By Joann M. Ringelstetter
On an autumn trip to the north
To the town of Crandon we came
So at dawn I stood on the street
To see what was calling my name.
The old Hotel Crandon spoke out
And a sign for Ducks Bar beckoned me
But a fancy brick lodge for the masons
Was the loveliest thing I could see.
As I entered the crosswalk to start,
A man strolled leisurely by;
“It’s a beautiful day!” the man said,
“Yes, it IS!” I said in reply.
“If only I would have known
You wanted a picture of me,
I would have combed my hair
And dressed with more dignity.”
I looked at the hat on his head
And thought that he might be bald
Then something came out of my mouth
And I hope you won’t be appalled.
I asked with a grin and a giggle,
“Do you HAVE any hair 'neath that hat?”
So he lifted the hat as he said,
“A couple, and that is that.”
Then he passed me and turned back around,
And said, “What are you up to today?”
“Oh, about five foot six,” I replied,
As his head began shaking away.
“You’re really on your game,” he remarked,
As I shrugged and said, “Have a nice day!”
And our brief encounter was over
As he smirked and walked away.
Happy Shunpiking!
Joann
Shunpiking To Heaven Backroads Blog
Showing posts with label signs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label signs. Show all posts
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Where Shall We Park?
By Ruth A. Ringelstetter
The first time we came across an unusual parking sign was in Northern Minnesota, and we thought it was hysterical. It was a “No Parking on Sidewalk” sign. We couldn’t believe that a sign would be needed to remind people of that.
At various churches, we’ve often seen signs reserving a spot up front for the pastor or the organist, but at one church, there was a sign simply stating “Thou Shalt Not Park Here”.
Then in Toledo, Iowa while driving around in the rain, we came across some signs that made us scratch our heads. (And make a note to return when it wasn’t raining to photograph the signs.) One side of the street states that you cannot park on that side on Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday.
When we checked the signs on the other side of the street, they stated there was “No Parking Mon. –Wed. , Fri. & Sun.” I guess this means “don’t come home on Tuesday, or don’t have any guests on Tuesday.”
And I wonder what it takes to figure out that 12 minutes is the maximum amount of time that someone should be spending at the Post Office, as this sign indicates in Lawrenceville, Illinois.
Or that you can finish your business with your realtor in 24 minutes?
And there is a sign here in Dane County, which Joann sees often, proclaiming free parking for customers. They took the time to make it look old fashioned, sort of like in the 50’s. But who checked the spelling on this sign? It’s been there for years, so, either no one has noticed, or they have and they hope that no one else does.
And sometimes small parking signs proclaim a love of a certain vehicle as this one proclaims in a small town in Wisconsin. Parking for Oliver tractors only, or you will be “plowed under.”
And just last fall, in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, the parking lots along the main street had signs stating
Parking All Day for 1 cent. There’s a way to use up those pennies!
Those are some of the humorous parking signs we’ve come across in our travels. Have you stumbled on any in yours? (If not, you probably just haven’t noticed them. They seem to be everywhere!)
Happy Shunpiking!
Ruth
The first time we came across an unusual parking sign was in Northern Minnesota, and we thought it was hysterical. It was a “No Parking on Sidewalk” sign. We couldn’t believe that a sign would be needed to remind people of that.
At various churches, we’ve often seen signs reserving a spot up front for the pastor or the organist, but at one church, there was a sign simply stating “Thou Shalt Not Park Here”.
Then in Toledo, Iowa while driving around in the rain, we came across some signs that made us scratch our heads. (And make a note to return when it wasn’t raining to photograph the signs.) One side of the street states that you cannot park on that side on Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday.
When we checked the signs on the other side of the street, they stated there was “No Parking Mon. –Wed. , Fri. & Sun.” I guess this means “don’t come home on Tuesday, or don’t have any guests on Tuesday.”
And I wonder what it takes to figure out that 12 minutes is the maximum amount of time that someone should be spending at the Post Office, as this sign indicates in Lawrenceville, Illinois.
Or that you can finish your business with your realtor in 24 minutes?
And there is a sign here in Dane County, which Joann sees often, proclaiming free parking for customers. They took the time to make it look old fashioned, sort of like in the 50’s. But who checked the spelling on this sign? It’s been there for years, so, either no one has noticed, or they have and they hope that no one else does.
And sometimes small parking signs proclaim a love of a certain vehicle as this one proclaims in a small town in Wisconsin. Parking for Oliver tractors only, or you will be “plowed under.”
And just last fall, in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, the parking lots along the main street had signs stating
Parking All Day for 1 cent. There’s a way to use up those pennies!
Those are some of the humorous parking signs we’ve come across in our travels. Have you stumbled on any in yours? (If not, you probably just haven’t noticed them. They seem to be everywhere!)
Happy Shunpiking!
Ruth
Monday, September 2, 2013
Quick Pic - Watch Children
By Joann M. Ringelstetter
It might be different in other parts of the country, but here in the Madison, Wisconsin area, the first day of school is tomorrow, September 3. This means we all have to be on the lookout for children going to and from school each day.
Signs that remind us to be careful typically say, “Watch out for children,” or “Watch for children.” A few years ago, on one of our autumn photography trips to Waupaca County, Wisconsin, Ruth and I saw an interesting version of this type of road sign. It said, “Watch Children.”
