Mary's Detroit Photoblog

Balduck Park in snow today

2012-01-29T18:26:00.002-05:00

We've been having snow squalls. I walked over to Rolandale through Balduck Park.

I am working on my fellowship application.

Save the libraries!

2012-01-26T16:10:00.003-05:00

I walked 48 minutes from my house to the library and back, not counting the time I walked around inside the library.

Our libraries are in danger because of republicans, the internet and people buying books for their reading pleasure--which is a good thing for authors, but a bad thing for the poor.

Our libraries and closing one by one. DO you care? I DO!!! I use the library every week. Saves me lots of money and helps people can't afford to buy books. At the library, they are FREE to read.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY, read a book. (From the library!)

AND get out and vote for the libraries!

(The first image is a pretty house between my house and the library.)

2012-01-17T09:24:00.000-05:00

Frank J. Hecker House
Charfoos & Christensen, PC
5510 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
photo by me, Mary Stebbins Taitt, at dusk in winter

Downtown (Cultural District.)

NaNoWriMo

2011-11-30T23:28:00.001-05:00

I wrote 50,303 words on my novel, Death Angel, in the month of November. The counter mangled a few and gave me credit for 50,280, but that's close enough! YAY! I am tired now, but in the upcoming days, I'll tell you more about it!! The last few days have been a real Marathon!!! To win, one must write 50,000 words in one month! That is, a 50,000 word novel, It does not have to be finished. And, it is not. I've posted parts of it (DRAFTY!!) here.

December 1, 2011 ANote after “Winning”

I am so happy. I cried when the NaNoWriMo teamed cheered forme at 11:30 last night. I"won" last year, too, but this year was more of a struggle because Itraveled and there were more conflicts.

I learned a LOT. I learned about working efficiently, about structuring a novel, somethingyou have to do in order to write efficiently. And a lot more I may write about in the coming months.

Of course, I haven't finished the novel!!! I've only written the first 50,00words. And it's very rough and drafty. But it has shape, plot, maybe a theme.It has characters, action and little suspense.

I'm not sure if trying to write 50,000 words of a novel in a month is the bestway to do it. I'm not sure if I'll do it again next year or not. There areadvantages and disadvantages to the big push. For example, I gave up evenspellchecking in the latter third of the month, and there was no revising goingon as I worked.

Yesterday, I wrote only scenes, not chapters. I worked from5 AM until after 11 PM. So I have a lot of scenes to integrate into chapters!

However, I think I may proceed as if I were going to do onenext year, because even if I decide not to do it, the planning will be usefulfor my NEXT NOVEL when I finish this one, whether or not I try to write most ofthe first draft in the month of November 2012.

Mansion at Cranbrook

2011-11-28T13:48:00.001-05:00

Mansion at Cranbrook from Bog Pond

Yes, we still have a few leaves on the trees, but they are going fast.

On the Rock "S" at Cranbrook

2011-11-27T13:50:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a novel for NaNoWriMo (Natioanl Novel Writing month, and I have a deadline of November 30, so no time to blog.

Detroit Bumper Sticker

2011-11-25T17:01:00.001-05:00

No further comment needed. Except this is a Detroit resident with a big new SUV made in Detroit.

Art Museum Reopens at Cranbrook

2011-11-17T12:23:00.001-05:00

The Cranbrook Art Museum Reopened after a lengthly period of new construction on 11-11-11. Although we were there, we did not go in. We hope to do so soon.

Cranbrook Art Museum at Dusk

2011-11-16T12:29:00.000-05:00

A view of the Cranbrook Art Museum across the reflecting pools at dusk.

More Flooding

2011-05-27T17:59:00.004-04:00

Not only is the Black Rover Flooded, and the hiking trails at Dodge Park under water yet again, but also our basement, and we had to postpone our trip to the Pinery.

Cranbrook Again

2011-05-22T12:17:00.003-04:00

In the first picture, if you look closely, you can see that the bridge in the Japanese Garden at Cranbrook is isolated by water on both sides! FLooding. SO much RAIN!

In the second picture, Europa and the Bull (Cranbrook is famous for its sculpture), you can see some raindrops falling, but it was really raining much harder than it seems to be.

