A Sparkling Evening!

I know a lot of you out there don't blog or use Facebook but I wouldn't trade the friends I've made on both for all the money in the world. Last night, July 4th, was another example. Photography friends gathered on photographer Caroline Wright's wonderful front porch on Southside and watched the fireworks, and....... almost set her house on fire with the fabulous sparklers she'd bought.  A sparkling night with new and old friends.  I'm grateful.

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!