Alabama Titles

I've been reading a book about Alabama history and culture and have come across a lot of titles written about the state that I did not know. Here are those titles, in case anyone needs a to brush up on their AL history.

• Leaving Birmingham - Paul Hemphill
• Carry Me Home - Diane McWhorter
• Murder Ballads and a Murmuration of Starlings - Jake Adam York
• The Death of Donna Mae Dean - Joey Manley
• "Half a Mile of Road in North Alabama" - Rodney Jones
• Inside Alabama: A Personal History of My State - Harvey Jackson
• Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer - Warren St. John
• The Autobiography of Virginia Foster Durr
• Heartbreak Hotel - Anne Rivers Siddons
• Gathering Home - Vicky Covington
• But Now I See - Fred Hobson
• Memoir of a Race Traitor - Mab Segrest
• Rebellion Essays 1980-1991 - Minne Bruce Pratt
• I am a Fugitive from a Georgia Chain Gang (movie made in 1932)

Eleanor Estelle

Congrats to my cousin Heather who just gave birth on the 28th to a lovely new baby. She is calling her Eleanor Estelle, and "Ella" is pictured here with Heather and her two daughters Alaina and Olivia.

That now completes the Dobbs family one-baby-a-month trifecta. Jacie, Heather and I all gave birth within one month of each other. I never put a picture of Jacie's son up here, so here is Bennett Alexander with Lillian:

Girly Football Thoughts

San Jose State v. Alabama (3-48) - Yes, my team was playing San Jose State at home, but they looked amazing. McElroy was solid, and the only incomplete passes he had were two drops by Lacey and Jones (I think it was Jones). The entire team just looked great and they were missing Ingram and Darius. What about that Julio Jones one-handed touchdown catch? Beautiful.

Florida v. Miami (OH) (34-12) - What happened, Florida? Oh my! The entire team looked awful and they couldn't even get the ball off right. I was just so unimpressed and shocked at that unimpression that I don't even know what to say. Perhaps next week will be better for them. The shadow of Tim Tebow seems to be haunting them.

Jacksonville State v. Ole Miss (49-48) - With all the hype surrounding Misoli (am I spelling that right?) and the NCAA banning him then him winning the appeal, I really counted on a heck of a game from Ole Miss. But Jax State, an OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE team came out and beat them in double overtime. I can't believe it, but I love it - only because it's such a beautiful thing when a school from such a smaller conference comes out and wins like that. (Remember Appalachian State?)

Arkansas State v. Auburn (26-52) - So, everyone is talking about Cam Newton being the second coming for AU and they've already got him lined up for his Heisman. All I have to say is, just wait a second. Yes, he is agile, yes, he can throw. But give the guy a second game OUTSIDE of junior college to see how he'll do against a team that's not Arkansas State. And although AK State isn't terrible - Auburn, where was your defense? 26 points? C'mon. Dyer is awesome and Newton is huge and can play, but you're going to have to bring some D to the table.

LSU v. UNC (30-24) - Another team, another controversy. I believe it was 9 players total that was suspended from UNC and they still put up a really, really good fight against LSU. In fact, the last play was so suspicious, I almost feel UNC could have pulled it out if given a good call at the end. LSU and Les Miles just need to get their act together. Was it bad play calling? No defense? Was UNC just fired up after all they've been through this week? Who knows. But I feel a bit better about facing LSU now that they've had this game.

Things That I Love

You know the song, "These are a few of my favorite things..." Well, I am feeling thankful this morning, so I wanted to share. It feels good to make a list of things that you love. These are in no particular order.

• Lightning on a summer night.
  

• Literature. Really. I love it more than I should. If I could spend my days reading books and drinking tea, I would be the happiest woman on the planet.

• Watching my husband sleep. It's the most innocent he ever looks, for sure, but it erases all worry from his face and I can look at him like the child he once was. (Too sentimental? Sorry!)
  

• Being pregnant. I read a book recently called, "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy." Don't ever read it, or if you do, do it just to laugh at her idiocy. She says that no one enjoys being pregnant. She also says that no one can go through labor without pain medication. She's also a rich Playboy centerfold. (Not that I'm judging, but c'mon!) But my point is, I do enjoy being pregnant. Sure, the indigestion is terrible, the insomnia is a bit much, but wow, having your body go through such crazy changes and knowing that there's a little human (!) that you and your partner get to love as long and hard as you are alive - There's nothing like it. And I may not "glow" on the outside of my skin, but I feel a glow inside, and this is one of the greatest, if not THE greatest experience of my life. So, take that, Mrs. Iovine!

