Month: September 2009

We saw some of the $20,000 houses that Auburn’s Rural Studio has been building in Greensboro. The idea is that the houses cost $10k in materials and $10k in labor, permits, profit, etc. It’s also designed to be a good choice for people with low incomes who qualify for the government’s USDA 502 Rural Home Loan Program. The 502 is a $20k loan with 30-year repayment for home repair or construction.

This one is called the Pattern Book house:

The Loft house:

The Roundwood house:

The Bridge house:

—
Are you thinking that some of these $20k houses would make great little lake cottages?

We had lunch at Mustang Oil in Greensboro (2205 Main St):

It’s part gas station, convenience store, and restaurant.

…and taxidermy treasure trove. This is only a small, small section. If I remember correctly, there was a big mouth bass, a mallard, and a gamecock over our heads where we sat. Taxidermy doesn’t bother me but I was wondering if Shug would be thinking why the deer were sticking their heads through holes in the wall:

Ribs, potato salad, sweet potato fries (oooh those sweet potato fries were *great*!):

Catfish, fries, okra:

That was excellent. Excellent-excellent.

Through September 26, Nada Boner sculptures are in an exhibit titled ‘Righteous Roots‘ at Bare Hands Gallery in B’ham. She says they are about “Southern roots” and along with the title she gives the Bible verse that corresponds:

“Washing Others’ Feet” (Foot Washing) John 13:5 “After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

“Make A Joyful Noise” (Sacred Harp Singing) Psalm 63:5 “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”

“Immune” (Snake Handlers) Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

“In the Jordan” (Creek Baptism) Mark 1:5 “The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

She’ll next be at the Moss Rock Festival which is November 7-8 this year.

When we were going to Greensboro, we went through Demopolis. This sign was close to downtown – Demopolis used to be known as the ‘Vine and Olive Colony’ because it was founded in 1817 by a group of French expatriates whose plan was to grow grapes and olives here.

I think this is the old firestation, now called ‘Rooster Hall’ and it’s where they can hold town meetings, etc.

One of the most famous things about Demopolis is that when the first highway to cross the country (from San Diego to Savannah) was being built, the people there in 1919 held a fundraiser to “Bridge the ‘Bigbee with Cocks” – that’s the Tombigbee River – because cars were still being ferried across. And the last part of that is all because they did it by selling roosters. Financing the construction of a bridge by selling roosters might seem like setting up a lemonade stand to build an airport, but guess what?

…and this house that I’m showing because….

…the owner has messages in her front yard and you know how I am about that.

So not only is there a public health advisory, but a tribute to Michael Jackson:

And then there’s Gaineswood:

This is how the Alabama Historical Commission describes it:

One of America’s finest Greek Revival houses, Gaineswood is a masterpiece. Exceptional interior spaces have domed ceilings, elaborate plasterwork, and a facing pair of gilt mirrors that endlessly reflect each other. Designed by owner and amateur architect General Nathan Bryan Whitfield, Gaineswood was constructed during 1843-1861. Some of the elaborate work was executed by African American slaves. The house museum contains many original Whitfield family furnishings and objects. The grounds feature a gazebo, a slave house, and a small building that was most likely a detached kitchen.

They do tours in certain days each hour, but we decided not to do it this time.

A couple or three weeks ago, the new LEGO shop in B’ham opened at the Galleria. Part of the grand opening was that the first 300 customers to spend $35+ got an exclusive package with the parts to make a miniature model of Vulcan.

Luckily, we were there and got one! They had this model of Indiana Jones inside the shop – I didn’t even realize that they made LEGO blocks in clear:

In the middle of the mall they were building an 8′ tall R2D2 from Star Wars. Children could help out and they received a certificate for helping with the construction:

This must have been just to show people how it would turn out:

…and this is the Vulcan that Av put together (I am loving my new light box for taking pictures so the backgrounds don’t show!). I think that when they designed this, they did the ‘old’ Vulcan with his colored popsicle light which I like much better that what he’s holding now, the original spear.

—

There are people on eBay selling their own custom LEGO kits, like this one for a modern train station. Maybe I can get Av to figure out how to make some Rural Studio ones so the boys can have a little neighborhood!