Sunday, November 30, 2008

End of November


November leaves the Black Belt with a bit of autumn color remaining. As mild temperatures from the weekend rains turn swiftly colder, cattle head toward the hay and will huddle together tonight away from the wind.

Monday is monthly theme day for the City Daily Photo Blogs. Be sure and drop by to find out how CDPB bloggers interpret December's theme, circles and spheres.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Yea, Alabama!


Yea, Alabama!

The Crimson Tide is back. After six long years, the University of Alabama football team finally defeated the Auburn Tigers. It was a 36-0 wipeout in Tuscaloosa that should keep undefeated UA ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Meanwhile, there's been no economic downturn in Bama Country! Everywhere I go, Bama merchandise is selling better than ever. Fans have brought out their flags, their Bear Bryant hats, car pennants and magnetic signs. Of course, Bama clothing is a hot item too!

Here are the lyrics to the Alabama fight song. It's a bit outdated since the Rose Bowl used to be the national championship game, but the Bowl Championship Series changed that. Stay tuned...for the Southeastern Conference Championship against Florida in Atlanta!

"Yea, Alabama!"

Yea, Alabama! Drown 'em Tide!
Every 'Bama man's behind you;
Hit your stride!
Go teach the Bulldogs to behave,
Send the Yellow Jackets to a watery grave!
And if a man starts to weaken,
That's a shame!
For 'Bama's pluck and grit
Have writ her name in crimson flame!
Fight on, fight on, fight on, men!
Remember the Rose Bowl we'll win then!
Go, roll to victory,
Hit your stride,
You're Dixie's football pride, Crimson Tide!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Aqua Sky (Skywatch Friday)


A combination of the sun, white puffy clouds and dark gray clouds turned the sky aqua one day last week as I was waiting in the pickup line at Wendy's. I took the photo through the windshield, and nope, neither the color is changed, nor did I super-saturate the photo.

It's nice to have a camera beside you when the sky turns aqua!

For more Skywatch photos, click HERE.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving 2008


We shared our Thanksgiving meal today at the home of relatives, and the table setting was so beautiful that I just had to get a picture.

On the first Thanksgiving, though the Pilgrims had lost so much, they had so much for which to be grateful.

"To All Ye Pilgrims: Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience; now, I...do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and little ones, do gather...to listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings."
...William Bradford, Governor of the Plymouth Colony


Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Smokin'



Turkey's on the smoker.
Cornbread is done.
Congealed salad is chillin'.
Sweet potato cakes are coolin'.

So now I have time to publish a post!

Here's our turkey, slowing smoking. It's got apples inside to keep it moist and Southern Flavor (Selma-made) Cajun Seasoning rubbed all over. Tonight, we're having honey-baked ham from Mark's Mart, and the rest, we're saving til tomorrow.

I'm thinkin' about baking Paula Deen's Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie too.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The Nutcracker Ballet



These posters are all over town, because a Christmas ballet classic, The Nutcracker, is coming to Selma. Not only that, some of Selma's young dance students will perform in it.

The story of Clara and her Nutcracker prince opens at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 on the stage at Pickard Auditorium. This production by the Montgomery Ballet is presented by Arts Revive.

Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce and Truax & Company.

Monday, November 24, 2008

From Sea to Shining Sea & a Blog Award



Yes! It's Thanksgiving Week, and I couldn't think of a more appropriate post than Kathleen's "From Sea to Shining Sea" butterfly sculpture. While I love visiting countries around the world through City Daily Photo Blogs, at Thanksgiving, I give special thanks for God's blessings and for my country, the USA.

Kathleen, who blogs just up the road in Southern Artistic Touch, is a talented artist, and she captured so many famous American scenes on her butterfly. Her theme is taken from the song, "America the Beautiful."

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

Thank you, Kathleen, for a "You are Tagged" blog award!
The rules of this Meme are:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Some of the things about me you may, or may not know:
I'll stick with Kathleen's theme, "Things that make me go "Yes!"

