Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Reason for a Restless Night in My Neighborhood

Not much sleep Sunday night because of this fire. This preschool is just a block or so away from our house, and it was reported on fire at just about midnight. Fire truck sirens were blaring for about 20 minutes, then lots of shouting, and I could hear the trucks running, and the water splashing, and then the terrible smell. It's interesting that this fire is very close to the location of another fire a few years ago. Same street, and same block. In that case, a disgruntled renter set a house on fire. Fire investigators say they don't know about this one yet. Lots of surprised parents when they went to drop their kids off in the morning.

Monday, September 29, 2008

The Boise River Greenbelt

This looks like a desolate path, but it's not. It's the north side of the Boise River Greenbelt. The river is right through those trees. This path headed West is one of my favorite greenbelt spots. The path is mostly unpaved, it crosses lots of little bridges and it has interesting twists and turns as it keeps meeting up with the river.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

An Autumn Niche

This pumpkin vignette is in front of Edward's Greenhouse in Boise's North End.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

An Expensive Horse?

This is one of the P.F. Chang's China Bistro horses which are found outside or in the entry of most of the chain's locations. I've never eaten at P.F. Chang's, and it's not on my to-do list yet. Is the food really that good? Someone told me the lettuce wraps were the best. Is it as expensive as I hear it is?

Friday, September 26, 2008

Chocolate Parking

This sign is in the window of a Belgian chocolate store in downtown Boise. I didn't even know we had such a thing in Boise. All I could do was window shop during this visit, it was after hours.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Boise's Cultural District

It took me a while to figure out the squiggly design on top of the sign, do you see it right away? The "Cultural District" is the area around the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Center - ballet and opera are housed there, as well as a private school that focuses on the arts.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Inflation? Tank Top on Sale for $50

What a deal, eh? A tank top on sale for $50. I'm sure there is some designer reason why a tank top should cost this much, and as usual, I'm out of the loop on haute couture. I purchased two really nice long-sleeved t-shirts at Shopko over the weekend for $9.99 each.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A Spider Web for Humans

This spider web bench is in front of a tattoo business. It's not a Halloween decoration, just their regular theme.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Boise's Wee Bit O'Scotland

"Wee Bit O'Scotland" is a tiny store on Emerald in Boise. It's crammed full, just look at the offerings: weaponry, bagpipes and British foods. I've actually purchased clotted cream from this store. You can buy it in a jar - not quite the same as the real thing, but it helps satisfy the craving.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

So Much Rain, the Sewers Overflowed

Well, yucky...this is an overflowing sewer in the middle of a street. We had thunderstorms and big rain, and by big rain, I mean 3/4 inch (0.76in / 19.3mm). That may not seem like a lot, but here with our clay soils in the high desert, the water doesn't really soak in to the ground very quickly.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Christmas Has Hit the Store Aisles

Mark the date - September 20th, just shy of the first day of autumn and the stores are stocking the Christmas aisles. There is also plenty of Halloween merchandise. I don't see anything Thanksgiving-themed. I think that holiday has been crowded out of the consumer picture.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Pets Welcome....

I can't decide if the person who posted this sign doesn't have kids, or want kids, or if they DO have kids!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Anne Frank Memorial

Anne Frank peeking out of a "window" at the Idaho Anne Frank Idaho Human Rights Memorial. This is right along the Boise River. I walked through the memorial while downtown this week and met a nice couple from New York who came to Boise just to see the memorial. There are small waterfalls and walls featuring human rights messages from famous folks. And yes, the area gets vandalized about twice a year. Usually, swastika stickers and anti-Semitic graffiti. Last year, this Anne Frank statue was tipped over. A finger broke off and scrapes on the head - repairs were good, I couldn't find the damage spots during my visit.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Pizza Pie in the Sky

The Harvest Moon this week, rising at dusk. My husband took this picture for me. The Harvest Moon gets its name because it shone bright at night so farmers could work late - back before lights were available.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A Spot of Hot Weather Again

A cool thought of splashing water because we've got a mini-hot spell going on. This is the fountain in front of the M-K (Morrison-Knudsen) building in downtown Boise. It looks industrial, which fits in with the M-K history.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Knock, Knock...A Duck is at the Door

I heard a commotion outside the front door, I thought someone knocked. Hello duck! I don't have a pond, I think she just wanted to say "hi." I took this picture a couple of months ago and remembered it because of a post by Kris, where he said ducks "brighten his day." They do the same for me, especially when they come knocking at my front door.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Longest Car Wash in the Northwest

Metro Express Car Wash on Eagle Road - the longest car wash in the Northwest. It's not longest in terms of how long it takes, it's how far your car travels inside. Excellent wash in just a few minutes for $6 - with free vacuums. It's our family favorite.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Mr. Bubble Vandal Attack

It isn't snow, these are bubbles. This big fountain is at a nearby subdivision - and it's often a target of vandals who pour bubble soap into it. I figure this is because the subdivision is near a high school. Maybe it's not fair to blame high schoolers, but they did get caught once. The bubbles had faded to a soap scum by the afternoon. The ducks who live here have to find new digs for a few days when this happens.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Unfinished Skywriting?

