GOOBER FOLK ART!!!

Get yours now! I got mine on December 22nd. You can guess what it was. I'll try to remember to snap a pic when it has been properly mounted. :)

Alright. As promised. GooberArt!! Yet another high school pal who remains in the town in which we grew up and graduated high school. Yet another high school pal who seems to be quite happy. I love it!! And this pal is doing what he was born to do, folks.

I could babble on (as I usually do) about the artist and his work. However, there are sites where you can get a MUCH better feel for the artist and the art. (I am still attaching a few pics to this to whet your appetites!)

Go to the Goober Folk Art myspace page for good music and a rolling review of the art. Be sure to scroll down to see the rolling review! It is worth the time, believe me!

Without further ado, let me introduce you to "Goober" and his folk art:












Hope you enjoyed our little artistic trip today!! See you next time!

OLD FRIENDS WHO REMAIN YOUNG!!

Howdy, all! I apologize for the lag in posts but things got a little busy.

I returned to Austin on December 23rd. The trip was less tedious than usual (it's a six hour drive, folks) due to having my spousal-unit with me. He had flown into the Lake Charles Regional Airport on Friday the 19th and helped get some things done around my aunt's house before we drove back to Austin together on the 23rd.

I simply vegged on Christmas Eve and Christmas. The Ron-Man made a marvelous venison Christmas chili for dinner along with some amazing "cowboy biscuits" from the new cookbook. It was wonderful... and peaceful.

Now then... back to the Louisiana scene. I will be returning to Louisiana on January 2nd at which time we will re-evaluate the need for my continued presence there. My aunt has recovered fully from the pneumonia/pleurisy issue but has been left in a weakened state requiring 24/7 assistance. There are three very wonderful ladies who are providing that assistance and I am grateful to all of them.


Okay. My "old" friends. I believe I committed to providing photos and reporting on the "catch-up" of high school pals approaching 38 years past graduation. We had a lovely lunch at Susan S.' home. Susan and Jo were kind enough to allow me to capture them on digital (guess we don't have film anymore, do we?) so I could share them with you all. That's Susan S. on the left and Jo on the right.

They both look FABulous (which I find highly irritating but will allow to pass since they are good friends) and we had a great time trying to catch up with a limited lunch time available to us. The best thing is that both seem very happy and very content with their lives. I like to hear that! I left with promises that we will get together again in January. I look very forward to that!

Oh.... and Susan S. has a couple of "babies" of her own who allowed me another "pet fix" since my fat cats remain in Austin while I travel.

That's all for this round. Stay tuned. There is information on "Goober Folk Art" coming soon!! You simply cannot miss this!! It's another high school buddy who has found his artistic niche in artwork that I really like. Maybe I'll be able to say "I knew him when..." some day?

Until the next time...

FABULOUS, DAHLING... JUST FABULOUS!

Okay. So I'm in the post office trying to get a package shipped out. I finish my business (after only waiting for one person ahead of me!) and am heading out the door when I hear "Mary Nell?"

My first thought was that all my mortal sins executed in this town during my first 18 years of life had finally caught up with me. I could only be glad the "Hanging Jail" was no longer being used to incarcerate.

I turned to see a FABULOUS looking young lady who looked exactly like a high-school buddy from (many!) years past. Yep. Sure was. Not only a voice from my past but an entire body... and a great one at that. Sigh.

After a few moments of mutual admiration, I handed off my cell phone number to be used to schedule a lunch along with yet another pal from my previous life who remains here. I got a call a day or so later from that second pal. We got together for a couple of hours last Saturday at her house. She, too, looks FABULOUS! Sigh.

Alright. You will hear more about these ladies after tomorrow's lunch. I have photos of one and plan to get a few more tomorrow. The fact they both look FABULOUS is not what this blog is about (although they do) but I'm hoping the title drew you in. :)

Here is the story. One of these young ladies (Susan S.) and I literally grew up together. I have pictures (black & white!) of her and her younger sister at my childhood birthday parties!! Oh yes. From kindergarten forward until that final Senior Prom, we were together. The other young lady (Jo) moved here with her family later. It may have been around the time we started high school. Don't quote me. At any rate, she fit right in and we all became fast friends.

