Even though today’s morning temperatures may not acknowledge it, the truth is spring has sprung and it’s one of the most beautiful times to live in east Tennessee. Don’t let the perfect days or afternoons pass without notice because soon enough we’ll wonder where spring went as we swelter through the summer. So, here’s to spring and I’ve got a few photographs to go along with it.
The flower photographs are from a recent trip to Stanley’s Greenhouse, which is just across the river a bit on Davenport Road. The family-owned business has been a south Knoxville staple since 1955 and it has a magnetic pull on my wife every spring. It’s the first time I’ve taken a camera there and I could really lose myself for hours with the camera given the chance.
It was on our return to downtown that I saw the sculpture removal underway. The driver was kind enough to wait until I got my camera set and asked, “Did you get it?” before he’d pull off. Good people make any day a little better. That led to an investigation of newly arrived sculptures, so I shot the first couple I came across.
Downtown is slowly transforming now with the new group. It would be nice if we had additional iconic sculptures, but I do enjoy this time of year to see what arrives. I may do a follow-up with more of the new ones for those of you who haven’t made it downtown to see them just yet.
I also recently stumbled into the Obscurae Magazine fashion show on Market Square. Fortunately, Urban Girl was able to join me on that outing. She’s recently changed her mind and instead of becoming a dental hygienist when she’s older she’s decided she wants to be a fashion designer (and basketball coach). So it was perfect for her.
I wish I could identify the models and designers, but I can’t. I’m pretty sure a number of those pictured here – which are simply the ones I saw and got decent pictures of – are fashions available at Earth to Old City. Some of what I saw I could imagine seeing around downtown, other designs hit me the way so many fashion shows hit me: Who wears that? Maybe it’s not the point.
Still, it was pretty cool and some of the fashions were beautiful. Some did leave me scratching my head and the shoes – which Urban Girl loved – baffled me. Who can even walk in those things? I’m probably just a rube. Anyway, it was fun and a good crowd had gathered or come deliberately for the event, so I’m assuming it was a success.
Otherwise, downtown is transforming. Winter has been more-or-less shaken off. Children are playing on the square. Flowers are beautiful and will get prettier. Buskers are out. I even saw dueling magicians on the square the other night for the first time. Next week we hit the festivals hard with Big Ears, so come on down, everybody. It’s spring and the living is really pretty awesome.