We're History

We're History
by JeromeProphet

You claim I never understood you, or a word you said.
You smiled, and you kissed me, and we shared your bed.
You told me that we're all actors, and this life is a play.
And then you went away.
And then you went away.

You came into my life - you said you wanted me.
Your charm was just a weapon in this game of we.
You left my heart aching. It was me who paid.
And then you went away.
And then you went away.

We'd burn for each other till the end of time.
Our bodies, minds, and souls forever entwined.
I think of all the promises we made that day.
But now there's only pain.
When you went away.

Sometimes I'll see your face in a place we paired.
I can't understand why it was only me that cared.
Did you ever understand me or the the dream we shared?
Before you went away.
Before you went away.

You told me one day that you'd come back to me.
We'd get together, and make a family.
But I see you have another, and it's easy to see that now we're history.
Yes, we're history.

Photo: South face of the Dana Thomas House in Springfield, Illinois. The Dana Thomas House is a stunningly beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright designed home, which was essentially one hundred years before its time.

If It's Wrong I Don't Wanna Be Wright?

Photo: Frank Lloyd Wright Designed Window (enhanced)

About the Image: Photograph taken October 5th, 2005 at the Dana Thomas House. The Dana Thomas House is a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home located at the corner of Fourth, and Lawrence in downtown Springfield, Illinois.

Oh yes, cameras are strictly prohibited at the Dana Thomas House so watch it!

Priskers & Koshi Cat Meet Mr. Mantis

Photo: Priskers The Cat Meets Mr. Mantis


Photo: Koshi Cat and Mr. Mantis Play Hide & Seek


Photo: This Was One Curious Arthropod


Photo: Mr. Mantis Says Goodbye to Koshi Cat

This rather large, and curious praying mantis attracted the attention of two of our four cats.

Both the feline, and the praying mantis are predators. Like my cats, this mantis was extremely curious. I suspect the mantis was attracted to the bright red LED flashes from the red eye reduction system on my camera.

Incredibly this praying mantis followed my camera step by step for nearly twenty feet. It walked off of a window ledge, down from a brick wall, across our porch, down several steps, and traversed a walkway into our lawn.

I took dozens of photographs of this unusual trek - four of which I present here in this post.

When my camera finally ran out of memory I left the mantis in the lawn, and began to walk back into the house. To my amazement I noticed that the mantis had turned around and followed me out of the grass, onto the sidewalk, and up the porch steps!

Strange, but isn't life always!

The series of photographs included for this post were taken in Jerome, Illinois - a bedroom community of Springfield, Illinois on Wednesday, October 5th, 2005.

As we can see from these photographs, my cats took a special interest in this large, and curious praying mantis. Despite any pretensions, the mantis is totally harmless to both humans, and cats. My innocent looking cats would have made cat's play out of Mr. Mantis.

Mr. Mantis, if the weather forecast holds true, will be facing his first hint of Fall weather tonight with expected lows in the forties forecast for the rest of this week. It's a tough life being a bug - sorry, I meant insect.

My cats on the other hand have it made!

Here's a photograph of a a praying mantis in action. If you have a weak stomach, or don't want to see a photo of a praying mantis devouring a humming bird which it caught, killed, and devoured quickly avert your eyes.
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Photo: Praying Mantis Captures, and Devours Humming Bird*

Click on the Birdwatcher's Digest link below if you're interested in reading the story behind the photograph of the Mantis & the Hummer above.

*External Photograph Source: Birdwatcher's Digest.
All external images in this post are reproduced under "Free Use" rules for educational purposes only, and retain any and all copyright protections.

Levi, Ray & Shoup Dragster

Photo: Levi, Ray & Shoup Dragster on 6th


Photo: Levi, Ray & Shoup Dragster Pipes


Photo: Levi, Ray & Shoup Dragster Engine


Photo: Levi, Ray & Shoup Dragster on Route 66

The Levi, Ray & Shoup Dragster was on display at the 2005 Route 66 Mother Road Festival held in Springfield, Illinois this weekend.

The LRS dragster was positioned on the street space in front of Maldaner's restaurant. Maldaner's is located at 222 S. Sixth street in the heart of Springfield's historic district. Sixth street for those who may not know was part of historic Route 66.

This post features a series of photographs featuring the Levi, Ray & Shoup dragster. The LRS dragster is beautiful in form, and function. The sleek aerodynamic curves of the machine are as beautiful as the precision, and power of its engines.

My favorite photographs of the LRS dragster are those in which victorian era buildings are seen in the background. The 21st Century dragster looks as if it's about to take off into space right from the street Abraham Lincoln practiced law from.

LRS is based in Springfield, Illinois, and is considered one of Springfield's premier employers.

