by Gary Gardiner | Apr 15, 2013
It’s that time of year when the colors seem more vibrant than normal. I’m of the opinion that it’s an illusion only because we’ve just left behind the dull tones of winter and any color other than a monotone gray is cause for celebration.
And celebrate, I did.
I spent the better part of an hour on a short stretch of street in Uptown Westerville watching how the light and clouds moved over a series of Japanese Magnolias at the peak of their spring blossom growth. There was little, if any, petal drop from the old trees that stood taller than their accompanying houses. In full bloom displaying the pinks and purples blossoms from their first growth of a new season their colors dominated the street.
Cars hurrying to pick up kids at school slowed, runners slowed their pace turning their heads to the fertile plumage, and dog walkers allowed their charges to slightly stray when burdened by the beauty of spring.
There were other markers of spring along and near the street. Lawns mowed in front of homes bearing the patriotic colors of flags. Bradford pears brightening the horizon with white blossoms. Collections of small red buds and white plum shrubs and trees dotting yards. Each color marking the powerful surge of spring as the earth renews itself in a splash vibrant color.
by Gary Gardiner | Apr 14, 2013
Sunday is supposed to be a day of relaxation and saying thanks for the good things in your life.
That’s what I did this Sunday. Among the good things were home-made croissant breakfast sandwich, hot coffee, and sour cherry jam on a piece of whole wheat toast.
That was followed with a birthday party in a park for Owen whose loot included 10 books.
He loves to read and was more excited about the books than the electronics in the other packages.
It was a good day.
And, Owen clowning around and an iPhone portrait.
Owen enjoying being a child
Alaina and her oversize sunglasses
by Gary Gardiner | Apr 13, 2013
Despite spending several hours walking the dam at Hoover Reservoir hoping to see a rare display of Northern Lights all I could come up with were long exposure images of the dam lit by man-made lights along its four corners. And a quarter moon.
I’ve seen the Northern Lights before0. Spending three years on an Air Force base in North Dakota provided many nights on a flight line where it was visible. My disappointment for the night wasn’t necessarily for me. It was for the small groups of people and a few other photographers who didn’t get to see the light from central Ohio.
Unless it happened after I left. Please don’t tell me it happened later.
by Gary Gardiner | Apr 13, 2013
Despite spending several hours walking the dam at Hoover Reservoir hoping to see a rare display of Northern Lights all I could come up with were long exposure images of the dam lit by man-made lights along its four corners. And a quarter moon.
I’ve seen the Northern Lights before0. Spending three years on an Air Force base in North Dakota provided many nights on a flight line where it was visible. My disappointment for the night wasn’t necessarily for me. It was for the small groups of people and a few other photographers who didn’t get to see the light from central Ohio.
Unless it happened after I left. Please don’t tell me it happened later.
by Gary Gardiner | Apr 12, 2013
Dairy barn on farm land at Cooper Road and Cleveland Ave.
I’m continuing to visit the farm land along Cooper Road where it passes along Alum Creek and ends at Cleveland Avenue. After a few more changes in the plans presented to the city council most of this land will become a business and apartment complex with a senior care facility at it’s center.
There will be a park along the edge of the creek and green space scattered throughout the complex but the large swaths of hay and crop fields will disappear under concrete, steel and asphalt. When completed almost 25% of the working farm land in Westerville will be gone.
I have not seen the complete plans but have been told they do not include the old barn. I hope I’m wrong. When farm land along Old Westerville Road in Genoa Township was converted to houses the developers kept two barns that today stand as markers of the original use of the land. One is used as a small community center for movies and meetings in the warmer months.
Let’s hope I’m wrong and there is a plan to save the barn.
A Tumblr site with photos of the Cooper Road Farm