Poetry Reading Last night at Lawrence Street Gallery

2011-05-21T12:28:00.002-04:00

I do not normally post pictures of myself or pictures taken by other people, but since I am a Detroit poet, and I was a featured reader last night, I am breaking my rule. Here I am reading poetry last night. Photo by BB.

Flooding at Cranbrook

2011-05-16T14:26:00.005-04:00

It's raining today and it's been raining for days. The trees and grass in the water here in Cranbrook Lake are normally islands where geese nest. They are all underwater!

Here is a video of the sluiceway from Cranbrook Lake. Of course, if you don't know the quiet low normal flow of it, you won't know to be impressed by the flooding (Keith took the video):

And yes, that is me, holding the umbrella, and our voices at the end. I tried to cut them out but failed.

Dodge Park in May

2011-05-14T17:53:00.003-04:00

I went back to Dodge Park and the the flooding had subsided enough to take a good long walk. There were lots of wildflowers, which I may post later.

Young Politicians at the DIA

2011-05-10T08:56:00.003-04:00

My son, on the right, and his friend Jay, on the left, are running for choir office at school--Jay wants to be president, Graham vice president. The photo is outside the Detroit Institute of Arts. The slogan, "Think you can beat us? Think again!" Oh, for the confidence of youth!!! Click image to view larger!

Seven Lakes State Park

2011-05-09T07:39:00.003-04:00

We saw lots of spring wildflowers, snakes and turtles and incredibly lovely scenery. Great place to visit!!!! Click here and scroll down to see more scenes from Seven Lakes.

Spring Beauties

2011-05-04T11:34:00.003-04:00

These tiny wildflowers were growing abundantly at Dodge Park on Sunday. In addition to covering the forest floor, they grow right up the sides of the trees.

Dutchman's Breeches, Dodge Park

2011-05-03T12:33:00.002-04:00

I love these pantaloons hanging on a line!! :-D

Click second image to view larger.

Flooded Trails

2011-05-02T12:32:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we went to look for Spring Wildflowers at Dodge Park. All the trails were flooded. Every one of these is a different trail, all flooded by the constant rain we've been having! We did see some spring wildflowers. I have have time, I may post some tomorrow. If you click on the image, you will be able to see it much better.

Spring Fever on Belle Isle

2011-04-23T14:58:00.003-04:00

I've been away in Texas and just got home and it will take me a while to get caught up.

Bamboo ("postcard, roadshow")

2011-04-19T16:46:00.001-04:00

I am in Texas visiting family and do not have my computer with me. I've been trying to learn how to post from the iPad.

This bamboo is at the Fort Worth Zoo. The bamboo was abundant at the zoo. We went there yesterday, and I took tons of pictures with my big camera, my "real camera," but since I did not bring a computer, I have no way to download them.

Click image to view larger?

Kercheval at night

2011-03-26T11:55:00.005-04:00

This is Kercheval, which is in Grosse Pointe Farms, but can be walked to from Detroit in 20 minutes, so I figured fair game--since I do in fact walk there.

Woodward Ave, or M-1, in Detroit, was the first concrete highway anywhere. This is coming around as a forward.

And here is my newest painting:

This week's WeekWord, hosted by Joye, is Fugacious, which means fleeting. Because it is spring, and I am so eager for spring wildflowers, I painted this picture of a Bloodroot. Flowers, like people, like stars, are ephemeral. But what is even more ephemeral are the two sepals on the bloodroot bud. The are deciduous, and fall off as soon at the flower opens. Once it is opened, it has only petals, and when it closes again in rain or darkness, there are no fugacious sepals left.

I did this in Artrage on my iPad. I did it fairly hastily (for me), brand new for the challenge, and without any constant reference materials, though I did peek occasionally at googly searched fleurs. Click image to view slightly larger.

Golf Course Lighthouse, Metrobeach

2011-03-23T20:54:00.004-04:00

This picture was taken in March several years ago--the lighthouse has since been refurbished, but I like this picture.

Also, here are my two latest Sketchbook works:

I sort blobbed this up a little.

