"best for your engine"

 

North Ash Avenue is not necessarily a prestige address for business.  This owner probably didn't realize that vintage gasoline advertising signs might have some value.  Evidently the value to him was using the former advertising boards as a fence -- but to install them upside-down?

 

Fina Fence

1200 North Ash Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

political pickup

 

The driver of this F-150 Ford embraces freedom of speech so much that the bumpers stickers cover the tailgate.  The political opinions of the Ford may not necessarily be those of the photographer.

 

Spotted downtown on 13th Street

Lubbock, Texas

6 pieces $11.49

 

The University Cleaners--not on University Avenue but on Avenue G-- has been closed most of this millennium-- probably longer than the Famous Department Store next door.  However, shadows from the afternoon sun still show the sign painted on the front window "6 pieces for $11.49." 

 

University Cleaners

1215 Crickets Avenue (formerly known as Avenue G)

Lubbock, Texas

cow dog

 

The life of a cow dog is herding cattle and riding in the back of the pickup.  Each year the International Cultural Center at Texas Tech hosts a dog photography exhibit.  I'm considering this entry

 

Cow Dog

Dickens, Texas

abby

 

Abby is a ranch cat -- hanging out in the barn with the horses and tolerating cow dogs. 

Hometown -- Dickens, Texas.

advertising



This auto shop offers interesting insights of the owner.  The painted hot rod is flanked  by what might be illustrations of Nicolas and Aurelia-- the names on the plaque above the door with the silhouette of Jesus.  Then there is the shrine to Mary painted on the wall as  protection for property, home and  inhabitants.   The values of Martinez are visible on his business - God, family and, mostly likely, honesty.

Martinez Minor Auto Repair
2806 Idalou Road
Lubbock, Texas

tommy's famous burgers

 

Evidently expansion didn't really work for Tommy.  Tommy's Drive In #1 is still in business on University Avenue but the 34th Street and Idalou Road locations are closed.  One review stated that "they had no direction" and not really a drive-in with Mexican food and catfish on the menu.  While catfish might not have been a big seller at Tommy's Famous Burgers, the sign endured.  The drought seems not to have adversely affected the tumbleweeds.

 

Tommy's Famous Burgers

3303 Idalou Road

Lubbock, Texas

summer swirl 6

 

We'll call my garden guest "katydid" (although it just  may be a grasshopper-- katydid sounds more elegant).  Remember that science class where you had to have an insect collection?  Difficult assignment without actually touching bugs to catch them (I used lots of glass jars), suffocating them with polish remover on cotton balls, and then having to stick that long pin through the body to mount on Styrofoam.  Guess insect identification isn't my strong suit.

 

Katydid

My Backyard

summer swirl 5

The German poet  Bertolt Brecht could have been referring to SLR cameras:  "If art reflects life, it does so with special mirrors."  The glass ball in my whirligig (object that spins or whirls, or has at least one member that spins or whirls, usually powered by the wind) is barely two inches, yet it reflects most of the backyard.

Whirligig
My Backyard

 

summer swirl 4

 

This is one persistent spider.  I knock down the web and the next day it is respun.  This morning I happened to catch him/her in action.  I can't tell the species/type--we didn't get close enough to exchange names, although the focus distance for my macro lens is about 8-10 inches.

 

Garden Spider

My Backyard

summer swirl 3

 

The gardening books say that the touch of pink in my white caladiums comes from fertilizing.  I actually think it's cool.  More fun with the macro lens.

 

Caladiums

My Backyard

summer swirl 2

 

The Rose of Sharon may have inspired Bob Dylan or Joan Baez to write songs but it inspired me to work on my macrophotography.

 

Rose of Sharon

My Backyard

summer swirl

 

Canna "Peach Blush"

My Backyard

paint

 

Kudos to the architect who rehabbed the old paint store for his office and art gallery yet kept the "ghost sign."  Ghost signs are faded, painted signs, at least 50 years old, on an exterior building wall heralding an obsolete product, an outdated trademark or a clue to the history of the building's occupancy.   I especially like the way the motif continued with the "open" sign, although the window says "shut."

