Cup of Java at O'Henry's

The Table/Chair Series is alive and well!!!

O'Henry's Coffee Shop in downtown Homewood is where my friend Doug and I like to meet for a morning chat from time to time. He's a photographer ( you met him here as my sub in June) so he wasn't a bit embarrassed when I grabbed my camera and started taking some shots in the middle of our conversation!

GOOD NEWS !!

My luggage has turned up in Nashville be home at noon today. That's a very good thing.

Jones Valley Urban Farm- A little green amongst the asphalt

A garden plot tended by a group from the YWCA

Welcome back to the Jones Valley Urban Farm.  A non-profit agency that utilizes 3 acres of vancant downtown property.  They raise vegetables and flowers and do a terrific job of educating the community about healthy food.  I've posted about this great place here.  I also stop by their booth at the Pepper Place on Saturdays to buy their organically grown produce.

The JVUF's booth at the Pepper Place Market always has a terrific variety of cut flowers as well as organically grown veggies.

Chow Chow???

I know what most of you are thinking, what the heck is CHOW CHOW?  If you Google it you will most likely find many canine sites. That's not what we're talking here.  Chow chow is a southern delicacy that we eat with blackeyed peas etc.  It's a type of relish,  and you can find some mighty fine chow chow at the Pepper Place Market on Saturdays in Birmingham.  Go on and hit this link and see what's in it.

The End of the Line

USO Members greet servicemen returning home for R & R. What a treat to see the

crowds gathered and clapping for these fine young men!

Last night I flew into the Atlanta Airport expecting to zip right on home to Birmingham. NOT! I found the last two flights to BHM overbooked and after trying to catch the airport shuttle (the last one had already left the airport) and rent a car ( they wouldn't accept my temporary driver's license), I decided to go to a nearby hotel and wait till morning for the 10:30 shuttle to BHM. That worked and by 12:30 we drove into BHM and I was home at last. Today a few shots I took at the airport. Tomorrow we'll be back to normal here with photos from the Magic City. Thank you all for you good wishes as I made my way home from France. It's nice to be home and I have many , many  wonderful memories of my trip. You can see more photos on http://paristhroughmylens.blogspot.com of course.

This is how the baggage carousel looks when your luggage is lost somewhere in the northern hemisphere.  La sigh!

Now I know why these guys are extinct....... they flew standby and never left the airport.

Departure Update

I am at CDG Airport again! THis time it looks very good that I will be on the noon flight to PIttsburgh then on to BHM arriving at 8:51 PM! Thank you all for your good wishes for my journey home!
V

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.

Birmingham Thunder

While I recover from jet lag today my guest photographer is Bill Dixon. Bill is my intrepid shooting buddy, and he and I have logged a lot of miles in search of photographs around town. He was nice enough to sub for me in June as well.

Today is a spectacular shot he captured atop Red Mountain at "The Club". Sorry I missed that photo shoot, Bill!

Standby Me!

I took this early in the day yesterday when I still had visions of flying home in the near future. Yes, if you have to spend some days in an airport, Charles de Gaaulle is the place to be. The architecture is beautiful, there are fabulous ritzy shope to prowl through, comfortable chairs etc. The bottom line is I didn't get on any of the four flights out. Tomorrow I 'm taking a break since the numbers don't look favorable. I'll enjoy Paris for a day and then start all over again on Friday.

Guess Who I Met Today??? THE BOSS!!

Well all you City Daily Photo Bloggers know who "The Boss" is! Oui, it's our revered patriarch, Eric Tenin! Eric and I met for a drink tonight, and I was thrilled to finally meet him in person.

He is just as charming as you've imagined and we had a grand time "talking blog". For all of you that emailed me with requests for his "blessings on your blog", not to worry, you're covered. He did mention something about my blog being his absolute favorite . but I'm sure he was just being polite! He was kind enough to pose next to his motorcycle so I would have proof of our rendezvous. I figured some of you out there would have some doubts. Thanks Eric for a wonderful visit and for letting me horn in on your home turf from time to time!

Au Revoir Paris!

No, this is NOT Birmingham, but today I wing my way back home from Paris. I have had a magical summer in France . I thought it might be nice to share a special Paris photo with you today so that you can see why I don't want leave! As many times as I have had the privilege of traveling here, I never tire of the spectacular sites in this city. I took this on Sunday night when Peter ( Peter's Paris ) , Janet ( DC Confidential) and Maya ( Maya Photography) and I ended a jampacked day of sightseeing and photography at the Louvre with a quick late night shoot. Au revoir!

Through the Arbor

While taking a stroll through the gates of the arbor at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens , look what I found! About nine months out of the year, Birmingham's professional children's photographers (and parents) flock here to capture their tiny subjects in this beautiful setting.

Downtown

The old John Hand Bank Building is one of may favorites. I've posted other photos here. Today, in keeping with the shadows theme, it makes another appearance with the late aftenoon sun casting a nice long shadow down 1st Avenue North. I think the black and white gives it a timeless feel. I almost expect to see some vintage Packard parked there on the street.

Tune du Jour is "Downtown" of course!

Fort Morgan

* Last month when I was in Paris, my dear friend Jean Reed subbed for me. For the last few days her friend Robert has shared a few photos with us. Robert lives in LA ( Lower Alabama!) in Baldwin County. Thanks Robert!

Fort Morgan is a historic site at the eastern edge of Mobile Bay. Built in 1819-1834 for the defenses of Mobile Bay, it is a fun site to tour on a beautiful day! The museum is very interesting and the battles here are well documented and artifacts from the site are well-preserved.

Robert - Guest Photographer

August Theme Day - Night

If you want to get technical, this is not exactly a night shot , but it looks like it doesn't it? This was taken in the abandoned office building adjacent to the old Lyric Theater in downtown Birmingham. My friend and intrepid guide, Tom Cronier, was nice enough to hold a flashlight behind the glass so I could get this eerie shot.

Today, City Daily Photo Bloggers around the world are putting their spin on the theme. Check 'em out!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants