Emancipation

This is a 2006 sculpture by Preston Jackson, located on the Founders Bridge across the Connecticut River.  Jackson is a professor of sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago.  A press release when the sculpture was dedicated says it "illustrates the tragedy of enslavement as well as the joy and exhilaration of knowing that freedom has at last become a reality."

The sculpture is one of fifteen honoring Abraham Lincoln's life and accomplishments.  It is on the Lincoln Sculpture Walk, funded by Lincoln Financial and organized by Riverfront Recapture and the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

I had a critical comment two days ago about not showing the difficulty that Hartford is facing in recovering from the "October Surprise" snow storm.  There are three responses.  First, this is a photo blog, not a news blog, and I like to show photos that interest me.   Second, after showing the broken trees and downed wires two days ago, you get the idea.  More of the same isn't of much value.  And, third, I am sitting in a Starbucks in Florida.  No sense freezing in a dark and unheated Connecticut house.  Needless to say, these are pre-storm photos.

Hartford Public Library

The Hartford Public Library has quiet reading rooms on both sides of the main floor.  The walls are covered by huge photo-murals of Hartford scenes, similar to pictures shown here in the last 16 months.

Johnny didn't mind being included in the photo.  I put the camera on the glass-topped table, aimed, focused, and pushed the shutter button.  Pow!  The review shot exploded with reflected color.

I went to the opposite reading room and tried again, this time with a businessman and frolicking carousel horses.  Not half bad.

If you like photographs with reflections, click here to see Weekend Reflections, James' weekly website.

Tracy

Tracy is a sales associate at Stackpole Moore Tryon, a traditional clothing store on Trumbull Street in downtown Hartford.  She tells me that these sweatshirts are moving quickly.  (In Hartford, we don't go for gaudy.)

I am going to continue with pre-storm photos.  No reason to dwell on the problems.  We will be back to normal before too long.

Why Hartford Has No Power

Sunday Morning

Tuesday Morning

We got hit by ten inches of wet snow Saturday night and into Sunday, while the trees still had their leaves.  Some hill towns to the west got 18 inches.  The weight of the snow cracked trees, and brought power and telephone lines down.  Everywhere.  The damage is so extensive that there just are not enough crews to get all the work done quickly.  It is going to take a while before the trees can be removed from the streets, broken poles replaced, and lines reconnected and energized.

My family is fine.  No damage to the house, but no power, heat or internet.  We have left until the power returns.  

Old Sturbridge Village VI

Seen at Old Sturbridge Village.  The City Daily Photo participants celebrate a theme day on the first day of each month.  For November, the theme is "fences."   

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants