REVISITING

 Revisiting previously posted images, around Maryland,
around my neighborhood, favorite places.

"Split-Rocker" by Jeff Koons, at Glenstone, Potomac, MD.
Created, and recreated annually with over 24,000 living flowers standing 37-ft tall.
(posted originally November 2024)

Blowing in the wind, fun, lost.

From a visit at Sherwood Gardens, a privately managed and supported park, 

open to the public, renowned for over 50,000 tulips each Spring.

(posted originally April 2023)

What's behind the red door?  

Just walking, in my neighborhood.

(originally posted October 2023)

Nipper.

The original.  Symbol and "mascot" for the RCA Company (1929) he sits atop the

Maryland Center for History and Culture a block from where I live.  

(originally posted July 2021)

Main entrance to the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Cathedral Street, Baltimore.

Founded in 1882, there are now 21 additional libraries

throughout the city thanks to the generosity and foresight of Enoch Pratt.

(originally posted June 2021)

IMAGE-IN-ING

AWWW MONDAY

THE ARTS

Beautiful inside and outside, and historically significant,

the Baltimore School for the Arts makes it home in the former Alcazar Hotel (1924)

 and a brownstone mansion (1850) next door, once the residence of H.L. Mencken.

It is located about two blocks from where I live in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood

of downtown Baltimore.

Recently, my friend and neighbor, Linda and I, enjoyed a wonderful

Sunday matinee production of  music and dance in the magnificent theater there.

A SUNDAY STROLL

Several commenting earlier this week were kind enough to offer compliments on June's November header.  

So, we thought to take the opportunity today to share a little about the "photograph" behind her.  

It is a close up of the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, photographed on an recent "almost" autumn day.

We live at the corner of Mount Vernon Place in Baltimore, MD.  The older photo (top) is of the church, looking across the traffic circle.  It is Victorian Gothic architecture, and was completed in November, 1872 and serves its congregation still today.

The photo (below) shows the traffic circle, the centerpiece of Mount Vernon Place,

with Baltimore's own Washington Monument and the church in the upper right corner.  This photo was taken from the 18th floor community room of my apartment building.  Park areas for gathering, lunching, and community events

extend out from the Monument in each direction and the entire area is

designated a National Historic Landmark District. 

Two images of the church, taken walking by and from the park.

This area is beautiful and relaxing in all seasons.  Wonderful for people-watching,

for pet-watching and so much more.

For anyone who would like to see a short video of this

truly beautiful and historic neighborhood,

click below:

MOUNT VERNON PLACE

.

THE LETTER Y ~ YELLOW

THE LETTER Y ~ YELLOW

A soft yellow glow fills the magnificent two story grand entrance hall of the Garrett Jacobs mansion as I enter on this sunny afternoon.  Built in 1853, and located on Mt. Vernon Place in Baltimore it is just around the corner, and an easy place to stop and enjoy the grandeur.  

The stained English oak glistens like warm gold, enriched from light streaming through Tiffany windows, wall sconces and the elaborate Venetian lamps high above.  On other days the hall may offer up tones of deep red, yet whatever colorings one sees the detail and carvings of the wood and every appointment please the eyes.  

The property has an extraordinary history and its original reconstruction by the Garrett and Jacobs families lasted over 32-years.  Around 1939 and into the 1950s, it sat largely empty, falling into disrepair with lack of consistent ownership until 1962 when purchased by The Engineers Club (Engineering Society of Baltimore).  Fundraising and a dedicated effort to return the home to its original beauty, always a work in progress, were achieved and today the Garrett Jacobs mansion offers public and private events and has received recognition as a National Historic Landmark.

  

 

WALK WITH ME, and Remembering

WALK WITH ME ~ heat, humidity and late afternoon thunderstorms have inhibited much of the walkabouts I enjoyed last summer ~ even this week we'll be back to 90-degree temperatures.  Yet I should not complain as this is true in so many places, even worse, accompanied by drought, fire and even flash flooding. Looking down from where I live, toward Monument Park, which extends out on all four sides, I'll just venture into each block today, a brief walk among historic and beautiful buildings.  A brief walk, camera in one hand, water bottle in the other. 

A quiet place to sit and rest, four parks abundant with blooms, benches, and lunch spots extending outward from each side of the monument. Noon time the parks will overflow with business people gathering for outdoor lunchtime. Always a dog walker or two, a few children at play, perhaps dipping toes into the fountains.  Great for people watching.  One statue commemorates George Peabody, whose conservatory, music academy, library and concert hall, all part of Johns Hopkins University, are beautiful and historic buildings dominating one side of the park. 

