Baton Rouge Daily Photo

Top # 3

2007-11-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

The top of a slide at a playground...

Another Topper

2007-11-05T16:56:00.000-08:00

Keeping with the theme of tops - this is the top of the Dodson fountain at LSU...

At The Top

2007-11-04T16:47:00.000-08:00

A close-up of the top of the Old State Capitol, taken from the rooftop garden of the Shaw Center across the street.

Louisiana Book Festival

2007-11-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

Cars were blocked from Fourth Street today in front of the State Library, fittingly enough, for the 2007 Louisiana Book Festival. I am a bad Daily Photo Blogger - I admit I was concentrating more on the displays and exhibits instead of taking photos.

Daytime Satellite

2007-11-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

The moon makes a daytime appearance.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Sudsing Up

2007-11-01T18:24:00.000-07:00

The view from inside Benny's Car Wash...

Spooky Storm

2007-10-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

This is the scariest picture I could come up with for Halloween: a nice big thunderstorm that happened a few months ago...

Main Street

2007-10-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Here's another colorful mural - this one is on the side of a warehouse on Main Street.

At The Y

2007-10-29T22:47:00.000-07:00

This mural is painted on the side of the A. C. Lewis YMCA on South Foster Drive in the mid-city area of Baton Rouge. It features scenes of different activities children and adults enjoy at the Y, such as swimming, yoga, and soccer. The mural is now behind a chain-link fence after someone attempted to vandalize it.

Spiderweb

2007-10-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

At last! I've made my escape from the pernicious web, and can post again...

I HAZ A BUKKIT

2007-09-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

My cat decided to join me last night in the home office, but instead of jumping on top of the desk, she hopped into an old Christmas candy tin. She also likes squeezing herself into shoeboxes and curling up in laundry baskets.

Moving House

2007-09-26T17:01:00.000-07:00

When most of us think of moving house, we think of packing up our belongings in boxes, loading them into trucks and vans, then transporting them and unloading them inside new homes.

But other people choose to take the house with them!

A motorcycle cop was on hand to block traffic at the intersection, and the power company sent two crews to turn off electricity running through the power lines.

And no, your eyes don't deceive you, that is a man sitting on the roof of the house.

He has an important job: preventing the traffic lights from colliding with and damaging the roof. Here's a closeup of him in action:

He's a braver soul than I am, and I hope he's been well compensated for his work. Even though the house was moving quite slowly, this doesn't seem to be a task for the faint of heart.

It took no more than ten minutes, maybe even less than that, for this home to make its way across the Government Street/Lobdell intersection.

Baton Rouge Magnet High School

2007-09-24T04:39:00.000-07:00

Here's another "castle" in Baton Rouge: Baton Rouge Magnet High School, built in 1926. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and was also named on Sunday as one of the ten most endangered historic sites in our state by The Trust for Historic Louisiana. Although the high school is one of the top-ranked academically in the state, students are learning in a decaying building: water damage from leaks in the roof, falling plaster, decaying bricks. The school board is trying to determine whether the school should be partially or completely renovated, or whether it should be torn down and a new school built. Allumni of the school who hope to preserve the historic front building are gathering support for their cause through a petition drive and a Facebook group.

Here's a fun fact about BRMHS: Elvis Presley played a concert here in 1955...

Preparing For Liftoff

2007-09-18T18:38:00.000-07:00

When the balloon championships were in town, it seemed like competitors were taking off wherever they could find an open space. This balloonist was inflating in a vacant lot behind CAMD, which is the white building on the left. CAMD is LSU's Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices.

Grab Your Umbrellas

2007-09-17T18:35:00.001-07:00

Back from the dead . The office has calmed down to a dull roar, so I can start breathing again.

Above is some rain brought by Humberto to my neighborhood on Thursday night. I hope that our drought-stricken southern and midwestern neighbors received some showers of blessing from Humberto.

Tangled Webs

2007-09-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

Last week, I noticed that under the birdbath, an enterprising spider was weaving. Its handiwork is no longer there - I think the thunderstorm we had on Tuesday washed it out - but the spider has moved on up, to the nearby white oak tree, and is spinning away again. I admire the determination of spiders. If the web gets destroyed one day, the next day start building another.

Why The Delay?

2007-08-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

I apologize for my inconsistent posting. Nothing serious or tragic has caused the delays, just the usual office chaos. I am crossing my fingers that everything settles down reasonably soon and I have more time to focus on taking pictures and blogging.