It has a story. Onondaga Lake, in Syracuse, NY, where I used to live, is one of the most polluted lakes in the country if not the world. I was there one day walking and taking pictures when a migrant worker drove up in his pick-up truck, got out, and washed up in the toxic waters of the lake. A storm was approaching--I tried to tell him that the water wasn't clean, but he didn't understand me. I was thinking the storm was a figurative one as well as a literal one.

I had some problems with this, and may try it again sometime.

acrylic.

This is my third page in Ballookey's Mole. It is an illustration (or study for an illustration) from my as yet untitled brand newly written children's book. The temporary title is, Jacob, Merjon, and the Dream Fish. It's (obviously) a children's picture book. This page occurs several pages into the book, but it's the first one I've done. I have not decided yet what medium I want to work in, but I kind of like the line drawing. However, I wanted fog, and I don't know how to create fog in a line drawing in pen and ink. Micron 005 pen. Click image to view larger--click again to view even larger.

I've been very busy with my art and writing, which is why I have not been blogging much! (Deadlines!)

YAY Snowdrops!!!

2011-03-20T10:31:00.006-04:00

Our first actual flowers of the year!!! YAY! We're so excited!!

I put the second photo in to show the ones in the background. There's a whole little flotilla of them. A mini armada.

New art: In 1964-65 (I'm giving away my age here, if you didn't already know it), I owned a 1949 Indian. This is not it, but an older one I used for the art. I have, believe it or not, NO pictures of that amazing motorcycle. But I had fun--on the bike(s) and on the art. I did the piece in metallic markers, but you can't tell in the scan.

it's coming!

2011-03-15T10:47:00.001-04:00

Daffodils coming up! YAY! And I heard spring peepers today! YAY!

RAIN!

2011-03-14T10:11:00.003-04:00

We've been having SO MUCH RAIN lately! Everything is flooding, as the snow melts too.

I'm operating under a series of deadlines and can't post or comment much 'til I get things cleared up! I am sorry. If you comment, I will eventually try to get back to you. If not, that's OK too!

Paint by Numbers was invented in DETROIT!! HAH!

2011-03-13T19:15:00.002-04:00

I just finished a paint by numbers painting, which I altered by adding myself at an easel. And I found out, thanks to Gerald Holland, that paint by numbers was invented in Detroit. The kits were developed and marketed in 1950 by Max S. Klein, an engineer and owner of the Palmer Paint Company of Detroit, Michigan and Dan Robbins, a commercial artist. In 1951 Palmer Paint introduced the Craft Master brand which sold over 12 million kits.

I did this painting for an exchange and made it into a postcard to mail to the exchange members. I include it here because I'm a Detroit artist and the paint by numbers kits were invented in Detroit--Thanks Gerald!!!

African American Museum from the Outside

2011-03-07T07:44:00.002-05:00

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

At the African American History Museum, Detroit

2011-03-05T00:22:00.000-05:00

We really enjoyed are visit and are eager to go back. It was VERY interesting.

At the African American Museum in Detroit II

2011-03-04T00:35:00.003-05:00

Here's another shot from the history portion of the museum. It's a wonderful museum and I can't wait to go back.

and here is a new self portrait done on the iPad with Artrage:

At the African American Museum in Detroit

2011-03-03T14:12:00.004-05:00

I am sorry dear bloggy friends, that I have been so busy. I am in three art exchanges and working on multiple novels and children's books and taking another poetry class.

This picture is from the African American Museum in Detroit. I loved it there and hope to go visit again soon. I have more to post if I have time some time to post them.

I MISS YOU!!

To show you a tiny piece of what has kept me occupied, here is a new art piece I did in Collaboration with Steve Loya. It is called "Drunken Kisses."

click "Drunken Kisses" to view it larger.

Happy Valentine's Day! A Bit of silliness

2011-02-13T12:47:00.001-05:00

Hope you have FUN and LOVE!

No, not all of Detroit is celebrating this way! (Photo by BB)

Anyone for a picnic?

2011-02-07T09:38:00.003-05:00

Metrobeach. Cold picnic.

The second picture is my painting of the BBQ, which I thought I was done with. I'm not--still needs more work. Click to view larger. Detroit artist at work.

