Five Things on A Friday--Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama

1. I've done lots of school visits, so it's unusual to get a question I've never been asked before. But at Liberty Park Middle School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, one of the eighth graders asked me, "What college football team do you cheer for?"

Alabama and Auburn Universities have a huge rivalry. I told that student that college hockey is bigger in Maine than college football, but their librarian and PTO had given me these two candy bars.

"Which one do you think I should eat first?" I asked, and the gym exploded with opinions!

2. This was the view outside my hotel.

[image error] Yes, that is a replica of the Statue of Liberty in Alabama!

According to the "Birmingham Attractions" website: This is the largest replica of the Statue of Liberty, standing 31 feet and weighing 10 tons. It was cast in the same foundry in France that the original Statue of Liberty was cast in.

3. I've never been to a place where so many strangers talked to me--the ladies sitting near me in the airport, other guests at the hotel, people on the streets in Birmingham. They would just smile and start a conversation. It was really lovely. And I could listen to their accents all day! When I told the ladies at the airport where I was from, they startled and said, "MAY-in?! Good Lord!"

4. After my school visit, I had some time before my flight home. Jean kindly took me out to lunch and then she gave me a quick tour of the area. I saw beautiful hills and homes and trees. . . .and my first Piggly-Wiggly!