Sunset

I stopped by the Rez last night to snap this shot before the sun sank completely into the horizon. I love the sunsets around here.

Check out other skies across the world at Skywatch.

Mr Barista

For some reason I think it's strange that male coffee artists are called baristas - I think it's my French language influence. Why not baristos? I would think that Italian also has gender specifc titles the same as French since they are both Latin languages.

In any case, this barista was kind enough to let me snap his photo. He was worried about his hair and clothes, but I think he looks quite cool. Unfortunately, I forgot to get his name. Perhaps he'll be there next time and I'll pass on a link to my blog.

Inside Cups

Cups not only has wonderful coffee, they also offer free wi-fi and colorful tables and chairs where you can ponder life's mysteries with friends or just finish some homework! The staff are very friendly and know how to make good drinks... what more can you want from a cafe?

Cups

Cups is a locally owned and operated cafe with several outlets in the Jackson metro area. I stopped by the Fondren branch last week before the auditions for a quick pick-me-up to get my juices flowing.

I found out this weekend that I was not cast in the reading of the Vagina Monologues. That's really okay with me, I am more interested in the staged poetry reading... so keep those fingers crossed!

I'll be showing more of Cups this week - including a barista!

Happy Groundhog Day!!!

I caught this sunset on my flight today from San Diego to Atlanta. We were about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta - so these may be the skies over Jackson. The colors were stunning, although I think the people next to me thought I was a little weird for taking pictures out the window!

I spent most of today crossing the country from west to east and then back west again. Yes, when you live in Jackson, you have to go east before going west. My husband and I fully enjoyed the sunny weather and warm temps in SoCal. I could easily get used to life on the west coast.

Unfortunately, I didn't catch Puxatawnie Phil's prediction today, but I'm hoping it's for a short winter!

February Theme Day: Paths and Passageways

My path today is a small bridge over the water.

Please click here to see some of the other paths and passageways from around the world!

Local Artwork

I'm not sure exactly what to make of this piece of art. Happy Friday everyone!!!

Old Oak

This old tree was in the front lawn of The Cedars House. I love old trees like this one - perfect for a treehouse or a fort!

The Cedars House

The Cedars is one of Jackson's oldest homes. It was built around 1840. Today it's used by the Fondren Renaissance Foundation for art showings, performances and other "arty" things. Fondren is one of Jackson's oldest neighborhoods and a group of people have come together to "revive" both the residential and the commercial areas. So far, it's working pretty well!

I stopped by The Cedars last night to audition for Fondren Theater Workshop. They have two productions coming up - so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

We had another tree cut down in our yard yesterday and this stump is all that remains. It was an old pine that died and was infested with pine beetles. It was also dangerously close to our house, so we finally bit the bullet and paid to have it cut down.

I asked my husband to take pictures, but by the time he was up and ready the tree was already gone! At least the workers were quick and efficient. It's sort of sad to see a tree go though. I hope no birds were nesting in it - the woodpeckers especially like to make their homes in those tall, skinny pines.

Movie Theater

My husband and I went to see Gran Turino this weekend. It's a really good movie, if you get a chance to see it - GO!

We went to the metro's newest multiplex - Malco Grandview. They have tried to give the lobby an Italian feel. Although it's nothing like being in Italy, it is nice. They have a fountain in the middle, a refreshment stand and lots of comfy chairs to lounge in if you have to wait until your show starts. We have never seen the place so busy, but we generally go to the matinee showing. The queue for tickets was out the door so we didn't have time to relax. We made a beeline for our theater. Luckily, we only missed a few of the advertisements!

New Jerusalem Chruch

I don't know what denomination this church belongs to, but once again they have a very informative website. I'm sure my European readers find it strange that all of these churches have such extensive websites - I find it a little strange myself. But I guess if it works, it works!

Sundown on the 15th

I don't think this post needs any explanation.

Happy Friday everyone! Take a look at some of the other skies around the world at Skywatch.

Buffet

The Bingo Buffet consisted of fried chicken, beef tips, mashed pots, friend okra... everything I tried was quite tasty!

100 Strangers

I decided to post this as part of Birmingham Alabama's 100 Strangers challenge. These are some of the winners of last Friday's Bingo game who graciously posed for me and the club photographer. I believe the woman in the blue windsuit was the night's big winner.

