Zig Zag

The bright red railings caught my eye as I drove by on Highway 31 in Homewood.  You guessed it, I had to go back that afternoon and snap a few.  The shadows were the grand surprise!  

The Tune du Jour is " I Don't Know Why I Love You" by Clarence "Frogman" Henry

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The Tiny Fingers

of a newborn are perfect in every way, and what fun to be the photographer!  This little angel (just 28 hours old!)  is the baby daughter of some very special friends. My friend Wayne says I 'm being "all mushy" or was it "gushy"?  Guilty as charged, W.  All together now...Aaaaawwwwww!

Sisters

Kissy, Kissy!

A Wonderful Surprise For Me Yesterday :  My friend Barbara from Paris Talks, phoned me from Paris and we had a wonderful chat reminiscing about our tour in November together, and my upcoming trip in May.  Merci Barbara pour l'appel de téléphonique de Paris!*

*Merci to my French teachers from Avignon and Larchmont! 

The Tune du Jour is  " The More I See You " by Patrick Sassois

Discover Patrick Saussois, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jerry Bruno!

Winter's Afternoon Light

Many of you have commented on the nice light and shadows we get here in the winter.  I agree! This was photographed at the Japanese Gardens recently .  It's really all about the light, isn't it!

The Tune du Jour is " The Highlands" by Michael Dulin

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Zoom, Zoom , Zoom!

I might just have a new heartthrob!

I'll venture my photographs today will attract the most men  that have ever visited this blog !! Oh you guys , ( and probably a fair number of ladies),  would love this place.  Welcome to Ted's Garage.  My high school friend Ted, needed a place to house some of his vintage cars,  and the next thing we knew,  he and his wife Debby had created not only a wonderful museum of sorts, but a fabulous place to throw a party!  Since I was last there for a reunion event,  Ted has amassed a considerable number of new "old" cars.  He has his own shop where the cars are worked on and spiffed up and offers storage and restoration services to other vintage car enthusiasts.   And what amazes me, he is comfortable with having folks poke around and drool all over his "babies". This was nostalgic for me as I recognized a few special cars from my childhood and some, like this snazzy Corvette that brought back some fine memories as well.  Don't worry, I have more photos to share in the future!

Here' s lookin' at you !

Getting a total makeover !

The Tune du Jour is " I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye

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Capture France Through YOUR Lens!

Musée Carnavalet, Paris

Pardon my shameless self-promotion today, but I have some very exciting news to share. You are invited to join me in Fontaine-Fourches, France this summer for a two week photography/ journaling workshop!    Kippy Hammond and Jerome Henriquez, will open their lovely home,  La Bonne Etoile, in the French countryside to us.  Well known for their artists' retreats, they do an exceptional job as hosts and tour guides.  They have planned many wonderful side trips to the region of Champagne and Bourgogne,  which will offer us a multitude of photo opportunities.  During the two weeks I will be sharing ways to take and edit photographs that you will be proud to take home and share with your family and friends. We will work together to publish a group and individual books that you will receive upon your return home. As a grand finale,  how does 3 days and 2 nights in Paris sound?  The only experience necessary is working knowledge of your digital camera!  Please click here to get more information regarding the workshop. You may also contact me by email if you have further questions. I hope to see some of you this summer,  as we chronicle our trip through the French countryside and Paris together.

The Tune du Jour is "Les  Yeux Ouverts" by Enzo Enzo

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In the Artist's Studio

Visiting any artist's studio for me is like being a kid in a candy store. I crave the colored pencils, paints , brushes, clay,  ..... all the tools that a creative person uses to make the magic happen. On Friday I photographed one that goes over the top!  My very talented friend Kevin Irwin let me roam around her fabulous studio,  and it will take more than a day to show you everything. I am returning to photograph Kevin and some of her finished pieces in the very near future. For now,  I will give you a smattering of the tools of Kevin's trade.  MULTI-talented, she works in glass, clay and makes jewelry!  Her studio overlooks downtown Birmingham and the old building itself is so rich in character, I had a hard time deciding what to photograph first- the bare exposed old brick or the vibrant tubes of glass, bowls of colorful  beads or the whimsical clay pieces. Enjoy!!

The Tune du Jour is "At Last " by Etta James

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TWO THINGS CHALLENGE: Local/International

Independent Presbyterian Church

Birmingham, Alabama

Sainte-Chapelle

 Paris France

I am happy to join  Team Two Things this week.  My photos are similar, yet half a world apart.

TOP PHOTO:  LOCAL, is a stained glass window in the sanctuary of my church,  Independent Presbyterian Church here in Birmingham.  A sight I never tire of seeing.

BOTTOM PHOTO: INTERNATIONAL, features the breathtaking windows at Sainte- Chapelle in Paris France.  One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.

