Google Pittsburgh
When we first lived in Pittsburgh and Matthew played baseball in Mellon Park across the street from Bakery Square we could smell the aroma of baking. Crackers, cookies, it was the NABISCO Factory built in 1918. Bakery Square has been “repurposed” as they say. And GOOGLED.
There’s a Coffee Tree that opens at 5:30 AM. for the early birds.
And a close-up crop of the Google flag.
Buildings Demolished- A Sign Discovered
Converted to black and white to accompany this discovery.
A bit of research on the web and I found the photograph of the Fiore Family in their Larimer Meat Market.
I drove by just before sunset and was surprised to find some buildings missing. The ground covered with hay. And then I spied this wonderful sign. What a gift. Larimer used to be densely populated with Italian immigrants but this area is fairly desolate now. Vacant lots were restaurants and shops used to be. There are still homes in the area but lots of spaces in-between of what used to be there. About a mile from my house.
Only the automobiles in the photo give it a date. TODAY.
I hope some of their descendants find this post and write a comment.
copied and pasted from a Google Search.
Einstein in the Flower Shop on the Corner
The sign in the window says, BEWARE OF DOG! I’ve driven by this place for almost six years as I go back and forth to school everyday. Sometimes there are balloons tied to the signboard outside. It’s on the corner at Brownsville Road- PLANTS & FLOWERS by Lisa .
Today I pulled over to the curb, ignored the meter, got out and went inside. I was headed to Bridgeville to visit a friend. Einstein used to have two white tufts of hair that stuck out, hence his name. The two women were really helpful to me and I asked if I might photograph him and they agreed. I thought about the flower shop as I left and drove in traffic, finding my way to Bridgeville. I’d heard that photographing animals with a black fur coat is difficult and looking at the shots now (available light) I concur. But those eyes were really checking me out! Einstein was friendly and wanted to communicate. Must be used to new customers off the street.
My grandmother worked in a flower shop in Lincoln, Illinois, and when I was small I would visit her there. I remember the spools of ribbon, the sticky green tape, the wire stands and styrofoam base, that green squishy foam and of course the smell of the place but the thing that sticks with me the most was her can of spinach and a hard boiled egg she kept in the cooler for lunch.
What I Found on the Sidewalk by School
I walked on by-
nearly passed it up-
even thought it caught my eye.
It’s a rush and a hike between schools.
Time’s always short.
But after I stepped past, I turned around
got down on one knee and shot this little gift
to me- hard boiled yolk, a bit dried,
rolled in sandy crumbs,
abandoned on a sidewalk, fell from a lunch bag
or on the way to the nearby dumpster, missed.
Easter is over.
Didn’t make it to the egg salad bowl.
I drove by after school, to see if it was smashed
maybe rolled an inch, more dry, but still there
all those hours later, just not in as good a light!
Two Upright Sweepers Wait for Pick Up
My family always called these vacuum cleaners but in Pennsylvania you “run the sweeper”. These two are in Clintonville (Laura’s Neighborhood) when we walked on Saturday. The sun shone down on them as they stood at attention.
A portfolio of my work would be incomplete with the garbage studies.
Outdoor Seating Available
Same couch, a different day. Through the chain link fence.
The Hide-a-bed across the street from school.
Anyone Want to Take a Stab at the Meaning of the Balloons?
A bird’s eye view of a downtown intersection. I think it’s a couple of ladies standing in the back of the truck.
Shrouded Downtown Church from the Parking Garage Spiral & Detail
Going to fact check but believe this is the church with 13 Tiffany windows
Fresh Spring Rolls from Tram’s Kitchen
Everyone I know has been talking diets lately. Paleo, Eat for your Blood Type, Low Carbs, No Carbs and a couple of Vegetarians. After speaking with a friend about her shopping and cooking for the day I started thinking I wanted a hamburger on a white bread bun with grilled onions and a side of fries made from some regular old white potatoes, the four cheese macaroni and cheese at Tin Front Cafe or just a trough of grain.
Steve brought this offering home Tuesday evening and I found it on the kitchen table, right next to the box of Clementines when I arrived. I photographed the tray of Fresh Spring Rolls right then- before we ate them! I sliced one in half so you could see the interior. There’s a detailed review of Tram’s Kitchen at TastyBurgher here and an AllMenus link full menu and reviews here. The tiny containers of sauce- peanut or HOT chili really accent the Vietnamese Spring Rolls. *And Tom and Chee posted a new note on their webpage with a link to the Cardboard Me Travels blog
Tram's Kitchen Fresh Spring Rolls
They were delicious.
Tram's Kitchen Fresh Spring Rolls
Downtown Reception
Not sure who is watching what but plenty of antennae and dishes on this roof
City Shapes
Old and new, shapes and colors.
From a Downtown Parking Lot Window
No students on Monday or Tuesday. Clerical day on Monday to complete semester’s grades and the Art and Music teachers went downtown Tuesday morning to the August Wilson Center for an inservice. Then back to our schools after lunch. When I went to my car I saw this view and shot the Ninth Street Bridge and the street below. It was a Spring like day today, getting all the way up to 60 degrees.