Bingo Night!

Last Friday my husband and I had dinner at our golf club which was followed by a Bingo game. Each card cost three dollars. The first game was worth five, the seond eight and the third ten. The last three games were worth twenty, forty and one hundred dollars respectively. I think those are pretty good prizes! We didn't win anything, but check back tomorrow to see who did.

500 kv building

My work recently added this tall area on to our existing plant. The plan is to build 500 kv breakers in there - they need more head room! The new sign just went up last week and quite a few of us gathered to see it. I should have taken a picture when it just said MENS.

I'm actually not at work today though since down here in Mississippi we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. With that said, happy Monday everyone!

Ridgecrest Baptist Church

I have decided to post a picture of a local church each Sunday. There's no shortage of them around here - so it will be awhile before I've exhausted all the options!

This church is the third in a row of three churches all on the same street. I wonder if they vie for "business" - one of the others is Methodist denomination and the other is simply the Victory church. Ridgecrest has a nice steeple as well as a very elaborate website. I never knew churches were so technology-savvy!

Skywatch Friday

Belk's is one of two department stores we have here in Jackson, the other being Dillard's. I took this photo yesterday evening. Somehow the sky does not look as pretty in the photo as it did in person. It was sort of pinkish-orange and just peeking out behind that clock tower.

Happy Friday everyone. Be sure to check out other skies around the world at Skywatch.

Manicure

VIP Nails is one of the numerous Vietnamese nail shops in and around Jackson. I've tried quite a few, but VIP is one of the better ones. My last manicure lasted more than two weeks!

Quail Hollow

My husband and I played a round of golf in McComb, Mississippi on New Year's Eve day on our way to the Big Easy. The weather was quite sunny, although it was really cold. We played this course before and it's still as nice as the last time, although my score wasn't!

Schimmels

Schimmels is a local restaurant that also hosts blues acts on the weekends. You may have heard of The Subway Lounge. It was an old juke joint featured in the 2003 documentary Last of the Mississippi Juke Joints. Despite efforts to renovate and revitalize the old club, it was demolished in 2004. Luckily there are places like Schimmels who have given those performers new places to play!

Madison County Tax Assesor

A gloomy rainy day is as good a time as any to visit your local tax assessor. Luckily my husband and I were on a good mission. Since we bought our house last February, we could not homestead (you had to be living in the home on 1 Jan) and have been paying the full-value property tax! Now we're officially homesteaded and will pay a discounted rate.

Mega Church

Christ United Methodist is one of the largest churches in the Jackson area. In addition to the regular church facilities, they also have a pre-school program. I wonder how many members this church has - it must be in the hundreds! The administrative costs and upkeep of their campus must be quite expensive. And they have a very professional website to boot.

There are quite a few mega-churches like this around town. I always wonder if there is competition for membership between them. Here in the US, churches advertise for "customers" just like any other business.

Shrooms

Since I don't eat meat, I didn't try the hot dogs. I did try these mushrooms though and they were delicious!

Jackson photos will be back next week. I hope you've enjoyed this look at the holidays in Berlin!

Hot diggity dog!

These are the German version of hot dogs. They take the long dogs and put them into a piece of bread about the size of a dinner roll. They're quite funny looking, but the Germans probably think our long buns are strange too!

Wall of color

These colorful lights are found all over the lobby of the Berliner Philharmonie. The building is fantastic from the inside and out. The acoustics are also astounding. The Berlin Philharmonie is one of the most recorded orchestras in the world. It's really a world class organization. If you ever get a chance to hear them play - take it!

Berliner Philharmonie

My MiL took my husband and I out for a concert at the Berlin Philharmonie. We saw Mahler's Third and it was spectacular! The orchestra was under the direction of Zubin Mehta and there was also a boy's choir, a women's choir and an alto soloist. What a spectacle!

PS: Bonne fete des rois!!

Potsdamer Platz Arkaden

This is the view from the grand windows at the Potsdamer Platz shopping center. My husband and I always make a trip down there for an ice cream when we're in town. I thought the combination of decorations from outside and inside looked very pretty.

The Kudamm

The Kudamm is really spectacular during the holidays. There are always beautiful light displays. I just love the simplicity of the trees with a star on the top.