Deep summer matures the magnolia cone. Soon, it will turn darker and more woody, then drop to the ground where its seed will be spread by birds, squirrels and chipmunks. I am told that the magnolia tree got its name from Dutch botanist Peter Magnol and that Southern magnolias rarely succumb to hurricanes, because of their deep root systems.
(The flower at the top of my sidebar is the magnolia in bloom.)
This spiral staircase serves as a fire escape at the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum. The antebellum building has been used for many purposes: schools, courthouse, hospital. It was a hospital until 1960, so many Selmians were born here. Our tour guide noted that the steps lead to a big window on the third floor where the newborn nursery was located. Since small children weren't allowed to visit, she said that sometimes the children were led up the spiral steps to view their new baby brother or sister through the window. How exciting that must have been!
The Lee-Bender-Butler House is a Greek Revival structure that was built in 1850 by Thomas Helm Lee, a cousin of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Lee also built Selma's Sturdivant Hall, now a house museum.
Selma has wonderful front porches in its historic districts...Old Town, Ice House, Riverview. This porch is similar to the one on the house where I grew up. That's where we played in summer when it was too hot in the sun. We had a swing, a hammock, fans, hanging ferns, even an electric ceiling light on the screened porch for gatherings after dark. That's when we played cards and made homemade ice cream.During the day, we turned the porch into a "pretend hospital" and used bikes and wagons for ambulances, M&Ms for medicine and the hammock for triage. It's also where we shelled peas and butterbeans and where the cat had her kittens. These days, the temperatures have been too hot for people to even sit on a porch, but I imagine cooler weather by September will bring them back out.
Speaking of preserving old buildings, here is Weaver Castle, an 1868 structure that a nonprofit group is trying to purchase and renovate. It was built by the son of one of Selma's founders and designed by Richard Upjohn who modeled it after a castle on the Rhine in Germany. The architect, famous for his Gothic Revival style, also designed Selma's St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Trinity Church in New York City. The Weaver Castle group plans to use the home for a bed and breakfast, museum, special events and local history education.
Children in Selma and Dallas County are back to school, and here is a typical classroom...from a long, long time ago! This is the Education Exhibit at the Old Depot Museum, and the room has desks just like the ones I had in high school! Now, I'm not THAT old, but yes, we had old-timey desks where your chair was the front of another student's desk! The desktops had ink wells too, but no ink. We had progressed to fountain pens by then. However, the ink wells made good chewing gum receptacles! The desks served their purpose, but I doubt anybody uses desks like this now.
What is progress?Some define it as tearing down the old to make way for the new.
Here, on a wall at Selma's Old Depot Museum, are photographs of antebellum and Victorian homes and buildings that have been lost to progress. While fire claimed a few of them, others were lost to the inability to afford the cost of upkeep or the desire to build something modern. Eventually, Selmians realized their losses could have been gains for historic value and tourism. Today, various preservation groups work tirelessly to preserve their rich heritage.
It's a good thing I noticed this turtle beneath my car before backing out of the garage this morning! He/She seemed to be enjoying the somewhat cool concrete in the bit of shade. It was a dirty turtle, and I wonder if perhaps "she" was out to lay eggs or just trying to beat the heat (102 degrees F today)! I went back in the house for a few minutes before leaving, and when I returned, she was gone. Oh yes, our dog just sat by the car and never barked at the turtle...didn't even seem curious about it. Guess these are the "dog days" of summer.
Note: Abraham Lincoln of Brookville, Ohio, Daily Photo has informed me that this is a snapping turtle. Beware. Do not aim too close to this type turtle.
So where would you like to go? The historic route, post office or to visit a museum?
I really haven't checked this place out, but I hear it's the place to be if you want to network, play chess, send a fax, have a cup of coffee or snack on a Krispy Kreme donut. The CyberBlue Internet Cafe is right on Broad Street and apparently was literally hopping with the media last March when Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama were both in town.
The place has specialty nights for playing chess, sharing poetry and jazz and of course, networking.
Deep summer matures the magnolia cone. Soon, it will turn darker and more woody, then drop to the ground where its seed will be spread by birds, squirrels and chipmunks. I am told that the magnolia tree got its name from Dutch botanist Peter Magnol and that Southern magnolias rarely succumb to hurricanes, because of their deep root systems.
This spiral staircase serves as a fire escape at the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum. The antebellum building has been used for many purposes: schools, courthouse, hospital. It was a hospital until 1960, so many Selmians were born here. Our tour guide noted that the steps lead to a big window on the third floor where the newborn nursery was located. Since small children weren't allowed to visit, she said that sometimes the children were led up the spiral steps to view their new baby brother or sister through the window. How exciting that must have been!
Selma has wonderful front porches in its historic districts...Old Town, Ice House, Riverview. This porch is similar to the one on the house where I grew up. That's where we played in summer when it was too hot in the sun. We had a swing, a hammock, fans, hanging ferns, even an electric ceiling light on the screened porch for gatherings after dark. That's when we played cards and made homemade ice cream.
Speaking of preserving old buildings, here is Weaver Castle, an 1868 structure that a nonprofit group is trying to purchase and renovate. It was built by the son of one of Selma's founders and designed by Richard Upjohn who modeled it after a castle on the Rhine in Germany. The architect, famous for his Gothic Revival style, also designed Selma's St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Trinity Church in New York City. The Weaver Castle group plans to use the home for a bed and breakfast, museum, special events and local history education. 
Children in Selma and Dallas County are back to school, and here is a typical classroom...from a long, long time ago! This is the Education Exhibit at the Old Depot Museum, and the room has desks just like the ones I had in high school! Now, I'm not THAT old, but yes, we had old-timey desks where your chair was the front of another student's desk! The desktops had ink wells too, but no ink. We had progressed to fountain pens by then. However, the ink wells made good chewing gum receptacles! The desks served their purpose, but I doubt anybody uses desks like this now. 
What is progress?
It's a good thing I noticed this turtle beneath my car before backing out of the garage this morning! He/She seemed to be enjoying the somewhat cool concrete in the bit of shade. It was a dirty turtle, and I wonder if perhaps "she" was out to lay eggs or just trying to beat the heat (102 degrees F today)! I went back in the house for a few minutes before leaving, and when I returned, she was gone. Oh yes, our dog just sat by the car and never barked at the turtle...didn't even seem curious about it. Guess these are the "dog days" of summer.
I really haven't checked this place out, but I hear it's the place to be if you want to network, play chess, send a fax, have a cup of coffee or snack on a Krispy Kreme donut. The CyberBlue Internet Cafe is right on Broad Street and apparently was literally hopping with the media last March when Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama were both in town.
