Religion . . . opiate of the masses . . .

It's a Bluebird kinda day

Perhaps - for me Sunday Mass is rich, musical théâtre; I believe there is much theater in all religions. As long as common sense prevails that is fine. When religion becomes heavy with righteousness and preaching "Do as I say but not as I do" then there are problems. If religion gives people a sense of peace and a devotion to loving man and nature with their imperfections then religion is on the right track.  Sunday Mass gives me time to unwind from petty cares; I feel the comfort of music that transcends the building, benches and worshipers and warms my soul. Perhaps I'm just fortunate  that our choir is good! May hap - I enjoy the calm and repetition of prayers I've known since childhood. Even though the church has tried to modernize the language of the prayers I still recite them as I learned them kneeling by my bed at night with Mama. Don't need no modernization of prayers! Hell's bells, I listened to the children at the Early Learning Center say the Hail Mary without the thou's and thy's. It's horrible and hurts my ears! Not sure basic truths whether religious or secular need to be modernized. Man is still man - as imperfect as ever and that's never going to change. Have not figured out what the Divine Higgs Boson had in mind when creation erupted in his almost perfect mind. The universe was set in motion, nature began its ascendancy and the human race has been trying to trump all creation - ain't going to happen - not with the seemingly built in perverseness of man's brilliant yet feeble intelligence. The Divine Higgs Boson has work to do.

Okay - that's enough merdeski for today - still feeling fine on this glorious, bright, cold February day as I keep puppy while P&D's Pop has gone off to buy her the proper treats - seems her folks don't spoil her enough so we have to!

Quote:  It is motive alone that gives character to the actions of men. ___La Bruyere

Impressive . . .

The Hawk and the Crow - sounds like a fable!

I mailed out my passport renewal February 7 and I received my new one today! Only took about 21/2 weeks; now that's how government should work. I have been trying to stay away from the news lately because it's so anti "Just the facts, ma'am." It's impossible to get a factual story on anything - the papers shouldn't be called newspapers; rather we should call them opinion sheets and crappy ones at that! At least I have a factual report of the government doing something right so I know it is possible for government to work properly. Not sure it is newsworthy but I don't imagine it could be reported in an article without some numb nut mentioning how the president has come down hard on the people who process passports and if they don't get them back to you faster than fast they will be fired and replaced by rich, white men! Geaux Mr. President! Good job! Yay! Okay, that's enough facetiousness for today.

I went to my first Mardi Gras parade today. It was by far the best little parade around. There were around 90 shoe box sized floats and they were outstanding. Each kiddo in the Early Learning Program brought in a float. I wish I had photos but I don't bring my camera to school and even if I had photos they can not be put in a public forum. I may have one I can share if Miss C sends me the photo of her two year old with her float as she has given me permission to put it on Facebook. But little Lucy is sick today and on the way to the doctor's office so I don't think her mom will be thinking about sharing photos. There have been a lot of sick kids and adults lately - strep and colds. Yuck. Yesterday as I was reading to the class I noticed one of the little boys looked so pale and he was shivering with his eyes so dull that I asked if he felt okay - he said yes but immediately changed it to no. I went and felt his forehead and when his teacher got back to the room I told her I was quite sure he was sick. Off to the office they went;  his fever was 102 and rising. Mom had to come pick him up. Feel so awful when the little ones get sick - they really do suffer in silence as I don't think they realize they're quite sick.

Did some weed wacking yesterday and moved some bricks to the front of the back porch to make room for pots and plants. Getting itchy for flowers and maybe cucumbers - no tomatoes this year because the mockingbirds beat me to them last year. Not sure how my plants will fare but I've got to try. I miss putting around in the garden so I'll try putting around some pots and putting pine straw near the house to keep the weeds down. (Putting around and putting are spelled the same but pronounced differently!)

Quote:  Let your views in life be directed to a solid, however moderate, independence; without it no man can be happy, nor even honest.  ___Junius

Just a little craziness . . .

Pretty bird

Left to go out to breakfast this morning and there was a sheriff's car parked next to our fence; he was standing by the stop sign at the corner of our property with his radar gun aimed at the cars coming from Brown Road! We have never seen that before but I'm guessing a neighbor called the police because when traffic gets backed up on Brown because of school buses the cars cut through to Juban on our road and drive like maniacs on the 25 mph road! They're nuts. This is a small neighborhood with narrow roads - not a highway - so it doesn't make sense to scream through and run the stop sign too in order to get to the main drag.

Another bit of craziness is the doctor has changed the antibiotic after 5 days of taking it to a different and stronger one that I must take for 10 days. I'm not complaining because the other worked a little but not great. I think this one will cure me for a month or so! What the heck - I'll just keep manoeuvring the curves Mother Nature throws in my way. Be damned, Mother Nature!

We had one of the best short trips ever this past weekend when we drove to Garland, Texas for a Control Line Flying Contest. Not only did P&D's Pop win first place in Classic Stunt but also first in Profile Stunt; to add a bit of frosting on that cake I'm finally starting to feel comfortable holding the planes while he prepares for takeoff. That's a big deal for me - seems crazy to have worried about it but I'm getting less wary of the propeller - not less wary, really, just more comfortable holding the plane steady as it is ready to pull away if I don't hold tight. That's still a bit scary! We also met our nephew, Lucas and lovely friend Argelyn along with his two kiddos and our sister-in-law, Pam. It was  so nice to meet them in Texas!

Had a great Shrimp Scampi dinner last night; our tax preparer's wife made the best dinner and we enjoyed it immensely. Haven't been to visit them in a while as they get pretty busy - as a matter of fact we'll be keeping puppy for about a week as they have business to attend to and a puppy just doesn't fit into the plans easily. That's a boon for us as we enjoy having Daytona. Keeps us walking that's for sure!

Quote:  Willingness to be taught what we do not know, is the sure pledge of growth both in knowledge and wisdom.    ____Blair

Control Line Racing - Garland, Texas

On apprend le francais dans les toilettes . . . c'est vrai chez la Madeleine . . .

One of our neighbors gave me this petunia in the late Fall - Look at it now!

Even if you're pissed, Louisiana (Baton Rouge in particular) has a way to soothe your savage beast. Had to drop off a specimen to Dr. Smither which quite literally unhinged me as we are leaving for Garland, Texas (near Dallas) tomorrow morning and feeling like crapola is not supposed to be in the mix. But at least my good Doctor lets me keep a seven day supply of Bactrim on hand; so after taking the first last night along with a super Tylenol the fever subsided and I fell asleep around 2am. Got up feeling much better than I've felt in about a week and a half. I guess Lady Doc is correct - I may need a low dose antibiotic just as I did when I was in my twenties. It seems I'm not fashioned perfectly well and the imperfection leads to problems. Oh well, c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas! On fait ce qu'il faut faire pour bien vivre. Looking forward to our Control Line Contest trip and also seeing Pam, Lucas and the kiddos. Life is interesting.

The reason I've ended up writing and thinking in French is superbe. After the drop off I smoothly made my way to la Madeleine Country French Café at Perkins Rowe. After placing my order at the wrong place (pourquoi pas, après tout, c'est moi) the charming young woman showed me how the place works and I managed to snag myself a comfortable seat where I waited happily for my Crêpe Romanoff. It was an excellent choice; I think I may even be able to get P&D's Pop to eat there with me as they have regular breakfast items and pretty darned good coffee with mugs you can just keep on refilling. Bien sur I stopped at les toilettes before leaving the restaurant; as you open the bathroom door a voice greets you in French and proceeds to give a short, basic French lesson!Wow, I am so impressed with myself finding places on my own, although my friend Amy did tell me it was good.

 I also spent way too much money on Papyrus Cards at the Perkins Rowe CVS; I like Papyrus cards for special times and I suppose I should find a place closer to home that carries them or go online but that will always be an excuse to go to La Madeleine for Breakfast or Lunch. I even made my way to and from Baton Rouge without Waze; scary how good I'm getting when I'm off on my own.

Felt badly this morning because I had to let The Early Learning Center know that I wouldn't be there today; Miss Camille already knew I wouldn't be there tomorrow but I had a really good book for the kids. Damnation - I shall have to remember it next week.  Well, time to get to work with the wash, feeding the birds and exercising.

