The Story of the Statue

Once upon a time, in Small Town, AL, not too far from where I live,  there was this house.  The house was very run-down and the neighbors (see pretty brick house next door in picture) complained to the owner.  The owner chose not to do anything about fixing up the pitiful house.  A year went by with the neighbors complaining to the owner and still nothing was done.  Finally, the neighbors all got together and complained to the city counsel about the house and the owners apathy.  Their property values were decreasing and they demanded that something be done.....and so it was.    The city officials cited the owner and told him he had 30 days to paint the house....and paint his house he did.  The owner was a shyster and he followed the letter of the law and painted his house.  What the neighbors did not realize was that....paint was all he had to do.  It was near Easter so he painted the house a pale pink and then painted a sky with clouds on the front gable of the house, he painted grass at the base with a tree....several bunnies, and some Easter eggs.  The neighbors were livid and immediately called the city officials and complained.....but much to their distress....there was nothing they could do.....the owner had followed the ruling....and painted the house.  After that....the neighbors complained....and the owner changed the house seasonally.  In the fall the tree had fall leaves on it.....and at Halloween....there were Halloween pictures painted on it.  During the 4th of July there was a huge America flag and that is when the Statue of Libery was added to the front porch.  This vindictiveness went on for years....and it fascinated me.  I would drive out of my way just to see what the house looked like.  I could kick myself for never having photographed it.  The owner is long since passed away and whoever lives in the house....has placed the statue in the yard.  The house is painted a pale shade of something....and is once again in a sad state of disrepair.  I don't know who I feel sorrier for....the house....or the neighbors.  I love old houses and hate to see them sit and just die.  Do you have a weird tale like mine about where you live that you would love to share with me????  I would love to hear it.  Happy Tuesday!

Loachapoaka, AL and the Syrup Sopping

Every fall in Loachapoaka (pronounced:  Loach uh poke uh), AL they hold the annual syrup soppin'.  I had never been to one of these until a couple of years ago and it is quite an event. My friend Mary, her husband Bill and her little grandsons, Caiden and Devin, went with us last year.  Caiden had his first horseback ride.  It was not your traditional horseback ride it was on a horse making syrup.  What an event....but what is it about Loachapoaka that fascinates me.  Well, Loachapoka was a Creek Indian (and I am part Creek) town for some decades prior to white settlement. In the last census prior to the Native removal to Oklahoma, Loachapoka was found to have a population of 564. Upon settlement by Euro-Americans, Loachapoka was temporarily renamed Ball's Fork and it became the regional trade center, a position that was reinforced in 1845 when it became the eastern-most point on the railroad to Montgomery. Loachapoka's influence peaked in the early 1870s, when her population reached nearly 1,300. Within a few years, a collapse of trade due to the Panic of 1873 and additional rail lines in the area sent Loachapoka into economic decline. Loachapoka roughly stabilized as a small farming community by the mid-1900s, and by the early 2000s had become a very very small-town suburb of Auburn. To show you just how small I am talking about....as of the census of 2000, there were only 165 people, 69 households, and 46 families residing in the town.  I don't know about you....but I lived in rural Alabama....and our town has over 20,000.  The thing that makes Loachapoka famous is that it is home to the annual Syrup Sopping Day. A historical fair and celebration of making syrup in traditional methods from sorghum and ribbon cane, Syrup Sopping Day attracts more than 20,000 people to Loachapoka annually.  Artists, musicians, local bands, crafters, all gather and show their wares.  It is so much fun.  The Lee County Historical Society Museum is located in an 1845 general store in the Loachapoka historic district, which, by the way is totally active with reenactments of how things were done in early times. 

Fred's Feed and Seed is not in operation except on Syrup day....inside there you can find some really interesting farm relics and other stuff. I love looking at old stuff...in old places...and this place sure does not let you down. The smell of the old feed and seed place....permeates your nostrils from the moment you step in the door.  It is amazing just seeing all the people who have come to visit, eat a biscuit, buy some syrup, look at crafts, listen to the music.  If you are a history buff, love  ribbon cane( if you want to read more about it) and sorgham syrup (yuck...maple girl here), or just love checking out old towns then you need to make plans to attend the Loachapoaka Syrup Days in October. It is definitely a great day for all...and the biscuits and fried apple pies are to die for.

Dumb Laws in Alabama

One of my teacher buddies introduced me to the finer laws on the books in Alabama. I could not believe him when he told me about these laws....so I had to go and check them out myself. I was embarrassed when I found them and began reading them. The only thing that made me feel better was the fact that every state in the union has some just as idiotic as these. So...since it is Friday I thought I would share a few with you....to begin your weekend with a chuckle. Did you know that.....

1. It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.
2. Dominoes may not be played on Sunday.
3. You may not drive barefooted.
4. It is illegal to maim oneself to escape duty.
5. It is illegal to impersonate a person of the clergy.
6. Women are able to retain all property they owned prior to marriage in the case of divorce. However, this provision does not apply to men.
7. Masks may not be worn in public.
8. Putting salt on a railraod track may be punishable by death. (Come on!)
9. Boogers may not be flicked into the wind.
10.Bear wrestling matches are prohibited.
11.It is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street if you have a lantern attached to the front of your automobile.
12.Men may not spit in front of the opposite sex.
13.It is illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church.
14.You must have windshield wipers on your car.
15.You may not have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time.
I have to laugh to think that many of these even made it to law. What were our lawmakers thinking? or were they? Griefus....if you want some more entertainment....and you don't live in Alabama....go check out dumblaws.com and enjoy the humor. If you ARE from Alabama there are more laws listed. They even have some listed for different cities in Alabama. Have a great weekend!....and obey the laws.