Monsters in the Library

Just before Halloween every year, witches, ghosts and ghouls take up residence in the library!

They peer from every nook and cranny, even stationing themselves on the checkout desk in the children's wing.

Since I haven't been to the library recently, I reached back into last year's picture file and found a "Happy Halloween" photo for you.

Skywatch Friday, It's a Golden Day!

What could be more perfect than a gorgeous, golden sky to celebrate 100,000 visitors to the Selma, Ala., Daily Photo Blog!

It's Skywatch Friday, and this is the day my Selma blog reached that magic six-figure number. Thank you to all who have visited since I started this tribute to Selma, Alabama, USA. Site stats began on March 25, 2007, and this figure represents visitors only, not the additional number of page hits. I appreciate all your comments, emails and helpful suggestions.

Thanks also to those who graciously share their pictures and perspectives. Among the frequent guest photographers are Christine, Jacque and Elaine.

Today's photograph was contributed by Christine Weerts.

To see more great Skywatch photos, head on over to www.skyley.blogspot.com.

BEWARE of Ghosts!

BEWARE, BEWARE!

There may be ghosts in the air!

Pound Cake and Sweet Potato Pie

I was excited this morning when I saw a picture of "The Sweet Potato Pie Lady" posted by a Facebook friend on my news feed. Then I remembered I had a photo of her too! I took this picture at the Selma Flea Market last year. She's holding one of her homemade pound cakes, and on the table below are some of her big, thick slices of sweet potato pie.

According to my FB friend, Mrs. Davis sells baked goods every Saturday at Booth 48. I bet her goodies sell fast!

Dinner with Jeffrey

The table in the window of Butler-Truax Jewelers is set for dinner with the "spirits" of Selma. Guests include Jeffrey, the ghost that resides at the home of Kathryn Tucker Windham, noted storyteller and author.

Tepee at the Pumpkin Patch

We're back at St. Paul's Episcopal Pumpkin Patch for a view of the tepee. Notice the wooden cross in its center, and in the left background, there's the butterfly sculpture. The sculptures were unveiled a year ago, and many are still gracing Selma's corners and courtyards.

Carter's Fall Display

Continuing with Selma's downtown autumn decorations, we arrive at Carter Drug Co. and its cute, colorful window boxes. Click on the photo for a larger version and notice the pumpkin stands near the entrance.

Photograph by Christine Weerts

The Scarecrows Three

Downtown Selma is dressed for autumn! Scarecrows, hay bales, leaves and pumpkins are everywhere as businesses get into the harvest season. These scarecrows three happily welcome you to Butler Truax Jewelers on Broad Street.

Skywatch Friday, Blue with Red Maples

The best thing about going to the dentist the other day was the weather! We finally got the October treat of a clear blue sky and crisp red maples.

To view more Skywatch photos from around the world, check out www.skyley.blogspot.com.

Pick Your Pumpkin!

Come and pick your pumpkin at the St. Paul's Episcopal Pumpkin Patch!

This annual fall fling raises funds for missions and offers pumpkins for sale and activities for children. On Wednesday, a group from Morgan Academy entered the courtyard and enjoyed pumpkin decorating, pumpkin lessons, stories and face painting.

Riverscape

Here's how the Pettus Bridge and Selma look from a rising river on a chilly, windy day. This picture was taken from The Phoenix riverboat owned by Queen City Cruises. The boat is boarded downriver at the City Marina.

Photograph by Chad McEachern

Selma's Bluff

Selma is built on a high soapstone bluff with many of its Water Avenue buildings constructed all the way down to the river. From the middle of the Alabama, you are looking through and over the Pettus Bridge. The building in the background is The Selma Times-Journal newspaper office. Because of the bluff and the way the river bends here, downtown Selma has never flooded.

Photograph by Chad McEachern

Air Bed

One of our cats found the perfect spot to "air out," and take a nap, the top of our outdoor air conditioning unit.

Peppers 'n Gourds

The fire escape at the old Tremont School is going green with peppers 'n gourds.

I don't know who planted the vines, but the building, which once housed the high school, is a property of the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society.

