tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57278435310285154442024-03-14T10:06:08.612-05:00Views from My Highland CottageMy cottage is hidden away behind our house and is the perfect spot for reading, writing, listening to music, gardening, dreaming, and just enjoying life.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-86303094680201395642022-01-29T00:07:00.000-06:002023-02-06T16:34:51.396-06:00Once Upon a Time during a Litter Clean-up<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3iU6P_fFz4W1hjCNSITvQMpWdhBsJj07bZgEe_BJy96zJPL7Z5IkIJMFKSUr7gdpe_caI3nsE3L5u7857e6NhqvrzvE4wfHBfQYn3Yo3frA5MGo47spa-J6-iwpW3a1Fqv2xFeqRv6VG3_PhngfqOZWHA9n2URgKQUlEyoZj7V-k_nYQFJhZbAbEz=s1443" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1443" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3iU6P_fFz4W1hjCNSITvQMpWdhBsJj07bZgEe_BJy96zJPL7Z5IkIJMFKSUr7gdpe_caI3nsE3L5u7857e6NhqvrzvE4wfHBfQYn3Yo3frA5MGo47spa-J6-iwpW3a1Fqv2xFeqRv6VG3_PhngfqOZWHA9n2URgKQUlEyoZj7V-k_nYQFJhZbAbEz=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s
a chilly Saturday morning, and I’m picking up litter in a vacant lot as part of
our monthly neighborhood clean-up when an African American man, casually but
neatly dressed in blue jeans and a black jacket, walks by me on the
street.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He
stops and asks me, “Do you belong to that church?” and he points to the large
Methodist church a half block away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No,”
I say, “but I know a lot of people who attend that church. Why do you ask?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Because
my mother, my mother,” the man’s face contorts with an effort to control his
emotions. I decide to wait and not say anything once I see he’s trying to talk
through tears. I just stand there, trying to look sympathetic. “I just lost my
mother,” he finally tells me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m
so sorry,” I respond automatically. I’m really trying to figure out where this
conversation is going. Is he going to ask me for money? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m
sorry,” the man then apologizes to me. “My name is Thibodaux,” and he adds his
first name. “I’m from South Louisiana.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As
soon as I hear his name and his accent, I know he’s from deep in south
Louisiana. I look at him more closely. Because of his light skin tone and high
cheekbones, he looks like he could be part Native American. The South Louisiana
Houma tribe has many members who are Indigenous and Black. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I
moved up here for work, I’m a jockey,” he says. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whatever
I expected, it wasn’t this. Louisiana Downs, a horse racing track, is across
the river in Bossier Parish. Despite our proximity to the track, I don’t know
that I’ve ever met a professional jockey before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
tell him my name. We continue to talk. He says his mother died this year, while
his wife passed away from COVID at the first of the pandemic before vaccines. He
moved to northwest Louisiana to work at the track, but he was seriously injured
when he was thrown from a horse. He had back surgery and now has pins and rods
in his back and neck. The injury also affects his hands, and his surgeon told
him he needs to go on disability. He says he has a lawyer working on the
disability claim.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
tell him I’m an educator but long ago I was in social services. In my mind, I’m
trying to think of ways to help this man. “Have you considered Vocational
Rehabilitation, so you could be retrained for another job?” I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mr.
Thibodaux ignores my comment about vocational rehabilitation. “My daughter is
in social services. She majored in sociology in college. Most of my relatives
are teachers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again Mr. Thibodaux
surprises me as he talks about his college educated family. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I
majored in sociology, too,” I say. You would think my studies would prevent me
from so quickly stereotyping people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mr.
Thibodaux asks if I’m from Shreveport. “No, I’m from the mountains of
Virginia,” I respond.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve
only seen mountains once in my life,” he says, “and that was in New Mexico.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
continue to talk. I mention vocational rehabilitation again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What
am I going to be retrained as? I’m 59, all I know is horses. My cousin is a
trainer, but I can’t be at the track and not ride,” Mr. Thibodaux says.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe
vocational training that has something to do with computers?” I suggest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I
can hardly work my phone,” he responds. “My cousin’s 8-year-old daughter was
playing with my phone one day when I was over there. She wanted to play a game
on my phone and asked me how to find the game. I tell her my phone won’t do
that. She looks at me and says, ‘You need to modernize.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s an 8-year-old telling me to
modernize.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chuckles, but says he
knows nothing about computers. “Why the keyboard isn’t even in alphabetical
order,” he says. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Speaking
of phones, mine is starting to ping with messages from the rest of the litter
clean-up detail, wanting to know where I am. I ignore them for the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mr.
Thibodaux tells me through tears that even though he’s Catholic, his mother
told him that as long as he goes to church, he will be okay. That’s why he was
inquiring about the large Methodist church in our neighborhood. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He
says he made good money as a jockey. Even if he gets disability, it’s hardly
anything, he adds. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I
have a two-year-old daughter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
spreads his arms out wide, “There’s a big age difference in my children. I want
to send my little girl to college like I did my older daughter. How am I going
to do that on disability?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
have no answers except to explore Vocational Rehabilitation options. Finally,
Mr. Thibodaux looks at me and says, “I don’t even know what that is.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe
you just want to start with a free computer class,” I suggest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Where
do I do that?” he asks. I try to think of options that haven’t been put on hold
because of COVID. He tells me someone told him to go to the library. I agree,
but I know that all in-person library programming has been paused because of
the surge in the Omicron variant here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally,
Mr. Thibodaux and I part ways. He is so sweet cautioning be to be careful as I
descend an incline to the sidewalk, then tells me not to overdo it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By
the time I start communicating with the rest of my group, I’m kicking myself. I
didn’t find out exactly where Mr. Thibodaux lives. He told me the street name,
but I forgot to ask for the address. If I knew the address, I could tell him if
I find a free computer class that’s currently available. I could see if the
assistant pastor at the Methodist church might visit him. Maybe my husband and
I could check on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
feel like I failed Mr. Thibodaux. I stereotyped him because of some past
experiences in the neighborhood, assuming he wanted something from me more than
just a human connection. I also messed up when I tried to solve his problem
instead of just listening. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
would like to say that I learned an important lesson that changed my behavior,
but shortly thereafter as I picked up litter on my way back to the parking lot
at the end of the clean-up, out of the corner of my eye I see a man following
me. I go on alert—what does he want? I step off the sidewalk and turn around,
smiling and saying, “You’ve going to have to go around me, I’m moving slow
today.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Behind
me on the sidewalk is a middle-aged Black man who doesn’t appear to have any
teeth. His clothes are baggy and worn, but here he is, holding a cold bottle of
water out to me. He says something I can’t understand. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank
you!” I tell him. “You are so sweet! Why, this is so kind of you! Thank you so
much!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He
turns without a word and walks away in the opposite direction. I take a big
drink of water and berate myself again for assuming that strangers who approach
me want money.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My
neighborhood is challenged but it never fails to surprise me, and most of the
surprises are positive. When will I learn to assume the best of people? Then a
persistent voice says, “You still must be careful, sister, you live in an urban
neighborhood. You’re doing the best you can.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But am I?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrlx0zsibYWuCbtylQKTv_-AAFp_FMW94Lsssz3hYqAWbhvE3-KF5hHmE8BZVKfBsOCLURWJNM3N9JTs9MGTqYxhjdDUjx90AVXgAWUEuU7j9OvTpFSbhUzNW41vlIVULsh07IVHiXyShQnJrTdWJSlLzk2zELXzMfFktJi2eMJUc_IyGTD04uY1VU=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrlx0zsibYWuCbtylQKTv_-AAFp_FMW94Lsssz3hYqAWbhvE3-KF5hHmE8BZVKfBsOCLURWJNM3N9JTs9MGTqYxhjdDUjx90AVXgAWUEuU7j9OvTpFSbhUzNW41vlIVULsh07IVHiXyShQnJrTdWJSlLzk2zELXzMfFktJi2eMJUc_IyGTD04uY1VU=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">abandoned fourplex a couple blocks from my house<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfgO63JmBBbJ2mmnuXIXASf1udUWFLtXHa1YnRpDnFGqpV3aWL5599csTSRkQfgmZljIK6if0wYr__AmlGoKn5ry0GtaP9j0qRceU0b4jq3RBsCUU0l29X_2GA_pG7hiIc1RociKMfDw9EG6VuxNR27gdtQzNa49NvI5TR5R_6j6seOC7OBEtCMgeG=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfgO63JmBBbJ2mmnuXIXASf1udUWFLtXHa1YnRpDnFGqpV3aWL5599csTSRkQfgmZljIK6if0wYr__AmlGoKn5ry0GtaP9j0qRceU0b4jq3RBsCUU0l29X_2GA_pG7hiIc1RociKMfDw9EG6VuxNR27gdtQzNa49NvI5TR5R_6j6seOC7OBEtCMgeG=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My house decorated for 2021 Mardi Gras<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF44UgMKlr2zu309lbE-BMHIS7mVkFeJD-3ywg_vf8GXAQB2bYT_L9oUUwoO7H5bUZQvnhzHUoZq1VfQNkiIzzROR_KLjlsS7F8mt7OKaBxFqY8xdH0QH2x5p7LExnajV62vrG16fTTMOQPNO_wrMGL-CEUIU7kQP93k5j7JjzyQMc5g9FEKkYBQzs=s1855" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1855" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF44UgMKlr2zu309lbE-BMHIS7mVkFeJD-3ywg_vf8GXAQB2bYT_L9oUUwoO7H5bUZQvnhzHUoZq1VfQNkiIzzROR_KLjlsS7F8mt7OKaBxFqY8xdH0QH2x5p7LExnajV62vrG16fTTMOQPNO_wrMGL-CEUIU7kQP93k5j7JjzyQMc5g9FEKkYBQzs=w400-h196" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite fourplex in the neighborhood under renovation!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-53639839794543029792021-04-23T17:42:00.018-05:002021-04-24T11:05:20.440-05:00Book Spine Poetry and April Flowers<p>April is Poetry Month, and one of the women in my writing
group was talking about the public library promoting book spine poetry this
month as a fun activity. I have a decent-sized
library so I decided to see what I could do with books from my shelves. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Without spending a great amount of time on the activity,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
entertained myself creating these poems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A side benefit was the necessity to dig
through my library and discover books I had forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ovRQHxa9f9KznlbH57hmWLLm15ZX8qdx97NKH5DfnbX7UjiIvGmIIce0SwvlTXCYiN3nCSwcuk7O6iXoFpfhucHEQu8YVosu3-Xi6OF89jeuKXanw3GqDc6q1tKI47HFTKAOEvkb5jo/s2016/Beach+music+book+spine+poetry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ovRQHxa9f9KznlbH57hmWLLm15ZX8qdx97NKH5DfnbX7UjiIvGmIIce0SwvlTXCYiN3nCSwcuk7O6iXoFpfhucHEQu8YVosu3-Xi6OF89jeuKXanw3GqDc6q1tKI47HFTKAOEvkb5jo/w640-h480/Beach+music+book+spine+poetry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirct5aZR3XLSEz1C4iousfpyRBA2354i_EoSKIeM4AWWpDuPsKp3MM5OF8pL4wp9vhM3NTIsEBqQ1xWOh5Y03loIzGZgZr04lhd4M1duudnJKzaH76_nwq7opbVGj4a0mqG1hojWbVNMg/s1870/Breathing+Lessons+book+spine+poetry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="1468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirct5aZR3XLSEz1C4iousfpyRBA2354i_EoSKIeM4AWWpDuPsKp3MM5OF8pL4wp9vhM3NTIsEBqQ1xWOh5Y03loIzGZgZr04lhd4M1duudnJKzaH76_nwq7opbVGj4a0mqG1hojWbVNMg/w502-h640/Breathing+Lessons+book+spine+poetry.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFgkixZsyi7ebb26B6MHzRBTcjaOMiIbQlTnmqKfKBISLerV3eq5UojjeEAU0tzTHud3zmYr35Hq5eXNyvIlguBERwUH88XXxl8hzKC_0Ms1UF6gMEKjr0QSAXeIvW479ktrdeTpaW90/s1807/in+praise+of+love+book+spine+poem.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="1807" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFgkixZsyi7ebb26B6MHzRBTcjaOMiIbQlTnmqKfKBISLerV3eq5UojjeEAU0tzTHud3zmYr35Hq5eXNyvIlguBERwUH88XXxl8hzKC_0Ms1UF6gMEKjr0QSAXeIvW479ktrdeTpaW90/w640-h524/in+praise+of+love+book+spine+poem.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk2YHUdTORaq3xXoorAzWgAOQWhV_8WjPCMgi_Ad_mDOGcPVvZRDni3_O58bSQ8JbcbrHPSFavYZbP6IXYB3QUl5MVo0FfGIlqqWaoZVDqkIbieNzkuSTtBW5d96hrZc0UVArkDW-6B0/s2016/Eva+Luna+Book+Spine+poem.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk2YHUdTORaq3xXoorAzWgAOQWhV_8WjPCMgi_Ad_mDOGcPVvZRDni3_O58bSQ8JbcbrHPSFavYZbP6IXYB3QUl5MVo0FfGIlqqWaoZVDqkIbieNzkuSTtBW5d96hrZc0UVArkDW-6B0/w480-h640/Eva+Luna+Book+Spine+poem.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4s_3SIjkXzfM3Q1i4j29SX4dVVOTYtkq4PgXafnkXPI4C1aA9v33D7XitXd15XIWTvU8XvtUn-SPImmlUrXMrYA-hjkHcYdf6PuSxWUAHZ_A6ZqpTXW2wtt2RLDeOVpc23MMOvh27iCE/s1700/Dream+state+buffalo+woman+horizonal+best.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1700" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4s_3SIjkXzfM3Q1i4j29SX4dVVOTYtkq4PgXafnkXPI4C1aA9v33D7XitXd15XIWTvU8XvtUn-SPImmlUrXMrYA-hjkHcYdf6PuSxWUAHZ_A6ZqpTXW2wtt2RLDeOVpc23MMOvh27iCE/w640-h568/Dream+state+buffalo+woman+horizonal+best.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Have you tried book spine poetry, or is it too silly for you? It's kind of addicting, looking for interconnections between titles. I have a picture or a story in my mind for each of these. Perhaps it's just word play, but fun nonetheless.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In other Highland Cottage news, most of our plants survived our Deep South February "snowmageddon" and cold temperatures that I wrote about in my last post. Actually plants may have had an easier time dealing with the unprecedented events of the cold spell than people did. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Below are a few photos from our front yard today. We appreciate spring beauty more than ever this year. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lBl1OGVcVyxQIIJ6J6m_lC4c4u69tzuzezTkImgD4QyQxbC3XuBdevk4q0LAv9cCq0Liwu3CRMx5l-xFYh07SIVB-h9qYb_i2zhWRNZgzlj0IUBVXr9qA8__7z-t6HBJH6qqEMK9VWY/s1370/Roses+and+Eakins+house+BEST.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lBl1OGVcVyxQIIJ6J6m_lC4c4u69tzuzezTkImgD4QyQxbC3XuBdevk4q0LAv9cCq0Liwu3CRMx5l-xFYh07SIVB-h9qYb_i2zhWRNZgzlj0IUBVXr9qA8__7z-t6HBJH6qqEMK9VWY/w378-h400/Roses+and+Eakins+house+BEST.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <i>Rosa Shreveport (Grandiflora Rose)<br /></i> Shreveport roses display their vibrant color & hardiness</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2bprn7z96cUrbkESgZ2Ghc3e9j63a7OUPbF0JGjJqmJ0gvb6TJEIaJ_f_bpZxKxN51REdhgiioR8BftFGfW98gj7Ec7l1Pk-6e-5Hqp92AF7dtgzLav0XQjSNktCewLsK2_70l9erT8/s2016/tractor+with+flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="2016" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2bprn7z96cUrbkESgZ2Ghc3e9j63a7OUPbF0JGjJqmJ0gvb6TJEIaJ_f_bpZxKxN51REdhgiioR8BftFGfW98gj7Ec7l1Pk-6e-5Hqp92AF7dtgzLav0XQjSNktCewLsK2_70l9erT8/w400-h256/tractor+with+flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lenten Rose and violas with old toy tractor <br />we dragged from someone's trash heap</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0T8QiWUou9IECb5Pra-_iuRzCFA83oE76vuOx92hUsafmwofBrPhhaLh_XvuF510AUAI3Mh5uFbM5ibxIyeo7dnJ0h1Qud8jAyKnq2bfEf5kKiaqgDcx9kpJyjxI1Uhv5KYCZcLvR7Q/s2016/native+gladiolus+cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0T8QiWUou9IECb5Pra-_iuRzCFA83oE76vuOx92hUsafmwofBrPhhaLh_XvuF510AUAI3Mh5uFbM5ibxIyeo7dnJ0h1Qud8jAyKnq2bfEf5kKiaqgDcx9kpJyjxI1Uhv5KYCZcLvR7Q/w300-h400/native+gladiolus+cropped.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native gladiolus </td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for the stopping to visit my Highland Cottage. It's spring in southern tornado alley, so we are watching storms heading our way tonight....April showers!</p>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-18471553418046333452021-04-11T23:15:00.000-05:002021-04-11T23:15:16.107-05:00February and March 2021 Happenings: Snowmageddon and the Great Pyrenees<p>It has been a couple of months since I’ve written a
blog post, and I always must write a catch-up post, as if everyone were on the
edge of their seats wondering, “What has Teresa been doing since she last wrote?” My Facebook friends already know, but maybe
some of you do not. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The end of February brought snow and cold to
Shreveport, which almost shut our city down.
We didn’t have a snow day; we had a snow week. It’s hard to say how much snow we got—about six
inches in all—interspersed with freezing rain and sleet over the course of
several days, and the temperatures didn’t climb above freezing. There were no snowplows. Roads became treacherous. People were urged to stay home. Employees couldn’t get to work. One Brookshires grocery store operated all
day with four employees. Hospital
employees slept over to insure someone would be there to care for the patients,
including many with COVID. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxsaKUxf3w_ARtBUaGcPH-St62J7gzruhpudvvvKA936z7gN5HE5MvGtTOcUMnGlFRHHTsKUhcw8ecm6oCFek0SzSEixi-_ScboqqpWlq8ZRrhYlfD_pnS1f23v51Fobg-q4QLMnCYjw/s2016/snow+pic+of+house+with+Treble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxsaKUxf3w_ARtBUaGcPH-St62J7gzruhpudvvvKA936z7gN5HE5MvGtTOcUMnGlFRHHTsKUhcw8ecm6oCFek0SzSEixi-_ScboqqpWlq8ZRrhYlfD_pnS1f23v51Fobg-q4QLMnCYjw/w400-h300/snow+pic+of+house+with+Treble.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of our house with snow, dog, and Mardi Gras decorations</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_9VSnAclicl5J2sbmctqvkHeLx7sHQGyIbRNVr4BZ3nWNn8-iRCJijTg66yBsvldLxF-YzGlq760GQqXMwRYjQx5PAnpqk_KsV3xK1xNBhIWJrJxQG4_O12-VOqpZLaIh2W-T3BDgmk/s2016/TES+walking+Treble+in+big+snow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_9VSnAclicl5J2sbmctqvkHeLx7sHQGyIbRNVr4BZ3nWNn8-iRCJijTg66yBsvldLxF-YzGlq760GQqXMwRYjQx5PAnpqk_KsV3xK1xNBhIWJrJxQG4_O12-VOqpZLaIh2W-T3BDgmk/w300-h400/TES+walking+Treble+in+big+snow2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking Treble on a cold snowy day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bMwZ09atgfLWxx_gm7u8FZ2WHsAkqyOwMqXHM23dDQmvUdkMNV3702qUfpdyaojbTf9wl9MvwE2KvGve46zMCdvo-0qgMgzOhHY4aN2D_zmCYYWUJQt_dSifISGOYlrJSBrD8-dA2cc/s2016/FRE+walking+Treble+in+big+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bMwZ09atgfLWxx_gm7u8FZ2WHsAkqyOwMqXHM23dDQmvUdkMNV3702qUfpdyaojbTf9wl9MvwE2KvGve46zMCdvo-0qgMgzOhHY4aN2D_zmCYYWUJQt_dSifISGOYlrJSBrD8-dA2cc/w300-h400/FRE+walking+Treble+in+big+snow.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky and Treble walking in the neighborhood</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Shreveport’s water system failed, unable to get water
to most of the city’s neighborhoods. Volunteers began addressing the mounting
crises while city, state, or federal entities struggled to respond. Oil field tanker trucks hauled water to area
hospitals to fill their boilers so the hospitals would have heat. A local bottled water company, Music Mountain,
donated potable water to hospitals and other essential facilities. Our city council woman arranged for the bottled
water company to donate water that first responders distributed to the elderly. Volunteer groups raised money and began distributing
water to high need individuals. People
melted snow for water to flush toilets. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3DHHGpxcQVl4lTwlXFAv7sSacINdFdTuCzjUPOzAB-ddLbhRrL4pNQ4oF0tM-a_xxbbsKcQcIngsbSb4WoqLjrWcUzv5S0V4WCfH_B7egRTcf-iQYZRCvX-5OMcUq9BcMkL3_KV0D00/s2016/collecting+snow+for+melting+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3DHHGpxcQVl4lTwlXFAv7sSacINdFdTuCzjUPOzAB-ddLbhRrL4pNQ4oF0tM-a_xxbbsKcQcIngsbSb4WoqLjrWcUzv5S0V4WCfH_B7egRTcf-iQYZRCvX-5OMcUq9BcMkL3_KV0D00/s320/collecting+snow+for+melting+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collecting snow for melting<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgTzEenqo6wNCakBeRceUk_LGJKnumgHYBzmw4hSYs96eH3f6xBo1eK4PBm61juBcZpdn0g_9IggKt_SU9pWJ3DfMCnfRYF8JKbbRxEU_vab3XMp_OblgygqMnkJnubMLYnzpjEpz07Q/s2016/Melting+snow+in+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgTzEenqo6wNCakBeRceUk_LGJKnumgHYBzmw4hSYs96eH3f6xBo1eK4PBm61juBcZpdn0g_9IggKt_SU9pWJ3DfMCnfRYF8JKbbRxEU_vab3XMp_OblgygqMnkJnubMLYnzpjEpz07Q/w300-h400/Melting+snow+in+kitchen.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melting snow on the stove</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The frigid temperatures, which one night was five
degrees above zero, added to the misery. Shreveport's older homes are built with pier and beam
construction, which meant that pipes froze in many older homes despite efforts
to insulate them. Once the water system
failed, no one could leave faucets dripping, so this added to the number of frozen pipes. When the weather finally
warmed up and the city got water back into all the neighborhoods, citizens
discovered burst pipes everywhere.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">We had so many broken pipes at our house that Ricky
turned the water off at the street.
Ricky repaired one broken pipe for an outside faucet, but when we turned
the water back on, we still had water running down outside from behind an
exterior wall next to a bathroom. We
turned the water off again before the leak could damage an inside wall. We needed a plumber to repair the broken pipes
under the house, and plumbing companies were booked for weeks into the future. We had no running water for 12 days
while we waited on the plumbers. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Brookshires Grocery sent an 18-wheeler to Shreveport
filled with pallets of water, which our neighborhood group helped distribute in
the store parking lot. One Shreveport brewery,
Great Raft Brewing Company, let individuals fill up containers with clean water
that they would ordinarily be using to make beer. We picked up water at both locations, and
Ricky bought lots of water at near-by Music Mountain Bottling Plant, which we shared
with others. Once our neighbors’ water
pipes were repaired, they let us fill up buckets of water from their outside
faucet to use for flushing, but the city remained under a boil order for days, so
we drank and cooked with bottled water.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPSKoZ5Tj3BEwfykbWzPfIIVgfR9MQ74wZuxzFa0XzEh7bW5QSd-NdwF3RAhweMOtSXY-kz5Fikc1qpkmArRtDt53kelFZGTB6km9Li79JgNLOoxD5raU0WIASS8ev7l2q2mTr3tXRBM/s1280/giving+out+water2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="956" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPSKoZ5Tj3BEwfykbWzPfIIVgfR9MQ74wZuxzFa0XzEh7bW5QSd-NdwF3RAhweMOtSXY-kz5Fikc1qpkmArRtDt53kelFZGTB6km9Li79JgNLOoxD5raU0WIASS8ev7l2q2mTr3tXRBM/w299-h400/giving+out+water2.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My neighbor, in foreground, and I <br />giving out water at Brookshires</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Once the weather drama was behind us, Ricky and I
continued to be involved in our Highland neighborhood, a national historic
district in Shreveport. Our neighborhood
needs some love and not just when the pipes break. Highland is suffering from blight and neglect
from property owners and often city officials. The large houses in Highland
were subdivided into small, inexpensive apartments in the past, and many renters
of these poorly maintained apartments are low-income and transient, contributing
to the piles of furniture and rubble that often line our sidewalks. Fortunately, Highland is also home to young investors who
are trying to save the historic housing stock and restore the neighborhood.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj245libnPqKAwvWi5kZyZfmecxVZj-cTopEU3mrCUecFeO6lsYho1Ylijx7Bft0W3M5c1TdUNNLyTsOEK5N-JDRjHdGpWeflerQ60NMHsxJ4Q8epvJtkx-39jN15JUUCt7NUcduB9yYzo/s2016/Blue+house+blight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj245libnPqKAwvWi5kZyZfmecxVZj-cTopEU3mrCUecFeO6lsYho1Ylijx7Bft0W3M5c1TdUNNLyTsOEK5N-JDRjHdGpWeflerQ60NMHsxJ4Q8epvJtkx-39jN15JUUCt7NUcduB9yYzo/w400-h300/Blue+house+blight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarded up apartments, allowed to decay</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt09Da6b-cAk9s1Reo6vtIzVyuN6nU5LfFoXoTl4lRPaxoQ2v8RWxmsHyNQ3p0QC2PePClPY4AQ-V5yeVYkaWShmop_PMZ1EvjYeCXTLdlwY0rToSzUOU9TY_2-_UF-uqvwJARgcxVp4/s2016/Columbia+St+duplex+blight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt09Da6b-cAk9s1Reo6vtIzVyuN6nU5LfFoXoTl4lRPaxoQ2v8RWxmsHyNQ3p0QC2PePClPY4AQ-V5yeVYkaWShmop_PMZ1EvjYeCXTLdlwY0rToSzUOU9TY_2-_UF-uqvwJARgcxVp4/w400-h300/Columbia+St+duplex+blight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duplex open to transients, being allowed to decay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsYH2PvxT0Q5Nv1iIngtvnyncDLYVzSHWgbnaccD4Xrts6ERUA3xOV9KlElwzyAv-3MDoOqf0CIbvC_FOiuPp5QCk-p9e434qBcHg6XkHtte589Ct4IaaoE5DpjRQ3M1FlYNNFNHnB2U/s2016/house+fixed+up+next+to+Columbia+St+blighted+duplex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsYH2PvxT0Q5Nv1iIngtvnyncDLYVzSHWgbnaccD4Xrts6ERUA3xOV9KlElwzyAv-3MDoOqf0CIbvC_FOiuPp5QCk-p9e434qBcHg6XkHtte589Ct4IaaoE5DpjRQ3M1FlYNNFNHnB2U/w400-h300/house+fixed+up+next+to+Columbia+St+blighted+duplex.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recently restored bungalow next to duplex shown above</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">In the last couple months, I’ve worked with our
neighborhood association on various projects including zoning issues involving
historic preservation, plus I continue my daily litter abatement efforts, i.e.,
picking up trash daily when we walk our dog.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWFAf1wT6C1Rd1tMcwIHZJgiCUMV0p2iDLyz4uf2ozhfvOfq4sBQR_mG1stkwS8II8gglrP9eDiTC9x38KbqfnKBZ6EhL3_SzsSEXrJM4X4PXcK-EesfNEDaPFr7Jm53XQ06EptLxCvk/s2016/TES+bag+of+litter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWFAf1wT6C1Rd1tMcwIHZJgiCUMV0p2iDLyz4uf2ozhfvOfq4sBQR_mG1stkwS8II8gglrP9eDiTC9x38KbqfnKBZ6EhL3_SzsSEXrJM4X4PXcK-EesfNEDaPFr7Jm53XQ06EptLxCvk/s320/TES+bag+of+litter.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Litter from neighborhood sidewalks </td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7BvelnuzadhyphenhyphenOi7RqLIHUphHEV-RO5IoLN3iWXLNBoC2GB-FaIYeMwyp0dr5Z1iuRW28JIypPYUE8_Qgzq7jUCrBp8uOkd2vVo4wmX6bNuHohQLW9w3TyVX2EFgDZ7T5zCWXhSq0rKg/s2016/Ricky+picking+up+trash+along+creek+in+park+rotated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7BvelnuzadhyphenhyphenOi7RqLIHUphHEV-RO5IoLN3iWXLNBoC2GB-FaIYeMwyp0dr5Z1iuRW28JIypPYUE8_Qgzq7jUCrBp8uOkd2vVo4wmX6bNuHohQLW9w3TyVX2EFgDZ7T5zCWXhSq0rKg/w300-h400/Ricky+picking+up+trash+along+creek+in+park+rotated.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky picking up trash along the creek in <br />neighborhood park</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Speaking of dogs, somehow, I got enmeshed in the
plight of our neighbors’ two Great Pyrenees dogs, Coco and Grayson, who broke
out of their fenced compound multiple times a day. They loved to roam at night, but they would
also take early morning walkabouts.
Everyone in the neighborhood began to recognize them. Some residents would walk the huge dogs back
to their yard, but the fence couldn’t hold them. One sweet family kept the Great Pyrenees
inside their house for the entire day, along with 5 children and their own pets
until the dog owners could claim them.
Photos showed the Great Pyrenees looking relaxed laying in the middle of
the living room floor, or one even sprawled on a spare bed at one point. One local veterinarian let Coco and Grayson
spend the weekend at her clinic when they followed a man and his dog inside the
vet office one Friday. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqDEHx-LAzyiIk6aiUpTOOHzde22xWUjZodMMh15ucEPR0TKiWVEycEgmYVYdWPxRgb7rmbgwNpKPOzbrfuqq7U3PPtq0vLHbBrVw5EJmDhwrJUgE5v6h0O2EJLJE0l7GunU6hThh8gA/s2016/Great+Pyrenees+escaping+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqDEHx-LAzyiIk6aiUpTOOHzde22xWUjZodMMh15ucEPR0TKiWVEycEgmYVYdWPxRgb7rmbgwNpKPOzbrfuqq7U3PPtq0vLHbBrVw5EJmDhwrJUgE5v6h0O2EJLJE0l7GunU6hThh8gA/w300-h400/Great+Pyrenees+escaping+%25282%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Pyrenees escaping through their fence</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rWRVT5QIhyvdcTnUVaPSdLifKN2S33olM2NGgbCJUs9OLzlf_lqfBSDnieZupCx0V7_kkLHtDWaMIgQLfgTF72GvqVJNm1otv15997pZaud2pOTxeytwojNzjWnSuhMrkQ6jEvYsc9o/s2016/Great+Pyrenees+and+Treble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rWRVT5QIhyvdcTnUVaPSdLifKN2S33olM2NGgbCJUs9OLzlf_lqfBSDnieZupCx0V7_kkLHtDWaMIgQLfgTF72GvqVJNm1otv15997pZaud2pOTxeytwojNzjWnSuhMrkQ6jEvYsc9o/w400-h300/Great+Pyrenees+and+Treble.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco and Grayson with Treble in our yard, <br /> These two Great Pyrenees later squeezed through 5" space<br /> between wrought iron fence rails seen at end of the drive-way</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Because my husband and I are retired, I was
immediately aware when the dogs escaped, and I began to feel responsible for
keeping Coco and Grayson safe until their owners could figure out a solution. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Finally, our neighbors decided that Coco and Grayson
needed more space to roam and jobs to do.