 

The white marble Graham-Hughes house, completed in 1888, is considered to be  architect George Archers masterpiece.  A corner home, it is a standout among its red brick neighbors, to the north of the monument, facing a park full of flowers this day.  It is permanently closed, and difficult to find any written history on this extraordinary structure.  Even a search at the Library of Congress gives limited information, yet oh, how one longs to see the interior and to know more.  With lacey window curtains, a lamp on a table peeking out, and a potted plant seen ~ one has reason to believe there are residents here, yet in other ways the house seems abandoned, empty and alone.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another day, another time.  A country drive, wandering and searching.  

Hoping to find a small private cemetery, then found in a small wooded area near Woodstock, MD.

A cemetery dedicated for priests of the Jesuit order, today maintained by Georgetown University.

In 1974, a wonderful man, a Jesuit priest, performed the marriage of my husband and I, and he became our friend.  In years following, he baptized both of our children ~ the first in a garden ceremony at the home where we lived at the time, and the second at Holy Trinity in Georgetown, where we had been married.  Years passed by.  

Father Frank moved to new assignments, we moved our family to new places, always in touch with one another.

Through so many years he advised, helped, counseled, and always prayed for us.

Thirty-four years later, 2008.  Father Frank had returned to his hometown, Baltimore, and had retired there in a home for Jesuit priests,

yet he took the time to fly to Florida to perform the marriage ceremony for our daughter, 

the little baby girl he had baptized in a garden so long ago.

Now I am living in Baltimore, it was time to pay my respects, to say thank you

to one who was very important throughout my life.

 

WALK WITH ME

WALK WITH ME ~

Well, first though we must take a drive.  It is a perfect Sunday, we'll drive about a half hour north and west of Baltimore, through rolling Maryland countryside.  Farm country, hundred plus acre working farms, pristine and lush with new crop growth, miles of white washed fencing, bright barns and homes worthy of magazine covers.   

Ten miles of our drive takes us through the Loch Raven Reservoir and several times over the Big Gunpowder Falls River ~ this is a journey today as beautiful as we expect our destination to be.  It was disappointing not to be able to photograph along here, every possible spot to pause was already taken by another ~

LADEW GARDENS. Originally a 200-plus acre farm, with a farmhouse built in the late 1700s it was purchased by Harvey Ladew around 1920.  He had been drawn to this area by his love of fox hunting.  The home and the acreage were then extensively renovated and updated to include antiques and art from his worldwide travels.  He simultaneously worked on the estate grounds, creating 22-acres of formal gardens.  The gardens feature 100 life-size topiary, including a "fox hunt" and fifteen themed gardens.  The prestigious Garden Club of America later awarded Mr. Ladew its Distinguished Service Medal for his "great interest in developing and maintaining the most outstanding topiary in America, without professional help."  Ladew Gardens was established as a public garden in 1971 and is today a non profit organization in support of education and scientific endeavors.  

Some themed gardens were not in bloom or active when I visited as they are seasonal in nature ~ The Butterfly House will be active mid summer.  The Rose Garden also blooms in mid summer, and the Water Lily Garden had not yet come to life ~ yet there was enough to fill my senses for this beautiful afternoon, and I hope you will enjoy the images below.  Walk with me ~ through Ladew Gardens.

 

 

WALK WITH ME ~ IT'S A PARADE!

This past Sunday was a cold, 32 degrees and blustery day, yet the skies were bright blue and the sun shone brightly on Charles Street.  The street filled with smiling people, a few vendors selling food and bright-colored toys tempting the children.  Green.  It seemed no matter where one looked everyone crowding the sidewalks wore green.  Soon, the parade would begin and along with a few neighbors we stood on the first floor open porch of our building ready for it to begin ~

The air rang loud with the music marching bands.  Police and fire brigades.  Fife and drum corps.  Cloggers young and old.  Leprechauns short and tall.  Irish fairies and mystical creatures.  Bagpipes, drums and tartans and kilts.  Shamrocks and four leaf clovers.  And every Irish tune you knew or didn't know.  And this little toddler boy who sat on the curb in front of us, his bobble-head taking it all in as he gathered up the beads and bright pennies and candy treat bags thrown from floats.  A bright green day for all, thank you Baltimore!  

WALK WITH ME ~ A CHRISTMAS WALK

A CHRISTMAS WALK WITH ME ~ for our walk today you can leave your cozy slippers on!  We aren't going far at all.  Oh, if we step outside for just a moment ~ across the street to the park, you may want a light sweater on, but our holiday weather has not been wintery at all.  It seems there may be no White Christmas in Charm City Baltimore this year.

