Wet at the Walking Track

Signs and exercise stations at Bloch Park's walking track

 are nearly inundated by the Christmas Flood of 2015.

The Alabama River here crested at 49.58 feet on Tuesday, the highest

 since 1990 but nine feet below the 58 feet, 4 inches in the Great Flood of 1961.

 The park is located next to the mouth of Valley Creek, which empties into the river. 

Christmas in the Library

Christmas just glows after dark through the windows of our local libary!

This tree stands in the children's wing upstairs. 

Sundown in Lafayette Park

It's sundown in Lafayette Park, site of  Selma and Dallas County's first bridge 

across the Alabama River. The Pettus Bridge, lower right, replaced it in 1940.

Linking to Skywatch Friday and City Daily Photo Blogs

Merry and Bright

Here's a Behind-the-Lights view of the MERRY CHRISTMAS sign

 on the banks of the Alabama River. The sign can be seen

 from the Pettus Bridge as vehicles travel into town

 or it can be viewed from the river. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Signs, Signs

Bright Blue with Gargoyles

The sky could not be more blue above Selma's First Baptist Church

 on Lauderdale Street. Here is a section of the church towers and turrets 

with its Gothic details. Notice the gargoyles! 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Skywatch Friday

The ULTIMATE Christmas Photo Prop

They say it came from nowhere and landed on the lawn at Sturdivant Hall

...a real sleigh, either horse drawn or reindeer drawn. 

And it is on loan as the ULTIMATE Christmas photo prop 

at this weekend's Christmas Open House! The antebellum mansion

 that is now a house museum will be decorated throughout and open

 to the public Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5.

 Guests will be allowed to take photos on the sleigh.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and ABC Wednesday.

 

Woodsy Window

City Daily Photo Blogs are featuring SHOP WINDOWS

 for the December 1 Theme Day, and this tree in the window

 at Butler-Truax Jewelers dazzles with acorns, deer, pine cones and cardinals.

 I love the nature ornaments!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs Theme Day

Pilgrim Turkey

TURKEY is the obvious choice for the letter T over at ABC Wednesday,

 but this particular bird appears undecided about whether he is a pumpkin, 

a pilgrim or a turkey! Whatever, he looks friendly enough

 to be a Thanksgiving centerpiece. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and ABC Wednesday

Simply Making It at the Artisans' Fair

Simply Making It was among 20-plus vendors that brought homemade wares

 to Sturdivant Hall's annual Artisans' Fair last Saturday.

 The Spencers of Marion Junction make natural skincare products

 including goat's milk soap and a sugar scrub. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Our World Tuesday.

The Downtown Ginkgo Tree

The ginkgo tree by the library showed its full splendor last week.

 But after last night's big freeze, those golden leaves are likely dropping. 

To the left is the clock tower of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Monday's Mellow Yellows

Fall at the Fountain

Go ahead.

Stop by the municipal park and sit on a bench.

Relax with the rustling of red leaves and gentle splash of the water. 

Listen to nearby church chimes play a hymn on the hour.

It can be hard to believe that you are on Selma's main street,

 recently named one of Alabama's seven best!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Skywatch, The Blues are Back!

Blue skies and cool weather are back in Selma after a few days of rain and fog. 

 Trees at the library are really showing their harvest colors just before Thanksgiving.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Skywatch Friday 

Vintage Rexall

The vintage Rexall sign at Pilcher-McBryde Drugs downtown is one

 of at least three just alike in Alabama. The others are at Rockford and Eastaboga.

 These orange and navy neon signs were manufactured in the 1940s and 50s.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Signs, Signs

S is for SOLIDARITY

The STARS and STRIPES are flying at half staff in downtown SELMA

 to show mourning and SOLIDARITY with France against last weekend's

 terrorist attacks in Paris. Flags are to be flown at half staff

 until sundown Nov. 19.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and ABC Wednesday

As the Sun Goes Down

As the sun goes down, a boat cruises toward the city marina.

A jet slices the sky on its way south.

The Pettus Bridge hosts another group of walkers,

 and traffic heads home.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Our World Tuesday

Waiting for the Walk

While waiting for the Walk for Veterans to begin last week,

 these young people found a spot in Songs of Selma Park

 to sit and view the river.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Monday Mellow Yellows

November Sunset

Leaves slowly change their hue along the Alabama River;

 meanwhile, Selma finally got a couple of clear skies and spectacular sunsets

 this week! This view looks east from the Pettus Bridge toward

 the railroad trestle in downtown Selma.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Skywatch Friday

Skateboarding along the Riverwalk

The riverwalk was quiet a few days ago except for a young twosome
trying out their skateboards.If you look closely in the upper right corner 
of the photo, the railroad trestle across the river is visible behind the trees. 

Linking to City Daily Photo and Good Fences

(So the text centering tool isn't working on my Blogger post today!) 

The Commander Comes to Town

Selma Mayor George Evans, right, welcomes American Legion 

National Commander Dale Barnett to town on Veterans' Day.

 Barnett toured historic sites and led the Walk for Veterans

 "to raise crucial issues that affect American veterans and their families." 

