Along Morris Avenue

I have admired this gate with the lion heads for many, many years. I've  photographed them every way I know of to get them just right. Morris Avenue is an historic cobble stoned avenue just as you enter downtown Birmingham, off 20th Street. It's famous for the Peanut Depot across the street but this office gate is my favorite.

Birmingham Rouge - Red Gate

Parkside has changed its image.  It started out as a wonderful  art/accessories/antique shop.  Now it is a charming neighborhood bar in the Avondale neighborhood.  Out back I found this nice red gate.

WRITE YOUR OWN TITLE FOR THIS QUIRKY IMAGE...... and the winner is........
David McMahon's : " After the pool closed, the sychronized swimming team had to train wherever they could."  I had not one , but TWO impartial judges this week. I can't promise that level of impartiality in the future, but good judges are hard to find without a kickback. I thank each and everyone of you for participating.  More to come !

Momentos

Some of you long, longtime readers may remember the first time I posted these gates. When I first photographed them at The Garage, I did so purely because they were so visually appealing to me. I envisioned the photographs framed and hung in a grouping. No one seemed as enthralled as I was. Not the first time. Well, fast forward to a month ago when I revisited The Garage and found owner /architect Fritz Woehle there. He gave us a delightful tour around his most unusual and eclectic space. As we wandered outside, I commented on the gates and told him how much I loved them. He told me that the white crosspieces were from the windows of the old Birmingham Terminal Station , built in 1909, and torn down in 1969, an act of total stupidity on the part of this city! Fritz salvaged these pieces and added them to the rusted metal gates. I love them even more now.

The Gate - Shadow Series

I've photographed this gate and wall at Plain Clothes on several trips down Linden Avenue in Homewood. Yet another Shadow Series entry.

Thank you all for your good wishes for my trip home. Let's pray Friday will be my lucky day, although leaving Paris will be hard.

Keeper of the Gates

We been here to the Garage before.  These gates probably don't look familiar to you because I first posted them here way back in June when almost noone in "blogland",  but Rambling Round, Dusty Lens and Tom Wigley knew I was alive!  I also posted what's on the inside of these gates here.  The Garage is a well known place in Birmingham for assorted "stuff" and a funky little bar as well.  I love these gates so I am happy to have a chance to show them off again.  I would estimate I have taken  close to 60 shots of them from every angle and every time of day.  That rich rust color and the graphic element is very appealing to me.  I envisioned a grouping of 4-6 different shots of them hanging in my home ....... still on the To Do list.  I have come to the realization that the gates might be one of those things that I really like and perhaps few others feel the same,  and that's OK with me.  Call me quirky!

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

PARIS COUNTDOWN.....5 DAYS!!!!

I am resisting the urge to go into HOUR mode. Will save that for the weekend!

Discover Rod Stewart featuring Chris Botti!

The Garage, Something for Everyone

Welcome to The Garage.  Let me try and describe this quirky place for you.   It's a  cross between a European Flea Market and Sanford and Son.  In fact, a lot of  folks say the owner and Fred Samford have similar personalities!   It's a jumble of statuary, concrete planters, rusty, peeling iron work of every description and who knows what else.  There are several inside rooms that I have never darkened,  but from what I could see, there's another world of discoveries to be had in there as well.    Stay with me, it gets more interesting. There is a bar attached that by night has live music and by day serves great sandwiches that can be eaten al fresco amongst the merchandise in the courtyard hence today's photo.  Note the enormous wisteria vine/tree that has wound itself all over the place and provides photographers and patrons with lovely dappled shade.   In chatting with the bar owner, he shared that he often refers to himself as Lamont ( to the owner's Fred Sanford !!!)   I'll share an interesting photo from his place on another day.  The Garage is really a one of a kind place.  Where else can you have cold beer, a tasty sandwich,  and leave with an old gate or a headless statue? 

Previous Garage post: June 23, 2008

Gates

My favorite gates in Birmingham! These are found at The Garage on Birmingham's southside.  I have photographed these particular gates a hundred different ways.  I love the symmetry, the timeless design, the rust - well actually everything about them.  Interestingly, these gates are probably the only orderly thing about this place.  It is a delightful jumble of old iron pieces, statuary, planters etc.  If you have patience,  you might find a treasure.