Friends and Classmates

Karl Sadler and Aurelia Ellison are friends and former classmates. They both graduated from Parrish High School (now Selma High) in 1950. Here, they are serving as Pilgrimage hosts at Sturdivant Hall. Selma's Historic Pilgrimage was held in mid-March, and Mr. Sadler made the trip back to Selma all the way from his home in Lewisburg, Tenn., to participate. He is also a photographer and considering joining the City Daily Photo Blog community with a photo a day from Lewisburg, Tennessee, USA. Here's hoping he will!
(Thanks to Charles Moss of the Historic Preservation Society for taking this photo with Mr. Sadler's camera.)

Sturdivant Hall Courtyard

The back courtyard at Sturdivant Hall is attractive any time of year but especially in the spring and summer when flowers and herbs bloom in formal gardens. This outdoor area is often used for weddings, receptions and picnics and has been the site of the Battle of Selma Ball that is held during the reenactment.

Tempted!

Ever since Satan took the form of a serpent and persuaded Eve to eat the one fruit that God forbade, mankind has been succumbing to temptation after temptation after temptation! This tablescape was among those at the Elkdale Baptist Church Ladies' Banquet a couple of weeks ago, and I thought it was just so original and colorful! Now, while we traditionally think of an apple as the fruit Eve ate, all we are told in The Bible is that is was a fruit, and if Adam and Eve ate it, they would surely die. What tempts you?

History and Hospitality

"History and Hospitality" is a fitting slogan. Selma is the second
oldest city in Alabama, and it traces its history back to DeSoto and Bienville.
Then there's the Civil War to Civil Rights history and a lot in between, including
Selmians who were instrumental in working for women's right to vote.
The town is home to the state's largest, contiguous historic district.
Then there's that famous southern hospitality, PLUS we've got good water!

Painting the Tank

The water tank on Summerfield Road has been under renovation for a long time. Now, the finishing touches are going up. These workers are painting SELMA on the sky-blue background (the prettiest water tank in town)! But they aren't finished yet. When I drove by the next day, a slogan had been added. I'll post that photo on Friday.

Morning Has Broken

Morning has broken into springtime pastels. In the foreground, the Bradford Pear is in full bloom. In the background, the redbud lends a lavender hue. (I have always wondered why it is called redbud!)
Now is the time to watch the sun rise and see how it brings colors to life.

Forsythia

Exuberant forsythia!
These nuggets are among the first signs of Spring here, and my neighbor's shrub is as golden as I have ever seen it. I have forsythia, but mine has never been this glorious. Forsythia (if you can bear to cut some of its branches) makes a wonderful filler in early-Spring arrangements. Just get some dogwood and redbud, perhaps a few Bradford pear blossoms, and what a beautiful bouquet!

Expecting

We noticed this squirrel dragging branches and twigs to her nest.
She would stop every so often to fuss at the cats, who gladly traded their outdoor ramblings for inside safety. I haven't seen her working the past couple of days, so I assume she is finished and ready for babies.

Happy Easter and First Anniversary!

HAPPY EASTER!

Today, Christians celebrate the resurrection of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was liike lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women. 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.'"
Matthew 28: 2-6

Today, The Selma, Ala., Daily Photo celebrates its one-year anniversary!
I have enjoyed being part of the City Daily Photo Blog community and look forward to seeing more great photos of cities around the world. Thanks to all who have visited, and thanks for the many comments and encouragement!

The Day After

Several Selma churches jointly reenact the events of Easter weekend. On Thursday evening, they recreate The Last Supper, and on Good Friday, they hold the trial of Jesus, followed by Jesus carrying the cross to Valley Creek Park (commonly known as Bloch Park). There, the Messiah is "crucified" and his "body placed" in the tomb of Joseph of Arimethea. Joseph, a rich man, had gone to the Roman leader Pontius Pilate and requested the body.

"When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed." Matthew 27: 59-60

The next day, the priests and Pharisees convinced Pilate to place a guard at the tomb, and they sealed the stone. They remembered that Jesus said He would rise on the third day and were afraid the disciples might steal the body and claim their Messiah had risen from the dead.
(I'm not sure how anyone could claim that the Messiah had resurrected without his physical appearance, however!)

Be sure to check out Dina's photos of this weekend's events commemorating the death, burial and resurrection of Christ at Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo.