Tree with a Face

Sighting of a tree with a face!

A cast member from "Snow White?" An Ent from "The Lord of the Rings?" A cleverly disguised member of the Neighborhood Watch?

Many thanks for this photo and a tip of the hat to Eric and Emily Bleke - ever on the lookout for the Amazing and Delightful!

Ridgewood Rd and Nancy Creek Rd

The Lights of Life

Apparently I was mistaken. There may be more than one camel in the area this Christmas.

Barclay Circle at Cobb Parkway SE

Light Display - Wise Man, Camels and Palm Tree

These camels are up in lights at Life University for the Christmas season. They are making their way toward the baby Jesus with the Wise Men.

The creche 

The flock

Folks can view the lighted displays by driving through the campus on a prescribed route. You don't have to get out of your car (which keeps the kids out of trouble). And it's free.  

It is obvious that the University has gone to a lot of trouble to make their visitors feel welcome, entertained, and enchanted. There are light displays with a wide variety of themes.  The journey starts with a reindeer welcome. The Wise Men travel to worship the baby Jesus; Victorian era revelers ride in a sleigh and sing carols; Noah takes animals on a ride in the ark; Santa's elves deliver presents; snowflakes fall; toy soldiers shoot cannons; bears have a snowball fight; and penguins cavort on snowmobiles. A carillon provides background music. In just a few hundred feet you can travel from awe and reverence to...

Lighted praying hands

Menorah

A lighted field with trees, stars, snowflakes and presents

Santa's Workshop at the North Pole (with reindeer takeoff ramp)

Santa's Workshop #2 by the lake

Dragon with Santa hat, water tower and train

In the midst of all of these delights is something that has intrigued me for years. An old log cabin nestles by a creek; there is a sign that reads: "19th Century Village;" and 3 light displays tell a story. The first display shows a barefoot hillbilly in a hat and overalls in a relaxed position smoking a pipe. The second display is of a field of corn. The third display shows a bear in a hat and overalls pushing a loaded wheelbarrow. Tell me that's not moonshiners! And if it is, I have a few questions...

 Maybe it's all about "good cheer."

Hillbilly relaxing and smoking a pipe

Cornfield lights reflected in a stream

Hillbilly bear with wheelbarrow

Santa Scarecrow

Hey!  Isn't that Santa out in the garden?

West Wesley Rd near Moores Mill Rd

He's waving!

Hmmm... maybe he's not waving...

What?!  No greeting of Christmas cheer?  No "Ho, Ho, Ho?" No pants?  Santa!

Yellow Boys

The yellow boys have been hailing taxis at the top of the hill for many years.

Austell Rd near Cunningham Rd

The yellow family

The first yellow boy

The man in the middle

Yellow boy in the back

Back of the yellow boy

Axe Man Stands Up

The next time I visited the tire shop, the axe man was standing upright in a position of honor (by the front door).  His colleague, the green head (alien) man was gone - probably taking a ride on the inter-galactic lane of the Perimeter.

The axe man looks pretty happy in his Customer Service role (cigarette holder).  I wonder how the axe figures into the job description...

Howell Mill Rd at Defoor Ave / Bellemeade Ave 

Axe Man

While the green headed man's back was turned, the guys in the tire shop were building another man... a man with an axe.

Here he is doing push-ups in the parking lot.

Smokin' a cig

He carries his own water bottle, too...

Um... has that axe been used?

Green Head Man

I first saw this metal man out of the corner of my eye in 2008. I was stuck in heavy traffic, alone in my car. The setting sun reflected off of his face mask as he bent toward me. My first thought was: "Alien!"

It took just a second for me to realize that he was not alive and that I was actually safe. I had to laugh at my reaction, though I was still a little creeped out.

It took a month before I could get back and take a picture of the green headed man. The position of the sun was not the same, but the metal man with the green head was still poised to greet potential customers and creep out passers-by.

Howell Mill Rd at Defoor Ave / Bellemeade Ave

Orange Man

I really enjoy meeting the metal men in the neighborhood. I met this orange man in 2008.  He was directing Waffle House customers to the car repair shop next door.

The orange man has since moved on. I hope he's doing well and has a happy home where he's appreciated.

Austell Rd at South Cobb Dr

Metal Man - Front

Metal Man - Back

Purple Man

This purple metal man watches the road outside the Precision Auto Care shop. Customers like him - especially the kids. They also like the nice folks inside the shop.

Benson Poole Rd

Camel Sighting

I could not believe my eyes when I saw this! The last thing I would expect to find around here is a camel! But there he was, perched on a hill beside the highway, gazing solemnly out across the horizon toward the angular silhouette of Kennesaw Mountain. I had to take a closer look.

Old 41 NW at Hwy 41

The camel had come to this place, this sacred ground where Union and Confederate soldiers camped, fought and died 150 years ago in a great battle. For his part, the camel, symbol of a far land, famous for his part in the story of the Wise Men's journey to worship the Messiah, was pitching Christmas trees for the local branch of the Shriners. It is truly amazing how the threads of history intertwine.

For their part, the Shriners gathered around the campfire were perfect gentlemen.  They welcomed me and gave me a tour of their Christmas tree lot.  They introduced me to the camel.  

Apparently this camel is an old and honored member of the Yaarab Shrine Temple in midtown Atlanta.  He has been visiting the Kennesaw Mountain branch, but plans to return to the Temple in the new year.  The Shriners told me that they have enjoyed his visit with them, that he has become a valued member of their close community and is somewhat of a confidant and friend.

The camel is not just a "another pretty face." He has special abilities. He can roll his eyes, move his lips and wag his tail.  He is always ready for a party or a parade.  I was impressed with his quiet presence and dignified demeanor.

As I took my leave, I noticed that another storied celebrity was visiting the Christmas tree lot. Apparently Rudolph is selling firewood these days...

Christmas Message

'Tis the season to bless your neighbors with a Christmas message!

594 Powder Springs Street - Front side

Or something a bit more pragmatic...

594 Powder Springs Street - Other front side

The Beauty of Free Speech

Tell the world what is closest to your heart.

1409 Church St Ext NE