Water Trough and Blossoms – Spring in South St. Louis

Tower Grove Park Jonquils – Daffodils on a Late Spring Afternoon

The light in Tower Grove Park this evening was lovely, casting long shadows from the trees and backlighting the jonquils. Some of these shots are very similar to one another, but I just couldn’t decide between two slightly different compositions.

Creating Art, Helping a Community – Danger Schmanger

OK, though much like Pope Benedict is soon to be this site is largely functioning as a Blog Emeritus to the new site I do want to use it from time to time, though, for special announcements, etc. Won’t you consider donating to this worthy project. I know a lot of people (including a ton of artists) are asking for your money these days, but I can vouch for these gentleman and their heart and vision and I want to promote their cause wherever I can.

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Some gentlemen I know from church are part of an endeavor to create a business that does good by helping to foster new artists and to change the perception of a much maligned but amazing city, my city, St. Louis.

Would you watch the video on their page and consider donating? As a personal connection, the house that the video was shot in? Yup, that’s das Haus, my house, right in the middle of the aforementioned city. Check them out on Facebook here and the web here. Click on the image below to go to their fundraising page.

From their Indiegogo page:

“Hey there people. My name is Cardin Irakoze and I am one of the interns for Danger Schmanger. I’m originally from Congo. I have been in St. Louis for five years and the first thing I noticed about St. Louis the danger. It took me awhile to notice the beauty of St. Louis. The first thing I want other people to notice about St. Louis is the beauty not the danger. One of the best ways we can do that is through Danger Schmanger. One t-shirt can make a huge difference. We need your help. We need $4500 to finish buying equipment and things for our shop. And even if you can’t help us financially, you can still pray for us. Thank you.”

Cardin is an awesome kid studying at Forest Park Community College to do web design. We are truly privileged to be burning screens, pulling ink, and making T-shirts with him.

How it all works:

Fog in the West End – Morning Mist in Autumn – St. Louis

St. Louis Flood Wall Graffiti with Model Mish & Featuring Peat Wollaeger & TWEEK

Breaking Up is Hard to Do – Haiku for Albert Pujols from the Jilted City of St. Louis

“cardinal for life,
babe,” you whispered in our ears;
cardinal of lies

in baseball heaven,
bright son of the morning gone;
a fallen angel

the old familiar
places, home plate and first base;
we’ll be seeing you

Albert as a cheating lover? As Lucifer? The first is no stretch; the second a flight of fancy–but just barely, here in Baseball Heaven.

Working through the stages of grief…

Joy Stinger’s Honey and Beeswax Crafts and Candles – Wintermarkt – Skinker DeBaliviere Community, St. Louis

Sadly, I did not get as many pictures of Joy Stinger’s crafts as I wanted to as she was packing up for the day. And it would have been even better to get some pictures of her with them as one gets the sense that she would be intriguingly photogenic, but, alas, I am still a rather shy people photographer–OK, I suppose that only applies to people I don’t know.

This honey I bought is amazingly tasty. And, well, her ornaments and candles made of beeswax are always so pleasing to look at. For more info on Joy Stinger–her apropos name and why her city honey tastes better–check out this story in Feast Magazine.

The Accordionist – Wintermarkt – Skinker DeBaliviere Community, St. Louis

I briefly attend Wintermarkt held in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood of St. Louis as it was winding down. There were all manner of handmade goods for sale. I had already missed most of the other activities and food options, but this great accordion player was still playing. For more info on the market and community click here.

A Citygarden Christmas in St. Louis – Free Background

Please enjoy this background of the whimsical Citygarden in St. Louis. The multi-colored globes change colors and the lights normally light fountains in the summer. It is a wonderful place to visit in the summer with children and the young at heart.

Citygarden in Mist – Downtown St. Louis – Eros Bendato and Big White Gloves, Big Four Wheels