• Pregnancy pants. They may not be fashionable (I've never been a fashionista) but the maternity waisted pants are sublime. Thank God for elastic! It's like having the button on your jeans unbuttoned ALWAYS. Sigh.
  

• Cary Hudson's music. The lead singer of the band Blue Mountain recently came to Birmingham and we took Elsa to Rojo (a little restaurant) to see him. I hadn't seen him perform in almost ten years, but he was wonderful. His music just makes me feel good. Buy his new cd. (After you buy ours, of course!)

• Living in Downtown Birmingham. This city the third time around is really getting to me. Perhaps it's where I live now. We live in a swinging loft space downtown and I look at the skyline every day. I can walk down the street and get a Pete's Famous Hot Dog or go to the Alabama Theatre or go to Reed's Bookstore. It changes my perspective on everything. They say Birmingham has an inferiority complex, but I hope it stays that way because I don't want anyone finding out about this fabulous place and ruining it for the rest of us.

• My Family. The reason we moved back to Birmingham is because of the babe. We wanted to be close to our families (his is here and in Atlanta, mine are all here.) Being this close to them is wonderful. Really, Judge and I couldn't have done this move without my parents. They have bent over backwards to help us, get us moved, get us comfortable and settled, and they've never complained once. I am grateful everyday that I was born to such beautiful, caring, generous people, and I hope to even be a tenth of a great parent as they both are. Thanks family! Thanks to all of you!
  

Big News

Well, I've been holding out from talking about it, but I've had my first appointment and can't hold it in any longer.

I am pregnant.

I am so thrilled, I can't even express it - and after hearing the heartbeat today - well, it just solidifies what is really going on inside my body.

Judge and I are making a lot of changes, some that are necessary, some that are bittersweet, but it all feels right so I cannot complain. We've decided to move from our beloved home in Nashville to my hometown of Birmingham to be closer to family. Both Tay and I have family members there and it seems like the smartest thing to do with the impending babe.

We are keeping our wonderful band in Nashville, the Joiners, and will visit often. (We have a show on the 22nd of July at the 5 Spot with our friend Max's band, Tillman) These two towns are only 3 hours apart. It really is just a quick ride up the interstate, so we won't be strangers to Music City. We hate to leave all the beautiful people we've met over the years, but times are a' changing and we've decided it is best to relocate.

This is the big news I've been sitting on, and both Taylor and I are so excited. I just had to share!

Roll Tide

Just a little video of my team this past weekend: ESPN Roadtrip

Kin: Thanksgiving

Just got these up - thought I'd share. Here are some images from TNFNR's Thanksgiving Jubilee in Helena, Alabama. I forgot to take pictures at MamaSue's house, so one leg of the visit didn't get documented, but here's what I did get:

Picture Pages: Saturday SEC Edition

Ok, ok, I know I put a lot of stuff on here for University of Alabama football. Forgive me, please. I was raised in a family where every Saturday with a UA game meant it was a holiday worthy of a huge pot of chili and a family gathering. I come by it honest. Today is a huge day. It is SEC championship day.

Alabama and Florida face off at 3pm Central on CBS. I will be watching, yelling at the television, and generally embarrassing my significant other. But it's ritual. It's fun. It gives my family and I something to pull togther for, unlike sticky things like politics, religion, geographic region, that can sometimes get in the way of a large and eccentric family unit. We have Crimson Tide football.

So, here are my photos for the day, special Saturday Roll Tide edition. I don't care if I'm a dork. If they win today, I will probably shed a little tear and get geared up for the National Championship, where I will probably cry again, whether we win or lose. It's emotional folks! And it's one of the best things about being from the South.

Roll Tide, y'all!









In the Shadow of the Bear, Thomas_McKane












Thanks, Coach Sabin!, lamin8














Denny Chimes, James Willamor
















Crimson Tide?, willtooke
















J's Gameday Bag, ILIGHT























Abandoned Bama Trailer Lomo hdr, sunsurfr



















bama booty, bamanut
















Roll Tide Roll!, sunsurfr

Heart of Dixie Football Notes

1. Alabama v. Florida in the SEC Championship Saturday = Frazier v. Ali

2. Auburn head coach, Tommy Tubberville, the guy with the worst last name EVER, has been fired. Sorry guys.

3. Nick Saban press conference.

What About that Olympics Bid, Mr. Langford?

HOLY MOLY! My hometown's mayor was just arrested on bribery charges. We knew Larry Langford was crazy, we just didn't know for sure he was a crook! Thanks to LC for the tip.

Alabama is #1

Guess what?

My team is #1 in the polls.

Roll Tide!

