Skywatch Friday

Yes, I probably spend too much time at the golf course, but it's a beautiful place isn't it?

Happy Friday everyone, to see other skies from around the world click here.

Eastern Bluebird

I've seen a couple of eastern bluebirds at my feeder lately. They are such pretty little birds. I hope they'll stay.

I also hope you'll enjoy this bonus video. It's not really for the image, but for the sounds. These are the birds I hear in the morning when I sleep with the window open. I'm not really sure which birds they are, but they make a wonderful alarm clock!

PS: Heute, bin ich Geburtstagkind!

Backstage...

You can find loads of interesting things to photograph in the bowels of a theater. I liked the colors of these old electrical cords. I've enhanced the colors a bit with picassa, but they really were pretty bold by themselves.

Ladies Dressing Room

Although we were not performing on the main stage, we got to use the dressing rooms and the green room during my recent performance at New Stage. It's a wonderful place to work,  both on- and off-stage. I hope it won't be the last time!

Check back tomorrow for another look backstage.

Cosmos

I love cosmos. They are so easy to grow and always add a little color. Mine just started blooming, but hey, I'll enjoy them while I can.

St Joseph's

Saint Joseph Catholic church is located in Gluckstadt, Mississippi. The congregation hosts the annual Germanfest every year. I'm not sure what the proceeds go towards, but it must be something charitible.

In any case, I like the simplicity of their place of worship, and the light coming through the bell tower is quite nice as well. For more information on the history of the church and its congregation, click here.

Skywatch Friday

There's nothing nicer than a blue sky over a cemetery.

Happy Friday everyone! To see more skies from around the world, click here.

Flower in Black and White

I can't remember what this flower is called. I planted quite a few bulbs last year, but didn't get very good results. This year they made plenty of stems again and I waited and waited to see if they were going to flower, but nothing. Until now. At the very, very end of summer.

Perhaps it's all the rain we've gotten lately or something, but some of my other flowering plants are doing the same thing. They did not flower during the summer and all and now there are blossoms everywhere. I will enjoy them while I can!

I'm off to Germany today and will be back in ten days. I've got my blog on automatic posting, but I'll try to check in every now and then if I get a good internet connection. Until then, enjoy!

More Germanfest...

The local fire brigade also had some trucks out on display. There are many reasons I'm happy to live in Madison, and red fire trucks is one of them. Those yellow ones are just not right.

Back to Germanfest!

I didn't get to finish my Germanfest series last week - so here's another look! There were two horse-drawn carriages at the festival. The horse on the left kept giving me the eye. They were both really beautiful.

The Swedish House of Jackson

Remember awhile back when Jacob from Ocala posted a picture of his Swedish House? Now I've found one in Jackson for you to enjoy! It's located in the historic Fondren district, and it's for rent if anyone is interested. I'm sure the Pixels Group from Stockholm are packing as we speak (write)!

Our show ended last night with a pretty good audience considering the weather conditions (cold and wet). I really enjoyed being a part of it and made some great new friends in the process. It will be nice to have some of my time back though. I'll be able to better concentrate on my blog now instead of stuffing my head with lines.

Hummingbird II

I believe the hummingbirds have started their journey towards warmer winter weather, but I certainly enjoyed them while they were here. I hope they'll stop by next year as well!

These little creatures are really amazing. Hope you enjoy the bonus video!

Skywatch Friday

This is the sunset over Natchez Trace. We do have some beautiful skies here in Mississippi.

Happy Friday everyone - I'm glad it's here! To see more skies from around the world, click here.

October Theme Day: Contrast

Here's my entry for the theme day. Unfortunately, I was short on time and ideas so I went through my archives and tried to fit something for the theme instead of going out and shooting something specific. In any case, I do think it shows contrast - there's light and shadows. The photo was taken at the Pi(e) Lounge inside Sal and Mookie's pizzaria.

To see more intrepretations of today's theme from around the world click here.

Die Miternaechters

Besides the food and drink, there was plenty of other entertainment at the Germanfest - including the (locally) famous Miternaechters. We enjoyed a few stanzas of the Chicken Polka - known to Germans as the Duck Dance. There were even a few authentic German folk songs, although my husband had a hard time understanding their "southern" accents (and I'm not talking about Bavaria here). It was a lot of fun though and I applaud the band for wearing real lederhosen. I don't need to hear the chicken polka for awhile though. Once per year, or less, is plenty for me.

Germanfest!

My husband and I finally made it to the Germanfest this year. The past two years, it has been the same weekend as the Viking Classic (the PGAs only stop in Mississippi) so we chose golf over beer and bratwurst. But I'm really glad we went this year.

It was not a large festival and I think my husband was probably the only authentic German there, but people seemed to be having a great time. Bales of hay were provided as seating, but some others brought their own chairs. This guy is obviously a Deutschophile - I just had to get a sly picture of him with his flag and the hat with all the real Oktoberfest flare.

