Door in the doorway

On to the next holiday

Here in the US we have made it through Thanksgiving, and now all are focused on the the big holiday; Christmas. The decorator of this door choose wisely, a motif that transcends both holidays.

First cover

We have seen a bit of snow in the air over the last week or so but this is our first cover of the season. I came down fast and thick for a while, but even when this photo was taken, most of it has already melted away thanks to the morning sun.

Of course this is only the first taste... there will be much more as the weeks progress.

I think this picnic table will be pretty lonely for the next 6 months.

Going bald

It's hair loss season. Now that this little tree has relinquished its red in a neat pile, all that's left is a raked-up, a suck-up, and a haul-away.

And no, I did not boost the reds. I actually subdued them a bit.

Dark parking lot

Now that daylight savings time is over my walk to the parking lot after the work day is in near darkness. The days are getting very short.

Abandoned

This lonely building started life out as an upscale gas station, IE a bit more than the standard box with pumps out front that was typical of the era.

It has seen use since then for number of purposes, including the admissions office for the local community college.

But today it stands, scars and all, surrounded by highways and ramps that were not there when it was built, making it strangely isolated and inaccessible as traffic rushes by.

Color outside

It's as if all the color got sucked out the window.

And it reminds me how somber my workplace is.

The maple out front

Bright spot

I tend to be an optimist and always look for the bright side. Life is a series of cycles. In each phase you can find beauty if you take the time to look.

Even though autumn signals the end of warm sunny weather, it presents us with nice bright colors. Winter is next with pristine blankets of snow. And then spring will return, with vibrant green, presenting a new start.

Way out

The first time I went to England I was amused that doors to the outside were labeled "Way Out". It reminded me of the hippie expression "Way out man!".

Here in the US we use the term "Exit" to signify a safe passage to the outside world.

I have been thinking about exits lately.

I know that just around this corner there is a exit, and although the sunlight tells me it is a sunny day, I am not so sure. Frankly I would rather stay inside a little longer. But perhaps that will not be possible.

Sea Breeze roundabout

The 590 expressway was recently converted to a boulevard in an effort to slow traffic to be more compatible with the neighborhood. And nothing slows traffic more than a roundabout. This particular roundabout announces the entrance to Sea Breeze, that part of East Irondequoit that meets the shore of Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes.

As it seems to be the current practice when building expensive highways, often there is an attempt at aesthetics in the form of decorative features or public art. Being this area is know as Sea Breeze it was natural to select a nautical theme for the signage.