After all, Great Pyrenees were bred to herd sheep in Spain. I worked for hours trying to find them the
perfect new home. We were eventually able
to rehome them to a ranch in East Texas.
The new owner even drove her horse trailer to Shreveport to transport
them safely back to Texas. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENVXHMbuDT26rpq0SOX3PcA_KKa7h46rYkb3qdZ5Jn8z1frjSmDnmlkqm5UjMafPTqXH7W1_BW9RNK8fjY-kG3ZcGB5D4OqPWw_GV9AeWBBjFPXSwjvpQdIlt5Z9ki42nwqnUudAAylk/s1143/Great+Pyrenees+on+the+ranch+in+Texas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1106" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENVXHMbuDT26rpq0SOX3PcA_KKa7h46rYkb3qdZ5Jn8z1frjSmDnmlkqm5UjMafPTqXH7W1_BW9RNK8fjY-kG3ZcGB5D4OqPWw_GV9AeWBBjFPXSwjvpQdIlt5Z9ki42nwqnUudAAylk/w388-h400/Great+Pyrenees+on+the+ranch+in+Texas.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco and Grayson at their new home on Texas ranch</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">These dogs
were like two 100-pound toddlers when you tried to get them to do something they
didn’t want to do. Their last escape was
in the hour before the woman from Texas was coming to get them. My husband and I drove around our
neighborhood, while I looked on Facebook to see where people had reported
seeing them. Finally, we found them
following a man who was walking down the sidewalk pulling a suitcase with two Great
Pyrenees following behind him. We had
leashes with us, so Ricky walked them blocks across the neighborhood to
our house, while I called our neighbor to say we had found them, then called
the woman in Texas to say we had them in custody and to come on to pick them up.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">In my next blog post, I'm going to share my efforts at book spine poetry in honor of National Poetry Month.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-39522254969364374902021-02-07T16:24:00.050-06:002021-02-07T19:45:45.343-06:00Death in the Time of COVID-19<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It doesn’t get easier—saying good-bye
to those you love.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You think once this
pandemic is over, you will emerge from virtual hibernation, and the world as
you knew it will still be there.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But, of
course, it won’t be.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Time marches on, nothing
will be the same.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Favorite restaurants
have folded, stores have closed, live events have gone by the wayside, and people
have died.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Four people I loved died in the last
six months, not of COVID, but because of COVID protocols, everything is different.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In May, my friend Beth died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t unexpected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was in a long-term care facility in
deteriorating health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t visited
her in quite awhile because of her precarious health and COVID restrictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was brilliant before disease attacked her
mind and body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about books,
current events, mutual friends, Saints football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the 30 years of our friendship, we were
able to work together on projects in the field of early childhood, especially
targeting underserved populations and children with cognitive or language delays.
We presented at professional conferences. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took several trips—to Europe and
to our respective hometowns so we could see where the other person grew up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beth, I, and several of our friends used to
get together regularly, never missing a birthday or holiday observation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, Beth’s daughter and husband were
able to be with her at the end, singing hymns and reading her favorite Bible
verses aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no memorial service
because of COVID.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXn4QXRgd97gOH756kjl926ieBxtzBk3plB55v8JBI29PeTuSiIcr0rSDtABr1W0gBObntSSuNaNaKXGqrO2bfcFRIFtShKV2b_rAgZ2Lp9qg84tV0JmuOm4iSzxBDCyzu8J_stVrOsw/s587/Beth+and+Larry+at+Thanksgiving+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="587" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXn4QXRgd97gOH756kjl926ieBxtzBk3plB55v8JBI29PeTuSiIcr0rSDtABr1W0gBObntSSuNaNaKXGqrO2bfcFRIFtShKV2b_rAgZ2Lp9qg84tV0JmuOm4iSzxBDCyzu8J_stVrOsw/s320/Beth+and+Larry+at+Thanksgiving+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth eats Thanksgiving dinner with us</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My college roommate Brenda came to
visit Ricky and me in March of 2020.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Brenda
and I were like sisters during college.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We had been talking about her coming to see me for years, and finally it
was reality.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From their home in Virginia,
Brenda and her husband Roger embarked on a tour of the Deep South. Unfortunately,
there were other realities in play.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Brenda
had lung cancer and was enrolled in an experimental drug trial that had her
cancer in remission.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Brenda and Roger
were coming to our house from New Orleans.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Following Mardi Gras 2020, New Orleans was experiencing the spread of a
novel corona virus that was killing people.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ricky and I felt that Brenda would be especially vulnerable to a virus
that attacked the lungs, but Brenda and Roger seemed oblivious to the dangers
of COVID-19.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(This was before wearing face
coverings was mandated or recommended.)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Roger and Brenda wanted to see the city.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ricky drove us around Shreveport, stopping at tourist attractions that
had few other visitors.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We ate outside
on patios and took them to one of my favorite gift shops, The Enchanted Garden,
so they could see handmade Mardi Gras masks and meet the mask artist who was
also Krewe of Highland Mardi Gras King when I was the queen.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I later learned that the experimental
drug stopped working in June after buying Brenda three good years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roger reported that Brenda declined rapidly
after that, dying in August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found all
the photos of Brenda from our friendship and posted them for her family and
friends to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brenda was always
laughing in those days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWKxlS5AbkLJZ6JPu8bHRZO_SR8Z8FfvTDU8QBUM3rr78UT7bdnuf79SCh_fnjZ767gpiQ_fQD4LzQhodMyUWK-buyKZMmABINeyaBCDpt3JR_69PzUv2sIcnPyliFsxc1jfWvgtjk1w/s960/Brenda+and+me+at+Enchanted+Garden.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWKxlS5AbkLJZ6JPu8bHRZO_SR8Z8FfvTDU8QBUM3rr78UT7bdnuf79SCh_fnjZ767gpiQ_fQD4LzQhodMyUWK-buyKZMmABINeyaBCDpt3JR_69PzUv2sIcnPyliFsxc1jfWvgtjk1w/w300-h400/Brenda+and+me+at+Enchanted+Garden.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brenda and me, March 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs94o0iYVi8mt71BT3WXefgZ7YxyR43l4EqTTtiaBEWUXNVmX7w7liXF0MS7xbFKkZ-TO-WUEbxJYbjleulY0mQKzj7zR_EpfB_jmbQ_Dh_P6mJbk_QGQ8wOvPUz6nil1D84A22P2Qvfs/s902/college+graduation.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="902" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs94o0iYVi8mt71BT3WXefgZ7YxyR43l4EqTTtiaBEWUXNVmX7w7liXF0MS7xbFKkZ-TO-WUEbxJYbjleulY0mQKzj7zR_EpfB_jmbQ_Dh_P6mJbk_QGQ8wOvPUz6nil1D84A22P2Qvfs/w400-h271/college+graduation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy, Teresa, Lynn, Brenda at college graduation</td></tr></tbody></table></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In September 2005 as a result of
Hurricane Katrina, Ricky and I met Jolanta, Elizabeth, and Christopher when
they were evacuated from the V.A. Hospital in New Orleans where Jolanta was
working when Katrina hit.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In those days,
it wasn’t unusual for staff members to take their kids to work when a hurricane
was predicted, and no family members were available to care for the
children.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jolanta and her two children,
Elizabeth who was in her early 20’s but had some special needs and Chris, a
high school senior, were stranded in the V.A. Hospital for days after Katrina
hit.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jolanta and her colleagues who
worked in the cardiac unit bagged patients who had been on vents to keep them
alive. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Chris and older kids foraged for
food in the hospital, while Elizabeth played games in a secluded room with
the younger children.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, the National Guard evacuated the V.A. Hospital, and Jolanta and her two children ended
up at Overton Brooks V.A. Hospital in Shreveport where my husband was a registered nurse.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When the van carrying Jolanta, Elizabeth,
and Chris arrived at the V.A. in Shreveport, Ricky called to say he was bringing
them to our house so they could stay in our guest cottage until other
arrangements were made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jolanta, Elizabeth, and Chris stayed in our backyard cottage for several weeks until they found a nearby
house to rent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill, the dad of the
family, had been working in Washington, D.C., but he soon arrived in
Shreveport, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the beginning
of a close relationship between our two families for the next 16 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bill and Christopher returned to New
Orleans after Christmas 2005 when Chris’ high school reopened, and repairs
began on the family home in Uptown/Carrollton area of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jolanta and Elizabeth remained in Shreveport
for a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The V.A. transferred Jolanta
to the Shreveport V.A. to continue her employment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elizabeth accompanied me to work, alternating between
the two early childhood centers where I had offices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elizabeth blossomed in Shreveport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friends adopted the family and grew to
love them, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When Jolanta and Elizabeth returned
to New Orleans, Ricky and I visited their home many times over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family, plus Bill’s mother, evacuated to
our house when another hurricane threatened. We went to New Orleans when Bill’s
mom died in order to distract Elizabeth from the preparations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elizabeth visited us in Shreveport and loved
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she was in New Orleans, Elizabeth
called me every week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would keep the
rest of her family abreast of events in Shreveport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was possessive of that role.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tragically, three members of the
Haney family are now gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill died in
2018 after a long illness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We attended
the funeral and grieved with Jolanta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
talked to Jolanta afterwards, and she said it was so hard to go on without Bill,
but she had to be there for her kids, especially Elizabeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then in August of 2020, I talked to
Jolanta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she had lung cancer,
but her prognosis was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in
September of 2020 as I was driving back to Louisiana from Virginia, my husband
called and said Jolanta had died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was a virtual funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent a video in which I talked about my friend, the fascinating and totally unique Jolanta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2QMcNCoE_sf6roteE0RTwQsRCCn95EJ3xG_bFGVZxSFwpl9zTyeaxbCIHgZ9nmk3COWtjwDAnXSzXlCMQBMramxN3YMFcmzrW7y21e1_Tdc_P9TLuVtTgRWAK3LmG_tveBp27Pu830g/s759/Jolanta+and+Elizabeth+at+Taj+Mahal+and+KebMo+concert+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="759" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2QMcNCoE_sf6roteE0RTwQsRCCn95EJ3xG_bFGVZxSFwpl9zTyeaxbCIHgZ9nmk3COWtjwDAnXSzXlCMQBMramxN3YMFcmzrW7y21e1_Tdc_P9TLuVtTgRWAK3LmG_tveBp27Pu830g/s320/Jolanta+and+Elizabeth+at+Taj+Mahal+and+KebMo+concert+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jolanta and Elizabeth at the TajMo concert</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, unbelievably, Elizabeth too is
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ricky got a call from Chris this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elizabeth had some type of medical
crisis and despite her brother’s rushing her to the hospital, she didn’t make
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elizabeth had medical issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew, in a sense, that Elizabeth lived on
borrowed time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mom and her doctors
had brought her back from the brink more than once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, it was not to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked to Elizabeth the Saturday
night before she died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris had her in a routine that she
liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Elizabeth</span> said the young woman who was
her companion and helper took walks with her, sat on the porch swing with her when the weather permitted, and did some coloring and other "work" with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> She talked about her dog Lila and cat Sarah. </span>She seemed the same as usual, now she is gone. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rest in peace in the arms of your mother, my beautiful little friend.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FoqMUXsS5dxecCoF5FJvkQDD8ki_DLwduc4w8fEHxPjsnIC26_haqgjkqBC9D7GKDA1VR9ZDD0pkLO7cNSm28LcHzMQRoJh1DHnJUQvBUYQ9D8ZzSvKl_ZrFty0OUu_IWewr21-bLDw/s1632/Elizabeth+on+porch+swing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1224" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FoqMUXsS5dxecCoF5FJvkQDD8ki_DLwduc4w8fEHxPjsnIC26_haqgjkqBC9D7GKDA1VR9ZDD0pkLO7cNSm28LcHzMQRoJh1DHnJUQvBUYQ9D8ZzSvKl_ZrFty0OUu_IWewr21-bLDw/w300-h400/Elizabeth+on+porch+swing.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth on her porch swing in New Orleans</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have no words of wisdom or comfort with which to end this essay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve all been
said, especially this past year. We all know that we are not guaranteed a
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love your friends and family,
embrace the now, live in the present, it’s all any of us have. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-20290450300004392312021-01-29T17:40:00.000-06:002021-01-30T18:44:46.105-06:00A Mountain Visit I’m writing from the mountains of Virginia. I drove to my hometown to help my
sister who recently had surgery. Mountain vistas relax me. I somehow feel more
serene once I pass Birmingham and enter the southern foothills of the
Appalachian Mountains. My tranquility is an involuntary feeling, like
reconnecting with an old friend. <div><br /></div><div>If I’m being logical, I’m not sure I would move
back to the Virginia mountains even if the perfect opportunity arose. I love
Louisiana. I appreciate the joie de vie of Louisianans. I cherish the diversity
of people who live in Louisiana. I love the festivals, the food, the musical
heritage, all my friends, and Mardi Gras—and I’ve grown accustomed to warm
winters. During the COVID year of 2020, I even learned to embrace the torrid
heat of our summers! </div><div><br /></div><div>Moreover, there is no getting around the fact that winter
in Appalachia can be bleak—whole mountain sides with bare stick trees, brown
foliage on bushes. The green of the evergreens can’t quite overcome the
surrounding drabness. Add in the chill winds and lackluster sun—it’s still dark
at 7:00 am in my hometown--and you begin to understand why I welcome snow when
I’m here. Snow covers the ground, makes graceful folds of the hills and valleys,
and sits on each branch and twig making them photograph ready. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve been visiting my sister for a little over a week, and finally we got snow! A moderate
amount, about 4”—enough to cover up all the grass and turn tree limbs into
pictures of perfection. I quickly move from window to window taking photographs,
but did I go outside to frolic in the snow? The answer is no. Living in the Deep
South for over 30 years, I don’t own much snow gear, e.g., warm slacks,
sweaters, snow boots. At least that’s my excuse.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX96lYs5fcfoU_0EIOy1CG5KwmM6MvR159Dg2zwW5Ts3_U3vWvBsOmG2mvwJhmapqUqdKVAoU9s31PabsNHGt0Msl7eTiyMk4MHpcwUjPmRfr-LKWnMi-0UdwOvlAXwnQoVdoDjjg6CzM/s1490/falling+snow+by+lamp+light.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1106" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX96lYs5fcfoU_0EIOy1CG5KwmM6MvR159Dg2zwW5Ts3_U3vWvBsOmG2mvwJhmapqUqdKVAoU9s31PabsNHGt0Msl7eTiyMk4MHpcwUjPmRfr-LKWnMi-0UdwOvlAXwnQoVdoDjjg6CzM/s400/falling+snow+by+lamp+light.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow in the Lamp Light</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBbMoEHPzaJOA2a_OWcQ-xtRp7hYvVramOxe_IOTyrK5ekkup9aI0phRNemueNtIJQQP96A8F62obqRohM2M-iDxo1pXnZSh2VchHt2V18Mua13cGRUmDLyi44hAkLFrJSckmwVsZcGc/s1731/room+with+a+view.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1731" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBbMoEHPzaJOA2a_OWcQ-xtRp7hYvVramOxe_IOTyrK5ekkup9aI0phRNemueNtIJQQP96A8F62obqRohM2M-iDxo1pXnZSh2VchHt2V18Mua13cGRUmDLyi44hAkLFrJSckmwVsZcGc/s400/room+with+a+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room with a View</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGLUm6AFOuunobEoBNs0yRROdDDlXalStjeIlu2rZxhZk0hm2WQFFYmhADeDiG3H6S_nSS5uFRJtxmXa3wzOEYJb9_7__Ze6pEgdbbsn02uF135CPGrB6xtoPWxy_-HOtJL6hO75pKNA/s2016/Beth+backyard+2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGLUm6AFOuunobEoBNs0yRROdDDlXalStjeIlu2rZxhZk0hm2WQFFYmhADeDiG3H6S_nSS5uFRJtxmXa3wzOEYJb9_7__Ze6pEgdbbsn02uF135CPGrB6xtoPWxy_-HOtJL6hO75pKNA/s400/Beth+backyard+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pristine Backyard</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDaGuyBk7cCUU-yHs82weGLwDYFu7tVZHdhnx3tJNJNFJrb6IvltMRKYArgk_QcuhWEqC_7VCh0GiD3zTAurcOAEWICV6V807vXxgPTTQJKR4KOvcenTpXYy99_mXBupaS-F_laH5kP4/s2016/patio+in+the+snow.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDaGuyBk7cCUU-yHs82weGLwDYFu7tVZHdhnx3tJNJNFJrb6IvltMRKYArgk_QcuhWEqC_7VCh0GiD3zTAurcOAEWICV6V807vXxgPTTQJKR4KOvcenTpXYy99_mXBupaS-F_laH5kP4/s400/patio+in+the+snow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Backyard View</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
My caregiver role assisting Beth post-surgery was to follow her around telling
her not to do things that the doctor told her to avoid: “Don’t lift that potted
plant.” “Don’t reach up in the cabinet to get that down.” “Don’t unload the
dishwasher.” “You’re not supposed to do laundry.” </div><div><br /></div><div>When middle sister Susan arrived, a week after Beth’s surgery, she said, “Beth acts like she’s already
well. There’s nothing for me to do.”
The three of us pitch in to cook the meals, Susan and I try to make Beth observe social distancing with her friends who
bring her food and flowers. Today we three sisters sat and admired the snow from
inside Beth’s warm house. When Beth’s husband arrived home from work, we tried
to convince him that we had been busy all day.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYjQf0RkznouBCqlZERhxq-CQUcKltv7OMo8zszMI5jEC2Ie2G_oLTa6q9a-mV1Q8hyphenhyphen6apF9XlGd8PgMSwHyz4o-0cKc7UD3YWYt_Lyqatj26bpyG_tt07OYNyj8h7VyoPEW-jqpOdkw/s1711/sisters+edited.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1711" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYjQf0RkznouBCqlZERhxq-CQUcKltv7OMo8zszMI5jEC2Ie2G_oLTa6q9a-mV1Q8hyphenhyphen6apF9XlGd8PgMSwHyz4o-0cKc7UD3YWYt_Lyqatj26bpyG_tt07OYNyj8h7VyoPEW-jqpOdkw/s400/sisters+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Sisters</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9YN37-93v5ohNENNQBtbyLLOM5KE4wGK2w9SZ6eWwCUq5oUOhk7F6RVIzWEPQYuwsAZY-0d9nADDdys0XnMMjQS1OBFUT0MPJ1jodh-QDua0Xn77UPGiS9M50TQstFmNVb1FytgWZX0/s1428/signs.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9YN37-93v5ohNENNQBtbyLLOM5KE4wGK2w9SZ6eWwCUq5oUOhk7F6RVIzWEPQYuwsAZY-0d9nADDdys0XnMMjQS1OBFUT0MPJ1jodh-QDua0Xn77UPGiS9M50TQstFmNVb1FytgWZX0/s400/signs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I'm the oldest sister, this is probably how the other two feel)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
Can your heart belong to multiple geographic locations? Certainly mine does. I
will enjoy my visit to my mountain hometown for a few more days, then I head
south to my other home. I love the Appalachian Mountains, but Louisiana’s unique
ambiance has cast its spell on me and won’t let me go.
</div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-3882543545858480192021-01-11T16:13:00.001-06:002021-01-13T18:13:30.664-06:00Snow Day in the South<div class="separator">Guess what? It snowed in Shreveport last night--great big flakes reflected in the streetlights as it fell! By morning the snow barely covered the grass, but it was enough to shut down all area schools today. It’s several years between snowfalls here in the Deep South so
we all enjoy it while we can. Sadly,
most of the snow melted by mid-morning today.
A friend posted a photo of her twins out in their yard with a big snowman
that they woke up at dawn to build!</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOBYxM9GGJvZxrMRQ1limUNAYwc2wRk4HN4D12QcdZrdhEJ07dh0mVx-O_9oGc0hq2VlOzqAEJI9g4vEPmzSQsqlWYflh-c3rnmNHMih6gRCSgzca1XS2ERr34EKaE6Ro_8lOYLvLl0o/s2016/snow+day+front+yard+tighter+view.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOBYxM9GGJvZxrMRQ1limUNAYwc2wRk4HN4D12QcdZrdhEJ07dh0mVx-O_9oGc0hq2VlOzqAEJI9g4vEPmzSQsqlWYflh-c3rnmNHMih6gRCSgzca1XS2ERr34EKaE6Ro_8lOYLvLl0o/w300-h400/snow+day+front+yard+tighter+view.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the front porch</td></tr></tbody></table><p>About 3:00 am this morning the
power went off, and our generator isn’t working properly. When the repairman came last time, he said he
couldn’t fix it because he had to see it while it was malfunctioning. Ricky called this morning—the guy is on
vacation. Ricky started the generator manually
so we could have morning coffee. It
stayed on long enough for that important function, then stopped again. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">The electricity is back on after
six hours off so it’s all good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
gas space heaters scattered throughout the house and cottage so we don’t freeze
even when power is off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We light them
during the day in cold weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
night, we huddle under covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it’s
cold and humid in the south, that chill creeps into the bones, something
northerners may not realize if they haven’t experienced it firsthand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">Ricky built another bird feeder, a
shelf that he attached to the wooden fence outside the library windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watch the birds and write down the
different species we see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are having
so much fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the German
Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research study, Europeans who see the most
bird species in their day-to-day lives are the happiest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The authors calculated that being around 14
bird species provided as much satisfaction as earning an additional $150 a
month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the pandemic as people have
stayed at home more, birdwatching has become popular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I read the article correlating
diversity of bird species and happiness, I’ve been trying to figure out if Ricky
and I see 14 species of birds in our daily lives!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtyLnxaSiV2dNGUG8foDD78GLIAjNKzHGhXw7OxwSob6-C8ANFItAStidNWGCIXEsWwrxGHvysg-T7VOM4_ERAmAixgX2DQNrAvyhm5reWGhrHpyJTVA3DwHddViHktyOapEyP2kMeEA/s640/bird+on+snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtyLnxaSiV2dNGUG8foDD78GLIAjNKzHGhXw7OxwSob6-C8ANFItAStidNWGCIXEsWwrxGHvysg-T7VOM4_ERAmAixgX2DQNrAvyhm5reWGhrHpyJTVA3DwHddViHktyOapEyP2kMeEA/w300-h400/bird+on+snowman.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what species of bird is eating sunflower seeds?</td></tr></tbody></table>Of course, the birds at the feeders
in winter differ somewhat from the birds we see in the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hummingbirds have migrated, and the
Mississippi kites, small birds of prey, have disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the summer, we regularly observe 5 or 6
kites at a time circling high above our house and the near-by city park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did see a hawk flying toward the park the
other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time of year, we see and
hear ducks in their V-shaped flocks heading toward water somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">Meanwhile, I’m studying the bird
book trying to distinguish among all the brown birds at the feeders—are they juveniles of the species, displaying
winter pattern feathers, or females?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I give
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">Tufted titmice and juncos love the
birdseed, and I recognize them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also
have multiple cardinals and purple and house finches eating sunflower seeds
from the feeders. Blue jays and mockingbirds prefer to hang out in the bushes
and trees in the front yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flickers walk
up and down the old tallow tree in the back.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">Like many people, I decorated with
abandon this year for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t
matter that very few people saw my decorations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It brought me joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this snow
day in January, reminiscent of a White Christmas, I leave you with a few
