Theme Day: Yellow .....Brick Road!

Today, the first of April, is Theme Day for City Daily Photo Bloggers around the world.  We voted for YELLOW as our theme so here's my entry. It's Dorothy (Eva) and the friendly witch (Maddie) skipping down the Yellow Brick Road  at the A Night in Oz  fundraiser for the Birmingham Children's Theater.  I have a little bonus entry at the bottom.  A still life I took in my kitchen during my first photography class in January, 2008.  

Hundreds of Daily Photo bloggers around the globe have posted their interpretation of YELLOW.  Take a look!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

I am pleased to introduce a new blog today.  My friends at La Bonne Etoile have launched their new blog.  Have a look!  Don't forget that there is still time to register for the photography workshop I will lead there in July.  See the blog or the info on my sidebar for more information.

After the Concert

This is the last shot I got after Malcomb Holcombe's house concert a few weeks ago. Thanks Malcomb for a great evening!

This is nod to my friend Snapper's ( Gabriola DP)  fine,  fine series of musician's hands!

A WONDERFUL SURPRISE YESTERDAY:  My dear friend Mary Gilbert phoned me as she was leaving for Paris yesterday.  She called from BUSINESS CLASS, ( how divine) right before they took off.  I think I heard champagne corks popping! Bon voyage mon amie!!

Play Ball!

We've been to Rickwood Field on many occassions ( here, here and here!).  I would say this is the last post,  but I can't be sure I won't go back and get some new photos.  By now you all know it's America's Oldest Baseball Park,  and I guess the seats are starting to look a bit worn.  But come to think of it,  shiny, new seats would just be wrong!

*  Yesterday I had some clever viewers who tried to guess where that photo was taken.  The answer is .....Mountain Brook - Birmingham's most upscale suburb.  It was shot behind two recent posts: Charlotte Woodson Antiques and Gilchrist!!!  I'm including a photo of the block where the alley is located.  

Smoking in the Alley - Table/Chairs Series III

Not the usual fare from BADP. My producer/manager cautioned against using it in fact, but since when do I listen to his good advice?  That,  coupled with a low inventory gave me the courage to post this photo. I am fairly certain that not one of my Birmingham readers will know where this "lovely" spot is located. Want to guess anyone? I'll post the location tomorrow!

( Uh yes, I fiddled with the soft focus a little,  just for fun.  This is a nod to my friend JB at Mainz, Germany  Daily Photo who would call this an "arty farty" shot! )

Have a Seat- Table/Chair Series III

#3 in my  *"Table and Chairs Series" this week can be found at Chez Fonfon French bistro in Birmingham's Five Points South area.  We spent several days here  last September when my friends flew off to La Bonne Etoile and I was suffering major French envy.  

* Merci Kim at Seattle DP for the idea of making this week's offerings into an ongoing series.

Sole Man II

Some of you might remember my trip to the Goodyear Shoe Hospital last summer. You met Andrew then. I was prowling around in the archives and found this photograph that I'd forgotten about. I love the way his hands are illuminated by the small light on his machinery. That reminds me that maybe I need to pay Andrew another visit!

Our friend Kim (Seattle DP) suggested I might have started a Table and Chairs series this week. Well you know, she might be onto something!  I have a few more that I'll post in the next week.  Thanks Kim.  I'm always game for something new around here!

La table par la fenêtre- Table/Chair Series II

We have visited Continental Bakery here and here.  They bake the most wonderful breads and pastries and the shop is oozing with French charm.  I enjoyed an enormous chocolat croissant and coffee here while photographing it yet again from every angle.  

Three Very Special Treats for Me Yesterday:  I picked up the phone and it was our  Bibi from Belgrade calling!  How wonderful to hear her voice and be able to have a long chat. We swapped books and websites and had a grand time learning more about each other.  It just made my day!  I also got to talk with my dear friend Mary in Cincinatti who is leaving for Paris on Monday. I am so thrilled for her and can hardly wait for her tales of all the cemeteries she will be visiting !!  Lastly, for all of you who have been so interested in Lilly's progress, check out her blog and see for yourself!!!!! 