Walkers donned the bright yellow shirts and paraded down Water Avenue

 to the Old Depot Museum and back, then crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Signs, Signs

REMEMBERING our Veterans

Today is Veterans' Day, and Selma City Hall is draped with patriotic banners 

to honor and REMEMBER those who have served our country in the military.

We also welcome American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett 

to the Veterans' Day program at 11 a.m. at Memorial Stadium

 and the 4 p.m. Walk for Veterans that begins at Songs of Selma Park. 

The federal holiday began in 1938 but was first commemorated

 as Armistice Day in 1919, a year after hostilities ceased temporarily

 between the Allied Nations and Germany. The armistice occurred 

on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour.

  World War 1 officially ended in June 1919 with the Treaty of Versailles. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and ABC Wednesday.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like the Artisans' Fair

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the workshops 

of regional artists and craftsmen. Many will bring bring their wares

 to Sturdivant Hall's Artisans' Fair Nov. 21.

 I just love these hand-painted Nativity scenes that were among 

the items at a previous event. The fair also features a variety

 of homemade baked goods. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Our World Tuesday

The Yellow Cub Cadet

Pulled by a yellow Cub Cadet, these kiddies savor the excitement 

of last November's tractor parade at the Orrville Tractor Show.

 The event is taking a break this year, but we sure hope it will return next year!

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows and City Daily Photo Blog

Quarrel in the County

Hatfield and McCoy are QUARRELING  again!

It's Q Week at ABC Wednesday, and this pair is fighting to be king of the pasture! 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and ABC Wednesday

Ephemeral

Snow is rare in central Alabama, but when it does arrive, we give the cows

 extra hay, stock up on milk and bread and make sure the generators work.

 But then, it only lasts maybe a day!

Hence, snow is my choice for "Ephemeral," November's theme

 for City Daily Photo Blogs. This Snowpocalyse occurred in January 2014.

 It was the surprise "flash snow and ice" event that sent everybody spinning,

 especially on the highways where numerous accidents were reported,

 and many people had to abandon their vehicles and walk. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Autumn Foliage and Blue Sky

The leaves, they are a'changin' in downtown Selma, and the reds and oranges

 are especially accentuated by drapes of grey Spanish moss.

 Against a cobalt sky and distinctive architecture, my oh my,

 what a beautiful morning for a walk!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Skywatch Friday 

(Signs, Signs) Finish Line

Participants in the recent Integrity Worldwide Run for Kenya

 gave victory signs as they crossed the finish line in downtown Selma.

 This runner's time was 36 minutes, 21 seconds in the 5K event. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Signs, Signs 

P is for Pumpkin

Meadowview Christian School's Pumpkin Patch was the PERFECT PLACE 

to find a PICTURE that begins with "P." So I chose this PAINTED PUMPKIN 

that decorates the entrance. It was such a PLEASURE to watch little ones

 when they saw all the PUMPKINS. It was hard for them

 to decide which one to PICK!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and ABC Wednesday

Night at the Museum

The walls will be talking tonight at the Old Depot Museum!

Visit Night at the Museum from 6-8 p.m. to see its relics and hear its stories.

  The Old Depot has undergone a lot of changes in the past several months

 with renovations and additions. There will be activities for children too! 

Admission is $5 and free for children 14 and under. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Our World Tuesday

The Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin, pumpkins...big, small and medium sizes are everywhere

 at Meadowview Christian School's Pumpkin Patch.

Little ones can also enjoy a hayride, bounce houses and other games.

 The pumpkin patch is open weekdays from 4-7 p.m. and 1-7 on Saturdays.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Tennessee Orange

It's a bit unusual to see someone in Selma wearing collegiate apparel

 that represents any college except Alabama or Auburn. But this young lady 

wore a Tennessee jacket at last weekend's Integrity Worldwide Run for Kenya.

 She would fit right in today in Tuscaloosa as the University of Alabama 

Crimson Tide hosts the Tennessee Volunteers in football.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Blue Sky over Dallas Academy

Our area has been blessed with blue skies, cool nights, 

warm days and no rain for the past week.

 From the courthouse parking lot,

 the dome at the Dallas Academy building 

stands brightly against the October sky. 

Dallas Academy was built around 1889 as a private school
 but later became Selma's first public school. It closed in the 1960s
and today is used for community offices.  

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Skywatch Friday

Selfie Booth

The Selfie Booth was a popular venue at last weekend's Integrity Worldwide

 Run for Kenya. Participants could choose a swath of brightly colored fabric,

 wrap it around and snap a selfie!

 Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Signs, Signs

Odd, Old and Other-Worldly

OH my!

Beware of a few ODD, OLD and OTHER-worldly characters

 ON the sidewalk in front of the G.A.W. Trading Post!

  At first glance, they just might appear overbearing. 

The ONE ON the left is definitely OUTDATED,

 and the ONE in the middle is just OUTRAGEOUS,

 while that Wizard of OZ Witch-Wannabe looks

 like she needs some OXYGEN!

Well, Halloween season will soon be OVER,

 and at least they will return from wherever they came!

So, I guess you can tell it's O Week OVER  at ABC Wednesday!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and ABC Wednesday

Concert at the Amphitheatre

Selma's long-awaited Riverfront Park Amphitheatre is here!