Back up with me, if you will, to my and Susan's tours-of-duty at Camp Fern in Marshall, Texas. I was a Second Generation camper as my aunt (with whom I am staying now) had attended there. Susan S. and I went there and were in the same cabin. We met a terrific fellow camper in our cabin named Susan F. She was from Tampico, Mexico, and was just a hoot!! Her brother sent her a big package of rubber "bugs" which we snuck into our counselor's bunk sending our counselor, who was TERRIFIED of bugs, screaming out the cabin door up the hill into one of the "green houses" which were outhouses... real ones... when she crawled between the sheets and found little creepy crawlies there with her. Their lack of life was not noted nor would it have been important to her.

Moving forward... many years later... Susan S. and I had signed up to bunk together for our first semester at Miller Dorm at LSU (Louisiana State University for the uninformed) in Baton Rouge. Jo had scored the dorm room next door. As we unloaded our stuff and got together to go explore, Susan and I asked Jo if her roommate (who was to be assigned) had arrived yet. She indicated she had arrived but had not been met yet. We asked what her name was (you always put your name on EVERYthing when leaving for college... kind of like Camp Fern!) and Jo replied "It's Susan F." Susan S. and I just looked at each other and said "It can't be!" when we heard the same name as our co-bug-conspirator from the many years before at camp.

When Susan F. finally showed, it was, indeed, our Camp Fern pal and bug buddy!!! Who would have ever thought it? What were the odds? We spent a terrific first semester getting re-acquainted with our pal.

Lesson? You never know who might show up at what point in your life. Always be prepared and open to the fun. As I look forward to tomorrow's lunch, I have tons of old memories flooding back and anticipate a raucous and interesting time. And THAT, my blog buddies, is truly FABULOUS, DAHLING... JUST FABULOUS!!

Until next round...

CHRISTMAS... AND JUST FUN... IN THE PARK

Ah, blog-reading pals. You are in for a little treat. The local park (West Park named after the West family which was prominent here in years past) has begun to be decorated with festive lights, blow-up thingies, and all things Christmas. While the night brings the most impressive appearance (with the lights and all), I wanted you to see just a snippet of the Christmas that awaits!!

Only in Louisiana does Santa go fishing in a johnboat with an elf that catches a bigger fish!! :)

There are other fun things in the park. There is a very cool area where young'uns can climb on some sculpture items representing various things (arches in Utah, giant heads on Easter Island...).

And, actually, there are some parts of the park that are just plain pretty (is that an oxymoron?).

So, there are places of beauty wherever you may travel. Sometimes they show up unexpectedly. Always be ready!

"HAPPY TALES"

Hello, again! Welcome back.

I have a Shelter update for you. When I introduced you to Yodabelle and Pokey in a prior blog, I was also aware of another little friend, Foxy. There was no mention of Foxy nor was there a photo. Let me tell you why. (Susan L., if you read this and need to correct me or add anything, please comment!)

Foxy is a 3-legged black Pomeranian. Foxy was a Shelter dog about 2 years ago but was adopted out. Happy ending, right? Well... not quite. When my aunt's neighbor, Susan (who you will recall is a major Shelter volunteer), and her friend visited a veterinarian's office, the friend noticed a sign indicating a black 3-legged Pomeranian had been found.

What are the odds, folks? Just how many 3-legged black Pomeranians do you think there might be wandering around southwest Louisiana? Exactly. The friend recalled having been part of adopting out a 3-legged black Pomeranian in the past and asked to see the dog. Yep. You got it! It was Foxy. No tags. No information. No notices anywhere indicating the owners had lost a dog and were looking for it. Just a sweet little Pom found after having spent too much time outside on its own.

So... the Shelter ladies took charge, took Foxy back under their respective wings, and submitted Foxy to another vet for a checkup including a heartworm check. When I met Foxy, the heartworm check was not yet done and Susan had a concern that the results would be positive, signaling a potential demise for the little Pom. This was the sweetest little dog but I just didn't have the heart to photograph her until we knew the heartworm test results. I didn't want to post her for you all to enjoy then have to tell you of a sad ending. I waited two days to hear from Susan with the results.

