Category: History

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #232 Looking Backward

Sofia’s challenge is about time, and how things evolve.

Medical Advances

My first photographs were taken at the Museum of Medical History. A couple of years ago I visited this little out-of-the-way museum when Sacramento was hosting Museum Day. Once a year, the public is invited to visit and learn about all the local museums. This little gem is just fascinating, but do not visit if you are about to have a medical procedure.

Iron Lung used during the polio epidemic
Forceps were used in my first delivery. (1975)
Quinine
Anesthetic Machine 1960’s
This technology continues to develop into smaller devices. Yeah!

With the use of digital equipment, disposables, and computers the look of hospitals is quite different.

Nurses duties before disposables
Medical mannequin for practice
My grandson meets the computer age.

Dimise of the Telephone Booth

My next set of photographs has to do with the slow disappearance of the telephone booth. With the advent of the pocketable cell phone, the public telephone is a rare find. I wonder where Clark Kent will go to change into Superman?

These booths had doors. This allowed for more private conversations. None of these are working telephone booths. The bottom image is from the Roseville Telephone Museum.

Somewhere along the evolution, the door is eliminated. And then the booth altogether. The dial is gone, and now there are buttons to press.

This image was taken in 2008. I wonder if this bank of shiny working pay phones is still in service the Phoenix Airport? Where or when did you last see a working pay phone?

One of my early jobs, while I was in college, was that of a long-distance telephone operator. And one of my least favorite part of the job was to connect someone from a pay phone. I had to listen for the coins to drop, connect the call, monitor, and ask for additional money after 3 minutes. Often the person would just walk away without paying. I was also the person who took the many complaints if they lost money on a non-working phone. I really don’t know how the phone call is paid for now. I bought my first cell phone in 1997 (25 years ago), and that took care of my use of pay phones. And that phone did not fit into my pocket or do what my iPhone 13 pro can do.

Siri is questioning me

Thank you Sofia for giving me a chance to look back. 25 years of cell phones. Wow, I just can’t believe that. Oh well, time flies.

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #204 Doors

 This week Sylvia would love for me to share a few appealing or distinctive doorways I have discovered. Do you feel some have more character than others or evoke a particular feeling or mood? Hope you have fun viewing this challenge! 

Old Sacramento has many historic doors, While I was enrolled in a Color Photography class at Cosumnes River College my professor gave us an unusual assignment. I was given an adjective., a noun, and a verb. My three words were Flaming door expanding. So off to Old Sacramento in search of a good door.

Flaming door expanding!

I have always looked for unusual doors. Some tell a historical story, some make a statement, some are inviting, some provide a different message, and some provide a frame for a photo,

Fire House Door established in 1853.
Port Richmond, California.
Half Moon Bay Review established in 1898.
Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California.
Orange’s First Bank established in 1886
Orange County Fruit Exchange – Sunkist established in 1922. A landmark building in Orange, Ca
Doors, and more doors at the winery.
Niles, California
I wonder what was taking place behind closed doors?
Half Moon Bay decorated in the Halloween spirit!
Sending mixed messages.
Entering a wine celler creates a nice frame.
Looking through a doorway in Bodie, Ca.

This is just a small sample of doors and doorways that I come across when I am out with my camera. But the best door I enjoy opening up is the one I call home. My dog Moxie (14 months) agrees! Here she is after her spa day at Sunflower Pet Salon.

What door do you enjoy opening?

A Photowalk in Niles

Getting away with photo friends and introducing them to my brother Alan made for an enjoyable and interesting day. My brother lives in Freemont, Ca. and found this little old town flavor in Niles about a mile from his address. Car loaded with friends, cameras, and gas we headed off to Niles. I was driving Subi Blue, and just as we started the infamous I symbol appeared on my dashboard indicating a low tire sensor. We boldly continued the two-hour journey.

After passing under a railroad trestle we arrived in Niles, Ca.

This old restored gas station serves as a meeting spot for car enthusiasts.

Unique stores line 1st Street (Main Street). Forget trademarks here. Plenty of antique stores, but since we are here on a Thursday we find many stores closed.

My brother served as our own personal guide to a town he walks around frequently. He knows most of the small business owners and often photographs events in town. The weather cooperates and we found plenty of photo opportunities in nature and architecture.

This wisteria tree has over the years intertwined with another tree.

Oh what a tangled web we weave.
Tangled
Wisteria in bloom
A Lady Bug
Lots of bird houses in this tree
Tweety
Pareidolia, Do you see it?

An original house.
Bath anyone?
Each house an individual
I liked the way the light fell on these hats

Silent movies and Charlie Chaplin have solid connections with Niles, Ca. On our way home, we drove through Niles Canyon used as a backdrop for cowboy films in the early days of movie-making.

I was sorry this museum was closed on Thursday.
Friendly shop owner dogs hanging out

It turns out the air in the tire was low, so off to find a working air pump, and tossing in a bunch of quarters, and home we went.

This little Tortuga Talavera followed me home.

And we returned safely.

Lens-Artists Challenge #170 Street Art

For this week’s challenge, we’re exploring art–outdoors, in the park, on the street–for all to enjoy. Thank you Patti for acknowledging all the art around us.

The last couple of years Sacramento has been encouraging creativity. Alley walls, sidewalks and dumpsters have provided the canvas. Artists of all ages come out to celebrate.

In 2016 alleyways and building throughout Sacramento became the canvas for Wide Open Walls (WOW). This annual event has brought art to all. This year my fellow photographers ventured out without me because Moxie’s puppy class is priority one.

WOW from 2020. One event that our group could enjoy safely.

Another annual event I usually enjoy is Chalk it Up. This artwork is not permanent, but fun to watch, and photograph. The sidewalks around Freemont Park serve as the location. Each square represents an organization, individual idea, or business venture. Again, I did not photograph it this year. Last year, CoVid protocols spread this event out throughout the city.

I came across the Art of the Dumpster in a vacant lot. Each dumpster had the artist’s statement displayed.

Glad I had my camera handy when I came across this dumpster art show in a vacant lot.

I am always on the lookout for murals that informs visitors about the town.

Stopped in Truckee, Ca. (Calif.) one winter day.
I learned something about the City of Livermore.
Lincoln pride is showing.
CCA Murals for Esparto. Their heritage is on display.

Learn about Carmichael’s roots at the Great Wall of Carmichael
If you have been to Old Fair Oaks you would know why this mural was
painted by 2 Bella Vista High School students Class of 2019.

How many of us have been stuck in an airport? I’m glad to find that these public spaces are now being adorned with art.

Leap by Lawrence Argent
Samson by Brian Goggin
I’m not sure in which airport I found this sculpture. It may be from the Indianapolis Airport.

The original Tower Records started in Sacramento and was located in the drug store that shared space with the Tower Theatre.

Murals found around Tower Records establishment on Broadway.

All types of music and musicians are displayed. Tower Records closed its doors in 2006. And the murals are gone.F
Mural at the Art Supply Warehouse in Southern Ca. It grabbed my attention!
Found this on a street in San Francisco with my granddaughter
A sad statement.
Paying respect closer to home in Capay at the Road Trip Bar & Grill
Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills, Ca.
“Portal to Big Sur” by Aaron Appel and Abe Toke.
Came across this natural display of public art at Half Moon Bay, Ca.

Making the most of the space that surrounds us with art. It is nice to find such “eye candy” where you least expected! Just be ready to experience beauty.