True Colors

If you live in the state of Alabama, and especially Birmingham,  you have a major choice to make.  Auburn or Alabama?  These two major universities claim a majority of the most loyal, enthusiastic,  and sometimes even overzealous( the word rabid has been used)  football fans anywhere around.  Now we have many other great football teams in our fair city : UAB, Birmingham Southern, Samford, and Miles College to name a few.  However, on any given Saturday in the fall, the Auburn/Alabama fans can be seen all over town proudly displaying their true colors. 

The statue above is a tribute to two of the legendary coaches from these two teams.  On the left is Coach  Paul "Bear" Bryant, who was the much revered head coach for the University of Alabama.  On the right is Coach  Ralph "Shug" Jordan,  Auburn's beloved former head coach. This statue is near the SEC Headquarters and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.  

The photo below is a photo of the flag that I proudly display outside my home during football season.  There you have it - my true colors.   D. over at Tuscaloosa Daily Photo is a wonderful resource for more  Univ. of Alabama slanted photos on her blog.  That's the best I can offer in the way of "fair and balanced".

A SPECIAL NOTE:  Many thanks to Jimsey,  whose website Magic City Moments has featured BADP and Marie Reed's St. Fargeau Daily Photo.  Magic City Moments is a terrific site to find out what's happening all over Birmingham.  Thank you Jimsey for giving our blogs a little publicity and for featuring some of my recent photos.

No surprise here.  The Tune du Jour is "War Eagle" by the Auburn Marching Band.  Click here.

Happy Birthday to Us!

This has been a big week for our family!  My two youngest grandchildren both celebrated their 4th  birthdays (a day apart) this week.  This is our Laura Kate at her party on Wednesday.  She helped her Mom make those cupcakes.   I just had to include her friend Belle who was all about the chocolate icing.    Davis will host a Pirate Party today.  You will be treated to a photo one day soon.  A crowd of rowdy little swashbucklers should make for some interesting pictures!

Today, I am celebrating my 100th post on City Daily Photo.  My mother always said,"Ignorance is bliss."  You can say that again.  When I naively created this blog I thought it would be just a photo and a caption each day. Whew!  Why did I ever think I could say ANYTHING in one sentence???  Well, 100 posts later I can tell you that it's way more work than I imagined, but I've never had so much fun.  Stressful having to amass a warehouse full of photos - Yes!  The pay-off?  Meeting some incredibly nice folks right here in Birmingham and getting to know all of you from near and far flung cities around the world!   What an interesting, talented, caring group of photographers you are.  A special thanks to Janet (Rambling Round) in Selma for your patience helping me to get up and running.  You answered at least a million questions and showed me the ropes.  Tom Wigley, you were a wonderful mentor as well.  I would never have been able to participate in Skywatch if you hadn't taken me under your wing.  Strangetastes (St.Louis, MO DP) you continue to give me much needed feedback on my photographs.  Thank you for your expert advice and your friendship.  And before the orchestra starts playing to get me off the stage,  let me thank every one of you who stop by and read my blog, and those who leave comments - your encouragement, suggestions,  and often hilarious comments make my day and raise the bar for me.  Merci beaucoup mes amis.

   For such a special occasion, I have chosen 3 Tunes du Jour.  Take your pick!

SKYWATCH FRIDAY/ TWO THINGS CHALLENGE Blue & Green

This fountain is in the centerpiece  of historic Linn Park and the downtown area.  One of the first parks built in Birmingham,  it is the site of City Stages and the Magic City Art Connection to name just a few.  It is surrounded by City Hall, the Jefferson County Courthouse, Birmingham Museum of Art and Boutwell Auditorium.  I have been saving this one and today seemed the perfect time to post it,  because it showcases a lovely blue sky for my Skywatch Friday entry and the colors of Blue and Green meeting the challenge this week as well.  I covered all my bases with one photo!  

For more participants of Skywatch Friday click here.  Two Things Challenge participants are here.

TOMORROW...... Have I really been at this for 100 DAYS  ?????

