Monday, February 10, 2025

At the beach!

We're spending some time at the beach on Hilton Head Island, SC; just a short travel from Savannah.  We did not go to our little town of Cedar Key, Florida, which is still recovering from hurricane damage.

HHI is a very different experience for us; accustomed to just parking the car and walking everywhere. I chose our rental because of the view and because  it was in walking distance to Coligny Square, a hub of restaurants and shops and the first such place built on the island.  Very fortunate choice, because most everything else requires a travel by car.  We ventured out a bit, but are mostly happy here in our little 'neighborhood'.

HHI is really only 54 years old and  planned with an idea of keeping the natural look, so architecture here is 'of a piece' in many ways. There are many parks and old wooded areas and of course the ocean and inlets, so nature is catching my eye instead of old Victorian homes.

The background here is the view from the window in our rental; amplified and altered, of course. It is a joy to see it all the time and we have a deck as well to be outside and hear the ocean as well as see it.  Windows evoke a bit of mystery to me and our enigmatic twins anchor that energy. Do they even notice our Octo Maiden? Perhaps not.


Sea Window collage

Hilton Head Island, SC


I came across this whimsical sculpture in a nearby park. Sandy Roads, by Mark Larkin. Our gentleman ponders it as I did.  There is a lot of public art here. I'm on the look-out!


Art In The Park Collage

Hilton Head Island, SC


Till next time!






 

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Adieux Savannah 2025

Soon we'll be traveling on to some time at the beach.  I always experience Savanah as a 'heart home' and it never feels too long to 'live' here in our Winter travel. The familiar always reveals a touch of the new, another facet discovered. And there is always something fresh to find as well.  This year some favorite restaurants were gone; a art gallery we always enjoyed is now an event space and the shows at the major museums were in transition, so we saw less, but at least without an admission cost. And then there was snow!! A unique visit in many ways.  I hope you've enjoyed these 'postcards' from Savannah.


Frieze is a favorite shop of ours and as it says, it always has some treasures to look at in it's gallery-like setting. I always find a little treasure here.  The stylish gentleman is a nod to the most gracious owner, more like a host, of Firenze and yes, some of the objects are from the shop.

Frieze Exotic Gifts collage

York Street - Savannah



Quinn's Breakfast and Lunch is another favorite; breakfast with that diner feel.  It gets a nice local crowd, as well as travelers who find it.  One day we sat in a booth near the kitchen and I was able to get the shot of the cooks at work.  And although I would indeed add a giant flamingo and lush flowers to the background, they are actually part of a mural wall in the restaurant.


Quinn's Men At Work collage

Drayton Street - Savannah



Gingerbread House, as I call it, caught my eye with its detailed scalloped shingles. The day I photographed it, the sun was just at an angle to make the house a brilliant white. Cherry cheesecake seemed the perfect highlight. 


Gingerbread House with Cherry Cheesecake collage

Savannah


Thank you for traveling with me.

Till another time.






Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Howard Street - Savannah 2025

Recently we found ourselves walking along Howard Street. We've wandered the Savannah Historic District - North and South - for many years now, but this street seemed unfamiliar. There are other streets that parallel Howard, so it's possible we never went this way. In any event, it felt very fresh and new.

I was quite captured by the expanse of windows in this lovely Victorian. Our elegant lady holds a bit mystery with her Ouija-board teacup.


Windows on Howard Street

Savannah



The actual colors of 'Blue House'  and its shutters are almost as vivid as they are in this collage. Many of the Victorian-era homes sport these 'San Francisco' color schemes. In my collage world, pie is always welcome.

Blue House on Howard Street With Pie

Savannah


This is actually the front of the windows house. I was attracted by the architecture, but discovered there is history with this building.  It is the Bynes-Royall Funeral Home.  It is the oldest African-American owned business in Savannah as the first funeral home for African-Americans, established in 1878 by William R. Royall. In 1955, the business was purchased by Frank Bynes and his family continues to run it. I included the name on the portico awning and and a hint of a 1959 Cadillac hearse as a nod to its history.



History on Howard Street

Savannah


Our Savannah stay is coming to a close, but I have a couple more images I'm working with, so we'll see what's next.

Till next time.





Friday, January 24, 2025

Snowy Days in Savannah!!

As you may have seen on the news, snow came to the South, including Savannah.  We've been here when there was a cold snap, but never snow and apparently there has never been this much snow here.  Only 3" total, but here everything stops.  Only major streets get plowed; sidewalks aren't cleared because who has snow shovels or salt! The main plan is to wait until temperatures rise and everything melts. So we've been snug in our vacation rental since Wednesday.  But the bonus is uninterrupted collage time!

Kustom Hustle Tattoo has such a wonderful facade; evoking old-school tattoos, which I assume is intentional as they advertise 'Traditional Tattooing.'  

Kustom Hustle Tattoo

MLK Jr Boulevard - Savannah


The green door is  next to our place and it is almost as vibrantly green as in this collage. The 'lady' planter always catches my eye, especially her somewhat stern face, and here she is in full flower abundance.


