A to Z Blogging Challenge - A

A to Z April (2022) Blogging Challenge

Hello, dear readers!

I’d like to thank you all in advance for stopping by, and hope that at least a few on my list of remarkable buildings pique your interest as they did mine.

 “Design is not a coincidence or a formula; it is a result of human reflection and vision in response to a specific challenge.” — Unknown

A

Absolute Towers

 

In the world of architecture, Mississauga, Canada’s Absolute Towers are stunning demonstrations of Modernism’s famous motto: A house is a machine for living in. The curvaceous residential project, affectionately nicknamed the Marilyn Monroe towers, began its twisting ascent in 2006, linking a rapidly developing city to the intrinsic elements of the natural landscape. The unique design includes a continuous balcony that wraps around the entire building, eliminating vertical barriers typically used in high-rise architecture. Meanwhile, the building itself rotates by different degrees, at different levels, strategically coalescing urban and natural scenic views.

 

These award-winning towers are truly striking to look at, but I wonder if anyone ever gets dizzy?

 

  

2018 A - Z Challenge - Y

Y    Things We Appreciate

Back in 1907, Chicago car salesman John Hertz, along with Walden Shaw began using trade-ins as taxicabs. Hertz painted the cars yellow to attract attention and in 1915 incorporated the Yellow Cab Company with a fleet of 40 cars. By 1925 it was the largest taxicab company in the world and boasted a fleet of over 2500. Several significant innovations were introduced under the leadership of Hertz, including the automatic windshield wipers, smooth-riding balloon tires, and telephone dispatch. But in 1929, John Hertz gave up his share of the Yellow Cab Company to focus on a rental car company he’d purchased in 1923. After merging with Checker, Yellow Cab remained in business throughout the years and in the late 90’s split off on its own again and founded the Wolley (yellow spelled backward) Cab Association, which runs a fleet of 120 bright orange cabs in Chicago.

Yellowstone National Park – The nation’s first national park was established and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872. Encompassing nearly 3500 miles including areas of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, the park is well-known for its geothermal features such as the ‘Old Faithful” geyser that erupts every 91 minutes, and Yellowstone Lake; one of the largest high-elevation lakes in North America, is centered over Yellowstone Caldera which is the largest super-volcano on earth. There are 290 waterfalls, 2 rivers, and 3 deep canyons to explore, though 80% of the park is forest and grassland. 311 species of birds, including 26 pairs of nesting Bald Eagles had been documented within the park as of 1999.

Bison are among the 60 different mammals you might see roaming free, though, for the bison, Yellowstone may be their last remaining stronghold. When the photo of Park Ranger Horace Albright and his dinner companions was taken in 1922, the practice of feeding the friendly bears was a favorite tourist activity, but several years and a few hundred injuries later, the practice was abolished.

Speaking of bears and Yellowstone Park, did kindly Yogi the Bear of Jellystone Park ever remind you of Ed Norton (played by Art Carney) from the television sitcom The Honeymooners? As many Hanna-Barbera characters were based on trending celebrities, Ed may well have been the inspiration.  I’m kind of partial to Yogi’s best friend Boo-boo ;-)  Fun Fact: Yogi was one of several Hanna-Barbera characters who wore a collar so that animators didn’t have to re-draw his entire body for each frame.

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter Y?

2018 A - Z Challenge - W

W    Things We Appreciate

Wisteria in bloom flows in lustrous sprigs of periwinkle blue, or white, pink, and vivid purple too, that can be formed into bonsai plants or trailed around decorative fencing and patio walls. On its own in the wild, this hardy perennial can live as long as 100 years. 

Waterfalls:

Located in the rugged Daniel Boone National Forest, Cumberland Falls is a major attraction for tourists visiting Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (Corbin, Kentucky). Its 68 ft. cascades have earned the nickname “Little Niagara” and it is the only site in the Western Hemisphere where Moonbows are regularly visible. 

Wildlife Crossings – Bridging the gap between roads and Wildlife habitats. 

Wild West Writers:

Willa Cather

Richard S. Wheeler

I have to applaud our Weathermen and women. It’s a tough job. For instance, when a weatherman from our neighboring city noticed that the temperatures on the screen behind him read in the thousands one blazing afternoon, he decided to play it off with “I’m not authorized to tell you to evacuate, but I suggest you just get out!”

 

Happy W Day!

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter W?

2018 A - Z Challenge - U

U    Things We Appreciate

Voices raised in Unison at ball games or a church

Slim Unbroken Crayons, though smaller pieces work

A rustle in the Underbrush of skyward reaching trees

The cool relief of hair Upswept upon a gentle breeze

And Umbrellas that close up instead of down.

Oh! And one last thing - Underwater wonders!

Happy Tuesday U Day!

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter U?