Thanks for your patience...

(above photo: Art Building at LSU)

The Return of Rain

2007-08-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

This may not seem like an exciting photo, but it was very exciting late yesterday afternoon when a thunderstorm broke the monotony of the heat wave. I'm still mastering the art of photographing the rain, so the best photo I could manage was one of a raindrop-splattered patio.

Think Cool Thoughts

2007-08-13T18:46:00.000-07:00

A third record-breaking day of heat today, and another one expected tomorrow. Sounds like a good time for a spearmint snowball! This is a cup of finely crushed ice that's covered in spearmint syrup which stains your tongue for a day or two. If you don't like spearmint, that's okay, you could choose strawberry flavor instead, or bubble gum, or pina colada, or wild cherry, and I think the snowball stand even had a birthday cake flavor...

Up, Up, and Away

2007-08-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

During this oppressively hot weekend, Baton Rougeans who were brave enough to step outside during the morning may have seen balloons floating by. It's not a hallucination brought on by heatstroke, thankfully, but a sign that the Southeast Regional and Louisiana State Hot Air Balloon Championship had returned to town. Each day's competition began during the coolest time of the day - 6:30 in the morning.

Heat Advisory

2007-08-09T05:12:00.000-07:00

Baton Rouge, like much of the southern United States, is under a Heat Advisory today. The high temperature is expected to reach 97 degrees Fahrenheit, but with the lovely oppressive humidity it will feel more like 105 degrees. But look at this nice, clear water from one of the downtown fountains! I wonder how cold it is?

If you're in a hot area today, be careful, remember to drink plenty of water.

Easy Streets

2007-08-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

This week LSU started up its "Easy Streets" program, designed to make the campus more pedestrian-friendly and to prevent collisions between walking or bicycling students and vehicles. Traffic booths like the one pictured above are set up at ten locations throughout the campus to restrict the flow of vehicles along streets. Faculty and staff who have a special access card will be able to travel along the roads, but students who commute will have to park their cars in the lots surrounding the campus and move it on foot to class, which most did anyway before this program began. It will be interesting to see if this program eliminates those drivers who think that the "Yield To Pedestrians" signs at crosswalks are suggestions for someone else.

August Theme Photo: Breakfast

2007-08-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

This month's Theme is a Typical Breakfast, so above here is the breakfast I ate this morning: a bowl of corn flakes in skim milk, and a sliced nectarine.

Then I go to work and eat cupcakes out of the vending machine.

There are currently 86 blogs participating in this Theme Day:
Saint Paul (MN), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - New York City (NY), USA - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hyde, UK - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Mainz, Germany - Stockholm, Sweden - Paderborn, Germany - Singapore, Singapore - Haninge, Sweden - Nottingham, UK - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Manila, Philippines - Boston (MA), USA - Seoul, Korea - Singapore, Singapore - Joplin (MO), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Paris, France - Sequim (WA), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Boston (MA), USA - Chennai, India - Madison (WI), USA - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Toulouse, France - Seattle (WA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - La Antigua, Guatemala - Selma (AL), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Sheki, Azerbaijan - Sydney, Australia - Mumbai, India - Seoul, South Korea - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - New Orleans (LA), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Villigen, Switzerland - Montréal (QC), Canada - Stayton (OR), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Moscow, Russia - Springfield (MO), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - Arlington (VA), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Anderson (SC), USA - Oslo, Norway - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Manila, Philippines - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Stavanger, Norway - Bastia, France - Hong Kong, China - Wailea (HI), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Sydney, Australia - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Kansas City (MO), USA - Grenoble, France - Paris, France - Evry, France - Saigon, Vietnam - Prague, Czech Republic

ROYGBIV

2007-07-31T16:51:00.000-07:00

I was driving to work this morning, and the skies were gray, and I was feeling a bit glum, but as I got closer to the office, WOW! A rainbow!

This put a smile on my face as I began my work day...

Give Me Wings!

2007-07-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

The slogan for Red Bull energy drinks is, "Red Bull gives you wiiinngs!"

I wonder how often the driver wishes the Red Bull car had wings, to fly over the gridlock on the roadways... ;)

It's Raining Again

2007-07-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

It rained again this afternoon, but thankfully not enough to cause any flooding. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the Midwest and Texas and in England facing rising rivers.

