🎂🎂🎂Father of the Blues "W.C. Handy" Museum 🏛

William Christoper Handy was born on November 16, 1873, in Florence, Alabama.  

Come celebrate the birthday of W.C. Handy on November 16 at the Handy Home, Museum, and Library on 620 West College Street in Florence. 

From 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., you can tour the museum and listen to music on its front lawn. 

It is free to the public, with a birthday cake and other refreshments available.

In 2009, my daughter, granddaughter, and I joined in the celebration and toured the Museum, Home, and Library. 

Happy Birthday, Father of the Blues. "The chocolate cake was delicious."

Bust of Handy

Picture of Handy 

Library 

Handy and the St Louis Blues

Inside the Cabin

Handy's Piano

Kitchen of Cabin 

The W. C. Handy Birthplace, Museum, and Library, in Florence, Lauderdale County, was established to celebrate the life of musician and composer William "W. C." Handy (1873-1958), known as the "Father of the Blues." Handy himself donated the seed money to establish the museum, which now includes several buildings and houses an extensive collection of memorabilia, personal items, and objects related to Handy's musical career. 

Handy gave the city the $29,000 he was paid for the land on which the cabin stood to be used for the future restoration of his childhood home as a museum. The cabin was carefully dismantled, and the logs were numbered and stored for later reassembly. Handy also bequeathed a large number of his personal possessions to the city for use in the cabin after a suitable new location was found.

A site was selected at 620 West College Street, in the southwest corner of town. Work began early in 1970 on reassembling the log cabin and constructing a museum next to it to properly house and display the artifacts and tell the story of Handy's life and career. The completed structure was filled with the artifacts that the Handy family sent to Florence from their home in New York, including the upright piano on which Handy composed the "St. Louis Blues," his brass trumpet, furniture, and numerous boxes of his letters, pictures, musical compositions, personal mementos, and datebooks.

Local citizens donated furnishings and other items that represented the period during which Handy lived there as a child. The W. C. Handy Museum opened to the public on June 7, 1970. 

A separate building was added in 1980 to house the Black Heritage Library, which was filled with books donated to or purchased by the Cabin Committee for the museum. 

In 2002, an addition was constructed that included a new area for the Black Heritage Library, office space, a kitchen, a restroom, and a community meeting room.

Article from the Encyclopedia of Alabama 

2017 Jan 20, Friday, The new Florence Indian Mound & Museum

The Florence Indian Mound Museum 
The new building is lined with stairs on either side and a wheelchair ramp, all leading to the front door.

Florence Indian Mound Museum 

There are two bus parks, two wheelchair parks, two parks near the front, and approximately four or five parking spaces near the end of the drive. 
Once inside, you will see a learning center and restrooms to your left, and straight in front of you are Native American Artifacts with pictures of Indians who once lived in the area.

Native American Artifacts 
We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. 
Ancient Indian Proverb

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students. 
Next, you walk into a simulated cave with stalactites hanging from the ceiling, and scattered on the floor of the cave are arrowheads.

simulated cave with stalactites 

Several exhibits tell the story through the time of the early Native Indians, the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian. 

Encased behind glass are Indian artifacts that date back thousands of years. Included are Indian dresses, ceremonial masks, tools, arrowheads, pots, and baskets.

In the forest room, you can sit down on a bench and listen to Tom Hendrix tell the history of the Native Americans who once lived in North America. 
The Trail of Tears and its history are also displayed. 

Indian artifacts

Indian artifacts

Indian artifacts

The mound itself is one of the Tennessee Valley's largest and oldest ceremonial Indian mounds.
The namesake cultural trait of the Mound Builders was the building of mounds and other earthworks. These burial and ceremonial structures were typically flat-topped pyramids, platform mounds, flat-topped or rounded cones, elongated ridges, and sometimes various forms. They were generally built as part of complex villages that arose from more dense populations, with a specialization of skills and knowledge.

