The coolest street in Montreal

     I've spent a lot of time on Rue St. Denis and in my opinion it's the coolest street in Montreal.  Or, at least, it's the coolest street I've seen.  There are tons of great restaurants, boutiques, and unique shops.  Real people live and work there and most of them look like they are enjoying life.  That's one of the things I love about Montreal; people know how to have fun.

Edible art

     One of our best discoveries in Montreal was Maison Christian Faure.  Faure is a deservedly famous pastry chef who makes the most beautiful pastries I've ever seen.  My passionfruit/raspberry tart was so delicious I didn't want to miss even a crumb, so I licked the plate.  I'm pretty sure I've never licked a plate before.  Certainly not in public.  There's a certain freedom that comes with getting older.

In Old Montreal

I enoyed this display of sculpture and flowers along Rue St. Paul.  Old Montreal is famous for it's lovely old buildings and cobblestone streets.  This vignette just added to the charm.   

Ice cream in the park

     We just got back from four days in Montreal.   It was a really special trip, not just because it was my birthday, but because we  felt so relaxed and comfortable being back in the city that we love so much.  This is my favorite of the many photos I took.  It was a beautiful day, the weather was perfect and we were feeling good.  We were a bit tired because we had done a lot of walking so it was wonderful to sit in the park and eat ice cream while enjoying the sights and sounds and smells around us.

Motherboard

                                             The motherboard from our old computer.

Our front yard

I wanted to capture the view from our front porch before the leaves begin to fall.

Big rusty chain

     There's something intriguing to me about this heavy, rusted chain.  What mystery or danger is inside that they don't want us to see?  Whatever it is it's obviously been there for a long time.

Another "Small Wonder"

     I'm still working on my "Small Wonders" series and I'm still excited by red.  I'm very happy with the way this piece turned out.

                                                            kayvinsonart.com

Small wonders series

     I sent six new small paintings off to my gallery in Atlanta yesterday--2Rules Fine Art.  I do love that gallery and the people who run it.

kayvinsonart.com

Rust rules!

Backyard bench

                                      I love the weathered wood and the lichen growing on it.

A trip to the ER

     Last night Jim fell and twisted his foot.  This morning that foot was really swollen and he was in a lot of pain so, since it is Sunday, we made a trip to the ER.  Emergency room visits are never easy and never fun.  Once again, my camera helped me out.  While Jim was off being x-rayed I entertained myself by taking photos in the ortho examining room.  I didn't take any world-class photographs but it definitely helped take my mind off the stress of waiting and wondering.

     I'm happy to report that his foot isn't broken.  He's sitting downstairs at this very moment with his foot propped up and an ice bag in place, apparently enjoying being on the receiving end of my limited but loving nursing skills.

Birdbath

                                      I love the reflections in the water.  And the moss.

Wild about red!

                                             I'm still experimenting and still loving red.

                                                           kayvinsonart.com

Going to seed

   
     The hydrangea blossoms are fading.  That means fall is on the way.  Great new as far as I'm concerned.  It's my favorite time of the year.

Antique gizmos

Three feet

     This weekend I went to What's on Second and bought three plastic feet--for $5 each.  I figure the possibilities are endless.

Peeling paint

                                         Peeling paint is also an example of waba sabi.

Wabi Sabi to the max

     I don't think this sculpture is beautiful but I do think it's interesting.  It's a great example of wabi sabi, a concept derived from Zen Buddhism that values natural processes, ordinariness, imperfection, spontaneity, and impermanence. This awkward and homely piece captured and held my attention in a way that a conventionally pretty sculpture could never have done.

Peepholes

                                                Still on the outside looking in.

Keep out!

                 If I could just get through that gate there's a motherlode of photo ops inside.

Graffiti and rust

                        This is part of an old abandoned warehouse here in Birmingham.

More red

                      This is my latest.  It looks more vibrant in person.  The red really sings to me.

                                                                kayvinsonart.com

Water stains and slime

   
     This is a photo of filthy, nasty, disgusting water and mossy, slimy water stains.  Isn't it beautiful?  As my buddy John said, "Micro-organisms  are so cool looking"---especially if you enhance the color just a bit on the computer.

Rust lovers unite!

                                           Rusty mantel pieces at the Garage Cafe.