A Work In Progress

2007-07-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

This is an older building on Lafayette Street downtown that is undergoing renovation. I think it used to be a hotel at one point in time.

I wonder what it will be in its next incarnation...

Offices?

Apartments?

Another hotel, perhaps?

Sunday Drive

2007-07-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

I admit that I get stuck in a travel rut. I travel from my house, to my job, then to the store, then back home, making the same circuit day after day. If I do branch out, it's on Sunday mornings, when traffic is barely existent and it's much easier to move around Baton Rouge.

The above photo was taken as I tried to learn the layout of the new Picardy exit off Interstate 10 in south Baton Rouge. With few cars around, I was able to explore the onramps and offramps for about 10 minutes, stress-free.

Muse

2007-07-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Our harpist is part of a frieze along the outside of the State Capitol building. I never noticed her until this year, as I searched for items to photograph.

Drive Carefully

2007-07-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Lighted signs, warning drivers to slow down and prepare to stop, now stand along a three-mile stretch of Interstate 12 after two major multi-vehicle crashes that killed four people. Both wrecks happened at the O'Neal Lane exit, where the freeway reduces from three lanes of traffic to two. Traffic tends to slow down and bottleneck here as people try to merge. In both of the crashes, police believe the drivers failed to notice that other vehicles was slowing down or stopped, hence the signs to alert motorists.

"Let's be careful out there..."

Blue Blooms

2007-07-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

I don't know what these blue flowers are called, but I think they're lovely...

Can anyone identify these mystery blooms?

Shaw Center for the Arts

2007-07-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

The Shaw Center for the Arts, which opened just two years ago in downtown Baton Rouge, features several art galleries, including the LSU Museum of Art, and a 325-seat performing arts theatre. There's also a popular sushi restaurant on the top floor, with an outdoor terrace offering envious views of the Mississippi River.

One nice feature of the Shaw Center is the Second Saturdays program this summer. On the second Saturday of each month, admission to galleries is free, and there are special arts activities planned for children. Some of the activities planned for August include an Instrument Petting Zoo, where members of the Baton Rouge Symphony show children how to play their instruments, and a crafts project using patterned papers, inspired by an ongoing exhibit of Japanese prints.

Oliver Pollock

2007-07-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

This is a closeup of a 17-foot high bronze statue of Oliver Pollock, sculpted by Frank Hayden. Pollock was an Irish native who became a successful merchant in New Orleans during the years before the Revolutionary War, and he used his wealth to help finance the War effort. Pollock is also believed by some to have invented $, the dollar sign.

Baton Rouge in 2107?

2007-07-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

This is one of four murals featured on a small outdoor stage near the riverfront. I like the fanciful vision of a future Baton Rouge. Hopefully those flying saucers we'll be traveling in will alleviate some traffic nightmares - or would they create gridlock in space?

Friday The 13th

2007-07-13T16:46:00.000-07:00

It's Friday the 13th, and I've gotten stuck under some sort of grating!

(actually I'm not really stuck)

When I was younger, I used to be scared when Friday fell on the 13th day of the month. I was convinced that bad things would happen, and would go home and tell my mother all the troubles I had that day. Eventually she had her fill of it and told me that it was all in my mind, that the 13th was like any other day and could actually be a lucky day, but I was focused solely on the bad things that went on and forgot about the good things. I reluctantly took her advice, and to my surprise soon found that, yes, Friday the 13th actually was like an ordinary day.

I hope that none of you are triskadekaphobic, and that today turned out to be a lucky day for you...

Hot Enough For You?

2007-07-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

To my poor car, the outside temperature felt like 99 degrees today. At the time I took this, the actual temperature was probably closer to 89 or 90 degrees, but with the added humidity (67%) it felt more miserable. I am very thankful that the air conditioner in my car is working. Fall can't come soon enough.

(PS yes, I know about my dusty car. It's getting washed and cleaned on Saturday :) )

The Sun, Moon, and Stars...

2007-07-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

...and the planets, too.

This is above one of the doorways to Nicholson Hall at LSU, home of the physics and astronomy departments.

In Bloom

2007-07-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

The crape myrtles are in bloom across Baton Rouge. This one is at the Botanic Gardens, which has a lovely crape myrtle garden. Crape myrtles are native to China and eastern India - I didn't know that until today.

