This week, we say goodbye to 2007, and we said goodbye to "Charlotte" as well. Our garden spider in the kitchen window disappeared about a day after this photo was taken. Frankly, I thought she was either very sick or deceased here since we had never seen her "frozen" in place on her back before. She did survive through Christmas, and she leaves an unknown number of children in three cocoons that she wove into the eaves. 
Remember the Little Lost Cat that was looking for food and attention? Here she is at home, peeking out from beneath a curtain. She joined two other cats already in our household, so it has taken awhile for one of the others to accept her and to complete the adjustment. 
After seeing some other photo bloggers' pictures of hoarfrost, I noticed this dogwood tree in Old Live Oak Cemetery just covered in a frost-tinted Spanish Moss. It almost looks like hoarfrost...from a distance.
A pink camellia is entwined with Spanish Moss at Selma's Old Live Oak Cemetery. While the resting place is known for its spring beauty with blossoms of azalea and dogwood, it possesses a haunting grayness during the foggy, cloudy days of winter...that is, until the wanderer comes upon a camellia. This camellia bush is located near the Elodie Todd Dawson monument that was featured in an earlier post this year. 
A narrow, red-brick path leads from the St. James Hotel terrace to the park benches in front of the Bridge Tender's House for a good view of the Pettus Bridge and Alabama River. The red and white stripes are part of the American flag that flies at the bed and breakfast. This photo was taken in early December when there were still a few leaves on the trees.
Ever had pigeon for dinner? Apparently, this bird was an item a century or more ago. This old pigeon cote on the grounds of Heritage Village is an historic structure. It was built back when pigeons were raised for food. To see more pigeon cotes, some of which are centuries old, follow this link.
I wonder how many little girls received dolls for Christmas today. When I was little, a new doll always awaited me beneath the tree. That was back when Barbies were newly popular, and while I had several beautiful dolls, a Barbie wasn't one of them, although I did have a Barbie Fashion Shop. Strange, huh? So today, what did I get? My very first Barbie doll! 
"For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: 'Wonderful,' 'Counselor,' 'The Mighty God,' 'The Everlasting Father,' 'The Prince of Peace.'"
From this angle, the Christmas tree at City Hall looks almost as tall as the building. The municipal complex anchors the downtown shopping district, and oh my goodness! Monday is the last day to shop before Christmas! Now I wonder who is just getting started buying Christmas gifts today. 
The arched doors of First Baptist Church at Lauderdale Street and Dallas Avenue will open for Christmas services Sunday. The Sunday before Christmas typically draws large crowds, and many families gather for Christmas dinners and reunions... as will my side of the family. 
