Saturday, May 31, 2025

Yellow gas

 
yellow painted gas utility cover
Yellow gas cover

This yellow-painted PROV GAS CO gas utility cover is seen in the cracked sidewalk of the street beneath our feet.  
 
The Providence Gas Company was chartered in 1847 and began operations in 1848, making coal gas for lighting.  In the 2000s, it went through several corporate acquisitions; the original name is no longer used.
 
Two of its former buildings are listed in architecture guides of Providence:  the Providence Gas Company Purifier House (more here and here) on Allens Avenue and the Providence Gas Company Building (more here) on Weybosset Street. 
 
 
 

Friday, May 30, 2025

Double rainbow outside

 
building with double rainbow
Scene outside

A double rainbow is seen in this scene.  The secondary rainbow, seen outside the primary rainbow, is fainter but wider than the primary rainbow.  Its colors are reversed when compared to the order of colors in the primary rainbow.  The dark band between the two bows is called "Alexander's Band"; it is dark because the sunlight reflected by the raindrops in that area does not reach the viewer.  A supernumerary bow appears to be forming to the left of the primary bow, but does not form.


Friday, May 23, 2025

Building in water

 
building lighst reflectedin water
Many ripples in the light

A long exposure at night of lights reflected in rippled water.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Call box

 
telephone box by railroad tracks
Call me?

This railroad call box stands ready for use at any time.  Here, at night.
 
These railway telephone boxes are used by the Dispatcher or the Maintenance of Way or the train crews to communicate with each other.  The striping provides additional visibility.  This box is not labeled; it is reminiscent of the train telephone boxes that had been installed on the Boston & Maine Railroad.  



Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Five ringers

Two manhole covers, both with five segmented rings and a center, were seen in the street beneath our feet.
 
eoght segmenst per ring manhole cover
8x8x8x8x8 with raised center

That manhole cover has 8 x 8 x 8 x 8 x 8 segments per ring, label with a raised center, and with vent holes in the second ring.
 
 
 
12 and 6 segments per ring manhole cover
12x12x12x6x6 and depressed center

 
This manhole cover has 12 x 12 x 12 x 6 x 6 segments per ring and a depressed center. 

The five rings make them look similar, but counting the segments per ring shows them to be different.
 

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Grey on gray

 
wall painted gray
Subtley Rothko

This "Gray on Grey" work takes the idea of Mark Rothko to another dimension with its strong and bold verticals and subtle horizontal repeating patterns.