Decorative and Ornate Objects and Architecture

In the 40's, I was given a lovely book titled Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. So I was delighted when years later I came across this statue in Kensington Gardens. Kensington Gardens, London, England. Scanned 35mm negative. (Eng-25017)

Iggy, the iguana, first displayed at Niagra Falls, reigned over the Lone Star Cafe, a popular country western music showcase on Lower 5th Avenue at the corner of 13th Street in New York City, for many years beginning in 1977. He had, at the time this photo was taken, seen better days. The 40 foot long, 2,600 pound statue was the creation of Bob "Daddy-O" Wade. After the demise of the Lone Star Cafe in 1989, Iggy went on an odvssey. First purchased by Virginians and put on display at their farm, in 1997, he was bought back by Wade and Monk White and put on display at Pier 25 in Tribeca. Two years later he was bought by Wade's patron, Lee Bass, moved to the Fort Worth, Texas area, and stored in a barn for over 10 years. Fortunately for Iggy his story did not end there. In 2007, the Fort Worth Zoo began work on a new exhibit, a herpetarium to be known as the Museum of Living Art (MOLA). As luck would have it, Bass's wife was a co-chairwoman of the zoo's board. The idea of installing Iggy, who combined both themes, a reptile and object of art, arose. Bass agreed to loan Iggy to the zoo for everyone to enjoy. After extensive rehab work, including restoration of his tail, missing in this photo, Iggy, now a vibrant green color, was installed with much fanfare on the roof of the MOLA building on June 1, 2010. To see Iggy in all his present glory, search Flickr or go to the Fort Worth Zoo site at www.fortworthzoo.org/iggy/ . Scanned 35mm negative. (1V019)

In the 40's, I was given a lovely book titled Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. So I was delighted when years later I came across this statue in Kensington Gardens. London, England. Scanned 35mm negative. (Eng-25020)

Balto was a half wolf, half Siberian Husky sled dog, that lead a team, mushed by Gunnar Kassen, on the last leg of a pony express type relay involving more than 20 teams which delivered diphtheria anti-toxin serum over a 674 mile run through blizzards and extremely cold weather to Nome, Alaska in 1925, where an outbreak of the disease was raging. This life-sized bronze statue of the dog by Frederick G.R. Roth was installed in New York's Central Park in December 1925 in honor of this feat. In 1973, the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was organized to commemorate the event. Balto, later was sold as a vaudeville act, cared for poorly, eventually rescued, and lived out the remainder of his life in the Cleveland Zoo in Ohio. After death, he was sent to a taxidermist, mounted, and donated to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History where he remains today; although, Alaska has petitioned for his return to be displayed at the Iditarod Museum in Wasilla. Scanned 35mm negative. (2U009)

On the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. Scanned 35mm negative. (Eng-09033)

This timbrel vaulted ceiling of the south arcade of the Manhatttan Municipal Building located at the intersection of Chambers and Centre Streets was constructed using a tile arch system that was patented in 1885 by Rafael Guastavino which involves using interlocking terra cotta tiles to make self-supporting arches and vaults. New York City, New York. Scanned 35mm negative. (5X008)

Base of a lamp post on the Victoria Embankment on the Thames near the City of London, England. Scanned 35mm negative. (Eng-25024)

On a Buckingham Palace Gate, London, England. Scanned 35mm negative. (Eng-25008)

Atlanta Botanical Garden (0301130080)

A rain gauge on my deck in the rain, Etowah County, Alabama. (IMG_5899)

These are some spoons I have carved through the years.

Seeley Stable Museum, Old Town San Diego, Califormia (IMG_4410)

Heritage Park Victorian Village, adjacent to Old Town San Diego, California. (IMG_4308)

Heritage Park Victorian Village, adjacent to Old Town San Diego, California. (IMG_4352)

Heritage Park Victorian Village, adjacent to Old Town San Diego, California. (IMG__4288)

Over an arch in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. (IMG_3673)

At a friend's house. (IMG_6183)

At a friend's house, Lexington, Alabama (IMG_6175)