Bricks

 

'Tis the Season

Construction Zone

 

The Greensprings architects (aka beavers) have been re-imagining the swamp. You can see their most recent handiwork in the dam to the left. Their HQ, if you will, is in the background to the right. 

They've been at this job all winter, chopping down trees, hauling them to the construction site, putting them in place, all with the seeming blessings of our local authorities who evicted them from their original work site after their endeavors apparently threatened the integrity of a popular foot bridge. 

British Union

 

It was a cold west wind blowing a couple of days ago when I took this photo. We experienced gusts up to 30 mph. Great day for flag lovers! I believe the one that was flying on this occasion was the British Union Flag designed by King James and that was used in the American colonies from their inception and until 1775.

Sorry, Pasadena!

 

Snow in Pasadena? Not here. While it was cold and rainy yesterday, Friday was gorgeous! Much more like sunny California. :-)

Art Gallery

 

 

 

The This Century Art Gallery is finally getting an update, including new windows, new shingles, a new foundation, a new roof, new insulation, new interior . . . Actually, when they're done with it, about the only thing original will be the skeleton, and even that will have seen some improvements.

Windows

 

Capitol building, Williamsburg

East Gate

 

Another beautiful if somewhat chilly morning here in the old burg. I especially enjoyed how the morning light fell on the Capitol building's east gate.

Never Judge a Book by...

 

I'll admit that I was a little bit dubious about checking this book out of the library a few days ago. I imagined it would be just another dry account of two men's professional accomplishments. I couldn't have been more wrong. It is turning out to be a fascinating look at one of the United States' most exciting, if also turbulent, eras. Already, I've learned boatloads about the creation of New York City's Central Park, Prospect Park, and, yes, even Yosemite National Park. 

Cabinetmaker

 

Well, as I noted before, January is the month for much needed repairs and restoration around Colonial Williamsburg. Here, for instance, crews are putting the finishing touches to some erosion control measures around the cabinetmaker's shop. From what I could see, the work included upgrades to drainage systems, paths, and lawn.

Secretary's Office

 

"In 1747, a disastrous fire at the Capitol highlighted the need for a safe place to store government documents. The result was the Secretary's Office, today the oldest archival structure in the western hemisphere." -- www.colonialwilliamsburg.org

Linking again today with Skywatch Friday

Capitol

Advent

 

A look back at the fourth Sunday of Advent as celebrated at Bruton Parish in Colonial Williamsburg.

East Gate

 

 

View from the east gate at the Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg.

Grand Illumimation

 

This was the scene early in the morning at the Governor's Palace this past Saturday as Colonial Williamsburg prepared to celebrate its final Grand Illumination weekend. Crews were setting up the stage for musical performances while a contractor prepared the fireworks in the formal garden located driectly behind the palace.

Quiet

 

Homes along an unusually quiet December morning along Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.

D.O.G. Street

 

 

Duke of Gloucester Street (aka D.O.G. Street) in Colonial Williamsburg

Eventide

Sun sets on a recently repainted capitol building in Colonial Williamsburg

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To Arms!

 

 

 

So, since living in Williamsburg, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the American Revolution was based upon a terrible misunderstanding and that what Patrick Henry, George Washington, George Mason, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Jefferson really meant when they cried, "To Arms! To Arms!" was that everybody should all just go down the street to the King's Arms Tavern for rounds. :-)

 

Linking again today with Skywatch Friday

Happy Thanksgiving!