The Eagle Has Spouted

Considering the downpour of wet nonsense that has vomited through the beak of our American avian mouthpiece, perhaps the choice of an eagle as a downspout on this charming building in Birmingham, MI, is appropriate.

But perhaps I'm reading too much into it.

Alys Bleach

The blindingly gorgeous new town of Alys Beach, designed by DPZ and colonized by luscious buildings by some of my talented friends, is a wonderful place that tends to make me feel not worthy.

I must have taken the wrong train in life to not live here.  I would need to bleach my nether regions to be allowed to show my linen clad form anywhere near the atria of Alys.

This sketch shows my blurry, dirt smudged, and jittery take on what in reality is crisp, pure, and clean.

It's Just a Wall.

BUT, it's an Italian wall. In Italy. Built by Italians. With Italian materials. Enlivened by the Italian sun, reflecting the sounds of the Italian language, embracing the smells and tastes of Italian food, and encouraging all manner of Italian behavior.

It may only be a wall, but  Dios mío ¡Qué pared!

Coffee X Change

On Wickenden Street in Providence (originally a strip of farm owned by William Wickenden in 1650),  the local coffee emporium Coffee Exchange provides a homey (literally a former home) setting for fair trade beans for a fair price.

The deck on the side that runs from street to rear parking (with a hint of the bay beyond) is a location to be treasured on a fine spring day.

Farm Livin'

Codman Farm in Lincoln MA has been in continuous operation for 150 years, the last 40 as a community owned farm. Well loved and well used by the community, it is within walking distance of the the commuter rail to Boston (take your chicken to work day?).

This sign/bell of indeterminate age was provided by John Deere, when swag was more that just baseball caps.

Codman Piece

The Codman Estate in Lincoln Massachusetts was originally 650 acres owned by Chambers Russell in the 1740's. Eventually it passed to cousins, the Codmans, and wonderful Federal style buildings were constructed, including the carriage house shown above. The estate is open to the public and is down to 16 acres, but includes an Italianate garden and a working  community farm.

In the late 1800's Ogden Codman, Jr. became well know for his book The Decoration of Houses that he co-authored with his pal, Edith Wharton.

Towering Angell

That is Thomas Angell, one of the four men who wintered with Roger Williams in 1638. Angell Street spans from river to river (the Moshassuck to the Seekonk) and this fine building from the 1890's is smack dab in the middle.

An upright and towering example of Queen Ann still delivering the goods even today.

The Angle of the Triangle

Charles Bulfinch wacked off the top of Beacon Hill for his statehouse, and then filled in Mill Pond, using a grid plan with diagonals for the urban design. This industrial flatiron building was constructed in 1904, with three additional floors added when it became the Bulfinch Hotel.

A rare stellar pointy building, thought the effort is somewhat squandered by its less-than-prominant  non-vista-terminating location.

Newburyport-in-a-storm Church

A day that threatened to rain turned out nice with a visit with west coast friends, and an unexpected classic car display. Walking back afterwards down a side street. we spied this modest, but dignified parish house peaking out behind the even more dignified and elegant church front of the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist (make up your mind!).

They knew how to do things in 1801.

Porch or No Porch

This is what makes America such a great country. If you like the purity of architectural solids, you can opt to keep the face of your house unencumbered. Or if you are more into not being feasted on by biting pests, AND you enjoy a bit of whimsy on your boxy abode, then you are free to add a porch and watch the world pass by in the charming town of Bristol, Rhode Island.

Both are good.

Dreaming of Purgatory

My daughter, being the sailor that she is, thought it would be nice to see the tall ships in Newport. However, the captains decided to leave early, so we began a chase to see their rapidly receding masts.
We found a nice perch at Purgatory Chasm, a crack in the earth, a cleft in the cliff along Sachuet Bay, 10 feet wide, 50 feet deep and 120 feet long.

Bye, bye boats!

Hats, Bags & Babes

A little shed that aspires to greater retail grandeur, this Block Island store worked it's magic on a mother-daughter team that I happen to know.