaylee's art projects. This sleepy fella is an oil pastel, which is not Kaylee's preferred medium, but turned out quite well nonetheless. I give it an A.

Hide and Seek

Trying to capture wildlife with essentially a point and shoot camera is very frustrating. Awhile back when looking for possible blackberry picking sites we came across turkeys. I photographed them down the dirt road with the 5x zoom I could use before the photo quality would become grainy. Well needless to say unless you zoomed in on the photo you weren't sure what they were. I drove slowly down the road and the flock scurried across a log right next to me and all I managed to get was the tail end of the last hen in the group. Can you find it?

I don't know why, but I have a love of Herons. While in the shower my husband comes in , "You're never gonna believe this , but there is a heron out back.". I've never have gotten out of the shower so fast in my life! As I stand in a towel dripping wet peering out the back door in awe I'm like, "Dam I lent Kaylee my camera! I've always wanted a picture of a heron, THIS SUCKS!". My husband got within 10 feet or so of it and tried using his cell phone, but it didn't turn out. I hurriedly get clothes on and creep up to my visitor and this crappy shot is what i got- can you find it? I apparently got too close and he took off flying in the opposite direction from which he was facing.

The picture quality was better, I had taken off the zoom, but this was all I could capture. Once again can you find it? I walked up the hill trying to find my friend, but no such luck.

Chipmunks scurried about the forest floor while we were at Cook Forest. This little fella was relatively close and even at 5x's zoom this was all I could capture. Can you find it?

The pond at Griffis Sculpture Park had some fish and I somehow managed to photograph one. My screen looked black when I looked at the water so, taking this picture was an educated guess as the fish swam about. Can you find it?

More from Griffis

Garret studied this face naming parts that it was made from
There has been debate whether cougars are found in the wild in our area

Taking a load off

Shady retreat, move over leprechauns

Relaxing after hiking

(Not a flattering picture, but oh well)

Griffis Sculpture Park

Hi there, welcome to the sculpture park

http://www.griffispark.org
Garret ponders, " What is it?"
Stacie comments, "A person sitting with knees drawn up, arms encircling the legs." "Oh."


Stacie is beautiful with or without wings


Nice day for a swim

We chuckled when we came upon this sculpture as someone saw fit that the lady should have some modesty and gave her a flower.

Today was perfect for a visit to the sculpture park- not too warm and a nice breeze. Although Garret had been there before he didn't remember. I enjoyed sharing this little adventure with my son and his girlfriend. I'll share more photos of our artful afternoon next post.

Cook Forest

I've got my eye on you!
Ruffles

Without Flash-Spooky

With Flash-Eerie

With out stretched arms my husband lends some perspective on how big this tree really is

Hanging on for dear life

An afternoon stroll in nearby Cook Forest made for a relaxing afternoon. I'm always looking at trees and this old growth forest is a wondrous sight.