Poetry in Motion

This lovely dancer with the Zivah Sapphirah Middle Eastern Dance Troupe performed at Art in Avondale Park recently.

Cooling Off at the PPM!

Whoever thought up the misting tent at the Pepper Place Market deserves a raise!   By 10 o'clock it was already hot as hades so the kids, and a few big folks, took advantage of the cool mist.  I gave it serious thought myself,  but remembered what a bad hair day I'd have,  so I just took photos instead.

Sunflower and Friend

How cute is this???  The Pepper Place is always full of cute kids and this sweet girl, although a bit shy,  allowed me to take some photos of her last Saturday.

Remembering... Greenwood Cemetery

Memorial Day

Greenwood Cemetery , Birmingham 

Let's Get a Start on the Flag Waving!

It's almost Memorial Day! 

Love at First Sight

Do Dah Day means kids and dogs.  This little girl fell in love with this decked out pooch and had to give a hug on the spot!

Kick Up Your Heels....School's Out!!!

For most school systems in the Birmingham area, this was this was the last week of school.  I'm sure students and teachers are kicking up their heels!!! ( As a former teacher I was always ready to kick mine up!)

AND.... I'm kicking my heels up as well because my dear dear blog buddy Paula has reignited her Pensacola Daily Photo Blog and I'm thrilled. Go by and say hello and welcome her back!

Proud!

As I was leaving the Birmingham Zoo last Friday, I trailed behind a peacock nonchalantly walking along ahead of me.  I'll be honest, this is the first time I've ever been able to closely observe/ photograph a peacock's feathers at close range. Gawgeous!

Write Your Own Caption Day

Do Dah Day 2012

I'll be honest.  When I started this post last night,  I had a few funny ideas for a title,  then thought that you, my dear readers might have even better ones.  Have at it. Let me hear them! 

Behind Her

Last month I made another tour of Oak Hill Cemetery with my Cincinnati  taphophile friends Mary Gilbert and Phil Nuxhall.  We were led by Oak Hill's director and head taphophile, Stuart Oates.  While they ooohed and aaahed over headstones etc. I wandered off, as I'm known to do, and found some new and interesting photos that I'd not previously shot. As I walked behind this oft photographed lady, I discovered the most marvelous folds of her hair and cape.

Today of course I must join Julie's   Taphophile Tuesday .

Heart to Heart Talk

I snapped this before the Do Dah Day Parade on Saturday.  The guy and his best friend were in deep conversation!

PLEASE HELP US !!!

My daughter and grandchildren have lost their much loved Kittykins in the Forest Park neighborhood on Southside (around 10th Avenue South and 40th Street).  If you live nearby or have friends in the area please alert them.  There is a reward!!!  You may email me (virgjones at gmail.com) if you find her.

GREAT NEWS....KITTYKINS CAME HOME EARLY THIS MORNING!!!!!

Just Picked

Dusty Miller

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing!

The Magic City Art Connection and Art in Avondale Park made a lot of folks feel like dancing. Here are just a few!

And how about a little tune to go with it right here.

Making Music !

These two guys were making some great music last Saturday at the Pepper Place!

From Railroad Park

Another view. I hope you will humor me as I find more and more.  Railroad Park is such a positive addition to our city and I can't feature it enough.

Vineyard? Where?

Lest you think I've flown off to the wine country in California or even France, I must admit that this was snapped right here in Birmingham's Norwood neighborhood!  Looks good enough to drink!

Taphophiles Doing What They Do

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking some Cincinnati friends around Birmingham.  Mary Gilbert, a docent at Spring Grove Cemetery  and Phil Nuxhall, Spring Grove's historian couldn't wait to get to Oak Hill Cemetery and meet director Stuart Oates. Well,  I followed them around for a while then I just wandered off and shot photos while they had a grand ole time.  This is what they looked like for most of the morning!

Today I join Taphophile Tragics  right here!

Awesome!

Jarrett Palmore was a hit at Art in Avondale Park.  Instead of just exhibiting his work, he also sat on the ground and showed us all how it was done.  I"ll have to admit I was as fascinated as all the kids and adults that stood around him as he created his celestial landscapes using spray paint!

Happy Mothers' Day

“I love my mother for all the times she said absolutely nothing.... Thinking back on it all, it must have been the most difficult part of mothering she ever had to do: knowing the outcome, yet feeling she had no right to keep me from charting my own path. I thank her for all her virtues, but mostly for never once having said, "I told you so.”
― Erma Bombeck

Do Re Mi...

Show me Mom! 

Now I'll try it.

Morning Dew

Rose Garden, Avondale Park

Last Saturday as I made my way through the Rose Garden at Avondale Park, the dew on the almost spent roses stopped me in my tracks. I don't know that I've ever seen dew just like this. It alsmost looked like the petals had been dusted with glitter. Amazing.

Amazing...

Untitled (Styrofoam cups)

2004

Tara Donovan 

What you can do with tens of thousands of Styrofoam cups, some hot glue and string.

Birmingham Museum of Art

Buy Fresh, Buy Local

The Pepper Place Market is in full swing now. You know what that means, fresh homegrown produce, music, food, crafts, chef demonstrations and getting to meet and greet friends every Saturday from 7-12 !  Come on down and be sure to say hello if you see me snapping away!

Birmingham's B-METRO magazine has a great article about the Pepper Place this month and I'm pleased that they used my photographs!  You can read it  HERE.

For those of you in the Birmingham area, I will be teaching From Snapshots to Photographs at Samford After Sundown in late July for five weeks.  Click HERE  for more information.

Say What You Will...

Avondale

at least it has AC!! In this weather that is essential.

(The real reason I took this photo is what I believe might be a ghost sign that had been plastered over.)

Celebrating Art at Avondale Park

Saturday was a grand day at the newly renovated Avondale Park.  ART IN AVONDALE PARK drew over 60 artists to exhibit their work as well as many non-profit organizations,  but it was much more than that. The purpose of the AIAP association is to promote art opportunities for children,  so there were many fun art activities from painting, clay, rain stick making and did I mention face painting, the balloon guy, firetrucks and even the ice cream truck?  Live music in the amphitheater drew families and music lovers all day long.  Mark your calendars for the fall art show on October 20th.  Check out the website for more information for artists right here.

Sunday Church Series - The Bell Tower

One of the most beautiful churches in Birmingham,  not only on the outside, but inside as well.  Their passionate commitment to community outreach is a blessing to this city.

Highland United Methodist Church

1045 South 20th Street

Stairway to Record Heaven

It's a long way up but worth the climb.  At the top you'll find Charlemagne Records (since 1977).  Vintage records and tapes galore.  Last weekend I made my first visit with Cincinnati DJ and record enthusiast Jay Gilbert ( aka Uncle Jay Explains the News).  He had a great time flipping through the stacks while I took pictures.

Charlemagne Records

1924 1/2 11th Avenue South

Five Points South

Magic City Art Connection V - Young Picassos

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

                                                                                                                             

Magic City Art Connection IV- Caughtcha!

My friend Clark Scott and I run into each other all over town.  Last Sunday we did it again. This time I caught Clark in action as wife Josie looked on.  Clark shares his work on Facebook and it's always a treat to see what he finds with his wonderful eye.

Magic City Art Connection III - The Little Artists

Making clay sculpture while wearing a headband she made by hammering blossoms on cotton fabric

The Dancer

Sculptor at work!

Magic City Art Connection II- Legs

I had some fun!