photographs of my holiday décor from this past Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdciorXGCPeyNeUr1l8I2eMh6_kZID0IQLZdg6Q-yWN_BVn4_ebMvcWzhSfNtAloOwUJnv2qTWg1SkgSXUiIL54U6exuK6sLYmR529svcIYSKE9HyRFfn2TuFCbYZWUuAzxRwfIveS87o/s2048/Santa+on+the+roof+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdciorXGCPeyNeUr1l8I2eMh6_kZID0IQLZdg6Q-yWN_BVn4_ebMvcWzhSfNtAloOwUJnv2qTWg1SkgSXUiIL54U6exuK6sLYmR529svcIYSKE9HyRFfn2TuFCbYZWUuAzxRwfIveS87o/w576-h432/Santa+on+the+roof+2.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa and his bicycles on the roof of our house</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoUILjuBolJDcaAI_R9UckLjxmkn3qZ1dItdMXivhWJyR3kONrS2YpG-kbWpwXFTFeMqr8Mi3lOBqgp3w7smqFCUJFFsUoCAugTVjLg7TPv3FXuL6shPUUfZfXgVhB45AjsPrQ8FU1JE/s1816/big+tree+and+Santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="1456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoUILjuBolJDcaAI_R9UckLjxmkn3qZ1dItdMXivhWJyR3kONrS2YpG-kbWpwXFTFeMqr8Mi3lOBqgp3w7smqFCUJFFsUoCAugTVjLg7TPv3FXuL6shPUUfZfXgVhB45AjsPrQ8FU1JE/w321-h400/big+tree+and+Santa.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frazier fir in front foyer</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPgsh6OWZMxmDPyflzGlprrXAt-0y_zPkG12Qn-WROEv6XVIHM_55b7-SwB3MIckbBH0qIxTLwB3TVGMOwTqyQeec3WGzEcPG70NDuzAEg_6b6kTjdG3t7TxjRQD9zhUHYJNNTD7pMdc/s2016/Xmas+dining+room+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPgsh6OWZMxmDPyflzGlprrXAt-0y_zPkG12Qn-WROEv6XVIHM_55b7-SwB3MIckbBH0qIxTLwB3TVGMOwTqyQeec3WGzEcPG70NDuzAEg_6b6kTjdG3t7TxjRQD9zhUHYJNNTD7pMdc/w300-h400/Xmas+dining+room+table.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dining room table set for Christmas</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjM7RCpcfDRdzq-fL4W_qC4qBJ4JWdC2PVsEz_NDZ6d-qZmdkI0TGIVX-526IWvj3VZ5QIBvDMHykOK9CrnI-w-kw6N2TPcLd8eYHwhqU08pS8-x-CUqaylJnr6GFybBu2gJMtBm-9UVs/s2016/old+pine+cone+ornaments+with+mantle+clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjM7RCpcfDRdzq-fL4W_qC4qBJ4JWdC2PVsEz_NDZ6d-qZmdkI0TGIVX-526IWvj3VZ5QIBvDMHykOK9CrnI-w-kw6N2TPcLd8eYHwhqU08pS8-x-CUqaylJnr6GFybBu2gJMtBm-9UVs/s320/old+pine+cone+ornaments+with+mantle+clock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage pine cone elves on dining room mantle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></o:p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinemhxNKecSiLDXWglNmuBckZ4lBlo9jLF0_qQ_41DsySvT-KryIpY9RBqiPLUI4QqFGru4lJ2wFljQPUxRsoGducQdyWBg5OJMRU8T-ze76QDWhnvE-O7drlN1Y4UlQkAmS4ZzmpWEgo/s2016/Christmas+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinemhxNKecSiLDXWglNmuBckZ4lBlo9jLF0_qQ_41DsySvT-KryIpY9RBqiPLUI4QqFGru4lJ2wFljQPUxRsoGducQdyWBg5OJMRU8T-ze76QDWhnvE-O7drlN1Y4UlQkAmS4ZzmpWEgo/s320/Christmas+cards.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas cards on display</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx42AxCQYMuwY9rGS6IeHNykXM5rGkUw2tHlnb9PuwJsgetTCMwFjlUQJ24pYVdzIkuUWMGwxJ5qzQ8BXaU7botGQj28ugRau0XVJULlx3Opfw4sbvURAc1nS5t05o9FDt4ajdhuFP2cg/s1902/red+table+music+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1902" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx42AxCQYMuwY9rGS6IeHNykXM5rGkUw2tHlnb9PuwJsgetTCMwFjlUQJ24pYVdzIkuUWMGwxJ5qzQ8BXaU7botGQj28ugRau0XVJULlx3Opfw4sbvURAc1nS5t05o9FDt4ajdhuFP2cg/w400-h289/red+table+music+room.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photos in the music room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBofVXbYLkXlxhtk3QrVYtDuGgxxdmSvSDdp-BxniNfEdpRf_nnDSItBm0TcFwjUpFyHmBfg2wTNmjpmkN_kSJBN_QexvFel7G8xCHAsB4liS64snJ5TgT2LB6UL9dJ5_DeldPjvsCKYw/s2016/wreath+on+library+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBofVXbYLkXlxhtk3QrVYtDuGgxxdmSvSDdp-BxniNfEdpRf_nnDSItBm0TcFwjUpFyHmBfg2wTNmjpmkN_kSJBN_QexvFel7G8xCHAsB4liS64snJ5TgT2LB6UL9dJ5_DeldPjvsCKYw/s320/wreath+on+library+door.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">library door</td></tr></tbody></table></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0iQ1E48QYQHhq51ZYG1HKEmoUAHN9pGJ30I7c3fTp8K52RnIr4b1Ay4WBaMI7qhqfoMI3TNRR5ip-4r8b_9FJVHqSKzogZBtVKM4YFHFSiizsOndaAhwbXzDHSxiVpB38osGRAEOMt0/s1280/Xmas+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1280" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0iQ1E48QYQHhq51ZYG1HKEmoUAHN9pGJ30I7c3fTp8K52RnIr4b1Ay4WBaMI7qhqfoMI3TNRR5ip-4r8b_9FJVHqSKzogZBtVKM4YFHFSiizsOndaAhwbXzDHSxiVpB38osGRAEOMt0/w400-h250/Xmas+library.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">anything worth doing is worth overdoing: Christmas in the library</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENraXlLQglAd6SgN3ofb-6QF2GOyQM2hvudVPm83-JeeGWvhCMVKyDpxq9nTOZAu23eKVmCFX3ZdHbR-BwwRN84_lk5MJ9bV6L4PQnebOuU1z-a2GVTXLcwoKZ_cVYBE0P2F0_oN1bM0/s2016/long+view+of+Xmas+counter+top+in+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENraXlLQglAd6SgN3ofb-6QF2GOyQM2hvudVPm83-JeeGWvhCMVKyDpxq9nTOZAu23eKVmCFX3ZdHbR-BwwRN84_lk5MJ9bV6L4PQnebOuU1z-a2GVTXLcwoKZ_cVYBE0P2F0_oN1bM0/s320/long+view+of+Xmas+counter+top+in+library.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XJiINq9IZX1zZ2qMN6kLp7n_Sk8yPrsf-Z1cfdtpVtO335dm3PWWg1X-RS3GHRmI2ADmTAde-Iq2Jt8jxyEGPwKVKcTRtQ12bqENOU_Tk-6ySmwBHrN7nil0ENfygO3t4G7Flfv-ZN4/s1949/little+Xmas+tree+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="1475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XJiINq9IZX1zZ2qMN6kLp7n_Sk8yPrsf-Z1cfdtpVtO335dm3PWWg1X-RS3GHRmI2ADmTAde-Iq2Jt8jxyEGPwKVKcTRtQ12bqENOU_Tk-6ySmwBHrN7nil0ENfygO3t4G7Flfv-ZN4/s320/little+Xmas+tree+library.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyCyjG9tozOrJ69PX1aOm4RaXwRQsBVk12nCuKzreTHBt5Q4HAnCdr8FtnOTwadjHLTCMMoISi5mgMSoeWu1Bp8uD-Y9Eg3nQgr0wFSdv8tFZ5Y2La3Ae6JveziJoAyggNlOu9TeEp9E/s2016/old+doll+Xmas+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyCyjG9tozOrJ69PX1aOm4RaXwRQsBVk12nCuKzreTHBt5Q4HAnCdr8FtnOTwadjHLTCMMoISi5mgMSoeWu1Bp8uD-Y9Eg3nQgr0wFSdv8tFZ5Y2La3Ae6JveziJoAyggNlOu9TeEp9E/s320/old+doll+Xmas+library.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ajCUrpYRYomubQLxbV20LywAVRaiWkXSIiSvXkqaKbeOsQYlc6NfbcQ8gaSiIyOTmGTCgDEj8iJx6q95qVODi1DaDm9G_gZW-ThEaK93MwC_bACC0rznITCRNxCKom2Ujh1nvYf3ckU/s1437/reading+Santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1359" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ajCUrpYRYomubQLxbV20LywAVRaiWkXSIiSvXkqaKbeOsQYlc6NfbcQ8gaSiIyOTmGTCgDEj8iJx6q95qVODi1DaDm9G_gZW-ThEaK93MwC_bACC0rznITCRNxCKom2Ujh1nvYf3ckU/s320/reading+Santa.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp3s5t5UpZq-KMjVQPOyPRt4RGWtmniVzGoknnvf1bdQoYIsIce1o4YpfATE1IC1Ik6wilce0_jgKf6n8maXtHZhitGOLvhNBUR05OIU9nIJE1fbhXhrr8n9jCjiHH6wowhJ9YUfVs0c/s2016/Xmas+photo+of+glider+in+plant+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp3s5t5UpZq-KMjVQPOyPRt4RGWtmniVzGoknnvf1bdQoYIsIce1o4YpfATE1IC1Ik6wilce0_jgKf6n8maXtHZhitGOLvhNBUR05OIU9nIJE1fbhXhrr8n9jCjiHH6wowhJ9YUfVs0c/s320/Xmas+photo+of+glider+in+plant+room.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the plant room or sunporch</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love Christmas dishes, so here are dishes on display in the kitchen: </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyg6N245mexKgNbKJ0Bms04MbQ9ZcTTgW7Q6SQGKtWIvfSHphsWftJaQ0eA_t7WjHMWeDyDa_FyF31R7APNFUerXriWu5oT0QPq3B-o7TRAUvSgu1tRKGjvcFjCxFNXb1v_1fARbptrk/s2016/central+creamery+platter+Xmas+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyg6N245mexKgNbKJ0Bms04MbQ9ZcTTgW7Q6SQGKtWIvfSHphsWftJaQ0eA_t7WjHMWeDyDa_FyF31R7APNFUerXriWu5oT0QPq3B-o7TRAUvSgu1tRKGjvcFjCxFNXb1v_1fARbptrk/s320/central+creamery+platter+Xmas+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDYph88ZTR8Bft6dcXKkQ5RE9LPBWhPBXfmaZhVcHtQ4FTtna16TPOnhoK4tf3gAkaTBFZj-cQwYri6YO5aXk5NKL7FpUAybJ7F-PrsQKzlADxV6YAQciIiD0OStF0G-x2Iu1jxj0LUM/s2016/green+pitcher+Xmas+plate+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDYph88ZTR8Bft6dcXKkQ5RE9LPBWhPBXfmaZhVcHtQ4FTtna16TPOnhoK4tf3gAkaTBFZj-cQwYri6YO5aXk5NKL7FpUAybJ7F-PrsQKzlADxV6YAQciIiD0OStF0G-x2Iu1jxj0LUM/s320/green+pitcher+Xmas+plate+scene.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIGMwjeTpvHrRLH1478waTmd1Uo9FZ170cFXr65v9qe7aOcrrO8oZkdSYAfAF69SlzoLHptV-g_Ly_B4ecEGR4GelrJFSXfmC-ykIP7oD0IYRFTXmyfCHr7I2UX3z5djP2HFLjNmJmGY/s2016/ice+cream+cart+Santa+with+dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIGMwjeTpvHrRLH1478waTmd1Uo9FZ170cFXr65v9qe7aOcrrO8oZkdSYAfAF69SlzoLHptV-g_Ly_B4ecEGR4GelrJFSXfmC-ykIP7oD0IYRFTXmyfCHr7I2UX3z5djP2HFLjNmJmGY/s320/ice+cream+cart+Santa+with+dishes.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbfNOiglM-MLy19d2WESLmfq5koYAl0FWlh3_QznF3rkfhtxCV_Gkijk7X44u8kuE794KqqyeU1LyylZP9RHrD3XqRfshGzp6wZykwBi2cemrSwdgvoRk-tIt-NB7AKYT21qo9rBCS44/s1860/red+and+green+santa+dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbfNOiglM-MLy19d2WESLmfq5koYAl0FWlh3_QznF3rkfhtxCV_Gkijk7X44u8kuE794KqqyeU1LyylZP9RHrD3XqRfshGzp6wZykwBi2cemrSwdgvoRk-tIt-NB7AKYT21qo9rBCS44/s320/red+and+green+santa+dishes.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87asY5XLMlurOM7B70G0KXiw19mmN02xjJjb-vikuqGiZdkthsjqyJr4s25qCNNYCfEGz7mECeeJboGuvP38K66WmhlVlEwAxE5ZC46Xf5VcISSL5WbT4N6tifjRlQ0PFoU4eta_T7eA/s1757/red+and+army+green+dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1757" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87asY5XLMlurOM7B70G0KXiw19mmN02xjJjb-vikuqGiZdkthsjqyJr4s25qCNNYCfEGz7mECeeJboGuvP38K66WmhlVlEwAxE5ZC46Xf5VcISSL5WbT4N6tifjRlQ0PFoU4eta_T7eA/s320/red+and+army+green+dishes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSieqq1Yl3B-cUqyC1_YxVqEKX1I0jCjqMte5HCWKNg42z0UAP2lA04S2vSUeVd_cROLZhGZbHO92Eg6kYWK_c87wiM3yN2bXaTL7yBpYg5fVMDbZQxq3o1DeLCh8P2mj-hqTqDJI72Ho/s1280/Santa+tree+upstairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="798" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSieqq1Yl3B-cUqyC1_YxVqEKX1I0jCjqMte5HCWKNg42z0UAP2lA04S2vSUeVd_cROLZhGZbHO92Eg6kYWK_c87wiM3yN2bXaTL7yBpYg5fVMDbZQxq3o1DeLCh8P2mj-hqTqDJI72Ho/w250-h400/Santa+tree+upstairs.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Christmas tree upstairs, <br />complete with old toys</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-25601301519084935222020-05-18T12:34:00.000-05:002020-05-18T23:53:27.425-05:00Interesting Quarantine Take-Out Food<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I belong to a writing group that meets once
a week, now via ZOOM, and part of our group routine is to do ten-minute timed
writings on common topics suggested by the group organizer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, if the individual wants to share and
read her writing to the group, she does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This practice is part of a writing technique taught by author Natalie
Goldberg.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently, the topic was “Interesting Quarantine
Take-Out Food.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people wrote about
what kinds of take-out food they’ve ordered during the pandemic shelter-at-home directive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ricky and I haven’t eaten any take-out food
during our quarantine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We used to eat
out 3-5 times a week, but for two months, from March 15 to May 15, all our
meals were prepared in our kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I notice that it’s healthier for me
to cook my own food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I limit the sodium,
I never fry foods, and I control the portion sizes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We aren’t vegetarians, and I made different
kinds of cookies on several occasions, but even so, I've managed to lose a few pounds during our time at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My sister said she read that by the
end of the quarantine, people would emerge a monk, a chunk, a hunk, or a
drunk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ricky suggested a chunky, drunk
monkey, but I’m not sure whom he was describing.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The only take-out food we’ve
experienced is the food I’ve “taken out” of my kitchen to share with friends
and neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt anyone would
describe it as interesting, but the recipients thank me and seem to
appreciate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far, my food hasn’t
poisoned anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We even made a path on both sides of our wrought iron fence to make food sharing with our next-door neighbor easier. It lessens the chance of stepping in cat poop.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOex5L1bgPFcfi0aWIftbbPCbQe6Tp7Ll_ku7DKNa1n0ZiEvUgQrzwUPPFUY3-Aho7PWTz3j26XiOLr_OVTTjszKxmwH3EUsbFw09m8T_EpAZ7PPwDfWsR96xItxemzRFGIUtCUaZg_jA/s1600/path+to+the+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOex5L1bgPFcfi0aWIftbbPCbQe6Tp7Ll_ku7DKNa1n0ZiEvUgQrzwUPPFUY3-Aho7PWTz3j26XiOLr_OVTTjszKxmwH3EUsbFw09m8T_EpAZ7PPwDfWsR96xItxemzRFGIUtCUaZg_jA/s320/path+to+the+fence.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food sharing path way </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the most part, my menus are
reminiscent of the fifties and sixties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> For example, </span>I’ve taken a variety of jello treats to an older neighbor, walking to her house with
quivering and quaking jello and our hyper-excited dog Treble, a terrier mutt,
in tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also shared old-fashioned
potato soup, Brunswick stew, deviled eggs, baked chicken, rice and gravy, baked
egg custard, green beans, tuna noodle casserole, and different variations of
chicken salad. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCWwhlDxg84UYpB0TnmYckSTWnCfvjhzrAgWxJv3RNGBXtZlUU1r2Qlm2KxKO_ZwPC_hlo4jUYCRqNyHvBauOyD3uPmqNPKQ5qf4sVkCNQk31FE7e8kuAkGQAqpzJ3Ah2qxsQgv3e1BE/s1600/deviled+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCWwhlDxg84UYpB0TnmYckSTWnCfvjhzrAgWxJv3RNGBXtZlUU1r2Qlm2KxKO_ZwPC_hlo4jUYCRqNyHvBauOyD3uPmqNPKQ5qf4sVkCNQk31FE7e8kuAkGQAqpzJ3Ah2qxsQgv3e1BE/s320/deviled+eggs.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deviled eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCb26B6kWRCugA8XTH_DZbVSvJKRitcJr1YScTGK98Dh-AKqI3MKW_7wrk5UokJ0RaWS1EtZPb0zEOv00ZyXC8jNdQC_m_z6vWguBbUoyY-igEXze0Xkv8e5A2PYriYcPU-GgaFvjHPU/s1600/baked+egg+custard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCb26B6kWRCugA8XTH_DZbVSvJKRitcJr1YScTGK98Dh-AKqI3MKW_7wrk5UokJ0RaWS1EtZPb0zEOv00ZyXC8jNdQC_m_z6vWguBbUoyY-igEXze0Xkv8e5A2PYriYcPU-GgaFvjHPU/s320/baked+egg+custard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked egg custard (we had a surplus of eggs)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From Ricky’s kitchen repertoire,
we’ve shared his ham and spinach frittata, red beans and rice, mushroom pasta, and
shrimp pesto pasta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ricky has mastered
the few dishes he makes, so only lucky people who live close by get to sample
them. They don’t last long in our kitchen. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n-LXsa5XCunbzUWlvmdCnSl0178oCAaCFdQnHGSjbHKZ9kz7OrZBYVBf5f4JFw5ALNlVK-pFxcBaS7WSjS_3AQrPjbpzkptRFRoEHM86OwZf1nmUpECmNVknD9tmeqUSe83mG9h3Gsg/s1600/frattata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n-LXsa5XCunbzUWlvmdCnSl0178oCAaCFdQnHGSjbHKZ9kz7OrZBYVBf5f4JFw5ALNlVK-pFxcBaS7WSjS_3AQrPjbpzkptRFRoEHM86OwZf1nmUpECmNVknD9tmeqUSe83mG9h3Gsg/s320/frattata.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Ham and spinach frittata </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt7q0foAZREipIl4BJHFTzwsT0zC1IUvYqq-Yef4Kg4NPekJM6bmk9ez_hnP_4ojLQVf4B69BSFzWnT7VoMUmHPNxeTby2HVxGcE732JBHTQoeTlUzdZ6wm4S86tPefNZuKRHiMWTwt8/s1600/chocolate+chip+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt7q0foAZREipIl4BJHFTzwsT0zC1IUvYqq-Yef4Kg4NPekJM6bmk9ez_hnP_4ojLQVf4B69BSFzWnT7VoMUmHPNxeTby2HVxGcE732JBHTQoeTlUzdZ6wm4S86tPefNZuKRHiMWTwt8/s320/chocolate+chip+cookies.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate chip cookies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I like to bake but my products need
to find other homes quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outgoing
cookies include oatmeal cookies, lemon sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies
and a variation on this theme—Bailey’s Irish Cream chocolate chip cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">My friend Sydni gave us some homemade salsa and Ricky made huevos rancheros for brunch one Sunday. Everything was delicious, and here's the proof:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak6KY7Mn7AoOEHRWXoPD8bMibocKJ2IwRZPjTQs45Y8xQBrlSByB04-EcUeIFoExbib6j5l8c_zrnt92t_xgerulFif_KDXwqQcjpmTKE9FbQcSzEgvn08wgudc5CZsy_-TkOFNv9Eyc/s1600/Syndi%2527s+salsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak6KY7Mn7AoOEHRWXoPD8bMibocKJ2IwRZPjTQs45Y8xQBrlSByB04-EcUeIFoExbib6j5l8c_zrnt92t_xgerulFif_KDXwqQcjpmTKE9FbQcSzEgvn08wgudc5CZsy_-TkOFNv9Eyc/s320/Syndi%2527s+salsa.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huevos rancheros and fresh carrot juice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some friends have reciprocated with their own
homemade creations, e.g., tabbouleh, salsa, banana nut bread, chocolate-covered
strawberries, and vegetarian chili.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A
neighbor who received a windfall 50 pounds of flour gave us a loaf of his
homemade bread!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLstFFtWO4jH1NUnJpVVg14X2lX9QpiF7psjfG-arDFV031WVy0IrhHjESsoPm5H4-n4iJKn26BQnNKrgWwKLGsa3D-YjYSBVL2ASIH6SqS3JmNYVczCrHjQTlxN3pUJX5Zo9qaZVeFo4/s1600/Jeffrey%2527s+bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLstFFtWO4jH1NUnJpVVg14X2lX9QpiF7psjfG-arDFV031WVy0IrhHjESsoPm5H4-n4iJKn26BQnNKrgWwKLGsa3D-YjYSBVL2ASIH6SqS3JmNYVczCrHjQTlxN3pUJX5Zo9qaZVeFo4/s320/Jeffrey%2527s+bread.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade bread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I keep coming back to the assigned topic of <i>interesting </i>take-out foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What interesting
take-out have we experienced? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had to be my attempt to
make potato cabbage chowder, which I’ve made in the past.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This time, I decided to use my food processor to chop up
the potatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly I did something
wrong, because the potato pieces immediately started to turn a reddish
color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided I needed to get the
potatoes on the stove right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly
chopped the cabbage and added it to the potatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cooked the potatoes and cabbage in broth,
then added some seasoning, milk and cheese just as I’ve done before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soup turned gray, it looked horribly
unappetizing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brave husband ate a cup
of it and said it didn’t taste bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
ladled the rest of the soup into a container and put it in the refrigerator to
re-evaluate later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I looked at the
soup the next day, it was a congealed gray mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to dump it out when a friend
stopped by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her the sad saga of
my soup and showed the results to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She hates to see food to go to waste so she said she’d take it home to
her son—and for some strange reason, he even ate it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I like the writing of MFK Fisher who often wrote about food. She said, <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.</i> Maybe our take-out food was interesting after all.</span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-76863033467705092692020-04-26T19:05:00.000-05:002020-04-27T21:03:33.733-05:00Decision-making During the COVID-19 Pandemic<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m contemplating my daily choices
during the COVID-19 quarantine and feel fortunate to be retired and able to
hunker down indefinitely if need be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My husband Ricky is a retired Registered
Nurse who worked at our local VA Hospital, at one time in the ICU before he
moved to the heart </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">cath</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> lab. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I only worked occasionally before the
pandemic, but when I did, it was in the School of Allied Health at our local medical
school. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> While this post is generally lighthearted,
the world has a heavy heart, as do Ricky and I.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
We ache for those in the medical field fighting the pandemic, we cry
with those families who have lost loved ones, we sympathize with our friends
and strangers who must fight off the disease while quarantined from the world, and we
despair at the national political situation, and the lack of leadership and sound
decision-making at the highest governmental levels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My choices during this COVID-10 pandemic
are many, yet virtually meaningless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEGdkjFmab1-2A6Dhe02HOL9cXLTg2jTGRCUN3diSrdHuiCjmE2PPX52ecimMFLwihqyMmuoXiEtoNCISWQ_NdElXv7vRvjCSVA4WIgKUT0_C30fz92MaapU_KRjYo9Xe74Pe9MIKD1E/s1600/cottage+porch+view+exercise+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEGdkjFmab1-2A6Dhe02HOL9cXLTg2jTGRCUN3diSrdHuiCjmE2PPX52ecimMFLwihqyMmuoXiEtoNCISWQ_NdElXv7vRvjCSVA4WIgKUT0_C30fz92MaapU_KRjYo9Xe74Pe9MIKD1E/s320/cottage+porch+view+exercise+room.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside views from cottage porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYNGqe92BsVIGO6RWdhERmxuoH3sz5g7xF7LwIFhGA_CWWlwNSqE9Mr9INGU_WoOU1q3Gfd7eKcnHZPFKaw55yZF2Dr787-EoQGS_enPBBezNfiLOpY6KDxVjbTiDjrXm_lU1uUrfDXE/s1600/cottage+porch+view+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYNGqe92BsVIGO6RWdhERmxuoH3sz5g7xF7LwIFhGA_CWWlwNSqE9Mr9INGU_WoOU1q3Gfd7eKcnHZPFKaw55yZF2Dr787-EoQGS_enPBBezNfiLOpY6KDxVjbTiDjrXm_lU1uUrfDXE/s320/cottage+porch+view+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patio as seen from cottage porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RPIOpHRK0PplVg_QPzq8lAMg7G56kVvUKRFVANE2ywFcVYfL5MxITASvOM5qugAN9lKzXDAQbWpZCfJ8JmwQUDxpTDALdwzv3VRmVHqbwDx8IXPpimJKBOgtcDxNfH2Wyi4jh-UrAO8/s1600/plant+room+morning+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RPIOpHRK0PplVg_QPzq8lAMg7G56kVvUKRFVANE2ywFcVYfL5MxITASvOM5qugAN9lKzXDAQbWpZCfJ8JmwQUDxpTDALdwzv3VRmVHqbwDx8IXPpimJKBOgtcDxNfH2Wyi4jh-UrAO8/s320/plant+room+morning+coffee.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning coffee in the plant room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaywYHNq8c2G6i2gDjqPa80h1jaZD35Y5foA_ITBx0P44ErzMXQ_4o6TeJ8N1LVQtlykOOpxGD7REB8OYavgL4v8rKGadbQCdWqpE0R1UzBJFUAGBpxa2S9SER-8wQe5YNHwhidoa8-Ds/s1600/fountain+plant+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaywYHNq8c2G6i2gDjqPa80h1jaZD35Y5foA_ITBx0P44ErzMXQ_4o6TeJ8N1LVQtlykOOpxGD7REB8OYavgL4v8rKGadbQCdWqpE0R1UzBJFUAGBpxa2S9SER-8wQe5YNHwhidoa8-Ds/s320/fountain+plant+room.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plant room fountain adds ambience</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Should I sit outside on the cottage
porch or in the old-fashioned, indoor plant room with its louvered crank out
windows to drink coffee and write?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8v8hynfu-Vq-mcEJukKxVs2uZ8gDvGA9KrhdAx4SOVxEggqnfIV1XXmak2FPhDsJcPFUlS35JwOmDMCUNYOuSdF5fmztIoE51kKoPtA6Jm3ZNcFp87t44Lk1M9kFxe6QXV55C9wFSRA/s1600/Treble+smiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8v8hynfu-Vq-mcEJukKxVs2uZ8gDvGA9KrhdAx4SOVxEggqnfIV1XXmak2FPhDsJcPFUlS35JwOmDMCUNYOuSdF5fmztIoE51kKoPtA6Jm3ZNcFp87t44Lk1M9kFxe6QXV55C9wFSRA/s320/Treble+smiling.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2RSf7c1Lq-Kh_jlqLYBFwTxE1hQHhOFr3-eS5Fupe2S8e6V5hIc087EJLAPUD1FBWsQEH1z8TCI_DGPq0R9kxuI_HKcfRebUjtucU87kGwS-4XMsUzKxpyYsyS_RPLp_Ab5qkmcUEfk/s1600/Katrina+in+the+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2RSf7c1Lq-Kh_jlqLYBFwTxE1hQHhOFr3-eS5Fupe2S8e6V5hIc087EJLAPUD1FBWsQEH1z8TCI_DGPq0R9kxuI_HKcfRebUjtucU87kGwS-4XMsUzKxpyYsyS_RPLp_Ab5qkmcUEfk/s320/Katrina+in+the+sun.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">If I
sit outside, should I pet my cat, Katrina, or Treble, our mutt, who always
craves attention?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">What should we fix for lunch? For supper?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We’ve eaten comfort foods, e.g., tuna noodle casseroles,
roasted chicken, turkey burgers, chicken salad, salmon and fish, steak and
potatoes, a variety of homemade soups, and several of Ricky’s specialties, e.g., shrimp pesto pasta, mushroom pasta, and huevos rancheros. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another culinary decision—what flavor of
jello should I make?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> We probably have
eaten jello that I prepared less than a dozen times during our 25 years of
marriage.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Now, during our COVID-19 </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">home bound</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> days, we eat it all the time.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Sometimes
with fruit added, sometimes as a parfait, but never as jello shots!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I prefer to drink my booze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">What’s the best way to get dry jello mix
off the kitchen floor—vacuum or Shark steam broom?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Note to self: water in the microwave can
become </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">super-heated</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> though it doesn’t appear to be boiling.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> When a solid, i.e., jello mix, is added to
the water, the mixture erupts vigorously, startling the cook and causing her to
throw jello all over the kitchen.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
Related question:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> what’s the best
way to get rid of sugar ants in the kitchen while I’m hunting for all the fine
jello dust I threw into the air?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We are definitely eating well, which
leads to my next decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where and how
shall I exercise since the gyms are closed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Should I exercise inside using my Walk Inside DVD, given to me by a colleague
a year or so ago, or should I ride my exercise bike? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have outside exercise options, too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can walk in my urban neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see much more of what’s going on when I’m
on foot, so I can be that “Know-See” neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do I want to go with Ricky when he walks Treble?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look like we are maintaining social
distancing from each other because I can't walk as fast as they can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bring up the rear, 6-9 feet behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should I pick up litter on our neighborhood
sidewalks as my exercise one day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
would also be doing something pro-social, but litter patrol now requires
gloves, a mask, a grabber, and a trash bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCnzngPYgbfSqJB5oLsdpynfFeHV9TTOmaq38wyNtXIKLLXZluudXEo6MlM0CRfkHZGMls2VgU52vpLJpnrQTefHkn_0eCn109Q_AOSjEWFTADXfvFnjuLKk0Y-a7mGio1RfoKtVgj54/s1600/TES+picking+up+trash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCnzngPYgbfSqJB5oLsdpynfFeHV9TTOmaq38wyNtXIKLLXZluudXEo6MlM0CRfkHZGMls2VgU52vpLJpnrQTefHkn_0eCn109Q_AOSjEWFTADXfvFnjuLKk0Y-a7mGio1RfoKtVgj54/s320/TES+picking+up+trash.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking up trash without PPE</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Are there friends I should check on? Should
I drop someone a note in the mail to let them know I’m thinking of them?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m fortunate, because I can interact with my
neighbors regularly.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We share food and
books, talk at the fence, visit briefly when we see each other on our
walks.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes we sit on our porches,
six feet apart, and talk.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Do my plants need deadheading,
fertilizing, or pruning?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I dare go to
the nursery for more plants?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we have
a possum, or is it a raccoon, living under the house, and what should we do
about it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Is there anything interesting going on
that I can text my sisters, so we can be part of each others’ lives, since I
don’t think I’ll be traveling to visit them anytime soon? What about this week's hailstorm that
dropped baseball size hail in the city just across the river from us—hail that
went through people’s roofs into their attics, hail accompanied by 70-90 mph
wind squalls that broke windows in their houses so hail danced around inside
their homes? This unusual event was part
of a strong thunderstorm system that passed through the Ark-La-Tex. Click </span><a href="https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+windows+shatter+as+hailstorm+rages&docid=13887185645274&mid=BF1FBD13CF543155B914BF1FBD13CF543155B914&view=detail&FORM=VIRE" style="font-size: 12pt;">here</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> for </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">YouTube</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> video of recent hailstorm in Bossier City captured by Barksdale Airman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Usually the most agonizing decision I
face is what book should I read today?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
could easily read from my personal library for a year and still not read all
the books I own.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNADy_02mQsOS_PG9lRLs6tC-r_XxEeNOoBXVgDSmiCP7m3ERtRaVsEvAD3RyAxYYz8LYAN4-E_R_322vXSPMnWjTBsYMqEgPnjTsvOjDtnUPpcFLXijPGZSLfl_s8V3PD-3G6HJRd_wc/s1600/library+book+shelves+new+color+scheme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNADy_02mQsOS_PG9lRLs6tC-r_XxEeNOoBXVgDSmiCP7m3ERtRaVsEvAD3RyAxYYz8LYAN4-E_R_322vXSPMnWjTBsYMqEgPnjTsvOjDtnUPpcFLXijPGZSLfl_s8V3PD-3G6HJRd_wc/s400/library+book+shelves+new+color+scheme.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My recently repainted library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some days I’m restless with anxiety
contemplating the pandemic and the sadness and hardship it’s causing.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Other days, I’m generally happy during the
stay-at-home directive.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m not sure
what that says about me—am I shallow, easily entertained, or just content
within my bubble?</span></div>
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-28706295202758077542019-09-29T18:44:00.000-05:002019-09-29T18:54:58.833-05:00Mardi Gras 101<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
“No one in Virginia will understand this unless they see it”<o:p></o:p></div>
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--quote from my sister, Susan Brooks, during her 2019 Mardi
Gras visit<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m
originally from Virginia, and I moved to Louisiana without knowing any details
about Mardi Gras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d heard about New
Orleans Mardi Gras debauchery on Bourbon Street, and that was my only mental
picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve lived in Shreveport for
over 35 years now, and I’ve learned a bit about Mardi Gras in Northwest
Louisiana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj_HqeHk7Ccbf2-3j0_qXSKL-cM06Tddvs89jFD2Y0jG7lSd9FH2Hldd3XZ-zIX8M1sOF9okOEjxWzh87od1jLIKBxziK2zzUrSLgtbkYWK3haFw7xUTGwOVh4svJnKpujEnxibqlwI8/s1600/MG+door+with+banner+sharpen+edges+effect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj_HqeHk7Ccbf2-3j0_qXSKL-cM06Tddvs89jFD2Y0jG7lSd9FH2Hldd3XZ-zIX8M1sOF9okOEjxWzh87od1jLIKBxziK2zzUrSLgtbkYWK3haFw7xUTGwOVh4svJnKpujEnxibqlwI8/s320/MG+door+with+banner+sharpen+edges+effect.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Mardi Gras Queen <br />
(banner Ricky ordered and hung at our house)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As my reign
as Mardi Gras queen of the Krewe of Highland ends on October 18, I’m going to
share some of my Mardi Gras experiences. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1xBryg3ykRzzsZAvbIxFBtUrNkrxfEowSKhKg8GpQ0pvYH_yRq8DHfFGepWaEngMqWQE7XUw4fy_SHPkZ9b_b0XHR7gdYxDPFFhDJKxyloVPRPc6ry_bCpzmDuvt97unZdbXdWEbQFE/s1600/TES+in+front+of+name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1xBryg3ykRzzsZAvbIxFBtUrNkrxfEowSKhKg8GpQ0pvYH_yRq8DHfFGepWaEngMqWQE7XUw4fy_SHPkZ9b_b0XHR7gdYxDPFFhDJKxyloVPRPc6ry_bCpzmDuvt97unZdbXdWEbQFE/s320/TES+in+front+of+name.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vdIJOPWVXv0Y3bJjeOMeqIQIEfhf2EDbw3OZJENAdY4E3S0u-8M4_3BgOvUVxs8snHWKvIEB9XmvOH37p34FHphIElkPRjO0dLNRb4IjKvl4cIin4pXs19SfAn4aZHVS8SjXBZ8Cnoo/s1600/David+and+TES+on+Royalty+float.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vdIJOPWVXv0Y3bJjeOMeqIQIEfhf2EDbw3OZJENAdY4E3S0u-8M4_3BgOvUVxs8snHWKvIEB9XmvOH37p34FHphIElkPRjO0dLNRb4IjKvl4cIin4pXs19SfAn4aZHVS8SjXBZ8Cnoo/s400/David+and+TES+on+Royalty+float.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl_H7lLDGxdSW9NZNm9BE9CO12ars8VfiD3SAOmrWpVIkKgPCW_t2rJpuB_PyIChWJ4aYVKXpmb1toSDvwO54qD42tzwjmI19WINCrVvYtjRXi6ej3RHqyOtKPshirQ_Pcu2EAkX6j7s/s1600/whole+KOH+on+float+Henrietta+Wildsmith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="960" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl_H7lLDGxdSW9NZNm9BE9CO12ars8VfiD3SAOmrWpVIkKgPCW_t2rJpuB_PyIChWJ4aYVKXpmb1toSDvwO54qD42tzwjmI19WINCrVvYtjRXi6ej3RHqyOtKPshirQ_Pcu2EAkX6j7s/s640/whole+KOH+on+float+Henrietta+Wildsmith.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krewe of Highland XXIV on float<br />
(Copyright, Henrietta Wildsmith, photographer)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>What is a
krewe?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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For readers
who don’t live in Mardi Gras land, in Louisiana a krewe is a group of people,
usually a non-profit organization, that stages events or hosts a parade during
carnival season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carnival, or Mardi
Gras, season is pre-Lent and begins on Twelfth Night, January 6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Christian tradition, January 6 marks
the Feast of the Epiphany when the Three Wise Men visited the Christ Child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mardi Gras culminates on Mardi Gras day, or
Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday in the Advent calendar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sometimes
krewe members share common interests or vocations, e.g. in Shreveport, the
Krewe of Justinian is comprised of lawyers.