Quote:  Children generally hate to be idle, __All the care then should be, that their busy humor should be constantly employed in something that is of use to them.   ___Locke

Think I'll be giving up my self-imposed exile from Facebook . . .

Purple Finch

I have tried to find an easy place to post bird photos that is not related to Facebook but haven't come up with a good substitute for Birds of the eastern United States and . . . I seem to miss some rather important announcements! Shucks . . . so I'll be back dragging my tail behind me! Well, not really, I must force myself not to read everything posted. P&D's Pop keeps after me because instead of skimming the Advocate I read it from cover to cover and he's right - there's not too much worthwhile news and it's as biased as the TV news. I've got to find a, "Just The Facts" somewhere but I don't know where to look. Everything I come across seems to be either right or left leaning. I don't want leaning! I want facts, that's it. If I want explanations I want them delivered in a concise, historical context. I don't know where to turn. Maybe my friend Matt can help me out. I'll have to bug him when I return to FB.

Lucky I have P&D's Pop to fix everything that breaks or goes wrong. I've had trouble wearing my Birkenstocks because I have one toe on the right foot that always rubs against the outer shoe no matter what kind I wear. I think I'm oddly made. The third toe is my longest toe! In any case P&D's Pop has carved out a place for it and also drilled another hole in the buckle belt so it fits better. He can always manage to save any situation I manage to get into. Gotta love this man who has kept me well and balanced when I try to go off the deep end either physically or emotionally. We met about 53 years ago his summer and he's been doing a great job ever since helping to keep me stable! Happy Valentine's Day to all and sundry.

Quote:  Sole partner, and sole part of all my joys, dearer thyself than all.   ___Milton

Bonsoir, les amis . . . et tout le monde . . . bonsoir. . .

Gliding . . .

Slow down, you're going too fast . . . Little things mean a lot . . .

Never too many Eastern Bluebird photos

Thirsty American Goldfinches 

Never too many Eastern Bluebird photos

You know the routine.

Already a busy morning - after breakfast we were returning home when we finally saw Wally, walking not running as he used to do last year when we first moved here;  we stopped to ask how he and Muriel were doing and got the good news that they were finally back living in their formerly flooded home. They live across Brown Road which is only not even a city block from us but they were not  as lucky as we were. I now owed them a nice homemade bread because I couldn't bring it to them in August as they had to live with one of their sons while they got their property back in order. I put the Sally Lunn in the Zojirushi immediately before I went to Mass and P&D's Pop delivered it for lunchtime. I really am glad that they're finally home. They had been flooded out of their home in New Orleans in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina; they certainly didn't wish to go through that again.

While we were ordering breakfast at IHOP we were pleased that our new waitress had heated up the coffee cups - yes, it's a small thing but wow, the coffee is so much better hot and steaming even on a warm Sunday morning in February. We also stopped at Home Depot to get some wood for bluebird houses. P&D's Pop was adamant that we have good housing for our neighborhood feathered friends and the stores around here didn't have the good old fashioned sturdy houses we are used to - so we hit the bank first so we had money for housing! There are already two families installed on our half acre - one in the old residence and one in the fancy residence we ended up buying last Wednesday after we took the pupster out for a walk. We're just humming along in this warmer than usual winter weather. My flowers are taking off since I bothered to cover the ground with soil and pine straw. It's exciting. Even my Knock Out Rose is adding new shoots. I hope I get the hang of gardening in the tropics but with clay for a base. This is the most egregiously terrible soil in the USA. I do like to exaggerate upon occasion.

Must start getting ready for Sunday dinner courtesy of Mr. David. He was more than happy to see me Friday when I stopped by to get some stuffed, boneless chickens and soups. Yes, he sure turns me into a good cook. All I do is add vegetables, salad, bread and a pudding of some kind and we have a feast à la Madame Rose. Good on me! Good on P&D's Pop and whoever is visiting on a Sunday.

Quote:  My desolation begins to make a better life.   _____Shakespeare

Yay! UCONN Men played one heck of a game . . .

UCONN Men beat Central Florida to move up in the top half of the American standings. They really have improved, Kevin Ollie.  Keep after them - don't let up.  They are young and not the guys who were supposed to be having so much playing time this year but they're learning from you, coaches. Excellent. I hope Jalen Adams will recover from all the bumps and bruises.