The Tune du Jour is " Panis Angelicus" sung by Andrea Bocelli

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The Flower Girls

Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time.  Last weekend I was taking photographs at the Cathedral Church of the Advent when I noticed the doors open.  As luck would have it,  a wedding was concluding and the wedding party walked right passed me.  These two flower girls were just adorable and I couldn't resist sneaking a photo!

The Tune du Jour is " Pachelbel: Canon in D" by Sally Harmon

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Skater's Paradise

I've noted that many of the CDP bloggers are experiencing a photo deficit.  I feel their pain.  I have been dumpster diving for photos for what seems like months.  Today's photo is from last fall's Art Walk.  This morning while doing a little "office cleaning ",  I found the business card of this artist so I can finally share this photo.  During Art Walk, artists were housed in various businesses, lofts and many on the streets of downtown Birmingham. Faith Skates, skateboard store was the perfect spot for Joseph Longoria's vibrant muscian portraits.  They have so much movement and energy they seem to jump right off the canvas.  I loved his Elvis against the backdrop of all the funky skateboards!   As a side note, I had never been in a skateboard store in my life.  I guess the kids have to buy them somewhere,  but I never gave it much thought! The brick walls were lined with all these colorful boards and there were shoes and wheels, and I guess everything you need in order to go out there and try and break your neck!

The Tune du Jour is "Don't Be Cruel" by Elvis of course!

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Back to School??

Oh my yes , I've enolled in Conversational French I as part of  Samford University's Metro program.  Tuesday night was my first class,  and I joined 7 other intrepid souls as we tried to see how fast we could slaughter the French language!  Actually, I have more than a few doubts about my pronunciation abilities.  ( Alice, Peter, and Marie-Noyale I can hear your gales of laughter!) I am not sure that it's possible for my southern lips to ever roll that "r" , but I am going to give it my best shot.  As you can see by my photo, I have amassed an impressive library of "how to" books.  Did I think I would learn it by osmosis??  I will keep you all up to date on my progress, should there be any.  Let's just all pray that Madame Delo has infinite patience and can indeed teach an old chien a few new tricks!  

The Tune du Jour is "La vie en rose" 

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Fallen Heroes

Centurion- Jus Fides Libertatum is a bronze by Birmingham artist Branko Medenica.  Commissioned by the Birmingham Fraternal Order of Police, the memorial honors the more than 60 police officers that have died in the line of duty since 1889.  Located at the Mel Baily Criminal Justice Center, it is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our city's law enforcement officers.

The Tune du Jour is " Consolation" by Michael Dulin

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Hopeful

" We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.  But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope."

Barack Obama

When visiting Paris in November,  I was struck by the tremendous support that our new President enjoys from the people of France.  I am including a bookstore window in the Marais,  that featured a poster that I saw everywhere throughout Paris.  In that spirit, the tune today is a thank you to all of my friends around the world who have expressed their hopes and support for our new President.   The Tune du Jour is "The Star Spangled Banner" sung by the French! 

Click here

The Thaw!

After almost a week of record low temps in the teens, today dawned with sunny skies and warmer weather.  I ventured out this afternoon and found the walking trail a virtual traffic jam with every Tom, Dick and Fido out for a walk and dodging assorted scooters and bikes.   Homewood Park was bustling with families enjoying this glorious day.  We have all been cured of Cabin Fever....for the moment! ( Monday night might bring some snow flurries).   I thought this was a nice example of what our Sunday afternoon was like in Birmingham!

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

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A Home In the Heart of Our City

This is Birmingham's First Presbyterian Church, "First Pres".  The first church in the new city of Birmingham, it calls itself " A Home in the Heart of the City" and it certainly is.  Surrounded by Birmingham's financial and business district this historic church has too many wonderful outreach ministries to mention.  May I inject a personal note that their First Light program is one for which I have a special interest and respect.  A historical note that I think you will find very interesting,  their long time former pastor, Dr. Edward Ramage, was one of the pastors to receive Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s  Letter from the Birmingham Jail.  So as you can see, this church has a long history of acceptance and service to our community.

The Tune du Jour is "The Poet" by Michael Dulin

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Old Timey Barber Shop

Ok, this was a new one for me.  I suppose I've been in a barber shop before,  but I couldn't tell you when! Well I checked with my friend Doug about whether or not ladies would be welcome. He assured me that I would, so  I marched right into the Homewood Old Timey Barber Shop on the main drag in Homewood.  George and Butch couldn't have been nicer.  They kept right on clipping and snipping while I snapped away.  That's George featured today and those were Butch's hands with the razor on yesterday's post.  Oh, and I offered to link to their website but you guessed it.....they just laughed!  Thanks guys for allowing me to capture one of Homewood's oldest and best loved businesses.

