Friday, May 9, 2025

THE OLD COURTHOUSE


The reason for our trip downtown on Wednesday was to check out the just-reopened Old Courthouse, one of our most significant buildings. It was built in stages when St. Louis boomed in the second quarter of the 19th Century and is now part of the national park that includes the Gateway Arch. One of the most significant trials in the country’s history, the Dred Scott case, defining the rights of black people and leading to one of the most appalling decisions in the history of our Supreme Court (well, there are competitors). I won’t write an essay about its history, but, if interested, look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Courthouse_(St._Louis) .                  

Thursday, May 8, 2025

RETURN OF THE THURSDAY ARCH SERIES


I used to post a picture of the Gateway Arch most Thursdays. It was easier when I worked downtown and it was a short walk away. Over time, though, it got harder to find something new to see in a 193 m / 630 ft stainless steel wicket, so the series withered. However, one of our most historically and architecturally significant buildings, which we call the Old Courthouse, just reopened after several years of restoration. Mrs. C and I went down to check it out and found this view through the east portico.                   

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

DOWNWARD FORCE

 

A last old photo from a Cinco de Mayo festival on Cherokee Street. There is something new to shoot today. All the photography courses I’ve ever taken have taught me to avoid having objects protruding from people’s bodies, e.g., no light poles growing out of someone’s head. However, I kinda like what happened here.                

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

MEXICAN ACCORDION


Sampling more old Cinco de Mayo and People’s Parade pix to fill for last weekend’s rainout. The lettering on the instrument says Monterrey. I wish I had an audio recording.               

Monday, May 5, 2025

NOT SO FUNNY

Quick, send in the clowns

But where are the clowns?

Don't bothеr, they're herе.

Going with more old People’s Parade pix because of Saturday’s rainout. The crew of scary clowns always shows up.           


 

Sunday, May 4, 2025

IF IT WEREN’T RAINING SO MUCH


One of our best annual photo ops got washed out yesterday. The first part is the People’s Parade, where anybody can sign up, dress and display as they will and march down the street in one of our funkiest neighborhoods. The area is also the center of our Latino population and the venue for the Cinco de Mayo festival. It’s a minor event in Mexico, celebrating a victory over French colonial forces, but lots of Americans use it as an excuse to swill tequila in public. St. Louis sure does.

But it rained all afternoon and evening, leaving me without days of material. I’ve been shooting these events for years so I can bring back some old favorites.                         

Saturday, May 3, 2025

SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE


                

An order of nonconformists, to be sure. The sisters turn up at many events and I’ve photographed them lots of times. Their liturgy is a little, um, uncertain. I confess I don’t know exactly what they are doing at Earth Day,

Big annual photo op today if it doesn’t get rained out and my spine holds up.