Pomeroy, Washington, USA

The Garfield County courthouse assures all citizens of equal justice under the law. Elevated even higher than Lord Chronos (see the clock?) is a statue of Justice. Under her feet are the court rooms where her will is done. Outside is a Civil War soldier. Did anyone else expect it to be President Garfield? [2019]

Flemingsburg, Kentucky, USA

Seats of government, including county seats, are supposed to inspire confidence in the law. How is that achieved? In the case of courthouses, with elevation. First, the bell tower makes you look up to the law. Second, the ascending staircase lifts you off Main Street and puts you down in an Athenian temple, a reminder of the ancients who invented democracy. [2017]

Commerce City, Colorado, USA

Here is what all drive-by signs used to look like. They had to: The idea was to attract attention with their size and quirkiness. Today, size has increased and quirkiness has decreased. Maybe, though, we are ready for the second coming of Roadside America. [2019]

Bowman, North Dakota, USA

Last year at this time, the sunflowers here on the northern Plains were in full bloom. The Dakotas are the largest producers of sunflowers in the United States by far. Nevertheless, Kansas has dubbed itself the Sunflower State. It might be time to re-imagine state nicknames. [2019]

Moyock, North Carolina, USA

National unity followed the 9-11 attacks in 2001, and makeshift memorials sprang up all across the country. No such thing happened in 2020 following the ongoing coronavirus attacks even though the number of deaths has been 50 times higher. Why not? [2001]

Yocumtown, Pennsylvania, USA

Don't be a Wrong-Way Corrigan, expand your attic now by renting yet another storage unit for all the junk you will never use again in your life! Or, don't succumb to the hoarding gene and start watching The Minimalists podcast. They will help you change your ways. Be a Right Way Corrigan! [2005]

Spruce Pine, North Carolina, USA

When a Cessna Skyhawk crashed into the video store, so much damage was done that the entire industry shut down. Nevertheless, this particular store has bucked the trend and survived: perhaps because streaming doesn't compete so well in the mountains of western North Carolina. [2012]