Mound

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. It is located at 1028 S Court St, Florence, AL 35630.

2017 Jan 16, Monday, Birding Trail Sites #7, #11, #16

Hubby and I traveled to Waterloo in hopes of seeing a Bald Eagle. We met a couple from Hartsell at birding site number 11; they had binoculars and a camera with a large telephoto lens.
We sighted at least two Bald Eagles, soaring high in the sky, not close enough to get a good picture.

Bald Eagle

We did see a lot of small black ducks and a few cranes.

We traveled back to Florence, stopping at Dairy Queen (for the $5 deal) for hamburgers, fries, Coke, and ice cream.
I substituted a side salad for the fries and ordered banana ice cream with real slices of bananas.
When we finished, we rode to the Rock-pile Recreation Area birding site number 7 on the northeast loop, which is located at the base of Wilson Dam.

Waterfall

At the Rockpi, I walked to the nearby waterfall. Several families and couples were visiting the waterfall.
Near Wilson Dam and along the lo,cks I saw thousands of small white birds.
We saw several families with their children on the nearby playground.

We rode through Muscle Shoals, turning left onto the old hwy 20, which took us through Leighton.

William Leigh, founder of Leighton 

William Leigh, founder of Leighton 

We stopped at the historic marker of William Leigh, the founder of Leigh, ton and his gravesite.
The founder of Leighton was named in honor of the Reverend William Leigh, son and grandson of Revolutionary War veterans. He was born in Amelia County, Virginia, on October 4, 1790, and moved to Alabama in about 1823.
Leigh settled nearby at Jeffers Cross Roads and became a large landowner, pioneer merchant, postmaster, and La Grange College trustee. He was a charter member of Leighton Masonic Lodge No. 43 and served as Grand Master of the Alabama Masons (1833-1835). Leigh was a Missionary Baptist preacher for 63 years and served as pastor and leader in the Muscle Shoals Baptist Association. In 1836, he donated land and helped build a brick meeting house in Leighton for joint use by the Masons. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Cumberland Presbyterians, and others.
William Leigh was the first postmaster of Leighton (1824-1847), and with William Gregg, operated a storehouse at the crossroads under the firm name of William Leigh & Company. He ran unsuccessfully for the state legislature on the Whig ticket in 1840. In 1847, Leigh sold his store, 1800-acre plantation, livestock, and 30 slaves and moved to Kentucky. He soon returned to Alabama, living in Moulton for a few years before moving to Florence, where his wife served as a matron at the Florence Synodical College. Leigh died there in Florence, on July 31, 1873, and was buried here in the Leigh family graveyard. The Masons erected a monument at his unmarked grave in 1931. The old brick church that he helped build a century earlier was razed in 1948. 

We rode through several small towns on our way to the Wildlife Refuge in Decatur. Bird Site #16.
We walked down to the view area from the visitor center, where we saw thousands of Sandhill Cranes, and thousands of ducks, but only one White Whopping Crane.

Thousands of Sandhill Cranes

I was hoping there was an open area to view the cranes, but the viewing area was enclosed, so all the pictures I took of the cranes and ducks were behind glass.
We walked to the swamp area where we crossed over on a wooden bridge.
We walked to an open field where we watched several Sandhill Cranes fly away into the distance, and I took several pictures.

Sandhill Cranes

The sun was setting as we walked back to the visitor center. We stopped to ask questions and to view the animals. (nonliving)
The sun was beginning to fade when we left the visitor center, and it was dark before we arrived home.

We spent the day traveling from Florence to Waterloo, then back to Florence, and from there to Muscle Shoals, Leighton, Town Creek, Decatur, Athens, and finally back home. We visited three birding trails where we saw a variety of birds. It was a delightful day, perfect weather, and we did not rush.

Neither of us wanted to stop for a meal, so we came home and I put on a pot of oatmeal.

