Pendarvis and Trelawny Houses

Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Pendarvis and Trelawny Houses are two of the six featured buildings at the Pendarvis Historical Site in Mineral Point Wisconsin. These homes, originally built in the 1840s,  were restored in the 1940s and are furnished with period pieces. Interpreters offer insights as to how the Cornish miners and their families lived and worked when mining was king in this small south-central Wisconsin community. The historical site is open for interpretive tours and demonstrations May through October, but even when it is closed during the winter season, it’s still lovely to photograph when the snow plays contrast with the tan limestone and white trim on the buildings.

Musical Window Shopping

on Michigan Avenue

on Michigan Avenue

Paused to do a bit of window shopping on Michigan Avenue, and take a few photographs, too. This store is across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago.

Heart Lines

Lensbaby Macro

Lensbaby Macro

Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts. ~ Albert Einstein

I spent a few hours playing with the Lensbaby and its macro attachment. I have a frosted glass inset in my work table, a great purchase I found at Ikea for less than $90 dollars. I clamped a light under the desk, and experimented with lighting directed from underneath objects.

This heart abstract is a part of a glass paperweight that has several concentric heart figures imbedded in it. This is one of the photos from my first experiment session. There will be more, as I enjoyed playing with this idea. It’s a great photo project when I’m not in the mood for an outdoor shoot.

Diamond in the Sky

Michigan Avenue in Chicagos Loop

Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s Loop

Though I don’t have the urban stamina to live in Chicago – I lived on the near North Side for three years in the late 70s and know that to be true – I love visiting the city a few times each year, preferably every season.

On our winter visit, we explored Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park. I took this photograph standing on the stone stairway that leads into the Art Institute, shooting north up the avenue. The snow cover and chilly temperature added to the overall experience.

I like how only part of the diamond top of the Smurfit-Stone Building is snow covered. I love that building, and I love its name. I always think I’m going to see little blue cartoon characters hanging around the lobby, but no. So far there have been no Papa Smurf sightings!

Peering through the Window

Without Risk Nothing Will Change

A Quiet Message © 2010 Bo Mackison

While visiting Shake Rag Alley, I noticed this basket when I peered through the window. There was a bit of a red bow and the turquoise on the table’s edge, so I set up and took a few photographs. It wasn’t until I had the photo up on my computer that I noticed the hand printed message on the edge of the table. It read:

**** Without * Risk * Nothing * Will * Change ****

I believe there are few coincidences. So is this a message I needed to read today?

Yes, I think it is.