Grabbed a few of Perry's photos . . .

No caption needed

Won $2,500 last night in the Gamblers' Race

Perry with Jay Robinson and '68 Barracuda

                               
                                 Looks like Texas people to me!

No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose . . .

Tarnation we've got a little rain at the drags! Hope it clears up - doesn't look like much so far. I am impressed by how fast these cars and dragster are. It seems that most of them are from Texas! Wow, impressive Motor Homes trailing more than impressive car trailers - almost like two monster motor homes attached - big bucks and fine cars. Not hard to get to either, just a little over an hour from home. We only had one minor problem when we tried to go across the Mississippi in the wrong direction. Road signs in Louisiana are not good! Well, looks like we're back to racing but I've lost P&D's Pop as he's looking to take photos of the racer he's been following on YouTube and I'm sitting in the car writing! I may try to get a photo with this old iPad just for merde and giggles! Darn, don't have my camera and although I've taken a lousy photo with the iPad I can't seem to get it to show up here. Phooey.

The Big Kiddo is Messing Around - Aggressive Parking with the American Australian Burnout Firebird

Can't help myself . . . Eastern Bluebirds galore . . .

Bonsoir tout le monde

Tired . . .

Yesterday's Carolina Chickadee

Love is in the air

Time to set up housekeeping

We are so darned cute

Three years olds can do that to you! 'Twas a busy day and the birds were not very obliging when I got home from the Early Learning Center. Spent much of the afternoon catching up on my exercises, walking, talking with a good friend who was going to go out and shovel snow and finally reading a couple of days worth of newspapers. Not sure why I do that to myself - reading the Advocate.  It's a habit I've picked up since childhood when reading the Hartford Courant, The Saturday Evening Post and the Sunday New York Times were de rigueur for the entire family. Since we did not have a television in our home until I was 16 years old - Matante Marianne was breaking up housekeeping so she gave Pa the TV - I rarely think of watching anything on it except if P&D's Pop is home. I don't like watching by myself; no idea why that is so but that's the way it is.  I will watch my UCONN basketball though - even if it's on ESPN3 and the video feed is jumpy.

Quote:  There are two freedoms:  the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.   ____Kingsley

This is great . . . so this is what Blue Books are all about! I thought you used them to take comprehensives at UCONN in the 60's

http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/entertainment_life/keith_spera/article_8cb0354e-ecb0-11e6-807f-ab22930ea73a.html

Bluebirds in February

Celebrating a bold UCONN Men's win . . . we have today's sunset in Denham Springs, Louisiana

Geaux UCONN

So many churches, so much crime, so many mealtime prayers . . .

Amazing background

Someone found a new home

He is handsome and gallant

She is beautiful and gracious

Almost makes you wonder what's going on in our society where there are oodles of  Christians who hold hands and say grace in restaurants; where there are two new churches going up in our city plus scads of older churches  and yet there seems to be no end to criminal activity. I'm guessing that many of the crimes are  are committed by people who were brought up in God fearing homes but have gotten into drugs, gangs and promiscuousness. It is not a racial problem. What the heck has society done to alienate this wide swath of people and turned them into losers? I've got to believe that our schools and therefore government (that means politicians) have to be blamed for a lot of the problems in our society whether you're living in Connecticut or Louisiana. Permissiveness seems to be the rage. We never tell children that there are societal standards that they must live up to: they must strive to be honest, kind, hardworking, patient and learn  basic reading, writing ( yes, writing!) and arithmetic ( no calculators or tech devices allowed!) They should respect their elders but society is at a point where their elders are as spoiled and self centered as they! Wow, too bad they weren't all brought up in the 1940's and '50's as I was. That would be the perfect cure all! Ah well, enough of this poor attempt at humor and philosophy!

We took a ride to Big Kiddo's home so we could let puppy out for a walk and stopped on the way home to pick up a new Bluebird House. I have never seen as many Bluebirds as I saw this morning in our yard. So P&D's Pop thought we should have another house in the yard. I hope it works. He had to buy a somewhat fancy house because that's all that Tractor Supply had left. The lady said they sold out of the plain ones we like. Perhaps we've been invaded by Eastern Bluebirds! That would be great. I know that I've never seen so many Goldfinches before either. We still have a flock that comes to our feeders. Also found out this morning while walking at South Park that there is a low flying Bald Eagle who swoops down four to five times a day not far from the Marketplace Walmart on Pete's Highway. I wish I could see her one of these days.

