Old Lyme Sculptures

There are two spots in Old Lyme, Connecticut where you can meander around enjoying the sculptures of some very talented artists. First is the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, and right next door is Studio 80+ Sculpture Grounds. 

Classical sculpture greets students and visitors at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts

From the parking lot of the Lyme Academy, you will see this entrance to the neighboring Sculpture Grounds

Animal Sculptures

Park-like grounds

This tree alone is worth the visit ! Be sure to read the info plaque. It has quite a story!

Don't worry about getting lost, sign posts lead the way!

Down by the Lieutenant River, stacked pieces of recycled wood create this human form

Miniature mountains and pink bramble? What fairy tale land have I entered?!

Stainless steel and stone

Wish I could remember the name of this sculpture. It is surrounded by a circle of portrait heads on posts. Very interesting, what does it mean? Let your imagination be your guide!

Bearded man

Skillful suggestion of eyeglasses

Thick plaits of hair

And now we turn to the more contemporary sculptures

For some reason these colors made me think of tulips and I couldn't stop thinking about them till long after my visit - even though this was a fall day... oh how the mind wanders!

Sculptures and splashes of color are tucked everywhere

Sculptor Gilbert Boro has a home on the sculpture grounds. While visitors are not allowed inside, they are welcome to visit his garden and the cafe near the house.

This one made me feel so welcomed I couldn't help giggling with joy!

I couldn't decide - Traditional Chinese character, or a hound dog walking upright while carrying a heavy backpack with a dachshund and a miniature whale on top?

In the shadow of the tree, you can see Buddha taking a nap.

What a wonderful morning it was. The air was cool and crisp. It was a joy to be out in nature, enjoying art and feeling inspired. This stays on my "Must return again and again list."

Laura S. Pringle is the author of The Pringle Plan, a series of educational guides. 

 See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

 ©2017 Laura S. Pringle. All Rights Reserved.

My December Garden

Too cold to step outside, I took some photos through the window

Mid-December, and southeastern Connecticut has finally received our first snow of the season! With temps in the twenties, it's a little too chilly for me to head outside. So, I took some photos through the windows, and briefly opened a few doors for others. You'll be able to notice how quickly I snapped the photos, by how tilted the lens is! The last of the leaves fell from the trees last week, just in time for the annual gutter cleaning. Now the woods and my gardens are covered in snow.

I opened the slider to quickly snap a few more

Witch Hazel in white

Sunrise after a night of snowfall

Hard to see in this photo, but a few critters left their paw prints 

Some of these photos almost look black and white, but they are color

The astilbes on the north side are still standing tall

My favorite hydrangea tree is now in bloom with balls of snow

I see the street has been plowed

Rose bushes look like the had a rough night

The traditional New England deck photo. We measure how much snow we had by how thick the cake on the table has risen. Four inches is more of a pancake around here!

Sunrise

I always like to get a bit of the shed in some photos for a reference to how tall the trees are

A touch of blue sky in the background

My summer shade spot under the deck isn't needed today

When the temperatures cool, we move the compost tumbler to the back basement door. Have I mentioned I'm a fair weather gardener?

That green twine, tying up the rose vine, that blends in so well in summer is really showing up now.

A few more snow storms are predicted this week. Those new hot cocoa mugs I bought will be getting a work out! 

Laura S. Pringle is the author of The Pringle Plan, a series of educational guides. 

See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

©2017 Laura S. Pringle. All Rights Reserved.

McCook's Point Beach

McCook's Point Beach, Niantic, CT - October 2017

It was such a peaceful day. We ate lunch. We enjoyed the view and the salt air. I went for a walk. Total relaxation...

Long Island Sound

View toward Crescent Beach

Sculpture at McCook's Point Park

Children playing in the park at McCook's Point Park

View across the Niantic Bay towards Waterford

Remembering the Nehantics

Enjoying the view

Laura S. Pringle is the author of The Pringle Plan, a series of educational guides.  

                                                  See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

 ©2017 Laura S. Pringle. All Rights Reserved.

Westerly Murals

What a wonderful day in downtown Westerly, Rhode Island! My mission for the day was to photograph the murals. My sidekick decided to ride along when he heard lunch was part of the adventure! Our first stop was Wilcox Park. Tucked down behind the city library, it's an oasis of nature - ponds, green grass, trees, well maintained walkways, and sculptures - surrounded by the old style architecture of downtown.

Pond at Wilcox Park

You'd never know you are in the middle of downtown Westerly, RI

Sculpture inspired by Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny

Westerly Library Park entrance

The Wilcox Memorial Fountain,  designed by John Francis Paramino in 1898, and  dedicated in honor of Harriet and Stephen Wilcox who donated the land for the park.

After my stroll through the park, I couldn't resist a few photos of the architecture of the area. Then I was off on a bit of a scavenger hunt. Westerly's mural are sometimes in plain sight, could be high or low, may be tucked around on the side of a building, and sometimes are barely visible during a drive-by. You really have to get out and walk around. Fortunately I had a great day for walking. Along the way, you'll discover the rich history of the area, some wonderful views and great places to shop and dine.

Westerly Public Library

Westerly Post Office

Westerly, RI sits on the eastern side of the Pawcatuck River

Historic information abounds in the downtown area

War Memorial

View of Pawcatuck river from the northern side of the bridge

B & B Dockside Cafe (Where we had a fantastic lunch served by friendly staff) - view from the parking lot

Mural downtown Westerly

Family priorities

Mural spans the entire length of the building

Does anyone else still have a landline?

You have to search high and low to find some of the murals

Women worked in the mills during the war

This mural is tucked down a small alley 

Next time I go to Westerly, I plan to spend a little more time in the shops and restaurants, point out the book store where Hillary stopped after losing the election; Oh and show a few photos of my drive down Mechanic Street. Oh yea - and the bakery and take out foods at McQuades Market! Can't Wait!

Laura S. Pringle is the author of The Pringle Plan, a series of educational guides. 

 See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

 ©2017 Laura S. Pringle. All Rights Reserved.