Stop 'N' Sip

2007-07-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

You don't have to have wings to enjoy the backyard birdbath. This squirrel likes to quench his thirst there. Lucky for him, the cats were sleeping when he stopped for a break.

Drive On Thru

2007-07-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

Taken while I was in the drive-thru line at Raising Cane's on Government Street, waiting to get chicken fingers for lunch. I like the way the power boxes are camouflaged by the arrow...

Love, All

2007-07-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

I was trying to figure out an unique way to take a picture of a tennis court. I don't know how unique this is, though ;)

The good news is, the sun is shining right now!

Kickin' Back On Friday

2007-07-06T16:53:00.000-07:00

This is a playground ride that looks like a see-saw, but instead of moving up and down, you move around in a circle.

Hope this Friday will begin a weekend of fun and summery (or wintry) delights for you!

More Precipitation

2007-07-05T17:03:00.000-07:00

More rain again today. Over three inches this week. I'm hoping for a day of sunshine so that the yard will dry enough for me to mow the lawn. But I'm thankful that we're not facing flooding, only more mosquitos.

Independence Day

2007-07-04T08:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!

A Spot For Reflection

2007-07-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

A closeup of the benches at the MLK Memorial that I posted about yesterday...

MLK Memorial

2007-07-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

My other choice for yesterday's Theme Day would have been the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial near the Governmental Building. It was sculpted by New York City native Arthur Silverman when he was in his seventies. Each of the benches in front of the memorial has a plaque with a famous quote from Dr. King.

Red Stick

2007-07-01T14:25:00.001-07:00

Theme Day for July 2007 is the color red, so I'm showing you the sculpture that represents "Red Stick". Baton Rouge was named by the French explorer Sieur d'Iberville in 1699, after he saw a cypress pole decorated with bloody animal and fish heads, which served as a marker for the hunting boundaries of two Native American tribes (the Bayougoula and the Houma).

There are currently 100 blogs participating in this theme day:
Shanghai, China - Mumbai, India - New York City (NY), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Hamburg, Germany - Stayton (OR), USA - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Hyde, UK - Oslo, Norway - Brookville (OH), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Joplin (MO), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Selma (AL), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Seattle (WA), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Evry, France - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Grenoble, France - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Hilo (HI), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - La Antigua, Guatemala - Brisbane (QLD), Australia - Singapore, Singapore - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hong Kong, China - Sequim (WA), USA - Paderborn, Germany - Saarbrücken, Germany - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Tenerife, Spain - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Sydney, Australia - Naples (FL), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Mainz, Germany - Toruń, Poland - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - North Bay (ON), Canada - Jakarta, Indonesia - Montréal (QC), Canada - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Baziège, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - New York (NY), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Sharon (CT), USA - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Villigen, Switzerland - Chicago (IL), USA - Torquay, UK - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Paris, France - Seoul, Korea - Manila, Philippines - Milano, Italy - Austin (TX), USA - Chennai, India - Madrid, Spain - Seoul, South Korea - Wailea (HI), USA - Toronto (ON), Canada - Ajaccio, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Zurich, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Budapest, Hungary - Moscow, Russia - Auckland, New Zealand - Torino, Italy

Blood Sports

2007-06-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

Another legislative session ended this week. Our good state representatives and senators (FINALLY) passed a ban on cockfighting this session, which goes into effect August 2008. One blood sport, politics, is still legal in Louisiana, and the new season should get into gear soon.

The above photo is a picture of the floor of the entry marking the Governor's Office at the Old State Capitol.

On Guard

2007-06-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

It rained again today. During the thunderous parts, Weeka (pictured above) likes to hide under the bed. After it stops raining, she resumes her post on the windowsill, where she keeps watch over the neighborhood. I think she's found an errant insect that's invaded her space.

Repentance Fountain

2007-06-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

Repentance Fountain is nestled between the River Center arena and the Old State Capitol. A nearby plaque explains:

During the Spanish domination of Baton Rouge, Repentance Street ran through this area. It was so named because convicted criminals walked along it on their way to receive sentencing at the Commandant's house where the Old State Capitol now stands.

Cool Break

2007-06-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

Aaahhh...cool water...even if it has a slight chlorine odor...

This is part of a larger fountain between the River Center and the Old State Capitol known as Repentance Fountain, which I will post on tomorrow.