We had lunch at Denham Patty - Best Hamburgers and Seafood in Town for 15 Years! Must admit that the burgers are good. It's just a small place on Florida not far from James' Grill and seems to do a heck of a business with all the locals calling it home. We're finding our way around DS more and more easily.

Thinking of starting a regular Sunday Dinner Tradition. Pa always used to fix something special on Sunday's and I think I shall too - probably soup, boneless stuffed chicken, salad,  good bread and home made bread pudding! We'll see if I actually do it! We never do anything special on Sunday's so this would be a nice quiet part of the day and if Big Kiddo, wife and puppy wanted to visit and not have to prepare dinner at home I would have plenty to share. Not sure if I will do this but even P&D's Pop thinks it's a promising idea.

Mr. David who used to own this property and had the house built to his tall specs just came to pick up a package that was sent to our address instead of to his new address in Walker.  He told us that his step-son's vehicle was destroyed by one of the tornadoes that set down in East New Orleans.  He's fine as he was in the building where he works and the building wasn't touched. We'll have to be more careful of the weather down here!  It is changeable.

Quote:  You believe easily that which you hope for earnestly.   ___Terence

Well then . . .

Robin in Winter

Another Robin and it's not Springtime

Great Egret

Red-breasted Woodpecker - I was hoping I had caught a photo of a Red-headed Woodpecker!

I just grabbed the iPad to write and the lock screen had a tornado warning until 2pm. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised because we did drive through some light rain and then some really heavy rain and then some sunshine on our way to breakfast and to the bank in Central before hitting the post office on Hooper Road and Greenwell Springs Road to mail out my passport renewal. I think Mark Twain was talking about Louisiana when he mentioned waiting a minute and the weather will change!

Not too sure what the weather has in store for us so I gave P&D's Pop a choice of me baking a chocolate cake, an apple pie or chocolate chip cookies and he chose cookies so I'll have to get to work after I finish reading the Advocate. I'm getting better at sliding over the news unworthy of being in print. As I write a hawk swept through the yard but didn't get a bird because I heard a Jay screeching a warning and the Cardinals were taking off like Smokey and the Bandit along with the Goldfinches. We have very smart birds down here.

I was out back enjoying my hot chocolate ( don't know why I love hot chocolate in this southern clime) when I noticed that the columns on the back porch were dirty looking. I got the hose out and tried to spray them clean to no avail. P&D's Pop said I needed to use a cleaning agent  but I demurred because my right arm will not allow me to brush anything at all! As fate would have it P&D's Pop went and got the spray and a brush and cleaned up the columns. Yay! I think it was actually moss that was starting to build up on the posts. Looks really nice even though you could hardly see the build up I wanted cleaned. That's what happens when you have your good glasses on and you're working out on the back porch!

Just found out that Betsy DeVos has been confirmed - yay for Education in the USA. I wish Democrats would realize that all Republicans aren't horrible and quite a few really do have the good of the country at heart. I am constantly amazed at the politics in Louisiana that refuses to let inner city kids get a good education in private and charter schools - it has been improving in the past few years but not enough. The best schools in the state are districts that incorporated and  left East Baton Rouge Parish Schools. Baton  Rouge should be able to get its act together and hire the best teachers for the inner city kids that may not live in the "right place." The kiddos need a solid foundation no matter what their family background and they won't get that as long as the left allows the teachers' unions to dictate educational propaganda rather than common sense. I guess that's my baby rant for today!

Quote:  To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult.   ___Plutarch

Already 6,867 steps . . .

Super Bowl Sunset

Trying to save my Winter Violas and Snapdragons.

I'm doing pretty well with the walking part of Fitbit but still having trouble controlling my appetite lately. I always seem to be starving! And it's always for something I shouldn't desire - popcorn with butter and salt, Abita Springs' Rootbeer floats, Reese's peanut butter cup Blizzard in chocolate with extra peanut butter cup, cereal with cream, rib eye steaks grilled to perfection, crispy fries, homemade bread slathered with room temperature butter, dark chocolate caramels. What amazes me is that I could go on with this outrageous list! Could this be Facebook withdrawal? I think that's rather funny.