The Krewe of Highland is a neighborhood krewe, associated with the
historic neighborhoods of Highland and South Highlands. Our parade rolls on the
Sunday afternoon before Fat Tuesday and traverses neighborhood streets. The parade lasts about two hours from start
to finish and passes close to my house, so every year we have a large party and
invite all our friends and family who aren’t fortunate enough to live on the
parade route. Last year, the party went
on without me because I rode in the parade.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnK4TyP-wfeZ8Z86Hn4AbxsDvgSVaLQlBB8QNrMFBd8WD-QD8LRyFQTQdgFprm1i52CeNr6HNrPFhokhdMh2UhDpjwwoKYtKrcVYVacp7LnsxNjvbal7a8HaqnIbRm0bBtonBI0Pc6Zc/s1600/TES+close-up+on+float+with+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnK4TyP-wfeZ8Z86Hn4AbxsDvgSVaLQlBB8QNrMFBd8WD-QD8LRyFQTQdgFprm1i52CeNr6HNrPFhokhdMh2UhDpjwwoKYtKrcVYVacp7LnsxNjvbal7a8HaqnIbRm0bBtonBI0Pc6Zc/s400/TES+close-up+on+float+with+beads.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beads are loaded on the float, <br />
the rain has stopped, we are ready to roll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrzRv21A733WcB4Am8BhQRIWTXi2mvJtjhTpGsRai9u5d9Gqe5JhqACASS-W5GZDsmfXt4npjCpHOKlzbgoyoVrpSDkccvxTHrNfAExq_TqESlz555s1S3fkNPUHVNWSo7KUvRRxZLp8/s1600/Wilkinson+and+Creswell+sign+with+people+on+MG+parade+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrzRv21A733WcB4Am8BhQRIWTXi2mvJtjhTpGsRai9u5d9Gqe5JhqACASS-W5GZDsmfXt4npjCpHOKlzbgoyoVrpSDkccvxTHrNfAExq_TqESlz555s1S3fkNPUHVNWSo7KUvRRxZLp8/s400/Wilkinson+and+Creswell+sign+with+people+on+MG+parade+day.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd waiting on the parade at our street in previous years</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p><b>Twelfth
Night is the sixth-- the first big event</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
January 6<sup>th</sup>
is a busy day for Shreveport Mardi Gras royalty. It begins with a Mardi Gras mass at St. Pius
Catholic Church. At mid-day, there’s a
luncheon sponsored by Loblolly, a social service group associated with Mardi
Gras. Food, music, and an auction raise
money for Loblolly to continue their work in area schools. Later, the evening of 12<sup>th</sup> Night,
a big party with all the Mardi Gras krewes kicks off the Mardi Gras social
season. Each krewe decorates their
tables, brings food, and socializes with one another or dances to the music of
a band. The krewes take turns organizing
this annual event.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnj4hNQ99AOIf4sXQeCBSMPkI23TehHgTNJz1On8i0JpyGIZENeDoDJaxjouN_b3iLvjBnquaYZNEbEle2y_51yvTOzPyte4jgPqJS5d2F2Kzto1r8kisGq1uGFm4jeSeXF7UjQlLumVU/s1600/12th+Night+pic+Dennis+TES+Sydni+with+Harrambe+royal+trash+jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnj4hNQ99AOIf4sXQeCBSMPkI23TehHgTNJz1On8i0JpyGIZENeDoDJaxjouN_b3iLvjBnquaYZNEbEle2y_51yvTOzPyte4jgPqJS5d2F2Kzto1r8kisGq1uGFm4jeSeXF7UjQlLumVU/s320/12th+Night+pic+Dennis+TES+Sydni+with+Harrambe+royal+trash+jacket.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royals at Twelfth Night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPdn94IYXi9UIsuAHWQixFdzJARiqZRYg0zKrLL_yacgF_fSncIaCkg_Rr3XJSmbBXNu1H4DLfgfYT8M5cquGoiDFHnIM0XQ2ZCEYy4K3GZsLpBgxRHngjXELGG2xfSWfxxnF6HbWTDw/s1600/Mardi+Gras+Mass+medallion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1194" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPdn94IYXi9UIsuAHWQixFdzJARiqZRYg0zKrLL_yacgF_fSncIaCkg_Rr3XJSmbBXNu1H4DLfgfYT8M5cquGoiDFHnIM0XQ2ZCEYy4K3GZsLpBgxRHngjXELGG2xfSWfxxnF6HbWTDw/s320/Mardi+Gras+Mass+medallion.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medallion from 2019 Mardi Gras mass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW70vPooM_siD3mSiCrXbuI9xO4iZy2PRnItyzhAHZifPHZ6zjos7XhBMYsnP0yN8Tr9fJF2YFdgNjJu-bdPv_0ksFKrKEyGtoqH0DBunNIZkVfXmBo0QlOueIWh6dUalIuW8Kbw1hDE/s1600/Goofy+FRE+and+laughing+TES+12th+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW70vPooM_siD3mSiCrXbuI9xO4iZy2PRnItyzhAHZifPHZ6zjos7XhBMYsnP0yN8Tr9fJF2YFdgNjJu-bdPv_0ksFKrKEyGtoqH0DBunNIZkVfXmBo0QlOueIWh6dUalIuW8Kbw1hDE/s400/Goofy+FRE+and+laughing+TES+12th+night.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twelfth Night party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0L4EJkJD2WT2kfe4cOO6IqaozNa5L4lUW25AB0Rg5kBZDcrlc_60L8CnuZQVLNy0eOPtM8F9kU3kE_pYOQlWZloYfVlzNF11XHUjqXAfyhcOdlc-p9W8EmjPnZdVYutY63_e-tG_inI/s1600/12th+night+decorations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0L4EJkJD2WT2kfe4cOO6IqaozNa5L4lUW25AB0Rg5kBZDcrlc_60L8CnuZQVLNy0eOPtM8F9kU3kE_pYOQlWZloYfVlzNF11XHUjqXAfyhcOdlc-p9W8EmjPnZdVYutY63_e-tG_inI/s400/12th+night+decorations.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12th Night Decoration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>“Throw me
something, mister!”</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many krewes
serve a social purpose, while also performing social service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the season, krewe members are frequent
guests at schools and senior citizen facilities, where they lead mini-parades
complete with Mardi Gras music and inexpensive beads that are thrown or passed
out to viewers whose shouts of “Throw Me Something, Mister” are synonymous with
Mardi Gras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFBq-pgEk2uxcS6j5UMfFYzO7XN42muepknxtuOvqKnQf4My7CtZhQ9JZIpCxHBh0GgymeFVjaGD9B7eqKd6lDM9cAxgqDNSvVFjzVPVLSiUtLKh33-m_TvkjfrRGO2xy2ObthDIuXQ4/s1600/Creswell+Ele+visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1280" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFBq-pgEk2uxcS6j5UMfFYzO7XN42muepknxtuOvqKnQf4My7CtZhQ9JZIpCxHBh0GgymeFVjaGD9B7eqKd6lDM9cAxgqDNSvVFjzVPVLSiUtLKh33-m_TvkjfrRGO2xy2ObthDIuXQ4/s320/Creswell+Ele+visit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visit to elementary school Loblolly event</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3qRhrJfqLlFRQYq2JuTKuWgy4OSA670Lp19EmlZna5Xa6f8wukokJX3_44zC7r11j9jw1OmOsXBkXUsD5n121Vynf8x84HcJWjPxhmV2w3Xjv0E22HygH71H0FQ4M7lzT6IAWoTa3GA/s1600/child+at+AJJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="761" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3qRhrJfqLlFRQYq2JuTKuWgy4OSA670Lp19EmlZna5Xa6f8wukokJX3_44zC7r11j9jw1OmOsXBkXUsD5n121Vynf8x84HcJWjPxhmV2w3Xjv0E22HygH71H0FQ4M7lzT6IAWoTa3GA/s320/child+at+AJJ.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Child at Early Head Start center parade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC85C-nSiDZ8hWY-bhEZc-BgQ1IOoGu5c_4bxzL8PqMXYNmjgj3634mbzO58IbqrnB6dXzrx0pXMx6gv9ZrxY-pUPtncOkX8ZrFmtF4VWwuBjvfYapI-s-q_8PgaRRz4okwQXcXE5vw54/s1600/Centaur+rock+n+roll+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC85C-nSiDZ8hWY-bhEZc-BgQ1IOoGu5c_4bxzL8PqMXYNmjgj3634mbzO58IbqrnB6dXzrx0pXMx6gv9ZrxY-pUPtncOkX8ZrFmtF4VWwuBjvfYapI-s-q_8PgaRRz4okwQXcXE5vw54/s200/Centaur+rock+n+roll+beads.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Mardi Gras colors are
purple, green, and gold, but beads come in every color of the rainbow, often
featuring some sort of cheap medallion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each krewe, or individual member of the royal court, also has a
specialty bead with a medallion that depicts that year’s theme for the krewe’s
coronation and bal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some royalty have an
individual specialty bead. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6uJZiOAL9pVcCQw6uj9w2_DcPy_YeXehGXM6UKanbtvlEqP3s-d8OjuryIf1bKJEgtawlMaB03q1QR4nQtD1yiw4nlPreaIqKmqD_cpxzwCUWf7Gv4Fse9mdiV4AN6UWl_m2fg3_Awo/s1600/Gemini+medallion+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1280" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6uJZiOAL9pVcCQw6uj9w2_DcPy_YeXehGXM6UKanbtvlEqP3s-d8OjuryIf1bKJEgtawlMaB03q1QR4nQtD1yiw4nlPreaIqKmqD_cpxzwCUWf7Gv4Fse9mdiV4AN6UWl_m2fg3_Awo/s320/Gemini+medallion+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3tQ3LG6GKQA-5dA_dwGeY_MzOvMoOUBQNVYchgSRE4wx4cORuXJ7V-gsmWvz4LPbvKhtkovl1epHEe19etPTzM-6ABi_ptTBv-JWcYVUszbgs0-0nVu2E8cVQ-T12jb16t7lxIk9Pm8/s1600/Les+Femmes+Mystique+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1121" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3tQ3LG6GKQA-5dA_dwGeY_MzOvMoOUBQNVYchgSRE4wx4cORuXJ7V-gsmWvz4LPbvKhtkovl1epHEe19etPTzM-6ABi_ptTBv-JWcYVUszbgs0-0nVu2E8cVQ-T12jb16t7lxIk9Pm8/s320/Les+Femmes+Mystique+beads.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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One older
woman at a nursing home where the nursing administrator invited our Krewe of
Highland to parade through the halls and visit residents in their rooms was not
exactly welcoming. When the other
“royals” and I entered the woman’s room, she told us, “Get out, you’re crazy,” and
she kept repeating this. I was the last
person to leave and I turned and said to her, “We may be crazy, but it’s in a
good way.” She laughed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>What the
heck is a trash jacket and why would you want to wear one?</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When krewes
attend public events, they wear “trash” jackets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are usually tuxedo jackets, embellished
with the krewe’s logo embroidered on the back and festooned with inexpensive
costume jewelry brooches and sewn-on patches that have meaning for the
individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each “trash” jacket is
unique and a little bit crazy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS8sEPRXygr4L8bZJa67HSXE2HenAXCQID1rb6tEWEAR877b3As7NChT1DDSrWQ0_tWVInwVgcuUQcn8E5mG07zwZnvlITpQitPoVJVPVdCo8LApgozGri4Lt0klMB3aVFodQbsGwEu8/s1600/trash+jacket+TES+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS8sEPRXygr4L8bZJa67HSXE2HenAXCQID1rb6tEWEAR877b3As7NChT1DDSrWQ0_tWVInwVgcuUQcn8E5mG07zwZnvlITpQitPoVJVPVdCo8LApgozGri4Lt0klMB3aVFodQbsGwEu8/s320/trash+jacket+TES+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of Queenie's trash jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOI2_AVr6SLi4qSEi7aEs4PukshOt7B5SXpxmnozNDStfGWSww8d-CbTPHOzRvPh0xkdcW1M3CRqZ9UYRuX1YdRDJwdMtd3sOUdJypizX0N4DcVlWr9fRwS5RkfIixZotruG5JP4KDQs/s1600/trash+jacket+TES+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOI2_AVr6SLi4qSEi7aEs4PukshOt7B5SXpxmnozNDStfGWSww8d-CbTPHOzRvPh0xkdcW1M3CRqZ9UYRuX1YdRDJwdMtd3sOUdJypizX0N4DcVlWr9fRwS5RkfIixZotruG5JP4KDQs/s320/trash+jacket+TES+back.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of trash jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lYKY56OKBUl0V0infEr4I5b8CGJNumrJPmkdbshPI6vvn8qxcE-O3cN14M1t80gajaAmYjhgNHYfSo2jo6mM6WJzohVrTmPyde5865OWn5WzFOCKdiIwdWATca0rsZHBgZYaBx7gD74/s1600/trash+jacket+TES+back+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lYKY56OKBUl0V0infEr4I5b8CGJNumrJPmkdbshPI6vvn8qxcE-O3cN14M1t80gajaAmYjhgNHYfSo2jo6mM6WJzohVrTmPyde5865OWn5WzFOCKdiIwdWATca0rsZHBgZYaBx7gD74/s320/trash+jacket+TES+back+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trash jacket detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZJedLPvM6BbYmuAQWALDBXF7WwA2ykTpqdHPqnA8rXbEkoKaUkRTW8sxmY-uhHUHZqrKtzz9gAMSBFPocUqNRNWh9E1NXFxuRDIPWHlUqbr4U03LV2yS5CSc5nPOK9dUH8K3Ay7rFtY/s1600/Sheila+and+TES+trash+jackets+AJJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZJedLPvM6BbYmuAQWALDBXF7WwA2ykTpqdHPqnA8rXbEkoKaUkRTW8sxmY-uhHUHZqrKtzz9gAMSBFPocUqNRNWh9E1NXFxuRDIPWHlUqbr4U03LV2yS5CSc5nPOK9dUH8K3Ay7rFtY/s400/Sheila+and+TES+trash+jackets+AJJ.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Teresa & Duchess Sheila visit Early Head Start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62miaThX4wMg2xtzCOxVjMNaMb8OtCyYDHzxdUh3v1GG82B-X36rWZ1RdV2K6F4tzoUh7W4skmfIYaH3z4MKMguSPpg3seAEfxb99i0sX2p4795xMYnecDt4ZyzGKXDHG7hl36-Icirs/s1600/trash+jacket+wearing+women+at+WDC+brunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62miaThX4wMg2xtzCOxVjMNaMb8OtCyYDHzxdUh3v1GG82B-X36rWZ1RdV2K6F4tzoUh7W4skmfIYaH3z4MKMguSPpg3seAEfxb99i0sX2p4795xMYnecDt4ZyzGKXDHG7hl36-Icirs/s400/trash+jacket+wearing+women+at+WDC+brunch.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trash jackets at Women's Department Club luncheon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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During this
year’s Mardi Gras mass, the priest said it made him happy to look out into the
congregation at the sea of individuals wearing trash jackets representing all
the different krewes. It’s fair to point
out that the Roman Catholic traditions of Mardi Gras practiced in South
Louisiana are often lost on the staunch Baptists prevalent in Northwest
Louisiana. I’m not Catholic (nor
Baptist), but I found the Mardi Gras mass to be moving and uplifting. After mass, a family in the church treated
everyone to king cake and coffee in the rectory hall. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Where’s
the baby?</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.lilahsdeli.com/king-cakes/">King cakes</a>
are also a Mardi Gras tradition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are most often made from sweet yeast dough, rolled out to make a long piece of
dough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A filling is spread on the dough
and the dough is rolled up, with the filling inside the elongated piece of
dough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, the dough is shaped into a
round ring, leaving a hole in the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then the cake is baked and iced, usually with a simple confectionery
sugar icing, and sprinkled with purple, green and yellow sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are dozens of types of King Cakes, and
not all of them are sweet, but common King Cake flavors include apple, cream
cheese, praline, chocolate, cinnamon, strawberry and cream, blueberry and
cream, and Bavarian cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc2o8U9XHpbfyUOSaDJCxEJHIRuRkdCBF9ikKaygomJDyzdW0KXFD5NNuPrUg96T-YleelDlAKlwCXU5oZUgZljZ3KxibIFdkg4q9TiNAiCuw4qrY7f9663PVYnxHTUlDoD8ZLFPjG44/s1600/king+cake+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc2o8U9XHpbfyUOSaDJCxEJHIRuRkdCBF9ikKaygomJDyzdW0KXFD5NNuPrUg96T-YleelDlAKlwCXU5oZUgZljZ3KxibIFdkg4q9TiNAiCuw4qrY7f9663PVYnxHTUlDoD8ZLFPjG44/s400/king+cake+party.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Cake party--Vote for your favorite king cake!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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King cakes
get their name from the small plastic baby, which is hidden inside each cake. The baby represents the Christ child. The person who finds the baby in the king
cake is responsible for bringing the king cake next Mardi Gras. These small plastic babies are definitely a
choking hazard, so the uninitiated must be warned about the babies. Some bakeries place the baby on top, leaving
it up to the buyer whether to place the baby inside the cake.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>What’s in
a name?</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Every krewe
has a king and queen and a royal court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The court members have imaginative names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For most of the krewes, the titles associated
with their royal court remain the same from year to year, e.g.-- Duke and
Duchess of Merriment, Duke and Duchess of Mystery, Duke and Duchess of Food,
Duke and Duchess of Frolic, Duke and Duchess of Delight, Duke and Duchess of
Deliciousness, Duke and Duchess of Harvest, Duke and Duchess of Spring, Duke
and Duchess of Hospitality, Duke and Duchess of Mayhem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Krewe of Sobek has the Keeper of Earth, Keeper
of Water, Keeper of Fire, and Keeper of Wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9n-v6gLhWcnu3JfQ0kYvhMS3X51nszhHyvYJuMFN20QO7EvT_mkXj0nwnH1qQZT8FfY282GpKe1Lm4T3t2Xu6NDWmPaxbkP6zCm9_vwUzb84WvXOvD7CeiZ_GqFI2p88MDC7KD2FfFI/s1600/Sobek+queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="980" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9n-v6gLhWcnu3JfQ0kYvhMS3X51nszhHyvYJuMFN20QO7EvT_mkXj0nwnH1qQZT8FfY282GpKe1Lm4T3t2Xu6NDWmPaxbkP6zCm9_vwUzb84WvXOvD7CeiZ_GqFI2p88MDC7KD2FfFI/s400/Sobek+queen.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting the 2020 Queen of Krewe of Sobek!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some krewes
have a theme. The Krewe of Excellence
has the Duke and Duchess of Perfection and the Duke and Duchess of Superiority,
while the Krewe of Elders has the Duke and Duchess of Wisdom and the Duke and
Duchess of Longevity. The Krewe of
Gemini, the first krewe formed during the modern Mardi Gras era in northwest
Louisiana, focuses on Shreveport’s geographic location in the Arklatex. They have the Duke and Duchess of Texas, Duke
and Duchess of Arkansas, and a Duke and Duchess of Louisiana. There’s also a Duke and Duchess of Furry
Friends, a Duke and Duchess of Rescue, and the Duke and Duchess of Pet
Education—guess what krewe this is? Barkus and Meoux, of course.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpgndlG9sZN9uHv0fiLHZ3g3doYRXNhQc0FvSrPEMeLWfW0xIdb_JgZr1ceveb8dGWMs9z97WOJx-_25r_z9Hup7VSg84zEcTPhcp8aBjbJhecXKAG3q3yZXyDY6AoWL5vxt901K3ebU/s1600/BW+pic+of+KOH+portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="748" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpgndlG9sZN9uHv0fiLHZ3g3doYRXNhQc0FvSrPEMeLWfW0xIdb_JgZr1ceveb8dGWMs9z97WOJx-_25r_z9Hup7VSg84zEcTPhcp8aBjbJhecXKAG3q3yZXyDY6AoWL5vxt901K3ebU/s400/BW+pic+of+KOH+portrait.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royalty, Krewe of Highland XXIV<br />
Copyright Lara Leroux Photography<br />
(Amanda Nicole Lara, photographer)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the Krewe of Highland, you get to choose your own
name. I’m Queen of the Wild Things. My court includes: King Dennis Beckman as
King of Fantasy; Captain Sydni Smith is<b> </b>Keeper
of Magical Things & Beautiful Beings, and our Co-Captain Michele Marcotte is Mystic Madam of
Merriment. We have a Duke of Pandemonium
and a Duchess of Persuasion; a Duke of Division and his Duchess of Enchantment;
and a Duchess of the Freak Show and a Duke of Hospitality. And the list goes on. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>You can’t
have royalty without a coronation</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every krewe has an annual coronation during which their king,
queen, and royal court are announced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are usually themed parties held on a weekend night, and the attire
ranges from Mardi Gras casual--wear Mardi Gras colors and trash jackets unless
it’s 100 degrees outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is when
you can bring those light-up shoes and rhinestone shirts out of the closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other coronations may suggest cocktail or
formal attire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now own five long
formals, two pair of piazza pants, and two cocktail dresses—not to mention the
costumes required by the Krewe of Highland! You can see some of the gowns of the queens below:<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Krewe of Highland coronations and bals are always
costumed events that match the theme.
Our 2018 coronation theme was “Under the Big Top: Amazing Highland Oddities & Attractions.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To see more about the Krewe of Highland
coronation and events happening about this same time last year, click <a href="https://myhighlandcottage.blogspot.com/2018/12/life-in-highland.html">here</a> and
scroll toward the end of the post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
you see several pictures of a woman wearing more leopard print than seems
possible, you’ve found it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In order to enjoy Mardi Gras, you can't take yourself too seriously. If it's not fun, don't do it!</div>
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Stay tuned for
more retrospective posts about my reign as Queen XXIV, Krewe of Highland, and
the upcoming coronation of the next queen and events marking the 25-year anniversary
of our neighborhood krewe.</div>
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-8878067607894746992018-12-13T01:30:00.000-06:002019-10-14T17:32:47.813-05:00Life in Highland <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve written on my blog.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Approach—avoidance.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’ve missed writing my blog, just as fiercely
as I’ve resisted writing it. I’ve been busy, but not every minute of the day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIB3geOlDPmj8icyWN6qs0m7YUEphanUMTe-eXvj7vl4PnuhJHwy1GRMCKQtu3Hd1nJU0oHe4GJdADPgG_ce1hBTufS7ELF2R5mDuRnbfiucJvXRgBX56YHlGkxuzkd4Ci3j-9jkBmrbk/s1600/Queenie+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIB3geOlDPmj8icyWN6qs0m7YUEphanUMTe-eXvj7vl4PnuhJHwy1GRMCKQtu3Hd1nJU0oHe4GJdADPgG_ce1hBTufS7ELF2R5mDuRnbfiucJvXRgBX56YHlGkxuzkd4Ci3j-9jkBmrbk/s400/Queenie+card.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queenie of Highland<br />
(image by <a href="http://www.meslissalinkdesigns.com/">www.meslissalinkdesigns.com</a>)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m
involved in a variety of community projects at the moment. I currently chair the nominating
committee for the board of directors of my neighborhood association, the
Highland Restoration Association (HRA). The neighborhood organization is an
all-volunteer, non-profit organization that has existed for decades, dedicated
to preserving our historic central city neighborhood, home to two nationally
recognized historic districts.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We
recruited youthful, energetic board members for the neighborhood association next
year, but HRA has no paid staff and much work to be done. We host events,
monitor property standards and zoning issues affecting our neighborhood, have
monthly clean-ups, complete physical improvement projects and beautification of
gateway sites, and partner with other groups to address neighborhood
challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuIsWSpQ4BRIBWHNVCXDJJts_HNsA_49MtXuMBlxhg49afSqR57tV5fbliV84POj-6rWdDFxrMlRq1bFyvzAM_Nwjr7wHF8ZCJF2pERT1UKjMdF_q5Urf3npbR3q6cgDyiy9WxJmPwnw/s1600/Highland+Heroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1280" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuIsWSpQ4BRIBWHNVCXDJJts_HNsA_49MtXuMBlxhg49afSqR57tV5fbliV84POj-6rWdDFxrMlRq1bFyvzAM_Nwjr7wHF8ZCJF2pERT1UKjMdF_q5Urf3npbR3q6cgDyiy9WxJmPwnw/s400/Highland+Heroes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A neighborhood association potluck<br />
at the local fire station to honor first responders</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw86XOektaDupX_66mRKWGZfSogdkPK6Dv9kyNfEE-QTHf6psgmMEq9PRmNFVpSc54t7VXxquUpWYZszPQg7hVExV50ruEKUaRlGeTbIdtv-nv7C-VdRu4fHb78arxFrDwV_u1tfT_pwA/s1600/Clean+up+pic+Syndi+and+Bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="898" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw86XOektaDupX_66mRKWGZfSogdkPK6Dv9kyNfEE-QTHf6psgmMEq9PRmNFVpSc54t7VXxquUpWYZszPQg7hVExV50ruEKUaRlGeTbIdtv-nv7C-VdRu4fHb78arxFrDwV_u1tfT_pwA/s400/Clean+up+pic+Syndi+and+Bella.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers pull weeds at a neighborhood gateway <br />
beautification location</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1EUeIWYPUEvdyhILdC-Sh1wbWEggiReNv_XYQ12YzCTZfy9AL4HY0tNVR1URstG4xPxbdgoH0iThco7osKXFmku72-yxTPBztNj_Mxu3qS-AuUxAJML2u77E7yiGumn9Jpg7lXIevIc/s1600/overgrown+white+duplex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1EUeIWYPUEvdyhILdC-Sh1wbWEggiReNv_XYQ12YzCTZfy9AL4HY0tNVR1URstG4xPxbdgoH0iThco7osKXFmku72-yxTPBztNj_Mxu3qS-AuUxAJML2u77E7yiGumn9Jpg7lXIevIc/s400/overgrown+white+duplex.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned duplex</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuLhFEhQUL-KNnEt2x8cZLoewTy57rppGKIWN6pa6AGdU5BShOQDVU4rS_-4rc6nfY_0NcN-hnQMyQwjnxyf4FdIu-Mp4cl_SGbn2eM59J7hftel0OEtbmmyYa7NC4n-NFXjDoNMTl0c/s1600/overgrown+area+around+sidewalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuLhFEhQUL-KNnEt2x8cZLoewTy57rppGKIWN6pa6AGdU5BShOQDVU4rS_-4rc6nfY_0NcN-hnQMyQwjnxyf4FdIu-Mp4cl_SGbn2eM59J7hftel0OEtbmmyYa7NC4n-NFXjDoNMTl0c/s400/overgrown+area+around+sidewalk.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sidewalk beside above home--an emailed complaint<br />
to the city did get the lawn mowed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbs-Pc9oo5N5RxrjmRmjxwBtpTQ7BjN5HQQPcUlG9NvHusT8JmTEaK2p7ysSonXfLpjyxI1UoyT9PLdxTgzM-FdznmK43deddcCioQxZ_iymtj9nH2n3ZYTY02K6EO0bvAt6jHDxk4IQ/s1600/Ricky+and+me+trash+pick+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1185" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbs-Pc9oo5N5RxrjmRmjxwBtpTQ7BjN5HQQPcUlG9NvHusT8JmTEaK2p7ysSonXfLpjyxI1UoyT9PLdxTgzM-FdznmK43deddcCioQxZ_iymtj9nH2n3ZYTY02K6EO0bvAt6jHDxk4IQ/s400/Ricky+and+me+trash+pick+up.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking up litter on a Saturday morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZWI4-vN4ugyR403Rv3vJSCz7Yy5kUUJs-3j_kRjJPiqDJe-OAdzmdAjKn6sbTm0rjKMBRtN0KKOm0eQ4R4M6GhuRUdPwoqZE55RU90Y_fW_Bq6q5rGpFW_2W38roH08QUbEru8h5Mgc/s1600/Before+clean+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1280" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZWI4-vN4ugyR403Rv3vJSCz7Yy5kUUJs-3j_kRjJPiqDJe-OAdzmdAjKn6sbTm0rjKMBRtN0KKOm0eQ4R4M6GhuRUdPwoqZE55RU90Y_fW_Bq6q5rGpFW_2W38roH08QUbEru8h5Mgc/s400/Before+clean+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before we picked up and organized trash from eviction</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwH-qbfkOeKTFHluJv_i8ZUZnlO7r9Wr_f-GCy21ZeAOLmI9GPv0xAgxyVid2Hi8pUrnJTJDPYoccvArap_Hzs0eJGJbFej0bxiaRe5fOeZb6Sqxq9jtV6HIoNscNnW5mSHvo6A3BoeA/s1600/After+clean+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1280" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwH-qbfkOeKTFHluJv_i8ZUZnlO7r9Wr_f-GCy21ZeAOLmI9GPv0xAgxyVid2Hi8pUrnJTJDPYoccvArap_Hzs0eJGJbFej0bxiaRe5fOeZb6Sqxq9jtV6HIoNscNnW5mSHvo6A3BoeA/s400/After+clean+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After we organized the garbage for weekly trash pick-up</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
need all the help we can garner. We must deal with complacent and bureaucratic
city officials, property owners and state laws that allow “demolition by
neglect”, renters who don’t care, and a youthful criminal element with easy
availability to firearms. I’m making it sound like Gotham. My passion for
preservation makes me hyperbolic at times. I also serve on the board of the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation and assist in the local revolving fund effort where we are trying to save homes from demolition by acquiring them through donation or by paying affordable price. We stabilize the homes to prevent further decay, fix up the exterior, draw up historic easements, and sell the property to save it and return it to the tax rolls. The money earned is returned to the revolving fund for future restorations.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsf1JTMHSgSLU7lTRmzyNv6PD069Kr_eRkv8b1OFXzQ_g-XehIe5APbakY8AWOuvh6pDBK8QIq5AnzYmlT9IfrgeuaM3M3KcUTciT2yGv7zdF51IKdS-ytM6egEe78Mo566s5l9mX0SyM/s1600/blue+bungalow+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="736" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsf1JTMHSgSLU7lTRmzyNv6PD069Kr_eRkv8b1OFXzQ_g-XehIe5APbakY8AWOuvh6pDBK8QIq5AnzYmlT9IfrgeuaM3M3KcUTciT2yGv7zdF51IKdS-ytM6egEe78Mo566s5l9mX0SyM/s400/blue+bungalow+cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A classic Craftsman bungalow, adjudicated by the city <br />
and with no marketable title available, is allowed to fall down <br />
even though the revolving fund has money and expertise to restore it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcPVxXu5MEzTHepYAOaBYwm03JicRxZzIOv-UOB7PpFHcX6xRbR_OXEd7vPQSfSTRzWAgToJTq_M6rRCpR0gy62-ofDE8fY0M_6hTf0kY-UxDRNIkq0JC4XTX1syQ9zitMe2NTCmZtuI/s1600/abandoned+apartments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="1280" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcPVxXu5MEzTHepYAOaBYwm03JicRxZzIOv-UOB7PpFHcX6xRbR_OXEd7vPQSfSTRzWAgToJTq_M6rRCpR0gy62-ofDE8fY0M_6hTf0kY-UxDRNIkq0JC4XTX1syQ9zitMe2NTCmZtuI/s400/abandoned+apartments.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another property, an apartment building,<br />
that the owner and the city are allowing to decay.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Even with the significant challenges, most
days I feel blessed to live in this vibrant and diverse neighborhood.