No Drought Here

2007-06-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I thought I was going to mow the lawn, but this stormcloud had a different idea and gave me over an inch of rain instead.

Up Close And Personal

2007-06-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a view of the top of the standpipe I featured yesterday. No, I didn't climb the ladder ;) but snapped this from the fourth floor River Terrace at the Shaw Center across the street.

Quench Your Thirst

2007-06-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

Made of wrought iron and standing 110 feet tall, the Lafayette Street Standpipe was the first water tower in Baton Rouge. The standpipe was in use from 1888 to 1963, and held over 146,000 gallons of water when it was full. Just a few months ago, the tower was sandblasted and got a new coat of paint.

Lanterns

2007-06-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

These lanters hang outside Taste of China, a popular Chinese buffet restaurant.

Time Capsule

2007-06-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

The recent news reports about the Tulsa, Oklahoma time capsule unearthing prompted me to post this picture of a time capsule in the Quadrangle at LSU. It was buried in 1976, and, if I am fortunate to live that long, will be unearthed in 2076. I haven't yet been able to find any news articles about what was placed inside the capsule. It probably included copies of LSU's student newspaper and yearbook, a fee slip from Spring Registration to show how much it cost to attend the university, maybe photos of what the campus looked like. I don't know the purpose of the letters around the edge - some sort of code? The first letters of the words to an important document? I'll have to do some further research on this.

Time capsules are optimistic, showing our hope that future generations will come after us, surpassing our achievements and creating a better world. I hope this holds true for the Class of 2076...

Here Comes The Sun

2007-06-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not posting yesterday - had to work late at the office. It rained and poured much of Tuesday afternoon and evening. One of the office buildings near my neighborhood was struck by lightning and caught fire. Thankfully, no one was injured or killed.

I was glad to see the sun return today...

Pit Stop

2007-06-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

This dragonfly is taking a break on a hot day to grab some nourishment...

Happy Father's Day!

2007-06-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

On the third Sunday in June, Father's Day is celebrated in the United States. To all of the fathers, stepfathers, and other male mentors who bring so much to our lives, thank you!

The Builders

2007-06-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of the nest builders and singers of yesterday's entry...

Life Imitates Art?

2007-06-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

I had gone to the State Capitol building and was taking pictures of the detail work outside the building, and I kept hearing birds singing. I thought I was going crazy, then I looked above the front entrance and found their hideout among the pelican portraits...

I Wish

2007-06-14T16:08:00.000-07:00

I wish I could play all day.

I wish I didn't have to go to work.

We Were Here

2007-06-13T17:44:00.000-07:00

The underside of a curving slide becomes a tempting place for people (teens?) to carve their names or initials. What compelled them - was it a need to flaunt society's rules and show off to their friends, or a desire to shout "I am here"? If the slide is still standing in ten years, will they come back with a sweetheart to try to find their mark, and laugh at what silly kids they were back then?

Tonight At The Lodge

2007-06-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

Sign outside of the St. James Lodge on Convention Street downtown. I like how the design would light up to indicate which Order was meeting on a specific evening.

Runners Up

2007-06-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the LSU men's and women's track and field teams! Both the Tigers and the Lady Tigers placed second in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this past weekend. The men were just six points short of claiming their fifth national championship, while the women were seven points away from bringing home their 14th NCAA outdoor title.

LSU is fortunate to have attracted outstanding track and field athletes from all over the world. Olympians who have also worn LSU's purple and gold include Kelly Willie, Sheila Echols, Esther Jones and Schowanda Williams of the US; Glenroy Gilbert and Angela Phipps of Canada; Claston Bernard, Celena Clarke, Ronetta Smith and Nadia Davy of Jamaica; Robin van Helden and Sharon Jaklofsky of the Netherlands; Mikael Olander of Sweden; Lotfi Khaida of Algeria; and David Kiptoo of Kenya.

Pictured above is the Bernie Moore Track and Field stadium at LSU. Coach Moore led the Tiger track team to its first national championship in 1933.

Dancing Waters

2007-06-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

I was at the Shaw Center for the Arts downtown yesterday for Second Saturdays. Admission is free to all the art galleries inside on the second Saturday of each month, and there are children's activities based on the exhibits. One of the docents I spoke with commented that the dancing fountains outside the museum are very popular with the children, and that she often sees them running and splashing through the jets. As the temperatures rise, we may see some adults running around, too!