🎄🎄🎄🎄2016 Dec 12-14, Christmas on the Gulf

Hubby and I traveled over six hours to Theodore, Alabama, to walk through the Christmas Lights at Bellingrath Gardens.
We stopped at Durbin's Farm restaurant in Clanton for lunch.
We split a Ham & Cheese croissant and a hot fried peach pie covered in peach ice cream.
We usually stop at Peach Park in Clanton, but it was closed.

Hot, fried peach pie covered in peach ice cream at Peach Park. 

We arrived at 4:09 P.M., purchased our tickets at Bellingrath Gardens, and walked down to the boat dock to watch the sunset. We walked back up the hill into the gardens, but it was not quite dark enough for the Christmas lights to shine brightly. There was a concession area near the Bellingrath house, so we stopped for a box of popcorn and a can of Coke while we sat and listened to a local band playing Christmas Carols.
It was now dark enough for the Christmas lights to shine and twinkle, so we began our walk through the Gardens.

Christmas Trees @ Bellingrath Gardens

The pond before dark 

The pond after dark 

Throughout the garden, we saw Christmas trees, a manger scene, poinsettias, and twinkling lights. Around the lake, we saw swans, alligators, Santa, toys, and a train.
We had arrived early and gotten a parking spot near the front, but when we left, the lot was whole and spilling over into the no-parking areas.
It was still an hour's ride to where we were staying.

Poinsettias @ Bellingrath Gardens

The setting sun and full moon at the boat docks
@ Bellingrath Gardens

We stopped at Zaxby's in Foley for dinner, and we both ordered salads.
By the time we arrived at the hotel, we were both exhausted, so we took a hot bath and climbed into bed.
I wish I could say I slept like a log, but I could not because I still had a hacking cough.
I had been dealing with this crud for about a week. I had been taking Muniex, and the little Muniex man would not leave me alone.
Rain is forecast for later today, with lots of fog. The fog settled in on us as we rode back across Mobile Bay.
The next day, we took the elevator down to the dining area at 6 A.M., where we had breakfast. I ate two sausage links and two pieces of French toast and drank two boxes of chocolate milk.
We went back to the room, waiting for the fog to lift before we rode to the beach.

Gulf Shores Beach (you can still see the fog)

We stopped at BAM in Gulf Shores to buy "The Night Before Christmas" book. I want my granddaughter, who is graduating with a degree in Elementary Education, to begin a tradition of reading "The Night Before Christmas" at our Christmas Family Get-together.

We rode to Heritage Park in Foley. Last year, they added the Bell Tower, and this year, they have added a crossover. (A beautiful walkway with elevators to cross over the highway to the park).
We visited the tiny Santa Village, the Christmas tree lane, the bell tower, the fountain, and the train depot. We watched and listened to a mother tell stories about the miniature train display, along with a group of children.

CrossWalk @ Foley Park 

There were several school groups throughout the park.

Bell Tower @Foley Park 

Miniature train Display (small part)

Miniature Train Display (small part)@ Foley depot

We stopped at Bass Pro Shops in Spanish Fort and Sam's Club.
In Delphne, we stopped at the Mellow Mushroom.

Mellow Mushroom Statue in Delphne, AL 

A friendly wave from Santa Claus at Bass Pro Shops

We rode to Gulf Shores, walked along the beach, & waited for the sunset. The clouds rolled in, so we did not get to see the sunset.

Sunset at Gulf Shores 

It started raining, so we went back to the hotel. It stormed all night.
We ate sausage, eggs, and muffins for breakfast at the hotel.

On our travel home, we stopped at Joe's Crab Shack in Hoover, Alabama, for lunch.
We rode to Gadsden,n stopping at Noccalula Falls, which was almost dry.
We stopped at the Mary G. Hardin Art Center to see the Christmas Trees created by local schools and the miniature train display.

