Anne-Christine is the host this week. She challenges me to find something surprising in my archive of photographs. She is sure I have something hidden in my archives that once surprised me or filled me with awe… I hope you enjoy my finds this week! And, perhaps the story that goes with it.
This is not an easy challenge, and with all that is going on around me, I need to make some quick decisions. Shall I go with the natural world? Shall I look to look to my collection that tells a story (ie: street photography and candids)? Shall I look at my many photos of household items? Public art? Hmmm?
Decision made. I will combine my collection that tells a story with public art. The 32nd Annual Chalk It Up! Chalk Art & Music Festival this Labor Day Weekend! I have attended this event and these images of the people and their art were taken then. I’m hoping to get down to Fremont Park this very hot weekend.
Chalk it up!
Then there are the artists creating art for sale. I found these artists in Old Sac, the Las Vegas strip, and on San Francisco’s Embarcadero.
This week’s guest contributor Solander challenges me to see my interpretation of summer vibes. He wants me to make you envy and wish to be with me while I enjoy my summer and my favorite summer activities! I will share my summer vibes with my images. Click here to see Solander’s summer vibes.
I have stopped counting how many 100º days we have had here in Sacramento, Ca. I remember back a number of years when my two oldest grandchildren were on the Sunrise Sharks! That summer they lived with me and swimming was our life. Swim practice all week, and swim meets all Saturday!
Swim team practice
Splash pad fun!
More water fun!
My father used to say, “I scream, you scream we all scream for Ice Cream.”
Stopping by for some ice cream. Now I’m ready for a scoop!
Does this photo quench your thirst?
I attended many festivals and fairs over the years. Covid and the increased heat have put a crimp in my attendance.
Dixon Fair
Kite Festival in Berkeley
Chalk it up occurs every year. Maybe it will cool down, and I can enjoy all this creativity.
Wide open walls started in 2016. When it cools down I plan to go downtown and see the new additions.
Many years ago the Rennaisance Faire was held at Fair Oaks Park.
The California State Fair has been moved to July, and it is way too hot to attend this year. The fair used to end on Labor Day in September. Nights were cooling down, and I have to admit, I was younger. But I do love to photograph fair food!
Summer means getting out and enjoying food, fun, and festivals. But not so much with the very high temperatures. For August, I am thinking cool!
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.
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.
About two weeks ago I prepared myself to be a long-distance grandma. I began to investigate photo frames to get pictures all the time. It would be some time before David and I could travel to be together. Thoughts went through my mind, and I felt sad but hoped that by moving to another state her family would find peace and happiness.
Packed up and ready for their big adventure!
My daughter and family sold their house and packed up to move to Knoxville, Tennessee. This was a sudden decision pushed forward quickly by the CoVid 19 pandemic. School was starting soon and her thought was attending school was better than distant zoom learning. Well, after driving for 4 days in the van with her family of 4 boys and a small dog they arrived in Tennessee. Driving up a road named 13 curves proved to be Knoxville’s undoing. Got a call, and in less than 2 weeks, the family arrived back in Sacramento on September 8th. Costly lesson learned. Don’t buy a house sight unseen in a place you have never visited. Luckily, her husband was able to resume his job.
Life has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. Charlie enjoyed having visits with the boys. Eli is particularly good with him. and his pitching arm has landed a couple of balls in my neighbor’s yard. Lucas, the four-year-old, helped with the training by playing a game called, “Mother May I”. The baby has clean toes compliments of Charlie’s licking them. Wyatt, the two-year-old just thinks Charlie is funny.
So Eli started third grade on Zoom, the family made use of our water (showers and laundry), and my stressed-out daughter took care of reestablishing herself. Moving is always a stressful situation. Looking for a home with a contingency is not much fun. It is a seller’s market. Good for the house she is selling in Tennessee, not so good for finding a home she plans to live in.
All her stuff finally made it to Waldon, Tn. in a Pod. It took almost a week of negotiating a “Gypsy Moth” form to get her possessions to return to California. It was filled and refiled almost a dozen times. The date of arrival is in early October. The question remains, where will this family of 6 live???
Tension abounds here, and everywhere.
The strangest year – 2020 – note the cobwebs!
Inhaling the smoke from the fires that surround the area can be the equivalent of smoking 20 packs of cigarettes according to the governor. Add to this a presidential election year. Sorry no pictures. I only went outside to take Charlie out for many, many days.
This is a very, very, very important presidential race. This county desperately needs some sanity in a leader.
Becoming “Ruth less” with the passing of the Notorious RBG. I think this was designed before her passing, and I hope that next year she will reign supreme!
RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Add to this the large response to protest continued police killings of our black citizens and the tension is felt by all. Some of the businesses are boarded up to prevent loss of property. While many peacefully protest there are others who take advantage of the situation and break, trash, and steal.
Boarded up windows provide a place to share words of hope!I found this painted on a parking lot space
And then there is CoVid 19.
Face Covers Required
As of this writing, more than 200,000 people have died here in the United States. It has been 7 months since the Corona Virus has taken a firm grasp in our state. I heard rumors of a virus in mid-February, but it was March before changes started to happen. Now in downtown Sacramento, there is evidence of this pandemic.
Reminders everywhere. Masks help reduce the spread of CoVid
To mask, or not to mask.
Sorry sight. I’m sure there was a trash can close by.
To go along as if there is nothing to be concerned about, or to ask the question, “Is it worth the risk?” For the most part, my husband and I have chosen to be cautious. David is a diabetic who smokes. I have a post nasal drip that will probably clear out anyplace I venture out to. Most of our shopping has been online. Many of my activities have been delegated to Zoom Meetings. Even Charlie is being trained on Zoom. When I do go out I am masked. Actually, since the arrival of my puppy, there has always been someone here with him. We go to no restaurants, travel no further than a couple of miles, and if I am out it is an outdoor photoshoot with few people around me. So all the family comings and goings started to play on our minds. This did not sit well with all. No one likes this intrusion into our way of life. But I want all to be safe rather than sorry.
This past weekend I ventured downtown to meet up with my CTD friends. Since 2017, Sacramento has invited artists to participate in “Wide Open Walls”. Murals are painted on the walls around the city. The event usually runs about 10 days, but with the smoke, heatwave, and CoVid 19, and political tensions have extended the event. This time I did not capture any artists hard at work.
There is much evidence that this country wants to unite for the good of all its citizens!Black Lives Matter. We stand with you.
For many years I taught 4th grade with the social studies curriculum being California. This mural reminded me of the first chapter where I taught the four regions – Coast, Desert, Valley and Mountain regions.
California diversity. Four distinct regions of the state.PEACE – Amazing artwork. Making the alleys soar! Painting on such a large canvas. So peaceful looking.
Sometimes parts of murals interest me.
This mural fascinated me the most.
Along with the murals I enjoyed walking the streets of downtown Sacramento. This year I missed the “Chalk It Up” event. To create a safe environment this event was spread out . I came across this one, and wanted to show myself enjoying the artwork. Plenty of electric scooters just left on the sidewalk. Bumper sticker that says it all! Vintage retail sign l liked.
A Photo's Worth 