Joe Minter's African Village

Ok it's back to business today, and I have a doozy! A few weeks ago my photography buddy Bill ( yeah- Trek Through the Woods to Find the Cemetery and Get Poison Ivy Bill) and I first made a stop at Joe Minter's African Village. I marched right through the gate of Joe's house and knocked on his door. Sadly he was not at home that day, but we just made ourselves at home and wandered the fenced area where he displays his art. Joe has been described as a "visionary artist that has created a sculpture park of American history". A potpourri for sure. I can't even begin to describe it.

Leftovers!

Yesterday was a great day for our family. We gathered at daughter Kathleen's and the 5 cousins had a terrific time on the rope swing and the two youngest practiced their batting skills. They all enjoyed making giant nests and then throwing the leaves piled on the street. The highlight of the day might have been when Uncle Jason put them in their harnesses and gave them a SUPER swing. ( I got a little nervous at that point) The adults enjoyed watching by the fire pit! Today you get a few "leftovers" from our day. I decided if I'm going to break the "one photo a day rule" I might as well break it big time. Well, it's my blog and I couldn't leave any of my dear ones out, so here you go! When I'm in Paris next time I'll buy Eric a glass of wine and beg for forgiveness. ( Excusez moi?? Pardon moi????)

I promise tomorrow we'll be back to Birmingham "business".

The management thanks you for your patience.

While you're here, have a piece of Kathleen's pumpkin pie made with real pumpkin. I thought it came from a can!!! Who knew!

Bunny ears on Mumsie????

Thankful I Am!

You know where this is going. I'm most thankful this day for my two wonderful daughters, two patient son-in -laws :) and 5 fantastic grandchildren! Now, add my terrific friends near and far and those of you in blogland. But wait..... I can't forget the city I've called home most of my life....Sweet Home Birmingham!

I Can Hear You Now!

My longtime readers will recognize this sweetie patootie. Yes, this is Lilly and now she's a big two year old. I first photographed her here , and then last year we took some photos before her first cochlear implant here. Well now she's had her second surgery and oh my goodness! That girl can talk up a storm now , and as my grandmother would say, "She's smart as a whip!" Monday we had another photo shoot. The top photo was my favorite and the second one is pretty special too. Lilly spotted my Eva and pointed to the spot next to her on the step and said, "Sit!" Eva did as told. They are now BFF, and Lilly shed a few tears when Mom Lisa put her in the car to go home. Oh and by the way, Lilly has a message for all of you out there.......WAR EAGLE!! I told you she was smart! :)

And if you want to keep up with Lilly's progress and her shenanigans, you guessed it.... she has a blog! How can I compete with that???

Sloss Silhouette

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

Harmonica and Bass

Red Mountain - An Old-time String Band from Alabama. What a great name for a band ! I snapped their photos the last weekend of the Pepper Place Market a while back. I've selected just two photos for you today. Please stop by their site to learn more about this great musical group!!!

Cherub

Some of my faithful readers have commented that they enjoy a little chatter from me regarding my photos each day. I suspect that there are multitudes out there that are begging for some silence but are too polite to suggest it. I'm usually able to write a little or a lot with not much effort. At other times, there are photos about which I have nothing meaningful or even mildly interesting to say. Today's one of 'em. Well would you look! I've managed to blather on about NOTHING! Anyone surprised? Maybe I've made everyone happy today!

I'm joining Aileni's Monochrome Weekly again today. Check out their gorgeous photographs right HERE.

Watch For Oncoming Trains!

I hope I get a little credit for practically lying across these tracks to get this shot. I'm having a flashback to the old silent movie where the dastardly villain ties the helpless maiden to the tracks with the oncoming train lumbering around the bend!

POM POMS!!!

Here in Alabama, we're in the midst of football season. We're all about high school and college football, marching bands and cheerleaders!

Cloudy With A Chance of...... Great Cloud Art!

" You must not blame me if I talk to the clouds".......on my IPhone!

Henry David Thoreau

Well it's Thursday and you know what that means. I've been to the Birmingham Museum of Art for my volunteer shift and have something to share today. Meet Birmingham artist Amy Pleasant ( and she IS!). Amy's a local painter that also does mural drawings. Last week I featured a ladder in the Sculpture Garden. Well they were busy freshening up the walls with white paint so Amy could fill the walls with CLOUDS! She will eventually install dozens of 3 dimensional clouds, like the one in the top photo, all around the center space. Won't that be fun? I can't wait to see it when it's all finished. Meanwhile, I'll be stopping by to see Amy's progress and reporting back with photos.

* Amy's website won't be up and running for a week or so. I'll post it here so you can visit her!!!

The Open Door

Shotgun House

Sloss Furnaces

One remaining "shotgun house" from the days when African American workers at Sloss Furnaces lived in "company housing" which was a community of these type homes called "The Quarters". Located just outside the entrance to Sloss Furnaces next to Duncan House. Duncan House was moved from Tarrant City and now houses the Sloss Historical Society. Not original to the site, it represents the type of housing "middle management" might have had in other Birmingham neighborhoods. Last Sunday I found the back door open and I believe it has been used as a safe haven for the homeless recently, judging from the clothing etc. I saw inside.

Duncan House

Sloss Furnaces

Alabama Art Folk Gallery

The Birmingham Museum of Art has opened a new gallery dedicated to Alabama Folk Artists. Located in the former Young and Vann Building on First Avenue North in downtown Birmingham, it is currently featuring Charlie Lucas's work as well as Lonnie Holley and the Gee's Bend Quiltemakers. I've previously posted Charlie's work here. It's the perfect place to showcase our talented Alabama folk artists. I hope my Birmingham/Alabama readers will pay a visit here soon.

Forgotten Resting Places

Saturday my friend Bill drug me all over ( you saw one example on yesterday's post). Another stop was on the Shannon Wenonah Road. When he pulled over on the side of the road and stopped the truck I looked at him and said, " Why are we stopping here, B ?" . His answer, "There's a really old cemetery over there." May I just say right here that "over there" was nothing but woods! Well my photo coffers are low, so I gamely jumped out and climbed a small embankment and started stomping through leaves, limbs, sticker vines etc. Did I fail to mention that I had on my really cute yellow flats that were not condusive to a hike in the woods? Well he was right. There were about 6 grave markers spread over a wide area. Most of the graves in this site have been moved to other locations by the families. The few that were remaining were simple but lovely . Today a few. The gorgeous red leaves in the banner were shot here as well.

Drive-By Preacher

This enthusiastic gentleman has been spreading the Good Word for years in Homewood. Every weekend he faithfully stands on the side of the road praising the Lord over his loud- speaker and waving a fine collections of signs. West Lakeshore Drive at Wildwood Shopping Center is a busy, busy 4 four lane road, and I've always wanted to stop but was hesitant. Yesterday I was with my photography bud Bill. Bless his heart, he's always up for a photo shoot, so he pulled over on the shoulder and out I jumped. Don't worry about Bill, he dodged cars and ran across to the median for a better shot!! I stayed put and this is what I got. You can see our new friend had a very nice sombrero on top of his usual dapper hat. What a nice man. If you pass him , be sure and honk!

And a new banner photo today........"Nobody's Perfect You Know!"