They were only there because we think we are in the South, which honestly begins just outside the Watterson

Gone With The Wind. Or rather, taken by storm. No neither of these. If GWTW reminds you of magnolia trees growing on the town square, yesterday may not have been your day. Our Jefferson County Court House, about which I write from time-to-time, is getting a much needed makeover. Earlier this year they took out the magnolias north of the centerline sidewalks amd replaced them with gardens and a patio area. Yesterday, a few more magnolias came out, these just south of the centerline. One can now easily see more of the Court House, which as previously stated, is a beautiful structure, built to serve both City and County governments in the latter part of the first half of the 19th century. But, if you've read back entries, you will know that James Guthrie, the civic leader who undertook to raise the money and have the building erected, was really trying to lure away from Frankfort the seat of our Commonwealth's government. His scheme did not work and we here in Louisville are left with the Court House for our own purposes, which is all the better for us. There are still a few more magnolias left on the Court House (half) square, but they are destined to come out as well.

And with their removal will come to an end our government's endless cleaning up of old leaves and the bird excrement which has been a part of the Court House scene for as long as I can remember. No more hair nets on the trees, no more grape juice sprayed in, no more sirens to ward off the thousands of starlings which roost there every year. It is nothing short of a revolution. Well, that's overdoing it, but it does change the landscape, one which has been in place for my lifetime. And just in time. The exterior of the building is being renovated, tuck-pointed, and painted. The part already completed, the southeast side and the upper portions on the front (or south) side is beautiful. Once completed, it will indeed be a wonderful building view. But, then there on the eastern side is that droopy pink steel bike rack. A pink steel bike rack in the shape of, well frankly, a sperm-looking creature, or what one gets after the sperm has done his work, limply hanging over one of our two small ancient fountains, always in need of repair, but still pretty when they work. An overrreaching limp pink structure - surely its days on Mayor Abramson's public lawn are numbered. It is rumored it will be moved to the Theatre Square area. But, that is just rumor. It will more likely disappear to some warehouse where things go when mayors no longer want to look at them. Remember the bust of Jose Marti? We're still looking.

But, the Court House looks great - or is at least beginning to. Good work, Mr. Mayor.

(Sorry, no new pics today. Blogging from a secret bunker in Germantown).