Still on the Job

WHEN: July 2009
WHERE: Butte, MT
The shop is closed up but this bear is unwilling -- or too drunk -- to leave.

The Glass Cage

WHEN: May 2009
WHERE: Homestead, PA
In a long-shuttered junk shop, a bird waits hopelessly by the window.

Bee Is For Balloon

WHEN: March 17, 2009
WHERE: Wilkinsburg, PA

Not only has this balloon died, but its collapse -- against the window of a dead store -- has taken a bee with it. That black dot above the UPC code is a former buzzer, trapped.

How Much Is That Bear in the Window?

WHEN: March 2009
WHERE: Wilkinsburg, PA

Two bears wait ... and wait ... and wait in the window of an shuttered flower shop.

Study in Pink: Twisty Balloon

WHEN: March 2009
WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh

Another cheerful twisty-balloon creature dumped unceremoniously in the garbage. Today's ponder: Why not pop it first? As it is, it's taking up the whole trash can.

The Left-Backs of Notre Dame

WHEN: March 2009

WHERE: Wilkinsburg, PA

In both windows of an abandoned storefront, these forgotten, faded gargoyles from the Disney movie keep their lonely watch.

Kermit Laid Off; Results Tragic

WHEN: Ongoing; photo snapped November 2008

WHERE: Bloomfield, Pittsburgh

This auto dealership shut its doors a couple years back, but left one employee behind.