A Lap of Alabama.

For their fortieth anniversary, my parents wanted to do something grand.

They considered a cruise in Alaska, a drive from Alaska back home, and a drive through New England.

But finally, they settled on enjoying two things they loved: antique cars and Alabama.

Starting today, they are on a journey to drive the entire perimeter of our state in a Model A, stopping at unique sights along the way.  They have decided that there will be no interstates, no fast food, and no agenda.

 

 

Dad set up a blog to document their journey, and I also tried to get him to use Twitter to garner recommendations for places to stay and eat.  I didn’t get him convinced in time, so instead, I will be tweeting their journey and trying to get recommendations for him.  I hope that you will all help me as I show him the power of Twitter.

They left today, and expect the journey to take two weeks.  Follow along at their blog and also on twitter.

 

Blogger Spotlight: The Brooklyn Dodger.

I had the privilege of meeting a new Alabama Blogger, Kate Martineau Adams, at our last blogger meet-up. I didn't get to talk to her for very long, but her story and blog focus intrigued me. And, when I had the opportunity to check out her blog, I was hooked!

Kate is a new Alabama transplant, moving here from Brooklyn. She loved living in New York City (after all, it IS a fabulous place) until she had kids. And so, to find a more family-friendly place to raise their family, she and her husband moved here - to Birmingham.

Of course, the culture is unbelievably different, and so her blog, The Brooklyn Dodger, is all about comparing and contrasting the differences of her life in Brooklyn versus in Birmingham.

And you know what the best part is?

She loves it here.

Her blog is a wonderfully fresh look at our city through the eyes of a new resident, and it thrills my heart to see someone so excited to live in our great city!

Her glowing perspective on Birmingham is a needed one in this city, where so many people find so much wrong with it. And, her unique ability to contrast and compare it with life in Brooklyn makes for some fascinating reading!

Check Kate's blog out at The Brooklyn Dodger, and follow her on Twitter at @KateDodger.

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Do you know of an Alabama Blog that should be spotlighted? If so, email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

Don't Miss This Blogger Moving Sale of the Century!

We are losing one of our kindest, most amazing Alabama bloggers - Rhoda of Southern Hospitality is moving to Georgia in a couple of months, and will be terribly missed around here!! Rhoda is always one of the people I most look forward to seeing at our meet-ups. She has been a HUGE influence on me (more than she knows!), especially in the graceful and kind way she conducts herself and her blog.

Rhoda's blog is based around her amazing decorating skills, and as such, she has some really great stuff. She is having a moving sale this Friday and Saturday in which is is selling a lot of her wonderful finds. She has pictures of some of the things she is selling, as well as instructions on how to get to the sale, in this post.

If you're a yard sale person or need some great home accessories or furniture, be sure to go visit Rhoda this weekend!!

favorite place.

This post is written about a bridge in Trussville by Sidnie of Green Enough for Me. Sidnie is a native Alabamian who is currently living in Germany with her military husband and two boys, Austin and Cade. Her husband will be deploying to Afghanistan soon. Her blog is an amazing, and often heart-wrenching peek inside the lives of those serving our country overseas. You can also follow Sidnie on Twitter at greenenough4me.

In my hometown, there's this green bridge that crosses over this river. It's not much. Not much at all. But this bridge, the kissing bridge, could quite honestly be my favorite place on earth.
I'm sure if it could talk, it'd tell the most vibrant stories.

David and I, newlyweds. David, living in Germany, home on leave. A month away from Austin's birth. January of 2007.

For as long as I can remember, it's been there. And long before that, it was somewhere else. It's endured a several mile move, involving trucks and cranes. I can just imagine the people it took to get it settled into its new home. I remember taking pictures with my cousins on this bridge when we were little, all snaggle toothed but still grinning. I wish I had those pictures to share, but they're more than likely tucked in an old suitcase at the foot of the bed in the guest room at my parent's house. I remember many cross country practices running across this bridge, hearing the wood pound beneath our feet. Always confident that the sturdy, old bridge would hold our weight.

