Take Your Pick

These won't be around much longer, so take your pick now.

Several inches of rain from a tropical storm a few weeks ago brought out the best in our gardens, and here's the bounty...nicely arranged for customers at the Selma Flea Market.

Yard Chickens

With the economy in limbo, yard chickens may soon be back in style in town!

Well, THESE yard chickens obviously aren't the kind you can put in a pot of chicken 'n dumplings, but the creator John Ackerman, says they make great yard decorations. They are another flea market find, and I'm sure you can tell these unfeathered friends are made of rakes, shovels, part of a saw and a few other tool-type items. Below, the litter is pecking away.

Poodles for Sale (Camera Critters)

You never know what is going to be for sale at the Selma Flea Market, and these poodles in a basket were a hit! The pretty girl up front is a miniature poodle puppy, and the bitty balls of fluff behind her are toy poodles. The pups seemed to enjoy all the attention. I wonder if any are left!

More creatures great and small can be found by clicking HERE.

See Ya' Next Saturday!

See Ya' Next Saturday at the Selma Flea Market!

The market draws hundreds each weekend on the Selma Bypass, and when I asked the grower of these watermelons how long he'd keep coming out, he said "through October." There were lots of homegrown veggies for sale, too. If you like collards, okra, sweet potatoes and peanuts, there are plenty to go around!

Cosmic Cosmos (Skywatch Friday)

The eastern sun rises from behind oaks and pines to capture the colors of cosmos, a flower that just loves heat but is holding up well in 50-degree Fahrenheit mornings.

This is Skywatch Friday. What a pretty day to wake up and face the sun!

To see more Skywatch photos from around the globe, click HERE.

"From Sea to Shining Sea"

"From Sea to Shining Sea" was painted by local artist Kathleen Wright.

So what is it, you ask?
It's a "sneak peek" at the butterfly sponsored by Laser Made Creations' and is one of 46 butterfly sculptures that will be unveiled in downtown Selma October 9. Each segment on the wings represents an American scene from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.

The artist is also painting Venetian murals in her Queen Anne house in north Dallas County and finishing up portraits for Roseanne Cash (Johnny's daughter). She recently started her own blog as well...called Southern Artistic Touch.

Kathleen grew up in Florida in an Italian family with an Italian restaurant, so that 'splains her love of Venice and Italy!
Hmmmmm...seems Italian style runs in our county! The butterfly sculpture craftsman, Nico Giampietro, is an Italian native.

If you can make it to the butterfly unveilings, come on! It's at 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9 at Lafayette Park right next to the St. James Hotel on Water Avenue. Then, you might as well stay until Friday night when the Alabama Tale-Tellin' Festival begins, and be sure not to miss Riverfront Market Day on Saturday! (PSSST! The Central Alabama Fair is going on that week as well!)

What's Behind Door No. 2?

Not long ago, I asked what was behind Door No. 1.

Today, I ask, "What's behind Door No. 2?"

It's in the same building, same location...but the room behind this door was used for an entirely different purpose than that of the first door.
(Note: A careful observation of this door gives the hint.)

Respite

The rocking chairs on this Old Town neighborhood porch look like a pretty good place to rest...away from television and all the election hype...and into enjoying the cooler temperatures of early autumn.

Newspapers Circa 1900

Having ink in my veins, these bound volumes of newspapers from around 1900 fascinated me. They are on display at the plantation office on the grounds of Sturdivant Hall Museum.

On the page at left are fashion photos, and while the dresses were oh so feminine in that era, I am glad big hats are out! Perhaps the wide-brimmed hats kept the sun off their faces.

Pinwheels for Peace

Today is the International Day of Peace, and people all over the world have made hundreds of thousands of Pinwheels for Peace. These pinwheels made by children at the St. Edmund Learning Center are among the pinwheels promoting "whirled peace." The pinwheel project was begun by teachers in Florida and is meant to allow children to express their views of peace in a fun, creative way.

To view my Camera Critters post for today, click HERE.

Where Your Heart is, There is Your Treasure

College football is in full swing, and it's well known that the NCAA is VERY BIG in Alabama! So, it's no wonder to find Alabama and Auburn merchandise all over everywhere, including The Treasure Box indoor flea market.

