Pittsburgh PA – Ruth E. Hendricks Photography

Spalted Maple Piece for Meditation

When cleaning out a desk last week, I was reunited with this piece of smooth polished wood. The maker emphasized it was for meditation, NOT a worry stone.

Spalted Maple. What is it? Wood that has started to decay. “Botanical Designation: Not a distinct species of maple; spalting is a fungal discoloration caused by partially decayed wood.”

I bought it from The Wood Rasp Shop vendor at the Pittsburgh Indie Knit and Spin at the Ace Hotel.

In fact, I posted a photo of the maker and his other wood items for sale in November 2018-the post titled Not a Worry Stone .

(I did google worry stones and they can be purchased in bulk)

Incredibly smooth wood to rub between your fingers

David Manos and his wife at the **Ace Hotel** a snippet from the original post
His website is not active unfortunately as he made all sorts of Really beautiful wooden shawl pins and buttons.

May 22, 2020 by Ruth Categories: Art, PhotographyTags: Ace Hotel, Indie Knit and Spin, meditation, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday, spalted maple, wood, wooden piece, worry 6 Comments

Someone Tied a Yellow Ribbon on a Tree To Remember

The gold letters on the yellow ribbon spelled “Cousin”.

Left as a remembrance.

The sign that someone came and put the ribbons there as a tribute touched our hearts even though we didn’t know the person.

Steve and I saw the ribbon on a tree when we were walking in the park. Then we noticed the bench with the memorial plaque right by the tree. We’d not seen it before.

The obituary told how he passed, peacefully under an oak tree in Highland Park, after doing what he loved – hiking. He had a congenital heart condition. So young.

I came home and googled the name and if you click it you can read about his life. Christopher Emmons

The ribbon on the tree, the memorial bench and the message on the plaque, so poignant. Can’t even fathom how much his family misses him.

May 21, 2020 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: Chris Emmons, city scene, cousin, HIghland Park, memorial, nature, neighborhood, oak tree, park bench. tribute, photography, Pittsburgh PA, travel, yellow ribbon 14 Comments

Bridal-Wreath Spiraea in Bloom

Cascades of white blossoms, like water spilling over the falls. This week the Spiraea is in full bloom.

“Spiraea prunifolia, commonly called bridalwreath spirea, is a species of the genus Spiraea, sometimes also spelled Spirea. It flowers mid-spring, around May 5th, and is native to Japan, Korea, and China. It is sometimes cultivated as a garden plant elsewhere. WikipediaScientific name: Spiraea prunifolia”

May 18, 2020May 18, 2020 by Ruth Categories: Garden, PhotographyTags: blossoms, bridal wreath, flowering bush, flowers, HIghland Park, neighborhood, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday, Spiraea, Spring 9 Comments

Found on Jackson Street

Wednesday afternoon I walked to a friend’s front porch where I was dropping something off. On the way back, I noticed this bright blue ballon and it’s red string, the green weed

I’d missed seeing the balloon the first time but there it was waiting for me on my way home.

Loved the colors.

Wonder what the story is.

May 14, 2020 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: balloon, city scene, color, found object, Jackson Street, neighborhood, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday, sidewalk, walk 10 Comments

One Task Accomplished

Has anyone asked what you’re doing? I read that during the pandemic, people are documenting their accomplishments on social media. Some are impressive- home improvement, organization, gourmet meals, stacks of books read,all sorts of things.

When someone asks me tomorrow what I did over the weekend, I’ll be able to proclaim this-

“I washed a stack of potholders today. And one dishcloth.”

Woven on a metal
loom with stretchy loops-some wool, some cotton. I’d guess they are at least 10 years old.

May 10, 2020 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: accomplishment, home, household chores, humor, kitchen, Pandemic, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday, potholders 19 Comments

A Flowerpot Card in the Mail

Isn’t it fun to receive a happy surprise in your mailbox? My DIL’s mother created this fancy flowerpot card on her Cricut machine. Thanks, Marlene. You slide up the flowers and there’s a message written on the base. She actually made an accompanying easel to hold the card but I took the photo prior to discovering it in the envelope. It was sweet of her to remember me on Mother’s Day. We share four grandchildren.

And the Best Mom figurine? A treasured gift from years ago. ❤️

The items set up just above my kitchen sink.