Rockwells #AtoZChallenge

The works of American painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell, who died in 1978, have been a part of my memories for many years.  

Rockwell knew what his life work was to be at an early age, enrolling in art school at age 14. He was born in New York City, later moving to the New York City suburban city of New Rochelle. Eventually, he became an illustrator for the Boy Scouts publication Boys' Life, and for the Saturday Evening Post magazine  He drew for the Saturday Evening Post for some 47 years.  His career ended with the defunct Look magazine, which my mother read when I was growing up.

I don't know how well Rockwell was known outside the United States, or by young people worldwide, but I hope that you still enjoy this post. 

Rockwell lived for a time in Arlington, Vermont and used their residents as models for many of his illustrations.  The Sugar Shack in Arlington has a (free!) Rockwell exhibition in the back of the store, but do try their maple cremees (a rich soft serve ice cream) if you are into dairy products.  They also produce their own maple syrup. I've visited Arlington several times in the past six years and have enjoyed visiting the Sugar Shack for a maple fix.

There is also a museum dedicated to Rockwell's works in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which I visited in 2024.  In fact, let's start with the entrance to that museum. 

What a beautiful setting.

On the grounds are sculptures by Norman's son Peter Rockwell.

Information about Peter (sorry, it's too small to read),  Peter Rockwell spent much of his adult life in Rome.  He passed away in 2020.  

A wall full of Norman Rockwell magazine covers. 

Some samples of art and photos of the actual townspeople who posed for his pictures.

More photos.
 

Finally, a self portrait.

R day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  Beauty of our Land.

Excellent Equinox #AtoZChallenge #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, and it's time for music!  It's also time for E day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

First, the A to Z Challenge: 

Mount Equinox lies between Arlington (where Norman Rockwell lived for years) and Manchester Center, Vermont.  It is the tallest peak in the Taconic range, some 3,855 feet above sea level.  It is the second highest point in southern Vermont.  The name supposedly originates from 1823 and a visit around the autumnal equinox by one Captain Alden Partridge.

From its peak, on a clear day, you can see Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York.  It is said that, on an especially clear day, you can see all the way to Montreal, Quebec.

Currently there are only two ways to get to the peak .  The first is to drive up a well maintained toll road and then take a short walk to the top.  Or, you can hike up and back, which is about a six mile (9.6 km) round trip.  Back in the 1800's, hiking up the mountain was a popular pastime.

The views are beautiful, as are exhibits in the (free) visitors center.

The mountain, some surrounding land, and the toll road is privately owned by the Carthusian order of Roman Catholic monks.  Founded in 1084 C. E. by German born St. Bruno, who died in 1101, these monks live an austere life in silence.  They eat one meatless meal a day (bread and water only on Fridays), wear hair shirts, and spend much of their lives in prayer.  The monastery is not open to the public.

Let me show you some of the beauty of the mountain.

Taken on the drive up the toll road.

I think this was from the summit.

Love those clouds.

Religious art in the visitor's center.

 Goldenrod along the road.   These pictures were taken in early September.

 

Now, it's time for Music Moves Me, brought to us by Cathy of Curious as a Cathy, Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, Marie, and me:  

 

Keeping with my theme of the Beauty of our Land, Everything is Beautiful, from Ray Stevens.

Finally, the opening scene from the movie The Sound of Music.  This scene was filmed in the Untersberg Mountains of Austria.  What a beautiful land, a land that I hope to visit one day.

"E Day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme: Beauty of Our Land.

Joining up with Marie, Cathy, and Stacy for #MusicMovesMe.   We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome.   

And that's an Easy wrap! 

Join me again tomorrow for more of the Beauty of our Land.

The Historic Hearth #WordlessWednesday

A memory of what may be our last trip for a while, as winter closes in.

This is a hearth in the summit's viewing center at the top of 3,848 ft  Mt. Equinox near Arlington, Vermont.  We visited Mt. Equinox in early September.

If you think you see writing carved into stones on some of the stones (most visible in the lower right) you would be right.  That writing dates from the 19th century, left by hikers who hiked up the mountain before it became private property.  The mountain is currently owned by a monastery.

