Shug Avery (Margaret Avery) in juke joint in the movie The Color Purple
I guess one can tell I love the furnishings & jewelry of the Art Deco period.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Style-Deco
Shug Avery (Margaret Avery) in juke joint in the movie The Color Purple
I guess one can tell I love the furnishings & jewelry of the Art Deco period.
Grow...Show... Know
Mustard Greens photoJHM ©10
Brussel SproutsphotoJHM ©10
Thai Basil photoJHM ©10
Okra Pods photoJHM ©10
I read in our local paper that the Lower 9th Ward's Sankofa Community Development Corporation announced the opening on November 20th,2011 of their Sankofa Farmers Market! I strongly encourage people to support their effort since in the Lower 9th ward Community there is no supermarket & the pioneers who have come back to re-establish their homes in this community have to travel great distances for simple things we take for granted.
I see an irony for me as I am fortunate in the sense that I can leave my home & in 5-7 minutes can access 5 supermarkets and in 10 minutes the local Wal-Mart and yet 20 minutes away the residents of this community have to travel great distances for the aforementioned markets.
So as the adage goes: "If the mountain won't come to Muhammed, then Muhammed must go to the mountain". I say way to go to this group in still yet another venture forth by creating this farmers market so the Lower Ninth Ward + their neighbors, Bywater, Arabi,Upper 9th Ward, St. Bernard Parish,Fabourg Marigny, & Treme + others could access fresh produce and other products locally grown.
I personally plan to support them with my dollars and volunteer in whatever way I can,some of which will mean traveling past the supermarkets I have easy access to and going downtown to do my part.
Kohl Rabi photo JHM ©10
About Sankofa Farmers Market:
The Sankofa Farmers Market was developed in response to the requests of community members for access to fresh vegetables and fruits for sale at the market. You have asked for a farmers market where you can have direct access to home grown produce. The farmers market will operate every Saturday and will offer seasonal, nutritious produce and locally caught seafood. We will accept the EBT/SNAP benefit card, credit cards, debit cards, and cash. We hope to build a viable market for both vending and shopping to thrive with healthy nutritious food.
This farmers market will be a year round outlet for local farmers and fishermen to vend their goods in accordance with state and national goals, as well as to provide a social outlet and neighborhood meeting place for families and seniors. We are working in peer partnership with marketumbrella.orgfor consultation with technical information, regular evaluation, and the appropriate market management trainings. We believe that adding EBT access, along with a strong marketing campaign and weekly retail outlet presence, will accomplish the following: increase fresh food accessibility to low-income customers, increase sales for our farmers and fishermen, increase economic and community development in the Lower Ninth Ward.
The Sankofa Farmers Market will be the 2nd farmers market in the city to have EBT access. This market will also be the only farmers market, not only in the Lower Ninth Ward, but also in communities adjacent to the neighborhoods, including the Upper Ninth Ward, Gentilly, Arabi and St. Bernard Parish.
If it is to be, it is up to me.~ Author Unknown
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
At this Moment~ Still standing...
It never fails whenever I take a visitor on a mini tour of the city how I see my hometown in a diferent way.
Saturday after taking a couple of visitors on a tour of the Lower 9th Ward watching how other people seem to have a total lack of regard for the pioneers who moved back & rebuild. (That experiemce is a whole different story & I do not want to get on my soap box about that).
Back to subject; I wanted my guests to see the Musian Villiage & the being built Ellis Marsali Music Center we came across a part of a house that I had seen once before but could not remember where it was to photograph. Lo & behold we found it:
I still marvel that the front is still standing. However it was my guest who discovered the toddler's sneaker still hanging on the tree.
As sad as it may seem, it still indicate that someone(s) made a mark & despite it all at this moment we are still standing.
May we never underestimate the extraordinary capacity one may have to be resilient at this moment.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
1st Saturday in October Stroll
Even a city sign becomes part of a sculpted topiary...
Alocal restaurant at the end of my street undergoing renovations...
Love the metal scuplture water fountain in this side gallery house.
I love this sign.Everytime I see if I burst out laughing. New Orleanians have some a delicious sense of humor.This morning I realized the sun was rising later then its usual 6am when I like to walk. I left at 7am to take my walk enjoying the coolness & the quiet of Sat morning while those who normally don't get to do, I suppose, sleep late. I was please that I walked a total of 12 blocks round trip.
It felt good, but even more so was drinking in the beauty of some of the lovely homes I encountered
This morning I realized the sun was rising later then its usual 6am when I like to walk. I left at 7am to take my walk enjoying the coolness & the quiet of Sat morning while those who normally don't get to do, I suppose, sleep late. I was please that I walked a total of 12 blocks round trip.
It felt good, but even more so was drinking in the beauty of some of the lovely homes I encountered and reveling in how the sunlight caught some of the most common things in uncommon ways.