It made me stop and think about all the wonderful things we can learn or be reminded of if we just sit and observe the interaction of children. For example, live in the moment, giggle whenever possible, use your imagination, be curious about everything, and have fun.
Happy Shunpiking!
Joann
It might be different in other parts of the country, but here in the Madison, Wisconsin area, the first day of school is tomorrow, September 3. This means we all have to be on the lookout for children going to and from school each day.
Signs that remind us to be careful typically say, “Watch out for children,” or “Watch for children.” A few years ago, on one of our autumn photography trips to Waupaca County, Wisconsin, Ruth and I saw an interesting version of this type of road sign. It said, “Watch Children.”
It made me stop and think about all the wonderful things we can learn or be reminded of if we just sit and observe the interaction of children. For example, live in the moment, giggle whenever possible, use your imagination, be curious about everything, and have fun.
Happy Shunpiking!
Joann
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Happy 100th Birthday, Neon!
By Ruth A. Ringelstetter
Georges Claude was a French engineer and chemist who created the first neon lamp circa 1902. Eight years later, he displayed his first neon sign consisting of two 38-foot long tubes at the Parish Expo.
In 1912, Jaques Fonseque, an associate of Claude’s, sold the first commercial neon sign to a barber in Paris.
It took until 1923 for Georges Claude to introduce his neon signs to the United States. The first two neon signs were sold to a Packard Car dealership in Los Angeles. The dealership was owned by Earle C. Anthony. The two signs, reading “Packard” cost Anthony $24,000.
Neon signs made people stop and stare, and the brilliant red of the neon tubes was called “liquid fire.” During the 1920’s and 1930’s, many elaborate signs were created and neon signs spread across the United States from New York to California.
The heyday of neon signs was the 1950’s. Neon signs for diners and motels lit up the highways.
The 1960’s saw a steep decline in the use of neon. Municipal sign codes and public interest changed. The choice of neon was being replaced with cheaper alternatives.
From the 60’s through the 80’s, neon fell out of favor but, in 1999, the Route 66 Corridor Restoration Act helped in preserving some of the iconic Retro-Neon signs and monuments of the past.
It’s interesting to note that true neon usually only illuminates red, orange and amber. Other colors used in signs are usually “argon” gas-filled tubes. Normally, everyone refers to both gas-filled tubes as “neon.” Today, using neon and argon, more than 150 colors can be produced.
Recently, neon and argon signs have enjoyed a revival, and many photographers, us included, have made it a point to capture the old neon signs before they fade away. As businesses are closed, many of the neon signs are removed or left without maintenance.
Unfortunately, we came late to the game. In our travels, we drove past many signs before we realized that some of the signs we had taken for granted were disappearing from the landscape.
Now, some municipalities are passing rules against moving historic signs, including neon signs. And due to vandalism, some historic neon signs are being covered with plastic to protect the tubes.
For these reasons, we’ll be stopping at any cool neon sign we find. And in your travels, as you pass old neon, enjoy the sight. There’s no telling how long a sign will remain.
Happy Shunpiking!
Ruth
Georges Claude was a French engineer and chemist who created the first neon lamp circa 1902. Eight years later, he displayed his first neon sign consisting of two 38-foot long tubes at the Parish Expo.
In 1912, Jaques Fonseque, an associate of Claude’s, sold the first commercial neon sign to a barber in Paris.
It took until 1923 for Georges Claude to introduce his neon signs to the United States. The first two neon signs were sold to a Packard Car dealership in Los Angeles. The dealership was owned by Earle C. Anthony. The two signs, reading “Packard” cost Anthony $24,000.
Neon signs made people stop and stare, and the brilliant red of the neon tubes was called “liquid fire.” During the 1920’s and 1930’s, many elaborate signs were created and neon signs spread across the United States from New York to California.
The heyday of neon signs was the 1950’s. Neon signs for diners and motels lit up the highways.
The 1960’s saw a steep decline in the use of neon. Municipal sign codes and public interest changed. The choice of neon was being replaced with cheaper alternatives.
From the 60’s through the 80’s, neon fell out of favor but, in 1999, the Route 66 Corridor Restoration Act helped in preserving some of the iconic Retro-Neon signs and monuments of the past.
It’s interesting to note that true neon usually only illuminates red, orange and amber. Other colors used in signs are usually “argon” gas-filled tubes. Normally, everyone refers to both gas-filled tubes as “neon.” Today, using neon and argon, more than 150 colors can be produced.
Recently, neon and argon signs have enjoyed a revival, and many photographers, us included, have made it a point to capture the old neon signs before they fade away. As businesses are closed, many of the neon signs are removed or left without maintenance.
Unfortunately, we came late to the game. In our travels, we drove past many signs before we realized that some of the signs we had taken for granted were disappearing from the landscape.
Now, some municipalities are passing rules against moving historic signs, including neon signs. And due to vandalism, some historic neon signs are being covered with plastic to protect the tubes.
For these reasons, we’ll be stopping at any cool neon sign we find. And in your travels, as you pass old neon, enjoy the sight. There’s no telling how long a sign will remain.
Happy Shunpiking!
Ruth
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