Austin and Sidnie, 4 months pregnant with Cade. Daddy is in Iraq. June of 2008.
It's just off the main highway that runs through town. There's a few concrete picnic tables and a grassy area. But nothing more. Somedays, you can find some boys fishing for minnows. Or some barefoot children wading through the ankle deep water. You could tell how bad a storm was by how much of the bridge was covered with muddy red water. The town flooded once, years ago, and the bridge was covered for what seemed like forever. When the water receded, the bridge was still there. Covered with debris, but still there.

David, Sidnie, Austin and Cade. All of us on our last day home on leave after David's deployment. July 5, 2009.

As our family changes, so does the bridge. It's older. And parts have been replaced. It's needed paint over the years and probably needs some work that remains unseen. It's been rained on. And ran across. It stands firm across the river. It holds up to the footprints and the weather. It may creak, here and there, but it never sways. It's been through hell and back. But its always there.

It's strong. And beautiful. And confident.

It's always there.

"The ties that binds us are sometimes impossible to explain. They connect us even after it seems like the ties should be broken. Some bonds defy distance and time and logic; Because some ties are simply... meant to be."
-Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

Where is your favorite place in Alabama?

Local Blogger Featured on Upcoming Reality Series!

If you’ve never visited Birminghamian Stephen Vinson’s blog, titled “Who Ate My Blog?”, you’re missing out on an unbelievably inspiring story that’s been taking place for the last two years.

Stephen started his blog in February 2009, weighing in at 632 pounds. And, on his own (without weight loss surgery or being on The Biggest Loser or anything similar), has already lost over 230 pounds! He has used blogging as a tool to keep himself motivated and accountable, as well as to make connections with others on similar journeys.

I personally have been inspired by Stephen’s determination, vulnerability, and perseverance. And, I’ve been thoroughly blown away by his pounds melting away every time I’ve seen him at one of our blogger meet-ups – he’s constantly looking dramatically smaller!

And now, Stephen is getting some well-deserved media attention, and will be featured on ABC 33/40’s Talk of Alabama’s mini-series, Champions For Health, scheduled to air starting in February!

Champions for Health will tell the real (not sensationalized reality TV) stories of five people on their weight loss journey. They will be sharing their stories, working with YMCA trainers, and sharing strategies and tips to help others live a more healthy lifestyle.

As more specific information is available regarding the series start date and schedule, I will share it here. Also, the episodes will be available online once they air. But in the meantime, I encourage you to check out Stephen’s blog, and be encouraged by his incredible journey!

The Newest Alabama Blogger.

My baby, Noah James, was born last Sunday, December 19th:

He has a very thrilled and proud big sister:

If you'd like to read more about him (and his rather dramatic arrival), you can click here.

I’ll be around, but possibly scarce for the next few weeks as my sleep is diminished and my free time is spent napping. If you’d like to guest post during this time, I’d love to have you!! Just email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas – I sure did!!!

Blogger Spotlight: Karen's Korner

By Karen

I have a bloggerversary coming up on Halloween. (I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway so if you want to help me celebrate my special day click this link and enter) I thought. I also have become part of the Alabama Bloggers so in order to introduce myself to you guys I thought I would take you back on a trip in time. My very first post was on Wednesday, October 31st, 2007. I was a newish preachers wife and learning about life as a pastor's wife. Frank becoming a preacher is kind of a funny tale. I had a dream.....and no...my name is not Martin Luther Korb....but in my dream we were in seminary somewhere in Texas and poor....very poor. I dream a lot and some of my dreams actually have come true. My mom used to tell me I had a third eye like her and could sometimes see the future. I always thought that was poppycock. I shared my dream with Frank the next morning and laughed....thinking he would too....but he didn't. He had a most perplexed look on his face. The next day in the Walmart parking lot he told me he had something serious he wanted to tell me....Come on I thought....serious conversation in the Walmart parking lot! Truthfully I thought he was going to tell me my parents had to go. I was braced for that....what I was not braced for was what he DID say. Frank told me that my dream had hit close to home and it was time to stop running from God. He had talked to our Associate Pastor at the First United Methodist Church and he had sent him to the District Superintendent. Frank was going to licensing school to become a Local Pastor. Huh? And what was the time frame of this going to be I wondered. Visions of seminary in Texas flooded my brain. Licensing school would take a week and then MAYBE he would get a church the next June. Appointments were already in the works for this year. Ok...so I would have a year to digest this.....but...as holds true to form with my life...that was not the case. Frank's first appointment was that very June in 2007. The church was a small church in Waverly, AL just outside of Auburn, AL. It was a part time appointment so he would still have to have a full-time job and at some point go back to school. My very first post was about my life from June to October as a pastor's wife and it looked like this:

"Wednesday, October 31, 2007 -Wow! Today is Halloween and I have been a preacher's wife since June. It has been an interesting ride to say the least. Who would have ever thought that at age 53 I would be putting my walk where my mouth is! My husband Frank is the pastor at Waverly United Methodist Church and we are loving it. Sitting on the second row every Sunday as he delivers the message to his congregation is really exciting. I have learned so much just being quiet and still. Here is my thought for today. So many times we get to caught up in the busyness of the world that we miss the business of doing God's work. I truly believe that God put me in Waverly to teach me that lesson. He knows that for one hour on Sunday morning I am still and know that He is God. God is Great! See you soon, Karen"

Three years later I am still a pastor's wife, sitting on the second row of a different church, Rock Mills United Methodist, and still loving to hear my husband deliver the message each and every Sunday. There is a slight difference. Rock Mills is a bigger church AND I am now a certified lay speaker and can fill pulpits myself when needed. Last Sunday was laity Sunday at our church and I delivered the message. The congregation had never heard me speak and when I was through one of our little ladies told Frank they were going to fire him and hire me. That was a big boost for my self-esteem I can tell you. I am a huge Beth Moore, Patsy Clairmont, et al. fan and being in the pulpit was exhilarating to say the least. I am a story teller by nature, teacher by trade, preacher's wife by design, a singer, traveler and blogger by desire. I love my life and love what I do. Have not read my blog yet? Well there is a lot of stuff there. I share my life (living with a dad dying from cancer, a mom with dementia, children, teaching, stuff), I share photos (I love to be behind a camera....not in front of one), I share silly stuff, I share recipes, I share things that will make you cry or think, I share my sermons for you to comment on and help me improve, I open my home and heart to you and let you take a walk through. There in Karen's Korner there is a little something for everything. Hope you will stop in and have a cup of coffee with me and become my new bloggy friend.

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If you would like to introduce yourself and your blog to the rest of the Alabama Bloggers, email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com!

Reader's Choice Awards! And Meet-Up Reminder

The Terminal is hosting a very exciting feature, the first annual Birmingham Blogging Reader's Choice Awards!!

They are giving everyone the opportunity to Nominate their favorite blogs and posts for seven different categories, including Funniest Blog Post, The Must Read Post, Birmingham's Best Kept Secret Blog, Quirkiest Blogger, Best Blog Design, Best Blog Post Under 500 Words, and Most Uplifting Blog Post.

Be sure to go nominate your favorite blogs and posts before the deadline, August 27th!

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Speaking of August 27th, that's the date of our next Alabama Bloggers meet-up!

we're meeting on Friday, August 27th at 11:30 downtown at The Red Cat in the Martin Biscuit Company building next door to Dr. Pepper Building. Several people have already RSVP'ed, so it's sure to be a great meet-up! As always, everyone is invited - we'd love to see you there!!


Be sure to RSVP here or on the original post if you can come, but still show up if you can come at the last minute. And to tweet about it, use the hashtag #AlaBlogMeet.

Hope to see you there!