Another from Metrobeach

2011-02-03T00:05:00.000-05:00

The photograph is from the Meadow trail at the Nature Center at Metrobeach.

Below is the tentatively finished painting for Erin's book for Frankie. I am trying to illustrate it.

Metrobeach in February

2011-02-02T13:17:00.003-05:00

The Nature Trail at Metrobeach runs along this canal.

Here is an unfinished painting of BB. When I get it done, I will repost it--it is part of a larger painting.

In and Out

2011-01-30T17:53:00.004-05:00

Inside the Belle Isle Conservatory where they have a large collection orchids, Outside at Metrobeach where the ice fisherman are at work catching fish.

Winter Sunset on Belle Isle

2011-01-27T17:01:00.003-05:00

Winter Sunset on Belle Isle at the end of a cross country ski expedition to the marble lighthouse.

flocks of robins

2011-01-26T09:54:00.002-05:00

It's winter and cold, but there are flocks of robins eating the crabapples. (Click on image to view larger).

Ice Shanty, Pier Park (Lake St. Clair)

2011-01-25T20:59:00.001-05:00

Ice Shanty, Pier Park (Lake St. Clair)

Brrr!

The Detroit International Motorcycle Show

2011-01-11T09:44:00.004-05:00

One More. (I did not take this photo.)

Detroit International Motorcycle Show Continues

2011-01-09T14:22:00.005-05:00

The show is still going until 5:00 tonight!! Rock Financial Center.

and here is a new painting I did, somewhat strange, I know:

It's called Keith Arches Aquarelle, done on the cover to Arches watercolor paper, in gouache. Click image to view larger. Detroit artist at work.

The Motorcycle Show

2011-01-08T19:53:00.004-05:00

The Detroit International Motorcycle Show is going on all weekend at the Rock Financial Center.

Two small paintings by Erica Chappuis

2011-01-05T07:11:00.003-05:00

Many of Erica Chappuis's paintings are huge. These two are quite small. They are not distorted, but I took them with a wide angle from an odd POV.

No Longer a rarity!

2011-01-03T22:07:00.003-05:00

Remember when geese were special and we drove a long way to see them migrating? Now they live here year round and make a pest of themselves, but I still enjoy seeing them up close and personal. (Click on image to view larger).

Detroit Skyline in January

2011-01-03T11:18:00.003-05:00

This is a manipulated photo. The original was very dark, drab and grey--which is what the day looked like, but with a hint of green and purple in the sky--I went with that. The gulls were really there, but farther away--they weren't much bigger than sensor spots. I thought for my first post of the new year, I would make something different. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I am just back from a trip to NY and probably have catching up to do, so please be patient.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2010-12-31T00:03:00.000-05:00

QUEEN ANN'S LACE STANDING IN FOR FIREWORKS!

Hope this is your best year yet starting at midnight!

It's Started again!

2010-12-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ice Fishing on Lake St. Clair

Happy New Year!!!

We are leaving today to drive all day to upstate NY to visit my daughters and my new Grandson!! Will probably be incommunicado for a while!

Cold Feet

2010-12-29T21:35:00.002-05:00

My feet get cold just thinking about standing in ice water!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dusk at the Cranbrook Art Museum

2010-12-28T00:09:00.000-05:00

Dusk at the Cranbrook Art Museum. (I'm going to be traveling.)

At the Artist's Salon at Erica's

2010-12-27T00:03:00.001-05:00

I went to my first artist's salon ever at the home of Erica Chappuis. There was dancing, artwork, photography, poetry and stories. And great food. An amazing and creative time was had by all. This is Norma belly dancing.

Pier Park in December

2010-12-26T16:14:00.002-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I am sorry I have been unable to blog lately. Here's what the swimming Beach at Pier Park looks like today.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T16:17:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Detail from a Painting by Erica Chappuis

2010-11-04T09:53:00.002-04:00

I had the great good fortune to be invited to the home of the Detroit artist Erica Chappuis recently. When I drove up her street, I could immediately tell which house was hers by all the wonderful artistic "installations" in the yard. She invited me in and gave me blueberry tea and we had a wonderful long conversation, and then she showed me around her yard, her house and finally her studio. She showed me how to use molding compound to make relief in a painting, and photographed that and hope to present it as a tutorial in a future post.