P&D's Pop is in Slaughter getting the Hyundai inspected at Wyatt's. We've already been to the Park where he's had a chance to put some more laps on the newest plane which he built from scratch. It's very nice looking and is flying well. I walked and heard that damned Red-headed Woodpecker; came close to getting a decent close up photo when the stinker took off before I had the focus. He's there in the Park but it's a big place and I swear he goes where I ain't! Of course as I write there is a Blue Jay taking a drink out of the birdbath here in the back yard. All I have to do to get the birds to show up is leave the camera in the house. If I leave it on the table on the porch they stay away. Annoying!

Got such a kick out of the Super Bowl game last night. It's the first time I've watched the entire game, not the half-time activities bien sûr! Now that was a fun game. I kinda rooted for the Patriots because they're from New England and the Falcons had beaten Green Bay so I thought I'd like to see them get beat but as the game unfolded I was excited and happy for Atlanta. I was shocked that they allowed the Patriots to comeback and beat them. That was one good game. Still feel badly for the Falcons - shouldn't have happened but I think that all of their holding penalties did them in and somehow the Patriots made their own luck when that pass from Brady was caught so close to the ground, through what looked like at least six hands. That was neat and worthy of video footage. Well I doubt there will be another Super Bowl that gets my attention. I'm glad I decided I wanted to watch this one. Maybe I'm starting to like football because of LSU - it is a fever down here!

Quote:  Wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss, but cheerily seek how to redress their harms.   ___Shakespeare

At South Park and not walking . . . almost shocking . . .

American Goldfinch in the Live Oak

Lookin' funny

Unusual Sunday - after breakfast we left for Baton Rouge Airport to pick up biggest Kiddo and his wife who were returning from seeing their newest, tiny granddaughter in Florida. On the way home I cajoled P&D's Pop into stopping to get me some garden soil and pine straw so I could make a valiant attempt to save my violas and snapdragons. I've been reading up a little about how you have to plant in Louisiana, especially in our area; you have to use a lot of bought soil and mulch. The best mulch down here is pine needles! Who'd a thunk it? So we came home with one bale of pine straw and two monster bags of Miracle Gro garden soil. I took my time weeding my poor little plants before dropping a lot of soil and packing it around them. It's supposed to be worked in three inches deep as you plant but it was too late for that. Then I carefully pulled the pine needles out of the bale because I had way too much of it and didn't want it all over the yard. After all that I wet it down. Next I added soil and mulch to my gardenia that I had planted incorrectly last year. I also managed to repot my old plants from when we first bought the house. I'm hoping for a miracle!

It's really windy and I can't believe that P&D's Pop is flying his newest plane on  Super Bowl Sunday at a very busy Park. Everyone is out walking their dogs - everyone one is playing soccer- everyone is playing football - everyone is watching Grampa's plane not crashing in the wind as I sit here at a picnic table typing away!

 I think I've almost talked myself into buying a new iPad. This poor thing has seen better days and I'm using it more and more what with podcasts, Instagram, Blogger and reading. Well, looks like two flights is the limit today so we'll be on the way home shortly. I rarely bring drinks with me but Grampa kindly made me a root beer float after I cleaned up from all the hard work I did today. Tastes good. This park is a comfortable place to be hanging out, spectating and writing.

Quote:  The principal foundation of all states is in good laws and good arms.   ___Machiavelli

That was satisfying . . .

Louisiana February

Louisiana February

Louisiana February

Puppy and his Grampa

Puppy and his Grampa

There is nothing quite as satisfying as weed-wacking and hosing off the weed wacker when you have gone through both batteries and wiping your hands on your clothes. I just enjoy it - work, yes, but in particular wiping my dirty hands on my pants. What the heck is wrong with me? Is that atavistic? Perhaps. But it feels refreshing and no one is scolding you because you're old enough to know better. You do know better but don't give a damn because you're the one who will wash the clothes anyway. I may just have to go out and work in some mud and do it again. That was pleasurable. No wonder kids like sand piles, puddles, sticks and stones, hiding behind skinny trees and playing with puppies. It's all good. It seems especially good when there's no one around to give a damn about what you're doing. What kid would ever want his Mom and Dad always seeing what he's up to? Such freedom to act is good for the soul and the mind too.

