Salvaged

We're back at The Garage again today.  This time the wonderful gates across the front.  The white metal panels were salvaged from the windows of  Birmingham's  beautiful Terminal Station that was demolished in the 1969.  A sad day for Birmingham.

I will be teaching my photography class, From Snapshots to Creative Photographs at Samford After Sundown again this fall. Please share this link with anyone who might be interested in the Birmingham area.

Also, for those of you planning a trip to Paris, or just dreaming of one, I"ll be teaching a one day workshop, Weekend In Paris at Samford on Sept. 28 from 9-3.  I will share travel tips, a bit of French culture and language as well my favorites things to see and do in Paris. In the afternoon we will talk photography and how to bring home fabulous photographs from your travels.  

In Full Bloom

 Architectural Heritage

We're modest, here in the South.

Brother Bryan, Religion in Shoes

Times are hard everywhere right now ,  and Birmingham is no exception. Every time I turn on the news, I hear that the homeless shelters are experiencing record numbers. This week even here in the deep south we have had freezing temperatures.  I wonder and worry about my friends that I have met at the church breakfasts.  I think today is the perfect day to introduce you to a very special Birminghamian, fondly known as Brother Bryan. He is one of our hometown heroes.  The pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church , he is best known for being an outspoken supporter for civil rights and racial reconciliation and his selfless service to the poor in Birmingham.  Maybe I should mention that this was in the early 1900's!  It is said that often he arrived at home at night without his coat because he had given it to a needy stranger during the day.  This tribute to Brother Bryan can be found in the Five Points South district.  It has been moved several times and I personally regret that it now rests next to an outdoor seating area for a local cafe.  I think Brother Bryan's statue by artist George Bridges,  deserves a more dignified resting place.  On the other hand, it is in close proximity to an area where many of our city's homeless can be found.  Perhaps it's the perfect place for Brother Bryan.   This holiday season when you are out purchasing gifts, please remember those that for whatever reason need a hot meal and a place to rest their head.  Brother Bryan set a wonderful example for each of us.

Keeper of the Gates

We been here to the Garage before.  These gates probably don't look familiar to you because I first posted them here way back in June when almost noone in "blogland",  but Rambling Round, Dusty Lens and Tom Wigley knew I was alive!  I also posted what's on the inside of these gates here.  The Garage is a well known place in Birmingham for assorted "stuff" and a funky little bar as well.  I love these gates so I am happy to have a chance to show them off again.  I would estimate I have taken  close to 60 shots of them from every angle and every time of day.  That rich rust color and the graphic element is very appealing to me.  I envisioned a grouping of 4-6 different shots of them hanging in my home ....... still on the To Do list.  I have come to the realization that the gates might be one of those things that I really like and perhaps few others feel the same,  and that's OK with me.  Call me quirky!

The Tune du Jour is "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Rod Stewart 

PARIS COUNTDOWN.....5 DAYS!!!!

I am resisting the urge to go into HOUR mode. Will save that for the weekend!

Discover Rod Stewart featuring Chris Botti!

I Fall to Pieces

Meet "Nike" by Birmingham's Cordray Parker.  Isn't she great?  She looks like she might have just landed at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.  I have passed her many times through the years, and she still can't seem to get herself together!  Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" always runs through my mind.  Click here to hear Patsy sing it as only she can do.  Feel free to sing along with her.

From High Atop Red Mountain

I am sure many Birmingham readers of  my blog have wondered WHEN I was going to pull Vulcan out of the bag.  I was waiting until after the 4th of July.  You see Vulcan, the Roman god of iron and forge,  has guarded Birmingham for over 100 years.  He is the world's largest cast iron statue. For many, many years Vulcan held a torch in his hand.  It glowed green except when there was a traffic fatality and then it glowed red.  That's been replaced now with a spear.  Vulcan Park is a great place to visit and see the panorama of the city of Birmingham, and on the other side the suburb of Homewood.  For as long as I can remember, Red Mountain ( as in iron ore) is where the most spectacular fireworks display has taken place each year. They shoot into the sky all around Vulcan.  The fireworks can be seen from vantage points all over the city.  This year I enjoyed it from a golf course near my home.  My grandson sat in my lap saying, "Cool, awesome as each one burst into the sky."  I thought about my tripod and camera and then decided to just enjoy the evening with family and friends.  We had a cool breeze, believe it or not, and ooohed and aaahed till the very end.

Thanks to my friend Mary who sent me this.  Sorry it's a day late for the 4th but I love to listen to this anytime. France Sings for the USA!