There’s been a discussion lately about the possible sale of land assets used by the water company which helps to provide a good portion of our drinking water. It’s suspicious when they start looking at selling publicly controlled property when times are leaner and there’s a shortfall in the budget. Why don’t they take a harder look at spending instead. No surprise. Growing or maintaining the scope of government seems to be more important to those in government. Don’t they realize once something is sold, it’s gone. What’s next, Monument Circle?

The Central Towpath above is one of these assets as well as Geist and Eagle Creek Reservoirs. Just look how beautiful this is. More importantly, it’s one of those things that binds us together as a community and a way we interact with each other. To me it’s treasured public art that we not only can look at but use. The real issue is control. What will happen if private interests want to change something later that is contrary to the best interest of the public. Land is probably our most precious asset. It nurtures us now in ways that cannot be replaced, and must do the same for future generations.

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Normally when we can see the dome of the State Capital Building then we’re looking up at it, so I thought it was an interesting view from this perspective. This shot was taken from the top of the Monument on the Circle zooming in west down Market Street. To me it looks like the Monument and the Capital Building are about the same height? I’ll have to research that factoid. It’s recorded somewhere I’m sure.

After looking at this photo I started wondering how they raise and lower the State and U.S. flags on the top. You can’t just climb up there and pull on the ropes…well, unless you’re Spider Man.

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So here is the Artsgarden above (over) just before I go beneath it on Illinois Street (under). Oh good…a green light!

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Lot’s of long-time residents have probably driven around Monument Circle a thousand times and never really focused on the scenes depicted in the statues around it’s base, like this one with a son saying farwell to his parents as he heads off to war. A camera with zoom lens really improves the perspective. When I first saw what the lens captured there, I was surprised at the detail and life-like quality. There is a lot going on at “the Monument” to see outside as well as inside. If you’re feeling especially hardy, you can walk up the stairs or just take an elevator to the top for a fantastic view of the city. Also, below you’ll find the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum.

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This remnant of the wall from the old market with archway and masonry detail has always intrigued me. It stands alone out in the open, in the park area to the west of the main entrance of the City Market. I know that it was preserved probably because of it’s historical significance and rich detail, but don’t know enough about the old market building to understand where and how it was actually used. It definitely makes the park there a little classier though.

Paris has got the Arc de Triomphe. And so I’m calling this the Arc de Marche deVille. (pardon my french) Sounds a little more World Class? Although I know most of us Hoosiers would probably just prefer to call it The City Market Arch.

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Was absolutely astounded today to see mounted to the facade of the Central Library what appears to be a huge rubber inner-tube from something the size of a giant earth mover. It’s been a little while, but it wasn’t there the last time I looked. I try to stay open minded about public art, but for the life of me, I don’t get it.

I take no credit either for the title of this post. A woman who was passing by as I was taking the photo came up with the idea (and unknowingly, the title of the post) as we laughed about possible symbolisms that the object could imply.

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Another shot below taken few days later. It will be interesting to see the changes again at completion.

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For my own home, I always choose a Frazier Fir every year. I like the small needles, the shape and drooping angle of the branches. But mainly I get a Frazier because it’s the same kind of tree that my Grandpa always had in his home. Funny how certain memories last and become important. Christmas is all about tradition. Everyone has their own traditions for their own family that make it special and comforting. Decorating the tree is great but my favorite thing about the tree is the luscious scent that permeates the room when you bring it inside. Nothing else like it.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful and joyous holiday season as you celebrate your own traditions.

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This is a close-up of one of the gables on a small section of roof on the the Indiana Statehouse. Zoom lenses are great , huh? When I looked at this shot the first time, I was just admiring all the intricate details…and then I started to wonder who this figure was immortalized in stone? It’s definitely an American Indian with feathered headdress. So I’m wondering why they were made a part of the detailed stonework adorning the facade. Maybe it’s just as simple as it being the name of our state, Indiana, which when translated means literally ”Land of the Indians”? I’ll have to look into that.

I appreciate old buildings in general as they have so much to say, but if you’ve read other posts here, it’s not hard to tell that I’m particularly fascinated with this building. It’s truly an amazing structure. The craftsmanship and the amount of work that went into it are off the charts. The original cost of the building was 1.8 million dollars in 1888. That’s a lot of money back then. But if a structure of this sort were built today, with this same quality of materials and workmanship, the cost would be staggering. I found it interesting that the governor who was in office then, gave back $200,000 of the two million dollars that was appropriated for it because they came in under-budget. Today we are used to seeing major cost over-runs on just about any public project and bloated budgets in general. We could sure use some of the same old-fashion financial values now from our current government.

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