Foxy was pronounced healthy and heartworm-free! Fabulous!! She also was very quickly placed via a Pomeranian rescue organization and was to be transported to her new home shortly thereafter. When Susan called me with the good news, I asked her to let me get a photo of Foxy before she left the state. Susan called me the other night to tell me Foxy was to head out the next morning so we met quickly in the carport for a photo op! Do you see why I didn't want you to fall in love then get bad news?



So... "Happy Tales" to all of you until we meet again.

YOUR WAIT IS OVER!!!!

The digital camera download issue was resolved today thanks to my lovely spousal-unit who was able to provide a "long-distance" resolution. Thank you, Ron-Man!!

Okay. Without further ado, I want to provide you with some of the photos from "Miracle on Washington" which I attended on Saturday, December 6th.

Please pay attention to the first four items on the menu as well as the two items on the right. I'm not kidding. This is what was posted in the window of the little concession stand on wheels. Really. No... I did not try any of these items. I can only go so far for you, my friends.

The "Combo on a stick" contains Alligator, Frog, and Shrimp. Yummmmmmmmm! Dessert? Fried Twinkies or Fried Oreos... or heck!! Why not have both?!?!?!?

No festival is complete without a Magic Show and there was one provided for all lookers. It took place in front of one of the old railcars that has been salvaged and set up as a static display near the old rail station (which is now the Beauregard Museum).

Remember... this was "Miracle on Washington!" It was a Christmas festival! How could it have been complete without Santa? With sunglasses?

Remember the Gumbo cook-off? My whole reason for going? The event to which I truly looked forward? Remember? Soul of the South and all that? Here is the one (yes... the ONE!) entrant who was kind enough to pose with the signage for me and even gave me a taste although it was early! At least he was guaranteed two prizes... first place in his category (he did a nice chicken and sausage gumbo) and the People's Choice award (who else would one vote for?).

Finally, while I am NOT a photographer by ANY stretch of the imagination, I do occasionally try to catch a shot that I think about before shooting. As I was heading back to my Texas-plated vehicle, I saw the opportunity to catch the horse & buggy, the Beauregard Parish Courthouse (the white-domed building), and the old "Hanging Jail" (you can just see the Gothic top tower above the buggy-driver's head) in one fell swoop. Could not pass that up.

So, my readers... this was the fabulously stimulating 20 minutes I spent on Saturday here in southwest Louisiana. Please do not be envious. We cannot all experience such great things. I will share as many with you as I can.

Until the next round...

DAILY NEWS? HARDLY!!

Alrighty. First of all, I DID attend "Miracle on Washington" today and took some photos I think you might enjoy. Unfortunately, I am photo-download-challenged right now due to my FlashCard being 128 mb and the software only recognizing up to 32 mb. Sigh. I have potential resolution coming on Monday and hope to get the pics and the details to you then. Stay tuned!

Now then. Today, I thought I would be smart and check out the local rag's web site in order to get more detail on the timing of the parade (it was held at 10:00 a.m.) as well as other festivities related to the "Miracle on Washington" event. Let me tell you what I found online.

"News" tab - The most recent story was dated 11/28/2008 and was about Black Friday (which was 11/28/2008)! Hardly significant on Saturday, 12/06/2008, eh?

"Sports" tab - Dated 12/02/2008, we found that the DeRidder Dragons won something.

"Lifestyle" tab - Dated 12/03/2008, the first story was about paintballing... but not locally, apparently.

"Entertainment" tab - This was the most current date of 12/05/2008 and provided some information about what Timothy Hutton is doing these days. Do I care? Ask me.

"Opinion" tab - This went back to 11/17/2008 (oldest date) and provided absolutely zero. I did note that the Guestbook could be accessed from this page but it showed a date of 6/18/2008 at 6:14 a.m. CDT. Huh?