Pittsburgh Ninth Street Bridge
City Alley in Afternoon Light
Bloomfield Neighborhood on a January Afternoon
Unretouched, But Who’d Believe It?
Sunlight in January. Blue sky. Although predictions for the tonight and morning are snowfall, we are not convinced. Everything has been mild and though some wet, it has felt almost like Spring.
I caught the sunlight on this garage as I pulled out of the school parking lot and it was just aglow with the sun. It was a one shot chance from the car window. I know it looks like I increased the saturation on the red. But I didn’t. This is how it looked.
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Flat Ruthie is a VW Hood Ornament on Cardboard Me Travels
It looked like a jewel to me.
Two Mannequins, Two Men
Walking along Carson Street on the South Side, a slight movement caught my eye. I stopped. The man on the phone looked up.
I “asked” if I could take a picture with mime-like camera, he gave a nod yes, went back to his phone as I fumbled in my bag for my real camera, not my iPhone. Had the settings wrong, took another one quick. Got his attention and acted like I was typing, conveying I would email it as I hurried back to my car across the street. I was thinking about the cookie jars in the second hand store across from the post office but I felt this was the shot of the day!
Southside Shop Window Like a Live Stage
Duquesne Incline December Afternoon
To watch a 16 second stop action video of the incline – click the blue words- Duquesne Incline
Light Up Night 2011 Pittsburgh PA
On the way home from school I wound around and up Sycamore Street to Mount Washington. Parked and pulled out the sweater and blazer in the back of the car and layered as best I could. No tripod, no cable remote. Took this with the Self-Timer and propped the camera on an iron fence on the Duquesne Incline platform. Watched the sky grow dark. Met people from Dallas, Las Vegas, a couple of Pitt students and New York City and photographed them with the light up night behind them. An Art Institute Special Effects major was shooting a time lapse exposure and we chatted. Did I mention it was in the low thirties? With a wind chill factor that made it seem really chilly.
A week ago we were in the Columbus Athletic Club bowling and preparing for the wedding celebration. Didn’t feel like driving right home after school and had stayed late to get ready for next week. An art room always needs attention.
My blog header is Light Up Night 2010 shot from the Monongahela Incline.
Mona Lisa Lying Down on her Side in Short North Alley
Friday afternoon we (guests from Florida) and my brother and sister, explored the neighborhood of Short North after we ate lunch in German Village. When asked what we should be sure to see, a woman recommended this painting of Mona Lisa. (painted by artist Brian Clemons) We had fun trying to find it, asking several residents where she was……uh, oh, yes, I know I have seen her….not far….hmmmmmm
A short diversion from the task at hand . We had coffee at Cup of Joe afterwards.
All set for the wedding on Saturday afternoon.
Make Way for the Wild Turkeylings
#1 Rule for Photographers. ALWAYS carry a decent camera. Even if not your best one, a GOOD one.
#2 Rule for Photographers Refer to Rule #1. ALWAYS You might miss that shot.
But there I was off to the first day of school, wondering how I would get two art rooms ready for Monday’s students and Matthew was coming with me to lift and haul and help set up. JB came later and knew what to do to prepare.
And what did we see on the the way to school? A Wild Turkey family (gaggle, flock, covey???) And did I have a decent camera with me? No. I broke the rules.
Had to photograph the mother turkey and her 5 chicks(?)/children with the trusty iPhone. I kicked myself all the way to school afterwards. You just can’t predict what will be in your path.. Moving right along up the sidewalk. Turn the corner down the alley.
A fun sighting. Wish I had the old 70-200 mm lens, too. They are some strange looking creatures.
City Bridge in a Bike Trail Mirror Along the Monongahela
Along the Monongahela River Pittsburgh PA
There was a photo in the paper of the laser lights projecting on a downtown building last night. They’re filming BATMAN downtown and there was the Bat Signal. Unfortunately, I did not get down there to capture the scene. So I looked through the recent photos as I wanted to change it up from the themes of late and I always return to the city views. They are so varied.
It’s almost midnight and I am still thinking about the Bat Signal on the Highmark Building and wondering if it is still there. Should I get in the car and drive downtown to see? Christian Bale coming to town, Big News Big Movie. Good for Pittsburgh all around.
here is my simple offering of the city bridge reflected in a mirror along the Bike Trail.
Cathedral of Learning Late Afternoon Light
View from Forbes Avenue
Cathedral of Learning
Light hits an object,
reflects back.
Capture as best I can.
How it changes, brings life
to surfaces,
fascinates me.
Sign Says- “Retiring” ? HA!
Remember the vintage ironing board propped against the sycamore tree? Saw this sign today that the sycamore is slated for execution. It has canker disease and the sign says it is dying. I had a sister tree in front of my house and it’s been gone about 8 years. A magnificent canopy. This tree must be close to 100 years old. Our street used to be tree-lined. The euphemisms of our language, like “putting a dog to sleep”? When they say retiring they are cutting it down and turning it into wood chips or something.
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