Sunday, August 8, 2021

Moon Dip On A Carolina Shore ...

“I stood face to face with the moon and the ocean and the future that spread out with all its bewildering immensity before me.”

   ~ Pat Conroy

    ~ 1945-2016

Footprints in the sand lead up to the Strawberry Moon dipping into the Atlantic Ocean at the edge of the shore in the surreal, surely seen by the man who left his footprints after coming face to face with the moon and the ocean and the future that spread out with all its bewildering immensity before him.

I created this image by blending my monochrome shot of Folly Field Beach Park, Hilton Head Island in the Lowcountry of South Carolina on a beautiful late October morning in 2018 with my shot of the Super Strawberry Moon holding court in the sky over the West End of Allentown, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley at 10:33 p.m. June 24, 2021.

 

This Super Strawberry Moon is the last near-Supermoon of 2021. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name “Strawberry Moon” originated with Algonquin tribes in eastern North America, who knew the June full moon as a signal to gather ripening fruit of wild strawberries.

 

This Super Strawberry Moon rose just before 9 p.m. in the Lehigh Valley, about a half-hour passed sunset. It is the first full moon of summer 2021.





 


 



 

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Easton's Soldiers And Sailors ...

“Freedom is the last best hope of earth.”

    ~Abraham Lincoln

     ~1809 ~ 1865

 ~16th President of the United States of America

       ~1861 ~ 1865


Old Glory billows in the summer breeze as valor is celebrated at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in the heart of Centre Square, Easton, Pennsylvania, on a beautiful late July afternoon in this historic Delaware River Town. 

 

The Civil War Monument that now stands on the old courthouse site is a 75 foot tall obelisk topped by what is locally called the “The Bugler.”

 

Formally named the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, the obelisk was designed to honor all of the armed forces who fought in the Civil War, and was dedicated to local veterans in 1900. Each year during the Christmas season, the monument is shrouded by a one hundred foot Peace Candle, which is ceremoniously lit the Friday evening after Thanksgiving and remains on display through January.

The monument was rededicated for its centennial May 14, 2000, not only in the name of those who fought to preserve the Union in the Civil War, but to all veterans who honorably served the United States of America.

Just across the Delaware River from historic Phillipsburg, New Jersey, Easton was founded in 1752 and is located at the confluence of the Delaware River and Lehigh River.


 

Monday, August 2, 2021

Easton's Eye Candy ...

“Candy kisses wrapped in paper mean more to you than any of mine

Candy kisses wrapped in paper you’d rather have them any old time …”

    ~ “Candy Kisses”

   ~written & first recorded by American country crooner George Morgan, 1949

   ~ Recorded by artists including

               Tony Bennett, 1962

 

A beautiful, sun dappled late July afternoon in Centre Square, Easton, Pennsylvania reflects in the windows of The Carmelcorn Shop, the sweetest spot in this historic Delaware River Town, in this painterly, HDR image I shot on a perfect summer day. American flags are among the items in the inviting window display.

 

Just across the Delaware River from historic Phillipsburg, New Jersey, Easton was founded in 1752 and is located at the confluence of the Delaware River and Lehigh River.

 

According to the shop’s website http://www.carmelcornshop.com/ :

“Established in 1931 by John and Ruth Doherty, The Carmelcorn Shop has become an Easton institution. Well known for our homemade carmelcorn, popcorn, fresh-roasted nuts, fudge, and chocolates, The Carmelcorn Shop also carries sugar-free candy and a large assortment of gummies and old-time candies. Keeping with the tradition over the years, the shop was bought by Richard Baskin in 1985 then purchased by Tony and Sia Bassil in 1996 to present. Sia Bassil got her start at the shop in 1977. She was hired on the spot and the rest is history. We believe the reason the shop has held its stake in Easton for over 80 years is due to the friendly customer service, fresh, quality product, and the fact that generations have now grown up with the homemade fudge and caramel popcorn. We love our regular customers and we welcome those new to the experience.”