Day 77 - Birdhouse

Not driving anywhere again today, but was out mowing my back yard and was reminded of this little birdhouse. One of my grandsons 'made it' for Chuck some years ago, so of course Chuck hung it on a tree in the back yard. The grandson had to "decorate" it :) Not sure if any bird has ever appreciated the decor, but it's a sweet reminder of a grandson loving his Gramps.

Day 76 - Yard Ornaments Anyone?

You really must enlarge this photo to truly appreciate it. This is a little house that someone lives in - he obviously makes and sells yard ornaments (but I have no idea who buys them). You never know what you'll see when you pass here.

Day 75 - Rocks

Since I didn't leave home today had to find something close. This is part of a pile of BIG rocks at the edge of my front yard. Some were once part of the foundation of my great-great grandfather's home and some were from one of the chimneys. The house burned, we had to have the chimneys knocked down before they fell on someone. Chuck had some of the brought to the front of the house because he was "going to do something with them". Chuck's gone - rocks are still there. Needless to say, most are too big to be moved by a mere mortal.

Guess they're a conversation piece now.

Day 74 - Old, old hospital

I love this building - and amazingly someone bought it a few years ago, re-did it and now it's an office building - "Ringold Plaza". Not sure what year it was built, but I know it was there in the 1940s. My second son was born there in 1959. Then they built the 'new' hospital which opened in 1963 (my youngest son was one of the first babies born in the 'new' hospital), and the one pictured stayed vacant and abandoned for many years. THEN, they built the newer hospital and the '1963 hospital' became the old hospital and one in the photo here became the "old, old" hospital. Then they tore down the 'old' hospital and built a bank there. If you're not totally confused now it's not my fault.

I understand this building pictured here has massive concrete walls and it was apparently quite a challenge to redo it. Probably one of the reasons it wasn't torn down earlier, it would have been pretty difficult and the city didn't want to spend the money to tear it down. I know they've done a great job on the lobby and front entrance and they tell me the offices are lovely.

We're such a "tear it down and build something new" society, I'm so glad this building was saved.

Day 73 - Elementary School - or it was

Better known as "the old rock school" - this is where I attended school in the 2nd through 6th grades. It's now the local 'community theatre' - but at least they didn't tear it down.

Day 72 - River Bridge

This is the view across the street from the Chamber of Commerce - looking out across the river bridge (Tennessee River). I have no idea what kind of flowers these are growing along the bank and the tree - but they sure were pretty.

Day 71 - Chamber of Commerce

Posted the sign yesterday, today's the building. It sits to the right just as you come off the causeway from the river bridge.