Our Friday Story was snow, rain, slush, slop. Lets hope for something better today.
Out and about yesterday required patience.
Photo by Mike Hartley
The Story was a messy one
Category Archives: Howard County Maryland
Is it over?
Just looked at the Weather channel site and was looking for the first day of spring weather. And what do I see but a snow rain mix predicted with maybe 1-3″ in our area. Tell me it isn’t so. I’ve left 3 full days for them to revise the forecast and remove that snow and make it rain. Speaking of the Weather Channel on TV. It’s no longer on Fios so my goal of growing very old and watching that and calling my kids to tell them about a storm in some part of the world will have to be revised.
No Mas
Photo by Mike Hartley
Not sure which year I took the two below shots. All I know is I don’t want to see this look for some time. I think I took both with that old Kodak D50 camera.
Looking down St Paul Street.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Snow on Main St.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Ellicott City along Main Street
I love how they sat things out in the summertime at A Journey from Junk. Can’t wait to get back there in the coming weekends and see this town come to life again.
Old shot along Main Street in Ellicott City
Photo by Mike Hartley
Some more old shots from an early digital camera (640x480K) that I can’t find the originals of so these are pretty small, low res images.
Tongue Row EC
Photo by Mike Hartley
Snow at Railroad Museum
Photo by Mike Hartley
Blacksmith on Main Street
Photo by Mike Hartley
Flowers in front of old Yates Market
Photo by Mike Hartley
Howard County on Friday the 13th
I got out before the clouds fully moved in but not much before that. Was nice to get out and shoot again. Even though it wasn’t the warmest of days it was still a nice one.
Shots are from along Marriotsville Road, Folly Quarter Road, Route 144 and Carol Mill Road.
A sunny afternoon in Howard County
Took a short ride after some errands this afternoon. Would like to spend the whole day out shooting but really tired so did the best I could in an hour or two. This cold really takes the energy levels away.
So much ground, nothing to graze on. Photo by Mike Hartley
Field hockey fields, trees with snow. Photo by Mike Hartley
Windswept snow on home across from Mt Hebron HS. Photo by Mike Hartley
Nature and mans homes. Photo by Mike Hartley
Weather and Wood. Photo by Mike Hartley
Snow melting on barn roof. Photo by Mike Hartley
Natures Bronze Photo by Mike Hartley
Along Marriotsville Road Photo by Mike Hartley
Along side Route 99 between 32 and 97. Photo by Mike Hartley
Had a nice lunch at Jason’s Deli in Columbia. Was very tasty and will likely visit again. Seems to be popular with the younger crowd. Probably because of the healthy menu offerings. Fortunately for us old school types they still have Reuben’s piled high with corned beef or pastrami or both I believe. And my favorite beverage (Cokes) and free ice cream. Soft serve variety. What’s not to like. Friendly and good service. Pretty clean and I think the salad bar was getting lots of action.
Random Howard County images
Random seasons, random spots gallery.
Didn’t feel like going out on Tuesday. I have aversion to ice if it isn’t in a drink or cooler. And that nonsense on Wednesday (rain and fog) looks so unappealing that I’ve again kept to the dryness and warmth of the home. But today I’m going to venture out for what is hopefully our last snow storm of the season and shoot the county under its new blanket of snow.
Folly Quarter Road in the fall. Photo by Mike Hartley
This is about to begin this very morning. Photo by Mike Hartley
Mardi Gras in EC, might be a good concept? Photo by MIke Hartley
An intersection of the county all cross. Photo by Mike Hartley
Can’t get enough of those summer peaches at the fair. Photo by Mike Hartley
Outdoor smoking. Photo by Mike Hartley
Rooms with a view. Photo by Mike Hartley
Your going to need a bigger plow. Centennial HS Photo by Mike Hartley
Shrine of St Anthony off Homewood Road Photo by Mike Hartley
Maybe I’ll take the old SUV just in case anyone wants to play bumper cars. Then again its just sleeting out so far so with a snowflake or two thrown in just to tease us.