You can read more about this history in this (religious) blog post.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

The Mountain of Peace and Joy #SkywatchFriday

I had known about 3,855 ft above sea level Mt. Equinox in southern Vermont for the last four years but we had never visited it.  This year, during a brief visit to Vermont over Labor Day, we decided to do it.

The only way to get up Mt. Equinox is via a privately owned toll road.  I thought the entrance fee was a bit steep (no pun intended) but spouse and I decided to drive to the top, anyway. 

I blogged about approaching the mountain last week.  

It was clouding up fast and I didn't know what we would find at the top.  How about coming along with us?

But first, a little background, much of which we didn't know when we started the drive.

The mountain, some surrounding land, and the toll road is privately owned by the Carthusian order of Roman Catholic monks.  Founded in 1084 C. E. by German born St. Bruno, who died in 1101, these monks live an austere life in silence.  They eat one meatless meal a day (bread and water only on Fridays), wear hair shirts, and spend much of their lives in prayer.  The monastery, needless to say, is not open to the public.

This charterhouse, as they call it, is the only one in North America.

But, as you climb the mountain on the beautifully maintained toll road, there is an overlook where you can see the monastery if your vision is sharp.

Continuing on the road.

But I know you want to get to the top and see if the clouds had closed us in, so let's do it.

But first one more photo, with goldenrod.

Here we are at the top.

We can see for miles and miles!  To be exact, we can see the states of Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  On a really clear day, if you are fortunately, you might see into Canada and Montreal's Mt. Royal.

Even more treats await us at the top.  There is a welcome center, a gift from the monks,  named after Saint Bruno.  Here's the sign that welcomes you, wishing you peace and joy.

The trip was worth the toll on the private road.

As for what else awaited us at that building, that is worth its own post. Maybe one day.

Joining Yogi and other skywatching bloggers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.

Approaching the Mountain #SkywatchFriday

We spent a couple of days in Vermont this past Labor Day, and decided to drive to the top of Mount Equinox.

Mount Equinox is between Arlington (one of the homes of Norman Rockwell) and Manchester Center, Vermont.  It is the tallest peak in the Taconic range, some 3,855 feet above sea level.  It is the second highest point in southern Vermont.  The name supposedly originates from 1823 and a visit around the autumnal equinox by one Captain Alden Partridge.

From its peak, on a clear day, you can see Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York.  It is said that, on an especially clear day, you can see all the way to Montreal, Quebec.

These photos were taken before, and at the beginning of our drive. 

We began our adventure in Arlington, Vermont.  (I don't think the peak shown is Equinox.)

On our way to the mountain.

Uh oh, the clouds are building.

Did we get to see what we had come for?  Or will we be clouded out?  Join us next week and see.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.

Vermont Mansion Visit #AtoZChallenge#SkywatchFriday

For today's Skywatch Friday (a day early) and "W" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, here are pictures of the sky taken at the Park-McCullough Historic Governors Mansion in North Bennington, Vermont.  This Victorian mansion is a 35 room with landscaped grounds gem.  Here is more information on the property, if you are interested.

Yes, I know it's Thursday.  I hope you don't mind this being a day early.

We finally got to see this mansion on our last Visit to Vermont in September of 2023.  We always seemed to miss this property being open. But this time, it was open.  It was worth the wait.

A Vista.

The outside.

Let's get closer.

How about some outside pictures first?  Here's some Joe Pye weed in bloom.

Sunflowers.

Some of their formal garden.

More garden.

I'm sure you want to see the inside, too.  Here's a couple of pictures.

I hope you enjoyed this Visit.

Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday (on a Thursday).

"V" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  garden, art, history, and the unexpected.

Outdoor Art #AtoZChallenge #WordlessWednesday

Today, for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and Wordless Wednesday, outdoor art installations from August of 2023 in North Bennington, Vermont.  This is an annual event called NBOSS and what you are about to see are works from the past 20 plus years this event has been held.

Here are some samples of more than 40 art installations we viewed during a visit in early September of 2023 after attending Bennington's annual Garlic Festival.

Gomorrah, originally built in 2000 by Stephen Davidson, who died in a car accident in 2003 at the age of 37.  Friends rebuilt the art in 2018 after a tractor-trailer accidentally knocked it down while backing down a driveway.