Erica Chappuis

2010-11-03T20:44:00.002-04:00

This is a detail from one of Erica Chappuis's paintings. I am hoping to do a story on my visit to her house sometime in the next few days. SOON! Sorry I am so far behind!

I love the incredible detail here.

In the Yard of Detroit Artist Erica Chappuis

2010-11-01T21:23:00.004-04:00

I hope to do a story soon about my visit to the home of Detroit artist Erica Chappuis. I took this picture of one of her paintings which is displayed in her yard. Story to follow soon.

I am very sorry I am running behind at this point, I hope to catch up soon!

Happy Halloween (A Detroit Halloween!)

2010-10-31T13:29:00.002-04:00

Hope you have a SPOOKTACULAR DAY!!! Nya-haha ha!

(Click image to view larger.)

Lower Huron Metropark

2010-10-25T16:39:00.003-04:00

I walked today at the Lower Huron Metropark, which was all decked out in its fall finery. It may be slightly "past peak" out there, but it was still very nice.

I've had out of town company for almost a week and have been too busy running around playing to be home posting. It will take a while to get caught up!

Walking at the Lower Huron Metropark I

Monday, October 25, 2010

Ever wonder whether a park is walkable and if there are sufficient walking opportunities to make a trip worthwhile? The Lower Huron Metropark is definitely worth the drive from the city for a walk,... Read more »

Chandler Park

2010-10-19T00:01:00.006-04:00

I went to Chandler Park yesterday for a walk and a change of pace. Chandler Park is an old traditional city park with picnic areas, a golf course and playground areas. There is also a water slide and aquatics area. The golf course and aquatics area are both fenced off from the main park and not available for easy walking. And there are no walking trails or sidewalks. But the park roads are usually not particularly busy and are quite wide and reasonably comfortable for walking. Of course, you should walk on the left facing traffic. Read more . . .

Today is my husbands 65th birthday, so I may not be online much.

A typical treed park, pleasant and spacious.

Bird Island View of Lake St. Clair

2010-10-18T10:49:00.008-04:00

This view of Lake St. Clair is taken from the Bird-Island Trail at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

the view from the trail to Bird Island (click image to view larger)

Photo: Mary Taitt

The Bird Island Trail at the Eleanor and Edsel Ford House is a peaceful and pretty place for a stroll. The trail starts right behind (to the left of) the visitor center by the visitor parking lot and winds along the back of the bay (or lagoon) with views of the water and the mansion house. The main trail is wide enough for three or four people to walk abreast and chipped with woodchips to make is to comfortable underfoot. If you go soon, you will be sure to enjoy the splendid fall color. Read more.

Rose and friends click here to view picture of my granddaughter Sophia.

Blog Action Day! WATER!

2010-10-15T08:36:00.004-04:00

Sailing on Lake St. Clair.

Water is everywhere. It sustains life. It makes our planet livable.

We drink it, we cook with it, we swim in it, we sail on it.

Five facts about water:

Unsafe drinking water and lack of sanitation kills more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Unclean drinking water can incubate some pretty scary diseases, like E. coli, salmonella, cholera and hepatitis A. Given that bouquet of bacteria, it's no surprise that water, or rather lack thereof, causes 42,000 deaths each week.
More people have access to a cell phone than to a toilet. Today, 2.5 billion people lack access to toilets. This means that sewage spills into rivers and streams, contaminating drinking water and causing disease.
Every day, women and children in Africa walk a combined total of 109 million hours to get water. They do this while carrying cisterns weighing around 40 pounds when filled in order to gather water that, in many cases, is still polluted. Aside from putting a great deal of strain on their bodies, walking such long distances keeps children out of school and women away from other endeavors that can help improve the quality of life in their communities.
It takes 6.3 gallons of water to produce just one hamburger. That 6.3 gallons covers everything from watering the wheat for the bun and providing water for the cow to cooking the patty and baking the bun. And that's just one meal! It would take over 184 billion gallons of water to make just one hamburger for every person in the United States.
The average American uses 159 gallons of water every day – more than 15 times the average person in the developing world. From showering and washing our hands to watering our lawns and washing our cars, Americans use a lot of water. To put things into perspective, the average five-minute shower will use about 10 gallons of water. Now imagine using that same amount to bathe, wash your clothes, cook your meals and quench your thirst.