WE HAVE JINGLE BELLS on our door, and a few touches of the seasons brightest in our studio ~ cards received are at the window.  Where I live is for seniors, 62 and over, so youngsters only visit ~ but many pups reside here and they come and go, now showing off bright red-and-green collars as they head to the dog park up the street.  Kitties most often are hiding behind their decorated doors, rarely seen, though June's curiosity has her wandering the hallway if there is an open door.

SO I SHARE WITH YOU the courtyard, sparkling day and night.  The windows that face both streets, lights twinkling bright.  Trees and wreaths and greenery fill the lobby.  It is warm and friendly here, all smile and say hello, it is Christmas as it should be.  And if you happen leave for a bit, you do want to come home.

NOW WE STEP OUTSIDE.  If you have read our Walk With Me postings in the past, you may know that we face Monument Park, lovely in all seasons but now glistening for Christmas.  As I take the short walk toward Baltimore's Washington Monument I see street lamps dressed in fine greens and holly berries.  I pass the Walters Art Musuem and glimpse the monument through a tree still holding her golden autumn leaves.  Note that the lower bottom right photo was actually taken looking down at the park from the top floor of our building, unseen are the parks that extend out from each side. 

1815 ~ 1829

Thank you for joining my Christmas Walk in the historic and

cultural arts Mount Vernon district and neighborhood

of Baltimore, Maryland.

WALK WITH ME

WALK WITH ME ~ 

A beautiful autumn day, light winds, brilliant blue skies.
Walking, randomly in my own neighborhood, the Mount Vernon historic district.
On streets whose names take one back to the days of our forefathers ~ Lafayette, Madison, Washington, Hamilton and more.  There is nothing special to share about the photos from this walk, just lovely old homes.  Some still showing the fading flowers of summer.  Some with gas lights flickering at their entrance.  Many having cast iron hitching posts still embedded on the sidewalk in front ~ step carefully, don't trip!  Yet, I look up toward majestic church steeples that punctuate the sky and listen for their bells on the hour.  

My wish, how I wish I could wander inside these homes, see what they have to say of their past lives.  I've always had a passion for "old things", antique furniture, was happy to be the repository when someone in the family wanted to hand-me-down something they had treasured.  Passed on now to the next generation, my Grandmother's collection of tea cups and saucers, all different, each unique.  But it was not just their translucent beauty, or the craftsmanship of the artist who had painted flowers on the tea cup ~ it was, what was Grandma thinking that day she drank tea from this cup ... was she happy, content or did some worries fill her mind?  The game table, c. 1800s, at which I sit right now, typing this post.  Whose hands lay upon this table once, were they playing cards?  Was it a great grand of mine, with a cocktail and a cigar?  Was it two old friends, talking the politics of the day?  I wish these things of old could tell me their stories, so much they have seen and heard, now stored in every grain of wood, and remembered in the luster of the cups and saucers.     

 

WALK WITH ME

WALK WITH ME ~ there are quotations, though I could not find the one I  was seeking ~ about walking ~ about how it is not the destination, but rather the journey.                                            

So it is with my walk today. Simply along any street, anywhere, on a very beautiful day.

There is another quote that comes to mind though,

and it is a lovely one to share.

"Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.

Just walk beside me and be my friend."

Anonymous 

Once private residences, brownstones or townhouses, today these most often serve as a duplex or as apartments.  Along tree-lined streets, the ornate iron gates and balconies add charm.  Alley-ways or breaks between buildings will sometimes hold a small welcoming garden [see photo in the introduction above].  

This amazing mural is one I always pause to enjoy.  If only I had a wide-angle lens to capture it with one photo.  Also, the sign that tells its story has faded a bit with age, and sadly has been further damaged with graffiti, so I was unable to easily read the origins of the art.  From what I could read, the wall art was sponsored by a local women's charity with funds raised from several organizations.  Many artists participated with the painting of the mural [date illegible] and as shown in the first photo, there are "one hundred flowers in "My Sister's Garden" each designed by a homeless woman."

What began as a blue sky day ended with storms moving in.  So a few random photos of the city skyline from our top floor community room.  Looking west (1) as a storm approaches, I was not fast enough to catch the lightning strikes!  (2) Looking down at Mount Vernon Square and the Washington Monument as raindrops begin to fall.  (3)  The storm has passed and nightfall begins over the Inner Harbor. An earlier post about Mount Vernon Square and the Washington Monument can be viewed here if you did not see it when first published. 

Thank you for walking beside us.

