Echinaecea

Spring seemed as though it would never come.

Summer was tardy, too, but once here, on the days 

it hasn't rained, it has been hot and muggy.

Now we are only three weeks or so from fall and,

if the tired leaves on the trees and the faded flowers are

any indication, it seems summer may leave 

us right on schedule. Damn.

The Flower in the Rock

Near the entrance to the River Walk, 

someone had placed a sunflower in a hole in one 

of the limestone blocks lining the way.

The idea of a "flower in the rock"

reminded me of a song title, gospel I think,

and certainly not the one that a search

of You Tube gave me.

But I liked "Flower through the Rock"

despite the fact I couldn't understand a word

of the Korean lyrics. The song was written

for a Korean television drama, I think,

called The Joseon Gunman. 

For me, the melody just seemed to suit 
the notion of a romantic story behind 

someone placing a flower in the rock.

Stolen Moment

At the west entrance to the River Walk, 

I saw this young woman 

taking pictures and texting a friend.

It was a stolen moment of quiet and privacy

for her, which I felt I'd "stolen" myself.

Bummer: Swimmers ...

 ... Beached.

It doesn't look it, but the water in this section 

of the Riviera Club pool is three feet deep.

When I got off the bus at the club's entrance, I felt

light raindrops on my face. I looked west,

towards the Speedway area and the clouds were

dark, filled with rain. I remembered "Indy 500"

telecasts from years ago, when the announcers would

have occasion to say, "It's raining in Terre Haute,"

about 70 miles away, and know we had about 

an hour before the front reached us.

Saturday morning, as I walked up the drive,

the clouds were in Speedway, only about 

five minutes from the pool. The shower 

turned into a nice thunderstorm, 

trapping about a dozen people,

who're not ordinarily averse to being wet,

under the veranda, away from flashes of lightning

and thunder. For about an hour folks chatted, then went 

their separate ways, some to find an indoor pool, 

others to wait until Monday afternoon.

Dear Harley

I love Harley. I wish he was my dog.

For years, I have watched him as he trotted across

his human parents' lawn to greet me,

the spring in his stride and muscles rippling

under his gray ghost coat.

He's older now, and sometimes would rather 

bask in the sun than check out a squirrel invader

or come over to me to be adored and get

his chest scratched. But his profile

is beautiful, and he remains confident

that he is loved and admired by all,

including his neighbor.

A Pleasant Break

Monday evening, I walked over to Eskenazi Health 

to catch the bus for home and to check out 

the newly completed fountains and water features 

at the hospital's main entrance.

There I saw three women taking the time

during their evening break to enjoy

a word game.

On their way back to work, a couple of them

paused to wade in the gurgling water

of the new fountain, a low-profile installation that 

invites such innocent, relaxing pleasures.

Early Childhood Education

On Wednesday, there was a test session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

to check various configurations of the IMS road course. 

It is anticipated that IndyCar will a add a road course event 

to the schedule next year, to be held at IMS.

Of course, the sound of a race car engine will lure racing fans

from their homes or workplaces. Folks bring chairs and coolers to spend

the day watching and listening to the cars as they navigate

the oval or road course. They indulge in various interpretations

of fact, rumor, or fantasy as they pass their time

on the spectator mounds inside Turn Two, a pastime

otherwise known as "bench racing." 

People bring their children, introducing them to what is hoped 

will become a lifetime love of the speed, smells, and skills

involved in this sport. In the top picture, a young man experiences

his first interview, perhaps in anticipation of a future as a driver or

a chief mechanic, where development of the savvy needed

to cope with the ever-present media cannot start too early.

The second young man is observing, carefully noting how the car

is handling through the tight turns. Perhaps his future is to be that of

an engineer or as an official, observing the behavior of all the

competitors on the track.