 



 

 

Original Townsite Art Gallery

152 Elm

Trinidad, Colorado

8.16.2013

tenacity

 

Whether you call it tansy, prairie aster or just plain weed, this plant shows its tenacious nature by enduring in sidewalk cracks.  One year my friend and I scoured outdoor centers looking for a Tahoka Daisy to plant in our gardens.  Imagine our surprise on noon walks around City Hall to find Tansy's cousin, the Tahoka Daisy, growing in urban profusion along sidewalks, by alleys and in vacant lots.

cactus in a painted desert

 

The walkway into the School of Art overlooks a project work area.  Today a lone cactus was the sole occupant.  With the fall semester starting Monday, the space will begin to bustle with art creations both abstract and avant.

 

Texas Tech School of Art

18th and Flint

Lubbock, Texas

holy water

 

 

Located high on the hillside overlooking Trinidad, the Ave Maria Shrine is a  mysterious landmark.  1n 1908 an early Trinidad physician, caught in a vicious storm, was led by a flickering light to a statue of the Virgin Mary, which had mysteriously appeared on the hillside. A simple lave rock shrine was built to mark the spot.  Through the years, the shrine has grown with a chapel constructed in 1934; continued improvements include grottoes and a reserved parking spot for the Father.

 

Ave Maria Shrine

Trinidad, Colorado

8.16.2013



bright and early in the afternoon

One can still find examples of barn advertising along some back roads although it is a vanishing bit of American culture.  The Gilmer Times stated that Bright and Early Coffee signs are as hard to find as Model T Ford.  What's further surprising is to find a Texas product on a Colorado barn!

Highway of Legends Route 12
Cuchara, Colorado
8.16.2013

ka-ching

 

This antique National Cash Register (circa 1912) is in the Folsom Museum, which used to be the Doherty Mercantile.  I don't know if the cash register was used in the store or just ended up there.  I do know that end-of-the day profits were locked in the walk-in vault.  For $1.50 you can visit the museum and use the restroom.  Folsom is an interesting town--check out their website www.folsomvillage.com although you may spend more time browsing there than you actually would in the village.  Be sure to read the "Folsom Village History" and learn that the town was named for the bride-elect of Grover Cleveland. Learn who died in the 1908 flood.  The most famous resident was the Folsom Man -- early prehistoric man who left behind bison bones and projectile points.  If you plan to participate in the September 29 Volcano Run and Spaghetti Supper, allow plenty of time to visit Folsom (population 77).

 

Folsom Museum

Folsom, New Mexico

8.17/2013

read the fine print

 

 

The  Drop City Liquor Store is the most colorful building in Trinidad.

I was intrigued by its name and the peace signs.  A google search informed me that  Drop City was one of the first hippie communes.  The name was based on an art movement where objects where dropped onto streets from rooftops for conceptual art. I guess I wasn't very "tuned in" for my generation.  Who knew Trinidad was such a counterculture place for the times!

 

Drop City Liquor

155 East Elm

Trinidad, Colorado

8.16.2013



mac is back

 

I don't know where Mac has been but a neon sign announces that he has returned.  Since this is an automotive store, maybe Mac is the best mechanic in town.  The plate glass window of the NAPA Auto Parts reflects the brightly-painted liquor store across the street.  Historic downtown Trinidad reflects century-old buildings with their distinctive architecture of pioneer days of the Santa Fe Trail.  Just a few streets over, it's business as usual. (By the way, in the 1960s Trinidad was known as the sex change capital of the U.S.)

 

NAPA Auto Parts

160 E. Elm

Trinidad, Colorado 

got mail?

 

The country store houses the former post office in corner-- keeping with Cuchara's motif in maintaining a turn-of-the-century mountain town.  Highway 12, known as the Highway of Legends, is one of Colorado's Scenic Byways.  From Trinidad to Walsenburg, the picturesque drive circles the Spanish Peaks and offers vistas and historic views.  My favorites were the charming village of Cuchara, the Dakota Wall and the coal oven ruins at Cokedale.

 

Cuchara, Colorado

mountain flowers

 

 

Thanks to the recent rains the usual drab landscape of Raton is lush with green grasses and acres of sunflowers.

