They Shot The Lyric

L-R Katy, Charlie, Stacy, Patty, Larry, Caroline, LaTrelle, Michael and Pat

Yesterday an enthusiastic group of my photography buddies gathered at the historic Lyric Theatre for a little photo shoot. Thanks to Birmingham Landmark's Glenny Brock for opening on a Sunday afternoon and giving us a little history of this 99 year treasure.  It was hot and dusty but everyone scattered to find what caught their eye.  In return, they will all share some of their photos on blogs, websites and Facebook as well as donate images to Light Up The Lyric's fundraising efforts.

If you would like to make a much needed donation or schedule a tour, contact:brant@alabamatheatre.com

Historic Lyric Theatre

1816 3rd Avenue North

Sunday Church Series - 16th Street Baptist Church

The 16th Street Baptist Church such a part of Birmingham's history and the Civil Rights Movement.  This afternoon I spotted this man taking his young son to see this historic place.

A Healing Place

The new Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children is a wonderful place and we are so grateful for it.

Ona's Music Room

Ona's Music Room has moved to the Pepper Place after  15 years on 20th Street South.  I visited during the day and the light on this wonderful wall of photographs caught my eye. Now I'm ready to head back there one night and experience the music I've been hearing about for years!

Ona's Music Room

2801 2nd Avenue South

Traffic Stopper

The corner of Highway 31 and Shades Crest Road in Vestavia Hills has been in bloom for 30 years, thanks to the Men's Garden Club of Vestavia.  Traffic is always whizzing by this busy intersection but when you get caught by the light, it's a delight to see what they've added.  This arbor that is just blooming with purple clematis caught my eye.

Cyber Grafitti

Back to Lux Somnia at the UAB Alys Stephens Center about a week ago. There were so many creative uses of light.  Here a young woman had fun "spray painting" digitally!

Everything's Rosy

The Dunn Formal Rose Garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is gorgeous this week. They held the annual Rose Show last week so get there soon and enjoy the blooms.

Haw He Haw!

Friday's shoot included Saturday's chicks but also these adorable donkeys.  They are begging for  pieces of green apple lovingly doled out by Ginger. Your smile for the day!

Remembering Our Mothers

My sweet Momma, known as Gigi by her 2 granddaughters and 5 great grandchildren, and Mrs. Kelser by everyone who knew and loved her at Howard College and Samford University.  

Chic Chicks

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting new friends Ginger and David, in their gorgeous home south of town.  Besides a beautiful home, they have a delightful farm complete with three much loved donkeys ( coming soon) and their newest members of the family Flo oand Addie.  These two chicks have the chicest home I've ever seen, complete with blooming geraniums. They love their two story home but also get plenty outside time as well!

Hello Sunshine

BESA

BESA Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II, is a photographic exhibit by photographer Norman Gershman.  His book by the same name contains portraits and and moving text by 65 Muslim families in Albania who saved Jews during the war.  The photographs are beautiful and the stories compelling. I don't know when I've been so moved by a book.  The exhibit is free if you do not wish to tour the rest of the Civil Rights Institute and runs through June.

BESA means promise or vow and the stories of how these Muslim families risked so much for  the Jewish people that they did not know,  is a moving and heartwarming story.  Gershman visited Albania many times to photograph and interview those who were directly involved or their families.

I quote from Hamdi Mece, the grandson of Sulejman and Zenepe Mece:
" We never took money from those we sheltered. We took them in under our Besa. We are true Muslims and God granted us the privilege of saving Jews.  All life is precious and given by God. To save a life is God's gift.  My  grandparents and my uncle were unafraid.  They had full consciousness of what they were doing. "

Don't Put Your Eggs....

well you know.  I believe this is the first time I've seen quail eggs for sale at the Pepper Place Market. They were so beautiful, I couldn't stop taking photos.

Mountain Song Farms

Mentone, AL

Vintage

There's a lot of hoopla about our new Regions Baseball Park that recently opened downtown, but let's not forget historic Rickwood Field,  America's oldest baseball park .  Built in 1910, it's a treasure.