Monday, November 10, 2008

Hang Out With the Swingers!



Triangle Park in Birmingham's Forest Park neighborhood ( Clairmont & Essex Roads) is a hangout for the swing set!  I has a great little playground but also boasts a huge wide open
grassy area where kids (and grownups) can play ball, throw a frisbee to Fido or just run, run, run!  Lovingly kept up by the Friends of Triangle Park,  it is a favorite spot for play dates and birthday parties.  The last Sunday before Christmas you will find it packed with excited kids. That's when Santa comes on the fire truck from the Clairmont Fire Station  down the street and everyone sings "Rudolph" and Santa passes out candy and causes a few tots to have a hissy fit!  I will definitely have some photos for you then as well.  Today's photograph was one I took after  the only real rain we have had in weeks.  Who are those two cuties at the bottom??? Hmmmmm.  The third shot is one of two picnic tables decorated with tiles handpainted by the "Friends".  

The Tune du Jour is "Jungle Gym" by Jack Johnson

PARIS COUNTDOWN ...6 DAYS!!!




Discover Jack Johnson!

29 comments:

Laurie Allee said...

Your headline for this cracks me up, Ms. Virginia! What a great graphic, geometric shot -- it makes something playful into something structured, which is a cool bit of contradictory messages. Whheeeee!

(6 days to go!)

Webradio said...

Hello Virginia...

Nice photos...

I look forward Santa !

Have a good day !

Pat said...

I love brightly-colored, well-maintained playgrounds! Sometimes I even swing a little ....

alice said...

I could be with Bibi for swinging! Is this toy the one you call seesaw or teeter-totter as it's said in my dictionnary? In France, we have a word too for it but I can't tell it to you, ha ha!
Love the angle you've chosen for the first photo and the second one is lovely too for another reason.
In which airport will you start your trip and what are your stops to Paris?

John-Bryan Hopkins said...

I love the first one.

It has a modern art composition to it.

Virginia: I just like photos of "11"s

Tomorrow is 11/11 and will be 2 years that 11 Bonita has been in our lives.

I am thrilled and will dedicate the day to celebrate.

Come by whenever you like . The light in the house is wonderful right now, now that the leaves have fallen and the sun has moved.

Janet said...

Sounds like a nice, well-kept playground. I really like the artistic bench and table at the bottom.

PeterParis said...

This gave me a good idea of where to bring you during your Paris visit!

Virginia said...

Alice, We leave Birmingham and must go to Dallas (don't ask me why) for a layover then to CDG airport. Yes this is a seesaw or teeter totter. I have a cute photo of our Eva and her Mom on a similar one in the little playground next to Notre Dame. Actually my photo with Eva was taken there as well.

Foodie - I am on the photo! I will come for my grand tour of your home when I return and can give it to you in person.

Peter, If you are thinking grande roue....banish the thought from your mind. I like them from ground level only-ha

MadAboutParis said...

Today's the day that I get to meet Ms. Virginia in the flesh - Peter I beat you to her!!!
Virg - get the champagne on ice s'il vous plait - je viens mon amie!
xx,
M

Rob said...

Picture perfect! Live these kids shots in action. Took me a moment to figure out the first photo, excellent shot!

angela said...

Teeter totter, I'd never heard that one before.
I love those photos, V. brought all those childhood memories rushing back.
You have lots of really nice things in Birmingham.

Ming the Merciless said...

Love the first photo!!

OMG, you'll be in Paris a week from today! I wish I can go too! :-(

Virginia said...

Ming, Dusty Lens has already graciously offered to go and serve as baggage toter! I am sure Peter would appreciate some additional manpower to help keep up with us! We are going to have a grand little CDP gathering and you would make it complete. Maybe in NYC????

Mary, The bubbles are already chilling in the frig waiting on you. And yes, I am still cleaning for your arrival. Help me stop!

Marie-Noyale said...

I am sure Peter can find an "on the ground"playground for you!!
I like very much the colors and perspective on the first picture.
Enjoy the bubbles with your new friend!

Merrill said...

HI Mums,

Great photos of our neighborhood park. These little cuties were born one day apart four years ago. Time flies..........

M

Marie Reed said...

I have a swing in my backyard and always have contests with the boys to see who can swing higher.. and then jummmmp! I miggghhht be getting a little to old though:)

Bob Crowe said...

Really like the first one. It's very abstract; the subject would be hard to figure out if you hadn't told us. The water spots on the flat red and green surfaces tell us that it's outdoors and solid. Otherwise, I'd be clueless.

Anonymous said...

Hey Virginia! Love the blog! It was good to see you at the museum.
Catherine

Saretta said...

I love the color blocks in the first photo! I can never resist a swing and love to go as high as possible!

Karen said...

Virginia, thanks for posting to my blog. I'm in Kissimmee, which is just south of Orlando smack dab in the middle of the state.
I've been watching your countdown for Paris.. Mine is 34 more days. I'll be watching to see what you post about your trip.. I need to got to your archives to see how long you are going to be there.
I'm watching Peters blog for ideas of what to do and where to go. I'm on my own the first 10 days and then an old friend who lives in England will join me for Christmas and New Years's eve.. then she leaves and I have a few more days on my own..
I can barely wait... It will be my first trip to Paris..
Have a great trip..

Jane Hards Photography said...

This tinpot little island has kidnapped hotmail and yahoo and we can't get back in until wed. Internet too is intermitent due to.. er too wet rain or some such other nonsense! I love childrens parks, it's the bold primary colours. Love those hand prints. Now this is a proper park, one you can interact with.

Re the Euros. It's all going belly up from day to day. Now they are saying buy now, take a credit card and a stash of travellers cheques.

PJ said...

Good evening, Virginia. I do declare, remodelin' a home can just take it out of a girl! I need to go to the park and blow bubbles and swing on the swing so high!
My post is in a "friends' park", your post is in the same kind of park...

Ken Mac said...

i would have never known this is a swing. Good one! I can't wait for your trip to begin Virginia!

Janet Kincaid said...

One of my favorite activities is swinging on the swings. Unfortunately, if I go during the day, parents and nannies look at me like I'm a kiddie stalker. So, I usually go in the evening after all the little ones are home having dinner and getting ready for bed.

Of course, I say that and in truth, I haven't swung on the swings in a few years. Must correct that...

Eki said...

V,
when i looked at the title, i thought it was going to be a hang out with those swing voters (swingers).... LOL ... i guess i was still carried away with US elections theme).

the close up angle aiming at the geometrical shapes and the colors make a beautiful composition in this picture, V. and those "splashes" (?) of water on the surface of the swing? YES!!!

Virginia said...

Eki,
Love the swing voters. You are taking it seriously.

KenMac, its' a teeter totter,, not a swing! Geeezzzz!

Chuck Pefley said...

Your point of view gives this teeter-totter a wonderful new look. Very nice. I think you're about ready for the photo challenges of Paris :)

tr3nta said...

the 1st photo zoom is great looks like a maiscio photo to me...

U "R" Us AKA Captain Crowe said...

Really nice shot here. Makes me think Playskool Mondrian.