When I think of Alabama, I think of Carlene, my mom’s college roommate, and her son Gary, and how we visited them a long, long time ago, and while I want to say it was summer it couldn’t have been because of the clothes we wore. Those memories are preserved forever by faded polaroid pictures. I thought their house was amazing mainly because it was two-story. We took turns riding up and down the street in their neighborhood in Gary’s go-cart which was a new experience for my sister and me. Big wheels keep on turning…
When I think of Alabama, I think of Roll Tide and Bear Bryant and his houndstooth fedora that classed up the sidelines every Saturday and college football for years. He was born in Arkansas, you know.
I think of Harper Lee and Monroeville and Scout and Atticus and Boo and Dill and the tree that held gifts.
I think of Hank Williams.
And Alabama Shakes, my new fav.
I think of the trip we made that summer, driving the gulf coast under skies so blue. Moss really does hang from oak trees just like in Forrest Gump.
I think of Forrest Gump and Jen-nee and how life is like a box of chocolates.
When I think of Alabama, I think of Lynyrd Skynyrd because who doesn’t?
And right now when I think of Alabama, I think of the Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery because I’ll be there on Saturday. I’m looking forward to talking with other authors and meeting readers and hopefully (maybe) signing a few books and spreading The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee into the deeper southland.
I hope to see a few Alabama Women Bloggers there.
And if I’m lucky, there will be corn dogs to eat because, hey, it’s a festival.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
[tweetthis]When I think of #Alabama…@AlabamaBookFest @Alabama_Shakes @KaaSerpent @ALWomenBloggers[/tweetthis]
Musical Pairing:
Alabama Shakes, Rise to the Sun
Wow. Yep, that would be me in that picture. I don’t remember the helmet at all. 🙂 I do, however, have fond memories of that go-kart. 🙂
Ooohh I obviously misspelled go-kart. Oh well. Cute picture of you!
Corndogs and Alabama Shakes! We were destined to be friends, obviously. 🙂
helz yeah.
Living in Mobile has given me a great appreciation for Alabama and how sugar sweet the people are from here, my own parents came from North Alabama, so my live groes deep. I am from Mississippi County Arkansas, a place called Sandridge, not Far from Keiser. I’m hoping you get to visit our area in June, I:ll be there …. Got to get my book signed….many blessings to you …from Gwen and Doug Sellars
Are you still in Mobile? How far in that from Montgomery? I don’t know a Sandridge but I remember Sandy Bayou. I’d love to sign your book Gwen!
That picture is exactly what I remember! Wish I could be there, but business calls :/.
Thanks for the memories. I love my home State! Sweet Home!
Know it will be a grand event! Need me to bring some Best-Ever Mac n Cheese and Very Best Meatloaf? Gracie Lee would also want some of Nana’s Strawberry Cake, wouldn’t she? Hope lots of our Alabama friends show up.