Friday, July 25, 2008

Hotel Burnham and a perfect summer



The weather in Chicago has been nothing less than spectacular this summer. Right now it is 81 degrees with no humidity. I shot some cell phone pix by the Hotel Burnham. The cute doorman was nice enough to pose for me. The hotel is named for Daniel Burnham, the architect responsible for Chicago being surrounded by public parkland and green space by the lake for all to enjoy.

Daniel Burnham built this as an office building in 1895; four years after the Columbian Exposition that had him build what is now the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum of Natural History. Originally one of the first office buildings in the loop, it is now a hotel, on the corner of Washington and State Streets, near the Marshall Fields clock.

Close up of gingerbread












I was standing in front of the Hotel Burnham and saw this building and clouds reflected in the building across the street, on the north side of Washington Street, at State Street.

Jesus plant


Jesus plant
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
I took a double take when driving by this house. Is it just me, or does it look like Jesus on the cross?

Monday, July 21, 2008

Flashing blue camera light


Cop light on my walk
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
They have flashing blue light boxes in Chicago in high crime areas. I think they take pictures to discourage criminal behavior. I probably shouldn't walk in that neighborhood, but I do have Sheeba to protect me.

Hollyhocks, daylillies and ivy

Love those hollyhocks. Later in the summer they get to buggy but now they're gorgeous.

My new couch and tables


My new couch and tables
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
Part of my new furniture

Trump tower getting big


Trump tower getting big
Originally uploaded by SandyJasmine
Trump's Tower in Chicago. The hotel on the ground floor is open. It's growing by leaps and bounds. Seen next to the Mies Van der Rohe IBM building.

Secret cameras

I sure wish that I had a secret, invisible camera attached to me at all times. Then I could take pictures of anything, anytime I wanted. The way it would work; there would be a little squeeze ball, like the atomizer on the end of your grandma's perfume bottle. The squeeze ball would be attached to a tube to activate the camera button by air pressure.

Speaking of my grandma, here is a picture of my grandpa Ben Simmons, just like I remember him; Driving a big Cadillac, smoking a cigar, and talking to everyone in the back seat while driving.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Table with mangos and artichokes

My new kitchen table and chairs. The paper said 45 minutes. HAH. It took me two hours to put the thing together. I love it.