Friday, August 31, 2012

Skywatch, Looking Up


It's been a week of mostly clouds and occasional rain from Tropical Storm Isaac,
 but things are looking up weather-wise, and hey, SEC (Southeastern Conference) 
football starts this weekend!

The picture was taken on Water Avenue, looking up at the grillwork 
on one of the historic buildings.

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Thursday, August 30, 2012

God Bless America

The banner at New Orleans Bar & Grill reminds me
 of the patriotic song that I learned in kindergarten,
 and thank goodness it's not "offensive" in the rural South!

God Bless America
by Irving Berlin

God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.

Linking to Rural Thursday

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

G is for Gulf of Mexico

It's ABC Wednesday, and the letter of the week is G.
 So, I'm leaving Selma for the day to bring you the Gulf of Mexico 
at Gulf Shores (as it looked a week ago)! The gulf was calm, the water warm,
 and a breeze barely blew.  But today, Hurricane Isaac is riling the tides
 as it pounds New Orleans to the west.

Only 3.5 hours away, Gulf Shores is a popular vacation destination
 for many residents of Selma and Central Alabama. 

See more interpretations of G at ABC Wednesday. 


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The Vineyard

Selma has a new restaurant, and it features authentic Italian cuisine plus a big helping
 of old-world atmosphere. Located in the historic Harmony Club on Water Avenue,
 The Vineyard offers entrees including manicotti, chicken or shrimp alfredo,
 chicken or eggplant parmesan and yummy spaghetti and meatballs. There's tiramisu
 and oreo delight for dessert, plus a whole lot more!
 Arrive early to get ahead of the noon crowd!  

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Monday, August 27, 2012

The Four Horses of Water Avenue

As long as the water keeps running, these horses will have plenty of water! 
The fountain is located on Water Avenue in front of the St. James Hotel
 next to Lafayette Park.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

New Signs in Town

New signs have gone up around town noting the historic districts.

 This one lets you know you are in the Water Avenue District.
 These are a real help to visitors who like to take historic walking or driving tours.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Gentle Spirits

Old Live Oak Cemetery is home to several monuments to young wives and mothers. 
This one honors a man's first wife, Florida, and their baby; as well as his
 second wife, Anna. Florida died at age 24, and Anna was gone at age 37. 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Rest in Peace

Visitors to Old Live Oak Cemetery can rest upon this bench in the
 peaceful surroundings of oak and magnolia trees and streamers of Spanish Moss. 


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Focus on the Flag

ABC Wednesday is celebrating the letter "F" this week,
 so we'll FOCUS on the FLAG and the FREEDOMS for which it stands. 

This flag hangs from the Bridgetender's Cottage in Lafayette Park
 and is especially beautiful with the bridge in the background. 

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Side Porch Sandwiches

is one of the newest places to eat. It opened in an historic riverfront building
 last spring. Years ago, this building was known as the Riverfront Mini Mall
 and Old Towne Sandwiches. Pictured is the Water Avenue entrance
 but the main dining room  is in a porch addition on the side of the building. 

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Monday, August 20, 2012

Back to School

Who wouldn't be excited to go back to school in a beautiful building like this?
The historic Byrd Elementary School is among those in Selma and Dallas County
 that open today for the new school year.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Swimming in the Window

No, this isn't a downtown aquarium, just the colorful tropical display
 in the windows of Truax & Co. You can see reflections of the
 Historic Selma banner and the library in the background. 

Friday, August 17, 2012

Friday Fences, Grillwork at the Library

Selma seems to have an endless supply of intricate, iron grillwork,
 both modern and vintage. Pictured is the centerpiece of the
 library balcony located just above the main entrance. 

Linking to Friday Fences

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Rural Thursday, A Working Flagpole

It's Rural Thursday, and I had to get out of Selma and even Dallas County
 (but not too far!) to get a picture of this "working" flagpole. 

Linking to Rural Thursday

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

ABC Wednesday, E for Elodie

E for Elodie!

That's Elodie Todd Dawson, half-sister of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. 

Carter Drugs offers Elodie salads and sandwiches, according to the sign out front.
 I haven't tried any yet, but they're getting added to my bucket list!

The majestic Elodie Todd Dawson monument is at Old Live Oak Cemetery.
More of Elodie's story can be found HERE. 

See more interpretations of the letter E over at ABC Wednesday. 


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

It's All About Me

It's All About Me is a boutique and salon in downtown Selma.
 Customers can browse the really chic styles and accessories 
plus spend a little "me" time and get their hair styled.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Railroad Bridge

The railroad bridge from Riverfront Park
This  photo was taken on a hazy morning earlier this month.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Hunkered Down

To use a trite phrase that began with media coverage of hurricanes several years ago, 
these stone swans appear to be "hunkered down" on the base of Selma's municipal 
fountain. The fountain is between City Hall and the library. 

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Police Presence

Selma Police recently beefed up their downtown presence with a new substation 
at 2 Lawrence St. The station gives Water Avenue and Riverfront Park
 the benefit of increased safety.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Gateways

Walk through this ornate, iron gate at Grumbles Alley, and you will find steps that lead 
down to the riverwalk. In the background is the Edmund Pettus Bridge. 

Linking to Friday Fences

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Doctors All Week

Selma recently filled a big medical need in this highly rural area 
with emergency medicine physicians  on duty seven days a week. 
Selma Urgent Care opened a few months
 ago in this "wooded retreat" that may very well ease
 the apprehension of going to the doctor. 

Previously, after-hours and weekend medical care was only available
 in the hospital emergency room, and residents had to drive to Prattville 
or Montgomery to facilities similar to this one to see an on-duty doctor 
for minor emergencies or illness.  

Linking to Rural Thursday

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

ABC Wednesday, D is for DOG

Let me tell you about my DOG!
Well no, she isn't really MY dog, but she is best friends with my dog,
 and when it thunders many, many miles away, she is pretty much MY dog! 
We call her Weather Dog, because she's better than radar.
If she barges through our kitchen door, we KNOW a storm is coming, 
even if the sky is blue. So, here she is in her spot on our floor. 
She won't budge until the storm is over, and that is well worth her 
advance warning so I can turn off and unplug this computer before lightning strikes! 

By the way, it's ABC Wednesday, and the letter is D!

Monday, August 6, 2012

River Dance

If you haven't been by Carneal ArtsRevive's little corner of the Alabama River lately,
 check out these crepe myrtles, along with other blooming things along the terrace bank.
 A background curtain of Spanish Moss hangs above the water as these 
pink/lavender beauties dance in the breeze (when there is one)!   

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Weekend Reflections, From the P.O. to the P.D.

From the front doors of Selma's post office, there is a pretty good reflection
 of the public safety building across the street. 

Friday, August 3, 2012

Skywatch Friday, All Clear

Skies are all clear as the Selma Saints go marching in to their new high school
 building this year.This tower is part of the new entrance while the old entrance
 is incorporated into the new library/media center. 

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Up with Old Glory

Selma firefighters hoist Old Glory up the flagpole 
at the Selma municipal complex. God bless the USA, a nation
 that has endured many challenges and survived 
so far because of its foundation on the rule of law,
 not the whims of men; and
on rights given by God, not government.  

Linking to Thursday Challenge(TOUGH)

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Read, Rest, Relax

It's ABC Wednesday, and C if for Courtyard.

Summer is a good time to head out to the courtyard at the
 Selma-Dallas County Public Library. You can read, rest and relax
 in the shade, hear the drip, drip, drip of the fountain
 and perhaps the song of a bird.

Linking with ABC Wednesday