It opened Labor Day weekend, then served as the venue for a Saturday night

 concert in celebration of Morgan Academy's 50th anniversary.

 Renovated from an old warehouse, it is a beautiful addition

 to the downtown riverfront.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Our World Tuesday

Welcome, Autumn

Autumn makes a colorful statement at this home in Old Town.

I love the coral door flocked by that gorgeous garland.

Then, there are those yellow mums and clay pumpkins on the steps. 

 

Have you welcomed fall yet?

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Monday Mellow Yellows

Running for Meto, Kenya

Integrity Worldwide's Run for Kenya 2015 took runners 

through historic downtown Selma this morning.

 Here, a pair sprint past the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum

 on their way to helping fund a medical complex in Meto, Kenya.

 The Selma-based organization last year raised more than $60,000 

to finish a major water project in Leboo, a village in southern Kenya.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

The Pony Truss Bridge

The old, iron bridge (The Pony Truss Bridge) at Kenan's Mill is in need of repair. 

The former route of Summerfield Road has been used as a foot bridge

 to cross Valley Creek at the park. Now, if you want to get

 from one side of the park to the other, you must cross 

the swinging bridge by the mill.

 Funding is being sought for the renovation.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Signs, Signs 

A Very Ugly Scarecrow

It's fall festival time around here, and I don't believe we will see a scarecrow

 any uglier than this one! That straggly black hair atop a bright orange 

pumpkin head should be sufficient to keep the crows out of the corn!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Our World Tuesday

The Festival Train

The Kenan's Mill Festival last Saturday featured a variety of activities

 for little ones, including this miniature train made from barrels

 and hand trucks. In the background is a fire safety bounce house.

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Blue Monday Meme.

October Theme Day: SHELTER

The picnic shelters at Paul Grist State Park have shaded many people,

 both at picnics or just to sit and enjoy the lake and playground. 

Unfortunately, the park, also with four others in Alabama

 that have been deemed unprofitable, will close by Oct. 15 due to budget cuts.

 Located in the "panhandle" of Dallas County, the park is not easily accessible

 from a major highway, but it surely is a respite for those who like 

to "get away from it all." We have swam, picnicked and hiked here,

 not to mention the many photography opportunities!

The park also once served as the site of the Grist YMCA Camp. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs October Theme Day: SHELTER

Family Fun Day at Grist State Park

FAMILY FUN Day at Grist State Park drew a crowd last weekend.

 FOLKS came to enjoy FISHING, peddle boats, swimming, hiking, archery, 

a raptor demonstration, local barbecue and more.

 The park is located about 10 miles north of Selma

 and is a beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors.  

Thanks to guest photographer Christine Weerts!

Linking to ABC Wednesday

where the Letter of the Week is F

First Full Moon

It's Skywatch Friday, and July graced us with two full moons.

 This is the first one taken on July 1. The second full moon,

 called a blue moon, occurred early this morning but wasn't visible

 at my house at 5 a.m.

Linking to Skywatch Friday

(Signs, Signs) Kittens at Junebugg's

So how can a cat lover resist a face as sweet as this one??

It seems that one of our local veterinary clinics has kittens for sale 

at Junebugg's! A beautiful long-haired grey kitten found its adoptive family

 while I was there, and several other adorable felines are available.

 If you prefer an older kitten, Junebugg's has a few of those too!

 Just ask to see them!

Linking to Signs, Signs

 

High Water Mark at the Pond

We think this cow spent the Fourth of July weekend wading in the pond! 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

The World-Record Stokes Alligator

What is 15 feet, nine inches long, weighs 1,011.5 pounds

 and used to reside in the Alabama River?

It's Wilcox County's own world-record Stokes Alligator, caught last August 

by Mandy Stokes and her team from Thomaston. The team included 

her husband, brother-in-law and his two teens. The gator is on display

 at the Central Alabama Farmers Co-op in Selma through July.

Two years ago, the co-op hosted the state-record Fancher Alligator, 

also caught in Wilcox County, which you can see HERE.

Linking to Signs, Signs

and City Daily Photo Blogs

Pettus Bridge 75th

I was there for the 50th anniversary

 of the Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March.

 I was there for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Selma.

And I was there for the scheduled 75th anniversary

 of the opening of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

State Tourism Director Lee Sentell (pictured taking a picture) was there

 yesterday too. So was a lady from Valley Grande, but no one else came!

 We hadn't heard that the city canceled the ceremony  earlier in the day,

 apparently due to stormy weather. But by 5:30 p.m., the sun shone perfectly

 on the north face of the bridge. Crepe myrtles bowed their blossoms,

 and The Songs of Selma Park treated us to its summer best!

 

All was not lost. We took plenty of pictures!

The bridge was designed by Henson K. Stephenson and opened in May 1940.

The ceremony had been delayed until June. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Summer in the Park

That blue sky is inviting, but summer is a bit too hot

 for much midday walking in Riverfront Park,

Wait until late afternoon, and it's a nice stroll by the Alabama River.

 The new amphitheater is the red building at the far left.

Linking to Skywatch Friday