Bethany Illustrated

What A Mess

2012-01-25T20:24:00.000-08:00

I managed to go on a lunchtime walk one day last week in downtown Pascagoula. I happened across an open door.

Alright, it wasn't so much open as falling in. The condition of the things on the other side shouldn't make that much of shock. Yes, that is sunlight shining through the "walls" and roof.

The chair caught my eye. I rescued one in a similar state a few years ago. I actually paid some money for my chair. The woman selling it referred to it as a "Chippy Garden Chair".

"Chippy Garden Chair" actually meant that it had been relegated to someones yard at some point and the old enamel-ish paint might as well have been applied with super glue and dry-rot had claimed the arch on the rockers making for a dissatisfying lack of motion for those enticed to sit down and "rock".

Had I known what I was getting into when I plumped down my cash on the barrel-head I would have run screaming from that little junk - errr... "antique" shop.

Thankfully, that story has a happy ending. Many hours and sand paper strips later my little chair was rehabbed. I painted, cut new rockers, sewed cushions, figured out how to replace the broken seat with webbing and here you go... "Chippy" reborn.

I guess, sometime things aren't as bad as they seem you just have to put some work into them.

Back In The Saddle Again...

2012-01-08T12:33:00.000-08:00

Necking

The Finman and I hit the road today via bicycle for a 10-ish mile peddle through the neighborhood. Here's a glimpse of a few of the neighbors.

Ready for a Closeup?

At The Feeder - Pine Warbler

2012-01-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

One of the greatest joys of the weekend is the luxury to watch the activity at the bird feeders.

Merry Christmas Friends

2011-12-24T07:27:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas all. Fin and I are having a quiet Christmas here in the deep south. This evening, we'll have family over for a nosh.

Obviously, I like this shade of blue as I designed the card and I now notice that it is blending into the background of my blog. I might also mention that I'm currently sitting similarly colored room.

I should say to the very few folks that received a printed card like this, you may notice that when they were printed the "rs" of "yours" was cut off. Something, I never noticed but someone else did AFTER they were in the mail. I'm choosing to be philosophical about it. I'm still just impressed with myself that I was able to coordinate envelopes, stamps, addresses and notes. This is generally a herculean feat.

Under The Tree

2011-12-12T20:31:00.000-08:00

I wonder what in the world could be in that Hawaii Music Supply box? Hmmmm....

What could it be?

The Finman thinks I might just explode from all the excitement.

Miscellaneous

2011-12-06T05:25:00.000-08:00

Biloxi Light House Dressed for Christmas

What a busy time of year!

The Finman I went to the Christmas on the Water Boat Parade in Biloxi last Saturday. I can honestly say I didn't take a single good photo but I am glad that I've seen the parade. It's been on my "Gonna Do That" list for a few years now.

In other news, for the first time, at least that I can remember I helped send small children into hysterics, not the good kind. I was performing a Christmas puppet show, had finished the first number, an intentionally bad musical bit that most react to with loud laughter when two children in the audience began screaming in sheer terror at those crazy, intimidating, fourteen inch turtle and raccoon puppets on the puppet stage. I mean, I sing the song with several intentional flubs but I didn't know it was that bad. I've performed it a good thirty or so times now and never had that reaction.

When I say screaming, I literally mean screaming. The show could not go on. Eventually, and much to my relief, the children were taken out a side door. That was certainly a first.

Then again, "tis the season" and all.

How I Learned about Poison Ivy and Why They May Take Away My Junior Woodchuck Badge

2011-11-30T20:57:00.000-08:00

It's been brought to my attention that I am dangerously close to missing the entire month of November here in the blogosphere. Let me avoid that. Why don't you pull up a chair, sit right down and let me tell you about the poison ivy and why I'm in danger of losing my Junior Woodchuck Badge.

A few years ago I spent several weeks going through the Mississippi State Master Naturalist course. My Beloved often referred to the classes as my Junior Woodchuck classes. In his mind I will never be a Master Naturalist but always be a Junior Woodchuck. If you cast your mind back you may remember (and if you don't you will now know) that Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Donald Duck's young nephews belonged to the scouting organization, The Junior Woodchucks.

Avid wikipedia researchers may even know that there was a sister organization to which Daisey's nieces belonged named The Junior Chickadees. I'm glad the Finman didn't seem to remember that bit of trivia.

