Sweet Home Alabama.... (what a sellout title)

We are making friends in Alabama!

And what a wonderful place it is, that is, besides the KKK, high obesity rates, tornadoes and accents that would require a translator to understand.

Just kidding... sort of.

I actually haven't seen any KKK remnants or such. Alabama seems like a safe place. I have seen alot of Black people. And of course, since I've only lived in Utah and Idaho, more than 2 Black people is alot to me. So it's been interesting and I am feeling slightly more culturally diverse than before. ha, I know that probably sounds somehow racist, but it's just the truth.

The tornadoes are a bit frightening. There was a tornado in a town called Prattville, just a few minutes north of Montgomery (where we are).

Thankfully, we were in Atlanta with Steph so we didn't have to be worried during the storm. The tornado was an E-F3. It took down a few houses, and mostly the sides of alot of buildings, including a Wal-Mart. I guess this tornado believes in better trade practices.

Seriously though, the ruin of homes is no laughing matter. We had a few friends put on there Air Force garb and offer their help to people whose homes looked in need, however, to their surprise most people didn't want any help at all. I suppose if all my material belongings were strewn all over the street I would not be eager for strangers to sort through them.
I am hoping to leave Alabama without anymore tornado stories.

The high obesity rates of the south are suddenly understandable if you take a look a the "southerner's menu." Everything seems to be fried. And of course that includes fried green tomatoes- which are delicious.

INGREDIENTS:
4 to 6 green tomatoes
salt and pepper
cornmeal
bacon grease or vegetable oil yikes, i know! it's not everyday food for expecting mothers

PREPARATION:
Slice the tomatoes into 1/4 - 1/2-inch slices. Salt and pepper them to taste. Dip in meal and fry in hot grease or oil about 3 minutes or until golden on bottom. Gently turn and fry the other side. Serve as a side dish - delicious with breakfast! http://www.about.com/

They are good, but not good enough to crave when I leave.

These pictures are of us making friends at the Shakespearean Park.

This is me supervising the retrieval of a kitten from a tree.

These birds know how it's done in Alabama... cause it's hot even in the winter. And no, this lady did not know we were taking a picture of her.

These are for your personal enjoyment...