Finding Nemo Christmas Tree @ Mary G. Hardin Art Center 

Noccalula Falls

We stopped at Chick-fil-A in Athens for dinner and were home by 7:30 P.M.

🎄🎄🎄🎄2016 Dec 10, Saturday Christmas Adventures🎄🎅🏻

I grabbed my purse, camera bag, a blanket, a box of Tissues, and gloves before walking outside into the brisk cold. 
Our windshield was covered with star-shaped ice, and the leather seats were freezing cold. 
I spread a fuzzy, warm blanket over my seat while I waited for it to warm up, which didn't take too long due to the heated seats. 
I had dressed in layers with thermals, jeans, two thermal shirts, a coat, and boots. I was one big bundle of warmth.
I coughed and hacked all the way to Walgreens in Lawrenceburg, where we purchased a bottle of Mucinex Fast-Max Clear and Cool to help alleviate a cold, flu, and sore throat. 
I felt like that Mucinex man had been following me for the last two days. 
I took my first dose, which burned my raw throat. We also bought two bags of Ricola Cough suppressants, a bag of Swiss Cherry, and a bag of Cherry Honey from Switzerland.
We stopped in Spring Hill to fill up at Murphy Gas and Burger King, where we purchased three French sticks, a piece of sausage, and a cinnamon roll. 

We saw a group of young fiddlers playing Christmas Carols. They were dressed in full-length, white, blue, brown, pink, & red dresses.
Bonnets, caps, or hats covered their heads, and scarves were wrapped around their necks. 
We walked back in time to a Victorian Christmas, and as we strolled the streets, we met many different characters. We meet Santa Claus, A Victorian Father and Mother Christmas, Ebenezer Scrooge, the Grim Reaper, the Nut Cracker, Bob Emily & Tiny Tim Cratchit, and Jacob Marley.

Victorian Father and Mother Christmas

Santa Clause

Old Hum Bum himself, "Ebenezer Scrooge."
He said I don't like people, and I don't like pictures as he posed for his portrait. 

Dickens of Christmas Characters

The Nut Cracker and the Frisky Little Mouse 

Group of Dickens Characters

Bob Emily & Tiny Tim Cratchit

Father Christmas Approximately

 seventy-five vendors, each in a white tent, lined Main Street.

Their booths were filled with heritage crafts, holiday items, and specialty gifts. 

Vendors were encouraged to dress in period attire to enhance the ambiance.

We saw a horse-drawn carriage, carolers, Charles Dickens characters strolling the streets, and the smell of Victorian food.

One booth was giving free cups of hot apple cider, which felt good for my sore throat. 

We saw Booties, Whimsy Wonderland, Country Wood, Boudreaux's Bro Kitchen & Catering, the Heritage Foundation Booth, and bell ringers for the Salvation Army. This sign said "Franklin Rotary Breakfast will match your donation", Mix 97, Ace's Kettle Corn, Cinnamon Roasted Nuts, Almonds, Cashews, Pecans, locally owned. It made Walker Creek Confections, Tennessee Glass Stains, Mix 92.9, Gracy's Farm Fresh Honey, Kaleidoscope Frames, Chocolate Moonshine of Tennessee, Franklin Fudge Factory, Unique Funnel Cake House, Artist drawing a reindeer, Stoney Creek Farm, a blacksmith, a bookbinder, a sock netter, Imagine-box Emporium  Peach-skin Sheets, Colorado Wassail Company, a man playing glasses full of water, Puckett's Trolley, White Mercantile,  The statue guy, & large black furry poodle.

The Thirty-second Annual Dickens of a Christmas Heritage Foundation was a bandstand where groups performed.

The last character we saw was the tormented ghost, damned to wander the earth forevermore as a punishment for his greed, Jacob Marley.

Jacob Marley

As we exited downtown Franklin, we felt as though we were leaving behind a quintessential Victorian Christmas.
Even the Old Hum Bum himself, Ebenezer Scrooge, could not ruin our Christmas.