Sept 29, 2010 Tree Trunk

This wonderful trunk looks like the face of a wizard

Sept 28 2010 Church Window

Zionist Church, Old Town East, Columbus, OH

 

 

 

 

"If you don't like where you are, change what you are."

 - Henry Knight Miller

Sept 27, 2010 Whistle While You Work

"Starting today, see if you can incorporate a "whistle while you work" attitude into your daily routine.  You'll notice an immediate shift from grumpy and serious to lighthearted and joyful.  The creation of abundance is a joyful process.  Lighten up and have some fun!"

from "Don't Worry...Make Money"

Richard Carlson, PHD

Sept 26 2010 - The Round Barn

On the far west side of Columbus is one of our metro parks, Batelle Darby Creek.  Many acres of the park were once part of Darby Dan Farms, a sprawling country estate encompassing 4000 acres and owned by millionaire builder John W Galbreath.  On part of the land now owned by the park system, stands an incredible barn that was the home of Mr Galbreath's famous race horses, 2 of which took Kentucky Derby titles, and many other horses that won many races over the years.  The barn is round, in a doughnut shape, with an open inner courtyard.  The horse stalls face the courtyard, and behind them and inside the barn, there is a 1/8 mile track where the horses could be exercised in foul weather.  Each stall had a place for a bronze plaque, that showed the horse's name, stats and winnings.  A very large structure, the barn contains 32 stalls.  Here are my photos and poetic tribute to Mr Galbreath's wonderful barn.

The Round Barn

this barn is here
to tell the story,
of days gone by;
of faded glory.
a round white barn,
a silent track;
sunlight shining
through the cracks.
inside, it's musty 
in this stall,
where a winner
once stood tall.
where a plaque 
proclaimed his name, 
his money won;
his world-wide fame.
where dust motes dance,
his hooves once pranced;
among the hay,
rose petals lay.
now a spider 
spins his web
where this fine horse
once laid his head.
the barn remains 
to tell the story,
of his great heart;
of his great glory.


S G Newland

A view from outside the barn, through the courtyard doors

The indoor exercise track

The inner courtyard

Inner courtyard, the doors to the stalls, to the left, the small square that bore the plaque

 

Sept 25, 2010 Leaf n' Acorn

Leaf N' Acorn

Sept 24, 2010 Fall Berries

Hello, fall!  My favorite time of year.  Here's some beautiful fall berries...

Sept 23, 2010 Tree Bark

I think the pattern in this wood may have been made by the emerald ash borer.  Destructive, but I like the texture.

Sept 22, 2010 The Otter

The Otter

nature's clown,
he's sliding down;
he's made a slide
where he can glide,

down the track
and on his back;
and down he goes,
and now he shows,
how he can swim!
how he can grin!
it makes my day,
to watch him play;
he does his part,
he lifts my heart;

his joy in living,

the gift he's giving.

S G Newland

Sept 21, 2010 Meramac Cavern

I'm getting behind.  I have jury duty this week and it's messed up my schedule and my rhythm!  Bear with me...

s

Here are some pictures from an underground cave system in MO.  Last summer a friend and I went to Branson and stopped overnight on the way there.  I found this brochure for Meramac Caverns in the motel lobby.  I never knew MO is the "cave state".  So we made an unplanned stop and it was the best part of the trip.  Jesse James hid out here and the front of the cave, which is enormous, once had a dance floor inside, back in the days before air conditioning.  But the real treat was further back, and up...

Sept 20, 2010 Passion Flower

Passion Flower

Sept 18 2010 Park View Hotel

My uncle has been doing research on a seaside hotel in NJ that was owned by my maternal great-grandmother.  She was my grandfather's mother.  I think it's really interesting that so long ago, this woman owned a business.  That must have been very unusual for that time.  An entrepreneurial spirit must run in the family...my grandfather was a self-employed artist's agent in NYC and I have been running a business of one kind or another since my early 20's. Both of my brothers have owned businesses as well.

Here is a picture taken in front of the hotel, we think sometime in the late 1800's.  I love the costumes!  They must have been having a Halloween or masquerade party. There are 2 hotel names in the pictures, some say "Park View Hotel" other pictures say "Epworth House"; my mom thinks there may have been 2 hotels but she's not sure. .