A friend once described our neighborhood residents as hippies and hipsters.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSht8JFTUUkkDkd9V2Bs_hjUDYO_wY835OEz5Z_3ubRkMHjHyWbdvIH1G3dUtr38MBsJc9vpDifihsHWXpS8NPwmrdx5aG9uN-t3Eo8sW8ew_lbDI9qN9HrAJcpyoPsxkCq5xF9nJBI0/s1600/2018+fall+drive+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1280" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSht8JFTUUkkDkd9V2Bs_hjUDYO_wY835OEz5Z_3ubRkMHjHyWbdvIH1G3dUtr38MBsJc9vpDifihsHWXpS8NPwmrdx5aG9uN-t3Eo8sW8ew_lbDI9qN9HrAJcpyoPsxkCq5xF9nJBI0/s400/2018+fall+drive+way.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bit of color looking down our driveway toward the neighbor's house</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We
have awesome neighbors on our street. One young dad makes homemade bread, and
we’ve been the fortunate recipient of warm, straight-from-the-oven loaves, as
well as homemade cakes. We care for one neighbor’s cats while they are
out-of-town, and another neighbor watches our house and gets the newspaper and
mail when we are gone for a few days. When I had my knee replacement surgery,
women I only knew from the HRA Facebook page showed up with meals. I’m humbled
by their kindness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There
is one thing you can say about Highlanders—we like to have a good time! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For
art lovers, we have Highland Open Studio Tour Sunday, or HOSTS, the quarterly studio
tour where local artists offer artwork for sale in homes and studios throughout
the neighborhood. HOSTS is a rolling
party, a progressive dinner, and an arts and crafts fair meshed into a single event.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Ricky and I hosted our second Highland Open Studio Tour Sundays (HOSTS) on December 9. Local artists set up in our home (and half dozen other sites) to sell their original art. My husband Ricky offered blacksmithing demonstrations and displayed some of his wares to sell. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the tour locations serve free food to shoppers and guests. Our fare was red beans and rice—a Louisiana Monday meal served on Sunday!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRzIhBTZhIHxMgi3leyzJczecXd2Glw0ZWyAcuKeesmatz5J1sOr1x3NFwunfy1Cb-7_cjDMbEaGJoDv_cqDtuh_F486XqVr1dEMOCAt0xwd1ZcjuTRBZ1KhXOGZgYjZjyOKCLSsDB_4/s1600/cottage+tree+with+Highland+Art+sign+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="999" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRzIhBTZhIHxMgi3leyzJczecXd2Glw0ZWyAcuKeesmatz5J1sOr1x3NFwunfy1Cb-7_cjDMbEaGJoDv_cqDtuh_F486XqVr1dEMOCAt0xwd1ZcjuTRBZ1KhXOGZgYjZjyOKCLSsDB_4/s400/cottage+tree+with+Highland+Art+sign+2018.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the cottage getting ready for December HOSTS</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5Y8u6IG0JfGk2vrot7CTI3uRRMxf_nHwyOX2rWaOsDnnSXj1iUBWNFrd284lB77Ke-HLBrVMjyfG9-Li84hRCZAF2Zy3IrnRSbE_5TPHduGrPIA9HRanUONC-alIVGq17FRNYy5LCjw/s1600/2018+Xmas+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5Y8u6IG0JfGk2vrot7CTI3uRRMxf_nHwyOX2rWaOsDnnSXj1iUBWNFrd284lB77Ke-HLBrVMjyfG9-Li84hRCZAF2Zy3IrnRSbE_5TPHduGrPIA9HRanUONC-alIVGq17FRNYy5LCjw/s400/2018+Xmas+tree.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree in our foyer before HOSTS </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgURQBWl3nCAa2sSULapGuQvD3mTDWKr563tkX0A_WcIApdOFBcvu0PHrQlhouj0n5WU67e61-Sv37yLfnSgfyExNgEnY896D1rCy3mmGqHndnhkmC-GFbNiaaFLAO2WL8KMb5VMSHQw/s1600/Melissa%2527s+work+in+foyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgURQBWl3nCAa2sSULapGuQvD3mTDWKr563tkX0A_WcIApdOFBcvu0PHrQlhouj0n5WU67e61-Sv37yLfnSgfyExNgEnY896D1rCy3mmGqHndnhkmC-GFbNiaaFLAO2WL8KMb5VMSHQw/s400/Melissa%2527s+work+in+foyer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Melissa (<a href="http://www.melissainkdesigns.com/">www.melissainkdesigns.com</a>) set up in the foyer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVUlIRrA6YLWuuZmkLVOVOkDsRpjsNwVrjFyDMqlLJCLfqWh7coLmyQ454tQspggal1HByfwoGa0JFqRlEMO9uPx1hwpLqclwfJf4XVuek1qwWPq4dlH0jpiR5WL6530TkBJP4Rud89I/s1600/Ann+Marie+Jameson+books+HOSTS+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVUlIRrA6YLWuuZmkLVOVOkDsRpjsNwVrjFyDMqlLJCLfqWh7coLmyQ454tQspggal1HByfwoGa0JFqRlEMO9uPx1hwpLqclwfJf4XVuek1qwWPq4dlH0jpiR5WL6530TkBJP4Rud89I/s400/Ann+Marie+Jameson+books+HOSTS+2018.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author Ann Marie Jameson<br />
signed books in the plant room at HOSTS.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrFou733d6uZjUmdjKbHi9TqfVCF8bPTavXFlO5zn2cX-ulucIb_vj3GmM6VMNMpVUdaoGyEFoLn7VYVJGPFrV1o4KjZLyc-WM2P_40GSAeOyH2m6Wyss5rqTJW5dPAm6rTZDqndVSAE/s1600/Caddo+Candle+Co+candles+in+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1227" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrFou733d6uZjUmdjKbHi9TqfVCF8bPTavXFlO5zn2cX-ulucIb_vj3GmM6VMNMpVUdaoGyEFoLn7VYVJGPFrV1o4KjZLyc-WM2P_40GSAeOyH2m6Wyss5rqTJW5dPAm6rTZDqndVSAE/s400/Caddo+Candle+Co+candles+in+library.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caddo Candle Company set up their display in my heavily decorated library.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8erIW8fTWyCanEwQsuOr-8IKUMS38q-XVMAkGeYI1h9yVeT5JpfmCMqu8teRmtcCaLeA_UNGlqOYUi5cFVGdTUPbO2k867q9zWTB7iZTXi1J52OJMLXsTMwtHXkoFqG-mLYtRN9WnyQ/s400/Loretta%2527s+products+HOSTS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loretta displayed her collages and other products<br />
in the dining room</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8erIW8fTWyCanEwQsuOr-8IKUMS38q-XVMAkGeYI1h9yVeT5JpfmCMqu8teRmtcCaLeA_UNGlqOYUi5cFVGdTUPbO2k867q9zWTB7iZTXi1J52OJMLXsTMwtHXkoFqG-mLYtRN9WnyQ/s1600/Loretta%2527s+products+HOSTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oau502l8gG_LEQBk-iiOb6nmBGGeYGkIlJKvNtbXPsM0EeWTWy5rnscDcCwui9yRF3-vBG_1zHbbLF6jk56Ghryc8fkGHis-oMT2aBikT0-RpXdmu0Z76QUQdULSSiKwh0vpopvRt0g/s1600/Loretta%2527s+collages+2018+HOSTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oau502l8gG_LEQBk-iiOb6nmBGGeYGkIlJKvNtbXPsM0EeWTWy5rnscDcCwui9yRF3-vBG_1zHbbLF6jk56Ghryc8fkGHis-oMT2aBikT0-RpXdmu0Z76QUQdULSSiKwh0vpopvRt0g/s400/Loretta%2527s+collages+2018+HOSTS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah E and her daughter shared a table.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">One special item that was for sale at HOSTS was the third issue of the literary magazine for Northwest Louisiana, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Fleur de Lit,</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> that my friend Melissa founded with some help from the women in my writing group. Usually in Louisiana, everything </span>focuses<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> on Baton Rouge and New Orleans. It's like the state of Louisiana stops at I-10, but this literary journal focuses on the northwest part of the state. I've been fortunate to have poems and articles published in all three journals. Copies of the journal can be ordered at </span><a href="http://www.melissainkdesigns.bigcartel.com/" style="font-size: 12pt;">www.melissainkdesigns.bigcartel.com</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three issues of Fleur de Lit</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">During
our previous HOSTS event, our friends in the Fiddlin’ Tim Trio played in the
cottage.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This time our friend Joanie
Nerrittig played her guitar and sang, then she went with Ricky and me to
Fairfield Studios where the Fiddlin' Tim Trio and friends were showcased in the
Shreveport House Concert series. A creative circle of sorts.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monty Russell played original songs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Gordon of Monroe, LA is another talented musician.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkstJGABMfCeozpHhQ3CcUfRvhZmeRYKa-SUEpViS_tzMsowdNA8HAlLQ0HIXa2HGKatJHI1OSYLcqHi4uHGZUtG-IeEeMZC6nqRgcrN5SUS5oAlagYMuGOYM5ahtAArVgPdMQgx5Ijc/s1600/Fiddlin+Tim+House+Concert+Dec+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1280" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkstJGABMfCeozpHhQ3CcUfRvhZmeRYKa-SUEpViS_tzMsowdNA8HAlLQ0HIXa2HGKatJHI1OSYLcqHi4uHGZUtG-IeEeMZC6nqRgcrN5SUS5oAlagYMuGOYM5ahtAArVgPdMQgx5Ijc/s640/Fiddlin+Tim+House+Concert+Dec+2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introducing the Fiddlin' Tim Trio!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fairfield
Studios is a small recording studio that features singer-songwriters and musicians
who perform concerts in an intimate-sized, listening room. The space
accommodates about 100 people. Local musicians perform the opening act, and during
intermission, everyone can enjoy a buffet meal before the primary talent takes
the stage. The main acts are singer-songwriters who are touring small venues,
or who have Shreveport musical connections. The music may be folk, country,
pop, or an eclectic mix, but always interesting. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Highland
is a neighborhood that supports live music. Music lovers flock to the neighborhood’s
free admission, two-stage Highland Jazz and Blues Festival held each fall in
the near-by park. Attendees bring chairs or blankets and spread over the hill
in front of the picnic pavilion or around the gazebo at the other end of the
park to listen to the bands. Scattered throughout the park are food, drink, and
crafts vendors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Highland’s
biggest weekend is the Sunday afternoon before Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, when
the Krewe of Highland parade snakes through our neighborhood. The marching krewe,
Blanc et Noir, and a brass band lead off the parade. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, cries of “Throw me something, mister”
echo through the streets as elaborate professionally-constructed Mardi Gras
floats, modest homemade floats, vintage cars, marching high school bands,
performers on stilts, and people on bicycles pass by for a couple of hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Krewes
are social groups, usually non-profit organizations that put on parades and
balls during Carnival season (Mardi Gras in Louisiana) before Lent. In
Shreveport, the krewes also perform community service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve
been selected to serve as Mardi Gras Queen of the Krewe of Highland for 2019. It’s
an honor and a responsibility to represent the krewe and the neighborhood. Other
royals include a king, a captain and co-captain, and a royal court of dukes and
duchesses. The theme for our Krewe of Highland Mardi Gras 2019 is Under the Big
Top (coronation) and the Greatest Show on Earth (ball).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Highland’s coronation and ball feature
costumes, but not the elaborate outfits associated with Mardi Gras in New
Orleans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84NR8yls-tajm02Zq3giBBNewYHgoy9TWz01Y7VRWVXL4NQTaxD9uvG3IbW7dZDr7mdMIw4NrcrN-QSrGZfCxRlArrlarbqWjo20jNxWDwX1c3axJQAxmC5VhhBdRdyWv584tyaA2e1s/s1600/Queenie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="803" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84NR8yls-tajm02Zq3giBBNewYHgoy9TWz01Y7VRWVXL4NQTaxD9uvG3IbW7dZDr7mdMIw4NrcrN-QSrGZfCxRlArrlarbqWjo20jNxWDwX1c3axJQAxmC5VhhBdRdyWv584tyaA2e1s/s400/Queenie.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressed for coronation and waiting to be presented</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ85jUBmnfsBK64iGbQUVxHjfUbw5D6mESShsd2QWbChpFcxc7PyrLX3V3mHaNaBh_KNCTQ1KSEWB8piBDHg3IIj7QKtgpsZ-ZNOmTApYSag0oiHEPkV7kxt3-9RGCRsFggBnGoUSlUk/s1600/Ricky+and+me+at+coronation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ85jUBmnfsBK64iGbQUVxHjfUbw5D6mESShsd2QWbChpFcxc7PyrLX3V3mHaNaBh_KNCTQ1KSEWB8piBDHg3IIj7QKtgpsZ-ZNOmTApYSag0oiHEPkV7kxt3-9RGCRsFggBnGoUSlUk/s400/Ricky+and+me+at+coronation.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my consort, i.e., husband</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0MGqmMQP-3AnbX0SwzPbKlMvDxUdGb9aPD6tvPKmzyXVGqVj5rhLlXklScpyCzjACeFQ9a48ZbD-ZUJgx34FMw4kjl4Zksvnr3tl0I2a_TNO6ATa_5UH6XarK8IJREOXLs9G9UpWAm8/s1600/TES+and+Dennis+at+coronation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1109" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0MGqmMQP-3AnbX0SwzPbKlMvDxUdGb9aPD6tvPKmzyXVGqVj5rhLlXklScpyCzjACeFQ9a48ZbD-ZUJgx34FMw4kjl4Zksvnr3tl0I2a_TNO6ATa_5UH6XarK8IJREOXLs9G9UpWAm8/s320/TES+and+Dennis+at+coronation.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting the King of Highland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHk6Gh56o6RhTtTdKGJxuARXGuaZx3HibIACRHnB33E4-6SsFh0EQAFNIouoZLWb3WsTaMToFCNGb3S5Tq_JYLusKMWzvMYeEHYaRkZyaHEUL6kScahDLW3mrX4XRS1pLlGYOul2mexQ/s1600/Royal+court+coronation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="574" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHk6Gh56o6RhTtTdKGJxuARXGuaZx3HibIACRHnB33E4-6SsFh0EQAFNIouoZLWb3WsTaMToFCNGb3S5Tq_JYLusKMWzvMYeEHYaRkZyaHEUL6kScahDLW3mrX4XRS1pLlGYOul2mexQ/s400/Royal+court+coronation.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Court of the Krewe of Highland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYcCqLWX7zkUXhf1VtEZe5SxfaffQUj_RS_8AWKc2ey-qkjOzslio92Gr0GtFaxvmxxS5n-Y7dLz6aoARXb1eK321Z0-Fs3nQhms70AedvF9Blij2bZ4FPWGD7DkSkC8KWvkEhb35yQw/s1600/capt+Sydni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="811" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYcCqLWX7zkUXhf1VtEZe5SxfaffQUj_RS_8AWKc2ey-qkjOzslio92Gr0GtFaxvmxxS5n-Y7dLz6aoARXb1eK321Z0-Fs3nQhms70AedvF9Blij2bZ4FPWGD7DkSkC8KWvkEhb35yQw/s400/capt+Sydni.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krewe Captain Sydni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lMcgD60h_O9ViU_n0EYktZcNqMYGKImq4kLeL5r_ZkiywyFM1V_epyu6ZaaIQ6CeKf5UJG5N3JQxMHV8VMJuzwcaut3Ixq9th7RGkb47o50n-wWN6dgVcrM7kdth8iA7FThyphenhyphenRY3Odww/s1600/co+capt+captain+TES+coronation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1280" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lMcgD60h_O9ViU_n0EYktZcNqMYGKImq4kLeL5r_ZkiywyFM1V_epyu6ZaaIQ6CeKf5UJG5N3JQxMHV8VMJuzwcaut3Ixq9th7RGkb47o50n-wWN6dgVcrM7kdth8iA7FThyphenhyphenRY3Odww/s400/co+capt+captain+TES+coronation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Co-Captain, Captain, and Queen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6u_g4RAMQ2e35d5kxfsllw953JaYfXCFVFqgzTibXh4QcxczLhD41ov9wD3yz4DKZw5Fs_3abgA0rPNMh4UCVkDfLMavMg9EUvf3eLVljzIq8HLGgAgWxLd-_whpCTwx754rLxCD-AI/s1600/Tina+TES+and+Sheila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="973" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6u_g4RAMQ2e35d5kxfsllw953JaYfXCFVFqgzTibXh4QcxczLhD41ov9wD3yz4DKZw5Fs_3abgA0rPNMh4UCVkDfLMavMg9EUvf3eLVljzIq8HLGgAgWxLd-_whpCTwx754rLxCD-AI/s400/Tina+TES+and+Sheila.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends Tina and Sheila <br />
(who doesn't always dress like a creepy clown)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Krewe of Highland held the coronation this year at an outdoor venue, which was the wintering grounds for the Mighty Haag circus around the turn of the 20</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
century. Ghosts of the Mighty Haag Circus may have wandered among us that
night. Not even a rainstorm at the beginning of the event, where revelers had
to huddle under tents, marred the festivities.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuu1lHou-QNYY5mufLw6Rx3xTWPIug_DVhHUp4VKnoe2KrLZxgp9WPAjMpGv-871z3mTN5Bq0XrG5hvJkfRASTTaoHybVosrrR9NPlK-0R_EbLnk8rPwQx08u0cmkuPtU6w7wr6T9Vgo/s1600/twirling+girl+and+fire+eater+in+background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1280" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuu1lHou-QNYY5mufLw6Rx3xTWPIug_DVhHUp4VKnoe2KrLZxgp9WPAjMpGv-871z3mTN5Bq0XrG5hvJkfRASTTaoHybVosrrR9NPlK-0R_EbLnk8rPwQx08u0cmkuPtU6w7wr6T9Vgo/s400/twirling+girl+and+fire+eater+in+background.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhi9IXLEoX8xKaWaep3gz6Zt9zMslS0fDif3_IQ2QlB-nieDVxcILTAKkbJR7uqzXDqZIfkXVeKIAGlGBrj3V_JaJpP2Zj3AOt2khRJ-_ox0CnRkueUmgUDgsMKWYq0tJIvS5e29prGI/s1600/Queens+Teresa+and+JoAnna+2018%252C+Highland+and+Sobek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="821" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhi9IXLEoX8xKaWaep3gz6Zt9zMslS0fDif3_IQ2QlB-nieDVxcILTAKkbJR7uqzXDqZIfkXVeKIAGlGBrj3V_JaJpP2Zj3AOt2khRJ-_ox0CnRkueUmgUDgsMKWYq0tJIvS5e29prGI/s400/Queens+Teresa+and+JoAnna+2018%252C+Highland+and+Sobek.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen JoAnna of Sobek</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Besides
the unveiling of the royal court, we had a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, a deejay,
a silent auction, and performers entertaining the guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our circus entertainment included a fire-eater,
young women gyrating with hula-hoops of fire, a man who lay on a bed of nails
while a party goer broke a cinder block on his abdomen, a photo station where you
could have your picture taken with a mermaid and merman, plus games of chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My alter ego for the coronation was Queenie, a
circus attraction that’s part-leopard/part-woman.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The krewes often host teas for the queens, so far I've attended two that have allowed me to get to know some of the other queens and members of their krewes. (You may have to be from a Mardi Gras part of the country to understand all this.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEKPm7uBKG8UM0Emnhln5rzUdv4ulL-DELQ_8-knRaMNmC6t1Us_CH2OtT5y5bvVULHNW_CJQRo0LkAqt085b0vyn1KpjcYNXUY6veHQKAhLq4w4Igju1zjjznIQNFyKt_vYGd-EWBaQ/s1600/Krewe+of+Elders+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1280" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEKPm7uBKG8UM0Emnhln5rzUdv4ulL-DELQ_8-knRaMNmC6t1Us_CH2OtT5y5bvVULHNW_CJQRo0LkAqt085b0vyn1KpjcYNXUY6veHQKAhLq4w4Igju1zjjznIQNFyKt_vYGd-EWBaQ/s400/Krewe+of+Elders+tea.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krewe of Elders tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCKo7xEV6APmwON7D7TKf7BUlP1KXIvrwZbSpnhRSoffzyawU5iu4AEmM1CwiOh8Zj1-n3F12yqxUv91hEXBI5tadoJHiuvt5v9Jx_5f9KTmUkh1s_y3NY3t8WxNC1WTyAM1B0ahToVw/s1600/queens+at+Sobek+tea+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1137" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCKo7xEV6APmwON7D7TKf7BUlP1KXIvrwZbSpnhRSoffzyawU5iu4AEmM1CwiOh8Zj1-n3F12yqxUv91hEXBI5tadoJHiuvt5v9Jx_5f9KTmUkh1s_y3NY3t8WxNC1WTyAM1B0ahToVw/s320/queens+at+Sobek+tea+2018.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krewe of Sobek tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I like to have fun, I like art and music, old houses, my old house with its hidden cottage, healthy neighborhoods, reading and writing and travel and spending time with my family and so many things. It's hard to fit it all in. I'm grateful for the year that was 2018, and I look forward to more adventures in 2019.</div>
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<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-60081867596655888292018-08-01T01:28:00.000-05:002018-08-01T16:39:25.146-05:00Separating Children From Their Families, Part 2<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lisa Wingate's compelling work of historic fiction, <b>Before We Were Yours</b>, is based on the true story of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society and <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/06/17/this-woman-stole-children-from-the-poor-to-give-to-the-rich/">Georgia Tann</a>, the director of the Memphis branch of the organization. From 1924 until 1950, Tann and her agents "stole" over 5,000 poor children from their families, or conned parents into signing away their parental rights.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tann then sold these “orphans” to people who could afford to pay for a child. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16px;">I know many of you read Wingate's book when it first appeared in 2017 or have seen the made-for-TV movies based on Tann's actions, but the topic was relevant to me and also seemed timely to current events. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxNCs6bgzgOIlGDFVB_esnO-vNYyHeKxDKA0AbpZVXqjeY1SWjW1vL51xxf8Cm4Js6h_u7LYcLAViSDf_44Rd-4a8EvQMmVLJjo1HBO0rfAWrElNKYDOfRxA9fMHZKIEghHAaMgyp2NU/s1600/Georgia+Tann+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="618" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxNCs6bgzgOIlGDFVB_esnO-vNYyHeKxDKA0AbpZVXqjeY1SWjW1vL51xxf8Cm4Js6h_u7LYcLAViSDf_44Rd-4a8EvQMmVLJjo1HBO0rfAWrElNKYDOfRxA9fMHZKIEghHAaMgyp2NU/s320/Georgia+Tann+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgia Tann, proprietor of Memphis Children's Home Society</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">When
I read </span><b style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Before We Were Yours</b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">, I read it with the knowledge that I, as a former social services
worker, had one time tried to take a mother’s children from her because I
thought it would be better for the children. I'm not saying I was wrong or right in my actions, I just remember that it wasn't a decision I made easily. You may read about it <a href="http://myhighlandcottage.blogspot.com/2018/07/separating-children-from-their-families.html">here</a></span>.<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gTK4THLfwlWPbd0zlcD5-O_viMo_T1KJnRQes3ZNMVvmj72o1fnnjUNB5nP75yuKNmaZCGVVd_jRnE8CpuIH6RCxrWTiJrXO7B7WEQSJDeY3gevTD4g2NOV-XWRxoEZjJWSN-wMJGv4/s1600/Before+We+Were+Yours+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="266" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gTK4THLfwlWPbd0zlcD5-O_viMo_T1KJnRQes3ZNMVvmj72o1fnnjUNB5nP75yuKNmaZCGVVd_jRnE8CpuIH6RCxrWTiJrXO7B7WEQSJDeY3gevTD4g2NOV-XWRxoEZjJWSN-wMJGv4/s400/Before+We+Were+Yours+book+cover.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">During the Great Depression, an estimated 50,000 people lived
nomadic lives on the waterways of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The shanty boat families often camped along the riverbanks when they weren't moving back and forth on the water. These poor
families were one group that Tann and her henchmen preyed upon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wingate’s
fictional narrative tells the story of one shanty boat family. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rill
Foss and her siblings are taken from their river gypsy parents, Briny and
Queenie Foss, through trickery and strong arm tactics.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Queenie,
the mother, has trouble delivering twins with the aid of a midwife on their
houseboat, Briny rushes Queenie to the hospital in Memphis. The doctor tells Briny
and Queenie that the twins died, a common ploy that the Memphis Children’s Home
Society uses to obtain newborns for adoption. Hospital personnel then trick
Briny and Queenie into signing papers that terminate their parental rights for all
their children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
the Foss children are home alone on the houseboat awaiting the return of their
parents, men board the boat, abduct the children and take them to a
boarding house for children in Memphis, which is part of the Tennessee Children’s
Home Society. The oldest child Rill tries desperately to watch after her four
siblings, Camellia, Fern, Lark and Gabion in the harsh conditions of the
boarding house filled with other children. Rill soon discovers that children
disappear from this facility; some children are adopted after adoptive parents
pay the proprietor of the enterprise, Georgia Tann, a substantial fee, while
others just disappear and are presumed dead.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Friends
of Briny and Queenie from the river shantytown, Zede and Silas, try to help the
children escape, but by then the family has been destroyed. Rill and her sister
Fern are fortunate to be placed together, adopted by a wealthy family who loves
them, treats them kindly, and provides them with many advantages growing up.