Blue Profile, by Liz Howe.

Fittingly called No. 2.  I don't have the artist's name for this.

By a restored train depot which is now the North Bennington town hall, a commuter waits for a train that is more than 50 years late.

Octopus's Garden by Joe Chirchirillo.

Trojan Horse. 

Angel of Death by Jack Howard-Potter.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

"O" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  Gardens, History, Art and The Unexpected.

Art in Andes (and Elsewhere) #AtoZChallenge

Welcome to my "A" entry in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

My theme this year is  Gardens, History, Art and The Unexpected.

One of the pleasures of travel, even travel an hour or two outside your home area, is finding the unexpected.

For example, who would expect to find art in the bathroom of a library in rural Andes, New York?  But that's exactly what I found last summer.  This mural was created by artist Diane Lockspeiser of Long Island.  She worked on the mural in May and early June of last year.

One of the beautiful details of this mural.  I blogged more about the mural here.

So, how did I make my way to Andes?

Years back, the grandfather and uncle of my then best friend lived in the Catskills mountains outside of a hamlet in Delaware County, New York.  My friend and her siblings and mother would spend summers up there, escaping New York City for the rural life. Her father would join them on weekends.

 In the early 70's, I was invited twice to visit the family for a week up in Delaware County.  I was back a handful of times to that house in the years since (after her parents moved up there), but never to other nearby villages I had remembered from those visits when I was younger.  The last time I was at the house was after the funeral of my friend's father in the early 2000's.

One of these hamlets (it was a village when I visited, but they dissolved the village in 2002) is Andes, population approximately 1,000.  Andes is located in a setting of  hills, winding roads, and farmland and was the center of the Anti-Rent War of 1839-1845.  Some called that uprising the Second American Revolution. 

Much of Andes' downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places.  I don't know if the library building is that old but the library itself celebrated its 100th birthday last year. Some renovation work was done in 2020 during its pandemic closure.

 

Art pops up in other unexpected places, such as this signage in Ahwaga Park, in Owego, New York.

Or, in poet Robert Frost's former home in South Shaftsbury, Vermont.  Notice who signed the painting.

Or, finding art near ruins of an old historic mill next to an operating motel in Arkansas.  (Would you like to learn more about the Johnson's Water Mill?  If so I'll include that in an A to Z post).

I can't promise that each post will feature the unexpected, but I hope you will join me for more of my journeys through my photos.

Shadow on the Journeys #ShadowshotSunday

For the final Shadowshot Sunday, here are some shadows from some of the trips my spouse and I took during 2023.

February, 2023, Greenville, South Carolina, balcony shadows.

June 2023, Coe Hill Historic House Museum at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, Oyster Bay, New York.   One day, I'll post some of the pictures I took of the spectacular gardens.

One of the educational posters on the Mayflower II in Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth, Massachusetts, July 2023.  "Life Before the Journey" is one of many educational signs that tell the story of the Pilgrims and their Atlantic Ocean crossing on the original ship Mayflower to what is now the town of Plymouth in 1620.  

The story of the Original Mayflower and the people on that vessel is a lot more complicated than the simplified (and somewhat inaccurate) story I was taught in school back in the 1950's.  It is also the story of Native Americans impacted by the arrival of Europeans some 70 years before the Pilgrims arrived

The Mayflower II was built in 1957 made the same crossing and was renovated several years ago.   I encourage you to visit if you are ever in this part of Massachusetts.

September, 2023.  The desk of Union general and later President Ulysses S. Grant, Moreau, New York.  Grant spent his final days here writing his memoir before his death from throat cancer in 1885.

September 2023, North Bennington, Vermont street art.

Last but not least, a room at the Lorenzo mansion at Lorenzo State Historic Site in Cazenovia, New York.  Colonel John Lincklaen, founder of the village of Cazenovia, built this mansion.  Unlike many other historic mansions, all the furnishings of this mansion are original to the family.  Interestingly, no one knows why it was called Lorenzo.  No one of that name was ever associated with the house, as far as we know.  The admission was well worth every penny.

Today, New Years Eve, let me again wish all my readers a Happy New Year. 

Joining with Magical Mystical Teacher for the final #ShadowshotSunday.