Participants in the Wednesday session were the National Guard-sponsored 

car owned by Panther Racing and driven by Ryan Briscoe,

and the Rahal-Letterman-Lanigan Racing team, whose Hewlett-Packard 

car was driven by Graham Rahal. During the time I was there, 

Ryan Briscoe, whose car is shown above, made most of the laps.

Among the visitors to Turn Two was the recently hired Director of

Operations and Competition for Indycar, Derrick Walker.

Walker began his auto racing career in the 1970s as 

a mechanic for the Brabham Formula One team,

then owned by Bernie Ecclestone. He eventually worked for

Penske Racing, first for Penske's Formula One effort,

then on to Indy Car racing, where he enjoyed a great deal of success, 

being involved in the team's four series championships,

as well as four wins of the Indianapolis 500.

Walker's knowledge, experience, and integrity are

well-known and respected by the racing community,

which has led to his current position.

Fun! Not.

I watched the people on this ride for several minutes 

and took a lot of shots, trying to make certain that 

at least one of them might be in focus and fill up the screen 

in a semi-interesting manner. I was surprised that any 

came out. As for sitting in a little chair, suspended

by chains at the end of an arm connected 

to a central, motorized rod? Nope. Not a chance.

My enjoyment of the rides at the Indiana State Fair

is limited to looking at the bright graphics 

and colorful lights.

Inkapirka

Each year, a group of men sets up a small tent 

at the Indiana State Fair, just outside the main entrance 

to the Home and Family Arts Building.

They are Inkapirka, musicians who play music

of their native Equador, as well as their 

versions of pop music favorites.

For the duration of the fair, they will play their music,

delighting passersby and people who linger

outside on the lawn to eat lunch or 

just to pause a bit in the shade.

Try, Try, Try

Sunday morning, White River State Park was 

the setting for the 6th Annual Tri Indy Triathlon, 

three separate competitions, with the main one 

the Olympic distance race consisting 

of a 1500 meter swim, 40K bike and 10K run.

The sun had not yet risen on the city but

officials, volunteers and entrants were busily 

preparing for the races to begin.

The top photo shows an entrant's equipment

laid out for his transition from the swimming event,

to cycling, then to running.

All competitors have made their own preparations 

before they go to the starting line for the swim,

about a mile away. Here, the area doesn't look too

busy, but filled up and was quite hectic not much later,

as the swimmers came out of the water to make

their way to their cycles.

There were about 1,500 entrants altogether 

from cities all over the Midwest. They covered the gamut

for age, as well as for body type; people from young teens 

through their 70s came with the slender builds

you would expect of runners, to the more bulky structure

of football players, or voluptuous "goddesses."

Most everyone appeared to have smooth, 

silken skin tautly stretched over their frames,

a feature I especially enjoy to see on men.

Out of the group, I did see one person I knew, 

a co-worker I barely recognized as he 

emerged from the canal in his wetsuit, 

on his way to his bicycle. I later saw him finish the

foot race, then stop to check his watch.

He'd told me he wanted to improve his own best time.

I think he did it. 

Waltz with the Breezes

When I left to take a walk Saturday, 

the air was hot and muggy,

relieved by the gift of a breeze. 

As the afternoon went on, the promise 

of rain plied its way among the trees 

at the IMS RV lot on Georgetown Road. 

I could hear the trees as they danced, 

their leaves sounding like the rustle of taffeta

ball gowns moving to the sensuous twirls and dips 

of the breeze's three-quarter time.

A bit of the breeze touched my cheek, 

inviting me to join the dance.

And there, I could be seen, a middle-aged woman 

walking alone among a few acres worth of trees. 

With my baseball hat pulled low on my brow,

I looked up at the trees where, circling in place,

partnered by my unseen Muse, my laughter made 

a counter melody to the summer air.

  

Bees and Buckeyes

I see these pink flowers planted everywhere from 

front yards to highway medians.

I don't know what they are, but I love the delicate

florets, grouped in bunches so the bees and butterflies* 
may stand on them more easily.