Howard County Cold
Saw another photographer discuss how he was trying to embrace the season of winter. I believe he was also commenting on the unique opportunities to get once in a lifetime events like a good portion of the bay frozen over. It’s really true, winter with snow and ice and cold afford some wonderful images.
So I’m going to try to get with the program myself, even though it’s the last day of Feb 2015. Then again we all may be saved by a series of 60 degree days before the first day of spring and do away with this nonsense.
Frozen pond just up from Waverly Mansion.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Humans are the only ones grousing about the cold this year. Wildlife looks very uncomfortable.
How am I supposed to fish under there?
Photo by Mike Hartley
Everyone’s steps are covered.
Snow covered steps at St. Peters on Rogers Ave.
Photo by Mike Hartley
By the way, during what decade did people, (kids) stop skating on this lake. We were discussing it back when we were kids there would be dozens if not hundreds of people out there in winter. Hockey games broke out if my memory was correct.
Seems like spring is a long way off instead of the 21 days it is from this shot.
Photo by Mike Hartley
A better morning than yesterday in Howard County
Could this sign be a bit premature, or it a sign winter may actually end sometime? It has been up for a while now, but each day I stop by it the sun has been out. So yesterday in the snow (again) I figured it was the fitting time for this shot.
Summer, what summer?
Photo by Mike Hartley
At least this morning were not having to share the streets with Plows.
Snowplow along Rt 99
Photo by Mike Hartley
Anyone up for some ice fishing?
Snow covered boats along Scott’s Cove.
Photo by Mike Hartley
I’m really on the fence about this winter.
All I want to see is beach towels over my pool fence, Not snow.
Photo by Mike Hartley
So while this death grip of winter that we seem to be caught in. I’ll leave an image that evokes some warmer thoughts.
Come on sunshine.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Life gets busy for me sometimes. Actually any day where only one job is on the plate for the day is a good day. Those days where you have two to three major time commitments (jobs) are brutal. So I apologize for my few absences this week and I’ll try to make up for it this weekend.
Howard County – from soil to stars
Went out for a ride today with my better half and took a few shots. Wasn’t please with much of it besides the contrast of these two shots which I’ll call from soil to the stars. This is our Howard County.
Farm along Route 216.
Coming up Hall Shop road towards Rt 216
Photo by Mike Hartley
Our big neighbor, John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.
I believe these guys may be one of the counties largest employers.
Photo by Mike Hartley
I was wrong in my photo caption. They are the largest employer in the county if you can believe these stats. Funny, I grew up here before Columbia was an idea in Jim Rouse’s noggin and this place was already a fixture in the county from 1954. We used to walk across Rt 29 (you could do it back then) which was only 1 lane in each direction from Hammond Village to the Southern States store on the corner for a soda. This shop also overlooked (well up the ridge a bit) the APL campus at that time which was impressive. What it has grown to today is amazing. I have some friends and neighbors who work there and they seem to love it. If I had any common sense I’d apply and skip that long commute I do to DC each day.
Howard County – random Friday captures
I’ve been waiting for some snow to coat this barns roof all season off Bethany Lane. I also love the color of it and how it changes during different times of the day. I wonder if the star still gets lit at night? I’ll have to be more attentive when I come that way.
Snow covered roof of barn on Bethany Lane.
Photo by Mike Hartley
I like this gate except it seems to go to nowhere. At the entrance of Manor Lane off Rt. 144
Gate off of Manor Lane.
Photo by Mike Hartley
And despite the fact you’re seeing news reports of spring training, it’s going to be several weeks before the kids return to these fields at Kiwanis-Wallas Park. But when they do I hope to practice some of my sports photography here. I enjoyed coaching and helping coach kids teams here when mine were young. I had hoped at one time to make kids sports a big part of the community paper we did a number of years back. Who knows, maybe it will become a regular thing here if I master sports photography. At least I can afford to get allot closer to the action here than at the professional levels. Plus the kids are far more entertaining. If I had any free time in my life I would think about coaching kids again. Not that I’m any pro at doing it. It’s just a rewarding thing to do when you see the kids grow as athletes and have some success while positively learning to deal with failure.