As a child, I would have almost killed to get in the boy scouts with their campouts and hiking whereas the idea of girl scouts, cookies, and crafts could never really float my boat. I find as an adult that I would much rather be a Woodchuck than a Chickadee.

Now, where was I? I seem to have strayed from the point.

Oh yes, poison ivy.

Always in the back of my mind there's been this thought, "I really should be able to identify poison ivy."

I mean it's a bit embarrassing to have finished a class and gain a certificate and not be able to identify one of the most common nuisance plants. Yet, every time I would sit down to try to get a handle on the whole poison ivy issue I would get bogged down with how different individual vines looked in photos or how the colors change throughout the season.

Fast forward to summer 2011 and our honeysuckle covered deck. I noticed a new vine. "Oh" I thought, "The last family that lived here must have planted that and I haven't noticed it before." All summer I watched that vine grow. It creeped over the top of the railing. It twined its way in and out of the lattice work and its little areal roots began to take hold on anything they could latch onto.

They grew, creeped and expanded until this fall, mindful of The Finman's frustration with their overgrown state (I won't let him trim because I of course do it right and he doesn't) I started to tame the vine jungle. How proud I was of how nicely everything looked, just lovely.

Days later when the first of the blisters began to trail along my arms and legs I thought, "I must have run into an ugly spider somewhere." Over the next week as the reaction spread and mushroomed and itched unbearably, I was clueless as to how I'd had such an awful insect run-in. I washed and vacuumed everything in the bedroom, pondered dread diseases, and eventually ended up at my Mother's house.

"What could this be?" I asked. "It itches unbearably, and it's just getting worse and worse. There are all these blisters, it's gross, there is oozing..." She thought. She didn't know. We discussed other things. Then, a light bulb flickered in her brain. "Do you think, that it could be Poison Ivy?" she wondered. "Poison Ivy" I countered, "I don't think so."

I went home, I considered. I looked at pictures on the internet. I thought, "I may actually have poison ivy". How could I have poison ivy I wondered? I spent a bit more time thinking. Then, my light bulb finally if dimly flickered on, THE VINE. The big creeping, twining vine currently living on the deck of my porch. Could it be? It was so pretty, its leaves were turning a beautiful fall red. It couldn't be, could it?

I took pictures and sent an email to my friend the county extension agent, a horticulturalist. "Oh Stephanie, could you identify this for me?" I didn't hear back. Trying to be nonchalant I texted, "Hey did you get my email and pics?" "Were you able to identify the photos?" A text reply came, "Was one poison ivy?"

Validation.

I can now identify poison ivy. Hopefully, I'll get to retain my Junior Woodchuck privileges.

This was the second vine I found. I'd been admiring the lovely fall foliage from the window in my kitchen. Who knew?

A Bit Late

2011-10-31T18:50:00.000-07:00

This pumpkin spent the last couple of weeks hanging out on my table. It almost wasn't a Jack-O-Lantern.

I wasn't feeling quite my best today but in the end, I just couldn't stand not carving it for Halloween. 

I thought if it was carved and set out to gaze at the street those increasingly rare creatures, Trick or Treaters might be drawn to my door, much like Hansel and Gretel to gingerbread.

In the end, a car did manage to find itself to the end of our street, slowly turned, and left. Apparently, little Jack here couldn't combat the shadows of our yard.

Thus, marks year three with no Trick or Treater encounters.  At least, The Finman's candy stash remains (mostly) unmolested.

Fall Parade

2011-10-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

What a surprise this morning to see this parade amble across the property, an almost silent flock of wild turkey.

I must have seen a bit a movement out of the corner of my eye. By the time I had my camera they were turning to the back of the house. This saw me running out the backdoor, through the gate and dewey grass to get a peek.

They had a slow stroll along the edge of the woods, a stop in at the compost pile, and vanished into the sunflowers. All the while they meandered with the quietest of gobble, gobbles.

Here is Papa Turkey.

It is difficult to see in this size photo but I truly didn't realize that they had so many colors. If look closely, you'll see blue bars on some feathers and blue on his head.

Lovely fall surprise.

Link

2011-10-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Fun video of the Hound Dawg over at my other place.

Comparisons

2011-10-10T05:49:00.000-07:00

So, I saw these guys in Dauphin Island, Al. last week.