The Day My Husband Tried to Kill Me in the WalMart Parking Lot

By Margaret of The Brown Recluse

It was the annual Pro Bass Fishing Tournament in the Shoals. WalMart, the local sponsor, was so packed that cars were waiting to pull into the furthermost parking places in the lot. Normally, my husband and I would have come back at some later time, but caught up in the excitement, we parked in an obscure place and went in to fight the crowd. After loading the car with our newest wares from our WalMart adventure, I proceeded take the shopping cart back to the corral. (I hate carts all over the parking lot). The problem this day was that the corral was a few rows away because of our so-far-away parking space. Ole Boy must have gotten impatient because before I could get back, he was backing out of the space....in MY car... so I truck on over to the car to get in. By the time I get there, he's at the end of the row, ready to enter exiting traffic.

But...as I begin to get in...HE TAKES OFF!!! And I'm only half in! Now you have to picture this, I've got one foot in, one foot out, one cheek in, one cheek out. My head is sticking out above the hood of the car, and the door frame catches me on the "one cheek in, one cheek out" area and propels me, hopping on that "one foot out" alongside the car. Now, I am not a small girl, and I assure you, this was no pretty sight! As you can imagine, I am completed outraged at his lack of consideration for me, not letting me get completely into MY car before he takes off. I'm shouting such things as "Whoa!" and "STOP!! What are you doing??" and he stops....right in the middle of two lanes of traffic going in opposite directions. That's right, folks....I stopped traffic, but not in the way I had pictured in my mind that someday I would... Remember, the parking lot is completely full, and by now, many people are watching the spectacle that I am. I get in the car, and everyone in the parking lot can hear my heated displeasure. I did yell. Uh-lot.

When I finally calmed down, Ole Boy tried to explain. It seems that there was a break in traffic, and someone had motioned for him to come out. So he did! That wasn't a very good explanation in my opinion, so I yelled again. He then said, "I don't see what the big deal is, when I took off, I would just leave you standing there!" I then begin to explain to him just what happened, and how I was hopping along side of the car, half in, half out, etc. etc. etc., and he apparently got a sudden mental image of his not-so-small wife being propelled across the WalMart parking lot on one of the busiest days of the year, and he laughed. And laughed. And pulled over to laugh some more. I resolved in my heart that I would never speak to him again.

As he pulled into our drive way, I calmly got out, got into the driver's side, waited for him to unload the car by himself, and I went to see my Mom for some proper sympathy. I went in and told her my story....and she laughed. She tried not to when she saw that I was not laughing, but that made it even worse for her. I was finding nothing funny about this, mind you. Then my sister walked in, and I began to tell her of my misfortune of the abusive husband and the uncaring mother...and she laughed, and Mom got tickled again. Later, Ole Boy brought me chocolate. Yeah, I forgave him.

Blog Spotlight: EatBHM

I’ve just run across a fairly new blog with which I was immediately impressed, so just had to share. I found EatBHM via one of my favorite restaurants, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, and I am so glad that I did.

EatBHM is a very well writtten, fun to read new endeavor by an anonymous 30-something professional in Birmingham. It is her intent to document her journeys through the delicious and original cuisines of Birmingham.

I am personally excited about her mission because I feel like we have SO many wonderful restaurants in Birmingham that are locally owned and absolutely excellent.

But more than that, I am impressed with her seemingly expert ability at blogging, despite the newness of her endeavor.

EatBHM was inspired by the EatJXN blog, which highlights the eateries in Jackson, Mississippi.

Also, she’s totally worth following on Twitter, not only for her fun dialogue and banter, but for her occasional free food giveaways!

April Introductions: Drew at Okra Cola

Okra Cola

My name is Andrew, though I go by Drew on my blog because I wanted a way to differentiate between normal emails and blog emails. [Aside: Most of my friends from high school call me Drew too.] I started Okra Cola in September 2009 and promised myself if I still had posts in my head, and people (at least a handful) reading them by 2010 I would actually do a custom layout, header and URL and so I did.


I started blogging because I work with many northerners (and "otherners") and they often talked about how different our cultures are. I would then explain things to them and while they were still confused, they sort of understood better. That's what I try to do, explain what we do and why we possibly do it; even though most of us have been doing it for so long that we only do it now because we don't do it any other way. I guess I could be considered an apologist of Southern culture, spreading the gospel of Southernisms to any part of the world that cares to listen.