In Full Bloom

2007-06-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

These flowers are on my mother's new hibiscus tree, which I am minding for her while she's out of town. The blooms gave me a great first shot for my new camera, which is a Kodak EasyShare V803.

Meet Your Neighbors

2007-06-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

In honor of the space shuttle Atlantis' liftoff this afternoon, here's a photo from the Irene Pennington Planetarium. One end of the planetarium is known as Planet Tower, a two-story display featuring scale models of our solar system siblings. To give you an idea of the sizes of the models, the rings of Saturn are about 15 feet (4.5 meters) wide, and Earth is the size of a bowling ball. The tower also functions as a stairwell and exit from the planetarium's excellent 60-foot dome theatre.

Columbus

2007-06-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

This statue of Christopher Columbus is, fittingly enough, at the Plaza D'Italia in Baton Rouge.

Where Did The Ball Go?

2007-06-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

I don't know how this tennis ball ended up at the top of the fence that surrounds the tennis court. Did some mischievous teen scale the fence and plant the ball, or does someone in Baton Rouge have a wild serve?

?????

2007-06-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

I found this stencil graffiti on the side of a Christian bookstore. I enjoy stencil graffiti, but have to confess that I have no idea what this is supposed to be...

Allen Hall

2007-06-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

Another view of the buildings at LSU. Allen Hall was named in honor of former Louisiana Governor Oscar K. Allen, who served in office after Huey P. Long. Allen Hall houses the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of English.

In A Mediterranean Mood

2007-06-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

This covered walkway at Louisiana State University connects the two buildings of Thomas Boyd Hall, which contains the Chancellor's Office and the offices where students pay their tuition and fees and receive copies of their transcripts and grades. Many of LSU's campus buildings reflect an Italian Renaissance style, with stuccoed walls and red tile roofs.

Caged

2007-06-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

Looking up through the slats of a gazebo at the Botanical Gardens...

A View From The Room...

2007-06-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

It's the backyard!!!

Not a very exciting view, but after a long day at the office, it's very relaxing.

Below are all of the fabulous blogs participating in this Theme Day:
Seattle (WA), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Toruń, Poland - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Seoul, Korea - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Vantaa, Finland - Madison (WI), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Omaha (NE), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stockholm, Sweden - Grenoble, France - Lubbock (TX), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Hyde, UK - Joplin (MO), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Kansas City (MO), USA - Naples (FL), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Manila, Philippines - Sydney, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - London, UK - Chandler (AZ), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Singapore, Singapore - Hamburg, Germany - Sydney, Australia - Tenerife, Spain - Moscow, Russia - Lyon, France - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Anderson (SC), USA - Oslo, Norway - Evry, France - Hayle, UK - Mumbai, India - Kitakami, Japan - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - La Antigua, Guatemala - Paderborn, Germany - San Diego (CA), USA - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Madrid, Spain - Lyon, France - Selma (AL), USA - Shanghai, China - Baziège, France - Cologne (NRW), Germany - North Bay (ON), Canada - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Stayton (OR), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Hong Kong, China - Trier, Germany - Joensuu, Finland - Paris, France - Greenville (SC), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Cork, Ireland - Bastia, France - Vancouver, Canada - Brookville (OH), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Mainz, Germany - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Zurich, Switzerland - Torino, Italy - Montréal (QC), Canada

Sick Building

2007-05-31T13:29:00.000-07:00

Is the Kress-Levy building really sick? It wasn't sniffling when I walked by. It is undergoing renovations, so it should soon be well..

The Pirate of the Pacific

2007-05-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

Not only will you find barges and riverboats on the banks of the Mississippi River, but you'll also spot the USS Kidd, a destroyer which saw service in the Pacific during World War II and the Korean War. The Kidd is now restored and docked at the Veterans Memorial Museum. Not only can visitors tour the Kidd, but they can also camp overnight as part of a special educational program.

Here's a fun fact: the USS Kidd is the only ship in the US Navy which is allowed to fly the Jolly Roger! If you click on the photo, you may be able to spot the skull and crossbones flying from the mast. The Kidd is not named for 18th-century pirate William Kidd, but for Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd, who was killed on the USS Arizona during the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 (but while attending the US Naval Academy, Kidd's nickname was Cap). After the first crew of the Kidd chose the legendary pirate as their mascot, they received special permission from the Navy (with the help of the admiral's widow) to fly the Jolly Roger.

