http://www.esperdy.net Gabrielle Esperdy explores built & natural landscapes in the U.S. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:59:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://www.esperdy.net/?p=449&cpage=1#comment-44 Lauren Kogod Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:59:06 +0000 http://www.esperdy.net/?p=449#comment-44 you are the voice of a generation! will you be home in time for the Storefront party? xxoo you are the voice of a generation!
will you be home in time for the Storefront party?
xxoo

]]> http://www.esperdy.net/?p=416&cpage=1#comment-41 Gabrielle Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:45:26 +0000 http://www.esperdy.net/?p=416#comment-41 Jenna, I love both these stories. No one seems to know why the tower is unfinished so your family legend is good enough for me. And rationale for the cat/mouse iconography certainly makes sense--there's plenty of evidence to suggest that the sculpture served a didactic purpose. And how great to know that the place is in your blood. Jenna, I love both these stories. No one seems to know why the tower is unfinished so your family legend is good enough for me. And rationale for the cat/mouse iconography certainly makes sense–there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that the sculpture served a didactic purpose. And how great to know that the place is in your blood.

]]> http://www.esperdy.net/?p=416&cpage=1#comment-39 Jenna Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:04:37 +0000 http://www.esperdy.net/?p=416#comment-39 I have enjoyed reading your posts and I think I might actually have some fun (and possibly true) tidbits to contribute: on a visit to my grandparents in Tucson a few years ago I spoke to my grandfather about my chosen field of study and without excitement or enthusiasm he simply said, “Well, it’s in your blood.” According to this wonderful little man’s genealogy study and research into our family’s place in Arizonian and Mexican history, grand relatives on the Mexican/Native American side of my family were responsible for the San Xavier Mission. The mission was apparently built by brother architects and while one of them was at the summit of a tower he, unfortunately, fell to his demise and consequentially spawned superstition in his brother and the workers. The fear resulted in the decision to leave the tower unfinished. Also, as the missionaries in the area were unable to convey to the natives the concept of eternity, the façade served as a means of explanation. Near the top of the decorative front, on opposite sides of the entrance(on the spirals) there was carved a cat and a mouse, apparently, the missionaries would point to the two carvings and tell their listeners, “Eternity will end when the cat catches the mouse.” Even though I am taking the risk that you did not already know these little fun “facts,” I hope you enjoy them. Have a beautiful rest of your trip!! I have enjoyed reading your posts and I think I might actually have some fun (and possibly true) tidbits to contribute: on a visit to my grandparents in Tucson a few years ago I spoke to my grandfather about my chosen field of study and without excitement or enthusiasm he simply said, “Well, it’s in your blood.” According to this wonderful little man’s genealogy study and research into our family’s place in Arizonian and Mexican history, grand relatives on the Mexican/Native American side of my family were responsible for the San Xavier Mission. The mission was apparently built by brother architects and while one of them was at the summit of a tower he, unfortunately, fell to his demise and consequentially spawned superstition in his brother and the workers. The fear resulted in the decision to leave the tower unfinished. Also, as the missionaries in the area were unable to convey to the natives the concept of eternity, the façade served as a means of explanation. Near the top of the decorative front, on opposite sides of the entrance(on the spirals) there was carved a cat and a mouse, apparently, the missionaries would point to the two carvings and tell their listeners, “Eternity will end when the cat catches the mouse.” Even though I am taking the risk that you did not already know these little fun “facts,” I hope you enjoy them. Have a beautiful rest of your trip!!

]]> http://www.esperdy.net/?p=416&cpage=1#comment-32 Marc Norman Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:24:29 +0000 http://www.esperdy.net/?p=416#comment-32 Do the block, or the bunny have names yet? If not, I suggest Blocky and Bunny, or if they need first and last names how about NOLA Blocky and Bunny Glendale? Do the block, or the bunny have names yet? If not, I suggest Blocky and Bunny, or if they need first and last names how about NOLA Blocky and Bunny Glendale?

]]> http://www.esperdy.net/?p=416&cpage=1#comment-31 Gabrielle Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:44:56 +0000 http://www.esperdy.net/?p=416#comment-31 It was the Americana at Brand--which will be the subject of my next post. It was the Americana at Brand–which will be the subject of my next post.

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