I also blog because I love when people comment, email or contact me via Facebook or Twitter to say they connected with a post I wrote. That feels good. I'm a musician and a ham and love to connect with people on any level I can.


I have spent most of my time in Walker County, with stints in Tuscaloosa and Hoover, both lasting fewer than 5 years each. I am married to my high school sweetheart (though we went to different high schools) and I have two daughters that I'm raising to spot Southern gentlemen, and am doing my best to teach them how to avoid those who are not.

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If you'd like to be featured during April Introductions, email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

April Introductions: The Organized Homestead.

By Karon

I’d like to welcome my fellow bloggers to my newest blog, The Organized Homestead, written while the chickens scratch and the squash seeds try to pry their way through the hugging red clay. I’ve written several books [inspirational books for women mostly] and continue to write and speak and love meeting readers. My husband and I live on the south side of Mount Cheaha where not many visitors find us but we’re never low on bugs. I hope you’ll visit me at The Organized Homestead or my site here about books and stuff, Karon Goodman. Thanks for reading!

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If you'd like to be featured during April Introductions, email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

April Introductions: Amy of Ordinarily Extraordinary

Hello! I'm Amy of Ordinarily Extraordinary. I began blogging in the Fall of 2006 mainly to share my scrapbooking and share our lives with our out of town family.

I live in a very small east central Alabama city ,that feels more like a small town, where my husband grew up. I spend my days being a mom to our son, running my part time photography business, substitute teaching, and enjoying all crafty and artistic hobbies. I was born in east Alabama and grew up among the Appalachian foothills near Jacksonville, Alabama. I am proud to call Jacksonville State University my alma mater.

I titled my blog Ordinarily Extraordinary because if you look extraordinary things happen even in the most ordinary of lives. Most of the time these are just normal, everyday aspects of our lives. A child's excitement over a caterpillar. A beautiful rainbow appearing. So many extraordinary things we overlook. My blog is a reminder to myself to slow down and remember these extraordinary moments.

Now 3+ years later I still share my scrapbooking, but also book reviews, my photography, photo a day project, art and painting, other crafty endeavors, recipes, small town life and anything else that strikes me. I also write here on Alabama Bloggers bi-weekly about the people, places, & experiences that I find extraordinary about Alabama.

So come visit me at Ordinarily Extraordinary and leave me a comment. I love finding new blogs and discovering extraordinary people and places about our state.

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If you'd like to be featured during April Introductions, email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

April Introductions: Southern Hospitality

Rhoda of Southern Hospitality

Three years ago, I barely knew what a blog was. Now I'm pretty much a blog addict.

As an introduction to my blog, Southern Hospitality, I'll just tell you all a bit about myself. We moved here from Atlanta about 4 and 1/2 years ago and I have fallen in love with Birmingham. It's a small Southern city, but plenty big with enough excitement going on and I sure don't miss that ATL traffic.

I love, love blogging and started my blog 3 years ago on a whim and now it's grown to be much bigger than I ever anticipated, but I love it as much as ever. Blogging has really opened up my world and it has been so much fun to connect with everyone out there in the blogosphere.

I'm a big DIYer and love home projects and decorating and that's what you'll see a lot of on my blog. I spend a lot of time going yardsaling and thrifting, bringing home all sorts of treasures, redoing them to fit my house, so that's a lot of what I share on my blog. I also share recipes, travel around the South, and a bit of gardening and just life in general. Every Monday, I host a Thrifty Treasures party for everyone to show off their found treasures.

My hubby has a 91 year old Grandma Eleanor and she's part of my stories too and is a big hoot. Everyone seems to love Grandma Eleanor posts and I even do videos of her.

So, if you love making your house a home and love thrifty decorating, I think you'd enjoy stopping by for some Southern Hospitality!

