Month: May 2022
Hmmm- I wonder what is in here
Hey – There’s something down here!The rose got here
Remember back on May 24th we posted this picture (on the left) of a rose bud and said the rose was “on the way”. Well, here we are 5 days later and we have been blessed with a beautiful blooming rose that did get here. It is remarkable how Nature brings about so many dynamic examples of growth and development. There is something just so mystical about roses…
Oliver P. Morton, Indiana’s “War Governor”
Unveiled in 1907, this statue of Morton stands in front of the Statehouse. It was sponsored by Union veterans
Vintage portrait of Morton, courtesy in.gov
Oliver P. Morton was Governor of Indiana during the Civil War. He was chief executive of the state from 1861 to 1867. He took office a mere 90 days before the war began with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumpter. As soon as he heard of the attack, he rushed the following dispatch to President Lincoln: “On behalf of the state of Indiana, I tender you for the defense of the nation and uphold the authority of the government, 10,000 men.”
Indiana was the first of the western states to send soldiers to join the Union Army. Initially the legislature provided funds for the Indiana troops. Later on when controversy arose, Morton also helped to raise funds to insure that Indiana troops had the best and newest uniforms and weapons. Morton was known by Indiana Civil War veterans as “the soldier’s friend”. A 12 foot statue of Morton in front of the Indiana Statehouse was placed in 1907.
Memorial Day 2022
Take some time this holiday to remember those who gave their lives for our country.
Memorial Day was originally called “Decoration Day” and was started after the end of the Civil War. It became an official Federal Holiday in 1971. Memorial Day is for honoring and remembering the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, The Greatest Spectacle in Racing
Entrance to the tunnel access to the IMS infield. That is Helio Castroneves celebrating last year’s win with the traditional bottle of milk.
During the month of May in Indianapolis (and most of central Indiana for that matter) pretty much everything turns into a black and white checkered flag. The ads on local TV and in print find every conceivable way to cash in on race jargon: “Race in today for savings” or “You’ll always win with our product” or some such. It’s a Hoosier thing.
That’s the back of the grandstand at turn 1 of the track.
There’s that checkered flag! IMS is just ahead
The race this year will be the 106th running of this historic event. The pandemic forced the IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) to ban fans in 2020 for the delayed August race. In 2021 a mere 135,000 we allowed into the grounds. This year, however, there will be no restrictions on numbers. At least 325,000 are expected. The IMS never reveals actual attendance. Never has.
Official souvenir stand: look for the winged tire logo
A fun background for a photo memory!
The race will run tomorrow, May 29th with the green flag waved at 12:45 PM. The gates will open at 6AM and thousands of fans will be lined up waiting to get in. Always happens. Weather should be great with no rain in sight.
A recycled SUNOCO sign
Red’s Corner is out in the country in Johnson County, Indiana. The original building appears to be empty. It most recently was a welding shop. It’s also been a pizza kitchen. It was at one time a service station. Yes, you’re right it was a SUNOCO station. Clever that the sign has remained in service, albeit with a different name as the banner.
The arrow piercing the sign originally came in on a horizontal plane. (1920 – 1954) In 1954 the arrow moved and came down at an angle as you see in the picture above. This arrow position has remained to the present day, although the SUNOCO lettering was slanted beginning in 1999.
Spaghetti and meatballs at Olive Garden
Angel hair pasta, meat sauce and 3 meatballs
Sher saw me enjoying the wine!
Sher and I had been driving around Indianapolis looking for the festivities for the Indy 500 Mile Race, known around here as the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. We stopped at Olive Garden on the way home. Our meals were delicious.
Pileated woodpeckers in the neighborhood
Looking out the front door I spotted a pair of Pileated woodpeckers on the side of a tree across the street. One of them, a male, flew right at me and landed in a big tree next door. The second stayed on the other side of the street flying from tree to tree.
Within a very short time the female across the street had flown tree to tree down the street and out of sight. These large birds create quite a commotion when they fly through the neighborhood!
New Orleans’ famed above ground tombs in St Louis Cemetery No. 1
We consider our trip to New Orleans one of, if not the favorite place we have visited during our travels. It was four years ago, but the memories are still fresh. Hope you enjoy our photos of the famed above ground tombs.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 was established via a Royal Spanish Land Grant in 1789. It was originally outside the city limits, and was at least twice its current size. The Archdiocese of New Orleans now has control of this cemetery. Currently the only way you can get into the cemetery is with a licensed tour guide. Unfortunately vandalism has forced this action.
Multiple designs for the tombs, some fancy and some plain
The famed above ground tombs and wall tombs are designed for use by generation after generation. Many of the tombs are owned by individual families. Some of the very large tombs are known as society tombs where several families or groups have combined resources. The laws dictate that a year and a day passes before an additional burial is permitted. As you would expect, there are many well-known, famous and infamous people whose tombs are located in…
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Asiatic Lily ready to bloom
Last fall we moved bulbs from the flower bed out front to our herb and flower garden in the back. This is one of those transplanted bulbs. Won’t be long now!
Roadtirement 