Skywatch, Looking Up

It's been a week of mostly clouds and occasional rain from Tropical Storm Isaac,

 but things are looking up weather-wise, and hey, SEC (Southeastern Conference) 

football starts this weekend!

The picture was taken on Water Avenue, looking up at the grillwork 

on one of the historic buildings.

Linking to Skywatch Friday

God Bless America

The banner at New Orleans Bar & Grill reminds me

 of the patriotic song that I learned in kindergarten,

 and thank goodness it's not "offensive" in the rural South!

God Bless America

by Irving Berlin

God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.

Linking to Rural Thursday

G is for Gulf of Mexico

It's ABC Wednesday, and the letter of the week is G.

 So, I'm leaving Selma for the day to bring you the Gulf of Mexico 

at Gulf Shores (as it looked a week ago)! The gulf was calm, the water warm,

 and a breeze barely blew.  But today, Hurricane Isaac is riling the tides

 as it pounds New Orleans to the west.

Only 3.5 hours away, Gulf Shores is a popular vacation destination

 for many residents of Selma and Central Alabama. 

See more interpretations of G at ABC Wednesday. 

The Vineyard

Selma has a new restaurant, and it features authentic Italian cuisine plus a big helping

 of old-world atmosphere. Located in the historic Harmony Club on Water Avenue,

 The Vineyard offers entrees including manicotti, chicken or shrimp alfredo,

 chicken or eggplant parmesan and yummy spaghetti and meatballs. There's tiramisu

 and oreo delight for dessert, plus a whole lot more!

 Arrive early to get ahead of the noon crowd!  

Linking to Our World Tuesday

The Four Horses of Water Avenue

As long as the water keeps running, these horses will have plenty of water! 

The fountain is located on Water Avenue in front of the St. James Hotel

 next to Lafayette Park.

New Signs in Town

New signs have gone up around town noting the historic districts.

 This one lets you know you are in the Water Avenue District.

 These are a real help to visitors who like to take historic walking or driving tours.

Gentle Spirits

Old Live Oak Cemetery is home to several monuments to young wives and mothers. 

This one honors a man's first wife, Florida, and their baby; as well as his

 second wife, Anna. Florida died at age 24, and Anna was gone at age 37. 

Rest in Peace

Visitors to Old Live Oak Cemetery can rest upon this bench in the

 peaceful surroundings of oak and magnolia trees and streamers of Spanish Moss. 

Focus on the Flag

ABC Wednesday is celebrating the letter "F" this week,

 so we'll FOCUS on the FLAG and the FREEDOMS for which it stands. 

This flag hangs from the Bridgetender's Cottage in Lafayette Park

 and is especially beautiful with the bridge in the background. 

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Side Porch Sandwiches

It's Alabama Restaurant Week, and in Selma, Side Porch Sandwiches 

is one of the newest places to eat. It opened in an historic riverfront building

 last spring. Years ago, this building was known as the Riverfront Mini Mall

 and Old Towne Sandwiches. Pictured is the Water Avenue entrance

 but the main dining room  is in a porch addition on the side of the building. 

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Back to School

Who wouldn't be excited to go back to school in a beautiful building like this?

The historic Byrd Elementary School is among those in Selma and Dallas County

 that open today for the new school year.

Front Porch Welcome

Judging by their porch, the homeowners must be hospitable!

Swimming in the Window

No, this isn't a downtown aquarium, just the colorful tropical display

 in the windows of Truax & Co. You can see reflections of the

 Historic Selma banner and the library in the background. 

Linking to Weekend Reflections 

Friday Fences, Grillwork at the Library

Selma seems to have an endless supply of intricate, iron grillwork,

 both modern and vintage. Pictured is the centerpiece of the

 library balcony located just above the main entrance. 

Linking to Friday Fences

Rural Thursday, A Working Flagpole

It's Rural Thursday, and I had to get out of Selma and even Dallas County

 (but not too far!) to get a picture of this "working" flagpole. 