I still see things with the delight of a child & the appreciation of a mature woman. And still can drool, yet dream of owning one of these interesting homes with a bevy of history, sounds & memories. Very affordable tis dreaming...
I will take strolling through the neighborhood for 45 minutes any day of the week rather then walking a treadmill going no place although the physical benefit are the same. I can recharge, revitalize and rejuvenate my senses as well as my body. SO why not double the pleasure?
Friday, October 1, 2010
A Man Named Pearl Coming to New Orleans
If you are in the New Orleans area, you must come & see this extraordinary man speak. Otherwise search out the documentary "A Man Named Pearl". It is the most warming,restorative story of the human spirit,humilty & artistry.
He will appear on CBS affliate WWL-4 Thursday morning
SELF-TAUGHT TOPIARY ARTIST PEARL FRYAR
Fryar to Speak on a Panel with Leah Chase and Edward "Kidd" Jordan
When Pearl Fryar and his wife sought to buy a house in an all-white neighborhood of Bishopville, SC, they were discouraged with the explanation that "Black people don't keep up their yards."
Remarkably, instead of fueling bitterness and anger, this comment motivated Pearl to win the Bishopville "Yard of the Month Award," and eventually to transform his ordinary suburban yard into a horticultural wonderland.The garden's topiary centerpiece emblazons both its message and Pearl's own philosophy: "Love, Peace, and Goodwill."
Schedule:
WHAT: "An Evening with Pearl Fryar"
WHEN: 5:30 p.m., Thursday, October 14
WHERE: Longue Vue's Playhouse
COST: $10 Suggested Donation
WHEN: 5:30 p.m., Thursday, October 14
WHERE: Longue Vue's Playhouse
COST: $10 Suggested Donation
WHAT: A Man Named Pearl Screening
WHEN: 9 a.m., Friday, October 15
WHERE: Dillard University Lawless Chapel
COST: FREE
WHAT: Topiary Sculpture Demonstration by Pearl Fryar
WHEN: 10:15 a.m., Friday, October 15
WHERE: Dillard University Lawless Chapel
COST: FREE
WHAT: Topiary Sculpture Demonstration by Pearl Fryar
WHEN: 10:15 a.m., Friday, October 15
WHERE: Dillard University Lawless Chapel
COST: FREE
For more information, contact Hilairie Schackai at 504.488.5488, ext. 401 or hschackai@longuevue.com
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Ya Ya,Crawfish & New Dat~ 1 year home.
This is my 1 year anniversary back home in New Orleans. On one hand it seems like time has whizzed by but then on the other hand it seem like it was just yesterday.
I am glad I allowed myself the 1st year to acclimatized & adjust to all the changes since 2005.
How little I knew it was really going to be a course of wisdom to do just that to give a year in adjusting.
I do not regret coming home and truly look forward now to be more of a participant. Without a doubt it has been scary at times. Nothing to do with the city, but all of us being tossed around because of the recession.
If I had to rate the year I would give it a strong B.
Several things that I was bound & intent to care for were done though sometimes with bated breath. I look and pray for in this second year to see some quantum leaps forward, to get myself integrated back into the arts community producing work (and shall I dare?) actually be able to begin providing for myself independently.
What I truly need at this juncture is a modest start-up dollars. All funds are exhausted and because of all the medical issues nothing is coming in. I know it is that way for many, but I am only 1 person and now things are at a critical mass. If I don't do something and do it soon, well the alternatives are unimaginable.
There is always a way out of "no way". I just have to find it. I was to receive an endowment in November & just had the rug pulled out from under me. It is not cancelled just redirected into mid 2011, but that will not help me now.
One good thing is I do not spend money I do not have nor have expectations until it is in hand. Too many times in the past I like many artists have people make offers and then pull out.
Unless I have a retainer or the full amount, I do not put hope in empty offers, so while disappointed I am not devastated.
So on to the next day. And the next and the next.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
I'm Walkin', Yes Indeed~Exploring the neighborhoods again...
Creole "cottage" on steroids :=) (above)
Creole cottage(above)
A couple of days ago I started back to walking albeit micro-walks in order to gain strength & endurance.
Each week I will add a couple of blocks on so I can get around the neighborhood while regaining strength. It is always delightful to see what my neighboirs (or their gardeners) are doing in their yards!
I double the block from yesterday and managed 4.4 blocks. I think for this week it is my set point. It was enough to bring me into a slight sweat & took me 15 minutes to complete, but that is good considering I am re-entering after convalescing. I live in a neighborhood that has lovely architecture & lots of interesting things to look at o I always have my trusty camera with me just in case.
I've have missed a number of things while being ill. I enjoyed being outside, feeling the sun, filling my eyes with a myraid of visuals & an occasionaly chat.
I am going at it slowly as I still have healing time in front of me, but doing it with my doctor's blessing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)