Notes from Birmingham, Fairhope, and a sick pup

Here’s a quick update on a little of this and a lot of that.

When my son and I were in Birmingham for Step Sing at Samford, we did some sight-seeing as well (getting those homeschool field-trips in!). The historic 16th St. Baptist Church was the target of the tragic bombings in 1963 that killed four innocent little girls.

The Sunday School classrooms where the children’s classes are located is in the lower level, and is where the bomb did the most damage. I couldn’t help but notice the irony and message of forgiveness, as an old drawing of the four victims hung on the wall, and beside it was current lessons urging kindness and love.

Across the street from the church is the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute which was very moving and beautifully done. They allow photos if your flash is turned off, and oops . . . I turned off the entire camera, so I went around taking photos that didn’t turn out at all. Truly a bad mistake, because you would have loved to have seen the exhibits.

The museum’s story didn’t dwell on the painful times, but presented uplifting stories of courage and determination, although the hard topics weren’t skipped. The most chilling part for me was standing alone in a dark room, face to face with a full Ku Klux Klan  . . . is it a uniform? Costume? Ridiculous get-up? I had never seen one in real-life and it was a jarring sight.

Here’s a photo I found of the exhibit on the museum’s web site. When standing in front of it, I could feel actual evil and hatred. It made me cry.

While I was in Birmingham, I also got to stop in and say hello to my new editor, Edward Bowser, at AL.com/The Birmingham News. Edward is an amazing writer and has been so patient, helping me learn how to submit my stories. The Birmingham News and AL.com have beautiful offices in an old converted brewery right downtown. Edward gave us a tour and we were impressed with the busyness of the place. I wanted someone to shout, “Stop the presses!”

(didn’t happen).

And back in Fairhope . . . I was so happy to discover Adonna’s Bakery from Pensacola is opening a location here! In Pinzone’s Village, the made-from-scratch bakery has already started serving mouth watering sweets and gourmet sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. The owner has ties to Florala, AL where I was born and we actually know each other’s people. That’s the way it works down here.

I previously told you about Adonna’s Pensacola location HERE.

I’ll have more details on them soon, but make sure you stop in and try a few of their treats!

Also new to the Pinzone’s Village is the Fairhope Soap Company. Owner Deborah Bruijn is in her aromatic kitchen cooking up fresh batches of her wildly popular candles, soaps and lotions. I’m crazy about her “Beach Linen” candles. They last forever and have a wonderful, clean smell.

A chemist by trade, Deborah gets the entire family involved and you can often stop by and meet her in the shop as she has her cutie-pie daughter there with her. Fairhope Soap Company is on the DeLaMar Street side of Pinzones, across the street from Mr. Gene’s Beans.

And just down the street, everyone’s favorite bookstore, Page and Palette, is undergoing huge renovations. The bookstore is open for business, but watch your step, because there are still hammers and sheetrock flying everywhere!

This is a little peek inside while some of the changes were going on. The coffee shop, Latte’ Da is going to look completely different and for now, is operating out of the back in the new “grown-up” drink section, called, “The Book Cellar.” The upstairs is being converted to the owner’s private living area (very cool). Everything should be in place by the time The Arts And Crafts Festival rolls around in a few weeks.

Also under construction is The Fairhope Museum of History’s new exhibit, “The People’s Railroad.” When finished, this outdoor train car will help tell the story of the old Railroad (pulled by mule, I believe) up the hill from Mobile Bay. It will be a fun story, and I can’t wait to see it.

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And one last thing (close your eyes if you don’t like medical things) . . .

Poor little Lois Lane was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor and had to have surgery! Dr. Morrison at Colony Animal Clinic was so good and called me on a Saturday to tell me the sad news. He whisked her right in to surgery last Monday, and even with this huge incision, Lois came out the same day, wagging her tail and eager to get home and do what she loves most . . . eat!

I’m so tired of cancer attacking wonderful people, let alone little dogs.

And that’s all I’ve got for now! Hope you have a very happy week!