1. Thanksgiving Week
2. When the crust on the pie in the oven doesn't burn
3. When I capture a really good photo
4. When there's time to watch a Hallmark movie on TV
5. When the community works together to produce something like The Butterfly Project
6. When the Alabama Crimson Tide wins yet another football game

Bloggers I'm tagging:
Tanya at Roanoke Daily Photo
Christy at Life with the Woods
Gwyn at Juneau Daily Photo
Jim at Terrell daily Photo
PJ at Pensacola Daily Photo
Mary at Faith, Fabric and Photos

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Chipmunk (Camera Critters)



Today's photo of this cute chipmunk is courtesy of guest photographer Elaine Stewart. The Valley Grande resident loves animals, especially her Boston terriers, parakeet and cockatiel. She feeds the birds, squirrels, chipmunks and deer on her rural property, plus she's a birdwatcher and avid photographer.

Thank you, Elaine, for sharing this picture!

For more Camera Critters, click HERE.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Glunk Who Got Thunk



Okay, all you Dr. Seuss fans, here's the winning color art in the Dr. Seuss Art Contest.

The artist is 11-year-old John Hartman of Valley Grande Elementary, and his creation can be seen along with dozens of other Dr. Seuss art at the Performing Arts Centre, site of this weekend's "Seussical the Musical."

Friday, November 21, 2008

Bright and Breezy (Skywatch Friday)





Bright and breezy!

That's been the weather all week, and it gets even breezier today with winds forecast at 15 to to 25 mph and temps falling into the mid-20s tonight!

I'm glad NOT to be among those sitting out in the wind chills at the high school football playoff games!

For more skies, head on over to www.skyley.blogspot.com

(EXTRA! A Dallas County Arts Alliance member noticed an article in Budget Travel Magazine about a road trip through Alabama that includes a stopover in Selma. Click HERE for the website link.
The part about Selma will be on page 2.)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Harvest at Holley's



Pecan harvests are coming in at Holley's Farm and Garden Center, but a truck farmer parked there one day last week too.

His truck was laden with baskets of apples, oranges, onions and sweet potatoes. I was tempted to buy some but just paid to have my 10 pounds of pecans cracked and shelled. Pecan pies will soon be baking!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Autumn in Our Backyard



I hope you aren't tired of seeing fall foliage, because I just had to post my picturesque backyard in most of its autumn glory!

As you can tell, the sugar maple is completely bare, but this ginkgo is near peak color. The ginkgo was barely six feet tall when we moved here close to 30 years ago. It's slow growing but spectacular for a few days each November. The dogwoods and redbud were planted by my husband so that we can see the beauty of spring and fall right out the big window of our den.

To see what these trees looked like a year ago, click HERE.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Serenity in Nature




Branches, bark and Spanish Moss trim the elegant "Serenity in Nature" butterfly sculpture.

Sponsored by Pearce Catfish Farm and designed by artist Michael Sims, notice the base. It is cut out and filled with water.

To see more butterflies, visit The Butterfly Project.

To read a recent column about Selma, her butterflies and her metamorphosis, go to "Change Can Happen in Small Towns and Across the Nation."

It is written by syndicated columnist Rheta Grimsley Johnson, who once lived in Montgomery. She was in Selma to talk about her latest book, "Poor Man's Provence: Finding Myself in Cajun Louisiana" at the Lunch at the Library regional authors series.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Glorious Ginkgo



Though not a native species, the ginkgo tree is a glorious addition to autumn in the South, especially where pine trees grow and never change color.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

About as Close as You can Get (Camera Critters)




My camera must have had a magnet that drew this Simmental X cow to get as close she could to the lens.

Of all the cattle that were feeding on fresh hay, this one departed the herd to check me out. I decided to climb atop an old wagon to keep her at a nose's length!