They reminded me of these guys.

The sea lions I saw in Monterey, Ca two weeks ago.  Something, about the sense of community.

From The Redwood Forrest, To The Gulf Stream Waters

2011-10-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I love Woody Guthrie.  Those that deal with those cute little people (by which I mean pre-schoolers)probably know already that those "Folk" folks connect with the younger crowd.  Also, "This Land is Your Land" translates well into Ukulele and I have vivid memories singing this song practically every day in music class when I was 10.  (Every day might be imagination but after a certain amount of time things begin to blur.)

Therefore, I found a certain kind of synchronicity (thank you friend for using that word in conversation today and reminding me how wonderful it is) in the realization that a little over a week ago I stood in the shadows of the Redwood Forrest... 

and on Saturday I was on a camping trip on an island in Alabama where the Gulf Waters lapped over my bare feet.

Happy times both.

For those of you unfamiliar with the American Folk Revival of the Mid-Twentieth Century, Woodie Guthrie, and "This Land Is Your Land" here's a Youtube:

Surprise

2011-09-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

I'm very used to meeting up with Great White Egrets while kayaking in Mississippi marshes and backwaters. In fact, it is commonplace. Imagine my surprise, to find this fellow sitting on a gravel pile...

In the middle of...

The Mojave Desert.
We're in California, have seen some lovely country, and met up with a couple of good friends. Of course, I wish you all were here.

New Toys

2011-09-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Good heavens... I'm exhausted with trying to blog tonight! The Finman and I are on vacation. I have a new tablet that should make my life much easier. (Actually, it has made it much easier.) I just spent over an hour trying to load a silly photo to Blogger.

Everthing else is fairly workable BUT Android and Blogger simply don't play well together. I was going to blog our vacation but... Well, we'll see.

Photo: Out the window near Sedona

Simplicity

2011-09-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

I am attracted to simplicity. I crave a simple life, a small life full of personally rewarding things. A life of gardening, tending, puttering, writing, appreciating, laughing, walking, and watching with open eyes.

I think that desire for simplicity is why I am so attracted to photos that catch a single moment. This house attracted my attention while running an errand for work with a co-worker. I was so attracted to the splash of yellow from the rain lilies blooming by the porch that I returned on my lunch break to photograph the house.

It didn't feel very simple when I was sitting in an unknown person's front yard photographing their porch. There is a fair amount of trepidation that accompanies that kind of behavior.

For me, it was worth it. Can you see the untold story here? The evenings, after a long day of work sitting on the porch, enjoying a break outside and watching traffic pass. Maybe, chats with neighbors or chats with a spouse and sending children in to finish homework.

I know it doesn't make sense in a society where we commonly build houses for two and three people that have over 2,000 square feet of living space but I could be content in a cottage like this. I admire the simplicity.

Pest Control, All You Can Eat Buffet

2011-08-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

A Few Days Ago, Looking Out The Window:

"Oh look, that tufted titmouse just grabbed a caterpillar off the porch railing," I told The Finman. "They've been falling out of the oak tree. Oooh gross, look at that, caterpillar insides are gooey."

"There are caterpillars in the tree?" Finman asked. "I didn't know there were caterpillars in the tree."

"That's because I didn't tell you there were caterpillars in the tree." (The Finman likes to kill things.)

"Now, we don't have to do anything and the birds have dinner. See how nice and circular that is. We don't need to do any killing at all."

(Poor Finman, he really does like to kill insect-ish things.)

Discourse

2011-08-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

The other evening as The Finman and I perambulated around the perimeter of the grounds, we carefully dodged one of our temporary guests. I greeted our lodger, "Hello Orb Spider, what a lovely nest of webs you've built there." The Finman and Hound Dawg paused to cast dubious glances back at The Orb's web.

"What?" I wondered. "Most people don't talk talk to spiders," pronounced The Finman. "Wilbur spoke to Spiders," I replied. "Wilbur was a pig. Do you really want to follow that line of reasoning?" queried The Finman.

My response, "Wilbur is famous. Maybe, if you speak to spiders you become famous."

Perspective

2011-08-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Perhaps, I spend a bit too much time trying to see the world as children see.

