Looking at the Sky on Friday - Along the Shetucket River

Here it is - not only Friday again but the last Friday in April. How on earth did that happen?!?

This last weekend in April is going to be one extremely busy weekend for me as not only am I working today, Saturday, and Sunday but I've got to make some attempt to get myself ready to fly out to Las Vegas extremely early Tuesday morning after working until 11:00 Monday night. I already feel the sleep deprivation setting in! I certainly hope that Jen isn't expecting lively conversation as we fly out for the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch Navigator Conference as I get the sneaky feeling I'll be sleeping shortly after we're airborne - or at least that's my hope!

Meanwhile, before things get too crazy, Fridays here in the Blogosphere are special as it gives us a chance to take a look at the skies along with the hostess of this meme, Tisha of Crazy Working Mom.

For this week's photo I chose one that I took a couple of Thursdays ago from the banks of the Shetucket River. The building underneath the blue skies and puffy clouds is the former Ponemah Mill in Taftville, Connecticut. Established in 1866 with workers who were predominantly of Irish descent, at one time the mill was purported to have the largest weave-shed under one roof and was the site of a strike in April of 1875 that helped to usher unions into the country - however, that's a story for another day!

The mill operated for over 100 years and is still home to several small businesses. Before the economy took a major nosedive, there were plans to turn the old mill buildings into luxury condos while maintaining the historic elements of the structure but I'm afraid that project has gone by the wayside. It's a shame, really, as it's quite the impressive building but it's starting to fall apart from age and neglect like so many great old buildings do.

Ah well, I should see about doing some pre-packing for my trip before heading into work this afternoon - which the weatherman has promised is going to be a beautiful one! Wherever you are on this last Friday in April, I hope your skies are blue and the only clouds above you are of the cottony type. If not, I'll be you can find some over at Tisha's blog if you follow the linkies!