Masonic Temple

Empty lobby and I got the shot!

 It may not make sense that I am posting the worst pictures that I took at the Masonic but I wanted to point out the frustration that I felt during this photo shoot. First, our guide gave us very little information about the building, next our group was so large that it was impossible to get a shot of a whole room, and lastly it was dark, dark, dark.

 Of course because of the low light we had to use a tripod but it was impossible to get a photo without someone walking through the shot. Above, on the left side of the picture, you can see the shadow of a person walking by. Of course, it could have been a ghost as it is reported that this building has a few.

 Each floor had a meeting room as their are more then one lodge in the building. There are so many significant symbols everywhere like the globes on each side of the dias.

 This must be where the grandmaster sits.

Love the picture of this group and the card with the picture of "Skinny" on it.

Many more pictures to post of some wonderful details of this beautiful old building.

Check out these websites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Masonic_Temple

and

https://www.google.com/search?q=masonic+temple+detroit&biw=1896&bih=917&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjttqeQsMrLAhXL5iYKHdVWAK8QsAQIRQ&dpr=1

Beautiful Brookgreen

In a short while I will be in South Carolina! I will spend Easter Sunday with my family and I  look forward to a yummy Easter dinner.... ham with all the trimmings.
My granddaughter tells me that all the daffodils are in bloom at Brookgreen Gardens. Soon all the beautiful azaleas will be in bloom as well. I love going there and divide my time between there and Huntington Beach State Park. I love every corner of Brookgreen but have a few favorite spots that I like to sit awhile. One is at Diana's reflecting pool where I can sit and watch the people go by. The other is a secluded bench back by the wall. Its a quiet place away from all the (other) tourists ;-) It is a great place to do some birding....I have seen Yellow Rumped Warblers, White Throated Sparrows, Common Yellow Throats, Hummingbirds, Bluebirds and Cardinals.......my favorite place to hang out.
Our weather is getting a bit better and today I actually got out and did a little yard work....still, can't wait for color and the blue ocean. I am a very fortunate lady.

Tenements

 Do they call these buildings tenements in Detroit?  Besides being totally uninhabitable they are very sad,sad sight.
We were in the parking lot behind the Masonic Temple and these building were beside the lot. They are pretty close to the new arena and I imagine it is a matter of time when they will be torn down and the area redeveloped.
I was fascinated with these ruins but also saddened....read on:

 How would you like to live in this area? The building to the right in the picture below is inhabited. There was a little boy of about 3 looking out the window at all of us white people with thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment hanging around our necks. What kind of life must that child have? He has nowhere safe to play. There is nothing in the area....no stores, gas stations or any thing that is viable. It make me grateful for all that I have and that I did not have to raise my children in this  type of climate.....how hopeless it must feel.

Taking Pictures of Nothing

 Whenever I go to Belle Isle I always find so much to photograph....no matter how many time that I go there. Here is bridge to nowhere....there is a field or marsh on the other side. Maybe there was water there at one time????

 Again, where is this bridge leading to....maybe a trail that is little used???

Love this building..... looks like lighthouse???

Someday I am going to get a closer look.

If These Old Wall Could Talk

they would tell us about all the good times held within.....picnics, games, swimming, fun, family and friends.

Love this one and all the fancy woodwork and color....many happy times had here!

and this old building (another one of the oldest) would tell of victories, loses and celebrations and  (mostly) male comradery. 

 Three lite ballfields and about 8 tennis courts....don't know if they are still in use.

Busy, busy

 I have been having a great time the past few days. On Thursday I went with Barb and Mary Jo to The Henry Ford (still have all those photos to edit), Saturday we went with the Southeast Photography Group to tour the Masonic Temple in Detroit (still have all those photos to edit) and yesterday I went to see my Granddaughter, Emma, in her school play at Athens High School in Troy. I need to get busy with the editing!

Oliver

My granddaughter is in there somewhere. For more photos from the play go to to our family newsletter blog at:   http://carneyfamilynewsletter.blogspot.com/

New Red Wing Arena

Taken through a dirty window but you can see the new arena going up...also both Comerica Park and Ford Field are in the shot.  Tigers, Lions and Redwings all within a stones throw of each other.