This morning, while moving dinosaurs out of the reach of small hands in order to facilitate early literacy, I found myself thinking, "Oh I need to turn that dinosaur around so he isn't facing the wall. The dinosaurs will want to see the children."

Hmmm... Personification???

Let's please refrain from arm-chair psychology. I'm sure the dinosaurs were very appreciative.

When We Last Saw Our Heroine...

2011-08-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

I can be the "heroine", right? I mean it is my blog.

Anyway, when we last saw our heroine she was becoming a Ukulele Player, able to calm or excite small hordes of small preschoolers with classics such as "Wheels on the Bus" and "Skip to My Lou." Her faithful sidekick, The Hound Dawg observed this new occupation with mixed feelings.

Somewhere along the way to Extraordinarily Tolerable Uke Playing, blogging was sacrificed on the alter of busy-ness.

Now, we must catch up with a summer's worth of blogs. We'll start simply.

Hound Dawg celebrated his 3rd Birthday with his customary Pineapple Upside Down Cake. The Finman assures me that this is The Hound Dawg's favorite cake and I am sure that the Finman's preferences have no influence. It is surely an unbiased evaluation.

The Hound Dawg was very glad to realize I was all out of party hats.

Lest You Think This Corner of the World is Always Peaceful...

2011-06-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

Here, Copper harasses the wildlife. (Notice, how he goes back to his roots with forest shaking hound dog bay.) We are now both looking out the front windows.

One of us is watching longingly and the other impatiently as we follow the VERY SLOW progress of this visiting mud turtle. I for one, would like said turtle to get over his trauma and move on. Copper on the other hand would like to go see what he can do with that thing. The Finman suggests I shuttle our visitor to the woods. Perhaps, I'll just go do that.

Around the Water Cooler

2011-06-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

Click the photo, it makes it REALLY big!

It is ridiculously hot outside. I keep thinking, if June is this miserable, how will we all survive July and August, the really hot months?

Despite the heat, the birds are having a great time. This year I put up this bird feeder in the front yard. What a joy.

It's been such fun to watch the birds out the front window. Here a Tufted Titmous and Carolina Chickadee exchange a little gossip. The feeder level was pretty low, maybe they were complaining about the service.

Yesterday at the feeder, I also watched a mama Cardinal feeding a young-un and then watched as she led the youngster to the birdbath for a bit of a dip. Simple pleasures, my friends, simple pleasures.

I Didn't Need That Dill Anyway

2011-06-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

This morning in the garden:

Black Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillars indulging in a serious chow-down on my dill plants. Colorful little guys and girls, aren't they?

I've survived the first week of the Summer Reading Program, not quite as easy as it sounds. So, happy weekend! I'm sure we all deserve it.

Good Morning

2011-06-02T05:14:00.000-07:00

Hello...

First 2011 summer sunflower.

Memorial

2011-05-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

I'm spending Memorial Day on Long Island. I think this is my third or fourth Long Island Memorial Day. On Friday, I thought about taking the train to bustling NYC but just couldn't quite make myself excited about it. Instead, I thought I would try a new adventure and I took a train the other direction. I rode the LIRR out to the end of Long Island and then took a taxi to the Montauk Lighthouse.

This lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington and on my morning there it was shrouded in the "Montauk Fog" an occurrence I am assured is fairly common.

I thought this flag shot would be appropriate to the day.

Yes, I climbed the light, the docent at the top, a woman in her 60's (possible 70's) climbs the light three times a week. Marvelous way to stay youthful!

A memorial left by someone else.

If anyone is interested in hearing the fog horn, which gives the whole thing incredible atmosphere, here's a short video I took:

Hope all my US friends are enjoying a nice memorial day.

A Week of Birdies

2011-05-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

After a week of nest watching...

Day One: One to Go

Day Two

Day Three: Hungry?

Day Four: That can't be comfortable...

Day Five

Day Six: I almost forgot this day, had to run out at dark.

Day Seven: Hey, they actually ARE birds. You can even tell now.

Only A Mother Could Love...

2011-05-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

In this case, I guess Papa Mockingbird loves them too. I think there are two little birdies there. Puny little creatures, aren't they? They kind of look all mixed up. I managed one photo that had the cutest little beak peeping up, except it kind of looked like a nest sonogram. You know, grainy, blobby, and you needed a bit of imagination.