Linking to Rural Thursday

ABC Wednesday, E for Elodie

E for Elodie!

That's Elodie Todd Dawson, half-sister of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. 

Carter Drugs offers Elodie salads and sandwiches, according to the sign out front.

 I haven't tried any yet, but they're getting added to my bucket list!

The majestic Elodie Todd Dawson monument is at Old Live Oak Cemetery.

More of Elodie's story can be found HERE. 

See more interpretations of the letter E over at ABC Wednesday. 

It's All About Me

It's All About Me is a boutique and salon in downtown Selma.

 Customers can browse the really chic styles and accessories 

plus spend a little "me" time and get their hair styled.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

The Railroad Bridge

The railroad bridge from Riverfront Park

This  photo was taken on a hazy morning earlier this month.

Hunkered Down

To use a trite phrase that began with media coverage of hurricanes several years ago, 

these stone swans appear to be "hunkered down" on the base of Selma's municipal 

fountain. The fountain is between City Hall and the library. 

Linking to Weekend in Black and White and Camera Critters

Police Presence

Selma Police recently beefed up their downtown presence with a new substation 

at 2 Lawrence St. The station gives Water Avenue and Riverfront Park

 the benefit of increased safety.

Gateways

Walk through this ornate, iron gate at Grumbles Alley, and you will find steps that lead 

down to the riverwalk. In the background is the Edmund Pettus Bridge. 

Linking to Friday Fences

Doctors All Week

Selma recently filled a big medical need in this highly rural area 
with emergency medicine physicians  on duty seven days a week. 
Selma Urgent Care opened a few months

 ago in this "wooded retreat" that may very well ease

 the apprehension of going to the doctor. 

Previously, after-hours and weekend medical care was only available
 in the hospital emergency room, and residents had to drive to Prattville 
or Montgomery to facilities similar to this one to see an on-duty doctor 
for minor emergencies or illness.  

Linking to Rural Thursday

ABC Wednesday, D is for DOG

Let me tell you about my DOG!

Well no, she isn't really MY dog, but she is best friends with my dog,

 and when it thunders many, many miles away, she is pretty much MY dog! 

We call her Weather Dog, because she's better than radar.

If she barges through our kitchen door, we KNOW a storm is coming, 

even if the sky is blue. So, here she is in her spot on our floor. 

She won't budge until the storm is over, and that is well worth her 

advance warning so I can turn off and unplug this computer before lightning strikes! 

By the way, it's ABC Wednesday, and the letter is D!

River View

It's almost midday on a weekday on the river on a hot, August day.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

River Dance

If you haven't been by Carneal ArtsRevive's little corner of the Alabama River lately,

 check out these crepe myrtles, along with other blooming things along the terrace bank.

 A background curtain of Spanish Moss hangs above the water as these 

pink/lavender beauties dance in the breeze (when there is one)!   

Weekend Reflections, From the P.O. to the P.D.

From the front doors of Selma's post office, there is a pretty good reflection

 of the public safety building across the street. 

Linking to Weekend Reflections

Skywatch Friday, All Clear

Skies are all clear as the Selma Saints go marching in to their new high school

 building this year.This tower is part of the new entrance while the old entrance

 is incorporated into the new library/media center. 

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Up with Old Glory

Selma firefighters hoist Old Glory up the flagpole 

at the Selma municipal complex. God bless the USA, a nation
 that has endured many challenges and survived 
so far because of its foundation on the rule of law,
 not the whims of men; and
on rights given by God, not government.  

Linking to Thursday Challenge(TOUGH)

Read, Rest, Relax

It's ABC Wednesday, and C if for Courtyard.

Summer is a good time to head out to the courtyard at the

 Selma-Dallas County Public Library. You can read, rest and relax

 in the shade, hear the drip, drip, drip of the fountain

 and perhaps the song of a bird.

Linking with ABC Wednesday