ARCHITECTURAL INSPIRATION

The plot of land half way between my high school and downtown Canon City, Colorado was occupied by the county courthouse, a staid 19th century building.  But, when I returned to live here as an adult in 1979, it had been replaced by a new courthouse designed by architects Nixon and Jones in 1962.  They were inspired by the triangular and linear shapes of the nearby mountains to include triangular motifs in their design.

What continues to fascinate me is the juxtaposition of the courthouse and its neighbor across the street ---- the Presbyterian Church with its triangular spire that was built in 1900.  The two buildings that span over a half century difference in age contain the same architectural triangle motif.

I was first made aware of architectural juxtaposition when I.M. Pei designed a building for the Zeckendorf Plaza in Denver.  I visited it many times and the modern design was stunning against the traditional buildings along 16th street.  I am saddened by the dismantling of the building in the 1990s (in the name of progress??).

Google image of Zeckendorf Plaza

I also loved seeing architect Pei's addition to the Louvre in Paris, the ultimate in juxtaposition!

Google Image of Pei's addition to the Louvre in Paris

Inside of the Pei addition to the Louvre

I was also blown away by the Gherkin Building designed by Sir Norman Foster in 2004 juxtaposed against the gray sky of London.

Gherkin Building as seen from the London Eye

As a quiltmaker, I have always been inspired by my life experiences; in this case, architecture based on triangles.  My latest small quilt is a minor effort at juxtaposition ---- a modern architectural triangle in a traditional quilt setting.

I can never hope to achieve the magnificence of great architects with my limited knowledge and abilities----- 

 

----- but, when working on this quilt it was fun to relive visits to some great architectural achievements.  For more information about this quilt, check on my quilting blog, https://qbits-salmagundi.blogspot.com/2018/01/architectural-juxtaposition.html (click here).

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I WILL NOT DESTROY!!

I continue to work on organizing the family photos dating from the 1800s to the present.

There are pictures of people and places that I can't be sure who or where they are!

Guess I'll just take a clue from my Great-Grandmother who passed away in 1951.  I found this envelope with a receipt for land payment in her belongings.

No, I can't destroy old photos ---- 

I just file them away for my descendants to process with a note saying, "I did the best I could!"

  Do you just turn a blind eye, throw them away, and never think of them again?  Oh, how I wish I could do that, but Great-Grandmother Evelyn left me a note!

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AFTER THE GLITTER IS GONE - 2018 VERSION

The glitter has been packed away for another year --- most of it anyway!  It's always amazing to me to see a glimmer of glitter on the floor in the month of July; a reminder that Christmas will just be 6 months away again.  

But for now, this:

has been replaced with this touch of winter browns:

It was an enjoyable Christmas.  The grand kids were lots of fun.  They seemed to revert to their little kid ways wriggling and whispering in church plus excited about their presents and what Santa brought in their stockings. They even kept poking at each other, etc. when I tried to get a decent picture of them all grown up.

 and, finally a decent picture ---

 I offered to buy them both a haircut for Christmas, but had no takers.  They are both very independent and don't like for me to mention THE HAIR.  But, I'm their grandmother, after all.

Our son, the teacher/traveler was home for a couple of days. He spent most of his time going to church (3 times in 2 days) and preparing lesson plans for this week's classes before jetting off to Hong Kong for the New Year's long weekend celebrating with other EF tour leaders.

He is back already from a fabulous trip and teaching with jet lag, I'm sure!

I've had a nasty cold/cough --- the perfect excuse to take a nap every day; but looking forward to a great 2018.

May your New Year be filled with blessings.

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