Luck and Prosperity

According to tradition from an uncertain origin, black-eyed peas will be prepared this day and eaten tomorrow to ensure good luck and prosperity for 2011. In my family, we'll be adding collard greens, barbecued ribs and corn bread to the New Year's Day meal. Yum.


Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!

Clock Tower

With students home for Christmas break, I could walk the campus of Paine College undisturbed - there were no pipsqueaks about to make me feel old.

Southern Milling Company

Yesterday, I turned down an unfamiliar street and discovered this forsaken grain mill. After some investigation, I learned that the Southern Milling Company, which had been on this site for 150 years was consumed by a fire on September 26, 2008. The Mill had been listed on Historic Augusta's Endangered Properties list in 2007.

More views...



Window on History (Museum)

Home to the permanent exhibition of Augusta's Story.

Frozen Pansies

Pansies are fairly hardy and hopefully they'll survive.

A Day Late...

My 87 year old dad says he remembers snow on Christmas Day in Augusta when he was a boy. This year we came very close to having that happen again. Maybe next year!

It really does snow in Augusta...



These are photos taken in February this year.

Door Bells

Merry Christmas!

Last Chance

                                    

Tomorrow...free!                                                                                                                            

Today's Wreath



Honeysuckle Berries

I discovered this honeysuckle bush with its vibrant berries on a neighborhood walk a year ago. I thought the color was appropriate for the season. As I recall, it was a mild December day not unlike today. Earlier this month, I posted a photo of a frozen fountain. Today, with a midday temperature of 67°F, it felt like spring. Unfortunately, it won't last.

Downtown Signs

More Evergreens

Just 5 days until Christmas!

Sacred Heart Cultural Center

Sacred Heart Catholic Church opened its doors in December 1900 and for over 70 years served as one of Augusta's several catholic churches. The Church was closed in 1971 as the number of parishioners dwindled and stood vacant for 16 years before it was rescued from vandalism and near destruction. In 1987, Sacred Heart Cultural Center opened as a venue for social and cultural events.  With many of the original 90 stained glass windows and the alter restored, the Center still looks very much like a church.

Stacks

When we lost one of our national chain bookstores recently, I wondered what would take its place. What we got was a massive used bookstore called '2nd and Charles'. I made my first visit yesterday and was thrilled to find two useful books on photography. I love a bargain.

Bench on Riverwalk

I see myself sitting on this bench with a good book as soon as spring has sprung.

Bare Tree

This tree could use some holiday decorations, don't you think? The tree is in Augusta, Georgia on the banks of the Savannah River, the houses in the background are in South Carolina.

Enterprise Mill Cupola

Originally built in 1848 as a flour and later a textile mill, this multi-use facility now houses professional offices, residential loft apartments and retail space. The cupola is the most interesting aspect of the Enterprise Mill. The rest of the building looks like a factory.

Deck the Hall

A downtown office building lobby dressed for the holiday.

Saint Paul's Church

Saint Paul's Episcopal Church was established in 1750 by the Church of England at the site of Fort Augusta. Although not the original, this lovely historic downtown church is located on the Riverwalk.

Evergreen Display

I love the different shades of green and the way the baskets look on this rustic table.

Pine Cones

When you have Georgia pine trees, you have a lot of pine cones! I decorate with them throughout the year, but I especially like pine cones during the holidays.

Today's Christmas Tree

A Tree at the Mall

One at a Time

The first ornament is carefully placed on the family Christmas tree. Ultimately, dozens more will adorn it. And then lights will be added and garland and tinsel. Finally, gifts will be placed under the tree. Can you smell the pine sap?

Ice Sculpture?

This is what happens when the temperature drops below freezing and the fountain's water is still flowing - or not!

Given the season, it might be considered an abstract Christmas Tree.

Poinsettias

As it's Sunday, I thought I'd post an old photo of the holiday tree of Poinsettias from the vestibule of Saint Mary's on the Hill Catholic Church.

Happy Birthday

A virtual bouquet for a great Augusta teen! She knows who she is...I wouldn't want to embarrass her.

Reed Creek Falls

Located in the Savannah Rapids Park

Cycling in Augusta

                                                                                                                                                                        

USA Cycling, the national governing body for bicycle racing in the United States, has selected Augusta, GA to host the 2011 and 2012 USA Cycling Elite/U23/Juniors Road National Championships and Paralympics Road National Championships. The 2011 event is scheduled for June 21-26. The 2012 races will take place the week of June 18-24. I discovered this painted wall while exploring a downtown side street.

Time

Today's daily photo theme is Time.

Bridge Over the Canal

Wooden bridge that spans the Augusta Canal.

Augusta State University

Augusta State University's Maxwell Theatre hosts many musical events. Early arrivals await in anticipation - the Augusta Jazz Ensemble.

Old Depot

From days long gone by, the historic old rail depot on Reynolds Street in downtown Augusta.

Theme: Public Transportation

The first of the month is theme day and today's theme is Public Transporatation. In Augusta, what some might think of as advertising could also be considered legal grafitti.

Pumpkin on the Veranda

It's a bright sunny day here and those pumpkins sitting in the sun will rot and shrivel much more quickly than if the temperature was a bit more fall-like. I suspect that the uncarved pumpkins will fare much better.

We're expecting just a few neighborhood gobblings this evening. Hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Le Chat Noir

Le Chat Noir is Augusta's 80-seat Off Broad Street Theatre, which tonight will host the Third Annual Black Cat Ball. This year's theme is Beyond the Grave (Zombies, Ghosts, Vampyres, etc). Of course there will be food, drink and a costume contest. I don't have a ghoulish costume, so I'm staying home.

Pink Fountain on Broad Street

As the month is nearly over, I didn't want it to pass without acknowledging that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Awareness involves education about prevention and treatments, fundraising efforts to help find cures and support for survivors and those dealing directly with the disease. Breast cancer is the fifth deadliest form of cancer worldwide and on this 25th anniversary of NBCAM, the organization that started it wants to remind women everywhere to practice regular breast self-exams and to schedule regular vissits and annual mammograms with their health care provider.

The Falls at Savannah Rapids Park

Savannah Rapids is situated on a bluff overlooking the Savannah River and the Augusta Canal.

Polo and Balloon Festival

I had three opportunities this weekend to photograph hot air balloons. The Polo and Balloon Festival at Fort Gordon started Friday afternoon and ended Sunday morning. Today, at approximately 7:00 AM, I watched as balloons began to inflate one by one. By 7:30 AM they began to ascend and soon the sky was filled with a dozen colorful hot air balloons. It was thrilling to watch.

Antique Store

One of many antique stores located in downtown Augusta.

Augusta Greenjackets

Another Wednesday night home game at Lake Olmstead Stadium where the Augusta Greenjackets won 3-1 over the Savannah Sand Gnats! Minor league baseball is great.

Augusta Rain

One thing I've noticed since moving to Augusta is that the weather can change from rainy and gloomy to sunny and bright in a very short amount of time. Moments after taking this photo, it did just that.