Keep Calm and Carry On

We had a disaster this week. Our basement was flooded. We have curtain drains underneath the basement floor that lead to a well in the corner of the basement. There is a sump pump in there that pumps the accumulated water to outside. We've had a record amount of snow and there was a day of heavy rain. The ground water swells and where can it go but underneath the foundation. Our sump pump failed to trigger last Tuesday evening and we had a lot of standing water. One room is furnished with carpeting and furniture. Fortunately, my wife was still in this room when it started. Had we gone to bed the water would have risen higher and there would have been much damage.
I thought of this poster that was intended for the British people during the beginning of WWII. Our disaster was minimal compared to a bombardment but it was sensible to keep this slogan in mind as we cleaned up the water, salvaged what is good to keep, hired a company to treat the carpet, and installed a new pump.
So, it's a positive idea to hold on to when inconveniences or disasters come along.

One more winter storm

It's been a month to the day that we had the blizzard. This snowfall fell gracefully. March snowfall is wetter and for a short time everything object is coated. You have to quickly grab the camera and capture all of it before all of it falls away. This tree is our backyard taken from our bedroom window.

We weren't greatly inconvenienced by this snowstorm. Sure it was treacherous driving during the night and in the early morning hours. As temperatures rise snow turns slushy. In a few days, all of this will melt away. We're that much closer to spring.

Inspired by Pat's Blog Entry

I was inspired today from reading Pat Gerber-Relf's Thingamajig. My wife and I were in Philadelphia last May. We ventured through the city. A family friend told us about Isaiah Zagar's Magic Gardens. It is an art museum of mosaic murals. It is a half a block long on South Street but it is spreading. It is open to the public and the admission fee is minimal. Philly Magic Gardens is a non-profit organization that promotes cultural events.It has become a destination spot in the city.
Isaiah Zagar began working on his murals in 1994 on a vacant lot adjacent to his house.He spent the next fourteen years excavating tunnels and grottos, and sculpting mural walls.
Here are some of my photos.

The Blizzard

Now that it is Monday and activity is resuming slowly, it gives me time to write about this phenomenal blizzard. Weather forecasters were predicting accumulations of 20 inches (50.8 cm.) in parts of our little state of Connecticut.

One weather system accurately predicted over 30 inches (76.2 cm.) of snow but being skeptical folk, everyone didn't trust that forecast or we clung to a more comfortable range. Well, that forecast was correct. We did exceed that amount. I live in Wallingford (which is neighboring to Meriden on the map). Our snowfall accumulation was 35 inches (88.9 cm.).
The storm began on Friday morning and by late afternoon it started to accumulate. A blizzard is defined as a snowstorm with winds of minimum speeds of 35 miles per hour winds (56 kilometers) and visibility of less than 400 meters. By evening all these conditions were met.
When we awakened on Saturday morning I photographed the after effects surrounding our home.
Here is our mailbox.

Will Mail Be Delivered?

By the way, the USPS delivered the mail on Friday. 

Our neighbor's mailbox was demolished.

Here is our above ground swimming pool. 

Pool is Closed

Today we have rain and fog. Our road is one lane. Two way traffic is passable by drivers pulling to the side to allow traffic from the opposite direction. Our biggest concern now is flooding because the storm drains are not cleared. 

Snowfall can be beautiful but when it is excessive it becomes inconvenient.

A Forgotten Past Time

I traveled to visit friends in Portland a couple weeks ago. Route 17A parallels the Connecticut River. There are remnants of farms on it. There is still an apple orchard. Every time I travel this way I notice an old sign covered by thickets. It was a drive in theater. I am unsure when they were started and became popular. It had to do with the increased mobility of people and automobiles.It was a summer evening activity. Families and couples would drive through booths to pay their admission. I don't remember if it the admission was the number of passengers or one admission price.

Movies were shown on a large screen and there were rows of poles with speakers attached to them. The speaker had a clasp that could be secured on the car window. There was a knob for volume.  
Two movies were always shown which allowed for an intermission. Every drive in theater had a concession stand. There was always a line formed to order refreshments. The wise customers would leave their cars before the first movie ended so they wouldn't have to wait in line.

I'm unsure what caused the demise of the drive in theater. There are only a few remaining. There is usually no trace of a drive in theater when the property is sold and developed. This one remains.

There is a video in the next blog entry.

Drive-In Movie Ads : Drive in Intermission 1960's

Good Bye Multiply

I closed my Multiply account today. I imported all of my blog entries from that social media site. So you will see older posts and photos.
I am pleased to be using this site now and I'm beginning to become acquainted with other members.