Take Your Pick

These won't be around much longer, so take your pick now.

Several inches of rain from a tropical storm a few weeks ago brought out the best in our gardens, and here's the bounty...nicely arranged for customers at the Selma Flea Market.

Yard Chickens

With the economy in limbo, yard chickens may soon be back in style in town!

Well, THESE yard chickens obviously aren't the kind you can put in a pot of chicken 'n dumplings, but the creator John Ackerman, says they make great yard decorations. They are another flea market find, and I'm sure you can tell these unfeathered friends are made of rakes, shovels, part of a saw and a few other tool-type items. Below, the litter is pecking away.

Poodles for Sale (Camera Critters)

You never know what is going to be for sale at the Selma Flea Market, and these poodles in a basket were a hit! The pretty girl up front is a miniature poodle puppy, and the bitty balls of fluff behind her are toy poodles. The pups seemed to enjoy all the attention. I wonder if any are left!

More creatures great and small can be found by clicking HERE.

See Ya' Next Saturday!

See Ya' Next Saturday at the Selma Flea Market!

The market draws hundreds each weekend on the Selma Bypass, and when I asked the grower of these watermelons how long he'd keep coming out, he said "through October." There were lots of homegrown veggies for sale, too. If you like collards, okra, sweet potatoes and peanuts, there are plenty to go around!

Cosmic Cosmos (Skywatch Friday)

The eastern sun rises from behind oaks and pines to capture the colors of cosmos, a flower that just loves heat but is holding up well in 50-degree Fahrenheit mornings.

This is Skywatch Friday. What a pretty day to wake up and face the sun!

To see more Skywatch photos from around the globe, click HERE.

"From Sea to Shining Sea"

"From Sea to Shining Sea" was painted by local artist Kathleen Wright.

So what is it, you ask?
It's a "sneak peek" at the butterfly sponsored by Laser Made Creations' and is one of 46 butterfly sculptures that will be unveiled in downtown Selma October 9. Each segment on the wings represents an American scene from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.

The artist is also painting Venetian murals in her Queen Anne house in north Dallas County and finishing up portraits for Roseanne Cash (Johnny's daughter). She recently started her own blog as well...called Southern Artistic Touch.

Kathleen grew up in Florida in an Italian family with an Italian restaurant, so that 'splains her love of Venice and Italy!
Hmmmmm...seems Italian style runs in our county! The butterfly sculpture craftsman, Nico Giampietro, is an Italian native.

If you can make it to the butterfly unveilings, come on! It's at 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9 at Lafayette Park right next to the St. James Hotel on Water Avenue. Then, you might as well stay until Friday night when the Alabama Tale-Tellin' Festival begins, and be sure not to miss Riverfront Market Day on Saturday! (PSSST! The Central Alabama Fair is going on that week as well!)

What's Behind Door No. 2?

Not long ago, I asked what was behind Door No. 1.

Today, I ask, "What's behind Door No. 2?"

It's in the same building, same location...but the room behind this door was used for an entirely different purpose than that of the first door.
(Note: A careful observation of this door gives the hint.)

Respite

The rocking chairs on this Old Town neighborhood porch look like a pretty good place to rest...away from television and all the election hype...and into enjoying the cooler temperatures of early autumn.

Newspapers Circa 1900

Having ink in my veins, these bound volumes of newspapers from around 1900 fascinated me. They are on display at the plantation office on the grounds of Sturdivant Hall Museum.

On the page at left are fashion photos, and while the dresses were oh so feminine in that era, I am glad big hats are out! Perhaps the wide-brimmed hats kept the sun off their faces.

Pinwheels for Peace

Today is the International Day of Peace, and people all over the world have made hundreds of thousands of Pinwheels for Peace. These pinwheels made by children at the St. Edmund Learning Center are among the pinwheels promoting "whirled peace." The pinwheel project was begun by teachers in Florida and is meant to allow children to express their views of peace in a fun, creative way.

To view my Camera Critters post for today, click HERE.