The Corsair

2007-05-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

Here is another view of the jet seen in yesterday's photo of the Louisiana Memorial Plaza. This is an A-7E Corsair II jet attack aircraft, which was used during the Vietnam conflict. It was restored and was designated as the official Louisiana state memorial for Vietnam veterans.

Memorial Plaza

2007-05-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. This is the Louisiana Memorial Plaza, which is located on the grounds of the Veterans Memorial Museum at the riverfront. On the black granite walls are the names of those Louisianians who died while in military service.

Riverfront Stroll

2007-05-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

Both tourists and residents enjoy watching the tugboats and barges travel down the Mississippi River. In the distance, you may spot the Hollywood Casino riverboat casino, and the Huey P. Long/Old Mississippi River Bridge.

Touch Me!

2007-05-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

Usually visitors to museums are discouraged from touching the artwork, but this piece in the LSU Sculpture Park is begging for some contact...

Slide Into Summer

2007-05-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

This slide at Goodwood Park won't be vacant for long. Children in Baton Rouge and the surrounding suburbs ended their school year this week. The ones who made good grades and passed their LEAP* tests have two and a half months of fun ahead!

*LEAP tests are achievement exams given to Louisiana students in the 4th and 8th Grades. Students must earn a specific score on these exams in order to move to the 5th and 9th Grades. Students who do not pass the exams have an opportunity to retake them after a summer tutorial.

A View From The Air

2007-05-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

A view of Fourth Street and downtown Baton Rouge from the Observation Deck on the 27th floor of the State Capitol. On a clear, sunny day, you can see for miles - best view of Baton Rouge!

In the front, the two buildings with circular drives are the Louisiana State Museum (on the left) and the Louisiana State Library (on the right). The four buildings behind them, Galvez, Bienville, Iberville, and LaSalle, are part of Capitol Park and house various departments of state government. The steeple peeking behind Bienville Building is the top of St Joseph's Cathedral. The tan buildings on the rear left are the Chase Towers, and the black glass building on the rear right is One American Place. In the distance are the dome of the Maravich Assembly Center and upper stands of Tiger Stadium at LSU.

Watch The Birdie

2007-05-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

This blue jay was kind enough to hold still for five seconds so that I could take his photo while he visited our birdbath this afternoon.

Derailed

2007-05-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

This was my favorite childhood spot in Baton Rouge. It's the outdoor train exhibit at the Louisiana Arts and Sciences Museum, which has been closed since October 1996. The rail cars were set up so that groups of schoolchildren and other visitors could walk through them and learn about the history and importance of rail transportation. For me, no visit to the LASC was complete without a "train trip": first the postal car - complete with large canvas mailbags and boxes labeled with the names of small towns in Louisiana, then past the plush seats of the passenger car, followed by the dining car with white tablecloths and a cramped galley, and finally the office car, complete with its own bathroom and shower stall - impressive to an 8-year-old who had never ridden any sort of rails.

The exhibit was closed in 1996 so that the cars could undergo restoration, a project estimated at that time to cost half a million dollars. The museum didn't have the money available to undertake the project, so they asked the state legislature for help, but were turned down. Hopefully one day this exhibit will be restored to its former glory, so that others can have the fun that I did of wandering through these cars and imagining a journey on steel wheels.

Running On Schedule

2007-05-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

I got stuck in traffic; hope I don't miss the 4:35 to Houston...

Actually, passenger trains no longer run through Baton Rouge. If you want to ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans, you have to board in Hammond, which is about 45 miles east of Baton Rouge.

This schedule board is on the outside of the old Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railway Station, which now houses the Louisiana Arts and Sciences Museum.

A Day of Rest

2007-05-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

My favorite spot at the Botanic Gardens is this bench in the Iris Gardens. I work near the gardens, and whenever I'm having a particularly stressful day, I'll visit here during break time and try to regain my sense of calm. When I'm feeling fine, and in the mood for a picnic, I'll stop here also.

Mike

2007-05-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is a section of the 15,000-square-foot enclosure for the LSU mascot, Mike the Tiger. In this photo, which I took on Easter Sunday this year, he's sitting on a patch of grass near the waterfall, which flows into a large pool where he would go swimming. Mike passed away at the age of 17 Friday morning from renal failure. He had undergone surgery two days before to drain 10 liters of fluid from around his lungs, due to a condition called "idiopathic chylothorax".