P&D's Pop decided he wanted to take Daytona to South Park for a walk so I got a chance to tag along! Not many birds but a few flowers for photos and a puppy with His Grampa! Just watched my UCONN men get whipped by Cincinnati; it's been a bad year.

 The man we bought the house from stopped by today because he had a package that for some strange reason is going to be sent to this address! P&D's Pop took his number and will call him when it comes in. He lives in Walker now and their condo wasn't caught in the August flood. He said he came by to make sure our home was okay after the flooding. Nice man. We also found out where our septic goes - not where it was supposed to go which is out front into our ditch! Yay on him. He had a friend who put it across the circle into a drainage ditch that ends up going to Brown Road. We are really lucky he was able to do that!

Time for supper.

Quote:  You are tried alone; alone you pass into the desert; alone you are sifted by the world.   ___F.W. Robertson

Wow . . . 50 years married to my best friend and lover . . .

The way we were

How cool is that? P&D's Pop and I were married on a Friday evening after we had completed our work for the day. My younger sister, his older brother, Ma, Pa and Gram were there at All Hallow's rectory for a very short service - a plain wedding. When we went to our apartment in Norwich not far from the Cathedral Pa and Ma had filled it with flowers! Sweet memories. We were back at our jobs on Monday!  So today we started out with breakfast at IHOP and he's already off to get the Dodge Ram inspected and do some flying at Bayou Park while I'll be off soon to be with the three year olds and see what's in store. I think I'll meet up with them in church this grey morning and puppy will keep the home fires burning until we return.

I have deactivated my Facebook account. Just tired of nonsense and drama; it's my own fault for getting too involved in other people's lives. We'll see if I will learn how to use my former Facebook time with better purpose than looking at information that does not improve the quality of my life!

Later today we'll go out to dinner and then spend a quiet evening at home just being us. Life will continue to unfold as usual;we'll always take whatever happens and make it work for us as best we can. I love you husband and friend since 1964 and our Stardust and Harley Davidson days.

Trying to figure out how to put articles I like into my blog . . . Not doing too well!

Nice busy couple of days . . .

Yesterday was the cat's meow.  With Ventress amie driving in her new diesel Chevy truck we went to Lecompt for lunch at Lea's Lunch Room. It's a perfect diner - only a few choices for your meal but lots of choices for dessert - they are known for their pies. I had an excellent ham sandwich, unsweetened ice tea and lemon meringue pie. Everything was just as it should be - not exotic, not gooey but just plain good. Since we were on the road we ended up going to Washington to an Antique School but as luck would have it it was closed so we just wandered around the town - what a fantastic wander! As we moseyed along taking photos of the gardens and homes a lady who was working in her backyard garden invited us to see her property which she had bought in September. You could not believe what a thrill is was to be able to go into the different buildings on this square of beautiful Louisiana land. It had been a bed and breakfast owned by an artist. The lady who owns it now was married there in 1997 and had her reception in the gardens and fully expected to buy the place if it ever came on the market. There are two cottages, a laundry building and a two story home built in 1903. Lisa is having a contractor restore the home. I will put in some photos. We spent a lot of time looking and admiring this old home before setting out to walk around the town and take more photos of the lovely streets with barely any activity at all other than a few kids getting home from school.

We took a side trip on the way home driving on Indian Bayou Levee. What an eye opener for me. I love being on top of the levees. There are homes and camps along the Bayou and places where you can put in a boat or fish from shore. I'm hoping I can get P&D's Pop to take me back with a couple of fishing poles! This area is a part of the Atchafalaya Basin.

Spent a good morning with the three year olds before getting passport photos at Walgreen's. I've only got about six months left on my passport and if I needed to leave the country I wouldn't be able to because there are only six months left on it! Somehow that doesn't make much sense to me as long as I didn't go out of the country for more than 6 months! But - the rules are the rules and I'll mail it out with my $110 tomorrow.

Quote:  Hell is full of good meanings and wishes. ____Herbert