It will be a while before the crack of the bat is heard.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Snow covered fields.
Photo by Mike Hartley
And finally some steps that need to be shoveled yet along Frederick Road.
Snow covered steps along Frederick Road.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Howard County after a snowy evening
Well, our first snow of substance. Note much really but it does change the look of the landscape. Anyway just sharing a few images from very early this morning just before and at sunrise along Centennial Lane and Columbia Town Center. The last time I was down by the lake was for a summer concert so this was a contrast.
Morning jog by the fountain. Photo by Mike Hartley
Lines Photo by Mike Hartley
A jog to the Pier Photo by Mike Hartley
Horse heading to the barn. Photo by Mike Hartley
Looking out on Lake K Photo by Mike Hartley
Horse heading to the barn. Photo by Mike Hartley
Hey where did the driveway go? Photo by Mike Hartley
Howard County sunrise this morning
As I was out and about this morning the sun broke through the clouds behind my as I was motoring up Rt 216 this morning.
Looking back at Maple Lawn morning sunrise on 2/16/2015
Photo by Mike Hartley
Wishing I had my Nikon with me instead of my old Kodak.
Looking back at Maple Lawn morning sunrise on 2/16/2015
Photo by Mike Hartley
Any day you can catch the color of our county is a good day.
Hey, did someone forget to turn the A/C OFF?
Photo by Mike Hartley
A/C and Ice. The perfect twins.
Sunrise over Clarksville 2/16/2015
Photo by Mike Hartley
Sunrise over Clarksville off Rt 108.
Hawk
These guys love my back yard. Of course if they are bringing this chill with them they can just vacate my property. But actually they are beautiful birds who have the camo working well this time of season. They are stealth hunters.
Uh oh, he spotted me poaching on his property.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Hunting on my property.
Photo by Mike Hartley
If I ignore the homeowner maybe I can get a meal.
Photo by Mike Hartley.
This guy loves my back yard.
Photo by Mike Hartley
May he just leave us alone the rest of the winter.
Fields and Fog
Off Route 99 and Woodstock Rd. One of my favorite sight’s each morning.
Sunrise burning the morning fog. Photo by Mike Hartley
Which is the wave. Photo by Mike Hartley
I feel a sneeze coming on. Photo by Mike Hartley
Quote of the Day – kids
“The curiosity of kids to test the ice will defy their parents logic and warnings about said activity.”
Mike Hartley
Kids will always test the ice.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Waverly Woods pond. And yes I watched for a bit and made sure they were back to shore. And no I didn’t yell at them. I already raised my two.
One of my Homes
When you think of the word home, you think of where you eat, sleep, toil and raise things. Well in some way all my jobs and business are homes. And this one below 8000 Main Street suite 101, was one of them for a few years that met all the criteria. It was the home of Zip Publishing and later the View Newspapers. Founded by Phyllis Greenbaum, Pete Cook and myself.
Our 1st Home Photo by Mike Hartley
But this home was different from the one that I spent my first two decades in newspapers in. For this was ours. Our own business and our decisions. It was a wonderful time in my life. I learned things about myself I never knew. It was full of risk and leaving my comfort zones in a big way.
It was great in that I loved and still love the two people who this started with. They are talented, wise, caring and hard-working people who created something special for the area of Ellicott City and the surrounding communities. And continued it and grew it into a professional package, and eventually purchased by the major newspaper publisher in the area about a decade later.
And while I stayed a short time in its overall history it was an experience that feels so rewarding in the sense it gave me confidence I never knew I had.
It flew in the face of all conventional wisdom. The area was dominated by daily and other stronger, established local papers that had decades of history in the community. There were business newspapers and real estate rags also to compete with. Not to mention the shoppers and inserts. And everything had name recognition but us.
