LACLEDE POWER COMPANY

Turning the lens a little farther to the right from yesterday’s view. This is the back of an old steam-powered electric plant. It is well-described by St. Louis historian, preservationist and photographer, Chris Naffziger: Just north of the Ashley Street is the old Laclede Power Station, which along Lewis Street takes on the form of a massive Italian Renaissance loggia, complete with giant, arched portals. But instead of being filled with famous sculpture like the Loggia dei Lancei in Florence, this building housed rows of boilers, now long gone. The power plant, made of red brick and terracotta, also sported five iron smokestacks. On the river side, a giant white glazed brick sign advertises the power plant’s name.                     

ARS GRATIA ARTIS

A wider view of the installation near the Mississippi by the late local artist and general strange person, Bob Cassilly, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Cassilly. All concrete and steel, much painted through the years. Cassilly is best known as the founder, along with his former wife, of our amazing City Museum, https://citymuseum.org/ . Factoid about Cassilly: he and his first wife were honeymooning in Rome when a mentally ill man attacked Michelangelo’s Pieta. Cassilly was the first to act and subdue the assailant.                  

SNAKE IN THE GRASS

Out-there sculpture in an old industrial area of the riverfront. There is a lot more of this construction than fits in the frame and a lot more to the back story than I can tell here. Probably more images to come.                   

SUMMER VACATION

School’s out for summer. When I was a kid my friends and I would tumble out into the streets of New York and occupy ourselves with endless adventures. Mrs. C grew up the oldest of six on a family farm, with lots to do with her sibs and plenty of chores. Ellie is more isolated. No friends walking distance, so we need to take a more active role. Yesterday we went to an indoor slide park with her best friend. The girl likes to grab some air.                      

IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT’S OVER YOUR HEAD

Bringing brews to you wherever it’s most comfortable and convenient. The trailer is portable, taking the malt to wherever it is needed. Looking at the blackboard, I wonder what Murica Walking Beer is. It’s pretty cheap.                      

WOULD YOU?

We do sometimes. It’s Mrs. C’s home state and there is lots of family. It has a bad reputation in much of the country as bland and featureless. Not so. Since my first visit when we were dating, I found subtle beauty in a rolling, green to amber countryside and vast vistas. The Kansas City metro area, which is divided between Missouri and Kansas, is always worth a visit. This van was seen at a local art fair.                

A 50TH OPENING NIGHT

Curtain calls at the opening night of the 50th season of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, arguably the best regional opera company in the U.S. The production of Die Fledermaus was spectacular, top singing throughout the cast, witty staging and laugh out loud comedy. Looks like a great season.