This was still an active fire station growing up and even when I worked in the town in the 70s. Those sirens would blare through our building and especially the pressroom when the loading dock door was open, which it was most of the time unless it was cold.
That was about the only noise that could drown out the roar of the press. I always liked that the guys would come in from the pressroom to get the plates for the next run, and they would forget they weren’t standing by the press, and they would yell, and then catch themselves and laugh.
In 1977 the Montgomery Road fire station opened. I missed the sirens when they left.
I love this little town. Photo by Mike Hartley
Today it’s The Wine Bin. A great store that anchors the top end of Main Street.
Has he been helping himself with some of the merchandise? Photo by Mike Hartley
Wandering Old Ellicott City this morning I found a shot or two I liked.
I found another spot for one of my photos to hang. Photo by Mike Hartley
My goal this week is to get out every morning and walk a bit.
I guess if you’re feeling blue, this is the place for you. Photo by Mike Hartley
I think I’ll explore some of the side streets tomorrow.
With all the flood mitigation work going on this warning system will be obsolete. Photo by Mike Hartley
Fall is coming, it feels earlier than usual this year.
The Patapsco River is always full of life. Photo by Mike Hartley
And this town is always under construction.
Looking up Maryland Avenue. Photo by Mike Hartley
Just a slice of Howard County this morning. I’ve got another shoot lined up later today and might even sneak out this evening and see if I can do some night photography.
Communication – I love it if it’s both ways. Otherwise, it’s a lecture, I’m not always big on those.
Just passing by at an interesting angle. Photo by Mike Hartley
Good day, I wish I had gotten an earlier start. No problem, I’ll stay up later today working on my passions.
I have a love-hate relationship going on with my property. I love my yard so much and then there are days like this and I look at the work in front of me and sigh with dread. Charging the battery for the rider is the first thing today. I don’t want the grass to get out of control from the get-go. I’m guessing in a week or two, it will need its first cutting.
It does feel good to be outside. That sunshine feels nice even though it’s much cooler this weekend than the last few days. I still took some outdoor furniture back outside, if there is sun out, I want to enjoy it.
Random Thoughts of the Day
The earlier gouge on my hand reminded me to use my gloves before working outside today.
Our shed is old but in pretty good shape still. It’s small but functional. And like the mower in it, both will need to be replaced in the coming years.
There is always one power tool that will give me trouble in the spring.
Taking stock is difficult. Taking a flier is easy.
My willpower is fading, I’m hungry. I have to keep active. Back to work in the yard, I go.
Crossing Into Love City. Yeah I love this little town. Hell, my wife is from here. Got my first real job in newspapers in this town. Started our own newspaper in this town decades later with two wonderful partners. My dentist and friend is on Main Street. It’s great exercise to walk the town. I have enjoyed many walks and meals with family and some of my closest friends.
Where a lot of people smile and say hi or hello. Well at least I do when in town. Photo by Mike Hartley
When troubled or feeling good I go there to walk, or sit or photograph or explore. Or just to chow down of a roast beef sandwich from Duchess up the road while watching the Patapsco flow by.
I can’t wait for it to green up again. Photo by Mike Hartley
The town changes looks so much during the various seasons that I always feel like I see something new. It’s my next project to put together the shots of this over the years and start to fill in a few things I might have missed.
And being its near Valentines day there seemed to be some symbols of love around town.
The seasons are always represented well by the merchants. Photo by Mike Hartley
In some ways it will always be part of my home. We got married in town. Our first apartment was just up the road in Normandy Woods.
Love birds. Photo by Mike Hartley
It’s been a place for engagement photos or even wedding events/photos for decades.
Love in a lock. Photo by Mike Hartley
A town where some have generations of people living there or surrounding hills. Not as much as when I first ventured into town in the early 70s, but a good friend of mine who grew up in town, still keeps in touch with a few long time residents.
I bet it’s the place where you see more people holding hands than other spots in the county.
When floods devastated the town from Agnes in the 70s to the 2 once in a thousand year floods a few years ago it ripped a piece of a lot of peoples hearts out. I was in town the morning of the two most recent ones. A family walk from the home my wife grew up in to downtown EC the day of the 2018 flood.