Even though we had decades of experience in the industry doing every aspect of the business got out of our expertise and we had to learn and adapt on the fly. And that was a lot of fun also. You always have to adapt. No matter what you do. I’m so glad we took that chance. I’m so glad not to have made the safe move. I’m so glad that I was able to learn and grow. And I’m glad we had that time together.
I was just rummaging through some archive pictures and found this one and fondly started to reflect on my days as a business partner with some wonderful people. And of course thanks to the many Friends and Family, who made it possible in the beginning.
Maybe before my memory starts (whoops too late), I’ll try to recollect some stories from the old days to bore people with.
When what freezes over?
I thought the line went “When hell freezes over”
I have two things to be thankful for this morning. I didn’t have to go out and travel and those who did had slippery conditions but nothing like this.
I’ve heard of hell freezing over but this could be a problem.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Holiday in HoCo 3
Took a short drive last night and a few pictures. Had to go visit that wonderful home off 108 in Beaverbrook. Many thanks for the enjoyment and pleasure you give the community.
Beaverbrook
Photo by Mike Hartley
Beaverbrook
Photo by Mike Hartley
Beaverbrook
Photo by Mike Hartley
Holiday in HoCo 2
Howard County Maryland – Holiday decorations – Off Kings Arm Tavern Ct which is off Rt 99.
HoCo Lights
Photo by Mike Hartley
Holiday in HoCo 1
OK, finally getting in the holiday spirit. Hope to fill these pages soon with holiday lights of Howard County Maryland.
Ellicott City
Photo by Mike Hartley
Howard County Maryland – Ellicott City past shots
Was just organizing some old shots around one of my favorite towns on Earth and thought I’d share a few of them. I started my career in Newspapers in this town. That is if you don’t count my days as a paper boy delivering them as a youth.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Cancer and Laughter
Tonight, I went to visit an old friend at Howard County General. Another friend called me and suggested it and I’m so glad he did, as we met there shortly after. She is fighting cancer and just had surgery today. She is a beautiful person and I’m sure she will beat this. The older I get the more people I know are fighting this illness. It’s a fight I also had at one time and hope to never do battle with it again. I know many people who cancer has taken also and I think about them often and give thanks that I have been one of the very lucky ones.
But the thing that struck me tonight was how laughter helps. And to have laughter you have to make the time to spend with the person. And those two things are one of the best gifts you could give or receive in your life. And not only should you make this time and laughter available to your friends and family when they are ill, but also when they are healthy.
I remember the first visit I had from my friends after my surgery. Those laughs left me feeling better and positive about the next day. Because it reminded me that good times could be ahead again despite the current pain. Making time for others and sharing laughter is something I must do more of in the future. It’s a blessing and gift I have to share and I feel such a great reward myself. I can’t let how tired I am or the number of chores in front of me or the job get in the way of helping those closest to me.
And don’t forget to try to brighten the spirits of the medical staff while at the hospital. Those are some hard-working people who are dedicated to caring for your loved ones, and maybe you someday.
So the next time you get a chance to go see someone who could use a laugh. Do it because it will be just what the doctor ordered. For both of you.
Howard County Maryland – Centennial Lake
Shot this earlier this year. Looks like one of our prehistoric friends has come back to visit and landed in Centennial Lake.
Oh Yeah, Happy Halloween
I was bringing my mother in-law back from the hospital from visiting with her husband and we got to talking about Halloween. She started to tell points of her memories with her children, dressing up, going out and coming back and dumping their bags in the living room. Trading candy back and forth, talking about who gave what and did you see that costume. And I’m sitting there having the same memories of my children and how I miss that so now because they are grown.
Thankfully they (my children) still have the spirit and dress for work and parties. My son borrowed a few items of mine for his costume and my daughter texted me photos of her costume today, so I’m still loving the celebration.