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If you'd like to be featured during April Introductions, email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

April Introductions: Belinda Faulkner

www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com
A Simple Life

I've been blogging almost two years, and I post about the thing most important to me... family. A Simple Life is divided into five sections.

Monday - Party/Events
Tuesday - Recipes
Wednesday - Seasonal Traditions
Thursday - Blog Linkage AND Child and Spouse Date Ideas
Friday - Weekend Happenings

In the midst of all the "regular" topics, I blog about my family, my son's OCD, my own panic attacks, my first son leaving for college this past year and surviving a house filled with teenagers and friends.

I have contests, monthly Special Guests and a ton of other "stuff" weekly on A Simple Life.

I started a second blog called Belinda's Project 365 in August of last year on my 48th birthday. I have documented this past year with a picture a day (and will continue to do so until my 49th birthday rolls around). It has been fun recording this year in such a unique way.

www.wwwproject365.blogspot.com
Belinda's Project 365

I'm learning how to use Alabama Bloggers as I go. It's a great idea.

April Introductions: Wade Kwon

Wade Kwon

• Wade Kwon.com


• Wade on Birmingham


• Birmingham Blogging Academy

I resisted the term blogger for years. I was a writer. I was a journalist. I was not, however, a blogger.

But I've grown to appreciate the role of bloggers, and I tell people I blog for a living. I am a proud Alabama blogger.

I write all the time. Sometimes, it escapes onto my blogs, but often it ends up on Facebook or Twitter. I plan to marshal these paragraphs into a longer format this year, but only when I can get away from blogging and microblogging and other stray writing.

As an Alabama native, I have found storytelling to be a part of me. It's why I write. It's why I worked in journalism for decades. I'm proud of my hometown of Birmingham and want to tell the world at large what's happening here. That means accomplishments as well as setbacks.

And I hold myself to these same standards. Sometimes, I succeed. Sometimes, I fail, badly. Mostly, I like to share funny tidbits, wry observations and thoughts on a state behind the times.

On rare occasions, I am better in person. The introverted writer steps out of the shadows to meet fellow residents. I'm grateful to Alabama Bloggers for providing such a community to share, to ask and to laugh.

It's a community I hope to mimic on my own blogs with each passing day.

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If you'd like to be featured during April Introductions, email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

April Introductions: Lisa Isbell

By Lisa Isbell

I discovered blogging just over a year ago but it feels like I’ve been doing it forever. I now publish 3 blogs, this one, another that is associated with my online thrift store White Oak Attic and my marketing consulting business How 2 Marketing Advice. All three of these continue to be works in progress as I try to establish a course for myself in moving away from the status quo.

For practical purposes I blog to share what I’ve learned, stimulate interest in the same things I enjoy so I can find kindred spirits and finally simply because I enjoy it. I’ve discovered I really love to write. I’ve always been a blabber-mouth, chattering on incessantly about whatever topic came my way and I suppose blogging has become an extension of that and now people have the option of shutting off the flow without my ever knowing it Everyone wins, I get to prattle on and any who have lost interest don’t have to resort to hurting my feelings to escape the flow. Occasionally, someone might actually benefit from hearing about something I found or some mistake I’ve made (usually the latter – I’m especially gifted at goofing things up and have lots to share on that topic). To sum it up, blogs are just a very convenient way to be social.

In this blog I write mostly about things I think about, random notions that fit in with what I perceive to be a general shift of society in general to get back to the basics of really knowing other people without the facade of the little shows we sometimes put on and the efforts made to keep up with neighbors or copy each other to fit some kind of mold. Businesses are beginning to discover that people want to get to know the people behind the branded image, the shiny glass and the pressed, freshly laundered appearance of executives. I sometimes write about my own efforts to re-shape my own life.

In my online thrift store blog, I write about collectibles I’ve come across and share the information I discover in researching items I’ll offer for sale and the collectibles I keep. I have built the store around my hobbies and interests. I have always enjoyed rummaging around at estate sales, yard sales etc and this is a creative outlet that also brings the experience to the convenience of home. Other people will now be able to participate with me and maybe find a treasure or two while they are at it. I also include my genealogy research here with a category of posts devoted to an old coal mining town in West Virginia that is connected to most of my recent family history. I’ve found my genealogy buff friends also enjoy collecting vintage goods and antiques so it is a nice blend. My little online attic is also growing into an old general mercantile of sorts that will offer new merchandise that is unusual, has a vintage impression about it or is just something I found that I like.

