2022 Dec 1, Athens Christmas Parade and Adventures Athens, AL

The Athens Courthouse was decorated for the holidays, and crowds lined up to watch the Christmas Parade. 

North Pole & Candy Carnival Float in the Christmas Parade 

I had a hard time getting good pictures at the parade. They were moving quickly, and we were sitting inside the car, so I had to take them through the windows. However, I did manage to get a few good ones. We enjoyed the parade & shopping at UG White Mercantile. 

We bought supper at Zaxby's in Athens, but our food was overcooked, so we didn't eat much of it. We bought a couple of chocolate coconut macadamia candies at UG White Mercantile. The parade concluded around 8. 

We parked across the street facing Merchant's Alley, waiting for the Athens Parade.

Christmas at UG White Merchantile 

 It is a merchandise store that sells southern-made goods, where treasures can be found, allowing you to step back in time. 

We stopped in Rogersville to see their Christmas Trees in the park. 

Rogersville Tinsel Trail 

I stopped at Jack's for a few strawberry cheesecake pies and was in bed a little after 9. 

From 1-3 Crafting at the Florence Library (making a Christmas card with watercolors).

🎄🎄🎄🎄2016 Friday December 2 & Saturday December 3, Events "Christmas"

Yesterday, my husband and I joined a group gathering at 6:00 P.M. for Every Light, a prayer for peace, at Pope's Tavern.

"We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Non-Believers,

Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.

Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.

Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves

And we say without hesitation or apology.

Peace, My Brother.

Peace, My Sister.

Peace, My Soul."

-- "Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem" by Dr. Maya Angelou

We walked through the lower level of Pope's Tavern, where we saw signs of an Old Fashion Christmas. 

We saw a cedar tree, whose top branches reached the ceiling, it was covered with stringed popcorn, stuffed animals, snowflakes, Christmas balls, and a rope made of construction paper. All the ornaments were hand-made. 

The dining room was decorated with fresh pine needles and apples and topped with a pineapple.

Refreshment was served after the program.

We were welcomed by Margie Anderton, and a devotional was led by Stan Dean. 
American Legion Post 11 presented the Honor Guard Flags. 
The Legacy Christmas Academy Choir entertained us with Christmas Carols. 

Legacy Christmas Academy Choir

Our mayor, Steve Holt, greeted the audience
Wayne Higgins told some of the histories of Pope's Tavern.
Taps were played by Honor Guards.

Honor Guard

There was a special dedication to the memory of Christine Glover.
Christine's granddaughter lit the Christmas Tree.
Stan Dean ended the program with a prayer.
We walked to Wilson Park to listen to a group of children sing Christmas Carols.
We saw the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Wilson Park. 

Children sing Christmas Carols.

Christmas Tree Wilson Park 

We walked downtown to check out First Friday. We saw snow, Frosty, Santa Claus, and people in Medieval costumes. We saw Bobbies on horses and Segates, and we saw a live manger scene.

Manger Scene 

Frosty and Snow 

Today, I went to the Visitors Center to listen to the Natchez Trace Park Ranger, Emily Smithey. She was very informative about the history of George Colbert's activity on the Natchez Trace in its infancy.
She discussed the Importance of safe river crossing, trade, and transition in the Chickasaw society. She also told us about the new pictures being posted in a kiosk along the Natchez Trace that showcase its history.
There was a Q&A after her talk.
Descendants of George Colbert attended the meeting. 

Christmas Tree at the Visitor Center

I attended the Kennedy Douglas Arts Center's Christmas in the Renaissance City Authors Crawl with Glen Wills, from Forgotten Alabama, and Angela Broyles of Blue-Water Publications.
I talked to a descendant of George Colbert from Oklahoma. He was doing a book signing.
I introduced myself, and we discussed a variety of topics. 

Books from various authors were for sale from 10:30 to 3:30 P.M. at Kennedy Douglas.