Oh heck, I'll throw it in and you can use your imagination:

The eggs hatched today. I was tipped off by the long worm hanging out of a parental mouth. Made me think perhaps there were youngins to feed. And, so there were. Curious to see if the third egg will do anything.

In any case, Happy Birthday Young Mockingbirds. Good luck with the fledging.

Mockingbird Blue

2011-04-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

It's garden season. This means there is much too much to do outside for me to be inside computering.

I'm very excited about watching one of our mockingbird couples sit on these egglings. Mom and Dad Mockingbird were kind enough to build this nest quite low so I should be able to sneak a few photos of their progress. Hopefully, they'll be safe. It's a wild world out there.

"That Red Bush" Or As It is Sometimes Known,The Azalea

2011-03-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

Black Swallowtail Butterfly on the Azalea

The Finman has worried this week about the "red bush" in the side yard, "It hasn't bloomed. Everyone else's has bloomed."

I say, "You mean the azalea? It will bloom. Our yard is the coldest on the street." Fin agrees our yard is the coldest on the street. The next morning Finman says, "Why isn't our red bush blooming?" I say, "The azalea? It will bloom. You just have to be patient."

I should mention here that last year the azalea was attacked by caterpillars. As I don't enjoy squishing things and much to Fin's dismay we are very careful in our use of poison the caterpillars were left to frolic and nosh to the best of their abilities. This was VERY disturbing to the Finman. (Let it be known that I consulted a gardener wiser than I and the internet before letting these parasites run amok.)

Apparently, due to the whole caterpillar thing, this spring Fin thinks the "red bush" may be beyond help.  I keep telling him the azalea will bloom. 

And, it has.  It's worth noting here that our azalea does look red while it is budding out but is pink when it blooms.

Guess Where We Went...

2011-03-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

The Finman felt that I should label the airplane in the above photo. Now, everyone will know how impressive my airplane identification skills are. Of course, in actuality they are Fin's identification skills, but now I know too. So, be impressed.

We went for about half the day. It worked out pretty well. Although, I was surprised that there weren't more planes on display.

Those Blue Angels are fast little boogers!

Top O' the Mornin' to Ya

2011-03-17T05:24:00.000-07:00

I have photos coming out the... well, you know. I haven't even looked at most of them.

In fact, I almost forgot that the other day, I took this photo of the Oxalis growing in a pot next to Hound Dawg's water bowl. I snapped the photo just so I could post it today. See Finman, I do plan ahead.

I saw Oxalis (the green shamrock thingies real name) being sold in the store the other day. Don't people know that they'll just jump in your pots all on their own without invitation? At least, they will in this area.

Pretty little shamrocks, aren't they?

Peek-a-Boo

2011-02-28T11:32:00.000-08:00

I am suffering from weather shock. We've had a string of balmy days in the 70's and this weekend it was a real struggle not to turn on the air conditioning. I absolutely refuse to turn on the refrigerated air in February!

So much for spring sneaking in with a gradual greening of the world. Although, here in South Mississippi we most likely have another frost or two in our future, spring is budding out all over. So strange to see trees in bloom on the last day of February.

Unbelievable to think that three weeks ago snow was falling in parts of Mississippi.

24-Hour Buffet

2011-02-21T05:19:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, I put up a new bird feeder in front of my front windows. It took about three days for the birds to discover the smorgasbord but now the feeder is on the neighborhood map. Yesterday, when I had to spend most of a sunny beautiful 70-is degree day inside, I really enjoyed watching the action at the feeder.

In the photo: Tufted Titmouse and Chipping Sparrow.

Happy Red, Pink, and Love Day

2011-02-14T05:05:00.000-08:00

"One of these things is not like the other, One of these things just doesn't belong." Hound Dawg was walking around with such sad eyes last night that I thought I should make him a Valentine's treat. Can you tell which one is his?

I can't help it, I LOVE Valentine's Day. I really do. In the past, I've theorized that it has something to do with the color scheme. Red and Pink, yum!

I've just never understood those "anti-Valentine's Day" folks and I'm speaking here as a woman with a lot of single Valentine's Days behind me. Any day is what you make it.

So, Happy Valentine's Day!

Sleepy

2011-02-07T05:29:00.000-08:00

Not much to report here. It's a Monday.