Not easy to read, but fun to watch happen in the skies over Boise Thursday. "AIRSHO" - I don't think they kept flying to make it "AIRSHOW," but it got attention anyway. It was a promo for the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base (east of Boise) Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

A Parking Lot Lighthouse

I see quite a few lighthouse yard decorations in landlocked Boise. This one really has a light in it - I guess to guide people through the business parking lot. It's about the height of the one-story building nearby.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Boise River Under September Skies

The Boise River at my favorite viewing spot. The water is much lower than my last venture with my camera earlier this year. I didn't see a single person on my short river walk, just Canada geese - which are arriving in flocks every day to spend the winter here - and magpies.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Free Squash!

"Free squash - take as many as you like." This cart was sitting in front of a home in southwest Boise. It's a nice selection of pattypan, zucchini, summer, and crookneck squash. I took a couple of pattypans. Thank you!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Boise's New Bus Signs - a Hit...and Run

Boise's bus system finally posted signs to explain bus stops and route numbers. Bus stop sites have always been a bit of a mystery, and confused by all the "bus benches" set up through town that have nothing to do with the bus system - they're just billboards. This sign on Goddard obviously didn't fare so well.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Shiny New Tractor - only $199/mo

Get off the airplane at the Boise Airport, and when you go to retrieve your luggage, you can admire this tractor for sale. Interesting marketing - and they don't want you to get too close. Actually, I think the fence is to keep the kids off, and since this tractor is right next to the game area, I could see how kids would think it was a toy.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Gone Fishin' - at the Boise Airport

This is a lighted panel, mural at the Boise Airport - I suppose to promote the sport fishing industry. For those not into fishing, the man standing in the "water" is fly fishing - I hope he catches one of those big salmon! My neighbor across the street has a room in his home dedicated to tying his own flies.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Ack! Fall Already? I'm Not Ready!

I don't feel like I've had a full summer yet - but my maple tree is telling me different. And, we DID have a bit of frost on the rooftops this week. And my daughter did go back to school. And the black-chinned hummingbirds are gone. But I'm not ready. I want more summer, more flowers, more tomatoes, and more cucumbers.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Rolling Along - The Stagecoach Stops in Boise

The Stagecoach Inn is a restaurant and bar. I haven't ever been inside, but I've heard the food is excellent, and it is packed on weekends. I also used to have a boss who liked to go here for lunch and he came back in a different spirit, shall I say? I spy wagon wheels - and I'll add this to my collection (which you can see if you scroll down for the links on the right hand side of this page). The "stagecoach" theme also reminds me that a spur of the Oregon Trail was found after our recent fire in Southeast Boise. With the grasses and sagebrush gone, a swath of paths was revealed. I also didn't know that the subdivision where homes burned had obliterated portions of the trail. They're going to put up trail markers before the snow falls.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Lady Liberty

I found this sculpture sitting on a flatbed truck in a parking lot in Garden City. Garden City is surrounded by Boise City, and most people and businesses in Garden City have Boise addresses. Lady Liberty is in the parking lot at Woman of Steel. It's an art gallery and studio owned by a woman who works with metal art. I think it's a bar, too. I'll let you interpret the piece.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Edwards Greenhouse

This is one of the niche displays outside Edwards Greenhouse in Boise's North End.

Feeling Sheepish Within the City Limits

Too shy really to get a picture out of the shade. This is one of the sheep at a friend's house - within Boise City limits. Sheep are unusual in town, it's much more likely that people graze horses and cows on their "ranchettes."

Monday, September 1, 2008

NOT one of the Bovines in the Cows of Boise Series

As much as I WISH I could add this bovine to my "Cows of Boise Series" - you can see the list on the right hand side, scroll down - this is not a Boise cow. My husband sent me this photo. He's traveling for business reasons and it's TOP SECRET. I can't say where he is - but where he is has this cow on display. It's not Boise's "sister city" - the theme for City Daily Photo today. I love her shoes! If you've seen this cow, please don't spill the beans on her location.