2015 November 11,12,13 Veterans Day in Tuscumbia and A Busy Week at Bridge Street Town Centre

We've had a busy week. 

On Tuesday, the 10th0, we traveled to Meridia, MS.

On Wednesday, the 11th, I attended Bible Study at CBS. 

We rushed to Tuscumbia, where people lined the streets for the Veterans Day Parade.

Children as well as adults rushed to fill their bags with candy, as the people in the parade disbursed candy into the street.

Veterans in the Veterans Day Parade in Tuscumbia 

 Petite Sirloin Steak, Baked Potato with Texas Toast 

We walked to Oh Bryan's Steakhouse, where I enjoyed a Petite Steak, a baked potato, and Texas toast. My husband wanted a New York Strip, a baked potato, Texas toast, and the salad bar.

Alabama and Auburn Quilts Raffle 3 tickets for $5.00

Two quilts were hanging on the wall of Bryan's, an Alabama and an Auburn.

They were being raffled off to raise money for the Belle Mont Mansion. 

I bought three tickets. 

Walking to Cold Water Book Store.

We stopped by Cold Water Book Store for a quick browse to see what new books they had in stock.

My husband had a call-out to work in Huntsville, so I rode with him. 

We stopped at the Exploration Gallery at NASA.

After my husband finished at work, which took less than an hour, we rode to Bridge Street Town Center to look at the new iPhones. 

We strolled the streets of Bridge Street, stopping to take pictures of the reindeer, twinkling streetlights, and the unlit decorated Christmas Tree. 

The lights will be lit on Friday.

Bridge Street Town Center was decorated for the Christmas Holidays.

White Reindeer at Bridge Street 

Christmas Tree

On Thursday, the 12th, we went back to Bridge Street Town Center, stopping at Burger King for a juicy Whopper Jr. with onions. YUM!

At the Apple Store we purchased two new Iphone and an iWatch. 

My husband updated his phone from the cloud, and I updated mine at home.

On Friday, the 13th, we went to the Apple Store to fix our cloud account.

At the Apple Store, we were put on a waiting list.

We gave them a number where they could reach us and left.

We walked to Red Robin, where I ordered chili, onion rings, Coke, and my husband ordered a cup of Clam Chowder and a Seafood plate.

Cup of Clam Chowder,& Seafood plate filled with French Fries, fried fish, shrimp, and Clams

We had just finished eating when we got a call from Appl. They called and said we were ready. We walked back to the Apple store. Along the way, we saw people singing Christmas Carols.

Christmas Carolers

It took over an hour to resolve the issue with our cloud account. 

We left the Apple store, just in time for the arrival of Santa, but missing the fireworks show. 

Everyone gathered around the pond next to the carousel, where we watched the fireworks dance in the sky to Christmas music.

After the fireworks, we walked to the newly lit Christmas tree to take a few pictures, but the streets were filled with people stopping to take photos. 

Christmas Tree with twinkling red & white lights, topped with a bright white star

Big Red Christmas Ball with me inside, holding my cell

It had been a very long wee;, we were both very tire,d so we headed hom,e stopping at the grocery store topick upp a few items. 

The Christmas Tree🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻

Snow is falling all around

Silently, it hits the ground.

All the trees are

Heavy with snow

Christmas is coming

So, up the hill, we must go.

In the distance, I spy my tree

While others say, 'Please pick me.'

The tree makes an Echo sound,

As it falls to the ground.

Carefully wrapped in rope

As I pull it down the slope.

Atop my car, it does ride

Until I can put it safely inside.

Not too close to the fireplace, it

will reside.

Santa will be surprised

And will scream with delight

As down the chimney, he comes

No longer, cover in white.

The tree will sparkle and shine.

As Santa leaves all those

🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻

Presents of mine.

Santa climbs into his sleigh.

As he disappears into the night

I heard him exclaim

Merry Christmas

To all

Your Christmas Tree

🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻

Was out of sight!!!!!