You see that pretty grass in front of the Egret in the photo. That is the most hostile stuff. I got up close and personal with some of that grass once on a river clean-up. Imagine, sharp spears poking you in the behind and cutting your legs. Ouch!

Photo: Great White Egret, Pascagoula Ms.

Dolphins At Lunch

2011-01-28T20:57:00.000-08:00

Not to brag, but not just everyone can say they had lunch with dolphins. Well, maybe I can't say I had lunch "with" the dolphins either but, dolphins are what caught my eye on my lunchtime photo stroll.

Today's lunchtime perambulations found me standing alongside the Pascagoula River, near the mouth and across the river from a ship registered in Monrovia. And, who did I see showing off beside the big ship? A couple of bottlenose dolphins.

Let me tell you, anticipating where a dolphin is going to surface is not as easy as it sounds. I managed to get them in frame a few times. It really made my day.

Waiting

2011-01-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

See all the garden goodies waiting for spring? I know I am. I walked around my garden space this morning thinking about the spring. This is a peek through the gates of a garden art shop on Delmas Ave. in Pascagoula.

Monday morning is really sneaking up on me. I'll be headed up to Columbus Ms. for a workshop. It's a new Mississippi locale for me. I just wish that the Finman, Copper, and Milton would all fit in my suitcase.

Liar...

2011-01-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

A conversation in the style of The Class Factotum. (Go read her, she's funny AND clever.)

After reading my status on Facebook,

Finman: All of Facebook knows what I'm having for dinner.

Me: I thought I should brag a little. (Dinner was filet mignon w/herbed garlic butter, home fries, and salad?)

Finman: I didn't know we were having salad.

Me: We're not. I lied. I just wrote that because I didn't want everyone to think we are horrible people.

Finman: That's cute.

Admit it, all of you now think we are horrible people. We didn't have a balanced meal, we ate no vegetables, just protein and carbs. We're living like hedonistic children with no restraint. What kind of person sits down to a meal without vegetables to at least pretend to balance out red meat? I lied to all of Facebook to protect our dirty secret.

We are obviously in a moral tailspin.

Photo:My garden, Summer of Aught Nine.

Ice Flows

2011-01-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

Last week, we had unusually cold, cold weather. It's not often that you see ice along this stretch of the Gulf of Mexico. On Thursday, when thinking about where to eat lunch, I had an intuition that Beach Park was the place to go. Sure enough, as soon as I turned into the parking area I was validated. In fact, I ran into some other folks coming to visit the spectacle of ice, word must have gotten around town.

Photos: Beach Park, Pascagoula, Mississippi

Walking

2011-01-13T05:25:00.000-08:00

I've started walking again at lunch. I've mentioned it before but when you live in a state that leads the nation in obesity and has sidewalks few and far between you don't see a lot of people walking. Add to that, the knowledge that its been in the 40's around noon in a sub-tropic place where most people are cold when it drops below about 60 and you have a recipe for eccentricity. Hopefully, no one calls the police on the dangerous walking woman.

This is the railroad switch near my library. While, it's very annoying to be "caught" by the train, I love that I get to see the trains every day. You may think it's crazy but I think there is something very appealing about the the railroad tracks and the bascule bridge farther down the line. I know some might see it as industrial and bleak but I think it has a certain kind of attraction.

Photo: Downtown Pascagoula, West of Pascagoula Street

Multiculturalism

2011-01-07T05:33:00.000-08:00

Confronting Cultural Differences: Great White Egret,

and Pelican...

Thank goodness it's Friday! Looking forward to Pizza and a Movie night with The Finman.

Photos: Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Inner Harbor, Sometime in December 2010.

2011

2011-01-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year friends. Hope this year holds great things.

Nice night here in the deep south. Scratch that "night" and make that wee hours of the morning. Or even, the Wii hours of the morning. Did I mention that the FinMan bought me a Wii for Christmas?

The Hound Dawg is mystified. He has no idea what to do with me shouting at the TV.

Planning

2010-12-28T11:36:00.000-08:00

Lunch at Pascagoula Beach, Semipalmated Sandpiper (I think) 12/27/10

I know, New Years Resolutions are so "done". Yet, I have things I want to do in 2011. What better time to flesh them out than right at the beginning of the year? So yes, I'm looking ahead.

If history serves, I won't accomplish everything. But, if history serves I will accomplish some of the things on my list.