But I digress. Keep an eye out for youngsters tonight. Slow the hell down, if you’re in a vehicle. Complement their costumes, give them candy, smile or act scared and think about when times were simple and you didn’t have the worries you do today even about something as simple as Halloween. And enjoy the evening.
Halloween
Photo by Mike Hartley
Howard County Maryland – Weather
In Contrast to today’s Wonderful Skies, I found ones that weren’t so beautiful one summer here in Howard County.
Some weather shots up by the Howard County fairgrounds. Put these in sequence. I’ve got to do more storm photos. Nature is so impressive. Sorry about the slight shake on the 7th photo down. That boomer was very close and the shock wave got me. Should have had a tripod set up. Live and learn.
Waves of could’s
Photo by Mike Hartley
Waves cresting
Photo by Mike Hartley
What is that opening?
Photo by Mike Hartley
Powerful lightning stroke.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Seems like the waves are back and what is that opening up in the right corner?
Photo by Mike Hartley
Yeah, that looks like clearing, maybe it moving away.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Wow now that was impressive. Almost like the sky opened up for that stroke.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Oh, back to the ominous look.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Time to flee before another strike on my head. Plus, I’m getting wet.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Howard County Maryland
Thought I’d stop and snap a few along Folly Quarter Road on the way home last night. I’ve driven this road and enjoyed the views for many decades. I remember speeding down it on my way home from work after my wife called me and said she was in labor with out Son. I remember driving down it after I left the Times Newspapers after 21 years. I remember driving home on it and seeing a wonderful sunrise that morning, a few hours after my Mom passed. To me this is a therapeutic road.
Sunset along Folly Quarter Road
Photo by Mike Hartley
Looking north along Folly Quarter Road
Photo by Mike Hartley
Howard County Maryland
Sorry about the absence. Sometimes life throws some hard punches. But on with some updates of Howard County. As we approach our coming ice, sleet and snow this evening, I will share some photos from the last event.
More than one way to get around in this weather
I met this nice woman skiing up to the Post office. I believe she said she lived in Waverly. She was very nice and I’m sorry I didn’t get her name. But she was dressed and prepared for the weather.
These guys are going to be putting in some OT the next 48 hours.
As this weather approaches may I remind all those white collar workers (yes I’m one of them) to take it easy with the snow removal. Even if you have the snowblower, it’s going to be very cold, windy and heavy. And then again, it could just rain.
That will soon be covered again.
What’s the old adage? Nor rain, nor sleet, nor snow will delay us from our duty. Well this one might just do that. I can’t see these little trucks making it through a foot of snow.
snow covered hey roll
This just finished melting down the last few days. Now were going to cover it again.
Howard County Maryland
As I ventured out this morning just before sunrise I thought about the history and changes I’ve had the pleasure and pain of witnessing in this county over a span of 53 years. We moved here when I was 4 years old so now you also know my age if you can add.
Beginning of sunrise on 2/1/2014
One of the things I love about where I live now in the county is that when I pull out on Woodstock road I see farmland. What I used to believe was Browns Farm and now is the Howard County Conservancy. I grew up seeing farmland and woods and wildlife. For a long time before Columbia came along, that was about it to see.
Turf Valley Shopping Center
As I pulled out onto Rt 99 I said let’s go have a look at Turf Valley at Sunrise. I believe in 1992 The Turf Valley golf course opened. Not that I’ve ever played there. Today we have the new Turf Valley Towne Square. Even though the sun is coming up over it in this picture, only time will tell. I can tell you its a nicely designed strip shopping area. It has a few good restaurants and the anchor store of Harris Teeter. And while it doesn’t look that busy now wait till all those homes are built and occupied in Turf Valley.
New home construction in Turf Valley
It seems sometime every time you turn your head you see development going on and in no small way at all. It worries me that we are losing our balance in this county and its rapidly becoming a small city in itself. And if traffic is any indication we are already there. But right after I saw this new scar on the land, I looked up and here was the sun peaking over the trees as I headed out of Turf Valley.
