The Charging Atlanta Sky

In my tenth year in this city, the stunning Spring Sky of Atlanta still compels me to take pictures while driving.


At Memorial and Boulevard.


At Six Feet Under.

Ashley's Charmed Chalk

I love the street that I have called my home for the last five years. From being the setting for some of my favorite sunsets to my frequent hawk visitors to Carwash's whistling, my life on this south Grant Park street has been charmed.

For the last couple months the lovely young lady that lives next door to me has been using my sidewalk as canvas for her chalk murals and messages. I absolutely beam each time I pull into my driveway and see that there is new rainbow dust sprawling the expanse of my house and rush out of my car to get a closer look at her latest art.

Ashley's accuracy in message choices is uncanny. Returning to Atlanta after a trip to Chicago I was greeted with "Home Sweet Home". After a particularly rough day at the Capitol her chalk encouraged me to "don't worry, be happy". The last night of the legislative session my sidewalk was emblazoned with "SARA YOU ROCK" in block letters. And sometimes it'll just be loopy swirls around hearts and skulls. Yesterday's message was lovely, and complete with details like the earth, a banana peel and her entire family's hand-prints- her mother told me she insisted they all make their mark:



I can be an absolute cynic and occasionally indulge in intellectual snobbery but my god, there is something about a message from a 5th grader that The World Is In Our Hands that completely melts my dark little heart. When I got home today I noticed that Ashley added another part to the message right in front of my front door:



I am so glad to be neighbors. Thank you Ashley, for being such a dependable and delightful sidewalk cheerleader.

(As an aside I just have to note my deep joy and wonder that after months of blog silence, both my lovely sister and I publish new pieces within a day of each other)

One of Us

Someday, the light will shine like a sun through my skin & they will say, What have you done with your life? & though there are many moments I think I will remember, in the end, I will be proud to say, I was one of us. -Brian Andreas

North Georgia Mountain Sunset

Heavy Metal Saved My Life

Mastodon and Dethklok played at the Tabernacle in Atlanta last Thursday - it was an unbelievable show. My only regret was that I went to the right side of the stage so I couldn't see Brent Hinds (who was on the left) hardly at all. Nonetheless, I managed to take a few METAL pictures:





And I shot a video of Mastdon especially for my sister who was feeling a little jealous that night:

Goodbye, Nico

I am so sad to learn that Nico the beautiful Beluga Whale, has died. I visited Nico and his sisters at the Georgia Aquarium so many times and shot this video of him during our visit on Ela's birthday:



Nico was the most playful of the three belugas, always twirling and diving and seemed like he was smiling and waving at us. The Aquarium had moved him and his sisters to Texas while they built the new dolphin exhibit- he died there. He is the third Atlanta beluga to pass away- I have written about Gasper and Marina previously.

My heart is heavy with the knowledge that we won't get to see that sweet and magnificent creature again. Here's a favorite picture from the Atlanta Journal Constitution to remember him:

A Visit to Oakland Cemetery on Dia de Muertes

Today was the first time I have ever visited Oakland Cemetery on Day of the Dead. I thought of my beautiful grandmothers as we strolled through the park at sunset. The full moon was floating above and the red sunbeams shined through the trees. I smiled as I left a sugar skull by my favorite headless woman. Thanks to Raoul and his lovely visitors for inspiring today's walk!