City Stairs Renovation on the North Side

October 15, 2020

October 16, 2020

In 2011 I posted about the City Sidewalk Stairs. And again in July 2018

CITY STEPS IN PITTSBURGH.

from July 2018

”Pittsburgh has more public staircases (800+) than any city in the United States. The City’s steps connect communities and provide residents access to transit and other amenities” http://pittsburghpa.gov/

A3335182-92FA-4B9B-B167-F089D90FD769Garfield   The Steps to Ft. Pitt School

Sidewalks can be steps, too.

 

Book by Bob Regan   Photos by Tim Fabian 588B00B2-BDC7-4C68-BE5A-A04539FF0555

 

Pittsburgh topography requires innovation- how to get from the bottom of a hill to the top.  And in 2010 the snow covered stairs students climbed to Ft. Pitt School.

Author Martin Aurand’s book describes the formation of the topography of Pittsburgh’s hills and valleys. The Spectator and the Topographical City examines Pittsburgh’s built environment as it relates to the city’s unique topography. Martin Aurand explores the conditions present in the natural landscape that led to the creation of architectural forms; man’s response to an unruly terrain of hills, hollows, and rivers. From its origins as a frontier fortification to its heyday of industrial expansion; through eras of City Beautiful planning and urban Renaissance to today’s vision of a green sustainable city; Pittsburgh has offered environmental and architectural experiences unlike any other place.”

Light Patterns on Bloomfield Bricks

On the way home from school the light on this wall caught my eye so I pulled over to the curb.
I looked across the street and tried to determine what was making the reflection but I couldn’t discern what caused it.

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This was the view opposite the light patterns.

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The Shop in East Liberty

It’s been here for more than a year in the East Liberty neighborhood.  Where have I been?

Driving back and forth from school each day, I’ve been passing this shop since it opened in September 2012.

Right there on Highland Avenue.

I know mornings when I drive by on the way to school it’s dark and of course closed

but I  thought I had some keen  observational skills.  Ha!

Guess not!    Missed this shop until….

Saturday I was meeting my friend R for lunch at Pig and Chicken next door. (I photographed the Pig and Chicken one night in Feb 2012 before The Shop in East Liberty was established.)

I  had the chance to go inside as I was a few minutes early for lunch.  I met the shop owner Julia Reynolds, and purchased  a unique, Made-in-USA , artist crafted item for a gift – so can’t reveal what I bought yet cause they might see it on the blog today.

The store itself is a work  of art and cool design. You can check out the “unique handcrafted gifts here

A return trip is necessary to  more photos so you can see some of the artists’ work.  You’ll have to click the link to see the art!

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Julia at The Shop in East Liberty

 

 

Ringing up my sale and giftboxing with white and red baker’s string.

 

 

gift box

Took the one above when I got home as I liked the look of the little cube box tied with string.

 

The Shop in East Liberty

The Paper Anniversary- The First

Happy First Anniversary Laura and James. It was a happy wedding.   There’s a list of traditional and modern wedding anniversary gifts for each year here.   I knew that the first anniversary was paper.

Laura took this photo of the paper items I sent to them to mark the occasion. James said he came home from work to find some large boxes on their front porch and had no idea what was in them.  I know I had fun thinking about sending the paper products and figured it would be a gift that would get used. Actually, used up!   Shipping was free!

 James had the idea to call me on SKYPE and here they are at home talking to me.

 

Last week at breakfast in Columbus at First Watch

and the weekend they came to help me with the House Concert in Pittsburgh

with Penny the Golden Doodle

The Six Months Photo Shoot in Short North Columbus Ohio

Six Months After the Wedding

I couldn’t be the mother-of-the-bride AND the wedding photographer last November and their photographer did a fine job but I wanted to photograph the bride and groom myself.

Laura and James agreed to let me shoot some “wedding” pictures on another occasion. Not exactly a Trash the Dress shoot. James knew some good spots to go to in the city.  When he asked me I said I wanted the mood to be urban sophisticated.

Turns out it is almost 6 months later.  It was not stressful or pressured and we had a relaxing time together.  Even returned to the field as the sun started to set to get a different light, something not possible on a wedding day when everyone at the reception is waiting for the bridal party.

Costco white roses for 16.99 with some white floral tape and ribbon and a floral pin from JoAnn’s another ten dollars but the flowers added to the shoot. I had a boutonnière for James and promptly cut the flower head right off as I tried to pin it into his lapel.  So much for props..

People called Congratulations and honked their horns, cheered them on and told them they looked nice. Laura said if you want to feel good about yourself, put on a wedding gown and walk down the city street.   I asked them what was the best part about being married.  And I asked them what is the worst part of being married.  Their answers were forthright, frank and touched my heart.

Afterwards we ate at Giorgio’s in Clintonville.  They changed before we went.

Laura said, “I like a little direction” so I said Jump on three. One, two, THREE.
I had to ask what the name of the river is. Scioto.

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