Blog Action Day 2010: Water from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Change.org|Start Petition

The Conservatory Pond at Belle Isle

2010-10-14T09:17:00.002-04:00

This pond is full of Koi and surrounded by interesting plants.

The Fishing trails at Blue Heron Lagoon (Belle Isle)

2010-10-06T23:47:00.006-04:00

We had fun wandering around on the fishing trails out on the peninsula beyond the isthmus at Blue Heron Lagoon. I may post some of the other pictures I took there if I remember when we get back. We are headed for Maine tomorrow morning and I know for sure that I will be unable to gt online much of the time I'm gone, as there is no internet access where I am going. Don't forget me,t hough, I'll be back sometime in about a week. (I also won't be able to comment while I'm gone--so bear with me.)

This, by the way, is right near the heart of Detroit. IN the city. (Assuming you call a city park part of the city.)

The William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse

2010-10-05T11:24:00.003-04:00

One of our favorite walks at Belle Isle is out to this lighthouse and beyond to Blue Heron Lagoon. This is the only all marble lighthouse in the USA.

Walking the Marble Lighthouse Trail at Belle Isle

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The William Livingstone Lighthouse on Belle Isle, designed by Albert Kahn, is the only lighthouse in the country made entirely of marble. Although it is no longer in use as a working warning signal, it is still kept lit and is delightful to see. A walk... Read more »

We are leaving Thursday morning, hopefully, for a week-long trip to Maine. I may or may not be able to post while I'm away.

Walking in the Rain

2010-10-04T14:59:00.004-04:00

The Alley Behind Kercheval, the turning point of one of my walk routes. We had two days of rain, but now the sun is shining. :-D

I'm swamped and way behind. :-(

Walking in the Rain

Monday, October 4, 2010

It's raining—cold, wet and miserable. If you like to walk daily to keep in shape and breathe fresh air, you have several choices: walk at the mall, do laps or treadmill at the gym, run up and down the stairs at a local high-rise or parking... Read more »

Balduck Park Woods Trail

2010-10-01T00:05:00.001-04:00

This is right near where I live. Not much fall color here, yet, but there is some starting around the hood. Click link below for more info about walking here.

Walking at Balduck Park

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Looking for something a little different in a walking location? If you don’t need miles of trails and are satisfied with a shorter walk, Balduck Park may be just the ticket. Balduck Park is located at the intersections of Canyon and Chandler Park...Read more »

Marsh-viewing Gazebo at Metrobeach Nature Area

2010-09-30T00:07:00.000-04:00

You can overlook the marsh area at the nature center from this viewing gazebo. Notice the heron details on the roof timbers and how someone has turned some knots into a face.

Click images to view larger.

Nature Center at Metrobeach

2010-09-29T00:07:00.000-04:00

This is the Nature Center Building at Detroit (Huron-Clinton) Metrobeach. If you have not already seen yesterday's examiner article on Metrobeach and would like to read more about our walk there and see more pictures, click here.

Pond at Detroit Metrobeach Nature Center

2010-09-28T11:19:00.003-04:00

Sunday, we took a long Walk at the Metrobeach Nature Center. We rode our motorcycles out. I was frozen by the time we got there.

I wrote about it at the Detroit Walking Examiner:

Nature Center Pond, Metropolitan Beach

Photo: by Mary Taitt

The Huron-Clinton Metrobeach nature area provides a pleasant spot to walk with trails and woods roads through fields, marsh, and woods near ponds and other varied habitats where you can enjoy wildlife and birds. In the summer, you may see turtles, frogs, herons and deer, as well as owls and songbirds. You could encounter a real snipe hunter who has spotted a real snipe.

Metrobeach is pretty in fall. The nature trails are well groomed, covered with wood chips or grass and wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The woods roads are narrow and pretty. A gazebo-shaped viewing platform with heron decorations on the roof timbers overlooks the marsh. read more

I also wrote about walking along Lake Shore Drive (Jefferson):

Grosse Pointe Shores Police Station at Night (park here).