It's All Greek To Me

2007-05-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

3,345 members of the Class of 2007 received their degrees today at Louisiana State University's commencement exercises, sitting in the air-conditioned comfort of the Maravich Assembly Center. If they were the class of '37 or '47, they would have graduated here, at the Greek Theatre. Built in the early 1920s, it was designed to seat 3,000 people, and featured a reflecting pool behind its stage.

The pool is no longer there - it was filled in during the 1960s because it was turning into a dump site and a breeding ground for mosquitos. Graduation ceremonies are now conducted indoors, where bad weather poses no threat. The theatre comes into service from time to time for a theatre performance or rock show, but most students who visit there now do so for a quiet place to study or eat lunch between classes.

From Big D to BR

2007-05-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

Visitors, workers, and residents have a fun way to travel around downtown Baton Rouge. Several years ago, the city purchased a fleet of trolleys from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Agency that run on compressed natural gas. Since October 2003, the trolleys have provided a free way to get around various locations downtown during weekday lunchtime (10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday to Friday). I personally recommend the benches along the walls, which provide some sliding action as the trolley turns corners.

An Opinion On Mothers

2007-05-16T05:13:00.000-07:00

I spotted this sign yesterday while driving down Government Street. It says, "It's not easy being a mother. If it were, fathers would do it. Remember Mom Sunday." I'll have to check back next month, to see what the Father's Day offering is.

LSU Memorial Tower

2007-05-15T05:21:00.000-07:00

LSU's Campanile, or Memorial Tower, stands 175 feet tall and was dedicated in 1926 as a memorial to Louisianians who died in World War I. Until two years ago, the ground floor housed the LSU Museum of Art, which is now located at the Shaw Center downtown. The campanile plays the Westminster Chimes and rings every quarter-hour, and also plays the Alma Mater and the LSU fight song on occasion. There is a tradition that the person you kiss under the tower when it chimes at midnight is the one you'll be engaged to marry, but I've never tested that out, myself.

Red Rest Stop

2007-05-14T05:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's nice just to sit down for a few moments and breathe. These bright red benches are between the tennis courts and the recreation center at Independence Park.

Happy Mother's Day!

2007-05-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Today's selection is from the Iris Garden at the Botanical Gardens. I hope all mothers enjoyed a lovely Mother's Day today with their children and families!

The Patriots

2007-05-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

This is the other large sculpture at the front of the Capitol: "The Patriots". The man in the center with the helmet and sword is a soldier, and the figures at his sides are people mourning a soldier killed in battle.

Alas and Alack!!

2007-05-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

The town of Convent, which is between Baton Rouge and New Orleans on the Mississippi River, was one of two finalists for the new location of a ThyssenKrupp AG steel mill. The plant will cost from $3 to $4 billion to build, and will provide over 2,000 permanent jobs. This morning, it was announced that the mill will be located in Alabama. Oh, well.

The distraught woman in stone in the photo is located at the front of the new State Capitol building. She is one of the figures in a sculpture called "The Pioneers," which represents the men and women who played a role in creating the state of Louisiana.

Be My Guest

2007-05-10T17:59:00.000-07:00

I don't mind the squirrels eating at this bird feeder, because so far they haven't been able to knock this one down to the ground, spilling out the seed all over the yard - the way they did to my last two feeders. The squirrels also have their own corn log on another tree. In addition to squirrels, I've seen sparrows, chickadees, mourning doves, blue jays, and cardinals at my bird feeder this spring.

No Climbing Here

2007-05-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

This is a tiny sliver of the wrought iron fence that surrounds the grounds of the Old State Capitol.

From Legislator To Lobbyist

2007-05-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

One of the exhibits currently on display at the Old State Capitol is called "Billy Tauzin: A Louisiana Legacy." Tauzin represented southeast Louisiana in the US Congress from 1980 to 2004, and now serves as president of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which is the lobby for the drug industry. There was some controversy when he started his new job, because while in Congress Tauzin chaired the House committee which decided on legislation that regulates the drug industry.

Colorful Canopy

2007-05-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

If you look up while standing on the spiral staircase at the Old State Capitol, this is the view that greets you. To take this picture of the stained glass canopy, I had to lie down on the steps. Not quite comfortable, but the end result was worth it, don't you think?