Mobile, Alabama, USA

Unexpectedly Funny! The Church of Christ's welcome sign points directly to the "Just say no" sign. The phrase was in common usage in late 20th century thanks to the "war on drugs" mounted by the Gipper and his better half. Juxtaposition can, indeed, be amusing. [1988]

Fairhope, Alabama, USA

Witches, along with ghouls and goblins, will dominate both earth and sky tonight. Some may even show up at your front door. Please don't pretend you are not at home! If you do, you might get a trick. It's far easier to ward off such evil by doling out treats. [2005]

Belle Fontaine, Alabama, USA

Before these tomatoes ripened to a bright red, they were green. Some of their brethren were probably hauled off to a frying pan to make fried green tomatoes. In this month's issue of the Food Channel Magazine, which U.S. state was assigned fried green tomatoes as its most representative taste? The answer is in the title to this post. [2017]

Epes, Alabama, USA

The Tombigbee River in Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, 3rd ed., 1997, p. 1190: "River; Alabama, formed by junction of E fork and W fork near Amory, Mississippi, crosses Alabama border west of Carrolton, flows S into the Alabama River to form the Mobile and Tensaw Rivers flowing into Mobile Bay at Mobile: 409 mi." See the White Cliffs of Epes? [2005]

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

American Gun Culture ~ Exhibit D: Billboards like this show up in every state. Attending a gun show is what patriotic Americans do. Need proof? The message is in red, white and blue, just like the Stars and Stripes. On the other hand, this is Alabama, so maybe it's just like the Stars and Bars of the old Confederacy. [2018]

Gadsden, Alabama, USA

There is not much left of Noccalula Falls. Too dry this year. But, princess Noccalula remains vigilant, frozen in time at the moment before taking the leap that ended her life. She was not about to enter into an arranged marriage with someone she didn't love! The irony: The building perched above the falls is a wedding chapel. [2020]

Heflin, Alabama, USA

Roadside Sermons for Holy Week: "Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death." That's the very reason churches have so many covered dish dinners. Add a speaker and you have a perfect trifecta: food for the body, food for the soul, and food for the mind. It's also a perfect justification for church food pantries during times of trouble: like now! [2018]

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Question you were surely asked in grade school: Who was the Greek god of fire? Vulcan, the blacksmith. He is also the protective deity of Birmingham, the "Pittsburgh of the South." Question you we were never asked in grade school: Where is the largest cast iron statue in the world? Birmingham, in Vulcan Park. [2005]

Talladega, Alabama, USA

The Waldo Covered Bridge has not been given a new lease on life. It sits on two piers with no road access, no maintenance, and no escape from the march of time. Won't somebody please adopt this orphan? And, perhaps move it to a place where it can be taken care of? [2018]

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Caiman lizards are natives of South America. They love sunning themselves over water habitats where they can regularly dive and swim. As for their diet: mostly snails. As for their tails: similar to the caimans from which they take their name. [2018]

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

If you have been to almost any zoo, you have tales to tell about the lemurs. Some of those tales must be about those tails. Long and mesmerizing, they become the center of attention. What's going on here? Perhaps he is getting ready for some stink-fighting with a rival! [2018]

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

The rainbow lorikeet is an eye-catcher, and the Birmingham zoo has the best collection in the world (perhaps an exaggeration). Visitors are allowed to enter their confines, where these Austro-Pacific natives often perch on your shoulders or arms. They are very social and make friends easily: even with their human visitors. [2018]

Andalusia, Alabama, USA

The World Championship Domino Tournament is in full swing today! In Andalusia, Alabama. Really? May we be skeptical? Why would a domino championship be held anywhere in Alabama? Or in any small town? Answers (or conjecture) welcome. [2017]

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Birds and Crocodylia are the only extant orders that are directly descended from the dinosaurs. It's not hard to imagine where this American alligator's family tree began, but birds? Nevertheless, it's true. The ancestors of both survived the great bolide impact that ended the Age of Dinosaurs 65 million years ago. [2018]

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

It's alive, muscular, and a bit hairy. It is a proboscis, but it doesn't belong to a moth, butterfly, or mollusk. So, to what does this proboscis belong? Come back tomorrow for the answer. [2018]

Auburn, Alabama, USA

Persephone has returned to Auburn University: not as a student but as an artist. She contributes color to the landscape, sends temps into the t-shirt range, and draws students out of their dorms. And, in Alabama, she sticks around for a while. [2018]

Dauphin Island, Alabama, USA

Here's a dolphin on Dauphin Island. Dolphin comes from the Greek word for womb (delphys), reminding us that they are not fish but mammals. Dauphin Island was named after the the heir to the French throne, i.e, the dauphin. Both words come from the same Greek root, through French. [2017]

Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA

Production platforms: That's their official name. But, they are usually called 'oil rigs.'  You might be tempted to call them offshore rigs, but these are actually inshore rigs because they are in Mobile Bay. See the bridge that connects the two? See the flame atop the flare stack? See the drilling tower? [2017]

Mobile, Alabama, USA

What are you doing to celebrate National Pumpkin Day? Probably having pumpkin spice latte or tea or pancakes or marshmallows or yogurt or cereal or pretzels or ice cream or Little Debbies's. By proclamation of the New York Times, "Pumpkin spice is America." This ersatz gourd saw the evil coming a decade ago. [2005]

Belle Fontaine, Alabama, USA

Hot Boiled Peanuts: It's an acquired taste. If you like them, let your mind take you back to their land of origin, tropical Africa. If you don't like them, purge them from your thoughts. For sure, though, if you are traveling through the American Southeast and see a sign like this, at least give them a try. [2017]