Portrait of the Photographer

The Battle of Selma reenactment is this weekend, and I was pleased to snap a digital portrait of a 19th Century photographer! Wendell Decker of Bowling Green, Ky., takes "tintype" photographs, technically known as ferrotypes (produced on iron, not tin) just as they were developed back in the 1800s. It's a very exact art that produces pictures that will last hundreds of years and could be scanned and enlarged to any size without loss of detail. 

Weatherbeaten

Selma and Dallas County survived mostly unscathed from Wednesday's severe weather, but many areas of north and central Alabama are devastated from massive tornadoes and thunderstorms that began early in the morning and continued until late last night. Our family and friends in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham are fine, but so many people face the heartbreak of lost or missing loved ones and destroyed homes and businesses. My prayers go out to them! Never has this state seen so many violent storms that brought such devastation.

Confederate Memorial Day in Alabama

Today is a state holiday in Alabama to remember soldiers who died during the War Between the States (1861-1865). In Selma, Confederate Circle at Old Live Oak Cemetery displays monuments, a flag and cannon.  A wreath will also be placed. The cemetery is the final resting place of numerous Confederate soldiers.

The King Has Risen!

"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. 

Come and see the place where he lay.'"

Matthew 28: 5-6.

Happy Easter! 

Posted at Sunday Scripture & a Snapshot

This is the cross placed by Gateway Ministries at Bloch Park for their reenactment of the Easter story.

Easter Bunny in a Basket

Yes, there really is an Easter Bunny, and he lives next door!

Country Spring (Skywatch)

 Prairie buttercups brighten the landscape in Dallas County while a palette of blue provides the backdrop.

More skies at Skywatch Friday!

Storm Damage

Dozens of tornadoes spun through Alabama last Friday, and while Dallas County was fortunate compared to many other areas, the severe weather demolished an equipment shed at the Black Belt Research Station, Marion Junction. 

Then They Will Never Be Uprooted Again (Scripture & a Snapshot)

 

'"The time will come," says the Lord, "when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine! I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine. I will firmly plant them there in the land I have given them,' says the Lord your God. 'Then they will never be uprooted again.'" 

Amos 9:11-15 (NLT)

These verses are among many that foretold God's regathering of the Jewish people into the land of Israel where "they will never be uprooted again." Israel became a modern nation in 1948.

The picture was taken at Auburn University's Black Belt Research Station at Marion Junction, two days after a tornado downed trees and destroyed an equipment shed. 

Posted at Scripture & a Snapshot

Honeysuckle

Shall I dare say that honeysuckle has the sweetest nectar this side of Heaven?

Skywatch Friday, Morning Clouds

Morning clouds were radiant as the sun rose earlier this week.

More skies at Skywatch Friday

Heritage Village, McKinnon-Riggs Doctor's Office

This 1800's structure first served as a law office in south Dallas County before becoming a doctor's office. 

It was almost torn down before its purchase and donation to the Selma-Dallas County Historic Society and was moved to Heritage Village (near Sturdivant Hall) in 1981.   

Byrd School

The grounds of historic Byrd Elementary School are beautiful in spring. Located in Old Town, the main building is 92 years old and has undergone several renovations.

A sport court was added last December, and the school has an active arts program. 

Old Live Oak in April

We visited New Live Oak Cemetery yesterday; now we're back to Old Live Oak.

This cemetery is the resting place of many famous Selmians including U.S. Vice President William Rufus King.

His body was moved from his plantation across the river to this mausoleum.

King had gone to Havana, Cuba for his health at the time of his inauguration in 1853 and took his oath there.

Less than a month later, he died. King is also known as Selma's founder, and he served as a U.S. senator.

A Walk Through New Live Oak

New Live Oak Cemetery was at peak for spring flowers last week, just perfect for a peaceful, scenic walk.

How Not to Stumble

"Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble." (Proverbs 3:23)

Sound wisdom and discretion are King Solomon's advice for staying upright!

Click on Scripture & a Snapshot and Camera Critters to see more photos.

Invitation to Venice

 

Selma folk artist Charlie (Tin Man) Lucas has an invitation to Venice!

He's among four self-taught, African-American artists selected by the American Folk Art Museum to create works on site in the courtyard of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi. 

Four African-American graffiti artists will create murals. The installations are in conjunction with the 2011 Venice Biennale, and according to the art museum's press release, "will be powerful reflections of the rich variety of African American artistic expression during this preeminent showcase for international art."

  Above, Lucas serves as an art instructor at the summer Selma Art Camp.

Below, his mixed media creation, Joy Ride, won third place in the ArtsRevive spring juried art show in Selma. He also won first in the same category and first in 3D.

Skywatch Friday, Sun and Clouds

Sun, clouds and more azaleas! Between a day or two of thunderstorms each week, that's the springtime skywatch recipe for Selma.

We'll enjoy temps back in the 80s this weekend. 

Posted at SKYWATCH FRIDAY

The Old, Iron Gate

I love the old ironwork in Selma's historic districts. Double click to enlarge, and check out the details. I see a pair of wings, flowers and hmmmm...Spanish moss.

Lackadaisical (ABC Wednesday)

The letter of the week is "L"  for LACKADAISICAL, and I've been saving this photo of my aging, languishing feline just for today. Despite his indifferent appearance, this senior catizen has been exercising a bit more outdoors, even racing across the yard on occasion, and he can still climb a tree.

But once inside, he prefers to flop on the floor.

Visit more Ls over at ABC Wednesday.  

"For Lo, the Winter is Past"

"For lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of singing has come,

And the voice of the turtledove

Is heard in our land."

Song of Solomon 2: 11-12 (New King James Bible)

After last night's storm that brought thunder, wind, heavy rain and power outages, we awoke to cooler temps,

blue skies and still more blossoms (although this photo was taken downtown last week). 

Visit more Scripture & a Snapshot photos over at Katie Lloyd Photography.  

Book Author Visits Old Cahawba

Book enthusiasts gathered inside the ruins of the Civil War prison at Old Cahawba Park last Saturday to hear excerpts from Casualties: A Novel of the Civil War.  Author David Rothstein, second from left, read selections from his book. Cahawba, which served as Alabama's first capital and was the site of a prison that housed Union soldiers, is the setting of the book. You can read reviews HERE.

Thanks to Linda Derry for the photo!

View from the Riverwalk (Scenic Sunday)

From the wooden bridge along the riverwalk, hikers get to see the Alabama River, Edmund Pettus Bridge, Bridge Tender's Cottage, St. James Hotel, old brick warehouses and Water Avenue businesses. While much work still remains, we have a walkable trail, and the fence is going up!

Posted at Scenic Sunday

Spring on Dallas Avenue

Homes on Dallas Avenue are ablaze with the color of azaleas this weekend.

These are in the yard of the George Baker House where it is said that a Union soldier crawled under its staircase and died following the Battle of Selma in April 1865.

April Theme Day (Edges) and Skywatch, Clearly Beautiful

The skies are clearly beautiful above the decorative upper edges of Sturdivant Hall! After nearly a week of clouds and rain, we've got a gorgeous weekend.

More skies await you at Skywatch Friday.

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