Anybody else charting out a new year?

Chritmas 2010

2010-12-25T20:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2010, will be remembered as the year I relaxed and enjoyed the season, at least in my mind. Many of my plans for Christmas were scuttled due to feeling under the weather and I was forced to go with the flow. It was not a Martha Stewart Christmas.

With people scheduled to come to my house for a Christmas Eve get together and things still to check off my list, I opted to attend the candlelight service at church. What a blessing. Then, back home where Big Sis and I finished preps for a late buffet style dinner. Once the family assembled it was time for a nice long chat with Big Brother in Thailand and after a relaxed meal, my Father read from Luke 2 and The Finman played us carols on the piano. Christmas day dawned rainy and cold but a warm spirit was found at my parent's house for Christmas dinner and presents. It was an absolutely wonderful holiday!

Here are a few pics of our "family" from the season.

The Hound Dawg gazes longingly toward the kitchen, notice the tail of his Christmas bow.

Milton manages to look grumpy even though he's warm, cozy, and out of the rain.

The Hound Dawg manages to fall asleep while gazing longingly towards the kitchen.

And last, as if this entry doesn't have enough media, here's a little of video of Milton "enjoying" his new Christmas toy.

Christmas Countdown, Christmas Eve Gift

2010-12-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

Copper, was a little bored with decorating the Christmas tree.

I can't remember if I've ever blogged about the Christmas Eve Gift. The "C" family has a long tradition of Christmas Eve Gifting other family members. To my knowledge, no actual gifts have ever changed hands.

The objective is to beat any other family member to saying "Christmas Eve Gift". My preferred method is to shout "Christmas Eve Gift" in a tone indicating my superiority in winning the Christmas Eve Gift contest. However, a quiet "Christmas Eve Gift" can be just as effective and has the added benefit of taking the one being "gotten" by surprise.

In theory, the "gotten" would then produce a gift for the "winning" family member. As I stated, I've never actually seen gifts exchanged. In my thinking, it's just an acknowledgement of your craftiness and/or quick thinking when you "win". Great extremes have been taken in the pursuit of the Christmas Eve Gift.

My GrandmotherC was a master of the art. (It didn't hurt that she got to tailor the rules.)

I would tell you all "Christmas Eve Gift" but I think a blanket Christmas Eve Gift is against the rules and unsporting.

Christmas Countdown, Southern Christmas

2010-12-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Christmas in the deep South, where the flowers are blooming and we dress up shore birds. Okay, these are pansies and they're cold hardy but it was over 70 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday. Today, we have a bit of a cold snap and the temps are only going up to around 58. Sadly, it looks like rain on Christmas Day which is a shame as I was thinking that since it's practically summer we might as well go on a beach walk Christmas afternoon. Who knows, maybe the forecast will change.

Today is catch up day. The libraries are closed and I have a day to make up for the several days I lost to Strep Throat. Shopping and baking, should be a fun day.

Photo: Delmas Avenue, Pascagoula Ms.

Christmas Countdown, Christmas Past

2010-12-22T05:21:00.000-08:00

Today, would be/is my paternal Grandmother Ruth's birthday. She was born in 1907 and just left us last spring. Thinking about her this morning, I'm grateful for her gentle kind spirit and loving heart which guided our family for so long. I'm glad God allowed us to have so much time with her.

As a young woman, in my late teens and early twenties, I became very nervous of conversations with my Grandmother. She always asked "hard" questions. I always knew my welfare was her main concern. It didn't make those conversations any more comfortable but I never doubted her concern.

Today, I'm conscious of how her children must miss her and my heart goes out to my father and all her children. I miss her as well. Christmas will be different this year.

Christmas Countdown, Lighthouses

2010-12-18T19:29:00.000-08:00

The weekend after Thanksgiving, this Guy That Loves Me flew me around this lighthouse. The Montauk Point Lighthouse, at the end of Long Island. It was already dressed for Christmas.

We'd driven out a year or two ago but managed to make it on a day that the Lighthouse was closed. Quite honestly, it was just as well because we weren't doing well at being best friends that particular day. That happens to all of us from time to time. Plus, it was a very gray day and the photos I took didn't turn out well at all. Perhaps one day we'll drive out again on a more auspicious day.

Nice to make more and better memories with this beautiful light.