Photograph by Jacque Johnson

Bright Spot in Old Live Oak

Someone planted pink begonias to brighten the cemetery plot of their loved ones. These flowers really show up well on rainy, gray days.

October Sunset

It's Skywatch Friday again, and I caught this October sunset out of the window of our truck. We'd had rain earlier, so the sun, even setting, was welcome!

Check out more skies at www.skyley.blogspot.com.

Cotton 2009

While U.S. cotton production is expected to be slightly up this year, success of the Southeast crop depends on when the rain stops.

This field appears almost ready for harvest, but the weather is too wet, and it's been that way for weeks. Cotton needs plenty of dry weather in the fall to mature. Read more about the 2009 outlook for Central Alabama cotton and other crops HERE.

Photo by guest photographer Christine Weerts

Cotton Harvest

October is cotton harvest time in Dallas County, and these bountiful fields were captured on camera in 2008 by guest photographer Christine Weerts.

This year, we have lots of rain that has hindered farming as a whole. But next week, the weather is finally supposed to be cool and dry.

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Black-eyed Susans

As the goldenrod fades, black-eyed Susans still decorate the roadsides with brilliant golds.

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Riverfront Ramblers

Music adds to the atmosphere of Riverfront Market Day, and the Riverfront Ramblers were there on Saturday to play for the crowd.

Last weekend not only featured Market Day but the Alabama Tale-Tellin' Festival and final day of the Central Alabama Fair.

This next weekend offers Haunted History Tours with trips into the ghost town of Cahawba, through historic Old Town for curbside ghost tours and into Old Live Oak Cemetery to visit with Selma's most famous citizens.

Photo by Jacque Johnson

Riverfront Painting

Arts Revive member Karen Weir paints a Southern scene at Saturday's Riverfront Market Day. The arts and crafts festival carried on despite light rain.

Photograph by Jacque Johnson

Market Day Art

Paintings featuring everything from Selma scenes to aquatic creatures drew attention at Saturday's annual Riverfront Market Day festival. The festival is held every year on the second Saturday of October along Water Avenue.

Photograph by Jacque Johnson

Rural Sunset

A red-clay sky fades behind the tree line, and it looks as if the autumn hay crop is almost in.

Find more brilliant skies at www.skyley.blogspot.com.

Thanks to Christine Weerts for sending this photo.

The Neverland Ferris Wheel

For Michael Jackson fans, the Neverland ferris wheel is the most thrilling ride at the fair!

Archway Amusements purchased the ride from the Neverland Ranch in September 2008, and it has been touring the towns ever since.

It's said that Chair 13 was the late pop icon's favorite; hence, it's also the favorite of many riders of the Midway.

Soil Tunnel

While critters crawl and dogs dig above the ground, I wonder what goes on under ground!

You can find out at the Central Alabama Fair simply by crawling through this soil tunnel. The tunnel is part of an exhibit sponsored by the Dallas County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Round and Round

Round and round they go!

The Central Alabama Fair Midway rides opened Monday night and will twirl at Lion's Fair Park on Dallas Avenue through Saturday.

Although I wasn't there, my photo files from at least 15 years ago produced today's post. The two little blonds in the back are mine.

Fair Petting Zoo

The Central Alabama Fair opens its gates tonight in Selma, and among its most popular attractions is the petting zoo.

Here's hoping that the rain goes away, but if you are going, the petting zoo and is covered and dry!

The Tabernacle Baptist Rotunda

Tabernacle Baptist Church on Broad Street has a lovely circle of lights hanging from its sanctuary rotunda.

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Pink/Lavendar Cosmos

The cosmos blooms still, and more rain expected today will surely unfold the buds below.

Skywatch Friday, Clearing in the Clouds

It's Skywatch Friday, and after a cool front moved through this morning, puffy white clouds moved in and parted to let the blue sky show through.

For more Skywatch photos, check out www.skyley.blogspot.com

Fall at City Hall

Selma City Hall is sporting the look of fall today. Cornshucks and ribbons adorn the posts to let us know that autumn really is here, and finally the cool temperatures are letting us breathe easy again!

Photograph by Jacque Johnson