Thursday, June 26, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Things you should know about the Chrysler Building
[Listen to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue as you read the blog.]
Loved by all New Yorkers and considered by contemporary architects to be one of the finest buildings in New York City - the Chrysler Building.
1. The Chrysler Building was never owned by the Chrysler Corporation.
Instead, it was owned by Walter Chrysler who leased it to the Chrysler Corporation as its headquarters from 1930 until 1950.
2. For eleven months it was the world's tallest building at 1,046 feet. Construction workers pushed the 185 foot spire through the roof in 90 minutes to create the record. In 1931, the Chrysler Building's height was surpassed by the Empire State Building at 1,250 feet.
3. The metal clad spire tops 77 brick floors on a steel frame. It is still the world's tallest brick building.
4. Despite a torrid pace of four floors a week, no workers died during its construction, unlike the Empire State Building, where five workers died.
5. The iconic eagle gargoyles were modeled after Chrysler Plymouth hood ornaments.
6. The Chrysler Building is located at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, which accesses Grand Central Station.
7. The building was built at a cost of 15 million dollars.
8. It was sold in 1953 and has gone through a series of ownership and management changes.
9. A private college, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, owns the land and the building. In case you wondered, the college, better known as Cooper Union, is located in Cooper Square in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City,
10. The building's Art Deco style, unique in New York City, is one reason why the building was place on the National Historic Register in 1976. The spire which lights NYC at night is a shining beacon for all New Yorkers to see.
Loved by all New Yorkers and considered by contemporary architects to be one of the finest buildings in New York City - the Chrysler Building.
1. The Chrysler Building was never owned by the Chrysler Corporation.
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| Chrysler Building, NYC |
Instead, it was owned by Walter Chrysler who leased it to the Chrysler Corporation as its headquarters from 1930 until 1950.
2. For eleven months it was the world's tallest building at 1,046 feet. Construction workers pushed the 185 foot spire through the roof in 90 minutes to create the record. In 1931, the Chrysler Building's height was surpassed by the Empire State Building at 1,250 feet.
3. The metal clad spire tops 77 brick floors on a steel frame. It is still the world's tallest brick building.
4. Despite a torrid pace of four floors a week, no workers died during its construction, unlike the Empire State Building, where five workers died.
5. The iconic eagle gargoyles were modeled after Chrysler Plymouth hood ornaments.
 |
| Eagle gargoyle Chrysler Building |
6. The Chrysler Building is located at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, which accesses Grand Central Station.
7. The building was built at a cost of 15 million dollars.
8. It was sold in 1953 and has gone through a series of ownership and management changes.
9. A private college, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, owns the land and the building. In case you wondered, the college, better known as Cooper Union, is located in Cooper Square in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City,
 |
| Top of the Chrysler Building |
10. The building's Art Deco style, unique in New York City, is one reason why the building was place on the National Historic Register in 1976. The spire which lights NYC at night is a shining beacon for all New Yorkers to see.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Family Vacations
June brings to mind family vacations. A trip to the mountains, the lake, or the ocean with the people you love the most. Family vacations should be stressless. They are not.
We are God's creatures used to having our own space and wanting, like Greta
Garbo, to be alone in a Stressless recliner with a cup of coffee and a
good book.
Vacations are marred with uncertain moments - reacquainting yourself with parents, siblings, cousins, nephews and nieces, and the occasional girl or boyfriend brought along. Who is this stranger? Is he or she the real one? And what do they think of this odd lot we call family?
Now throw too many people into too small a space. There are not enough bathrooms to go around. So we fidget. Meanwhile, do we talk politics or religion? Does so and so have a bigger house or a better job? Are there old scores to settle? Thank goodness for the times when everyone is out of the house and again, for the moment, you have time to yourself.
At the end of the day after the evening meal, the family gathers in the living room to tell tales or play games. One of our favorites games is "Choose this or that".
Suppose you had to choose only one of two things you dearly love, for all time.
Would it be vacations at the ocean or in the mountains? Other suggestions include chocolate or vanilla, television or computers, chairs or sofas, cars or trucks, chicken or steak, wine or beer, Angelina Jolie or Marilyn Monroe.