"State" tab - a 12/04/2008 article about a deadly auto accident in Baton Rouge, I believe?

"Obituaries" tab - Apparently no one has died since 11/27/2008. Good news, I say!!!

Oh... and when I tried to pull up the "Guestbook" (yes, the one showing a date of 6/18/2008), I got a spinning wheel indicating "Loading Commenting Interface..." which apparently continued spinning for at least 2 hours. (I left it spinning, entertained a guest with my aunt, ate lunch, then checked back... still spinning.)

So... while I did provide a link to this little rag for those of you who might be interested, I would suggest that perhaps you check my blog for the more recent news. :)

Thanks for playing!! Drive through, please?

A REAL THUNDERSTORM!

For those of you familiar with Austin, Texas weather, you know it has been VERY hot and VERY dry and VERY much in drought condition for a VERY long time. (We are more than 13 inches behind in annual rainfall for 2008.) The few (and far between) rains we have had have been pitiful, at best, without any real fanfare.

Needless to say, I had forgotten how much "fun" (and I use that term loosely!) a real thunderstorm could be during its onslaught. My reminder came late last night.

As I crawled between the sheets, having spent a busy day doing fabulously interesting things (if yet another Wal-Mart run qualifies as such), I heard the pitter-patter of gentle raindrops on the roof. Shortly after settling in, I witnessed a rather significant FLASH of lightning, followed immediately by a horrendous CLAP of thunder! Upon confirming we still had electricity (light on!) and that I still had my heart in my chest (it had been in my throat briefly!), I slipped a bit further into the sheets and fortified myself for what I expected to come. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the following lightning flashes were followed by MUCH farther off thunder which actually rolled... really rolled... for long periods of time. It was almost a pleasant sound. We received a nice drenching rain with the "fireworks" off in the distance to the north. It was actually very lovely and the gentle rain had returned as I drifted off to sleep.

When I headed out on my morning walk at 7:00 a.m. today, the clouds remained but the precipitation had ended. The only clue about how much rain had actually fallen was that the pine straw and pine cones that are usually in the curbs along the street were now out of the curbed area and into the street several inches. To those who are not initiates of Louisiana rainfall and curbs, this happens when the rainfall is sufficient to create little rivers in the curbs. The pine straw and pine cones are heavy and will actually "float" out into the street as far as the water pushes out into the street. When the little rivers subside, the pine debris remains at where the edge of the water had been. No rain gauges required here!!! Just count the inches from the curb to the pine debris!! :)

Okay... it's not really QUITE like that... but there is some validity to what I have told you.

Until the next fascinating ramble...

"MIRACLE ON WASHINGTON"

Heidy-Ho!! I'm back in southwest Louisiana. This time I am armed with my trusty digital camera and actively seeking photo-worthy items/events!! Be ready!!

The first potential photo-worthy event could be the upcoming "Miracle on Washington" Christmas Festival on December 6th. The first thing you might want to know is that "Washington" refers to Washington Avenue which runs parallel to the railroad tracks and comprises the "downtown" (both blocks) of DeRidder. The second thing you might ask is what "Miracle" is being heralded. I don't know. That provides me with a reason to go. The biggest thing about this particular festival is that it includes the 4th Annual Gumbo Cook-off!!! Oh yes, my friends. Gumbo. The soul of the South. Louisiana's Chili. And I'm there for it.

You need to know there will be three gumbo categories; wild game (don't know if that will include roadkill... more later), seafood (if it lives in water, it counts), and non-seafood (if it ain't wild game or seafood, what would it be doing in gumbo... unless it's chicken & sausage?). Now the COOL thing about this is that festival attendees may vote for their favorite gumbo. Will I be casting a ballot? Oh, you BETCHA'!!! Yummy. Cannot wait. Watch for the full report (maybe with pictures?) next week.

Stay tuned. There is a whole "Christmas in the Park" to be reported on later although I missed the actual Festival which took place last Saturday, November 29th. I assure you there are a plethora of lighted items to photograph, however, so do not lose hope.

Best to all. I look forward to being your eyes and ears here in southwest Louisiana for this festive season.