Court House On The Square

Noblesville, Indiana is a small town with a big court house. That is typical of many small towns in Indiana. These huge buildings dominate the town square. One can only wonder if each town wanted their seat of government to be bigger than their neighbor's.

Small Town USA

We visited Tim and Leimomi George while in Indy last weekend. They recently moved to Noblesville. When we arrived at the town square for brunch, an Obama campaign was setting up. The purpose was to recruit volunteers. The court house stands in the background.

Traders Point Christian Academy Sings Farewell to J.K. Stevens

The Traders Point Christian Academy said "Farewell" to J.K.Stevens (Principal and later their teacher) every way they could. Some sang to him while others acted out skits. There were tributes from every grade. Howard, who had hired him back in '87, had his turn as well. It took over two hours to get it all in. I hope J.K. went away with a definite feeling of being loved and appreciated.

Cincinnati Flower Show

Yesterday was the perfect day to attend the Cincinnati Flower Show located on the Ohio River at Coney Island.

A Booth At The Flower Shop

Each floral designer picked a theme for their booth. This one used broken china for a moasic look which is called "shadware." Everything was covered with broken china including the sink, claw-footed tub, toilet, stools and flower pots. Some would call this look "Shabby Chic."

Another View

You can see the shadware tub with flower pots in the foreground.

Boat Theme For Another Booth

The floral designer choose a variety of old plants for this rustic cabin with fishing gear as accents.

Music Theme

You could sing along with this display. The next photograph goes with it.

Close-Up Shots Of Beautiful Roses

A Flower Bed In Gaslight Clifton

Meadow Links Golf Instructor

Last night was my second golf lesson. There are six in the class. Meadow Link's golf pro, Mike Deiters, is showing us the fundamentals. It looks like he is saying, "This is a golf club." That is not the case because that was last week's lesson! He is explaining where the face of the club should hit the ball.....right in the center. I tried it....easier said than done!!!!

A Tour Through The Spring Grove Cemetery

A friend was surprised when she learned I had not taken an early tour through the Spring Grove Cemetery. She said it was absolutely breathtaking in the Spring. Howard and I drove through it today. We missed the early blossoms, but the flowering trees were at their peek. It was a real treat. A lot of the plants and trees are from other parts of the world. One of the nursery owners at the flower show told me about it. We live on top of the hill from here.

A View Of The Lake Inside Spring Grove

A Tree From Asia (Sign On The Trunk)

Standing Stone Still

The Tour Ends

Spring Has Sprung!

Right In My Own Backyard!

I have been taking photos all over town. Today as I was parking my Jeep in the driveway, I looked across the fence into our neighbor's yard and saw this lovely scene.

Cincinnati Christian University

This is a view from the campus of the Cincinnati Christian University overlooking downtown Cincy. I went over this afternoon to pick up some things for Howard. When I saw how beautiful the campus looked with all the trees in bloom, I was glad my camera was with me.

Exam Time

With exam time drawing near, I'm sure this young man was looking for a quiet place to study.

Spring Fever

These students were leaving their studies behind and were enjoying this beautiful Spring day.

Which One Is Real?

Don't ask me what this photo shoot was about because I don't have a clue. We stopped at a red light, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw, what looked like, a dead woman lying on a huge rock. Fortunately, the traffic light was long enough for me to grab my camera. The star in this show is definitely a mannequin.

This One Is For Real

It was a perfect day for a plein-air artist to be on the job. I met this one as she was setting up her easel in Hauck Botanical Gardens; located in the heart of the city. She provided information about the various painting opportunities here in Cincinnati. It is something I definitely want to check into.

More Of Hauck Botantical Gardens

The Journey Continues

Mt. Storm

Mt. Storm was all decked out in fresh blossoms this morning when I arrived with my camera. This park is within walking distance of our house. One of my summer resolutions is to visit it more often....on foot that is!

Two Worlds Sharing The Same Space

Macy's headquarters looms over downtown Cincy while poverty crouches in the alley ways.

Trompe L'Oeil

Cincinnati is known for its many art galleries and museums; however, this piece of artwork is not inside. It is out in the open as you drive down Liberty Street. The idea of trompe L'oeil is to fool the eye....mission accomplished!

Busy But Content

Many of you have asked, "How is Howard doing?" This photo was taken this morning. The answer is, "He is doing just fine". He is still working with the church at Beaver Creek which is near Dayton as well as being the special assistant to the president, Dave Faust, at the Cincinnati Christian University. His plate is probably a little too full, but he is not complaining.

Back Home Again In Indiana

I visited my hometown over the weekend. Alfordsville is located twenty minutes north west of Jasper. It is south of Loogootee and has a Loogootee address. It is surrounded by picturesque farm land. After attending church there on Sunday, I drove around town. It took me all of five minutes. No matter how large or how small, there is no place like home!

Painting Roses For The Bed & Breakfast

Lydia and Jason Kluemper are putting the finishing touches on their Bed and Breakfast in Jasper, Indiana. They will be catering to the business community rather than the general public. Jasper is known for the many furniture and furniture-related business, so the B&B will have no problem filling their beds.

I went down last weekend and painted roses on the walls of the first-floor bedroom. It will be called the "Rose Room". Lydia and Jason want the house to stay as close as possible to its original design. I tried to replicate the original border. It could not be saved.

The Finished Product

The Bed and Breakfast is being filled with art, furniture and upholstery created by Lydia's family. Her dad, Charlie Gabhart, made this headboard as well as three others. He also designed and made various tables throughout the home. He does not mention it unless asked, but one of his oil paintings hangs in the large living area where guests will gather around an original Rookwood fireplace.

Her aunt, Georgia Prewett, upholstered this headboard with salmon leather. She also covered chairs and made bedskirts and curtains. Her work is incredible.

I, her Aunt Martha, have enjoyed adding some art along the way while visiting two of my favorite people....Lydia and Jason!

Happy Hour

Nothing makes us happier than to have friends come and visit. Gene and Lynette Harker along with Cheryl and Doug Felton drove down from Indianapolis to have dinner with us. We walked from our house to an Italian restaurant on Ludlow. We stopped at Graeters' Ice Cream shop on our way home. You can't come to Cincinnati and not stop at Graeters.