The Tune du Jour is back.  "Aquarius" by the Fifth Dimension should be a nice backdrop to this lovely fountain.

Play It Again, Michael

Meet my friend and part time boss, Michael Dulin.  He is an accomplished musician/ composer and recently I have had the privilege of helping him market his latest CD, "Follow the River". Due to his extraordinary talent and my humble clerical skills, he was ranked Number 1 for the month of June in the New Age/ Smooth Jazz category - worldwide!  I couldn't be more proud.  I have hounded him mercilessly to let me photograph him while he "tinkled the ivories" !  He finally caved.  I regret that I cannot let you hear him play right here on my blog, but you can hear him here and and find out more here.  Birmingham is fortunate indeed to have a talent the likes of Michael Dulin in our midst. 

UPDATE: You can now listen to the music of Michael Dulin on Deezer.com!! Enjoy.

Take My Hand

I didn't set out to collect grandfather/granddaughter street portraits, they just materialized right before my eyes and I couldn't resist.  The grandpa in the top photo was spending a lovely afternoon showing his granddaughter around the Birmingham Museum of Art.  The bottom photo was snapped while these two were enjoying Birmingham Art Walk together.  In order to capture the moment,  I had to compromise the quality of the shots a little.  In this instance,  a good trade off I think.

" Grandchildren don't stay young forever, which is a good because Pop-pops have only so many horsey rides in them."  Gene Perret  

The  Tune du Jour will be "The Forest Gump Theme" by Christopher Peacock

Space One Eleven - Creative Kids Welcome!

Thank heavens for places like Space One Eleven! This non-profit visual artists' organization does a lot of great things in our community.  Featured today are two examples of work produced from their City Center Art Program.  It offers a creative studio experience for children 6-18 from primarily area public housing. projects.  During Art Walk their windows were filled with the colorful work produced by some mighty creative kids. Space One Eleven is a place I will visit again soon.   Maybe they'll let me get some paint on my hands!

" Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."

Picasso

The Tune du Jour is " Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" By  Carole King.

Pumpkins with Pizazz!

Even though our temperatures are still saying summer, there are some signs of autumn popping up around town.  Sweet Peas Garden Shop in the suburb of Homewood is spreading the news.  If you want an everyday, run of the mill orange pumpkin just stop by the grocery store. But, if you are looking for pumpkins (gourds?) with a little pizazz,  you better beat it over to Sweet Peas. I snuck up on their porch while they were closed yesterday and snapped a few photos for you before they got picked over.  I think I might have just found my next banner photo !

Thanks for all the comments yesterday regarding the pros and cons of the lowly but ever so tasty OKRA.  Rumor has it that I might be the new commissioner of the Okra Council of Alabama!

A special note:  Congratulations to our friend Olivier from Evry, France Daily Photo.  The city of Evry has honored him with a lovely exhibition of his photographs during their Heritage Day celebration.  His photos are displayed along the road leading to the Seine.  Please visit his site today and see his video and photos of the installation.  Bravo Olivier!

The Tune du Jour is a good one, "Only You" by the Platters.  

TWO THINGS CHALLENGE: Product/Label

Just like the LABEL says, Buy Fresh, Buy Local - Alabama.  Well that's the truth!   You really can't beat the fruits and vegetables grown right here by local farmers.  The PRODUCT ?  Some of you from around the globe might be scratching your head over this one. It's a vegetable that most folks around here either love or hate.  Chalk me up in the LOVE column.  It's good ole southern OKRA!  We eat if fried (nectar of the gods) or boiled (the word slimey is sometimes mentioned along with that).  We also eat it in gumbo and with corn, tomatoes and lima beans. That would be your succotash.   I loved finding this batch of okra displayed in a French wine box.  The lowly okra has climbed the food chain perhaps?

For more Two Things Challenge participants this week click here.

 The Tune du Jour is " Hang on Little Tomato" by Pink Martini

( I know I play this song a lot,  but tomatoes go with okra.  What else would I play???)

Bottega , Birmingham's Favorita!