Green Door on Jones Street

Jones & Whitaker - Savannah


Eyes on the House includes some 'purloined' art from photos I've taken in various shops and restaurants.  Some of the 'eye' wall was a single display, but I've embellished things and added other photos. The wonderful woman with houses is from a painting in our favorite breakfast place, but here she is amplified.  I especially like the woman, as I myself often use over large figures in my collage.


Eyes on the House

Savannah


Night-time snow scenes from our condo windows.





We hope to venture out this afternoon as temperatures warm to the mid-forties. But I'm happy with my photos and thinking of the next piece.

Till next time.











Monday, January 20, 2025

More Savannah 2025

The many styles of architecture here in Savannah continues to inspire me. Our daily walk-abouts always have a new discovery even after all these years.  

Forsyth Park is almost a daily stop. This coat of many colors, vibrantly pink, orange and more,  totally caught my eye. She enjoyed greeting the various dogs walking through, so here in her many versions, are some companions.


Coat of Many Colors

Forsyth Park -  Savannah




This  antique shop is on my daily route.  The blue chair with flowers is part of its decor,  Our 1920's parasol lady enjoys the scene.

Antiques on Jones and Bull

Jones and Bull Streets - Savannah


On Saturday each week there is Farmer's Market at Forsyth Park - food and crafts. Tusk Coffee provides fuel for shopping and coffee to go.  They call their traveling coffee truck, 'to go Jo'.

Coffee in the Park

Forsyth Park - Savannah


More out and abouts to come.







Friday, January 10, 2025

Savannah, Georgia 2025!!

I'm fortunate to be Wintering in Savannah once again. We've been coming here for 10 years in varying lengths of stay, since we first stopped overnight on our way to St Petersburg, Florida. 

It's colder here than usual, but nothing compared to the wintery temps in other places.  We're still doing our usual rambles and people-watching in Forsyth Park, but the cooler temps makes us want to be cozy at home in the afternoons, which is a perfect time for collage.

I delighted in the 'Roly Poly' sign and knew it was a perfect collage background for me.  I found the colorful figure on a vintage blog; she posts herself in her retro outfits. I think she'd find the little dog a perfect companion.


Roly Poly Cafe

114 Barnard St ~ Savannah


Our dear friends, Morris and Elizabeth, met up with us on their way north to Asheville, NC from Florida.  We had a lovely lunch and a wonderful long chat at the Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant, one of our long-time favorite places.


Morris & Elizabeth @ The Cuban Restaurant

402 MLK Jr Blvd ~ Savannah



I read about Kim's Cafe in a great Savannah food blog, Eat It and Like It, by Jesse Blanco.  You may have heard of it as well, since Kamala Harris visited there last summer.  Great  'down home' breakfast and we're looking to go back for dinner. I'm up for the Meatloaf!  The Cafe also does a lot of community work with programs for youth and providing free meals weekly at a local church.

Kim's Cafe

714 MLK Jr Boulevard ~ Savannah



Till next time!








Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Merry Merry! Happy Happy! Joy Joy!

 Wishing all of you all good things in all ways.

Holidays...

Retro Christmas



Yule Man Michael



Winter Fairy



Festival of Light - for Amy & Sadie


Solstice






Lou & Patti Happy New Year



Happy Everything!






Saturday, November 23, 2024

Flowering Women Beings and Men In Chairs

Each of these collages emerged from a single image that caught my eye.  The image became the anchor of the piece and a theme emerged; a typical working flow for me.  I didn't intend to do these as companion 'women and men' pieces, but they did follow each other, so maybe they are all part of the same tribe.

The anchor in Flowering Women Beings is the center image of the woman in the blue coat with the large fuschia flower. The original image had an oversized flower, which I expanded and also used as a motif. 'Ladies' of all styles and eras came my way. And then the flowers joined in. It was an advernture.   I don't recall when oversized flowers became one of my image totems, but they seem here to stay. The Crows don't mind.


Flowering Women Beings collage



Pharrell Williams standing next to a yellow chair was the first 'men in chairs'.  I liked  the amplified color in the image and was amused by the single chair. I thought it would be a great element in a collage, but somehow, I thought of  adding another 'man in chair' and I was off.  Some of our 'men' were already in my collection, like this particularl David Bowie. The hunt for chairs was also great fun.


Men In Chairs collage


Till next time.




Thursday, October 31, 2024

All Hallows unto the Day of The Dead

Halloween is a holiday my friend Michael and I celebrated together; liking all things 'ooky and spooky'. Totems and symbols. This year he is not with us and at first, I wasn't in the mood to do a collage, but then if just felt right to celebrate with him the day of the thinning of the veil, opening into other realms.

This collage includes an 'icon' of Michael with glorious bat wings; bats being one of his totems.  I began these Michael icons at Christmas, before his passing. I'm not sure he ever saw the card I sent him in Yule costume. Since then his icon has shown up in collages and cards in various guises. Interestingly to me, they are based on a somewhat recent photo Michael sent me, but with time and distance, I never actually was with him looking this way.  Yet, it seems a perfect way to hold and honor his energy.


