Pickin' n Grinnin'

Rich man.
Poor man.
Beggar man.
Thief.
Doctor.
Lawyer.
Indian Chief.


They were all there last night.
Well........maybe not all of them.
I don't know if a doctor was in the house.....and I don't think anything was stolen.
But it was definitely a good time.
Lots of good blue grass music, good food, good drink, and good friends. Some old, some new.
It all happened at Gina and Lynwoods house(actually in Lynwoods barn)last night.
They have been trying to get me to come down and set in with them and bring my guitar. So, you know me, I brought a camera instead.


Everybody, no matter how young or how old joins in.


Lynwood specializes in his cajun accordian.



They had quite a few musicians last night.


It was a very good turnout. About thirty to thirty-five people attended. Musicians, spouses, and friends just wanting to hear good music.








Everyone was serious about the music and kept it flowing all night.




Lynwood even let the youngun's join in.




Sometimes, you gots to prime da pump to gets someting out o' it, if you know what I mean.


People gathered just to talk and have a good time.







Gina, does that cherry taste like a real cherry or does it have a corn flavor?


Gina and Lynwood like to travel around this great big ol country of ours, from sea to shining sea, but somehow I get the feeling that they collect car tags from each state for souvenirs.
You better watch your tag if you see them in your state.

Christmas in the city

I met some friends downtown about dark tonight for a Christmas time photo safari. We had been trying to get together for a few weeks to photograph all the lights, but never could make the connection.
It finally happened tonight.
Only, our town let us down. It usually dresses up real nice for Christmas. This year it didn't.
But we tried to make something happen anyway.



I didn't think any wide angle images would work, considering the lack of dressing downtown, so I concentrated on tight shots of any subject I could find. Luckily, I found a few store window displays that would work. I just had to shoot through the glass in the display case.




We couldn't find but a few spots that looked good enough, and I think we wore out our welcome in these places. The owner of a local fine eating establishment came out to question us at one point, but decided we were harmless, and offered to let us inside for drinks and eats. We declined.






All in all, It was a decent evening out walking the streets and shooting pretty lights.

Game of the Century

After some nail biting, a denial, a do over, and a state of confusion, I finally got credentials to shoot the SEC Championship Game between the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Most people around these parts called it "The Game of the Century".
Of course, most people around here see the world in "crimson" colored glasses.
And "T" shirts....
And sweatshirts....
And baseball hats....
And houndstooth hats....
And the little flags they fly from their car windows....

Get my drift?

Since Alabama had this undefeated season going, the Bamer fans are coming out of the woodwork......or closet......or cedar chest.

Everything had this peculiar odor.......
Smelled like mothballs.......

Now that they have been brought down a notch, the smell is beginning to go away.
I noticed that as I was leaving the Georgia Dome Saturday night after the game.
Eerily quite.....
I guess they found out who the better team was, at least on Saturday night.
After a couple of days to reflect on the game, the fanatics on our local sports talk radio have had enough time to think up some absurd reasons Bamer failed in their attempt to beat the Gators.

Oh well....here is my attempt to entertain myself before, during, and after the "Game of the Century".


This young Bamer group of well dressed supporters stopped to pose for a group photo so they could show their grandchildren that they had field access when Bamer beat Florida and went on to win another National Champ........never mind.........


See....a professional portrait job if ever i did see one.


Yes......the Florida Gators do drink Gatorade.


I think Bamer had to drink water. Maybe thats why they ran out of gas before the end of the third quarter.


As they make their way to the field, Bamer quarterback Jessica Parker Wilson screws his head on tight.


Satan leads his team from the dressing room to the playing field.


Bamer enters the field of play.


OK.....I think these kind of images are kinda cool......even if it is Bamer.


A herd of Zebras.....


As the game action started, Tebow throws......


Tebow scrambles.....


Carlos Dunlap of Florida introduces himself to Jessica Parker Wilson from Bamer.


As he was being interviewed by the Alabama radio crew while he was leaving the field at halftime, Coach Nick Saban flashes his gang sign.


Alabama runningback Mark Ingram runs (gotta give them some love too).


Bamer faithful were still enthusiastic as the third quarter begin.


Florida safety Major Wright flies over Julio and Joe Haden.


Jessica Parker Wilson throws in the fly......


Yes the sidelines were VERY crowded.


Jermaine Cunningham sacks that Wilson guy.


Tebow throws again.... (yes, he did this every time he needed to).


And he was always accurate. Here he hits Louis Murphy in stride for a big gain.


Tebow also ran. Here he carries the ball to inside the one yard line.


Not only can Tebow run and throw, he can also get the fans fired up.


That Parker Wilson guy is abused again. (I thought you might be tiring of me calling him Jessica).


With only a few minutes remaining in the game, Floridas head coach Urban Meyer's wife was detained at the steps leading down to field level. The rent-a-cop tried to make her go back to her seat. No one is allowed on the playing field. This went on for several minutes, with numerous people trying to convince the rent-a-cop and his supervisor who this lady and her posse' were(I said posse'). Finally, someone on the sidelines noticed what was happening and went and got the Florida State Troopers who were Urban Meyers security detail and they convinced the rent-a-cop who she was.
She knows who is number one....


This Gator-ette don't hold no grudges.....


I caught this man stealing football helmets after the game. Talk about some good souvenirs.


After the game, Tebow does TV.


James Smith and Tate Casey celebrate with Gator fans.


Florida fans do the Gator Chomp with a couple of players.


I hate photo scrums....


Remember back last month when I told you about the football team singing to the band after every win?


Just between you and me, most of them couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.
But it's still really cool.


When the commissioner was awarding the Championship trophy, they started blowing confetti from behind the stage towards the ball players and photographers to 'enhance' the mood.

UmmmmHuuhhhh.......


Most Valuable Player Tim Tebow.


Jason Watkins gives the fans some love as he leaves the field.


Gator bling....


Percy Harvin limps off the field.....


College GameDay had their set ready to broadcast after the game, but had to wait to go on air 'cause Lee Corso was blushing as he was trying to hit on Urbans wife.


Sooner of Gator.....I guess we'll find out on January 9th.


Immediately after the clock hit all zero's, streamers fell from the rafters of the Georgia Dome.


Did you ever wonder how they cleaned up all the streamers and confetti?
Now you know.......

AAaahhhhh........just because the regular football season is over doesn't mean that all football is over. Oh no!!!! There's much more to go this season.
Just keep on checking back for new post.