Finally, my marketing blog. This was born more out of my career path. I was selling advertising for print publications for the past 15 years until I lost my job this past October. Having noticed the trending decline in print media sometime ago is what prompted me to start White Oak Attic a couple of years ago and when I did that I discovered an amazing new facet of marketing – Internet Marketing. This is a bit different than the traditional business community is accustomed to and I found most of the business owners I was in contact with everyday could really benefit from some of the techniques being used by Internet Marketers. Add to that Social Media and the whole changing landscape of marketing in general and I found I had a good niche for myself in communicating things I’ve learned first hand about marketing businesses online using these tools.

So there it is, the story of another Alabama Blogger. If you want to see some others you should visit the website of yet another Alabama Blogger who is bringing us all together to meet and commiserate, collaborate and just enjoy each others’ company this coming Friday, April 2nd at Jason’s Deli in Hoover. I would love to see you there, visit Alabama Bloggers for details.

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If you'd like to be featured during April Introductions, email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

April Introductions

The main reason that I created Alabama Bloggers was to introduce all of us to each other. I have found such value in the relationships that I've formed with other bloggers around the world, and I wanted the same opportunity to do so within my state. Since there seemed to be no other centralized meeting place, I created one.

I have most definitely built relationships with more Alabama bloggers, and I know a lot of you have done the same. But unfortunately, I don't have time to visit all of you.

As the one year anniversary of this site approaches, I wanted to maximize the original purpose of it and set aside the month of April each year to spotlight individual Alabama bloggers by giving us all a chance to introduce ourselves.

Then at the end of April, I'd like to run a carnival of some sort, like we did at the beginning of Football Season last year. If you have any ideas for a theme for the carnival, let me know!

So, if you'd like to write a post about you and your blog, I would love to run it as a part of April Introductions!

Feel free to write about anything you want, but here are some ideas:

Why do you blog?

What do you blog about?

What is your favorite part of blogging?

Where are your favorite places to go in Alabama?

Where are your favorite places to visit in the Southeast?

Who are some other bloggers that inspire you?

If you'd like to participate, please let me know! Simply email me your post (preferably in html, which you can get by writing it in your blog, then viewing the html and copying and pasting) to rachel@alabamabloggers.com, and I'll schedule it and let you know when it will go up!

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Center Stage: Croweblog

By Jamie

Welcome back to Center Stage where we take a fanfare look at one of the many great blogs being churned out here in Alabama. You can find past spotlights here.

I've been a fan of cartoons since The Smurfs followed The Littles on Saturday mornings. I would steal away for hours in the library being BFFs with Charles Schulz. My fascination continues today and one Alabama blogger is part of the obsession.


J.D. Crowe of Croweblog is a "moderately disturbed editorial cartoonist for Mobile Press-Register." His words, not mine. But they provide a fair description of a man who's not afraid to paint a picture that speaks a thousand words AND still provide an additional rant for good measure.

Some of my recent favorites are Interracist Judge and Double Header Jackpot.

It's unfortunate our world gives Crowe such a broad canvas on which to draw. At least we can be entertained by it.

Jamie is a planner of events by day and chaser of shiny things by night. Follow her trails at Jamie's Rabbits. If you'd like to have your blog featured on "Center Stage" then contact Jamie so she can swing by your neck of the internet woods. Please know she sometimes shows up uninvited, so you may see your blog on stage if she really digs it.

Blogger Spotlight: Women of God Art Retreat

This Blogger spotlight is on Ann Hamilton of Women of God Art Retreat. She found Alabama Bloggers this past weekend, and I found her story fascinating. She is a 70 year old lady who is an artist and entrepreneur. She is not afraid to try new things and embrace the benefits that technology and blogging offer. This is an interview that she did for another site about what she does and what she blogs about:

What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist?

