MONDAY MURAL: WINDOWS ON THE PAST

Preserving Walla Walla's History

In a forward-thinking move in 1993, the Blue Mountain Arts Alliance (a non-profit arts organization now known as ArtWalla) rescued this hand-carved sandstone facade of the 1902 Henry Osterman-designed Odd Fellows Temple in Downtown Walla Walla before the building was razed. The facade was relocated to Heritage Park on Main Street where it stood empty until 2010 when the colorful "Windows on the Past" was installed.

Historical photos, many depicting the ethnic and cultural diversity of people in the Valley form 1850-1950, are inserted into the spaces where there were once windows. According to the artist in charge of the project, Jeanne McMenamy, "The over-arching goal of this project was to build intercultural understanding in the creation of a compelling, permanent public artwork designed to celebrate the community's multicultural ancestors. Previously underrepresented and alienated groups are now included in a major downtown installation, and see their family treasures depicted in a rich tapestry of pattern and color." 

Each window is made using a porcelain enamel-on-steel process which renders the finished product extremely durable and low maintenance. For more info: https://www.codaworx.com/project/windows-on-the-past-artwalla

AIN'T NOTHIN' LIKE THE REAL THING, BABY

An American Favorite

During my travels, the Italian food was incredible and the French food fantastic, but nothing beats a good ole' American hamburger and fries from Marcy's in Walla Walla. Especially when it's a 'Crunch Burger' made with a custom-grind all beef patty from Walla Walla's Blue Valley Meats and served on a toasty bun by John's Wheatland Bakery along with bacon, sweet frizzled onion, Tillamook cheddar, bbq sauce, tomato, and lettuce. Mmmmm!

 For a slightly healthier version, substitute a side salad instead of the fries.

Add an icy cold vodka-cran from the Happy Hour menu, and I'm a happy camper.

THINGS THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY #2

Who Does This?

 Leaves one lone shopping cart . . .

 four parking spaces away from the cart corral.

I guess it's job security for these two guys.

GEE BUT IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK HOME

These little piggies had a good soak . . .

these little piggies were painted red . . .

and all the little piggies cried "Hip, hip, hurray" all the way home! 

HUNTING THE MORCHELLA ESCULENTA

As Seen By Susan at Olive on Main

CDP THEME DAY--JUNE, 2015

Freeway of Love by Aretha Franklin

We goin' ridin' on the freeway of love
Wind's against our back
We goin' ridin' on the freeway of love
In my pink Cadillac
  

For me, a pink Cadillac convertible reeks retro-style and is so fitting a photo for this Walla Walla girl who grew up in the 50s and 60s in the Motor City, aka Detroit, Michigan, also the home of Aretha Franklin. While not pink, I do remember having a series of Cadillacs in our garage over the years since my father worked for General Motors for 30+ years. Sweet memories!

REVOLUTION MULTIPLIED

This was to be my theme day photo, until I had another "happy accident" leaving Walla Walla on Monday, April 27. So I'm posting it on my blog because why waste two perfectly good photos?

The . . .wheels, gears, pedals, chains, legs . . . go round and round, round and round . . .*

  The racers in a criterium go round and round, round and round . . .*

*Sung to the tune of the classic children's song "The Wheels on the Bus."

SIGNS OF THE SEASON

Asparagus once rivaled the Walla Walla Sweet Onion for farmland, but with the closing of Green Giant and other local canneries, few commercial fields are planted with this springtime delicacy. Fortunately there are several local farms that still grow the crop to offer fresh asparagus this time of year.

CHILDREN, IT'S SPRING BY MARY OLIVER

Self-seeding white violets populate my garden each spring.

And this is the lady

Whom everyone loves,

Ms. Violet
in her purple gown

Or, on special occasions,

A dress the color

Of sunlight. She sits

In the mossy weeds and waits

To be noticed.

She loves dampness.

She loves attention.

She loves especially

To be picked by careful fingers,

Young fingers, entranced

By what has happened

To the world.

We, the older ones,

Call in Spring,

And we have been through it

Many times.

But there is still nothing

Like the children bringing home

Such happiness

In their small hands.

JIMGERMANBAR AS ART

Citrus, aromatiques, liquors--tools of the craft cocktail

Paella pans (actually used) as art along the wall of the adjoining dining room

Two views from inside out . . .

 . . . and from outside in.