 

NRA Whittington Center

US 64

Raton, New Mexico

deja vu all over again

 

I've passed the old gas station on Raton's main drag many a time, but today I thought "wow I just photographed this place."  It is an exact replica of the Sinclair station in Houma, Louisiana.  (See blog posts August 6 and 7).  While the Houma location is still a working service station, the Ration building now houses 1950s memorabilia including a life-size Elvis.  There is no indication of whether the place is ever open to the public.  One difference is that the restrooms are switched to opposite sides.  The room with the "gentlemen" sign (as opposed to "men" in Louisiana) boasts of "sanitary seat covers."  Women evidently don't have that assurance but our room is "locked for your security."  I wish I could learn more about these stations with green tiles, a circular design and round service bays -- a piece of the past worth preserving.

 

Raton, New Mexico  

to auction, to auction

 

It's not unusual to see loaded cattle trailers in Lubbock -- but at lunch, in front of MamaRita's Mexican Café off Slide Road!

school days

 

Throughout the South Plains are scattered the remains-- whether partial walls, foundations or bricks uncovered by plows-- of country schools.  In Texas in 1935–1936 there were 6,953 school districts, including 5,938 common school districts. The State Board of Education commissioned school district consolidation with the financial support of the Works Progress Administration [WPA] (Journal of Texas Public Education, Vol. 1, Winter 1993, p. 51, TASB). My alma mater, New Deal, was the result of the combining of Grovesville, Caldwell, Center and Monroe Schools.



study in textures

 

The corrugated tin, chicken wire fence, bullet-pocked windows and peeling paint make the county warehouse a study in textures.  In the "early days" of Lubbock, the building housed a millworks or cabinet shop.  A walk along the alley will show where the exhaust fans and incinerators were. The County put the building on the auction block this summer so its fate is unknown.

 

801 15th  Street

Lubbock, Texas

for sale

 

To the best of my memory, this player piano has been for sale at least 10 years -- that's how long I've noticed the sign as I travel along Texas Avenue.  Maybe there's not much of a resale market for used player pianos or the method of advertising is ineffective.  By the way, we had a rain shower this afternoon.

 

702 Texas Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

stars and bars

 

Flags were fluttering for the Saturday sale at the Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store (wonder if they had a banner permit?)  One never knows what bargains are to be found -- from knickknacks to glassware to Christmas decor to a potty chair.

 

Disabled American Veterans Thrift Store

1301 Buddy Holly Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

 

victory in jesus

 

The large letters "Victory in Jesus" attract attention as one drives along 34th Street.  The Faith Temple was built in 1952 from a metal Quonset hut with a stone façade.  The cornerstone on "The House that Faith Built" shows Boyd and Helen McSpadden as the "Singing Pastors."  What I didn't know was that the son Gary McSpadden is an award winning gospel singer who sang with The Statesmen and the Oak Ridge Boys and worked with Bill Gaither.  To hear some the Boyd and Helen gospel music on 78s, google them on YouTube.

 

Victory Christian Center

501 34th Street

Lubbock, Texas

mahony's

 

This building in downtown Houma is reminiscent of the French Creole style found in New Orleans-- or maybe it was just the balcony.  If the French Quarter has Pat O'Briens, then Houma has Mahony's.  Unfortunately, I didn't make it to Ladies Night on Monday.

 

Mahony's Irish Pub

7832 Main Street

Houma, Louisiana

8.4.2013

 



men's restroom

 

Same gas station as yesterday's post -- new image.  Can you spot 5 differences between the two?

Answers: 1. sign is "men" versus symbol for women  2. bay is on right not left  3.  flower pots  4.  brick around window different color  5.  no red stripe under window

Conoco Gas Station
Houma, Louisiana
8.6.2013 

women's restroom

 

The 1950s era Conoco station sports green and white tile and a rounded front office area.  It also has old-fashioned service -- they will pump your gas and clean your windshield!

 

Conoco Gas Station

Corner of Barrow and Schools Streets

Houma, Louisiana

'nuff said

 

I don't want to leave the impression that I only visited bars during my visit to Houma but the most interesting places had interesting bar signs.  I did dine at an upscale restaurant this evening -- Cristiano's.