Sept 17 2010 Purple Berries

Berry Bush, Pickerington Ponds, a wildlife sanctuary for birds

Sept 16 2010 The Hurt

Sometimes pain can be inspiring too...

The Hurt

All I can remember is
the sky was dull & gray
electric lights were vainly trying
to keep the dark away
there was no good or evil
a nothing much was now
my eyes rained tears unsalted
as my brain was just a cloud;
I looked into the mirror
and saw old woman's eyes,

they never said a word to me

I never asked them why.

now the sun is shining

the lights have dimmed and died;

but there's a hole somewhere inside me

long and deep and wide.

-S G Newland 

Sept 15 2010 Sunflowers

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.  That's what sunflowers do."

- Helen Keller

Ashy Sunflower - this threatened prairie plant is found throughout the restored Darby Plains Prairie Areas

Sept 14 2010 Butterfly in Meadow

morning's halo
on meadowed ground
jewel dust a-wing.
rose and emerald
ring with amber's song.


S G Newland

Sept 13 2010 This Prairie Land

This Prairie Land

this prairie land echoes
with the ghosts of 
wagon trains;
calico dresses
long and plain;
pioneers on rutted roads
with work worn hands
and heavy loads;


this verdant land echoes
with the sound
of dusty boots on hardened ground;
fireside songs by blackened kettles
odes to courage, strength and mettle;

this prairie land.


S G Newland

Sept 12 2010 Bugs

Amid all the mysteries by which we are surrounded nothing is more certain than that we are ever in the presence of an Infinite and Eternal energy from which all things proceed.


-Herbert Spender, scientist

Something drew me to this plant along the path in Batelle Darby Creek park.  At first I thought it was a monarch butterfly that had died on the plant, but when I moved in very close I saw these beautiful bugs.

Sept 11 2010 The Owl

The Owl

moon raker

prey taker

hunter of the night.

in his nest he takes his rest 

hidden from the light.

moon glider
star rider
stalker of my dreams.
he is wise
and in his eyes
cosmic magic gleams.

-S G Newland

Sept 10, 2010 Morning Glories

Happiness grows at our own firesides,
and is not to be picked in a stranger's gardens."

  - Jerrold

Prairie Wildflowers, Battle Darby Metro Park

Sept 9 2010 Turtle Pond

God gave all men all earth to love,
But since our hearts are small
Ordained for each one spot should prove
Beloved over all;
That, as He watched creation's birth,
So we, in godlike mood,
May of our love create our earth
And see that it is good.
     
    -Kipling

   

Sept 8 2010 Doorway in Old Town East

There was a door to which I found no key
There was a veil past which I could not see
Then to heaven itself I cried,
"What lamp has destiny to guide

 her children struggling in the dark?"
"Understanding, know thyself!"
The wee, small voice replied.

 -Apologies to Omar

Sept 7 2010 Mother Duck

There was a young duck

that lived at the zoo.
She had so many children,
she didn't know what to do!

Sept 6 2010 Talk Spring to Me

Talk Spring To Me

talk spring to me
of treasures undiscovered
of bees and small things hovering
in bright blue air.

talk spring to me
of spirits free and flying
of flesh and smiles lying
in long cool grass.

talk spring to me
of winds so warm and soothing
of love, so real and moving
it could not pass.

talk spring to me
of my dearness oh my one
of how you have finally come
to touch my loneliness
(oh my spring).

-S G Newland

Sept 5 2010 615 E Town St

615 E Town St, Columbus Oh
Old Town East
What a fabulous entryway!

Sept 4 2010 E Broad St Church

The carillon is ringing
-singing
The stone mason's song.

S G Newland

Broad Street Presbyterian Church, Columbus, OH

Sept 3 2010 Church Door

"The door to the soul opens inward."

September 2 2010 Brown and Gold

Ode to Brown and Gold
 
brown, gold
old, mold.
yellow
spotted, dotted
twirling, swirling.
amber
glowing, flowing
gleaming, dreaming.
umber
sleeping, slumber
under, wonder.


S G Newland
 

September 1 2010 Choices

Choices

In my mind I saw a door:

C

closed

H

hurry. hesitate.

O

open

I

inner

C

consider

E

enter

S

stay. go. 

-S G Newland