What exactly is IN Barbicide?  I should have asked.

The Tune du Jour is "Where the Boys Are" of course!

Discover Connie Francis!

A Show of Hands I

" First Day of School"

"Take a little off the sides"

"Hot Breakfast"

                                                                             "Peace"

Today I close a chapter.  Paris Through My Lens will no longer be active. I am leaving it up but won't be posting new photos  until my return to Paris the end of May.  I do appreciate all your visits and encouraging comments. ( One less mouth to feed!)   That said, I am opening another chapter of sorts.  I have had a real interest in photographing hands since last year while I was still teaching.  That project never materialized, but I am happy to be able to share some of my hands, large and small that I have been collecting with you today.  This has been a most gratifying project and my intention is to continue photographing and sharing them from time to time.

The Tune du Jour is " Hands" by Jewel

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Rememberance - Union Hill Cemetery

I am embarassed to admit that I have passed Union Hill Cemetery  for most of my life. It is on a major thoroughfare in a neighborhood where I grew up, raised my children,  and taught school (Shades Cahaba) . Yesterday I pulled over and perhaps "trespassed" in order to take these photographs.  A well preserved resting place for Civil War soldiers, and many families since.  This is such a well kept place and one I felt honored to photograph.

 

The Japanese Gardens in Winter

Adjacent to our Birmingham Botanical Gardens you'll find the picturesque Japanese Gardens.  I ventured over last Sunday after my walk,  on a cold, dreary day.  Not the best conditions for a photo shoot, but I am a desperate woman !  I walked to the very edge of the gardens and wandered into this amazing bamboo forest.  If my hands hadn't been numb, I would have thought I had been transported to a tropical isle!  It was a tad too dark for  photographs , but I hope you get the feeling.

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

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Kittykins Strikes Again

A bow to my faithful viewer Judy who always emails as to what my grandkitty , Kittykins, is up to. Well after the "Baby Cap Caper", we thought she had straightened up. That is if you don't count stalking Hanna Montana, the goldfish, and some ummm......bothersome "bathroom" habits. Apparently, there have been some antics going on behind our backs. I just happened to have my camera handy when she took out after Willie the pug a few days ago. I know what you're thinking. Why didn't he just fight back, walk off, snarl... something?? I have no answers. He just took it like a man I guess.

What are you looking at? I didn't do anything!!!!

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The Tune du Jour is Kittykins' theme song, "Crazy" by Patsy Cline

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Fog on the Mountain

The beautiful suburb of Vestavia Hills lies south of Birmingham atop Shades Mountain.  If you're looking for some nice fog shots, this is the first place to check.  A few Saturdays ago, I headed up the "mountain" in search of some nice photographs.  I found them at Vestavia's  Sybyl Temple.  No view of the neighboring suburb of Homewood down in the valley this day. Vestavia was socked in,  but the fog enveloping the Temple was just what I had hoped for.

* Today my friend Peter is posting the "Sculptures of Tuileries " on his blog. He has kindly included one of my Eva from our Paris trip in 2007 .

Please go have a look!

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The Tune du Jour is " Someone Like You" by Van Morrison

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Charles Moore, Capturing Powerful Images

 Friday night I had the privilege of meeting one of Alabama's renowned photographers.  Jennifer Hunt Gallery hosted a reception and book signing honoring Charles Moore,  best known for his civil rights and LIFE magazine photography.  His powerful photographs chronicling the civil rights movement in the south is sobering and will bring tears to your eyes.  I lived through it right here in Birmingham, and I can tell you that he has captured that moment in our history in a compelling way.  What an honor to meet him and view his historic photographs!  His book, Powerful Days- The Civil Rights Photography of Charles Moore, is a book you will want to add to our library. 

100 Strangers Part III

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The Tune du Jour is " What the World Needs Now" by Jackie DeShannon

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The Projection Room

"Reels"

If you saw my post on 1/5/09, you know that I got a grand tour of Birmingham's Alabama Theater on Sunday.  Part of the tour was a trek (think mountain goats) up to the topmost regions of the theater, above the Upper Balcony to see the Projection Room.  The Upper Balcony was a place I don't think I had ever been.  Back in the day, "nice girls" didn't sit in the Upper Balcony. Many of you know why!  I digress.  The Projection Room was a grand place full of  spotlights, projectors and dusty old reels.  Another photographer's buffet! Thanks again Tom for a fabulous tour!

Big White Al and the Projectors

(Sounds like a rock n roll group from the 60's doesn't it!)

"Big White Al, the spotlight!"

The Tune du Jour is the theme from " A Summer Place"

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Discover Various Artists!