Check back tomorrow for another look at Germanfest.

Lemuria

Lemuria Books is Jackson's one locally-owned bookshop. It's a nice place to shop for something different or special. It's also in the same building as Broadstreet Bakery - a place I've been hanging out at quite frequently before rehearsals because they make great cappuccinos and brownies. I'll have to get a picture of the barista over there sometime.

Our show opens this Friday. I must admit I'm feeling a bit nervous, but I think we're going to be fine. And it really is a great show and will give audiences something to think about afterwards.

Hummingbird

Before I got the squirrel-proof feeder, I had a wooden feeder which I painted red. I noticed it often attracted hummingbirds (they like the bright color) but they were always disappointed to find that it wasn't really a source of food.

A few weeks ago I decided to test my luck with these tiny feathered friends and I bought a feeder and set up the camera and everything. I see them buzzing around the place constantly now, but it's been difficult to get a good shot of them because they move so fast - by the time the camera registers their presence, they're gone. Anyhow, I did finally catch one the other day and I think it's a pretty good photo. I present you with my ruby-throated backyard friend.

Skywatch Friday

At least something good has come out of all the rain we've had lately! This rainbow was a real beauty, fully stretched out over the horizon.


Happy Friday everyone! I hope you enjoy the weekend - I know I will. To see other skies from around the world, click on the skywatch link.

More Food...

I've never eaten at the China Belle, but the sign is pretty neat. My photo doesn't really do it justice, I should probably try to get a night shot so you can see the flashing fish.

This week has been really busy with work and my show. I am definitely looking forward to Friday!

Night Angel

We rehearsed a few nights at Broadmeadow Methodist church last week. I got there a bit early and wandered around before heading inside. I found this angel inside the courtyard and I thought it made a nice night shot.

Home Cooking

My husband surprised me this weekend with a wonderful dinner of fresh gulf shrimp and some delicious pasta.

The Shape of Things

To continue on my theater theme, this is the publicity photo we've released for the upcoming show. I really like the effect that they used on it. These are the two "main" characters Evelyn and Adam - although it's really an ensemble cast.

Here's the official description of the show: "After a chance meeting in a museum, Evelyn, a sexy, aggressive artist, and Adam, a shy, insecure student, become embroiled in an intense affair. Before long, it veers into the kind of dangerous, seductive territory that LaBute does best, as Adam, under Evelyn's steady influence, goes to unimaginable lengths to improve his appearance and character. Only in the final and shocking exhibitiion, which challenges our most deeply entrenched ideas about art and love, does Evelyn reveal her true intentions."

If anyone in the Jackson area is interested in coming to see it, performances will be held October 2 - 4 at 7.30pm in the Hewes Room at New Stage in Belhaven. It's going to be good!

Gutenberg!

I had never heard of Gutenberg, the Musical before New Stage put it on their current season line-up. My husband and I are going to see it next Saturday, but I've already heard that it's delightfully funny.

Gutenberg is the season opener for the Main Stage series. This year I decided to purchase season tickets, I figure if there's a show I can't see one of my friends will surely be happy to take the extras off my hands.

Yellow Bicycle

I've been spending a lot of time at New Stage with the show coming up. I caught this bike out in front the other day. I like the bright yellow, it somehow seems to fit.

Here's wishing you a happy weekend!

Every Little Swallow...

My squirrel-proof feeder is still keeping the long-tailed rodents away. I'm very impressed with it and also am saving a lot on bird feed!

This Carolina chickadee is a frequent visitor, but for some reason he doesn't usually end up in my pictures (or at least not in the good ones). So I was very pleased to get this shot of him. His song is always a welcome wake-up call in the morning. Pretty soon I'll even be able to sleep with the windows open again so I'll really hear his song in all it's glory.

Sculpture

This piece is being displayed outside the Cedars Home in Fondren right now. I'm not really too fond of the sculpture itself, but I like the way it was in the shadow and the light was hitting the leaves of the bushes to the left. I did find a website for the artist, if you'd like to know more about Richard McKey, click here.

Frozen Margaritas!

Recently my husband and I have started going to Papito's, a Mexican restaurant not far from our home (and golf course). They have weekend specials on giant margaritas and their food is quite good too!

Mississippi Symphony Orchestra

Photos were not really allowed inside the hall, but I figured since this was after the performance, it was okay. We were in the lower balcony, the view was excellent and the acoustics in the hall are also very good.

The main reason we went was for the Mahler song, but all of the music was great! Click here to see the evening's full program.

Thalia Mara Hall

My husband and I went to see the season opener of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra this weekend. The MSO plays in the Thalia Mara Hall downtown. The space is also used by Ballet Mississippi and touring groups. We had never been before - both the space and the orchestra were wonderful!

The concert was followed by a reception celebrating the orchestra's 65th season. We're already planning to purchase tickets to another show in March.