Snow Line

Our backyard, showing the furthest point the sun shown over the fence after a snow.

Good and Bad Angels

A small painting by Louisiana folk artist Clementine Hunter (1886-1988), which hangs on our living room wall.

Snow and Schnapps

Sign at a business on McLendon Avenue during the snow/ice event that shut down Atlanta.

My Neighborhood in the Snow

This picture is probably very pedestrian to many people, but we don't get much snow here in Atlanta.

The Majestic

The Majestic Diner - a 24-hour joint much beloved by musicians, strippers from the nearby Clermont Lounge, and other night people.  Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta.

Contrails

Taken from Arizona Avenue, Atlanta.

Jelly Roll

I'm arranging music for a concert of the compositions of early jazzman Jelly Roll Morton later in the year.  I have two books of scores, but they're so inaccurate that they're not much help.

This is a Church on Wheels

Tucker, Georgia

Big Girl Beauty School

This is on a power pole just a few steps from my house in Atlanta.

Archway

Mexican restaurant, Decatur, Georgia

So Long, Michael Bell

I discovered the tiny Clarkston, Georgia record store Records Galore about 17 years ago.  I don't remember why I was driving through Clarkston, a suburb of Atlanta, but I was surprised to see a record store, and I stopped, of course.  On that first visit, I found a hard-to-find, long-out-of-print album by avant-garde jazz saxophonist Byard Lancaster for a ridiculously cheap price, and I was hooked.  I have been a regular customer ever since, and have made some fabulous finds there.

My last visit was in November, and the owner, Michael Bell, was looking very unwell.  I wondered if he was not long for the world, and sure enough, he died in December.  I drove by the store today, and it's sitting closed and empty of people, although still full of records and CDs.  It seemed particularly poignant that Mr. Bell's water bottle is still in the window, and that on his last day at the store he must have felt so bad that he forgot to turn the sign from "OPEN" to "CLOSED."  Mr. Bell was pretty taciturn, so we only had brief conversations, but I admired his dedication to recorded music, and I miss him.

Dr. King, The Peaceful Warrior

Promo 45 by saxophonist Archie Shepp, playing a beautiful Cal Massey composition.

Iris and Lily

Since these two goats "live" in our garden, their names are Iris and Lily.

Pedals

Some of improvising guitarist Killick Hinds' pedal array.  He plays barefoot and turns knobs with his toes as he plays.

Kite

Freedom Park, Atlanta

In the Studio

Mastering the upcoming Edgewood Saxophone Trio CD; Griffing Mastering Studio, Atlanta.

Google Street View Car

North Druid Hills Rd., Atlanta

Moon and Tree, 6:00 PM

Parking Lot Dog

This dog was totally focused on the anticipation of his master's return.  (And don't worry - it was a cool day.)  Atlanta.

Tuba and Microphone

Rehearsal, Atlanta.

Untying the Gordian Knot

The wall separating our house from the commercial property next door has a decades-old growth of English ivy covering it.  (See my April 17, 2011 post.)  After a heavy rain, a heavy, overgrown mass of the stuff fell off the wall onto our driveway.  Cutting it away was like solving a puzzle - sawing and cutting away strand after strand until something came loose. 

Difficult Crossing

Tucker, Georgia

Garden People

Nelms Avenue, Atlanta

Reading

Mclendon Avenue, Atlanta.

Miscalculation

A charitable organization sent me these address labels (and a nickel) to try to get me to contribute.  Really?

Trailer Birdhouse

Brooks Avenue, Atlanta

Top Hat

...on a fence post; DeKalb Avenue, Atlanta.

?

I don't even know.  Corner of North Avenue and Highland Avenue, Atlanta.

Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church

Oakview Drive, Decatur, Georgia.  This stark, windowless building, the biggest from its time period in this neighborhood, fascinates me.  What was it originally?  A commercial building, rather than church, I think.

Bare Trees and Rain

...through my car window, Decatur, Georgia.

Welcome to the New Year

Bill Nittler and Roger Ruzow of the 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra ringing in the new year at Pallookaville, Avondale Estates, Georgia.