Tinsley's Dry Goods Gift Shop

Photo: Tinsley Dry Goods Gift Shop - Downtown Springfield, IL


Photo: Ron Homann - Business Owner & Manager of Tinsley's Dry Goods Gift Shop


Photo: The Beauty of Tinsley's Dry Goods Gift Shop

Abraham Lincoln and partner William Herndon operated their law office on the corner of Sixth, and Adams streets in downtown Springfield, Illinois. The second floor office, situated across the street from Illinois' Old State Capitol, was located above the Seth Tinsley Dry Goods Store from 1843 through 1852.

Adjacent to the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office State Historic Site is the Tinsley Dry Goods Gift Shop located at 209 S. Sixth Street. The gift shop, which openned in the Spring of 2005 after extensive renovation, offers visitors a uniquely tasteful shopping experience.

While the building is part of the Lincoln-Herndon Historic Site, and is operated by the Old State Capitol Foundation, the Tinsley Dry Goods Gift Shop is a for profit business.

A visit to the gift shop is like stepping into the 19th Century, but with a style, and understated beauty that makes simply stepping into the shop invigorating. Renovation of the shop meant replacing the flooring with white oak timbers similar to those found in the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office.

Photographs for this post were taken on Sunday, October 2nd, 2005, the last day of the 2005 Route 66 Mother Road Festival. Gift shop keeper Ron Homann seemed as proud as a new father when reviewing photographs, and in telling the story of the remarkable renovation, and rebirth of this incredibly beautiful shop.

Richard Kohlrus's Del's Mural II

Photo: Richard Kohlrus Paints Mural With Little Girl In Pink

Actually, I'm posting this photo because I like the image of the mother, and little daughter both wearing pink pants. I'm not sure if they had just departed Del's or not, but I can imagine the little girl must have looked up to see the man standing on the ladder painting the funny pictures on the Del's window.


Photo: Left Half of South Mural at Del's Popcorn Shop



Photo: Right Half of South Mural at Del's Popcorn Shop

An update on the Del's Popcorn Shop Route 66 Festival Mural. The Mural is sponsored by the Springfield Area Arts Council, and hosted by Del's Popcorn Shop in Springfield, Illinois.

The last two photos for this post were taken on the final day of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival - Sunday, October 2nd, 2005. Artist Richard Kohlrus had confessed earlier in the week that he was taking much longer than planned to finish the mural. Kohlrus wouldn't be the first artist to miss a deadline.

Once the mural is finished I'll post the results here.

Flowers LeGrand's Route 66 Mural

Photo: Flowers LeGrand Route 66 Window Mural

This post features Tony Grant's Route 66 Festival Window Mural. The Mural is sponsored by the Springfield Area Arts Council, and is hosted by Flowers LeGrand at 631 E. Adams street located in downtown Springfield, Illinois.

As I prepared this photograph for posting it occured to me how much it looks like a postcard - just missing a stamp it seems. I enhanced the photograph to bring out its "postcard" qualities.

Recycled Records Route 66 Mural

Photo: Springfield Furniture & Recycled Records


Photo: A Passerby Checks Out Recycled Record's Route 66 Mural


Photo: Recycled Record's Route 66 Festival Mural


Image: Gary Puckett & Union Gap CD Cover*

This time we'll look at the Springfield Furniture & Recycled Record's Route 66 Festival window mural. Recycled Records is located at 625 E. Adams in downtown Springfield, Illinois.

The Springfield Area Arts Council in cooperation with local area businesses have teamed up to sponsor a variety of window murals celebrating themes associated with Route 66. The 4th annual Route 66 Mother Road Festival is being held in downtown Springfield, Illinois.

Appropriately enough the Recycled Record's mural theme deals with music. Gary Puckett & the Union Gap will be performing during the 2005 Route 66 Festival, and artists Daisy Juarez, and Alexander Juarez dedicate their mural to Gary Puckett & the Union Gap.

I include an image of a CD cover from Gary Pucket & the Union Gap, as well as lyrics from Lady Willpower - one of their numerous 1960's mega-hits which I suspect played a role in the "Lady Motel" icon employed within the Juarez mural.

Lady Willpower**

Lady Willpower, it's now or never.
Give your love to me and I'll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly.
I know you want to see me but you're afraid
Of what I might have on my mind.
One thing you can be sure of
I'll take good care of your love
If you will let me give you mine.
Lady Willpower, it's now or never.
Give your love to me and I'll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly.
Did no one ever tell you the facts of life?
Well there's so much you have to learn.
And I would gladly teach you if I could only reach you
And get your lovin' in return.
Lady Willpower, it's now or never.
Give your love to me and I'll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly.
Lady Willpower, it's now or never.
Give your love to me and I'll shower.

Links:

An excellent Route 66 Link.

About externally copyrighted materials:

*http://www.gocontinental.com/artists/puckett_gary.htm
** Lyrics under copyright are used here for educational purposes only.