Photo: Mary Taitt

With autumn, the days get shorter and the nights longer. If want to stay in shape by daily walking but work days, you may have to walk nights. Some areas of Detroit don’t invite nightwalkers, but pleasant, relatively safe places to walk at night can be found in the greater Detroit area. Grosse Pointe Shores is such a spot.

From Detroit, drive north up Jefferson until it turns into Lake Shore and up Lake Shore to Vernier. At the corner of Vernier and Lakeshore are the Grosse Pointe Shores Police Offices. They patrol the area very well. Park in their parking lot, which is just north of Vernier on the left or west side of Lake Shore. Read more

Shores Police Station

2010-09-27T00:02:00.000-04:00

This is the Grosse Pointe Shores City offices and police station at night. It's just north of Detroit on Jefferson/Lakeshore.

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club in moonlight

2010-09-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

Full Moon!

I am now the Detroit Walking Examiner at Examiner.com. Here's my latest article:

The Nashua Creek Walk at Belle Isle offers lovely views of the wooded waterway with overhanging trees and many scenic vistas. Newcomers to the trail will be amazed that such a wild place exists so close to downtown Detroit. Walkers will be thrilled to see ducks, geese, herons, and many species of birds. Several photo-op footbridges cross the creek. Be sure to bring your camera or cell phone for a few captures of the fantastic views. Read more.

Harvest Season

2010-09-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

Pumpkins are appearing everywhere. This is at the Village Market on Mack.

Skywatch Friday, the sky over Pier Park

2010-09-24T20:48:00.002-04:00

We walked at Pier Park tonight, and the sky was stunning. I missed a great shot of pink clouds moving across white ones.

Renaissance Musicians

2010-09-21T00:01:00.001-04:00

They made wonderful music! This is the same lady showing her bloomers in an earlier post, LOL!

At the Renaissance Festival!

2010-09-20T00:06:00.000-04:00

Portrait of a young Woman with a parasol.

Renaissance Center Fountains again

2010-09-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

I really enjoyed watching the kids play in the fountain and wished I had back some of that energy and joie de vivre!

In the Renaissance Center Fountains

2010-09-18T00:03:00.000-04:00

I walked through the fountains myself, and took a lot of pictures. I think this one was my favorite.

Wedding at the Renaissance Center

2010-09-17T00:06:00.001-04:00

We saw several weddings on our last visit to the Renaissance Center. :-D

Along the Riverwalk

2010-09-16T00:07:00.003-04:00

Here are some scenes from along the Riverwalk in front of the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit.

We are leaving today for a trip to Syracuse, NY for a Memorial Service for a friend who died of lung cancer. She never smoked. We will be gone through Monday and may or may not be able to get online while away.

Crime in the "Hood" (I walk by here nearly every day):

A reckless carjacking in broad daylight at a Mack Avenue business leads the news this week, when a 17-year-old Grosse Pointe Park girl had her 2010 Cadillac taken at knifepoint by a 17-year-old Detroit girl last Friday. It was a reminder that crime is never far away; you can find the details of this incident and others on our click-and-explore public safety map.

This crime occurred on the border between Detroit and Grosse Pointe Farms.

And speaking of crimes, here's a new drawing of mine called Self-portrait at 3 AM:

Renaissance Center from Tricentennial Hill

2010-09-15T00:02:00.001-04:00

We climbed Tricentennial Hill to view the Renaissance Center.

While we were up there, a group of mountain bikers rode up the hill from one said and down the other. They swooped down the hill with great finesse, except one, who got off her bike and walked down.

We will be leaving tomorrow to travel to upstate NY for a Memorial Service. I may or may not be able to get online while we're away. I hope you have a good weekend.

Great Blue Heron at Belle Isle

2010-09-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

We've been blessed lately getting some nice views of birds--all we need now are good equipment, skills and patience!!!

Snowy Egret at Cranbrook

2010-09-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

I took these at Kingswood Lake at Cranbrook. The last one looks green because I was panning and the egret flew behind some leaves just as I pushed the shutter.

Green Heron at Cranbrook

2010-09-12T00:01:00.002-04:00

This was at the Japanese Gardens at Cranbrook--I got really close, twice, but it flew--and I had to photograph it from a distance.

