Skywatch Friday

Full moon over treetops. Happy Halloween!!

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Whoooo?

He's not real, but the little birdies think he is. We put this up last spring to keep them from roosting on our boat. They were so cute when they were building their little mud nest, then hatching out. But the roosting, with inevitable trails of evidence, had to be stopped!

Thanks to Tanya at Around Roanoke, VA for the Kreativ Blogger award! Although today's post isn't exactly inspiring! Ha! Tomorrow I will try to live up to the award by posting something better, naming 6 things that make me happy, and awarding 6 other bloggers!

Fall float

October Treats

Here's another reason I love October. CANDY CORN
Of course, it's so sweet I can only eat a few at a time.
This year, I used an empty Ball canning jar to store it. (one of those we emptied of pepper jelly!) It started out functional, but ended up kinda cute, I think.

Tuscaloosa Public Library

This is the fountain sculpture outside the Tuscaloosa Public Library.
It's another drive by photo, so the quality is lacking, sorry.
There's an open book at the top with a bookmark that says "Knowledge."
I love the library. When I was a little girl it was housed in the old Jemison Van De Graff Mansion and was called the Friedman Library, after the family who donated the house. The floors were loud and everything creaked. When we couldn't go to town, the Bookmobile came to our community. Either way, we had many books in our house at all times.

Pumpkin Pie Time

Reason to love October #....I lost count, but anyway, PUMPKIN PIE.

My mom made this for me this week. Here's what's left. So, pull up a virtual chair and share a slice before it's gone! It's delicious.

102 and Award

I missed it!!!
My 100th post was this week and I totally missed it. RATs.
Oh well, here's a nice way to make up for it, an AWARD!!

Thanks so much to Rambling Round at Selma, Ala. Daily Photo for giving me a BFF award!
Now it's my turn to award five other bloggers. Please visit these beautiful blogs.

1. Boise Diva at Boise Daily Photo
2. Babooshka at Ramsey Daily Photo
3. Rose at Pics and Pieces
4. Small City Scenes
5. Arija at Garden Delights

Here are the rules:
1. Only five people are allowed.
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog.
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

Skywatch Friday

Late afternoon sky over Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa.
Visit Skyley for Skywatch pictures from all over the world.

TIny wildflowers

Tiny yellow flowers
On the forest floor
Sad to feel the Autumn chill
When they will be no more

The President's Mansion, southern style

This is the President's Mansion at the University of Alabama, built between 1831-1841.
The UA's website tour says,
"According to tradition, Louisa Frances Garland, wife of president Landon C. Garland, valiantly saved the stately residence from destruction when Union troops destroyed the campus in April 4, 1865. The mansion, which has undergone a number of restorations, assumed its predominately white appearance in 1908."

Misty Morning Hayfield

On this misty morning, you could hardly see to drive.
I like the spooky look!

Short Days

With sunset arriving earlier and earlier, these little guys end up practicing in the dark.
This is little league on a church field, so there are no lights. I suppose the parents could turn on their car headlights! But wait, a new Publix is going up across the street. So, soon there will be PLENTY of light to tackle by.

Skywatch Friday

Deep sunset colors over the fence.

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Fall afternoon

Fall weather hasn't really come to stay yet in Alabama.
But at least a few leaves are changing colors.

Closed Gate, No Fence

This is one set of gates on University Blvd. entering the Partlow Developmental Center.

Opened in 1922, it was the state's first institution serving persons with mental retardation.

When I was a child, there was an imposing fence that lined the perimeter, keeping the residents inside. The fence came down after Wyatt vs. Stickney reformed the mental health systems in the state and nation. Now, many adults with developmental disabilities who would have formerly been institionalized, live in group homes and work in the community.

Purple Martin Gourds

Click to enlarge so you can see the Purple Martin gourds.

Dried gourds have been used as natural birdhouses for centuries.

These were hanging in the middle of a big garden spot.

Gilgal Church

Gilgal Baptist Church is over 175 years old. The building they meet in now was built in the sixties, but I'm glad they preserved the original.

Pumpkin Time!

I LOVE FALL. Have I said it yet? I LOVE FALL!
I love pumpkins and mums and candy corn and caramel apples and scarecrows and haybales and spicy scented candles and leaves.
And even though it was over 80 degrees yesterday, we're still reveling in all the Fall we can get, like this lovely pumpkin scene at a roadside produce stand.

Skywatch Friday

Early Fall morning, leaving home to start the day...

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The Fair is in Town

The fair is in town this week at the Jaycees Park. It's been a source of controversy and isn't at all as big an attraction as it used to be. There are no exhibits or contests, just rides and junk food.

Forgotten Path

For years this path through the woods was covered and forgotten.
It is part of the old Queen City Park downtown.

Game Day Weekend

These motorhomes descend upon Tuscaloosa when the University of Alabama Crimson Tide is playing football. This lot used to be Tuscaloosa Chevrolet and is at the bottom of 'river hill' right on the Black Warrior River. These folks start arriving on Wednesday, set up camp and stay till Sunday. Click to enlarge the second photo so you can see the banners and flags. This pic was taken yesterday afternoon, but I bet by now the lot is entirely full. Bama moved up to number 2 last week, so expectations are running high. We play Kentucky today. Roll Tide!

Skywatch Friday

Serene blue sky, nearly dusk.

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3 Arches

These arches are a covered walkway in one of the older buildings on the campus of the University of Alabama. Wish it were straighter in the frame, but apparently one of my legs is shorter than the other. Or maybe I was leaning out of a moving car and driving with the other hand.

I love fall

I love Fall and all its colors, even if the leaves are silk and the pumpkins are plastic.