Union Calvary rides on a granite monument located on the Henry County, Illinois courthouse property in Cambridge. Like so many veteran-themed statues North or South found throughout the land, the sculptures are often singular, usually a sole Civil War era soldier or sailor standing at rest. This relief featuring a horse is rare in these parts. Because it is made of granite and because it faces east, the relief remains in remarkable condition for being a hundred years old. Seek these monuments out. They are excellent photo targets and you might even learn something of the town and its people. Know that.
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Union Calvary Rides in Henry County, Illinois
Posted on 22:34 by andrew symond
Union Calvary rides on a granite monument located on the Henry County, Illinois courthouse property in Cambridge. Like so many veteran-themed statues North or South found throughout the land, the sculptures are often singular, usually a sole Civil War era soldier or sailor standing at rest. This relief featuring a horse is rare in these parts. Because it is made of granite and because it faces east, the relief remains in remarkable condition for being a hundred years old. Seek these monuments out. They are excellent photo targets and you might even learn something of the town and its people. Know that.
Friday, 30 March 2012
Simple Elegance of Mystic No. 160
Posted on 23:33 by andrew symond
Old areas in towns often have interesting objects to photograph. In a small western Illinois town near the Mississippi River is a tiny brick building with one door and a two globe sign.
Weathering of masonic symbols may be nothing new but generally their building structures last a long time. At a related mason structure just a few weeks ago (Scottish Rite Temple) the public gathered for a post St. Patrick's Day party. That building is filled with symbology, columns, vaulted ceilings, stonework, etc. This building in comparison stands in stark contrast with its simple design and fading globe identifiers. Know that.
American Pickers Expand Parking Lot in LeClaire, Iowa
Posted on 11:30 by andrew symond
Last Sunday the American Picker's Antique Archaeology place in LeClaire, Iowa was packed with motorcyclists. The recently expanded gravel parking lot (left of the old car) held a staging area for two wheelers before they rode off late afternoon. Meanwhile inside the business, the garage door was open and a women appeared to be working - might have been Danielle. Since it was crowded we didn't pull in.
After an hour we returned to the business to find it closed for the day. Someone was cleaning the inside door. Could be Danielle. Other postings on this blog pertaining to the American Pickers are often visited when the show airs. The search term most used to find the American Pickers is "American Pickers Danielle." Not Frank. Not Mike. She must be the real treasure. Know that.
Friday, 23 March 2012
PBR Welcomes You to the Upper Midwest - Illinois Style
Posted on 01:23 by andrew symond
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Last Week of Winter Before the Spring Rains
Posted on 14:45 by andrew symond
A week ago when this photo was taken, Iowa just completed the warmest winter on record. Along the 42N latitude ground cover generally took on this overall color of yellowish brown. Lovely but hey, no snow. I don't have an "after" photo of this scene to share but rest assured that green has busted out. More warm temperatures and generous rains fueled the upper midwest's growth of early season green plants. Time to condition the mowers - it won't be but a few days, maybe a week before the spinning blades are cutting grass again. Wonderful. Know that.
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
SaPaDaPaSo's Smiling Irish Style
Posted on 10:45 by andrew symond
Add warm (hot) weather plus a weekend, plus a holiday and you get an overflowing St. Patrick's Day celebration in 42N's Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Green was everywhere. Tens of thousands of people and pets came downtown to see or be part of the largest parade in city history. Float applications had to be turned down because of the number of participants in the parade exceeded existing city permit allowances.
Locally the SaPaDaPaSo (St. Patrick's Day Parade Society) stages the celebration with a huge parade and followup awards meeting. Basically its an opportunity for mass celebration, silliness and the sipping of adult beverages.
Outside of society and commercial float themes, like the local Girl Scouts, fire departments, civic groups, etc., other parade constituents made their fun too. Families of Irish descent marched along pleas for cash donations for illness and fire victims. This orange trimmed leprechaun was recently talked into being his float's main focus as he just became engaged. Oddly, his fiancee did not join him on the float. Perhaps his Irish luck was not too lucky. Know that.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Horse Show Cool Down
Posted on 22:47 by andrew symond
Following a working demonstration at a horse show and auction, this participant waits to be brushed out after the removal of riding gear. Unseasonably warm weather helped cool this four legged cattle cutter with the added benefit of no irritating insects flying around. Know that.
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