To see more critters, click HERE.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

The Golden Gate



The entrance to Old Live Oak Cemetery from Dallas Avenue turns to gold every November. These grounds are lush with color in the spring, but autumn is worth a visit too!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Birds of a Feather (Skywatch Friday)



As the saying goes: "Birds of a feather flock together," and that sure was true of these little birds.
Against a cloudy-bright sky, they were enjoying the scarlet-leafed and berry-laden shrubs next to the Old Depot Museum this week. While I only see two in the photo, many more flew away just before the picture was snapped.


Anybody know what kind of birds these are? They were smaller than they appear here.

Check out other Skywatch photos at www.skyley.blogspot.com.
Happy Skywatching!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Autumn at Valley Creek



The trees along Summerfield Road at the Valley Creek bridge are especially beautiful in autumn. The Selma city limits are within easy walking distance.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Folding the Flag


One of the most poignant parts of Selma's Veterans' Day ceremony featured a flag-folding demonstration by the Southside High School ROTC unit. The "13-Fold Recitation," which gives meaning to the folds of the flag, was read.

While the "13-Fold Recitation" isn't part of the Federal Flag Code, the ceremony is one of tradition and was printed in government and military manuals and recited at many military funerals. Then, in October 2007, the National Cemetery Administration banned the recitation at all national cemeteries. Not long after, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs stated that "any recitations at the graveside of a veteran can reflect the wishes of the family." So, if the veteran's family wants the meaning of the folds included, so shall it be.

Symbols for the folds of the Flag

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance, of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Freedom Isn't Free




"Freedom isn't free" was the point of U.S. Veteran Byrd Looper's message at today's Veterans' Day ceremony.

A large crowd turned out at Memorial Stadium on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour to honor those who have fought and died for America.

Among those participating in the color guards, placement of wreaths and flag-folding demonstration were high school groups, the American Legion, Emblem Club and VFW.

Looper closed with a poem called "It is the Veteran," which I share below.

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the courts
who has given us the right to keep and bear arms

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,
and serves under the flag.

---
To read a news article about the D-Day experience of one of World War II's remaining veterans (my father in law), click HERE.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Waiting




Kate looks like she's posing for my camera, but she was just soaking up sunshine on a chilly afternoon... waiting for the farmer in the truck who was bringing her feed.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Tranquility Base and Kreativ Blogger Award



Thank you, D, of Tuscaloosa Daily Photo for selecting me for a Kreativ Blogger Award.
I was so glad when D joined the City Daily Photo Blogs, because it's great to see her pictures of Tuscaloosa. I grew up just 40 minutes down the road, and to me, T-Town was the BIG CITY. It's nice to see the places that are still there and the places that have changed.

Speaking of changes, the leaves are turning red, gold, orange and brown around here, and I just love the depiction of autumn on the base of the Tranquility butterfly sculpture. Some artists painted both the butterflies and the bases, and this one is exceptional. You can view more photos of this sculpture over at The Butterfly Project.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Squeaky Clean



Now you know how the saltwater aquarium at the public library stays so squeaky clean!

Library employees not only check out books and keep them orderly; they clean the aquarium, which is home to several species of fish, including Big Fish. He's the shadowy creature swimming away from us. The aquarium is a central attraction in the children's department.


Thursday, November 6, 2008

Visitor Information




Welcome to Historic Selma and the Visitor Information Center.

The center opened last summer at the Selma-Dallas County Library, but the sign went up just recently.

The library and visitor center are downtown on Broad Street next door to Selma City Hall. You can find brochures, flyers, maps and recommended tours.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Downstream



After an almost constant two-year barrage of presidential election rhetoric, I'm ready for a break...a downstream view of Valley Creek, just above the spillway at Kenan's Mill.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election 2008...The Selma Campaign




Today's presidential election holds a lot of significance for Selmians since BOTH major party nominees campaigned here. I just happened to be around to personally snap (well, fight my way through the crowds) their photographs and present them especially for you in today's post.