Bottega Restaurant and Cafe are two more of Chef Frank Stitt's terrific restaurants * in Birmingham.  Located in the historic Bottega Favorita building on Highlands Avenue, they offer Italian, north African and Mediterranean cuisine.  For casual dining, the Cafe is a popular spot of dinner and drinks.  For a more formal dining experience, the restaurant offers an elegant setting and menu to match.  

* Highlands Bar and Grill and Chez Fonfon  are known for their French cuisine and are also owned and managed by Stitt and his wife Pardis.          

       

                      The Tune du Jour is "Caruso" by Josh Groban                                           

                                                                       

Bottega Cafe

Restaurant Entrance

Auntie Em, I Don't Think We're In BIrmingham Anymore!

Buongiorno!

Since I have given you a few glimpses of Birmingham with a French twist,  I thought you might enjoy a little Italy now.  It doesn't look like I will get to visit our friends in Arona or Torino, Italy anytime soon,  so this will have to do for the time being.  This lovely place is  The Arbor.  It is very much like strolling in an Italian courtyard chock full of gurgling fountains, planters of all shapes and sizes and beautiful statuary with an aged patina to grace your home or garden.  This is one trip to Italy that doesn't require a passport.   Tomorrow, how about a taste of Italy at one of Birmingham's most beautiful and popular restaurants ???

The Tune du Jour is "Per Te" by Josh Groban.

Endangered Species

Meet Kittykins, my grandcat.  Santa brought her to my granddaughter Eva for Christmas.  Some of you have met Kittykins here.  Sadly Kittykins' days may be numbered.  Apparently her "Yarn Festish"  has caused her to lose her mind and roam the house at night in search of my daughter's knitting projects.  Last night she crossed over the line.  She snuck downstairs (as only a cat can do) and uncovered the well hidden baby cap "in progress".  The light of day revealed yarn wound all around the kitchen, dining room and living room in a tangled mess!  I suspect fur is going to fly.  It doesn't look good.   D.C. Confidential, you may have a new member of your D.B. Cat Club!

The Tune du Jour is "Crazy" by the fabulous Patsy Cline. This is one of my all time favorites,  and Kittykins, this is dedicated to you, sistah!

Boot Scootin'

Contrary to popular belief, everyone in Alabama does not  wear boots.   However,  they are the favored footwear for many a little boy ( and  a few big boys. too.)  The top photo shows my little guy sporting a pair of  hand me down boots that he begs to wear day and night.

Meanwhile at the Goodyear Shoe Hospital, this sassy pair of high heeled pumps seems to be making a move on these mighty fine cowboy boots!

The Tune du Jour is, of course,  "These Boots Are Made For Walking" by Nancy Sinatra.

Ho, Ho, HUH???

I see you rubbing your eyes and doing a double take.  I did the same thing.  Yes, it's September 16th and a very popular shop in the area has had a Christmas tree, decorations, and assorted party goods for sale for weeks.   The last time I checked, Christmas came AFTER Thanksgiving around here, not BEFORE Halloween.  I don't know how you feel, but I think Christmas in September is just plain wrong.  Bah humbug!

There will be no further mention of Christmas until December 1st- period!

The Tune du Jour is NOT a Christmas song,  it's "Minor Swing" by Romane - a catchy instrumental with no suggestion of jingling bells, snow or the man in the red suit.  You might have to give the Deezer a minute to "warm up" today. Seems a bit sluggish.

Clinging to Summer

Autumn hasn't found its way down to Alabama just yet.  Oh the days are shorter, the kids have been back in school for over a month now, SEC football is at fever pitch,  and Halloween mania has hit every shop in town , but the weather still feels like summer!  This outrageously gorgeous bucket of zinnias caught my eye at the Pepper Place on Saturday.  A sure sign that summer's not ready to pack her grip and make way for fall anytime soon.   Why,  it's still flip-flop weather!!!  So how's the weather in your part of the world?

The Tune du Jour is a good one -  "Summertime" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.  You will want to sit back and listen to every minute of this.