You get the idea, now make up your own pairings. That is the fun of it.
 |
| Stressless vacations |
Vacations are marred with uncertain moments - reacquainting yourself with parents, siblings, cousins, nephews and nieces, and the occasional girl or boyfriend brought along. Who is this stranger? Is he or she the real one? And what do they think of this odd lot we call family?
When time began
God made a family
As only God can,
Thankfully
 |
| In the mountains |
Now throw too many people into too small a space. There are not enough bathrooms to go around. So we fidget. Meanwhile, do we talk politics or religion? Does so and so have a bigger house or a better job? Are there old scores to settle? Thank goodness for the times when everyone is out of the house and again, for the moment, you have time to yourself.
 |
| At the ocean |
At the end of the day after the evening meal, the family gathers in the living room to tell tales or play games. One of our favorites games is "Choose this or that".
Suppose you had to choose only one of two things you dearly love, for all time.
Would it be vacations at the ocean or in the mountains? Other suggestions include chocolate or vanilla, television or computers, chairs or sofas, cars or trucks, chicken or steak, wine or beer, Angelina Jolie or Marilyn Monroe.
You get the idea, now make up your own pairings. That is the fun of it.
 |
| On the Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Ridge Road |
Monday, June 2, 2014
Clouds are beautiful.
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Clouds one, the coast of north Africa
Lucy Van Pelt: Clouds are beautiful. They look like big balls of cotton. I could just lie here in the grass all day and watch them drift by. With imagination you can see lots of things. What do you you see, Linus?
Clouds two, the Eye of God
- Linus Van Pelt: Well, those clouds up there look to me look like a Caribbean island, those a painting by Thomas Eakins, and those over there the Apostle Paul viewing the stoning of Stephan.
Cloud three, heavenly comfort
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Memorial Day
Who will you remember?
Memorial Day is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May, a day to remember the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces. Elmer Van Huss is one.
He enlisted on the 23rd of June 1942 when he was almost 41 years of age. He was assigned to the 543rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, part of the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade, commanded by David Ayres Depue Ogden. The 3rd ESB landed on New Guinea on February 24, 1944; Biak Island on September 30; and the Philippine Islands on July 24, 1945. It returned to the United States on December 20, 1945.
Elmer Van Huss is buried in Latham Cemetery in Butler County, Kansas. He is my wife's great uncle.
There are others. They touch every family in America. Will you remember them?
Each year volunteers put flags and flowers on many graves.
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| Elmer Van Huss, 543 Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment |
He enlisted on the 23rd of June 1942 when he was almost 41 years of age. He was assigned to the 543rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, part of the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade, commanded by David Ayres Depue Ogden. The 3rd ESB landed on New Guinea on February 24, 1944; Biak Island on September 30; and the Philippine Islands on July 24, 1945. It returned to the United States on December 20, 1945.
Elmer Van Huss is buried in Latham Cemetery in Butler County, Kansas. He is my wife's great uncle.
There are others. They touch every family in America. Will you remember them?
 |
| Arlington Cemetery |
Each year volunteers put flags and flowers on many graves.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
The 45th KC Symphony Showhouse
45th Symphony Designers' Showhouse
The 45th Symphony Designers' Showhouse is an impressive Jacobean house at 1246 W. 59th Street in the Country Club District. It opens April 26th and runs through May 18th. Buy your tickets at the door and have a great time.
Need prompting?
This three story home was designed by the architectural firm of Hoit, Price and Barnes and built in 1921 . It is built of native limestone and features four friendly griffins who guard the twin porches. The front yard has been beautifully re-landscaped for spring. The backyard has a wishing well.
Visit the dining room, designed by Traditions Furniture using Stickley Traditional, of course.
The Designers Showhouse is sponsored by the Kansas City Symphony Alliance, a non-profit organization, supporting the Kansas City Symphony, Michael Stern, musical director.
Click here for a calendar of events for the 2014 Kansas City Symphony.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Spring Birds
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| Turtle Doves |
Spring Birds
The birds of Spring do sing to anyone who’ll hear,“In Spring, Life begins anew”
Sparrows jump
now here now there
and chirp, “So sweet love seems, this bright April morn”
Turtle doves in pairs
know how to show their loveand softly coo, “To you my love and no one else I sing my song.”
Robins look for worms
but when they’re fed,
warble, “winter’s fled, grass is green, skies are blue ‘tis time to build a nest,"
"Let life begin anew”
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