"You wake up in the dark and hear the screaming of the lambs."

I just returned from a Memorial Day sojourn to the sprawling metropolis of Parkersburg/Vienna, WV — Belpre/Marietta, OH (don't ask). To put the ambiance into a context with which you can relate, think of the moody West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania site shots used in Silence of the Lambs (which incidentally is one my favorite movies of all time - yes, I scare even myself) and combine that with the Silver Bridge failure over the Ohio River featured in The Mothman Prophecies and you get my drift.

But, even the most dire of places can offer a few gems. Marietta, Ohio, the first settlement in the Northwest Territories (1788) has some charming, if somewhat abandoned, architecture. There are also a smattering of fun antique, "art" and furniture shops to explore, not to mention the wonderful stay at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg. 

Beautiful Belpre, Ohio.

We found this primitive back-painted window salvaged from an old country church at Found in Harmon Village. I LOVE this little lamb... and it ISN'T screaming! It almost followed me home.

Uhhh... I think this is where design goes to die.

and the piece de resistance... I just don't have the words to describe how this makes me feel. 
Oh and the turncock switches the light on!

No home decor is complete without one of these. I had to sneak this shot at a graduation party.

Another Walk in the Park

Seeing as our last 2 throw back (OK, recycled) posts were centered around "controversies" at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, I thought we might as well complete the circle and post a current one about them. If you haven't been to see Imaginary Worlds, I would suggest doing so as soon as possible. The "Mosaicultures", a new twist on the traditional "stuffed" topiary, are nothing short of amazing — forget those silly things you see at Walt Disney World.

I heard from a completely unreliable source that Atlanta's brutal summers weren't taken into consideration when last year's installation arrived from Montreal, and, well, you can imagine the rest.  Being someone who has been known to kill even a silk plant (not that they don't deserve to die), I would be the last to criticize such an oversight. Anyway, whether it's true or not, they have been replanted and are even more stunning than when I first saw them. They are joined by some new additions that you don't want to miss.

So get out there... NOW!

Last year's skin has been shed, revealing King Cobra's new clothes. Maybe it's time for that chemical peel.

This guy made me "Misty". My apologies to Dian Fossey.

Who doesn't love a dancing orangutan?

Leftovers.... AGAIN?!?!

It's been a CRAZY week hear, and recycling is good for the environment. So, in that spirit, I present to you Part 2 of last weeks throw back blog. I was forced into recanting some four months later upon attending an evening event at the gardens. See reheat and enjoy...

Sticker Shock Redux

I attended an event at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with the Andrew Harris (note: this was written during the heady pre-GraysonHarris era) last evening. What I noticed upon arrival forced me out of my blog sabbatical. Those of you who read my earlier post (ranting) about UL stickers will remember that I threatened to attack the entry sign with a bottle of Goo-Gone. Well, someone beat me to it! HALLELUJAH! My faith in man is somewhat restored. I'd like to think they read my blog and were shamed into removing those hateful things. Well, one can dream. Below are pics taken by Andrew on his phone along with one from my original post in case you don't feel like referring back to it (too many clicks can be very exhausting). Let's keep up the momentum — get out your Goo-Gone and help to make Atlanta sticker-free!

Before: UL stickers create visual clutter and are just plain ugly.

After: A sticker free sign is a happy sign

Throw Back Rant

I was feeling nostalgic this morning and thought I would re-post something I wrote about 4 years ago while flying solo (ahhh... those were the days). I actually had to recant this post some months later and will revisit that at another time. I was totally having an Andy Rooney moment and it went something like this...

 

Sticker Shock

You can file today's observation under "Rants". One of my pet peeves is the UL sticker that seems to pop up in the most conspicuous places. I know it sounds like a small thing, but I think these photos make my case.

At first glance, it appears that someone forgot to remove the price tags.

Are those what I think they are?

UL strikes again!

Here some simple backlit signage is destroyed by the ubiquitous sticker. I understand the regulatory needs that must be fulfilled, but do we always have to sacrifice aesthetics to be compliant? Could they not have been placed elsewhere — like the top of the letter, unseen to anyone except the inspector who is looking for them (or better yet, on the inside where the light source is housed)? I'm just saying.

If you hear about a crazy person being arrested at the Atlanta Botanical Garden with a bottle of GooGone, you'll know who the perp is.