Auburn fans can get a brand-new cheerleader doll along with a tiger (the mascot) figurine, and Bama fans can also purchase an elephant (its mascot) clock! (Now don't even ask how come fans yell "War Eagle!" for Auburn and "Roll Tide!" for Alabama. The Auburn Tigers have an eagle on the sidelines, and the Elephant team is called the Crimson Tide. I'm not even going to try and explain it!)

Anyway, this market has been open for many months in the old Gibson's Shopping Center on Citizens Parkway. The owners sell booth space by the month, and it's open everyday except Sunday. I have seen good bakeware, glassware, furniture, hunting clothes, kids' clothes, movies and household items for sale at very reasonable yard-sale prices. It's the kind of place where it's easy to spend the day looking.

Topped

If you look closely underneath the peaceful blue sky, you will find a few topped trees in my backyard!

Tropical Storm Fay did that a few weeks ago. Back in 2004, Hurricane Ivan did a number or some big, old oaks, and we had to have tree surgeons remove damaged limbs. I used to have azaleas planted under these trees, and they proved awesome in springtime. But alas, too many storms felled too many limbs, and we have just let the "back 40" go its own way.
To join or view the Skywatch fun, click HERE.

Hank Sanders Technology Center

The Hank Sanders Technology Center is officially open. The center is at Wallace Community College Selma and houses classrooms and computer laboratories for business courses as well as the Alabama Technology Network and Workforce Development programs. Access to the latest technology will prepare people in Dallas and surrounding counties for high-tech jobs and accommodate training for area businesses and industries.

The building is named for Alabama State Senator Hank Sanders of Selma.

Inside the Office

Step into the office!
Here's an interior view of the antebellum plantation office in yesterday's post. The office is location on the grounds of Sturdivant Hall.

Let's see. In the corner on the left, we have the desk and ledger. Next, there's the overseer's desk and journal, and to the far right are the beaten biscuit table with a dough bowl and biscuit beater. (I guess that would be similar to the modern office kitchen!) Just come on in and have a seat in front of the fireplace. Coffee and biscuits will soon be ready!

Plantation Office

This antebellum structure from Roseland Plantation has been renovated as a plantation office museum on the grounds of Sturdivant Hall. It is open for tours on special occasions such as Spring Pilgrimage.

Seven Seater

Here is the "Cadillac" of outhouses!

This seven-seater privy was donated to the Sturdivant Museum Association in 1979, but its move from Roseland Plantation in Marengo County was delayed until 2005. It was restored the next year. No longer operational, visitors can peek inside to see two seats for men, three for women and two for children.

The privy was in use on the 1200-acre plantation prior to 1850. Roseland was established in the 1820s by James H. Fitts.

Hiding

This little fellow thought he was hiding. It's really awesome how lizard critters become "one" with their surroundings.
To see more cute Camera Critters, click HERE.

Birdhouse in Camouflage

I bet the birds really love this house!
While most birdhouses that I see these days are artfully painted, this one is artfully camouflaged.

Undecided (Skywatch Friday)

With great respect to the power of hurricanes and tropical storms, here is the "eye" in our sky of TS Fay a few weeks ago. Actually, it was just a fair spot in one of the tropical bands. Here's hoping that Hurricane Ike spares devastation to Texas and the Gulf Coast this weekend.

Take care out there!

For more Skywatch pictures, go on over to the Skywatch list right HERE.

What's Behind Door No. 1?

Any idea what's inside the space behind this door?
Maybe I SHOULD say: What used to be inside this space?

I am sure some of our wise, older bloggers will know!
Most likely some younger ones have a good idea.

Cactus and Glass

A cactus grows outside this window with stained-glass artwork. I spotted it at Gordon's Antiques in Old Town.

Good Morning!

Mornings are easier to wake up to when there are morning glories to greet you!