 

The Comfort Zone Bikini Bar

717 US 182

Houma, Louisiana

welcome to louisiana

 

People are curious.  I stopped in the parking lot of a no-name bar to take a photo of this great old sign.  This Cajun in a wife-beater undershirt wandered over to ask what I was doing.  Seems he works at Baba's Lounge (closed on Sunday).  The sign blew away in THE hurricane (Katrina, 2005) but will be replaced.  He was checking on the eight-foot baby alligator in the canal which he had been feeding.  We took a look but the alligator was not there this evening (seeing an alligator was on my "wish" list but I approached with trepidation).  Being a courteous photographer I asked if I could take his picture--resulting in this image.  Amazing what one comes across on an evening drive in a new town!

 

Baba's Lounge

500 New Orleans Boulevard

Houma, Louisiana

by morning's early light

 

I visited some interesting backyards on today's pond tour sponsored by Lubbock Arboretum.  I wonder if the turnouts for open houses and garden tours are related to avocational interest or voyeurism?



leatherwork

 

I went to First Friday Art Trail to support my friend Melinda on her photography exhibit at the Tornado Gallery and found long-time friend Ray Dawson with his debut booth.  His hand-crafted leather goods are extraordinary.  Check him out -- a hand-tooled leather ipad case melds Western style with high-tech!

First Friday Art Trail
Tornado Gallery
Lubbock, Texas

coke and cacti

 

The beverage of choice at the Freiheit Country Store and Dance Hall is the $2.00 longneck on Friday nights.  Karaoke goes better with Coors than Coke.  However, the old coke box makes a dandy planter.

 

Freiheit Country Store

New Branfels, Texas

5.3.2013

robin hood

 

The Mother Road, Route 66, gets all the press but Route 64 through Raton also reflects some of the 1950s culture.  Raton still has some motels with individuality -- unique names, neon signs advertising amenities and swimming pools.  US 84 through northern New Mexico is known as a great motorcycle road.

 

US 64

Raton, New Mexico

(from the archives)

the pier

 

When I visited The Pier last December, it was almost deserted with empty storefronts.  Come to find out, the pyramid-shaped tourist attraction constructed in 1973had out-lived its popularity.  May 31, 2013 was the last official day for the public to visit the pier.  It will be demolished and replaced with the new and improved St. Pete Pier.

 

The Pier

St. Petersburg, Florida

12.10.2012

study in red

 

What first drew me to this red building was the pile of auto parts.  As I got closer I admired the decorative, corrugated tin door.  Then I noticed the shadow of the nearby water tower and the filigree of the power line connectors.  Red became the background.

 

Anthony's Collision7.27.2013

220 South 5th Street

Brownfield, Texas



study in green

 

Corner of S. 1st and W. Buckley Streets

Brownfield, Texas

7.27.2013

r.i.p.

 

Like crosses in a forgotten cemetery, wooden stakes mark the gnarled and dead grapevines in an abandoned vineyard. 

 

Hockley County, Texas

CR 200 and US 62/82



how the west was won

 

Whiskey--apropos of a Friday evening. Ever wonder how those cowboys endured?  It's not just for snakebite!  The secret ingredient of chuckwagon cook-offs.

 

National Cowboy Symposium

Lubbock, Texas

9.9.2011

tin bucket and fake flowers

 

Santa Fe, New Mexico

3.8.2012

radiator repair

 

I drive by this repair shop several times a week and it intrigues me that you can leave your broken radiator on the rack with your name and phone number and it gets fixed.  First of all, I don't know how to disassemble the radiator from the engine and, if my car is disabled, how do I transport the radiator to the shop?  Evidently there are those with this skill as shown by the pile of radiators.  Family-owned Crawfords has been in business since 1952.  They repair all types of radiators and sell hard-to-find varieties.  They may be an old-fashioned business but have a website and Facebook page!

 

Crawford Radiator Shop

1601 Buddy Holly Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

willie jean, age 4

 

July 23 is Mother's birthday.  She was born in 1926 in Trent, Texas and named in part after her father E.W. (Ellis Willie) Smith -- but dropped the first name when she could!  It's hard to believe she's been gone 14 years.  I count 4 candles on the cake -- same age as great-granddaughter Clara.  She would have so enjoyed and spoiled the four great-grandchildren.