Rill resigns herself to being May Weathers, the name given to her by her new
family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
story of the Foss children unfolds in alternating chapters in Wingate’s book. Rill’s
voice details the horrifying circumstances she and her siblings face as they
are forcibly removed from their riverboat home and taken to the Memphis
Children’s Home Society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next
chapter switches to present day and is the voice of Avery Stafford, a young
woman from a prominent political family in Memphis. Avery is searching for
answers about her beloved grandmother Judith’s life as Judith Stafford’s
memories and words are lost to dementia. Eventually the lives of the women,
Avery Stafford, May Weathers, and Judith Stafford, intersect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Georgia
Tann’s contemporaries were either ignorant of her nefarious network or willing
to ignore her methods of procurement and treatment of children. At one time, Tann’s
contemporaries praised her as the “mother of modern adoption.” Because Tann
catered to prominent men and women who desperately wanted children, the stigma
of adoption began to disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actors
Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, June Allyson and Dick Powell used her agency to
adopt children. Eleanor Roosevelt sought Tann’s advice on issues of adoption
and child welfare during the Depression. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda6gEdRiDYsATIZLNmlhDDyOxEvBLSLIyZX4E9fxjcGwN0nf76_dDYDN7qJ_j_4gp8rq28p4VBqnMlmr2vmclGyAv-hA43djHSyFbNrWS7LPYS-lC5JetimEOm0ERJCfQLVxp6AYzxlk/s1600/movie+stars+and+children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="662" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda6gEdRiDYsATIZLNmlhDDyOxEvBLSLIyZX4E9fxjcGwN0nf76_dDYDN7qJ_j_4gp8rq28p4VBqnMlmr2vmclGyAv-hA43djHSyFbNrWS7LPYS-lC5JetimEOm0ERJCfQLVxp6AYzxlk/s400/movie+stars+and+children.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actresses Joan Crawford and June Allyson <br />
with the children they adopted from<br />
the Memphis Children's Home Society</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
1945 between 40 and 50 infants in Tann’s boarding homes died of dysentery. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, Tann and her network were so embedded
into the circles of power and control that when the Tennessee legislature passed
a law requiring that all boarding houses for children must be licensed, they
exempted her establishments. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When a Tennessee governor who wasn’t a friend of Tann was elected, her
lucrative empire began to crumble. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
1950 study of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society exposed the horrors of the Memphis
operations, and the report was submitted to the Tennessee governor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many parents whose children were stolen from
them tried for years to find their children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Authorities made this next to impossible. Even after the horrors committed
by Georgia Tann were exposed, Tennessee public officials sealed the records of
her homes until 1995!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During
the years Tann operated her series of boarding houses for “orphans,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’s estimated that 500 children died in
these institutions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In recent years, Tann
has been described as the most prolific serial killer of children in US
history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wingate
consulted multiple sources to confirm and tell the story of the Memphis
Children’s Home Society: books, articles, plus the 1950 report to the governor of </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Tennessee</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once
again, an ugly chapter involving the treatment of poor children is being written in the United States. Along our southern border from April--June 2018, Border
Patrols agents and immigration officials separated an estimated 3,000
children from their parents, immigrants from Central America, who are trying to enter the US from Mexico. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">According
to parents, government immigration agents told the parents that their children were
being taken to another space for a shower or bathroom break but in reality, the
children were removed to large holding facilities until the Office of Refugee
Resettlement (ORR) could take custody of the children. The adults were sent to
detention centers without seeing their children. Some immigrants report that they were pressured to sign forms
waiving their reunification rights, others were told if they agreed to
deportation, they would be reunited with their children more quickly. This was
a lie. </span><span style="color: #121212; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #121212; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #121212; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
Colleen Kraft, toured a Texas holding facility for children, she found children
in great distress. Kraft wrote after her visit, “Separating children from their
parents contradicts everything we stand for as pediatricians – protecting and
promoting children’s health. In fact, highly stressful experiences, like family
separation, can cause irreparable harm, disrupting a child’s brain architecture
and affecting his or her short and long-term health.” Long-term toxic stress bathes the brain in hormones that can permanently alter the "wiring" of a child's brain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #121212; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #121212; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On July 20 President Trump finally ended the wholesale separation of
children from their parents, bowing to intense political and public pressure,
and US District Judge Dana Sabraw gave the government until July 26 to reunite
children with their parents. The government says it reunited 1,820 children
with their parents or close family relatives by the deadline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #121212; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #121212; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As of July 29, 711 children had not yet been reunited with
their families. The parents of 431 children have already been deported, making
the reunification process more difficult. Immigrant advocacy lawyers continue
to work on behalf of these children and their families, trying to reunite
children with parents or other family members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #121212; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #121212; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think of the Memphis Society Children’s Society Home when I
read of the horrors these immigrant parents have endured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #121212; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wingate dedicates <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before We Were Yours</i></b>, to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“… the hundreds [of children] who vanished and for the
thousands who didn’t. May your stories not be forgotten.” </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
hope the stories of these immigrant families are not forgotten, because
the United States is a better country than these incidents indicate.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-52873788989104326722018-07-30T01:39:00.000-05:002018-07-30T10:20:50.544-05:00Separating Children From Their Families, Part 1<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
the early 1970’s I was working as a caseworker for the county department of
social services (also known as the welfare department) in my Appalachian
hometown. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">My assignment was an Aid to
Families with Dependent Children, or AFDC, caseload.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The AFDC program, in effect from 1935 until
1996, provided federal assistance to children whose family had low or no
income.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
don’t recall how many families I served, but it was enough that making home
visits to each family was hard to accomplish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would read the file on the family and if it
appeared that the adult caregiver(s) and the children were doing well (even
though they were living in poverty), a phone contact might suffice—if they had
a telephone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, several days a
week I drove the back streets of my hometown or the mountainous county roads to
make home visits to the families on my caseload. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Typically,
I would check on the well-being of the children, see what services the family
might need, and try to match their needs with community resources. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zTzI6XRfxit0A7FyYapL7fnHIhZH-Klov5Holq4fqUU7YFwKBcJSLHT1svC7F-Vx-qnuI2a5EpO6fUp08kddISPMoFnyz_oXRMp2xSIVSphZ5MEuQ1XKMCDQPJaL0PMk_-sDAkqThvc/s1600/TES+Carroll+County+1971+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="665" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zTzI6XRfxit0A7FyYapL7fnHIhZH-Klov5Holq4fqUU7YFwKBcJSLHT1svC7F-Vx-qnuI2a5EpO6fUp08kddISPMoFnyz_oXRMp2xSIVSphZ5MEuQ1XKMCDQPJaL0PMk_-sDAkqThvc/s320/TES+Carroll+County+1971+cropped.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my early days as a "welfare worker"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">While
I worked for social services, a few families took an inordinate amount of my
time. The challenges might be a large number of children in the family; adults
in the home who had mental health or other health issues; or I suspected that
the children were neglected. I returned repeatedly to these homes trying to
monitor the situation and to promote a healthier environment for raising
children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During
the two-plus years I worked my AFDC caseload, I went to court one time to ask
that the courts remove children from a mother’s custody. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This single mother had at least eight
children. I worked with the mother for months but she never made much of an
effort to comply with the department’s suggestions. The house was filthy. I
remember the interior walls had food stuck to them. It appeared there had been
a big food fight at some point but no one bothered to clean up afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A loaf of bread and peanut butter and jelly
sat out on the table all the time and the children would wander by, fix
something to eat—if they were tall enough to reach the table--and keep moving. One
of the younger boys in the family frequently had cuts and bruises on his arms
and legs, and occasionally his face. When I asked what happened to him, he said
one of the older children had hit him or pushed him down, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the very
least, the children lacked consistent adult supervision and guidance. The worse
case scenario was physical abuse also was present in the home. The older
children missed school frequently, kept home to babysit the preschool children.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
finally made the decision, with the assistance of my supervisor and other more experienced
workers in the department, to take the mother to court to gain temporary custody
of the </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">children. She had a lawyer, or perhaps the court had appointed the lawyer to
represent the children’s interests, I don’t remember. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do remember testifying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lawyer asked me about my previous experience
with large families. In another county where I got my start in the field of
social services, I had large mountain families on my caseload. I also had served
as a substitute teacher in the local Head Start program so I had some job-related
experience and sympathy with the problems of poverty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK9z1qLqApZRi99X9YTrR9nJHb04s7UkHEbJFe7PI_fsQeRsvPUjdVravyM06b3yWKveyer1Pu8le1vnUEvmZFts7H-8UWRy5xitnu5OioJvAzO18r1az4psOKe1ZyWqmsOTH5UIct7U/s1600/Rosemary+Carroll+County+1971+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="844" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK9z1qLqApZRi99X9YTrR9nJHb04s7UkHEbJFe7PI_fsQeRsvPUjdVravyM06b3yWKveyer1Pu8le1vnUEvmZFts7H-8UWRy5xitnu5OioJvAzO18r1az4psOKe1ZyWqmsOTH5UIct7U/s320/Rosemary+Carroll+County+1971+cropped.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother with infant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
felt these children should be removed from the home with the idea that the
foster care worker would then work with the mother to help her improve her
parenting skills so the children could be returned to her custody.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
the family services judge heard all the testimony and examined the
documentation each side provided, he ruled in favor of the department of social
services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the deputy went to get
the children who were supposed to be waiting in a back room, the mother and her
boyfriend had fled the county with the children. I remember being surprised because
that was the first time I saw that the mom cared enough about her children to
fight for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sheriff didn’t try
to apprehend the couple. A warrant for the mom was probably issued. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she were smart, she never returned to
this county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I never saw her or the children again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-77962052262033656452018-07-27T20:08:00.000-05:002018-07-27T20:15:52.335-05:00Writing Snail MailI’m working on a blog post that keeps growing and growing, longer and longer, and I’m fretting over how to deal with it.
Are all the words necessary? Should I divide into parts? As I get
frustrated, I think about the writing process.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Cmg-BhKieBC_11hiTypsFFn6_9tZP0pGcEX8luO6yePzVNsgadPOoewMEVpGUodyQ68KSzlxQ7D2SA6lrIAlOWoZB8yea-ojmi7WhJIVrc7yCTA4amenDtAVY7CP3cd8xuxiUcTG5M/s1600/snail+mail+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1280" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Cmg-BhKieBC_11hiTypsFFn6_9tZP0pGcEX8luO6yePzVNsgadPOoewMEVpGUodyQ68KSzlxQ7D2SA6lrIAlOWoZB8yea-ojmi7WhJIVrc7yCTA4amenDtAVY7CP3cd8xuxiUcTG5M/s400/snail+mail+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade envelope from a friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I remember when I taught middle school and later at various
colleges and universities, my students would often become stuck at the beginning of a
writing assignment. I advised the students to jump-start their writing by pretending
they were composing a letter to a close friend. At this point in the writing
process, don’t worry about being perfect, I say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re just sharing information informally with
someone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This strategy often worked as long as the student fulfilled
Part 2 of the process-- revising their writing in accordance with the
assignment and editing their grammar, punctuation and spelling, as needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I left teaching and moved into administration at the right
time, because any effectiveness of that strategy went out the window some years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can imagine the blank stares of
today’s youth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A letter?” someone asks.
“I just have to write one letter? I'll take 'T.'” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, I’m not talking about the alphabet. I’m
talking about a letter like snail mail.” I say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve heard of snail mail, is it anything like email?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My grandmother still uses email,” one student
says.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My grandmother likes Messenger,” says another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I use Snapchat,” a
girl volunteers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Whatsapp is where it’s at,” the boy sitting across from the girl tells her, flirting a little bit in the process.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think Viber is the best,” another girl jumps into the
conversation, which is spiraling away from the issue at hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not talking about electronic mail,” I take another stab
at it. “I’m talking about letters like the mail carrier brings and puts in your
mailbox, the kind you take to the post office.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrBCMPUqAEO9ULCmeRXYXsjb_QXBtV1q0CcGh3f0qkU7mmvqJsNgMYZhB_DWWfpBdmY8eB3rKOAeXvAOzYPZ4zeR7DWg_q9zBlKYD4S1quO3b6-1m6VEkYeDyNyizdqy7rLQ17-bn4_E/s1600/snail+amil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1280" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrBCMPUqAEO9ULCmeRXYXsjb_QXBtV1q0CcGh3f0qkU7mmvqJsNgMYZhB_DWWfpBdmY8eB3rKOAeXvAOzYPZ4zeR7DWg_q9zBlKYD4S1quO3b6-1m6VEkYeDyNyizdqy7rLQ17-bn4_E/s320/snail+amil.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade envelope for a friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dr. Edgerton-Scott, we need help writing a critique of this article.
Why are you talking about something that no one understands?” another student
asks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Never mind,” I say. “Who wants to share their strategies
for getting started on the critique of the article you’ve read?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s a critique? they ask. “Are we going to have to
think?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-69301994802695201412018-06-24T23:44:00.000-05:002018-06-25T00:01:11.020-05:00I Excel at Leisure<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve always said my husband Ricky and I excel at leisure.
This isn’t surprising because my childhood was filled with enjoyable vacations
with my family, mostly at the South Carolina beaches, but sometimes in Florida.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjfc6YF-D5UmQKEJisICaoe4rF-jhFLxRjxBrlWctX1E36JM5m-eaRi6O7DUZYey6hxruLcyIp3Pt5kJBQAndWpUF0jDtEZhI4VXhC_Oe2Tl95Pycz4_95KRLz-wgJdUvSLKEKfkU3k0/s1600/SC+Beach+1956+Daddy+and+Judy%252C+S+and+P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="867" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjfc6YF-D5UmQKEJisICaoe4rF-jhFLxRjxBrlWctX1E36JM5m-eaRi6O7DUZYey6hxruLcyIp3Pt5kJBQAndWpUF0jDtEZhI4VXhC_Oe2Tl95Pycz4_95KRLz-wgJdUvSLKEKfkU3k0/s400/SC+Beach+1956+Daddy+and+Judy%252C+S+and+P.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy with family friends' children and my sister (in middle)<br />
Myrtle Beach, SC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJ2NSIYq9MNOjW-oJhwvbFaqiFp1kPBwXnj76NSCFl-OeNGSxpTQYKAxdE9Mt9QjNb7vdeRvYedpVpLwdr_8Gi9HCyUgLjtTYX0k9Med2SvZ0W18OB2gRlSpnjL659mv-A1qFOvwRwTA/s1600/SC+Beach+1955+3+Scott+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="854" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJ2NSIYq9MNOjW-oJhwvbFaqiFp1kPBwXnj76NSCFl-OeNGSxpTQYKAxdE9Mt9QjNb7vdeRvYedpVpLwdr_8Gi9HCyUgLjtTYX0k9Med2SvZ0W18OB2gRlSpnjL659mv-A1qFOvwRwTA/s400/SC+Beach+1955+3+Scott+girls.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sisters and I (far right) in Florida</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s_O9A5Fs-wRobLvm9PL0ah9YmDCTuun9YD439IWZDo1bFPu8lYsVFeCBDe5HkurxQ_lZbycl_DUKR0mxg7oGnCOGZCDhJVZA6lqdVLCSuJHbHGB5mT4BXPP9GO47QLNNfiyh-9i5X8s/s1600/TES%252C+S+and+B+at+the+beach%252C+1962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="863" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s_O9A5Fs-wRobLvm9PL0ah9YmDCTuun9YD439IWZDo1bFPu8lYsVFeCBDe5HkurxQ_lZbycl_DUKR0mxg7oGnCOGZCDhJVZA6lqdVLCSuJHbHGB5mT4BXPP9GO47QLNNfiyh-9i5X8s/s320/TES%252C+S+and+B+at+the+beach%252C+1962.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sisters and I (middle) at the beach in SC rocking the sunglasses <br />
and sailor hats!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since we've been married, Ricky and I have been fortunate to travel to foreign
soils, e.g., France, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands,
England. In 2017, we enjoyed a leisurely cruise on the Rhine with our neighbors, explored Guatemala with friends, and visited other friends and family
across the United States. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQE8rSArMFScUI_AZ3z1GX9g1fowNL3sFPgnGXKiqWQUYqH3C4ZS3pSIMjUZm73bjXRTTAL2Z25Qy-5M87OL5vkpK9t0X_YGLKc8H6bKe-UpGPg2qTSH90NjZCw3QPk1idZIAItiMlArQ/s1600/Feeding+swans+from+our+Viking+stateroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQE8rSArMFScUI_AZ3z1GX9g1fowNL3sFPgnGXKiqWQUYqH3C4ZS3pSIMjUZm73bjXRTTAL2Z25Qy-5M87OL5vkpK9t0X_YGLKc8H6bKe-UpGPg2qTSH90NjZCw3QPk1idZIAItiMlArQ/s400/Feeding+swans+from+our+Viking+stateroom.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding swans from our stateroom on the ship</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VGXekEv6_omLKV_VylnZAIrc9WXUNcEBVaUU27r0FOq9Nz0a_PVV6D9_GS53rnmM33lSuc9Jn4xXZjzw2Em-AQp0LdF0cswiiDDXnwObdK6wMyiM5Cfb8-KFaYUb07wlL34EQq17hYI/s1600/Viking+cruise+Nov+2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VGXekEv6_omLKV_VylnZAIrc9WXUNcEBVaUU27r0FOq9Nz0a_PVV6D9_GS53rnmM33lSuc9Jn4xXZjzw2Em-AQp0LdF0cswiiDDXnwObdK6wMyiM5Cfb8-KFaYUb07wlL34EQq17hYI/s400/Viking+cruise+Nov+2017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring different countries during our cruise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd_hC8bVov398PNW2QZyEtaZfATlVYp7KCDAH-iobcRsF8giscXfD7vRo2R-aDoStLhatPAnCfWexj9aItsuef-vbVjI8OJgiFoyfAY7H9Ul9ejNaM1zDT5N8qvueg3L7-TdAglecOIo/s1600/Guatemala+2+volcano+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd_hC8bVov398PNW2QZyEtaZfATlVYp7KCDAH-iobcRsF8giscXfD7vRo2R-aDoStLhatPAnCfWexj9aItsuef-vbVjI8OJgiFoyfAY7H9Ul9ejNaM1zDT5N8qvueg3L7-TdAglecOIo/s400/Guatemala+2+volcano+view.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcanoes in Guatemala seen from hotel balcony<br />
Lake Atitlan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUG5t9ZsPzNABMyX6n_BvZY_SRkkvuU5o7DzSEqUlm5-pwW_jCUw0DdMVamqi4mccsTlCMZGKd41B4Syoe2ExzOBYyn7yQgF_WBIKuu4U2zwPik8kwXnz5vxGc7WpF-qm4dRISjcqbSBk/s1600/Antigua+central+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUG5t9ZsPzNABMyX6n_BvZY_SRkkvuU5o7DzSEqUlm5-pwW_jCUw0DdMVamqi4mccsTlCMZGKd41B4Syoe2ExzOBYyn7yQgF_WBIKuu4U2zwPik8kwXnz5vxGc7WpF-qm4dRISjcqbSBk/s400/Antigua+central+square.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central square in Antigua, Guatemala </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So far in 2018 we are staying closer to home, but still having fun. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In May, Ricky accompanied me to the Louisiana Trust for
Historic Preservation Conference in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Conference attendees
visited two plantation homes to see the architecture prevalent in the
mid-nineteenth century. The first night of the conference, we attended a
reception at Ducros Plantation in </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Schriever,
Louisiana, about three miles from Thibodaux. This home had recently changed
ownership, and was being renovated to feature an event venue downstairs and
living quarters for the family upstairs.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C7H_sjyYB2461CpK5Smx39vPh2yJHVpLodgNXVncJKzEVixhre3t4Dbye6eLjF7fQ8aEz9ENkpMFvmpWcoQcI7ExmpsGNfrETek8QhqiE_r90KKV_dRKFksxOmasuHBPr45gtzKAbgk/s1600/Ducros+Plantation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C7H_sjyYB2461CpK5Smx39vPh2yJHVpLodgNXVncJKzEVixhre3t4Dbye6eLjF7fQ8aEz9ENkpMFvmpWcoQcI7ExmpsGNfrETek8QhqiE_r90KKV_dRKFksxOmasuHBPr45gtzKAbgk/s400/Ducros+Plantation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ducros Plantation <br />
(Facebook page)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Madedown Plantation, a former sugar cane plantation built
in 1846 on Bayou Lafourche near Napoleonville, <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">provided an example of Greek Revival architecture. This plantation
home was significant as the first major work of</span><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Howard_(architect)" title="Henry Howard (architect)"><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Henry Howard</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, an Irish-born American architect, who
designed over 280 buildings in Louisiana. Madedown Plantation was recently
purchased by American artist Hunt Slonem who is refurbishing the house and
grounds, but the guide told us it will remain a bed-and-breakfast.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBB1OAfygls-yLDRO266nv3yyLtrlHTd_D31oj14xK7mToLEIZi96GesmHbg2Ap3yjtd1EVRV4Eeh-jKRFKcb3pv2Jo5gnu2U6evL3Kl3x2g-2_IkKOD9ysMte1aR4HpWaE982DavyQQ/s1600/Madedown+Plantation+porch+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBB1OAfygls-yLDRO266nv3yyLtrlHTd_D31oj14xK7mToLEIZi96GesmHbg2Ap3yjtd1EVRV4Eeh-jKRFKcb3pv2Jo5gnu2U6evL3Kl3x2g-2_IkKOD9ysMte1aR4HpWaE982DavyQQ/s400/Madedown+Plantation+porch+entrance.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Madedown Plantation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSJGXf56EWwg2iG7kBUnV0qCBe3yEb_szv6E7CpgE_-5ejRlvBDb-5bMsib1GIUg_clgUQ5GMK2RDFUyHXImULD_Wk919ifroUo0WpcSwwLlqzbYN1ytRmrYrfSBYd0FX3O-2F0W-Oyk/s1600/Madedown+Plantation+sugar+cane+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="921" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSJGXf56EWwg2iG7kBUnV0qCBe3yEb_szv6E7CpgE_-5ejRlvBDb-5bMsib1GIUg_clgUQ5GMK2RDFUyHXImULD_Wk919ifroUo0WpcSwwLlqzbYN1ytRmrYrfSBYd0FX3O-2F0W-Oyk/s400/Madedown+Plantation+sugar+cane+pot.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madedown Plantation grounds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the way home from Thibodaux, we
stopped at the Shadetree Inn, a
bed-and-breakfast located on a four-acre hilltop in St. Francisville, La and owned by an old friend of
Ricky’s. After we checked in, Ricky chatted with Kenwood, and they filled each
other in on their lives since they were last together. We ate supper at the
Magnolia Café, a local hangout, and after a little shopping the next morning, we
were ready to head back to northwest Louisiana.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSydk8AIkeVQCrCNzVzx8Gr1aA_FWeRVBOme1cHKyxHobtFn-KjTWOk-6Gm7z_Drk6T3cKMdo4xU7GGjS9LxViJYMC06yVWSjpdWBfslDesnav-6QVGvqcLqNK5L-96_V72hnFy0kbPfA/s1600/Shadetree+bedroom+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSydk8AIkeVQCrCNzVzx8Gr1aA_FWeRVBOme1cHKyxHobtFn-KjTWOk-6Gm7z_Drk6T3cKMdo4xU7GGjS9LxViJYMC06yVWSjpdWBfslDesnav-6QVGvqcLqNK5L-96_V72hnFy0kbPfA/s400/Shadetree+bedroom+best.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadetree Inn<br />
St. Francisville, La</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTgOldFZ0BsKRCXvNXqmXeEbZVt-bbdaJC4UME6cNHpNLX7WmAN7kXabddT8ZlIPJuB2Q8ojTuNJWykwrGw-Xh_YkHtH-rjkq_T8cbGO3L8KfMmwQZ41ubOlfGlCOrqpTwF2N3f9WeEs/s1600/Shadetree+patio+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTgOldFZ0BsKRCXvNXqmXeEbZVt-bbdaJC4UME6cNHpNLX7WmAN7kXabddT8ZlIPJuB2Q8ojTuNJWykwrGw-Xh_YkHtH-rjkq_T8cbGO3L8KfMmwQZ41ubOlfGlCOrqpTwF2N3f9WeEs/s400/Shadetree+patio+best.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadetree Inn patio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I love our historic Highland
neighborhood, so I don’t feel deprived when we stay home in Shreveport. My
friends Sarah and Howard opened their garden for our Northwest Louisiana Master
Gardener Le Tour des Jardins in May, so I volunteered to work there during the two-day
tour. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I greeted and guided the public through my assigned section of the garden and answered questions—I learned a lot quickly. Mainly </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I relished the beauty of their garden the whole weekend.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSASOlvg84MbzHAbowIw6H45cWMfdhnsZwpOoP4LnorbdKmlFGE6YOitnhfYwNHW49TltUyff6OIo9tT9PT5KHvGrJ-PlrnXhjshJ1P1xynyUILOEMkOE7-U3viBnVmiofUzr03Za2FM/s1600/corner+of+Sarah+garden+tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSASOlvg84MbzHAbowIw6H45cWMfdhnsZwpOoP4LnorbdKmlFGE6YOitnhfYwNHW49TltUyff6OIo9tT9PT5KHvGrJ-PlrnXhjshJ1P1xynyUILOEMkOE7-U3viBnVmiofUzr03Za2FM/s640/corner+of+Sarah+garden+tour.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corner of Sarah & Howard's garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBu0YSfvXQiWDb6_mR4Yve30AM5wQxUO3xCeOEC2FnsHsLtD9zBnNw0dYvt1u36sW2tdRGdsDttFpOqvVbvOZVkv4VeFJho3UDZ3AAGwZlkwrWiUfmwyOe8xdM8Lki6trvdeAyhlBPv9g/s1600/Sarah+from+the+patio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBu0YSfvXQiWDb6_mR4Yve30AM5wQxUO3xCeOEC2FnsHsLtD9zBnNw0dYvt1u36sW2tdRGdsDttFpOqvVbvOZVkv4VeFJho3UDZ3AAGwZlkwrWiUfmwyOe8xdM8Lki6trvdeAyhlBPv9g/s640/Sarah+from+the+patio.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another perspective of "my" corner of Sarah & Howard's garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPUoB34za5SBDHO60sZ6XK6m3qce4mvSaBxiMtuJbrTrGu_fluzMLn1cUJ2sOeGD32-HCK9SN2sG6aRMx6UHDW4ZM82y_LYdUuz9Gc1S9MgDuAu4kciVgTv9S-wTvU3cDGjhjRo9SCCI/s1600/Sarah+window+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPUoB34za5SBDHO60sZ6XK6m3qce4mvSaBxiMtuJbrTrGu_fluzMLn1cUJ2sOeGD32-HCK9SN2sG6aRMx6UHDW4ZM82y_LYdUuz9Gc1S9MgDuAu4kciVgTv9S-wTvU3cDGjhjRo9SCCI/s640/Sarah+window+box.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window frame re-envisioned </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">While our neighborhood has
some spectacular homes with curb appeal and lovely outdoor spaces, it’s a never-ending
struggle to keep the entire neighborhood presentable.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many people litter or let their garbage can
overflow. I can’t understand people who throw trash on the streets and
sidewalks or who don’t monitor their blocks for litter. I prefer to be
surrounded by beauty.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Toward this goal, the
Highland Restoration Association picks up trash and does landscaping of selected beautification areas throughout the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am in town, I try to participate in the monthly trash pick-ups. It’s not a
task most people enjoy, but I like coming together with other concerned citizens to improve the appearance of
our neighborhood and hopefully to teach by example. One member of the HRA board
involves his three young daughters in every clean-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are diligent, cheerful workers, and it
does my heart good to see them participate as a family.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFtEzx1GYvlcXZwQGd_1H0l0nworioSdVLrO3tCvjjljCWy3PE9LktCOnXz8EZ171GGQjYodvzmiT7mJJ9kaLf6YYBOpg4YcntLiecXna50QsXpaWhyNnuMZG0lopN34DRbGFMmkRxCY/s1600/Clean+up+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="898" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFtEzx1GYvlcXZwQGd_1H0l0nworioSdVLrO3tCvjjljCWy3PE9LktCOnXz8EZ171GGQjYodvzmiT7mJJ9kaLf6YYBOpg4YcntLiecXna50QsXpaWhyNnuMZG0lopN34DRbGFMmkRxCY/s400/Clean+up+pic.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young volunteer pulling weeds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another worthy initiative
in our neighborhood is the quarterly Highland Open Studio Tour Sundays (HOSTS),
which promotes art and artists in the neighborhood. June marked the fifth
anniversary of HOSTS, and Ricky and I decided to open our house and showcase
his blacksmithing “studio” under the camellia tree in our backyard. Ricky sold
his LazyR wares, and I invited other artist friends to display and sell their art
at our house during HOSTS. We ended up with six artists, including my multi-talented
friends Melissa and Loretta. We also had the Fiddlin’s Tim Trio (Tim, Bruce
and Randy) playing their mix of standards, swing, and jazz in our guest
cottage.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6E5p1mQYTHriRkHCT3Q583IpGPt-TxAU6WuL_Y7J6Lh0-9eN-u2MgX84FDF1zd5UEx4HiYK6XNGYTg0L9NDo-9nNg2lEDZnWuDb1BwIeRv_H34XV9eO-VTS_Vn4m5o2XlJsE-z5fw5SM/s1600/Ricky+with+his+forge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6E5p1mQYTHriRkHCT3Q583IpGPt-TxAU6WuL_Y7J6Lh0-9eN-u2MgX84FDF1zd5UEx4HiYK6XNGYTg0L9NDo-9nNg2lEDZnWuDb1BwIeRv_H34XV9eO-VTS_Vn4m5o2XlJsE-z5fw5SM/s320/Ricky+with+his+forge.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky at his forge, Lazy R Ranch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgC7iaAb5dfMiQVo4_hYoaehAP1wWYKwaJ0MdqZalSfgJ4qoGZxECL-9RR7dRHKYOjpoXGBwIvWAKsUWdanT_0M31-cmdAza03PiKJ0f-xcodDRKWJdd4wsS9tueTEFbI4-ffl01GtjA/s1600/horse+head+hooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1280" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgC7iaAb5dfMiQVo4_hYoaehAP1wWYKwaJ0MdqZalSfgJ4qoGZxECL-9RR7dRHKYOjpoXGBwIvWAKsUWdanT_0M31-cmdAza03PiKJ0f-xcodDRKWJdd4wsS9tueTEFbI4-ffl01GtjA/s320/horse+head+hooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky's horse head hooks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSICs1cz3ucbtpJuliSFZqVGOr_42fmrF1NLjmEz3lq-jrG12DMfDWSYkTgvDsWeGbWZqoguE3vDzaBOtnUSotv-TPEMf7I96aLx-S-l9HMvkM_KzvWO9Rfd9us5URAut-yoJyiPMr8BI/s1600/Rickys+wares+HOSTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1228" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSICs1cz3ucbtpJuliSFZqVGOr_42fmrF1NLjmEz3lq-jrG12DMfDWSYkTgvDsWeGbWZqoguE3vDzaBOtnUSotv-TPEMf7I96aLx-S-l9HMvkM_KzvWO9Rfd9us5URAut-yoJyiPMr8BI/s400/Rickys+wares+HOSTS.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky displays his hooks on our patio during HOST</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZhAvvEEtwnEvhAsCJxNXvWXFAjrAmFO4uRLWvy-fL4AwfNAx6H7jM4FvunD90tk-YdHfx4jPpqUCOV9VXwKUwD7SmTUwgiiA0hctt4i61x_o8eO5eI0Zr8XpX9KZgEMX6yuqEvHw66o/s1600/horse+head+hook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZhAvvEEtwnEvhAsCJxNXvWXFAjrAmFO4uRLWvy-fL4AwfNAx6H7jM4FvunD90tk-YdHfx4jPpqUCOV9VXwKUwD7SmTUwgiiA0hctt4i61x_o8eO5eI0Zr8XpX9KZgEMX6yuqEvHw66o/s400/horse+head+hook.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse head hook in my library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since HOSTS started at
noon on Sunday, all the studios served food and drinks. We offered a variety of
finger sandwiches and cookies, washed down with either lemonade or Moscow Mules. One
studio had gumbo, another jambalaya. While attendees browsed and purchased the
art, they could essentially eat a meal, especially if they went to every
studio.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We paid the Fiddlin’ Tim
Trio by buying them tickets to the Shreveport House Concert scheduled for later
that night and featuring renowned New Orleans drummer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woprPaIX9dA&list=RDwoprPaIX9dA&t=308">Johnny Vidacovich</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">OffBeat</i>
magazine in its Best of the Beat Awards has named “Johnny V” as Best
Drummer/Percussionist on numerous occasions. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Drummerworld</i> called Johnny V “the quintessential New Orleans jazz
drummer, with all the exuberance and skill befitting one who grew up in the
birthplace of jazz.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Johnny V lived up to his
reputation. Our friend Bruce Gay of the Fiddlin’ Tim Trio described the concert
afterwards: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Johnny V "was a gnome on a throne--he
twisted, turned, bounced to rhythms he felt. He WAS the different drummer
people dance to. He was rhythm itself. His band was great--better</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> than great-
engaging, funny, chops like you hear about.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Beautiful serene gardens, original
art, volunteer activities, live music, good friends—they are all part of the View
from my Highland Cottage, and I feel so fortunate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-79043115478630113082018-05-27T21:43:00.000-05:002018-05-27T22:32:38.875-05:00An Unwitting Button Collector<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I wrote
about my love for dishes in my last </span><a href="http://myhighlandcottage.blogspot.com/2018/04/its-dishes-day.html" style="font-size: 12pt;">blog post</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> written almost two months
ago.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now I find myself writing about
being an unwitting collector of buttons. I wager I’m not the only woman who has
become a button collector without realizing it.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not that
there’s anything wrong with collecting buttons. Button collecting is the third
most popular collection, according to a button collector’s blog I read. Button clubs,
button conventions, and a national button society all cater to avid collectors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My mother sewed
and made clothing for my two sisters and me during our school years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a stash of buttons still on their
cards, as well as a button jar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my
sisters and I were young, the button jar fascinated us. We were like King Midas
with his gold coins. We loved looking at the buttons in the jar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved dumping them out, counting and sorting
them. Some of the buttons came from clothes we owned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest button that I remember came from
one of Mother’s coats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a mottled brown
button with a convex surface, the kind of button that attached behind the button face, with no holes showing after it
was sewn on the coat. I wonder what happened to the button jar, perhaps one
of Mother’s grandchildren squirreled it away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t sew
except to reattach the occasional loose button or to hem a pair of slacks, so why
do I have a button collection? If you’re a woman, you may already know the answer.
