Form and Function ~ the Fire Escape

When I walk around the city, there are a few things that always grab my eye...children, dogs, stained glass windows and fire escapes. Yes, fire escapes. They come in interesting shapes and colors. They can be large or small, simple or ornate, victorian or deco. They hold bicycles, hibachis, beach chairs and clothes lines. They harbor potted plants, flowers and even small trees. Before air conditioning, New Yorkers put mattresses on their fire escapes and slept outdoors to "escape" the heat.

Thank goodness for fire escapes or I might never look up!