Mobile, the City on the Bay

This past weekend, Judge and I went to Mobile with two of my coworkers for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Trade Show, or SIBA. It was a lot of fun. I recently started putting my photos in a Flickr slideshow, but honestly, I don't like how it looks. So I'm just posting them here, one by one. Forgive the length, but I think it looks better.


Below, the rest stop on the Tennessee-Alabama border. The rocket sits out front. You can't go to the Alabama coast without stopping at Durbin Farms in Chilton County. The peach ice cream and fried pies are the best. Or you can just take a bushel of okra, corn, or peaches home with you. My family and I have been stopping there for years on our way to the Florida panhandle for some redneck riveria action.
First night, we went to Felix's Fish Camp in Spanish Fort, outside of Mobile. The food and service were amazing. I highly recommend it.
Veets: Across the street from our hotel on Water Street. Judge and I went over there and played with the house band for three songs. It was fun.
Royal and Dauphin in downtown Mobile.
The Saenger Theatre. Love the ornate detail on this.
Beinville Square in downtown Mobile.
Marker in Bienville Square for the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Here's a look at the outside of Veet's.
We went to Gulf Shores just to see the sunset. It was great. 45 minutes away, but great.
Ah, the trade show. Nothing but books, books, books, and more books, as far as the eye can see.
The booth for my company. We rocked it.
For our sponsored party, the Fire and Brimstone BBQ, where we launched a wonderful new novel, Cain's Version.
The author of the amazing book, Frank Durham. He's a former member of the Tulane faculty. He was a physics professor.
The outside view, where the dinner was held, on the Mobile River.
Another view of the outside, this time with food.
Frank reading from Cain's Version.
From left to right, Todd Bottorff, Publisher at Turner Publishing, Peg O'Donnell, Sales Director at Chelsea Green, Frank Durham, author of Cain's Version, and Diane Wilson, author of Holy Roller.
Frank in front of his gargantuan banner.
Don't know what this is, but I like it.

Old Live Oak

Old Live Oak
Originally uploaded by kwilliams

One last note before I give up the ghost of the lunch break - this photo is amazing.

This is why I am looking forward to seeing Mobile: South Alabama trees.

Well, there are lots of reasons, but huge Live Oaks are one.

William March

I need to put Company K on my Wish List. From Writer's Almanac about a fellow Alabamian:

Today is the birthday of the novelist and short-story writer William March, born William Edward Campbell in Mobile, Alabama, in 1893. He was one of 11 children. His family couldn't pay for his education, so when he was 14, he left school to work in the office of a lumber mill, and then a law office. He saved up money to go back to high school and then to law school, but in 1916, in the middle of his degree, he had to drop out because he just couldn't afford it. A year later, he joined the U.S. Marines, and his company was part of every major engagement of WWI. He earned some medals for his bravery, and he went back home, but he struggled with depression, paranoia, and schizophrenia. And since he couldn't bring himself to talk about his experiences in the war he decided to write about them instead — first stories, and then a novel, Company K(1933). He wanted to convey the chaos of war, so each of the platoon's soldiers takes a turn speaking. Graham Greene wrote that Company K"has the force of a mob protest; an outcry from anonymous throats. It is the only war book I have read which has found a new form to fit the novelty of the protest." William March wrote five more novels, including The Looking-Glass (1943) and The Bad Seed (1954).

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Homeward Bound

6th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL
Originally uploaded by briantmurphy

Here I come.

Come Monday

My team is on the upcoming cover of Sports Illustrated. Because they rule.

Bad News

A guy I use to play "Old Farts" hockey with died not too long ago. The Birmigham News did a great little write up on him.

I love that the guy's nickname was "Bad News." He was Birmingham's own Hansen brother - a tough enforcer with a French-Canadian accent. News story here.

Oh Yeah

Alabama won last night. It was awesome. I love college football.
Photo from the Tuscaloosa News

Roll Tide Roll

Paul "Bear" Bryant Monument at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham AL
Originally uploaded by Deep Fried Kudzu

So, it's that time.

It's that time when my family gathers in front of the television and watches college football, and it's so much fun.

I grew up thinking Bear Bryant was a God. Or at least one of the apostles. I was four when he died, but I remember that day vividly, and everyone in my household, I mean everyone, cried and fell into a deep, dark depression for weeks.

I love college football. And I love watching guys red and white run up and down the field. I even yell at the TV. No lie.

Sue me, I'm a redneck. But at least I have the pedigree - From Alabama, a real coal miner's daughter, and bad teeth.

It's ok, I wear it proudly. And if you think I don't, I'll just go hillbilly on you and beat you up. It's what we do.

I love being from Alabama, no matter what anyone says. It's the best place in the world. Seriously.

No, really.