Butterflies in Progress

Master craftsman Nico Giampietro fastens one of the butterfly sculptures he made for Selma's Butterfly Project. After sanding and priming, he delivers the butterflies to the artists for painting. At least 40 butterflies will line the downtown historic district shortly before Tale-Tellin' and Riverfront Market Day weekend Oct. 10-11 and be on display there for at least several weeks.
Giampietro is a native of Italy who studied carpentry with his grandfather, then went to Germany to learn advanced techniques. He owns Nico's Custom Woodwork and primarily makes custom kitchen cabinets. However, he has also designed and made custom furniture, including the furniture in his home.

Caught (Camera Critters)

It's that time of year again when garden spiders are weaving webs and catching prey. This spider is securing a beetle. We counted six such spiders and webs in our hydrangea bush.
More critters are just a click away!

Up to the Challenge?

These guys enjoyed their visit to the Selma Flea Market last Saturday, playing checkers on picnic tables while I suppose their families shopped.
When I was growing up, men played checkers or dominoes all over our small town...on tables in the halls of the courthouse and down at the service station. We played checkers at home, and when I got pretty good at the game, my dad took me to the service station to challenge the owner, who quickly cleaned up every checker I moved! It was humbling, but I learned even more tricky moves with which to beat my brothers at the game.
It seems that checkers is making a comeback. I'm seeing more and more tables set up with checkerboards, especially at flea markets, Internet cafes and antique stores.

Lemon Tree Sky (Skywatch Friday)

Lemons growing in Selma?
This lemon tree is on the grounds of Sturdivant Hall. I'll let you know when it's time to sip fresh lemonade on the benches beneath the trees!

Selma Flea Market

Shops and booths at the Selma Flea Market offer a little bit of everything. See anything you like?
The flea market is open every Saturday just off the Selma Bypass and attracts local as well as out-of-state travelers.

Kudzu Blossoms

These little lavender blooms are kudzu blossoms. They resemble wysteria and smell like grapes, and some folks gather them and make kudzu jelly. Other people curse the hardy kudzu vine that has overtaken many a forest in the South.

For more on kudzu, click HERE.
For the sweeter side of kudzu, click HERE.

Country Crossing

I made a trip to country to take pictures the other day and was delighted to cross this well-built wooden bridge that spans a creek.

September Theme Day (Sister Cities)

Click photo for a larger image.

Welcome to Selma...North Carolina, a sister city to Selma, Alabama!

While Selma, Alabama also has a sister city in South America, I chose to post a picture of the town that was named for our town. Back in the Reconstruction Era, when founders proposed naming it Sharpsburg after Confederate Col. John Sharp who had settled there, Sharp objected. He preferred honoring his old hometown of Selma, Alabama, and proposed naming the town for the place he was born. (For more details about Selma, N.C., history, click HERE.)

Today, there are quite a few similarities between the two Selmas. Both were thriving railroad towns. Both have old railroad depots and red cabooses, and there are old grist mills nearby.

Thanks to Lewis Mullen, photographer and author of the Selma Daily Photo in North Carolina for permission to use his photo.

There are lots of other sister cities getting celebrated today.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Aurora, South Africa by shelagh, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Busan, Korea South by iamnbinb, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cavite, Philippines by Steven Que, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by trieulet, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Shantaram, Chennai, India by Ram N, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Darmstadt, Germany by Elsch, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Edmonton (AL), Canada by , Evry, France by Olivier, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Gothenburg, Sweden by Lo/David, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Helsinki, Finland by PPusa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Honningsvag, Norway by J., Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Istanbul, Turkey by mustafa34, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Karwar, India by Yogesh, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Madrid, Spain by Tr3nta, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Anthony, Mashhad, Iran by Meead, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Muizenberg, South Africa by Pentaxjunkie, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Nice, France by Angelaj, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Elsa, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pensacola (FL), USA by P J, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Andrew Foderaro, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Rancho Palos Verdes (CA), USA by Sarah Adams, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by Burd Zel Krai, Schenectady (NY), USA by Buck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Seoul, South Korea by Phil, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, South Pasadena (CA), USA by Laurie, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Telluride (CO), USA by mtsrool, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torino, Italy by Fabrizio, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Turin, Italy by Livio, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Villigen, Switzerland by z, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,