( Alas, I have been homebound since my car is in the shop $$$$$ YIKES!)

Got Brie???

Bottle Tree

I visited Park Lane Flowers in English Village yesterday and hit pay dirt!  Not only did I get to photograph this lovely window display, but I met a new friend who had been to Paris in December.  She was here from New Mexico visiting family,  and we had such a nice visit over coffee and croissants next door at Continental Bakery .  I love this window because it reminds me of an abstract stained glass window!

Soda Fountain Minus the Drugstore- Table /Chair Series I

I think you will agree that most of the drugstores, with the wonderful old soda fountains, are a dying breed.  Around here the family owned drugstores shed their fountains years ago and have now sold out to the big chains.  Well this is one for the books....Gilchrist Drugs in Mountain Brook Village.  Gilchrist has been in the same spot for 82 YEARS!!!  The drugstore is long gone, there's not a sign of an aspirin or a band-aid,  but the soda fountain remains and does a booming breakfast and lunch business.  And at about 3:05 every weekday, the school crowd takes over.  Sandwiches, hot dogs, salad plates and even tomato aspic top the menu.  Real shakes and malts are mixed up before your eyes, but the hand squeezed limeades are what they are famous for.  I had lunch at the counter just yesterday. Friendliest staff you'll ever want to meet.  Looks like Gilchrist will be around for another 82!

The Faces of the Japan-America of Alabama's Festival

Meet some of the interesting people we met on Saturday at the Japan-America of Alabama's
 event at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Carp Diem!

Forgive me,  I am so sorry , but I couldn't stop myself!    I visited the Japanese- Americ Society Alabama's Festival at the Japanese Gardens yesterday, and they had this wonderful pool of carp on display!  What a beautiful day it was.  The Birmingham Botanical Gardens parking lot was FULL.   Apparently everyone in Birmingham wanted to get outside and see the cherry blossoms in bloom and take advantage of the beautiful spring weather.  Today, two images from my visit. More to come of course!

No Mow

Today's photo is one that instantly evokes memories of my childhood.  I spent summers in North Little Rock, Arkansas with my grandparents.  From the time I could reach the handles of the "push mower" my granddaddy, who I called Big Daddy ( it doesn't get more southern than that!) , had me helping with the mowing.  I didn't look on it as a chore, rather a rite of passage. I was finally big enough to help him!  I spotted this handle-less mower at Sweet Peas and actually have photographed it many, many times.  Spring has arrived and summer will be here before we know it.   Such sweet memories of summers gone by.

There's a Tune du Jour!  I had this in draft form so Tony Bennett can croon 

" For Once in My Life" , one of my favorites!

Discover Tony Bennett!

Tonight's Line- Up

It's almost baseball season.  How do I know?  Because I have seen the wee tiny tots out "practicing" when I walk every afternoon.  I promise I will take my camera and capture some of the "Baby Ruths" one day soon.  

Today, a shot of my friend Connor that I took at Rickwood Field.  Some of you may remember that I have shared other photos from Rickwood, here and here.  It's America's Oldest Baseball Field and we are quite proud of it.  It has been lovingly preserved down to the vintage signs on the outfield fencing.  The Friends of Rickwood Field have done a nice job of keeping it up to par.  Maybe we'll see Connor play there one day!

Through the Doorway

This is yet another "couldn't leave without the photo" moment.  I was leaving Kevin Irwin's studio a few weeks ago,  and I was parked in front of Irwin Brothers' Remodeling, her husband's office space downstairs.  See for yourself the image that made me get out of my car and shoot some photos through the sidelights of the beautiful vintage doors. Oh, and the lady in the window?  Kevin tells me her grandmother made it.  The talent must run in the family!