     

                                                    

WALK WITH ME

WALK WITH ME ~

the recent less than acceptable weather has inhibited much walking lately.
So today I'd like to share the short story of a friend who lives just up on the corner.  He's certainly a very good pup as he's dutifully worn his "mask" for over a year now.  But I did notice that just a few weeks ago when walking by ~ he now is mask-free! We pass by him often going on other walks here and there and became curious to learn more about him.

His name is NIPPER.

NIPPER, 18-foot tall sits proudly above the Maryland Center for History and Culture in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore. The center is home to the original "The Star Spangled Banner" manuscript and documents of many signers of the Declaration of Independence.   

Legend (and RCA) tells us that this real life pup was born in England and he received his name because he enjoyed nipping at the legs of visitors to his masters home.  Nipper's uncle, also noticing how he would be mesmerized by a record playing on the gramophone ~ intent as it spun round and round ~ did a painting of this for a commercial advertisement.  The rest, as they say, is history.  And Nipper, all ears for the music he seemed to so love, became the symbol for the RCA Company (1929) and remained so for many years ~ as "His Master's Voice".  Nipper's original home was in the Old Dominion state, Virginia and today he is remembered there on a street called Nipper's Way.  Other U.S. cities also honor this special pup in special ways.

LEFT ~ high atop the former RCA building in Albany, NY, Nipper keeps watch over this state capital.  At 26-foot tall, rather than stare into his gramophone he wears an air-traffic control beacon!  

RIGHT ~ depicted in stained glass, Nipper has a forever home above luxury apartments in Camden, NJ.  This building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

Thanks for joining me for today's walk!

WALK WITH ME

FELL'S POINT, along the water where the Inner Harbor and Patapsco River come together is one of the most popular areas of the city for entertainment, dining, drinking and just plain fun for all. It offers up more restaurants and bars than any other part of Charm City plus events and festivals year round.  The area was first settled in the late 1600s and grew as a shipbuilding port, becoming established in 1763.  Hundreds of homes and buildings are listed on the National Register and today the entire community is a National Historic District.

ANN STREET WHARF.  Well, just because, and of course it is on Ann Street.  

I so wish it had been a nice day, but the overcast skies turned soon to rainy ones, so our visit was brief.  The Fell's Point area overflows with history and this made me only want more!  Top left: once a city rec pier, now a hotel, the building was featured for years as the police headquarters for the TV show, "Homicide: Life On The Street", by local resident and famed author David Simon.  Top right: open air meals against a backdrop of old buildings no longer there.  Bottom left: the Fearless, June will not walk the plank, but may be aboard come Pirate Day this September.  Bottom right: one of many pubs, I think this is the one where June and I could share a mug or two.

Transitioning to another day, another walk, but before leaving Fell's Point (note, the two pictures below are not my own, both random, unnamed from the web) this is a segue ~ The Horse You Came In On Saloon opened in 1775 and has served its customers faithfully, remaining open even during prohibition days.  It can easily lay claim to being the oldest continually operating saloon in the U.S.  And, a favorite son, Edgar Allan Poe lived nearby, so this was a favorite spot and it was not unusual to find him here.  Legend has it this may have been his last stop before either being mugged or falling drunk into a gutter and sadly meeting his too early and unfortunate death just four days later, exact cause never to be known. 

Another day found me walking about a mile to Westminster Hall, a converted Gothic Revival church built on arches above the Westminster Burying Grounds, established in 1786.  Beneath gravestones, decorated tablets and slabs, granite vaults and catacombs, many now with rusted or broken locks rest hundreds of soldiers from the American Revolution and the War of 1812.  Alongside are remains of political and civic leaders of the time.

Perhaps the most notable among residents here is Edgar Allan Poe.  Though not originally his burial place, he was moved here and placed in an unmarked grave at the back of the grounds.  In the late 1800s, school children in Baltimore, through a project called "Pennies for Poe" raised funds for a proper monument.  Poe, his wife Virginia, and mother-in-law Maria were reinterred for their final rest just inside the gates to the church.

Three roses.  Cognac.  Mystery.  For sixty-years, on the 19th of January, the anniversary of Poe's death in 1849, a visitor to the burial grounds left these as a "memorial" at Poe's gravesite.  Although some have made claim to being this visitor, no identity has ever been confirmed.  The gifts were never again left after 19 January 2009.  It remains a mystery.

"This it is and nothing more."  THE RAVEN 

First published in the American Whig Review, 1845

To read THE RAVEN in full, visit the Poetry Foundation

Thank you for walking with me,

perhaps you'll join me again, another day.