The Good Old Days

Sadly they don't make libraries like this anymore. The former Birmingham Library downtown, the Linn Henley Research Library is still a beautiful place with lovely painted detailing and stunning murals. I was down there a few weeks ago for a meeting and it brought back memories of meeting high school friends there to "study"many years ago.

Pull Up A Chair

Yesterday I visited friends at their farmhouse near Birmingham. Among the many things I was dying to photograph had to be their book collection. Here, a chair full. Heaven.

Sunday Church Series - Palm Sunday

Christians around the world celebrate Palm Sunday today. On Friday, I photographed the ladies of Independent Presbyterian as they gathered to make by hand the palm crosses we will all wear today. It's a very special gathering of all ages, enjoying coming together to visit while they work. It doesn't hurt that Miss Betty brings her fabulous pimento cheese sandwiches!

How Could I Leave??

 

This week the Birmingham Botanical Gardens' Japanese Gardens was in full bloom, and I found so much to shoot. Later this month, the rest of the gardens will beckon me back. Today, the Japanese bridge.

Spring...

Tulip trees. Spring is coming to Birmingham. 

Tulip Tree....Spring!

Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Downtown, Urban Standard, Very Cool

Thankfully Birmingham downtown is coming to life. We are most grateful. On Second Avenue North we have some groovy ( pardon my age)  places to eat and hang out. Urban Standard serves great food, but also provides some great photo ops for all of their photography patrons. Yesterday I had to rely on my iPhone.

Getting Graphic

on Second Avenue North. I could find no signage, so hope a B'ham reader will let me know the name of the business with this terrific window. Really brightens up downtown!

Here in Birmingham.....

we're daffy over this spring weather we're having. I hope I have worn my winter coat for the last time this year. Good riddance. 

Ooh La La!

This fabulous window at ETC. in Mt. Brook Village, was so gorgeous I drove around the block last night and got out to get a photo. It reminds me of the creative, over the top windows I see in Paris at every turn. The French have a term for window shopping, lèche-vitrine, which means "lick the window". Fits perfectly here.

Sunday Church Series - Lent

Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood, is the church where I grew up.

World Down Syndrome Day... Let's Celebrate!

Spotted at the Bell Center Run 2015, as part of the Mercedes Marathon. Look at these precious faces and celebrate this day!

Lenten Rose

I love this season of Lent and the Lenten roses are a sweet addition.

For my Birmingham readers, my next session of FROM SNAPSHOTS TO CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS begins April 9th. Click HERE to register online.

Matchbox Bikes

Barber Motorsports Museum has walls lined with what looks like giant toy Matchbook cases filled with the real thing! Mind boggling.

Faces In The Window

Spotted as I was leaving the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute last Saturday night. 

Where Am I ?

Paris? A French resto in Birmingham? You'll never guess.... Cocina Superior at Brookwood Village. Who knew a Tex Mex place would have such fabulous French bistro chairs AND white cloths curbside. Inside it's pretty urban chic, and our salads were great. VIVA LA FRANCE! 

Slurrrppp!

I get the best photo gigs in town. Saturday I was asked to photograph Adopt a Golden Birmingham's Meet and Greet at Hollywood Feed. I've had the good luck to help them out before and was thrilled to be asked again. This is a feel good event where their dogs in foster care come and the public gets to meet, love on them and then choose the Golden who might be the best fit for their family. AGB has strict guidelines of course, and these dogs only go to homes that will love them and take the best care. Bruce, laid it on thick with a potential Mom. Can you tell she loved it???

At Last......

Two dear friends, Ann Huckstep and Carold Misner married last night. I feel so blessed to have been invited to be a part of their very special day.

Future Genius

Snapped this cute Genius in Training while waiting at the Apple Store yesterday. 

National Read Aloud Day...........

9 days late. Forgive me, but I couldn't let the day pass unnoticed! As a third grade teacher for 20 years, the best part of the day for me was reading aloud to my classes after lunch. It was a special time to enjoy good books and talk about them. I thought this recent photo of my friend reading to her son was a great image to celebrate!

Shadows

These lovely benches in the Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden at the Birmingham Museum of Art are a feast for the photographer's eye.

Today I will be presenting Bringing Home the Memories, a travel photography phototalk at the Hoover Library at 2:00 p.m. It is open to the public. Please join us!

Rain, Rain, And More...........

Don't get me wrong, it beats the cold stuff any day!

Climb A Tree Weather!

We've had our weather ups and downs lately but last Sunday it was good enough for two little girls to run out of church and climb a tree. This week lots of rain but we can see the light at the end of the winter tunnel. 

These Shoes Were NOT Made For Walking

It pays to have your iPhone in your purse at all times. I was at a gathering in my neighborhood last week and the hosts had a fabulous collection of photography and art of all kinds. These tiny concrete shoes by Chattanooga sculptor Kem Alexander caught the attention of everyone there. Amazing. I have more!

Selma - Remembering 50 Years

Today, I share the only photo I have of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. This weekend the whole world has again turned its eyes on the place as we celebrate 50 years since the march. May we never forget those who have gone before and what they did to bring change in not only Alabama, but this country.

Sara's Arbor

I've been doing photo talks on the Sacred Spaces of Birmingham recently. I've tried to think past just churches and synagogues to other places in my city that give the feeling of a sacred space. Certainly this arbor at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in loving memory of our very special friend Sara Jones, is included.

The Winter Garden

This could be a mini series. We'll see about that. Today, a rose waiting to push off the old and welcome the new.

Talk About Your Crazy Weather

Well today the high in sunny Birmingham was 75F! Tonight at 6:00, I snapped this through the car window at church....POURING. Tomorrow, they claim the temps won't get above 34F. Seriously, what's up with all this?

Sharing The Love

Spotted outside Charm, one of my favorite places to shop downtown!

Connecting

Elizabeth MacQueen's beautiful sculpture,Four Spirits, is a tribute to the four young girls whose lives were cut short when the 16th Avenue Baptist Church was bombed in 1963. MacQueen's piece was installed at Kelly Ingram Park to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the bombing. I have photographed it many times. Often I find it becomes a sacred space for those seeing it for the first time. 

Guarding The Goods

Today we're back at the incredible Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.  It's protected by this very serious guard and his tiger. 

City Daily Photo Theme Day-Aging

Aging gracefully at The Garages on Southside

Today  City Daily Photobloggers around the world are posting their take on our monthly theme of aging. Click HERE to see them all!