Presently I'm developing the "Women of God" Art Retreat in my 1890's Victorian Home. This idea came to me earlier this year and my first artist-guests arrived in May. While they were here I conducted workshops in acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, and pastels. I also started several new paintings which I have since finished. While they were here they suggested several changes I might make in my retreat as well as my web site. I took their advice and revamped my web site and retreat ideas. Then, I started a blog (http://artistretreat.blogspot.com) about my life as an artist-my life at the new retreat. These things, taking care of Isabella, my dog, and Sassie, my cat, my flower garden, the house and painting keep me busy. And I have several regular students as well as other artists who love to come and paint with me in my large studio. I have three sons who live in other states and
towns, and we talk- daily or several times a week via phone. Other than all of this, I like to eat out, watch good movies, cook, read and write.

What is your message?

I want to share what I have learned during the 70 years of my lifetime. These "sharings" have become a form of story-telling to those who visit me. Everyone has their own stories to tell, especially about the past. Tell the truths about these stories in ways that will help others. Use your experiences in this manner as well. The past "can" be changed through our
perception of it. Both the good and the bad can be made new. It is all about attitude. It is in this that we have the ability to empower ourselves to live in a positive manner.

Your biography.

Facts about biographies are seldom read and usually dull and boring. I have no need to express those facts about myself to others. It is enough to say that I am an artist, a mother, grandmother, and friend. It is through these identities that my life speaks.

How is an idea born? For you, what is inspiration?

I am most inspired by music, poetic words, art-especially that that I love, and God as I know Him. It is the mystery of how I create art that motivates me to study, teach and paint. I think this comes from God, and it the most exciting aspect of my life.

What role does technology play in your creative process?

My first career was that of being a reporter and editor of a small newspaper. That was in the days of the old "Underwood" typewriter. Since that time it has fascinated me to keep up with the advancement of information technology. I have kept myself up-to-speed in the use of the
computer, Internet, and ability to build my own web site. Keeping this site updated, blogging, research, employing graphics and design with the use of software keeps my brain "technically" aware. These elements make up a good deal of my creative processes.

What is art?

The purest of art is the creation of something new. I believe when this process takes place it brings us closer to the creator and the processes of creation. An individual can be "artful" in many forms. However, to me this is different than the act of creation.


How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not?

I look at my ideas as being neither good or bad. They are just ideas. Some of them I act upon. I suppose one could say that sometimes this is good and sometimes this is bad. I have a blessings theory that I try to live by. If the path-which could be called an idea, is the right path the blessings will follow it. If the path is the wrong path, there will be no blessings.

Three creative ideas that you would have liked to have created?

I don't think there are any ideas that I would like to have created. Yet, I would like to have experienced what it feels like to create something great and to know that you have done so.

When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist?

I think I "felt" myself as being an artist as a very young child. The spirit was there when I was barely able to climb onto my mother's lap and beg her to draw for me. The spirit was there when as a young child I saw and experienced nature and beauty. The spirit was there when I sometimes plunged into despair. The spirit was there when as a young woman I wondered what it would be like to be an artist. The spirit was there when I began the formal study of art at the age of 44. It was sometimes afterwards that I began to feel and then to act as an artist, and to know that I was and am an artist.

Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities?

Many of the great artists do exhibit these traits, as do great leaders. I think it is because one has to be deeply passionate about art, about life and what living is about, including the good and bad of it.

How should a work of art be evaluated?

It is sad that "learned" people have come up with rules by which to judge art. Most of these, however, never create art. Each piece of art should be judged on its own merits. Innocence eyes do this the best. Based on this I would say that the best judges of art would do well to see through the eyes of the viewers of art. It would be good if they could describe how the art
that is being judged affects them. Perhaps that would be the key-for several judges to compare these thoughts and to come up with a better solution to the rules.

If you would like you and your blog to be featured as a blogger spotlight, please email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.