More Cranbrook

2010-09-11T00:01:00.002-04:00

This duck was deep in the shade under a tree at the edge of a pond. I took it anyway, because I liked it.

This sign struck my funny bone because it was in the middle of a woods, was all overgrown, and there was no sign of a cross road or trail.

Three from Cranbrook

2010-09-10T00:01:00.002-04:00

Art installation at Cranbrook.

Cranbrook Canoes.

Manmade Pond at Cranbrook, across from the art institute.

The satellite view below, from google maps, show the pond from above.

Fountain with Statue at Cranbrook

2010-09-09T00:15:00.003-04:00

This fountain with sculpture is located at Cranbrook, near the Art institute Administration area not far from the art museum.

The fountain is located near the "A" in both maps.

Where is this?

2010-09-08T11:06:00.004-04:00

Find out tomorrow. (If you want to venture a guess, leave a comment.) [It is NOT at the Renaissance Festival.]

Below is an art collaboration between Mike Kline and me.

My skulls are the paler ones at the bottom.

Wares for sale, Renaissance Festival

2010-09-07T00:04:00.000-04:00

The entire Renaissance Festival was full of stuff for sale. Everywhere you look, clothes, food, drinks, art, jewelry, etc, all for sale. This is the tiniest tip of the iceberg.

Wizard, Ren Fes

2010-09-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

I photographed this same guy last year. Click image to view larger.

Apostolic Way Church of God

2010-09-05T00:01:00.001-04:00

Apostolic Way Church of God in Detroit proper.

I have a new art blog called More Scribbles. It only has my art. Detroit artist art, lol! If you go there and click twice on an image, first once, then again, it will show you a fairly large view of the art.

More Ren Fes

2010-09-04T16:26:00.002-04:00

So many interesting people and shops!

What is this Nun Upset About?

2010-09-03T08:38:00.001-04:00

Boy did she disapprove! LOL! (Renaissance Festival)

Mural at the Renaissance Festival

2010-09-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

I loved this mural!

More Renaissance Festival: Dancers

2010-09-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

The first one was dancing at an Irish Pub, the second on the streets. It was in the 90s.

At the Renaissance Festival!

2010-08-31T08:31:00.004-04:00

We've been so busy with out-of-town company, touring them around. We haven't been home to get online! We really enjoyed the Renaissance Festival! It will take me a while to get caught up commenting, I am sorry to say, because we are behind on everything!

More Renaissance Center, inside looking out

2010-08-27T00:01:00.001-04:00

Here's another shot inside the same room I posted yesterday. This is from balcony on the opposite side of the room looking out toward the Detroit River.

Looking up from inside the Renaissance Center

2010-08-26T08:27:00.003-04:00

We've had out-of-town company for a week, a friend of my husband's from school. He's gone, and another friend is arriving today for another week. Since we will be touring her around, I will probably not be online.

We took Jim, our last guest, to the Renaissance Center. This is the view from just inside the main riverside entrance, looking up.

GM Renaissance Center

2010-08-19T00:06:00.003-04:00

GM Renaissance Center, too bad about the white sky!

and from the garden:

and from the tip of my paintbrush:

Homeless & Hungry #100818-1147,by me, today, click image to view larger. This is 5 x 8, in a moleskine sketchbook. It is a Detroit image.

John D Dingell VA Medical Center

2010-08-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

John D Dingell VA Medical Center, down in the Cultural District. Sorry about the keyhole effect, wide angle.

Onions at the Village Market

2010-08-17T00:07:00.001-04:00

I love the outdoor market aspect of the Village Market on Mack.

This is my collaboration with Steve, a splotch monster of sorts. Top: Mama bear with triplets, bottom: original splotch by Steve.

In the Gift Shop at the DIA

2010-08-16T00:03:00.001-04:00

I took this before I knew you weren't supposed and was hustled away before I got the artist name--so if you know who did these, let me know and i will post the name. I LOVE the way they look. :-D

Below is my newest painting. It looks much like one I posted earlier, but was an experiment. The other one I did on the iPad, this one I painted on green paper with gouache.

click to view larger