Fireworks on the Fourth

There were two fireworks displays in the Selma area on the Fourth, this one at the Valley Grande municipal park.

I went two years ago, and while grand, this one seemed even longer and more spectacular. Hundreds of people gathered at the walking trail and pavilion to enjoy food, games and country music aired by a local radio station before the show. Then, we sat in folding chairs or on the backs of trucks to watch the dark sky light up.

(Click the photo for a larger view.)

A Veteran's Back Porch

It's Independence Day in the USA, and it's celebrated every day on the back porch of a World War II veteran.

God Bless America!

(Skywatch Friday) Downtown Sundown

If it's Friday, then it must be Skywatch, and it's sundown in downtown Selma. I like the way the last golden rays of the day seem to spotlight the bridge and some of the buildings, and the sky is kind of purple.

There are lots more skies out there! Find them HERE.

Ready to Fly

Chirp, chirp! It's time to leave this nest!

The day after I took this photo, the nest was empty. Four baby birds flew out to make their way in the world. Their momma built this straw house in an angelwing begonia hanging basket. See one of their hungry beaks HERE.

July Theme Day (Empty)

It's Theme Day again, and for July, City Daily Photo Bloggers are posting photos of EMPTY.

So, I bring you an EMPTY skateboard park and EMPTY tennis courts at Memorial Stadium. Wouldn't it be nice to have the park or the courts all to yourself? EXCEPT, it is 11 a.m. on a scorching weekday! It's much to hot to skate OR play tennis right now. Better wait until late this afternoon.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Shady Lane

In the good old hot summertime, Selma has a lot of shady lanes. Huge oak trees and a few others shield sidewalks and homes from much of the sun's rays.

(A "cold front" moved through yesterday, and we have cooled off to temperatures well below 100 and lower humidity. It's cool outside right now!)

Fountains, Municipal Complex

The municipal fountain gives a splash of coolness beneath the shade trees between City Hall and the library.
Any sense of cool is welcome these days when temperatures continue to top out toward 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bridge to Freedom

One of our fellow City Daily Photo Bloggers is missing in Tehran, Iran. "A" last posted a blog on June 17. So, members of the worldwide CDPB community are hosting a special "Blog Day" today to help spread the images and stories from Iran.

The Selma, Ala., contribution is a photograph of the Edmund Pettus Bridge across the Alabama River. In 1965, the bridge became an icon for voting rights in the USA. While some of the issues in Iran are vastly different, the recent protesters carried signs that asked, "Where is my vote?"


Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Update (6-29-2009), the CDPB community received word that the Tehran blogger, "A" has been released from detainment and is at home now.

Buying Local

Randy Chandler has been selling
his Chilton County peaches in Selma for 10 years. In addition to buying a basket of delectable peaches, you can place orders for his wife'’s wonderful peach preserves by asking ahead. Peaches, beans, tomatoes (green and red) peppers (all varieties)
melons, cucumbers and more are available fresh from the garden at the open air Farmers' Market at Bloch Park on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.

(Note: Chilton County peaches are world famous! If you are traveling I-65 through Alabama and notice a peach water tower, then you know you're in Chilton County.) Selmians are lucky to have huge, sweet peaches just a neighboring county away!

Thanks to Christine Weerts for contributing this photo!

Air Rescue (Skywatch Friday)

Skies were fair with puffy cotton clouds the day I noticed an Air Rescue helicopter lift off from the helipad behind Vaughan Regional Medical Center. I see someone else was watching as the copter headed toward a medical center in Birmingham.

To see more Skywatch photos from skies everywhere, click HERE.