And their coloration, while not bright, excites

my eyes with their fragile transitions 

from light to deeper pink and their compliment,

 a really sweet pale green.

*Corrected copy due to information received
from blogger who knows butterflies from moths.
I wasn't sure what it was, but thank you to 
Shantaram, who did.

Pale Pink and Gray

I was struck by the delicacy of the pink flowers 

contrasted with the rough gray of the tree.

And the lone bee harvesting the pollen

on the late summer day.

A Sunny Day

The flowers above made a very sunny display at 

the corner of one Speedway yard. Their number was

so large they served as a hedge and so bright 

they seemed to sing loud enough for

 the entire neighborhood to hear.

The plants below, while much fewer in number,

are anything but innocuous, their shape

and color lending a bawdy air 

to an otherwise plain yard.

State Fair Patterns

When I think of the State Fair, the most dominant image I have is of all the patterns and textures I see in all the venues. Whether it be the carnival inflatables and stuffed toys hung in tiers and clusters, the rows and rows of spotted Holstein cattle, or the brightly patterned dresses hung for sale, the repetition of design is there, every day, every year.

Cheap and tawdry has just as legitimate a place in our lives as does the sophisticated and sublime. Without one, how would we know the other?

I do kinda like these dresses.

It's summer and it's the Fair! 

So BRING IT ON!

Finally!

"It's about time!" 

"At last!"

"'Way overdue!"

All summer our weather in this area has been running hotter than normal. There've been few, if any, of those nice summer rain storms that break the temperatures and provide some relief from the summer's onslaught.

Yesterday, as I left work I felt raindrops on my skin for the first time in months. Instead of being annoyed, I enjoyed the warmth of the big drops.

Another shower this evening brought with it the first cool breeze to have not been produced by the A/C. As I raised my head to greet the breeze, I thought I may also have felt the first hint of fall. Oh, well. The rain was 'way overdue.

But autumn will be right on time.

TAH-DAH!

Each season comes with its own colors, a range of hues appropriate to the time, the sun and temperature. I love the delicacy of spring, the robust jewels of summer. I see fall as a last flourish of  courage against the solemn notes of winter, which is a time of waiting, rest and rebirth. I'm not sure I could stand a daily diet of brilliant color when the temperatures are below zero. After all, I am resting, too, waiting for spring, so give me winter's subtle gifts when the time is right.

For right now, though, it's summer, so here are the brilliant, sunlit colors in all their loud and raucous glory! Trumpets are not needed as they broadcast their wonderful presence for all to see, all by their wonderful selves!


TAH-DAH!

Looking for Shade

I walked around downtown all day tending to business, but looking for pictures, too. One thing I had in common with all the people I met was that I was looking for shade; whether it was under a tree or along the side of a building, we wanted respite from the sun's glare.


The sun shone it's light on and through the green and yellow stripes of the plantings outside the Chase building on Monument Circle, and lent an air of privacy to the little pocket of shade outside the Firehouse Building on East Washington Street. I may have been looking for shade, but what the sun gave me was contrast.

Whew... shelter from the sun as well as some pretty pictures.

Summer Color

I just wanted a splash of color today. 

The coneflower and her garden pals provided just the thing.

Woo Hoo! I Feel A Breeze!

On my way home from work I stopped at the grocery for a few items, then walked the rest of the way home. For the first time in weeks, the heat wave had broken long enough to bring people out of their homes. Yes, it's still warm but there was a nice breeze to invite people away from the A/C.


Among them were the members of the boys' soccer team from Speedway High School, taking a run around the park before starting a pre-season practice session.Then a bit farther on, a woman sheperded her young son across the street so he could ride his tricycle on the park's jogging path.

And not far behind came Alex, followed by his mom pushing his new baby sister her her stroller. They, too, had a park excursion on their agenda, with maybe a stop at the playground.

Everyone agreed, it was finally nice to be outdoors without the sun bearing down, adding to the grumpiness and irritability of big and little folk alike.