Over old course at Turf Valley
Top of hill at Turf Valley
I then took a ride down to Main Street in Ellicott City. It was still a brisk (low 20’s) this morning and there was a slight mist rising in the sunrise. There was a couple with a photographer taking what looked to be engagement photos. But for a Saturday morning this place was quiet. I’ve worked on this street for a few years (6) of my life. I’m pretty familiar with its ups and downs. It seems like it’s in a bit of a down swing at this time. While there has always been transition, renovation, rebuilding, restoring and change. There have been improvements from the local government. It does have a lot of nice restaurants. It does still have some very nice shops and businesses. But it also has its share of empty space and areas in need of repair.
Main Street Ellicott City
That is when I ran into this guy at the bottom of the hill, All he was concerned about was that the water was getting warmer, the ice was melting and sunshine was on its way. So that is it for the morning shoot. I hope to venture out later today to capture some more of Howard County Maryland.
Duck in Patapsco
Coming in February
Starting on Feb 1st you can see daily images of our wonderful county (Howard County Maryland) here. I was going to start this from the first of the year but hey, I’m in charge so it starts a month late. I’ve been plenty busy and the nice thing about being the boss of a sole proprietorship with no customers yet, is that nobody gives me crap.
Actually there were two things that happened in January 2014 in this area that gave pause. First of course has been the weather. Talk about in your face. I have a hard time with winter when it’s in the 30s and we get a few dusting’s of snow for the whole winter. This has kept me inside as much as possible. The next one was the mall shooting. I thought about going out and shooting that event but I didn’t want to start with that type of tone. Even though it might bear a lot of discussion and is certainly a contrast to this quiet (for the most part) county.
I hope to detail this county from side to side and top to bottom and as well as I can of all points in between. I have lived in this county almost all my life and one might think I’d be bored with it. Yes I’ll shoot and share a lot of things but I believe a real beauty is here and its right under my nose and I haven’t taken the time to appreciate it all and share it all. I might litter a few photos of long time ago when shooting some areas for comparison but will mark the date as close as possible.
This has been a wonderful place to grow up, work in and hopefully grow old in. I think it contains a lot of wonderful people and of course some great towns and neighborhoods and farms and parks and businesses. So let us transition from the frozen tundra to the warm fields of late winter.
Farm off Rt 144 near Lisbon
Photo by Mike Hartley 1/13/2014
Frozen driveway and windblown snow in Woodstock
Photo by Mike Hartley 1/3/2014
It’s Alive
Welcome to Threw Mikes Eyez. It’s certainly been a long time coming. Both the idea and desire to start my own company has been with me for decades. Actually this will be my second venture into a small business. The first was a partnership with some wonderful long time friends that was both a pleasure and a success. But that was just an extension of what I had been doing for a career for over 2 decades already. Starting a newspaper from scratch, while no easy task was still something we had a good base in. And 2 decades after that venture, I’m still a Newspaper Lifer at the Washington Post, with this being the first baby step towards my career after Newspapers.
This is entirely different. I have no partners. It’s not a Newspaper. And I’ll expose my creative talent or lack there of for the world to see and either admire or laugh at. I don’t really care if it’s the later. For the images and video I take and share, the words I’ll string together in my books and my artwork will be first to make me happy. Second it if brings joy or thought or reflection or emotion from someone then I’ve shared something special. I hope to make enough to sustain it and keep creating. If I’m lucky enough to have profits, I’m going to take 20% and donate them to charity.
Actually I’ve been working on this process a few months now. I started a blog on tumblr just to get familiar with the blog environment and in the practice of posting regularly and professionally. That small blog called My New Office which has been a history of starting to go into business on my own. I think I’ll keep that going to reflect on what it took to be successful again. Who know’s, maybe another book title.
Please visit often and comment as you will. I can take it, like I said, I worked at a newspaper for over 4 decades. Then again an electronic death threat would be new. Usually they just called or left notes. But times be changing.