Praying for my Home Town Today

Last night a devastating tornado hit the town I grew up in, Tuscaloosa AL.  I spent my entire childhood there, and even attended the University of Alabama there when it was time to go to college.  The hurricane that hit was 1.5 miles wide, and so powerful that it picked up debris and dropped it in Birmingham, about 45 miles away.  In some of the photos you can barely tell where they were taken, the damage is so bad.







Thanks to Facebook and the internet, I know that most of my friends are okay - one friend from high-school lost her house, but her entire family is okay and for that she is grateful.  


At least 16 people are dead and 100's are injured in Tuscaloosa  alone.  Please keep them in your prayers as they start the huge task of rebuilding today!  I know what it's like to wake up to total devastation - Hurricane Ivan hit us in 2004, and I remember it like it was yesterday.  


Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love's sake.  Amen


From the night service of Compline, The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (ECUSA)

Druid City Art's Festival - Tuscaloosa, AL

Last weekend we were in Tuscaloosa, AL and had the chance to go to the Druid City Arts Festival.  Although there weren't very many people there, it was a great festival and Little Miss had a wonderful time!

There was rain threatening the entire time we were there (which might explain the low attendance).  However, we were able to park less than 1/2 a block away so we weren't too worried about it.  

Little Miss spied the bounce houses as soon as we got there.  Fortunately, there weren't many children in them yet so she got to have a great time playing before the older kids got there and it got too rough. 

This bounce house also had a slide, which she loved!

Later, some older children got in and actually RAN OVER Little Miss while she was waiting on her turn to go down the slide.  I scolded the children when they went to get back in the bounce house again since the mother either didn't see it or didn't care.  Is that okay to do?  In my opinion if you do something that puts my child at risk I'm going to say something to you!  

After the bounce house we went to the craft area, where we did some coloring and sidewalk chalk.  We also got to play with bubbles!

There was great music the entire time we were there, and artist booths were set up around the perimeter.  We listened to the music while we ate lunch.

All in all a great, family-friendly festival!