While Alabama isn't a "Swing State," its history in the Voting Rights Movement attracts politicians.

Republican John McCain (top photo) brought his "Time for Action" tour to Selma last April, and Democrat Barack Obama (bottom photo) spoke at Brown Chapel AME Church during the 2007 Bridge Crossing Jubilee.

While polls have shown Obama leading, the only poll that really counts is the one today, so please go VOTE!

(On a more personal note, my dear husband has the distinction of turning ?? years old on Election Day, and he's still got my vote! Happy Birthday!)

Monday, November 3, 2008

The Web



Here's the Web, Selma style...not the World Wide Web, but a bunch of spider webs across the porch and bushes (click to enlarge photo) and a web of Spanish Moss across the entire fence.

What fun it must have been for trick or treaters to have opened the gate of this fence and made their way to the porch for candy!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Kenan's Mill Fall Festival



Saturday was a perfect day for the annual Kenan's Mill Fall Festival.

The 19th Century mill ground corn for sale. Musicians strummed bluegrass melodies, and cloggers tapped in time on the wooden pavilion. Charlie Lucas was there with his folk art paintings and trash-to-treasure sculptures. Other artists and craftsmen brought quilts, birdhouses and Christmas decorations. Children rode in a tractor-pulled wagon up the dirt road and then on ponies beneath the trees. They thrilled with a jaunt across Valley Creek on a swinging bridge.

Join us at the mill next year on the first Saturday in November!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

November Theme Day (Books)



It's November Theme Day, and the subject is Books!

So, who can resist a Dr. Seuss quote and a tempting lineup of beginner books at the local library?

To view more literary photos, start your journey around the world in the City Daily Photo theme day.

"Oh, the places you'll go!"


Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by freefalling, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Aurora, South Africa by shelagh, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Bali, Indonesia by Anak Dokan, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bangkok, Thailand by UberSand, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Ilse, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boulder (CO), USA by A Sterling World, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cavite, Philippines by Steven Que, Chandler (AZ), USA by PattheAZRealtor, Chapel Hill (NC), USA by missleah, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Chateaubriant, France by trieulet, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Ram N, City of the Blue Mountains, Australia by Richard, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Evry, France by Olivier, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Gliwice, Poland by prado&fio, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by PPusa, Herne Bay, Great Britain by Han, Lil n Caz, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Honningsvag, Norway by J., Islip (NY), USA by Bettye, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia by Susie of Arabia, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Karwar, India by Yogesh, Knoxville (TN), USA by Knoxville Girl, Knoxville (TN), USA by hope, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lodz, Poland by wikiyu, London, UK by Ham, Madrid, Spain by Tr3nta, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Hilda, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Middletown (MD), USA by Bernie, Milton, New Zealand by Milton Daily Photo, Milwaukee (WI), USA by karl, Minneapolis (MN), USA by snapshutter, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Molfetta, Italy by saretta, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Montréal, Canada by My Life in Montreal, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Moscow (ID), USA by Sherry, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Murcia, Spain by usuahia, Napa (CA), USA by katester, 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, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Oklahoma City (OK), USA by ananda.tashie, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Elsa, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pensacola (FL), USA by P J, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Stiffa, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Prague, Czech Republic by kakna, Quincy (MA), USA by slim, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Reykjavik, Iceland by Vírgíll, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Roanoke (VA), USA by Tanya, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salem (OR), USA by pearls, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Francisco (CA), USA by Burd Zel Krai, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Seoul, Korea South by SeoulSnapper, Seoul, South Korea by Phil, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tauranga, New Zealand by Lisa Sarsfield, Telluride (CO), USA by mtsrool, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Torino, Italy by Fabrizio, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Toulouse, France by Julia, Trieste, Italy by Rob&Piero, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Verona, Italy by Valeria in Verona, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, 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, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Woerden, Netherlands by Marcel, Yakima (WA), USA by katney, Yellowknife, Canada by Arctic Dreamer, York, UK by Ruby in York,