LaVale Volunteer Fire Department, Station 1

LaVale Volunteer Fire Department, Station 1, 421 National Highway, LaVale, Allegany County, Maryland. LVFD was established in 1933, this station was built in 1997. I'm not sure if it may have been in the "Fireman's Casino" building prior to 1997, their original station was built in 1938. They mention a station built in 1965, that is Station 2 that is west of this station. 

The Missus Stopped by for a Visit

I've seen the male Northern Cardinal around a lot and he posed for some pictures. But the Mrs., I've only seen a few times. Last evening she stopped by a few times for some of the seed that the darn grackles throw all over the place. She looks like a real major leaguer the way she's spitting the seed in the last picture.

Douglas Chevrolet

Douglas Chevrolet used to sit along the 200 block of West Main Street in Hancock, Maryland, now they are located near the Interstate 70 and Interstate 68 split, just north of town. I thought these hand painted signs were pretty cool. And how long would a new car dealer last, anywhere, along a main street with no parking and a single garage door?

Cumberland State Bank

This is the old Cumberland State Bank along Industrial boulevard at Virginia Avenue in Cumberland, Maryland. Of course, it may, or may not be, McDonald's Auto Supply. I love this old buildings, built to last, built to make a statement. No cookie cutter. This building was built to show strength. Strength that this is where you should trust your money. I'll bet the teller even knew you name when you came in. "Well, good afternoon Mr. Haney, come to cash in another I.O.U?" They would have loved me.

Three Day Yard Work Weekend

Sorry for the lack of posting this weekend. Yard work, deck rebuilding and other obligations have taken over my life. Daily's should resume soon. These were all taken yesterday.

Cumberland Fire Department, Station 1

 Cumberland Fire Department, Station 1, Public Safety  Building, 20 Bedford Street, Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland. CFD is a paid department with 3 stations. Operation began in 1906 out of two stations. This building is shared with the Police Department.

Backyard View

This was from a couple of weeks ago, not from last night. It did storm here and I wish I could've gotten some of the lightning captured but I didn't. This fence row seems to be a frequent model for this blog.

Sunbathing by the Dumpster (PG 187)

Some things you just don't want to know the answer to. This is on a street somewhere in Cumberland, Maryland. I'm sure that at one time it was very relevant as to why it is there. Today? Not so much.

What's Happening at the Feeders

Things continue to be busy at the feeders. I do have a hummingbird coming in, but I didn't see him this weekend. Besides the Hose Finch, Robin and Downy woodpecker there is an occasional Nuthatch, Blue Jay, Dove, Grackle and even a Red Winged Blackbird. Once I get my deck rebuilt I can let the yard settle down and I can enjoy them.

All the Small Things

Great things come in small packages. All these were blooming at the Shippensburg Peace Garden in Memorial Park. I also noticed that they have wind chimes there. It's very relaxing. They are mounted about 20 feet up a light pole.

Central UM Church, Cumberland, Md.

Cumberland, Maryland would seem to the passerby to be a town of churches. Driving along Interstate 68, which is over a viaduct through the city, you can't help but notice all the steeples. Like some religious battle the bigger ones seem to occupy the high grounds. The working class churches are all over the city streets. This is the Central United Methodist Church on South George Street at Dexter Place.

The End of the Day

Took off work a week ago and did work around the house between rain showers. A faint rainbow to the east and this was the view to the west.

Mini Iris Surprise

Mini Irises. I didn't even know that we planted them. They almost got pulled with the weeds. Like the proverbial baby and the bathwater.

The Bleeding Hearts

My Bleeding Heart is doing very well this year. This has got to be one of the coolest looking flowers I grow.

The Barn on Devil's Half Acre Road

This is a typical farm in the hills of western Maryland. Looks a lot like West Virginia or even western Virginia. A bit in disrepair, tucked up on a hillside and surrounded by more trees than fields. This one isn't far off of Interstate 68 on Devils Half Acre Road in Garrett County. And just 2 miles south of the Mason Dixon Line.

The Spring Fall

I said last week that my cherry tree takes forever to get to full bloom but it seems that overnight your front yard and everything nearby becomes pink. You can see here that that has happened. And you can see here just how many flowers are still on the tree to fall. I remember when I first planted this tree, like 17 or 18 years ago, the next year it only had a couple of blossoms. I said I was tearing it out if it didn't do any better the next year. It did better.

Graduation Day

It's hard to believe that four years have gone by already. It's a wet start to the morning already, so the ceremony will be inside. Nevertheless, another chapter comes to a close and now the rest of the book is out there waiting to be written.