Every blouse, sweater, skirt, coat, and jacket purchased comes with a small
plastic bag or tiny paper envelope attached to the clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the bag is an extra button or
two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For years, I’ve removed the envelope</span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">containing the buttons</span> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">from the clothing, opened a dresser
drawer, put the button packet into a larger zip lock bag, and closed the drawer.
Then I would forget about it. I never used any of the buttons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently I
opened that drawer and saw the zip lock bag full of button packets. It was like
seeing them for the first time. “Why am I saving these?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I decided to
open the packages and look at the buttons, knowing I no longer owned the clothing that went
with the majority of the buttons. I bet there were a hundred small
envelopes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhq0gffGAmUo_KWKdlU2OfCRN8o0lnhK4lK9GoLiB9Nyg12Q7I7boUX8JYRats8Bhs64e-1V6M3WwT5ZR1I8YasWVM4OvcrlNcLlJXxNXMXXVsLFEZ3RMyW6JyresD6lmRABk_WRS7dUo/s1600/button+packets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhq0gffGAmUo_KWKdlU2OfCRN8o0lnhK4lK9GoLiB9Nyg12Q7I7boUX8JYRats8Bhs64e-1V6M3WwT5ZR1I8YasWVM4OvcrlNcLlJXxNXMXXVsLFEZ3RMyW6JyresD6lmRABk_WRS7dUo/s640/button+packets.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty packages that held buttons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I opened all
the packets and dumped the buttons into a single clear plastic zip lock bag so
I could see them. I noticed several green buttons that went with a raincoat
that I haven’t owned for years. It was a three quarter length coat and I
thought I looked pretty cute in it. One of my favorite buttons was a large
button with a tribal design on it. I remembered the navy sweater shirt it went
with, gone for more than a decade. The short-sleeved shirt buttoned up the
front and was designed to hang loosely. It barely covered my midsection. I felt
risqué when I wore it to work, so I never raised my arms very far above my head.
I immediately recognized a fabric-covered button that went to one of my
all-time favorite dresses, a red and navy swinging shirtwaist that looked like
it came from the 1940’s.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJJVKz5VlNDxXrqelrPy5aePysjSM3PSkKL00ftPybrfJFe50SNrbI7m8dxnqbvhQIhqGAHMq_bFYrjFFc-G6W3kpcZCaeYKlsOxWjnd6AAoIJsMcskeVU0OqqoLc8ZnX-IMDDBZ7xSs/s1600/Buttons+in+bag+2+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJJVKz5VlNDxXrqelrPy5aePysjSM3PSkKL00ftPybrfJFe50SNrbI7m8dxnqbvhQIhqGAHMq_bFYrjFFc-G6W3kpcZCaeYKlsOxWjnd6AAoIJsMcskeVU0OqqoLc8ZnX-IMDDBZ7xSs/s640/Buttons+in+bag+2+best.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zip Lock Bag of Buttons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I sorted
through black, red, green, blue and white buttons, thin mother-of-pearl buttons, clear
plastic buttons, fabric-covered buttons. If I lose a button now, I can look in
the zip lock bag and have a better chance of finding a match.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">More than likely, I’ll just use the buttons
in arts and crafts projects. However, some nights when I’m alone, you might
discover me dumping out my bag of buttons and running my hands through them as
if they are golden coins—or perhaps, golden memories.</span></div>
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-78247818122294533732018-04-07T23:51:00.000-05:002018-04-08T09:36:23.747-05:00It's Dishes Day!<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">People who know me know that I love
books. I have a library in my house with shelves full of books and a sliding library
ladder that allows easy access to those on the highest shelves.</span><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">But people may not know that I also
love dishes—I’m talking plates and bowls, cups and saucers, teapots and pitchers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zCtopvBAofgMGCMyuj4zHH_EqdQOoro1Wtt8cBSaUD-o7XLSvimQF6bzSO0lPDzsBGHq7DpLYsOKdGh7F62_Y0ddgJqzApnOwj4_vNNaOfOgf54IhPr3LekIrZLmEl8KEA6rdhjDeno/s1600/rabbit+teapot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zCtopvBAofgMGCMyuj4zHH_EqdQOoro1Wtt8cBSaUD-o7XLSvimQF6bzSO0lPDzsBGHq7DpLYsOKdGh7F62_Y0ddgJqzApnOwj4_vNNaOfOgf54IhPr3LekIrZLmEl8KEA6rdhjDeno/s400/rabbit+teapot.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teapot from my sister and vintage platter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I own a lot of china, pottery, and
glassware:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A white-on-white Moonspun Lenox fine
china setting for eight, almost 50 years old now, made in the USA. This pattern
was made by Lenox from 1968-1995.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqj8p3220QXQLBbup8az9h7Cjbt-SVPmySMhT6U048GNv2meqfXWz-tzfkW-NXsyIr2rAAb5AllMTzhYeyu7cFZEYx79JSnmMZylNGl1RUf_X3uN3pbN-ra0GyNeoWM75gDqw2nuol9A/s1600/Moonspun+cup+and+saucer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1234" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqj8p3220QXQLBbup8az9h7Cjbt-SVPmySMhT6U048GNv2meqfXWz-tzfkW-NXsyIr2rAAb5AllMTzhYeyu7cFZEYx79JSnmMZylNGl1RUf_X3uN3pbN-ra0GyNeoWM75gDqw2nuol9A/s640/Moonspun+cup+and+saucer.jpg" width="616" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonspun by Lenox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Vintage china passed down from my
mother, or given to me by friends from their mothers and grandmothers.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCwAOEJpmYZrlGpw3kqjeh8YDIHayYMy4suBd46bZLKzXoGgYUgv3EWL4RRYsmvDBK7vTcR6uIxLyPoYLFUj8rDFUfAlfr7Opj3Rn-FmWBiiJeeXvJzkqtSXttifbWnelFS4rG0Pd3OY/s1600/Mrs+Kimbroughs+teapot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1280" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCwAOEJpmYZrlGpw3kqjeh8YDIHayYMy4suBd46bZLKzXoGgYUgv3EWL4RRYsmvDBK7vTcR6uIxLyPoYLFUj8rDFUfAlfr7Opj3Rn-FmWBiiJeeXvJzkqtSXttifbWnelFS4rG0Pd3OY/s640/Mrs+Kimbroughs+teapot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage china and stoneware</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are beautiful plates with sky blue rims and 24 karat gold borders around a floral bouquet, passed down from my
mother who received them as wedding gifts. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">My sisters and I each have two plates to
display in our homes.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazJDOulkmV0T_nOrDpPYc-p4D59E8vggeRzLfcaRF06A9LoJrKMwFqTGaOGoFHoz3A9mbtojFi4XugQtSYtXdR8DHWTxiwiNyf_WOmCRwlBS__Fpro3fdmLdCK_D19f302IM44doqx4s/s1600/blue+plate+lightened.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazJDOulkmV0T_nOrDpPYc-p4D59E8vggeRzLfcaRF06A9LoJrKMwFqTGaOGoFHoz3A9mbtojFi4XugQtSYtXdR8DHWTxiwiNyf_WOmCRwlBS__Fpro3fdmLdCK_D19f302IM44doqx4s/s640/blue+plate+lightened.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage plate, made in the USA, passed down from my mom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have fine bone
china from several English companies, a plate from Germany perfect for serving
cookies, china from Japan, old stoneware, and other plates from US china
makers. The place of origin and the marks on the bottom tell a story about each
piece.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tlG-0mI4opsKpUQrMnMlt38YM_IrBauTr5FbOQz2TPVpZig72cjLEmgfzE5Doo6MqqvqkGGGSwdDXvhDkv3yDgI44m5IL1vwvYPRVYgm9DUthpyte9vcQ75M99g4B38j4kZvLDSDRHI/s1600/DR+china+overviews+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tlG-0mI4opsKpUQrMnMlt38YM_IrBauTr5FbOQz2TPVpZig72cjLEmgfzE5Doo6MqqvqkGGGSwdDXvhDkv3yDgI44m5IL1vwvYPRVYgm9DUthpyte9vcQ75M99g4B38j4kZvLDSDRHI/s640/DR+china+overviews+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">China cabinet in dining room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5lvK3xPi4u61wenFfKSGkff20tMDxbX3lkJZOZ5etZt8An9FP1sG0YhtSegBIrjaW0yLw-ReTrHFNiNsURNfa-22slOoMnW7GzsxQBDmKdwxlJzSfDSWoGQQKHB8bKmDR34AbhE2dFg/s1600/DR+vintage+china+close+up+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5lvK3xPi4u61wenFfKSGkff20tMDxbX3lkJZOZ5etZt8An9FP1sG0YhtSegBIrjaW0yLw-ReTrHFNiNsURNfa-22slOoMnW7GzsxQBDmKdwxlJzSfDSWoGQQKHB8bKmDR34AbhE2dFg/s640/DR+vintage+china+close+up+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love all this sweet vintage china.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The 50</span><sup style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> anniversary gold-plated
coffee set, with a mark that says <a href="https://www.porcelainmarksandmore.com/germany/bavaria/windischeschenbach-01/index.php">Winterling Bavaria Germany</a> that belonged to
Ricky’s grandparents.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22CUPT-dJiKadYhegBdXE50kuYAbdHqLqVNt0DOwRthPcnJMrgXHw33JX2AG3tYLP63F1h3D3WyyEYu5hqP1HrPTDSqKd5Fk7KEBYUPeHbAXGppjP1timPn3Guifd_fM5Ljzhc_bvRHg/s1600/gold+china+Edward+VIII+teacup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1280" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22CUPT-dJiKadYhegBdXE50kuYAbdHqLqVNt0DOwRthPcnJMrgXHw33JX2AG3tYLP63F1h3D3WyyEYu5hqP1HrPTDSqKd5Fk7KEBYUPeHbAXGppjP1timPn3Guifd_fM5Ljzhc_bvRHg/s640/gold+china+Edward+VIII+teacup.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse of the gold plated china and the demitasse cup </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">A collection of demitasse cups from
Ricky’s mother, some plain white, others decorated with pink roses or
butterflies, and one advertising the May 12, 1937 coronation of Prince Edward
VIII.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cut glass pieces inherited from my
parents and Ricky’s aunt and uncle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36KLc9LKbmdAk0YAo2kEGO_n9ZhDYp1q5ChYAfDNKcwOQMOTq3Szo6h6XrPKbpNjNXEDjfqudQda2JKDC9WVgywiDC115ANinj_GRD9xNCBcHSFjdgmPYzXXQOwaDgYdOstSkHjLcWi4/s1600/cut+glass+in+china+cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1280" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36KLc9LKbmdAk0YAo2kEGO_n9ZhDYp1q5ChYAfDNKcwOQMOTq3Szo6h6XrPKbpNjNXEDjfqudQda2JKDC9WVgywiDC115ANinj_GRD9xNCBcHSFjdgmPYzXXQOwaDgYdOstSkHjLcWi4/s640/cut+glass+in+china+cabinet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Detail of cut glass reflected in mirrored walls of china cabinet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our everyday </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portmeirion_Pottery" style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Botanic Garden BritishPortmeirion</a><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> dishes featuring different flowers with their common and scientific
names.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvsh9fzDwHG6yDkhvy00PYkS0CYGn2s-Q2OhxRA_XeQhO14BjmZ74xNb1bgGZDjwD3vlBIKr05aB08MpdW_CC7CAw3EzQ4yJH1POD_Xhw9CgZQX-6HsPzeYlaG2RC3tngUqCsEQUfrcY/s1600/Butlers+pantry+overview+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="960" height="609" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvsh9fzDwHG6yDkhvy00PYkS0CYGn2s-Q2OhxRA_XeQhO14BjmZ74xNb1bgGZDjwD3vlBIKr05aB08MpdW_CC7CAw3EzQ4yJH1POD_Xhw9CgZQX-6HsPzeYlaG2RC3tngUqCsEQUfrcY/s640/Butlers+pantry+overview+cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyday dishes of British Portmeirion stored in butler's pantry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The </span><a href="http://www.pyrexcollector.com/" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pyrex</a><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (which turned 100 in 2015) and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%20Fire-King" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fire King</a><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">mid-century modern glassware that my
estate-sale-going friend Rebecca passes on to me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpcLb6zNW03a-rX9-4zT8v0Zag6Izh2Xtlbfj2C1bft5gpqZ2E8shWiMpt13tXUA-TYuArqQXD5mvU2NC_5zjxQOIF0TE8c6A1npRNsz2WnmIZJYJqeNBwKNKHXxwW-pHfi4E998mnvI/s1600/Wild+plate+in+butler%2527s+pantry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1280" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpcLb6zNW03a-rX9-4zT8v0Zag6Izh2Xtlbfj2C1bft5gpqZ2E8shWiMpt13tXUA-TYuArqQXD5mvU2NC_5zjxQOIF0TE8c6A1npRNsz2WnmIZJYJqeNBwKNKHXxwW-pHfi4E998mnvI/s640/Wild+plate+in+butler%2527s+pantry.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miscellaneous glassware in butler's pantry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/04/29/national/fukushima-native-thinks-global-goes-local-keep-ceramic-tradition-alive/#.WsRfY4jwbcs">Somayaki</a> Japanese
tea service Ricky brought home from Vietnam. The Somayaki pottery is unique
because of its double wall construction, which keeps the hot liquids hot while
the outer layer remains cool to the touch. Unfortunately, the March 2011 earthquake and
tsunami in Japan, and subsequent nuclear disaster at the Fukushima nuclear
facility, resulted in the mandated abandonment of the village where Somayaki
pottery was made. Local rocks that were
responsible for the unique glaze are now contaminated. Some young artisans
around Japan are trying to keep the tradition of Somayaki pottery alive with
mixed results.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD1z7e_SSoL27-WHT0WSHDdVxWsF4Qfp6xl0I67VuJsKEErCWU-MhX6AzlGDFaStp0WZsei_TKDxeZjdrx1sdSfgMP8tFcK0tettB_Et4quvixWbgxUxKOmQMk-TwuitGXLbdYXGdzbs/s1600/Vietnam+dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD1z7e_SSoL27-WHT0WSHDdVxWsF4Qfp6xl0I67VuJsKEErCWU-MhX6AzlGDFaStp0WZsei_TKDxeZjdrx1sdSfgMP8tFcK0tettB_Et4quvixWbgxUxKOmQMk-TwuitGXLbdYXGdzbs/s400/Vietnam+dishes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Soma-yaki tea set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">A set of heavy-duty
</span><a href="http://ironmountainstoneware.blogspot.com/p/misc.html" style="font-family: cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iron Mountain stoneware</a><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> dishes, the Blue Ridge pattern, manufactured in East
Tennessee from 1965-1992 not far from my Southwest Virginia hometown.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I acquired mine in the early 1970’s, and many
are from the “seconds store.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">New Lenox Christmas
china, now manufactured in capital “C” China, with green holly leaves and red
berries on each piece. These were gifted to me over several Christmases from
our friends in New Orleans whom we met as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Admittedly,
Christmas dishes are a big weakness of mine. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqT5zeHMRaEI4DY2dDXVHzx7z9fceWEfBhM-MrnZG1dWxu2seMSlxAgY_0H1qpMXGwHqreBdb5cyO56hV6Y56gdObuDiXQIm8zR7-wSEqV6o1-_n1KdeDn-5zcA2M_zEkEuP8AN0ivqo/s1600/Xmas+dishes+kitchen+cabinet+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqT5zeHMRaEI4DY2dDXVHzx7z9fceWEfBhM-MrnZG1dWxu2seMSlxAgY_0H1qpMXGwHqreBdb5cyO56hV6Y56gdObuDiXQIm8zR7-wSEqV6o1-_n1KdeDn-5zcA2M_zEkEuP8AN0ivqo/s640/Xmas+dishes+kitchen+cabinet+edited.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas dishes displayed in butler's pantry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt0JTtW1W2A0thiHFPpjg_nD5l4KF-C0uVKe9hpDDhOp4-1aBiHj1kPY4T0hxuxQbKkZppYkAwHYImjwDQKVdmD6mCzD_485RJT9NxPOJy6H2xqfp6WHIgmVquqcieZgRo18gReSEHfk/s1600/Xmas+dishes+side+cabinet+edited+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="618" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt0JTtW1W2A0thiHFPpjg_nD5l4KF-C0uVKe9hpDDhOp4-1aBiHj1kPY4T0hxuxQbKkZppYkAwHYImjwDQKVdmD6mCzD_485RJT9NxPOJy6H2xqfp6WHIgmVquqcieZgRo18gReSEHfk/s640/Xmas+dishes+side+cabinet+edited+cropped.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Christmas dishes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloqYAu9qOPRbBnkd1l51_8gbXgbUzMHuVuiFYPoTC7frw_lcPSBcLdAr6mmCscw1f-KSfZBnzIVW8O88DbpOxUdmI4wz-ASiaqy8kd1Uv27NyTaHa6HJn_Xm9LxtOJ34xqjBBSx5NjEA/s1600/Xmas+mugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1057" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloqYAu9qOPRbBnkd1l51_8gbXgbUzMHuVuiFYPoTC7frw_lcPSBcLdAr6mmCscw1f-KSfZBnzIVW8O88DbpOxUdmI4wz-ASiaqy8kd1Uv27NyTaHa6HJn_Xm9LxtOJ34xqjBBSx5NjEA/s400/Xmas+mugs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> My favorite Christmas mugs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are more treasures that I didn’t
mention.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know owning all these dishes may seem excessive in this
time of minimalism of belongings, but what can I say—I‘m a collector!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luckily, we have sufficient storage
for my dishes and china collection. We have a large formal china cabinet in the
dining room passed down from Ricky’s grandparents </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyUpWbJf3el7WZlpICgyUGnaexeHA9Z6J8hQkrhQYOneRQ1KGzktzB0xjdnjMTePByo_3hl6cgjtXLOmKNcSQoTxcq3OcAW9hhIJFCt4-N96PvnV3wwnWnrsd4C_i0KjqrDqGrWH6XOk/s1600/china+cabinet+with+grandparents+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1045" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyUpWbJf3el7WZlpICgyUGnaexeHA9Z6J8hQkrhQYOneRQ1KGzktzB0xjdnjMTePByo_3hl6cgjtXLOmKNcSQoTxcq3OcAW9hhIJFCt4-N96PvnV3wwnWnrsd4C_i0KjqrDqGrWH6XOk/s400/china+cabinet+with+grandparents+cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky's grandparents on their 50th wedding anniversary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">A corner china
cabinet in the dining room just for cut glass, a butler’s pantry hutch (now part of the kitchen) for storage of less formal dishes and serving pieces, plus another old china
cabinet in the guest cottage.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We also
have regular kitchen cabinets where daily use dishes are stored.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6gj_bjtdIwRO5H_ea6nCEGuIPZlIdyjh7mXy2AfrEQsSOafL_6QYMCE4rxnnigne1fx8Ge_M-5KhtWo_tjJwPdHFi8MQ7v6Mp9RWINhXQBbpDvEgKx7tGJUYOsSOezpmTGIsyztsWPk/s1600/Portmeirion+china+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6gj_bjtdIwRO5H_ea6nCEGuIPZlIdyjh7mXy2AfrEQsSOafL_6QYMCE4rxnnigne1fx8Ge_M-5KhtWo_tjJwPdHFi8MQ7v6Mp9RWINhXQBbpDvEgKx7tGJUYOsSOezpmTGIsyztsWPk/s400/Portmeirion+china+close+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portmeirion tea set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The obvious question becomes why do I
keep all these dishes? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To me, their
beauty and uniqueness are sufficient reasons for owning them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also enjoy creating displays with the dishes. It’s both a form of play therapy and a
creative outlet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the stories
attached to each piece—sometimes a personal recollection of how I acquired the
item; and sometimes it’s the story of the manufacture of the pieces and the
history behind them. Many of the
companies that created the china, glassware, and pottery are no longer in
business because of the changes in cultural practices, the surfeit of cheap
items from China, or misfortune befalling the manufacturer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I think the beauty and diversity in our world
is diminished as these companies and their wares disappear.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">P. S. I'm not the only person who loves vintage dishes. View Susan Branch's blog <a href="http://www.susanbranch.com/old-china-dishes/">here</a> to see and read about her collection of vintage dishes.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-6518184627749881392018-03-28T21:43:00.001-05:002018-03-29T00:01:03.759-05:00Wednesday Hodgepodge QuestionsI was looking at a blog post that was linked to a blog hop, <a href="http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/" rel="noopener" style="background: rgb(244, 240, 219); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(134, 133, 133); color: #3f808a; font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;" target="_blank">From This Side of the Pond</a>, and I'm not even sure what a blog hop is. In my subsequent explorations, I accidentally linked my blog to the Joyce's Hodgepodge blog hop page and its weekly random questions, so now I must answer a series of questions and figure out what the next step is to keep the "hopping" going.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">1. What's a word that describes your life? A word you </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">wish</span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;"> </i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">described your life? </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">The word to describe my life is <i>happy</i>, the word I wish would describe my life, <i>productive (and happy).</i></span><br />
<br style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;" />
<br style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;" />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">2. Back in my day </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><i>we played outside with the neighborhood children because there were dozens of Baby Boomer kids all around. We entertained ourselves for hours by playing simple games. We played badminton, croquet, a game we called Indian ball with a batter, a pitcher and a couple fielders--you hit the ball, the person who fielded the ball rolled or threw it aiming for the bat which the batter laid on the ground in front of "batting box." If the fielder hit the bat, it was his/her turn to bat and the batter took the field or became the pitcher. We had large games of Kick the Can or Hide and Go Seek when the Oklahoma cousins were visiting in the summer. Our hiding territory stretched over multiple backyards. We got mayonnaise jars from our moms and hammered holes in the lids, then we spent all evening catching lightning bugs and putting them in our jars. When it was time to go inside, our mother made us release the trapped lightning bugs. When fall arrived, </i></span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;">we went Trick or Treating at Halloween with no fears or hesitation as to our safety. </i><i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;">In the winter, we went ice skating on frozen ponds in our neighborhood, we went caroling to the neighbor's houses at Christmas. Childhood play was more free wheeling then and less circumscribed and facilitated by adults.</i><br />
<br style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;" />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">3. When it comes to takeout are you more likely to opt for Italian, Mexican, or Chinese food? Does a typical week at your house include takeout?</span><br />
<br style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;" />
<i style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;">If we do take-out, it's usually Chinese, occasionally tacos from the small Taqueria on the edge of our neighborhood. We eat out quite a bit, more often at lunch, and mostly dine-in places.</i><br />
<br style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;" />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">4. Think about the people you most respect. What is it about them that earned your respect?</span><br />
<br style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;" />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><i>Their authenticity--they are comfortable with who they are and are kind and caring toward others. I also like intelligence.</i></span><br />
<br style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;" />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">5. What's something your friends might see and say is 'so you'?</span><br />
<br style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;" />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><i>Probably a book or something vintage.</i></span><br />
<i><br style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;" /></i>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;">6. Insert your own random thought here.</span><br />
<br />
<i>I don't exactly know what I'm doing on this blog hop. I'm still trying to figure out the rules. That's mainly my thought process at the moment, nothing very deep.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Other random thoughts: I'm thinking about my niece Emily's new website,<a href="http://www.halfnhalf-life.com/">www.halfnhalf-life.com</a>, where all her blog posts are archived and her new ones will appear. She writes about her family's life living in the Czech Republic while returning to the United States a couple times a year to visit family and ground herself and the kids in American life and culture. The website is so professional in its appearance, the photography is gorgeous, and I even read some blog posts that I somehow missed when they originally appeared in the Prague Monitor. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I'm wishing I was going to be in Paris with her, her family, and my sister and brother-in-law this week. They are going to have adventures that I can enjoy vicariously when I talk to my sister or read about them on Emily's website. </i><i>Our trip last weekend to New Orleans is the closest I'll be to France this year. We stayed at an AirB&B near Magazine Street so we spent a lot of time roaming in that fun and funky part of town. Our B&B was only a block from LaBoulangerie on Magazine Street with its delicious pastries. We bought our breakfast pastries and brought them back to our hidden courtyard to eat.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiCy0NlRuxxMtqV-1MqxQfYXXI1adqsnWCXqRHGR__vMlrdag5k0VSruavn1_af0mck0DiDUIFhawG2qBbtnMie2BDmlxBDgR9BHzOS_fyq2QsYjrLnZPB5m9qyA07UzwDkphx74rBQs/s1600/Danish+from+LaBoulangerie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiCy0NlRuxxMtqV-1MqxQfYXXI1adqsnWCXqRHGR__vMlrdag5k0VSruavn1_af0mck0DiDUIFhawG2qBbtnMie2BDmlxBDgR9BHzOS_fyq2QsYjrLnZPB5m9qyA07UzwDkphx74rBQs/s400/Danish+from+LaBoulangerie.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>The rain here in the northwestern corner of Louisiana has finally stopped--and it's started up again. We've been getting inundated the last couple of days. Tomorrow I need to unload the five bins of Mardi Gras throws we brought back from our friends' house in NOLA.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-87523028107965204372018-03-18T15:58:00.000-05:002018-03-18T15:58:03.497-05:00The Sixth Grade Self-Contained Class of 1979<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8K4Z8tOuo5yyjf4KByE6m3pORbktpMgLATlDoSRFB8LNAh6dmXelTxBB0I8Fc7bKjeVrtGT7d-ItBjPcAI1DI6CpuV0UsHsCrnlD4ugD5ub8m2myuyBSuWAWnDaiAxLZTxF_h7kjZA8/s1600/Sixth+grade+self+contained+1979+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="987" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8K4Z8tOuo5yyjf4KByE6m3pORbktpMgLATlDoSRFB8LNAh6dmXelTxBB0I8Fc7bKjeVrtGT7d-ItBjPcAI1DI6CpuV0UsHsCrnlD4ugD5ub8m2myuyBSuWAWnDaiAxLZTxF_h7kjZA8/s640/Sixth+grade+self+contained+1979+cropped.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sixth grade self-contained class <br />(with apologies to the students with half a face)<br />I'm the first "kid" in first row on a bad hair day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXUeRQ0aDN5O24oKIV92D3WP6NFj9U8MOwza2EuQDuKwhdS9zpHWA718eLWzBaH0z3r8OilKy8vvIfVV5KvFaD2MR4MkFMOBgGQJAHVXwZuLyOIkM4G6Y8xnG47u8q4eiXGCeep4IYWU/s1600/TES+in+Knoxville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXUeRQ0aDN5O24oKIV92D3WP6NFj9U8MOwza2EuQDuKwhdS9zpHWA718eLWzBaH0z3r8OilKy8vvIfVV5KvFaD2MR4MkFMOBgGQJAHVXwZuLyOIkM4G6Y8xnG47u8q4eiXGCeep4IYWU/s320/TES+in+Knoxville.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in 1979 when I was teaching the 6th grade self-contained class</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Years ago, I taught middle school. My last year teaching in the Knox County, Tennessee, school system I had the most wonderful self-contained sixth grade class. It was an unusual situation. The parents had petitioned for their children to stay together in a self-contained class through sixth grade, instead of changing classes and having a different teacher for each subject. The students had all been together in a self-contained fifth grade class at another school. Surprisingly, my middle school honored the parents' request and chose me to teach the class. Previously, I had been teaching social studies to 125+ middle school students.<br />
<br />
I loved teaching that year, though teaching math and science challenged me. I used the project method of organizing the curriculum whereby we explored a topic from all perspectives, cutting across traditional subject boundaries. If the students came up with a good teaching topic or strategy, we would go with it.<br />
<br />
While I did have paperwork to complete, supervisors to please, and only a moderately supportive principal, it was nothing like today. Generally, as long as my class didn't bother the principal or other classes, we were left alone. I had confidence that as long as the children were focused and involved in their learning, their test scores would take care of themselves. I stressed reading and writing and engagement. I wanted the students to stick with a task to completion while experiencing the joy of learning.<br />
<br />
I've thought of those sixth graders so often, and wondered if they remembered their sixth grade class and teacher. When cleaning my library recently, I found the 1979 school yearbook that I had forgotten existed. Finally I had the students' last names that had faded from my memory in the ensuing decades. I wondered if I could find them on Facebook--those amazing children who would be moving into middle age by now.<br />
<br />
First I decided to try to locate the student with whom I spent the most time. This sixth-grade girl lived near the school and would often stay late to help me with various classroom chores. I immediately found her and recognized her from her current photograph, but she had also posted an older photo from her youth that confirmed it. I couldn't believe my luck. I glanced through her page and located another of the students, a boy, who was so special to me.<br />
<br />
I told my sister, who also used to teach middle school, about my search and asked her if she thought it was appropriate if I reached out to these individuals. I didn't want to creep them out. She assured me that any former student would be pleased to hear from me.<br />
<br />
I first sent a private Facebook message to the female student. In a couple days I received a response. She said she had been searching for me off and on for years. However, I left Tennessee after teaching them, moved to a Sioux reservation to teach at an Indian college there. I next moved to Louisiana, divorced, and changed my name--all factors making it more difficult to locate me through the internet. She was delighted to hear from me (but not half as happy as I was to find her).<br />
<br />
She told me she married the "little red-headed boy" from our class. I remembered him immediately. He was the quintessential American boy--red hair, freckles, hyperactive but just adorable. She said he still appreciated my taking the time to figure how he learned, then I gearing my teaching to his learning style. She said I was his favorite teacher ever! I know I encouraged him in his creative writing. She said he hoped I remembered his story of the red dot in space. I would need a little more prompting on the plot to pull that up from the depths of my aging brain, but I sure remembered him. I even remember where he usually sat in class.<br />
<br />
She filled me in on her life, the good times and the not-so-good. Her career path has been as unique and diverse as I would expect from a gifted child. She keeps in touch with several of the other students from the class. I remember them all. Perhaps on one of my drives back to my hometown in Virginia, I can stop in Tennessee and reconnect with the students who remain in the area.<br />
<br />
Next I wrote the other student I saw on her Facebook page, the boy who has continued to be her friend over the years. He lives in the DC area with his daughter. He told me I had touched his life when he was going through a rough period in his childhood. He is now a successful counselor and appears to be a wonderful dad. Again I swelled with pride and pleasure seeing the man he has become.<br />
<br />
(I've purposefully not provided names nor many details about the students in this post. I respect their privacy and in no way want to intrude on their lives. And don't ask what I had done to my hair, or more importantly--why? I think a permanent was involved.)<br />
<br />
I'm not quite sure what my takeaway is from this experience. I guess I will go with the obvious one. Teaching in the public schools is difficult, even more challenging, if not impossible, today. There is no money in teaching. There is frequently little appreciation for a teacher's efforts, but there's a chance you can make a difference in a child's life that he/she will carry into adulthood. And if you're lucky, you will meet students who will steal into your heart. You will never forget them and know that your life has been the better for knowing them.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-18257292611179134372018-01-13T23:54:00.000-06:002018-01-13T23:55:20.273-06:00Channeling a Housewife: Cabbage and Potato Soup<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">Last week a man left two boxes of books on the porch for our Little Free
Library. As I walked outside to greet the stranger, our