Hallows



Tomorrow, November 1st, is The Day of Dead,  and here we  remember, celebrate and honor those who have 'passed' from our lives, from this realm to another.  Mexican culture does this in a grand way as Dia De Muertos, with art and food and the famed carved skeletons in scenes of life.  Here is a wonderful overview from The Grace Museum in Abilene, Texas.

This is a very personal collage of mine, first created several years ago and updated a couple of times. My sister, Jacqui is an 'update' and she is prominent in the front. Behind her is Michael as how I most remember him.

Day of the Dead - Dia De Muertes

Regarde' my dear ones.

Anthony and Rose, my parents. Elizabeth, my Grandmother. Julia, from Chicago days, Peter dear friend and archeology compatriot, Helen, dearest soul friend, Julia, wise friend, Martha, soul journeyer, Oscar, dancer with Wicca, Christian, mystic, Dave, astral journeys, Pat, magical being, Michael, brother in spirit, Jerry, mystic and artist, Jim, opener of realms, Jacqui Rose, precious sister.


Till another time.




Saturday, October 5, 2024

Our Dear Cedar Key - much lost to Hurricane Helene

If you have followed this blog, you know that for the past  eight years, we have spent time each Winter in the little Gulf coast, 'Old Florida', town of Cedar Key.  We've been there after hurricane damage before , but Hurricane Helene's storm surge has left the most devasting damage of all.  This January when we visited, many businesses had yet to recover from the September 2023 Hurricane Idalia.

Now some of my collages have become 'historical' as the buildings they include are no longer there; some literally gone and others beyond repair and will be gone.

Just prior to Hurricane Helene, a devastating fire on the main drag of Dock Street, completely destroyed the Duncan's on The Gulf restaurant,  a gift shop and the kitchen and other damage to our most favorite restaurant, Steamers.  

Steamers is a place that always felt like home; where we would be greeted each year as we returned by name and with our drink by Leanna, the manager.  Sadly, this year, she died in a car accident on New Years Eve, the day before we arrived, and along with the town, we mourned her passing and celebrated her.

Steamers may return eventually.  The store on the first floor, Island Trading Post,  was wiped clean of it's inventory and fixtures by the surge.  The burned parts of the building are completely gone, aided by the hurricane.

Steamers

                                        


Fire damage on Dock Street, prior to Hurricane Helene

Happy Dock Street View 

Big Deck Bar and Grill, also on Dock Street, is completely swept away. A funky little bar and sandwich place that also had music in the evenings and actually had a tribe of cats that hung about.

Big Deck

Far Away Inn, a quaint, long-term Cedar Key feature, probably cannot return.  You'll note the Pirate in the photo is featured in this collage.

Pirates, Flamingos and Tiki Bar - Far Away Inn




These collages are also of Far Away Inn.  The building with the mural and the facade were lost in Hurricane Hermine
.

Admire - Far Away Inn


Far Away Inn Judys



I understand Cedar Key Pizza's  interior was washed away and the whole of Prickly Palm, a coffee, juices and sandwich shop was destroyed.  In January, Prickly Palm had just completed replacing all the flooring that was damaged in Hurricane Idalia.

Cedar Key Pizza



The Prickly Palm


I read the 1842 Daily Grind & Mercantile, sharing the building with Cedar Key Pizza, was also washed out inside from the surge, but haven't found anything further.

1842 Daily Grind - Not the Country Store



The Beach Front hotel received extensive damage; much in the lower sections and foundation.



Beachfront Buddha - Beachfront Motel


Another favorite of ours, The 2nd Street Cafe, will recover, but had extensive damage.

2nd Street Cafe and Betty


Chairs from the 2nd Street Cafe in the street





Surge Damage - Hurricane Helene


I like the encouraging message in this collage and chose it to end this post.  The background, especially the 'Fine Cigars' sign, is from a Dock Street drinks-only bar, Liam and Maddies.  Another place, where the inside was destroyed by the surge. The Pet Friendly sign is from the Big Deck which, as I mentioned, is completely gone.

     

When Nothing is Certain Everything Is Possible

                             

Many other buildings and homes were destroyed and impacted by the storm,  But a motto popular in Cedar Key is 'Cedar Key Strong', showing their resilience and determination.


This sign was at the Cedar Key Market, a eclectic, funky market [the only in town besides the liquor store]; first posted after Hurricane Hermine in 2016.  When we were there in January this year, the market had yet to reopen after Hurricane Idalia  damage in September 2023. I have not learned of its current status.

Cedar Key Mayor Sue Colton leaves us with this, 'When we go back to putting things back, we're not going to be putting things back they way it was. It can't. It's going to have to change, but it's going to be better.'

A final note, by serendipity, we had not planned to go to Cedar Key next February; instead we're reserved in Hilton Head, SC.  New collage locale in 2025 and hopefully, Cedar Key redux in the future.

BTW, if you put 'Cedar Key' in the blog search box, you can see all the Cedar Key collages from the past eight years.

Till next time.