New houses rarely catch my eye and my camera lens. But, I stopped my car and got out when I drove past this one. I like the traditional architecture, the solar panels nicely integrated into one roof surface, and the varying heights, colors, materials and textures of the siding. Well done!
Janie Weber has been the owner of Stepping Stone Farm in northern Ridgefield for more than 40 years. She has won numerous awards as a rider, instructor, trainer and breeder. Janie is the only six-time winner of the National Professional Horseman’s Association Trainer of the Year award.
Janie's daughters operate an equestrian center down the road from Stepping Stone Farm.
The veterinarian told the farm's owner that it wouldn't work, but the owner said "That stallion was very strong and always produced great offspring." She was right.
A new mural -- "Reawakening Wonder" -- on the side of a sixteen story Hartford building is being completed. The Millennium is an apartment building at the busy intersection of, and an offramp for, U.S. Routes 84 and 91.
Michael Rice's (@MichaelRiceArt) mural shows a contemplative boy releasing fireflies from a mason jar. When I was there, the artist was on a suspended platform, finishing up the work. I read yesterday that the scaffolding is now down and a public "opening" will take place on Thursday.
I thought the busy location warranted a passing truck to emphasize the context.
But, I could have shown the mural alone. What would you have done?
Linked to Monday Mural.
At Wednesday's Make Music Day, Maggie Seligman and a friend performed in D. Colabella Fine Art Gallery on Main Street. Her music includes American and Celtic traditional songs, composed folk, Americana and roots music, and jazz standards.
Ridgefield's "Make Music Day" was fun. I walked around to many outdoor venues in or near the downtown. Performers were usually local people and many were quite good. They had to compete with traffic noise, shoppers, talkers, and, in one case, with a long medley from church bells.
Paulina Romano is a student at a music college in Boston. She plays an electric rock guitar. Paulina drew an early performance time and an out-of-the-way location. She deserved a bigger crowd.
AKA Nora is a hairdresser at a prominent Ridgefield studio. For her set on the front lawn of the library, Nora dressed like a princess and performed Disney songs. She has a good voice and stage presence.
Kate Nail sang and played the keyboard in front of the Town Hall. She performed a lot in the 1990s in San Francisco with a cover band and now describes herself as "restarting her musical career here in Ridgefield." (Sounds like there is a story here . . . )
Jennifer Dineen didn't perform, but she was the catalyst who organized Ridgefield's fifth annual Make Music Day for the local arts council. After a 30 year corporate career with Procter & Gamble, Jennifer is now a realtor working in Connecticut and New York.
Along with about 1,000 other cities and towns, Ridgefield is celebrating Make Music Day today.
The orange ribbons and banners along Main Street promote the event. I plan to visit at least two of the scheduled performances. I will probably also just wander around to see what else is going on.
Back in West Hartford for a few hours yesterday. Last weekend was Rose Weekend.
The roses are at peak.
Over the winter the old greenhouses were completely renovated. They look great!
This house near the southern end of Ridgefield's Main Street is one of my favorites.
It was repainted this spring and looks its best.
For a small fee, a local service organization places flags in front of houses. They are all over town.
Not much was happening on my first day back in Connecticut.
A damselfly wandered around in the preserve behind my house.
A robin checked out the view from a power line.
There were some blooms in the neighbor's yard.
Not much was blooming in my pollinator garden. Too early for many bees and butterflies.
And the kousa dogwood I planted last year had some scattered blooms, not bad for a first year.
We visited la Samiaja, a small organic olive oil farm outside Antequera.