The second one I was out photographing along College Avenue and on the way home early that morning I stopped at the corner of Main and Maryland Avenue by the old Phoenix Restaurant. As I pulled onto Main it was quiet and I just raise my camera over the windshield and snapped a shot of what would be destroyed later that day.
Saturday morning 7/30/2016, the day of the first big flood that came from above. Photo by Mike Hartley
Random Thoughts of the Day
I don’t remember feeling so indifferent about a Super Bowl before. I don’t know if its the gambling or the league treating the players like old Roman gladiators, totally indifferent to there health regarding the brain injuries and that settlement they came too is appearing to be a joke. So NFL, take the game and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.
Finally realized some sad truths recently.
Time to put the cover on the car again for the coming rains.
When you can’t see all the steps to even count them to get to the front door, no thank you. Beautiful home and porch though in Old Ellicott City. And the view is probably great. Maybe there is a back drive up entrance? Then again, taking the trash to the curb might be an effort.
Step right up. Photo by Mike Hartley
Random Thoughts of the Day
Dear Mr. Fantasy by Traffic is a great early morning song.
When the choice is to take time to get organized or keep creating, I’ll take the creating all the time.
I’m learning a bruised tailbone takes a while to heal.
It’s a “More Cowbell” type of day.
I had the top down on the Miata yesterday. Wind and sun in the hair again. Life is good.
Decided I needed to do some walking outside yesterday and skipped the treadmill. So I took the go cart (Miata) out to Ellicott City, parked at the upper lot, wound my way up to the old courthouse and down by the old fire station. Back up the street to the Wine Bin and back down the street to the Trolley Stop and admire the river for a bit and then back up the street through a couple of back ways and lots.
I sat outside the old Times building and the Stone building at the bottom of the hill by the river which both used to be my offices. But really I went down to see some major changes in the towns where buildings are being torn down for the new flood tunnels and park area I believe.
Lower end of EC. I’d like to see this town bounce back in a big way in the future. Photo by Mike Hartley
The next time I’m there I’m going to try that Milkshake shop called The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar.
Window at the Phoenix Restaurant. Photo by Mike Hartley
It’s also been a bit since having a meal in town so I’m going to have to change that also. More photos from the shoot coming later. Busy morning ahead.
I was going to go down to the Patapsco River by my home but decided to walk Ellicott City instead of the train tracks and woods. I will do that later this week. It was an amazing day for mid-February, sunny and with some high clouds. Sometimes I just pause on the streets of this town and think back to many decades ago.
Like standing across the street looking at what used to be Stromberg Publications (The Times Papers) now Su Casa Furniture and La Palapa restaurant. And as I walk across the street and look back and see Talbott lumber yard and store and now the Phoenix restaurant. The same thing happens to me all up and down the street. Ellicott City never gets old for me even though they call it Old Ellicott City.
And as always it was friendly as ever. You can tell the tourist, they don’t always respond but residents, merchants, and locals always are cheery and will look you in the eye and smile with their greetings. A lot will stop and talk. I’m one of them because I want everyone there to feel welcome. It’s a great little town that keeps changing and evolving. Not always in harmony but it certainly is resilient and a survivor.
Everyone in town seemed to be paired off today but me. As promised yesterday I did get another shot of the Patapsco River. I have some more to share but it’s supposed to rain the next few days so maybe I’ll sprinkle in one or two of those.
Photos by Mike Hartley
I’m back on track shooting every day again now and hope to keep pace with my blogging effort which has been daily for a while. I feel so much better when I get new images.
I forgot to wish you all a happy Valentine’s Day yesterday. My better half and I really don’t make much of it anymore. Buying overpriced candy or flowers seemed a waste so we stopped the exchange many years ago. It was fun when we were young but practical needs seemed to be a better use of our funds.
If you share the love throughout the year. If you give flowers randomly throughout the year. If you cook once in a while throughout the year. And don’t forget to throw in several “I love you’s” throughout each day. Those and other efforts are far more important than a bunch of chocolates and roses on Valentine’s Day once a year.
Random Thoughts of the Day
My performance review is tonight. Will be interesting to see if I’m up for another one next year.
Important people are never gone from your life at any time.
Walking is the first step. Well, maybe the second and third also.
I’m sure I walk by many better photos than I bring back.