dog Treble ran past me and tried to eat or at least intimidate the poor guy. </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">After I rescued the man,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I apologized profusely and thanked the now in a hurry to leave man for his donation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">I always sort through books donated and put nonfiction in one box, general
fiction in another, mysteries and thrillers together in a box, romances in
another, and children’s literature has its own section in our Plant Room where
I store books awaiting placement in the LFL.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7Fzaw9SKc9SDSdMuLXfzXMYPK6Kb4AyrUbTbbCqdgFelr9awUM2KdscRDh6WL7QYwHDbZt485tylkADCkAPKFWl3Mub67M1YLXeBezj3_vjcOvkBBhRRfRjqdn5Myq0Qefabg6b5oIQ/s1600/plant+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7Fzaw9SKc9SDSdMuLXfzXMYPK6Kb4AyrUbTbbCqdgFelr9awUM2KdscRDh6WL7QYwHDbZt485tylkADCkAPKFWl3Mub67M1YLXeBezj3_vjcOvkBBhRRfRjqdn5Myq0Qefabg6b5oIQ/s640/plant+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plant Room Hiding Place for Books</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_8kQtAlLaedIGajW5XgKcMEfTdKCj-_8GAgEKc_GYkE8zzW0_zhzGrGRaPWjUeE7LeWhY1wLeCxeWtVBu2PjA_Yzz4TiqvhaKGzQVVIS05st8P4GR9_aXuhyAOdbwOXsTPIKc_qtaB4/s1600/boxes+of+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_8kQtAlLaedIGajW5XgKcMEfTdKCj-_8GAgEKc_GYkE8zzW0_zhzGrGRaPWjUeE7LeWhY1wLeCxeWtVBu2PjA_Yzz4TiqvhaKGzQVVIS05st8P4GR9_aXuhyAOdbwOXsTPIKc_qtaB4/s400/boxes+of+books.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the tie-dyed tarp is a treasure trove of books for the LFL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As I examine the books the man donated, I notice a 1980 compilation of Southern
Living recipes. Leafing through the book, I look up cabbage recipes because I
have a head of cabbage leftover from New Year’s. Hmmm, cabbage potato chowder catches
my attention so I mark the place.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Zy0TJBxZnU2Rovbyh-vpoYN3i_P4yBnhfh6r897XDypPyM8ZWfahp7Ke0Hx3oAv9_v-H0cqHy5412Mg_5tX08FJmvVyYdJce3muUcOVM6jNbXVR9ROUuV3X7GGyD1YpR1LWPg_gHM9k/s1600/1980+Southern+Living+cookbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Zy0TJBxZnU2Rovbyh-vpoYN3i_P4yBnhfh6r897XDypPyM8ZWfahp7Ke0Hx3oAv9_v-H0cqHy5412Mg_5tX08FJmvVyYdJce3muUcOVM6jNbXVR9ROUuV3X7GGyD1YpR1LWPg_gHM9k/s320/1980+Southern+Living+cookbook.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After a brief warm spell, the weather turned cold again in Shreveport so I seriously start thinking about the cabbage and potato soup. I grab the cookbook, then look at a few recipes on-line to see other ideas for potato
cabbage soup. I decide I’ll add carrots
and celery to my soup since I have both on hand. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">The soup making and nesting process begins. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I chop up the carrots, celery, ½ head of cabbage, and one large Idaho potato. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The vegetables steam in a
little water until they are getting soft, then I add four cups of chicken broth, a
bouillon cube, several cups of milk and heat everything together. I throw in seasonings—black pepper, a
little rosemary, and a heaping teaspoon of Dijon mustard, a stealth ingredient
mentioned in an internet recipe. After
everything is hot, I add a partial bag of grated Monterey Jack cheese because it's in refrigerator and needs to be used. Once it melts, soup’s on.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqqE1v0iOQO8oowHe7J27Qf0qM2_H_n5lyIoCHXXpvdtQZjKKmBYHTW2J5js_oPJBXjhoIr5y-AxP1SlG5R5W8VYp8l6SHiZzGcKSb6cpZNSHTTxIHaq3wne-Kjyg86jbbGN1DAl_TTs/s1600/cabbage+potato+chowder+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqqE1v0iOQO8oowHe7J27Qf0qM2_H_n5lyIoCHXXpvdtQZjKKmBYHTW2J5js_oPJBXjhoIr5y-AxP1SlG5R5W8VYp8l6SHiZzGcKSb6cpZNSHTTxIHaq3wne-Kjyg86jbbGN1DAl_TTs/s640/cabbage+potato+chowder+pic.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage Potato Soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Corn bread, also made using a recipe from the pictured Southern Living cookbook, completes the comfort food duo. Finally I prepare a quick
Waldorf Salad to add fruit to the meal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhXoqlC-fZdGFjRymMLf0YW92lHxWXz7e7_H7t59VSvx2p38LCThOqvdYG7vmV8xCIOyiKZ9XNaVJpQgxwlIzMbkWlYWhjP3l1Dgjyv85jLz3mApBEQziXLi4X7yNCvMobmxnG4sWEdU/s1600/corn+bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1364" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhXoqlC-fZdGFjRymMLf0YW92lHxWXz7e7_H7t59VSvx2p38LCThOqvdYG7vmV8xCIOyiKZ9XNaVJpQgxwlIzMbkWlYWhjP3l1Dgjyv85jLz3mApBEQziXLi4X7yNCvMobmxnG4sWEdU/s400/corn+bread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">I feel as if I’m channeling a ghostly housewife from years gone by who isn’t
quite ready to give up her KP duties, but that’s okay. So far as I can tell, it’s
a win, win arrangement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-80639314326752215632017-10-03T11:31:00.001-05:002017-10-03T12:59:21.639-05:00Quintessentially Highland<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes
you have to grab hold and celebrate the small things in life. Actually I’m not sure if a perfect weekend is
a small thing, but I recently experienced such a weekend, and it was a
quintessential Highland weekend. Of
course I realize what is great for me might be less pleasant for you. I
accept that, just indulge me for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s the
second weekend in September, and it starts on Friday with books—and not just
any books, but tens of thousands of books at the Centenary College Book Bazaar. I LOVE books, I don’t need any more books, I
don’t have room for any more books, I don’t have time to read any more books,
but that’s beside the point. When it’s time for the Centenary Book Bazaar, my
husband Ricky and I are in line at 4:00 Friday afternoon waiting for the Book
Bazaar to open its doors. Ricky always heads upstairs to look through the
vinyl, a.k.a. record albums, while I move slowly, shoulder to shoulder with
other book lovers, along rows of tables crammed with books. I look for books that
call to me, “Buy me, take me home with you, I’m a bargain.”</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg-h-AzZITvGg34B3UOvyu_uRRU5szt8Ny5VLqSq-ZoZWxFmMvuckGkdDy0Jkoq6YlUhbu9D9ScwKjqqxbmsh6LvuISR7iJZ8ABDKgvGVxPRV9mWZN8FbJMk-0YSbS_z1GgvL6F3KTzE/s1600/Centenary+Books+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg-h-AzZITvGg34B3UOvyu_uRRU5szt8Ny5VLqSq-ZoZWxFmMvuckGkdDy0Jkoq6YlUhbu9D9ScwKjqqxbmsh6LvuISR7iJZ8ABDKgvGVxPRV9mWZN8FbJMk-0YSbS_z1GgvL6F3KTzE/s400/Centenary+Books+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the books I bought at Centenary Book Bazaar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After a
decent interval, I decide I probably have enough books---my rolling backpack is
full and the overflow bag I’m carrying is cutting into my shoulder. I check out
and less than $50 later, I go home with a couple dozen books.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSSgEfB02i7xoUY4pjmL0y87okRbzTiD_N3qGUcBYYljGqAmV5vhpG8M-OGifoQwQTMoJUIVwHQfjjwRO605CsOZkCKRahg22_uCDzYau3zOhyphenhyphen5z-G4X6jYUhKoMAN4ylui53bHItNWw/s1600/fisheye+music+room+stereo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSSgEfB02i7xoUY4pjmL0y87okRbzTiD_N3qGUcBYYljGqAmV5vhpG8M-OGifoQwQTMoJUIVwHQfjjwRO605CsOZkCKRahg22_uCDzYau3zOhyphenhyphen5z-G4X6jYUhKoMAN4ylui53bHItNWw/s640/fisheye+music+room+stereo.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music Room featuring some of Ricky's albums</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">By then I’d
worked up an appetite, so Ricky and I drive a couple blocks out of our
neighborhood for Friday night Tex-Mex at Tacomania. We could have gone to El
Compadre, another good Tex-Mex restaurant, and stayed closer to home, but we alternate
food venues and it was Tacomania’s night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday
morning we are up early for the 2nd Saturday Highland Clean-up (a monthly
event) with members of the Highland Restoration Association, Highland Jazz and
Blues folks, and Fairfield Neighborhood Association. In truth, very few members
of these groups show up but I enjoy the early morning clean-ups. It’s not like
I enjoy picking up other people’s trash (a pox on all litterers and their kin),
but I feel like I’m making a positive statement—showing appreciation for the
beauty of the earth and for our neighborhood by removing what “less evolved”
people throw down. This time we’re cleaning the area around Columbia Park in
preparation for the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival. I’m often still out
picking up trash after the allotted time for the clean-up, because I like to
stop and talk to people. It’s a great way to see what’s going on and meet
neighbors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After lunch
at Strawn’s, home of the famous strawberry pies, I stop by the Enchanted Garden
Gift Shop on Line Avenue, a couple blocks from my house. While I’m there, I run
into store proprietor Debbie Cockrell. I always enjoy talking to Deb and the
subject of books came up. (We have a
Little Free Library and Deb has some books for me.) Laughing, I tell Deb I’m
suffering from a book-related injury. By Saturday afternoon, my lower back is
hurting from carrying books around the Book Bazaar the day before, plus
carrying full garbage bags during the morning clean-up. Before I know it, I’m in
one of those massaging chairs in the store’s back room. Deb shows me how to adjust the chair’s
massage options, and she leaves me there. I might be there yet, but other
customers come into the room shopping, so eventually I decide it’s time to pay
for my purchases and go home. As I check out, Debbie brings a tin of homemade
sweets to the counter and offers me and other customers a sample. A massage
chair and homemade cookies—it’s a wonder I didn’t take up residence at the
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Capping off
the weekend on Sunday evening, Ricky and I attend the Shreveport House Concert
to hear Shreveport’s own Dirtfoot. The <a href="http://shreveporthouseconcerts.org/events/">Shreveport House Concerts</a> take place at
Fairfield Studios located, not surprisingly, on Fairfield Avenue. We’re big
fans of the house concerts with their listening room ambience, perfect for
enjoying the singer/songwriters featured each month. And the fact that
September’s offering is Dirtfoot, a band with Highland origins, makes it extra
special. In my experience, Dirtfoot (accompanied by Pig Stilts) always put on a
good show. (See a clip from song below.)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1khNsB4N6EP4kicN-PfzDaqBuzp0YZOpL8gu-9kgNUF38LA7gozb7Dim1G7wlslY-X6oo0ldj70Wb4BwbiQQQsH0BGubkHr9opz08pOs-_UY4hgGGi-sLlj_HXsPMuzppphdcXxHmwE/s1600/Dirtfoot+at+House+Concert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1khNsB4N6EP4kicN-PfzDaqBuzp0YZOpL8gu-9kgNUF38LA7gozb7Dim1G7wlslY-X6oo0ldj70Wb4BwbiQQQsH0BGubkHr9opz08pOs-_UY4hgGGi-sLlj_HXsPMuzppphdcXxHmwE/s640/Dirtfoot+at+House+Concert.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirtfoot at Shreveport House Concert</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, my
weekend came to a close. It offered a little bit of this, a little of that, but
to me, it was a winning combination. I went to bed Sunday night with a smile on
my face.</span></div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-17956851012823250682017-10-02T16:58:00.000-05:002017-10-04T00:20:20.474-05:00530 Kirby Place: New Life for Shreveport Landmark Home <div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOv9ybQQCv02dYltE3COWVVUvXpiI-JS0bb5xgwoP3vG5THV3kstPD1E-AEtQ2mlybn-J2uLzmTMyjhGXZuEALpm0CggDYyXa38VX3RI1Uiogp7MwCq-aspM_fsM0rGkLv4DcNVK7HE4/s1600/front+view+steps+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOv9ybQQCv02dYltE3COWVVUvXpiI-JS0bb5xgwoP3vG5THV3kstPD1E-AEtQ2mlybn-J2uLzmTMyjhGXZuEALpm0CggDYyXa38VX3RI1Uiogp7MwCq-aspM_fsM0rGkLv4DcNVK7HE4/s640/front+view+steps+best.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">530 Kirby Place</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wow! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The oldest house in Highland (and probably
the oldest house in Shreveport, according to prominent historian, the late Eric
Brock) at 530 Kirby Place is getting a much needed face lift.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> T</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">he </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">corner of the lot where this historic house sits </span>abuts<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> the corner of our property in the back. B</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ecause of our guest cottage and my husband's workshop, we don’t see
much of the neighboring house.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We first
heard of this makeover, literally, with the advent of early morning hammering
and talking as roofers started re-roofing the house. When we walked out on our
upstairs sleeping porch, we could peep at the workers’ progress.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our upstairs sleeping porch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This historic
home was a halfway house for men in recovery when we first moved into our home on Wilkinson Street. We never
had any trouble with the half-way house residents, but the focus of that owner was never historic
detail or aesthetics.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the half-way
house closed, a string of residents passed through the property, heard but not
seen.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Several years ago, I was told a
group of investors brought the house. The Caddo Tax Assessor's website lists the owners as Trinity Utilities LLC, internet research indicates the company was formed in 2010, but I don't know if this LLC still owns it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whoever the current owner is, I’d like to hug
their neck for trying to save this Highland landmark. This old house is looking
quite spiffy these days. The porch is redone, and
the house has been painted. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drive-way side of home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZKWjcQe5wSG8HT9kry3U-IU25X6552XekrdAsLnEXWmCfVgPINFPLMdCPg9QZVMgWPKPOTfn9s4qRxKhX0Jovychq4jo5H9QdzxcFN2SWnQyqvVrJ-3C0QG_KIF9oXSCJ8_aBqw6RR8/s1600/non+driveway+side+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZKWjcQe5wSG8HT9kry3U-IU25X6552XekrdAsLnEXWmCfVgPINFPLMdCPg9QZVMgWPKPOTfn9s4qRxKhX0Jovychq4jo5H9QdzxcFN2SWnQyqvVrJ-3C0QG_KIF9oXSCJ8_aBqw6RR8/s640/non+driveway+side+view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House from the east side</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Our explorations indicate that they aren’t quite finished with the skirting of the house, and I don't know what they are doing to the inside, but they already have a realtor’s For Sale sign out front.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw_VyeaJGaQqV8Lm8gJhjJPYDz9DoUSTZdwdIoQGupad4kWDi4RZyl5zi_BCzuhq8WyX18O_LUhPrZgAX7K11wXaOgB1E72XaT7oK7gV8AtSiJMJDomkRVUy8rptjLnwKPkoM6ctN9Bo/s1600/Century+21+sign+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="1600" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw_VyeaJGaQqV8Lm8gJhjJPYDz9DoUSTZdwdIoQGupad4kWDi4RZyl5zi_BCzuhq8WyX18O_LUhPrZgAX7K11wXaOgB1E72XaT7oK7gV8AtSiJMJDomkRVUy8rptjLnwKPkoM6ctN9Bo/s640/Century+21+sign+cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The 530
Kirby Street house was built in 1858 or 1859 at the present location of
Creswell Elementary School. In 1923 while the Joseph Agurs family owned the
house, the Agurs decided to sell the lot where their home sat on Creswell
Avenue to the Caddo Parish School Board.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Agurs family then moved their house “lock, stock and barrel” north a block and around</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the corner to its
present location. When the Agurs moved the house to Kirby Place, it sat on a
large lot.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The current lot size is about an acre, most of it in the back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The house has been home to many prominent Shreveporters—among them a steamboat operator, a physician,
a pastor, and a former mayor who became a state senator—before the Agurs family acquired it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">The only other homes in Shreveport from the same era as this house are part of the LSUS Pioneer Heritage Center. These two mid-nineteenth century houses were moved to the campus site from other locations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">I just hope a new buyer of the home is found who appreciates this Highland treasure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*Historic
details about this house are taken from the <b>Highland
Scrapbook</b> compiled by Sue Ball. Sue Ball </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">credited the late Eric Brock with research about the home’s previous
owners. A complete history of the owners of this house, according to Brock's article, is available upon request, or can be read on the Highland Restoration Association Facebook group page in a discussion thread about this home.</span><br />
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Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-17677868258873472672017-09-10T23:37:00.000-05:002017-09-15T00:40:24.229-05:00An Experiment in Microfiction<div class="MsoNormal">
When I went to my writing group on Thursday, I wasn’t that
familiar with microfiction, also known as flash fiction. For one of the evening's activities, our friend Loretta suggested we all try our hand at writing microfiction.
She pulled up a site <a href="http://www.zathom.com/">www.zathom.com</a> and
read us the site’s rules. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For this site, the finished product contains between 48—55 words
and has to include at least three words from their lists. The required words are called <i>fathoms</i>. There’s a regular list of 37 fathoms,
from which we must choose two words that range from alien to zombie, from tourist to wallpaper. Next we must choose at
least one word from the “seasonal” fathom list, which contains 61 words, such
as genesis, spring, flush, and blush. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can’t you see the Zathom editors sitting around,
puffing on a medicinal herb, and throwing out random words until they’ve
compiled the lists?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With some initial confusion and much laughter on our part
(and all we had was a drive-through daiquiri we were sharing), we each chose
our fathoms, and settled down to write our microfiction as part of a ten minute exercise. Actually this type of writing is my cup of tea. I was probably one of the few students who loved the elementary school assignment of using spelling words to compose a story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several of the writing group counted their words as they wrote. I
couldn’t do that and decided to get my thoughts and <i>fathoms</i> down on paper, then edit to the required 48—55 words. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided to share my 55 word microfiction with you below. (The
fathoms, or required words, are in italics. I included an extra fathom, just because.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.0pt;">
The baby-faced,
seventeen-year-old girl stepped onto the dock gazing at a world of tropical <i>gardens</i>, rain forests, and slumbering
volcanoes. The boat captain had kept his
promise to show her an <i>island</i> never
seen by <i>tourists</i>. As the captain and
the village elder greeted each other, the only words she understood were <i>virgin</i> and volcano.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-72889671079436711652017-08-26T11:18:00.001-05:002017-10-02T21:38:11.778-05:00Al Fresco Dining<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCm0VckRe7ey2TciLWeSx3ng2xA4GYIFhJwVAUfO_QLUWJo-3Vo9NTI7j-XORDQKpXGa13H2BgDI2P-A4EvGZHHFCYl-rwuO4DFcUZhswfifA3VMfLT1Gk9SpI9TtuhCn9FS89HLVYJY/s1600/Hummingbird+hovering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCm0VckRe7ey2TciLWeSx3ng2xA4GYIFhJwVAUfO_QLUWJo-3Vo9NTI7j-XORDQKpXGa13H2BgDI2P-A4EvGZHHFCYl-rwuO4DFcUZhswfifA3VMfLT1Gk9SpI9TtuhCn9FS89HLVYJY/s400/Hummingbird+hovering.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At my window, a visitor--</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tiny winged dynamo</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hovering,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Chirping, squeaking,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Staring through plate glass </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Questioning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Friend or foe?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Chancing it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dining al fresco.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73fTiTFfIJW8E_P0429wv374ni95SCXgFZ7xVW7eKUIRHtDQLRh9rAhU35tc03XJShtUcAd5TPk0TnPO3hhpUQ1b1o4M-nrEdIKpr4AJJqt5Gq7iNg1tsegQTnL_nU-NRAcWQ2oumezw/s1600/Hummingbird+feeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1179" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73fTiTFfIJW8E_P0429wv374ni95SCXgFZ7xVW7eKUIRHtDQLRh9rAhU35tc03XJShtUcAd5TPk0TnPO3hhpUQ1b1o4M-nrEdIKpr4AJJqt5Gq7iNg1tsegQTnL_nU-NRAcWQ2oumezw/s400/Hummingbird+feeding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-48699629328182919682017-08-21T10:01:00.004-05:002017-08-21T10:01:50.563-05:00Agua<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
feel like I’m just resurfacing from this tropical paradise where
I was surrounded by cobblestone streets, Spanish buildings from the 1700’s,
walking paths through tropical gardens lush with vibrant colors and verdant
greens, volcanoes rising above Mayan villages across a deep clear lake. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Paradise did have a few water and</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> plumbing issues, e.g., we had to drink bottled water much of the time, s</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">hower water might be cold or tepid, and o</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ne hotel had a sewer line issue as a worker made the rounds of the rooms every day with a plunger. None of this was a big deal, except maybe the latter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKxs5YuWpummEL2TmFhTVa4Pbz9IaG0ysQsT34WySFnp99WrXXjBuhze0SZoqU-wO5rZq6YwNX2_g45bDC67RUBx5nuv0P2lziuUTHH6Z0cUSPEhv7L9IYgYD9pcwUDTlyzwfcAXc4fY/s1600/Agua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKxs5YuWpummEL2TmFhTVa4Pbz9IaG0ysQsT34WySFnp99WrXXjBuhze0SZoqU-wO5rZq6YwNX2_g45bDC67RUBx5nuv0P2lziuUTHH6Z0cUSPEhv7L9IYgYD9pcwUDTlyzwfcAXc4fY/s400/Agua.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water meter cover in Antigua</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I couldn’t speak the language of the people who live in
the tropical paradise, but it didn't matter because their kindness and consideration were easily comprehended. I could read all the signs that said </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Escape to the green area in case of
emergency</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, i.e., earthquakes.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And I
believed those signs, because in Antigua, which means <i>ancient</i>, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I saw piles of huge
boulders behind facades left standing, vestiges of 1970’s or earlier earthquakes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-6-hNKVEcS0FAHRWZnhMoYh7P7gpx6YWoo_M3aJbo1OoHrOjRu1ACbTSwggxS_6H3DyEyyaF8n44It0q8p1F6qVXYSXLpRds11k2j9UjH57SPGNQgix5gRelLMglThcoNcwqhlQZkck/s1600/Church+facade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-6-hNKVEcS0FAHRWZnhMoYh7P7gpx6YWoo_M3aJbo1OoHrOjRu1ACbTSwggxS_6H3DyEyyaF8n44It0q8p1F6qVXYSXLpRds11k2j9UjH57SPGNQgix5gRelLMglThcoNcwqhlQZkck/s640/Church+facade.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antigua Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now that I’ve resurfaced in Louisiana, I’m in this hot humid climate that’s kind of like the paradise I left, except for a lack of tropical flowers and volcanoes and an infinity pool overlooking a
deep clear lake and cooler temperatures at night, but our place in Louisiana does have plumbing issues, just like paradise did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For
a week after my husband’s and my return, plumbing problems dogged
our steps. We knew we had a water leak. Our house sitter saw water coming from under the house and notified us while we were out-of-town that she had turned off the water at the meter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Once we got back, we found we had four plumbing
problems, but of course they didn't manifest themselves all at once. That would be too easy, so three plumbers later, but only one plumber who actually did something--he came to
our house three times on three different days in order to make our almost one hundred-year-old house conform to the plumbing standards my husband and I have
come to expect, at least in our home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
could argue that these issues marred our reentry from paradise, but perhaps paradise’s iffy plumbing prepared us for what we encountered upon our return to our house: filling five gallon buckets for flushing and washing; buying
gallons of bottled water for drinking; having no running water, having some
running water while turning the water off and on at the street; having only brief
access to running water because muddy water gurgled like a geyser next to the
water meter whenever my husband turned it on; having no hot water in the big
house, relying on our back cottage for hot showers; discovering a stopped-up
sewer line that caused standing water in the downstairs bathroom and library;
having no usable toilet facilities in the main house, requiring that we access
the toilet in the cottage. And finally,
our water woes are at an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Now I can process my experiences in the tropical
paradise—actually a two week vacation in Guatemala, where we visited Antigua,
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, and several small Mayan towns. I want to write about the often overlooked Latin American country of Guatemala in my blog, so hopefully I can access all the photos on my aging Iphone, because right now I can see them on my phone's camera but that's it. There they stay, I can't email them to myself, can't save them to my computer, but I'm not complaining--at least the toilet flushes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqizX-vCa6EmqvtLhHmAn0oE4JSfOFY32f2fS0UWGAtHtv7vh8TEPthENaE-7JAR0pCq5faHJSntmIljuxXhZrbjM8Pg9IsJL1-UcFXuTOTD3rnL2OsEqHjlm6TwOriaLuqykVQzr2DLM/s1600/DSC06848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqizX-vCa6EmqvtLhHmAn0oE4JSfOFY32f2fS0UWGAtHtv7vh8TEPthENaE-7JAR0pCq5faHJSntmIljuxXhZrbjM8Pg9IsJL1-UcFXuTOTD3rnL2OsEqHjlm6TwOriaLuqykVQzr2DLM/s640/DSC06848.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Atitlan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727843531028515444.post-5442573116670800452017-07-24T22:07:00.002-05:002017-07-24T22:42:42.878-05:00Running Away<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ricky
and I are running away from home, heading to Guatemala for two weeks with our
friend Bruce. Don’t get me wrong, we
love our home and our animals. It’s hard to leave them. When I told Ricky
tonight that I was going to mist the bromeliads, he told me he was going to
miss them, too. Always ready with a
quip, that’s my husband! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHAaFcVVft-aKQohrZ0b_q8i7-z_L_RQU4d4uRSiFkWoW8vjn-FEPIHyY0hYbEDym_aooCPWUIQmEv_MxORa0_Fgdv5HRmA2IXrRC2lE2jLoj-lI2VwLGUf1HvxUDV7fyKd5McrqJfbA/s1600/bromiliad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="1060" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHAaFcVVft-aKQohrZ0b_q8i7-z_L_RQU4d4uRSiFkWoW8vjn-FEPIHyY0hYbEDym_aooCPWUIQmEv_MxORa0_Fgdv5HRmA2IXrRC2lE2jLoj-lI2VwLGUf1HvxUDV7fyKd5McrqJfbA/s400/bromiliad.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
are extremely fortunate to have two excellent house/dog/cat/plant sitters who
will be living in our house and taking care of everything. One has a dog that our
dog Treble is slowly warming to as long as the smaller dog stays away from
Treble’s food bowl. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQAzj3E4MELU1vR1uG5xjIK7S4K9aEz2cFaIttYOKMchnYPt1D1hCnklSytg0JthiNV_YmiT4OY7112w8m3nWZQAG25BdRbPBCbLYVPEHlljQtq7e4Z4fhSduxEHCmCmqSP_nddso5cE/s1600/Daisy+July+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1052" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQAzj3E4MELU1vR1uG5xjIK7S4K9aEz2cFaIttYOKMchnYPt1D1hCnklSytg0JthiNV_YmiT4OY7112w8m3nWZQAG25BdRbPBCbLYVPEHlljQtq7e4Z4fhSduxEHCmCmqSP_nddso5cE/s400/Daisy+July+2017.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daisy Boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The pack of cats will still be around to keep Treble company.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> O</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ne
of our cats, the long-limbed, very vocal Loquacious “Loco” is elderly. We hope
he hangs in there until we return.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another neighborhood favorite, a male cat named Daisy, is such a sweet
boy but he is losing weight and acting puny. Luckily another neighbor is as
invested in him as we are, so she will monitor him. The tiny cat Lips has a
skin allergy that we’ve been treating with a soothing spray, and she has been improving.
Katrina, the only cat that is really ours, barely tolerates people and would be
happy if all the cats except her disappeared—plus she really glares at her
nemesis Treble who took over her laundry room sanctuary when he arrived at our
house as a small stray puppy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Suffice
it to say that all the critters will be well cared for is our absence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Moving
along to my summer reading....</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Four Michael
Connelly novels showed up in the Little Free Library, and I’ve read three of
them in July:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> 1) <b>The Fifth
Witness</b>, a Lincoln lawyer mystery, featuring Mickey Haller, bogged down for
me in the details of the daily trial testimony, but was well-paced generally.
Connelly develops his characters convincingly, and they continue to draw me in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">2)
</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">The Reversal</b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, another mystery
featuring Mickey Haller, but Harry Bosch serves as his half-brother’s
investigator in this novel so I got a little Harry Bosch fix.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">3)
</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">A Darkness More Than Night </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">where
Harry initially is considered a suspect in a series of murders. Retired
criminal profiler Terry McCaleb has the primary investigative role in the novel, but Harry
helps solves the case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
also read <b>Quiet Until the Thaw</b>, by
Alexandra Fuller, one of my favorite authors.
This book, a novel, is a departure for Fuller because she generally has written
autobiographical books with intriguing titles. I’ve read <b>Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight</b>; <b>Scribbling the Cat</b>; <b>Cocktails
Under the Tree of Forgetfulness</b>; and <b>Leaving
Before the Rains Come</b>. The first
three titles are about her growing up in Africa, while the last, <b>Leaving Before the Rains Come</b>, is set
in Wyoming and details the end of her marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Quiet Until the Thaw</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> takes place on the Pine Ridge Reservation, a Sioux
reservation, in South Dakota. It requires a separate blog post since I spent
two years on the Rosebud Reservation, the Sioux Reservation next to Pine Ridge,
and I have quite a bit I want to say about this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
other mystery I read this month is one of the Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next books,
<b>Something Rotten</b>, published in 2004.
Fflorde, a Welsh author, creates an alternative universe where people move in and out of books, into “real life,” usually
creating havoc of one sort or another until they are back where they belong—in the
covers of a book. Thursday Next, a Literary Detective with the policing agency Jurisfiction, is currently trying to protect the planet from an egomaniac
politician who escaped from an obscure novel and is striving for world
domination in the real world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Fforde seems almost clairvoyant in <b>Something Rotten</b> as he describes the politician
Yorrick Kaine: <i>He was a B character in an A role and had been elevated far
beyond his capabilities—a child in control of a nation. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And that, dear readers, is why Ricky and I
are running away from home for a couple weeks—to escape the B character and his
ilk who are currently in charge of the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06666609213171939599noreply@blogger.com6