I'm looking forward to a peaceful Christmas with those I love. I'm sure memories will ensue.

Christmas Countdown, Gingerbread Coastal Cottage Style

2010-12-16T19:36:00.000-08:00

Since Katrina, houses near the water in Mississippi are elevated to an extreme degree to meet new building standards. I have to say, these are the first elevated gingerbread houses I've ever seen. Love 'em!

Photo: Ocean Springs Public Library Display Windows, entries in Gingerbread House Contest.

Places to Go

2010-12-03T04:51:00.000-08:00

(An old bicycle on Block Island, RI)

I planned to paint this weekend. I hate painting. I thought I would dedicate the whole weekend to painting one room. I hate painting. I can't handle canary yellow walls one month longer. I've said for two years that I would paint them. I hate painting. This weekend was going to be THE weekend. It's filling up. First up, Native American Festival tomorrow in Ocean Springs. Maybe, I'll paint half the walls? I do hate painting.

(Here is an example of how imprecise language can be. I truly dislike painting things like walls, houses, etc. I truly enjoy painting on things like canvases, paper, odd items that sit still long enough to be painted, etc.)

Back To the Grind

2010-12-02T04:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, back to work today. Good to know the alarm still works.

I'm a bit overwhelmed by the realization of how much I have to do in the next couple of weeks. Only one way to tackle it, one piece at a time.

I'm very thankful I have a job that I enjoy going to most days but it sure is painful after a ten day holiday.

Good Day for a Picnic

2010-11-29T16:49:00.000-08:00

I ate lunch in Central Park today. I picked up a very marginal piece of quiche at a deli and strolled along through the park till I was just too tired and had to find a bench to sit down.

I ended up sitting near these "Crazy Mallard Photogs":

Now, please remember I'm pretty nutty about nature photography but these folks, especially the woman seated on the ground had an intensity that I actually pray I'll never emulate. The man would throw little pieces of bread to try to guide the ducks where they wanted and then the woman would shout at him because apparently he wasn't doing it right. This scenario repeated throughout my lunch while a really lovely tenor saxophonist played behind us. It was only interrupted when a man in an overcoat who apparently thought I might be "chatty" offered the observation that "The Crazy Mallard Photogs" must be shooting a new duck reality show. "Oh the creativity of New Yorkers", he said. I somewhat distantly agreed and he presumably decided I wasn't very "chatty" after all and left.

When I left the park, the photogs were still at it and I gave the saxophonist an offering on my way by as I play saxophone myself and always had a great ambition to play on a street corner in New Orleans. I have to admire a man that goes out there and follows the dream. Also, it truly was a nice compliment to my lunch.

Here's one of my ducks. I'm sure "The Crazy Mallard Photogs" had many much more excellent shots.

Tomorrow, back to balmy Mississippi to pick up the pieces of my every day life. I wonder if I'll remember how to set my alarm?

It's the Small Things

2010-11-24T06:36:00.000-08:00

The other day I flew on this airplane. No big deal for many folks, I realize. However, when I walked up to my gate in Philadelphia and saw this little plane I was incredibly excited. Strange, huh?

This is a De Havilland Dash 8 and for some reason having to do with the way it looks and the landing gear extending down from the wing, I've been wanting to ride in one since I first saw one fly out of La Gaurdia a few years ago.

The first time I flew I was 19. I flew from Dallas, Texas to Mexico City, Mexico and I fell in love. I've never been a fearful flyer. I loved the take off and landing, the speed, watching the lights on the ground, the whole experience. However, prior to the Finman I never gave much thought to the vehicle in which I flew.

Being involved with a walking encyclopedia of airplanes both flying and not changes your perspective.

The first time I flew with Fin as the pilot I had no fear. It never even occurred to me that I might. In fact, it wasn't until after many flights together in a small plane that I started noticing small plane accidents on the news. Now, I do read about them and think about them but it's still a thrill to fly with Fin, my pilot.

Flying with Fin in a small plane also changes perspective. That's why I was momentarily surprised when I heard people around me speaking about how small the Dash 8 was.

As for my inaugural Dash 8 flight, I had a great time. I sat in the first seat by the door, without a seat partner and with the propellers powering along, not overwhelming loud but reassuringly real, sounding just right, thrumming through the plane. I soon dozed off and woke over the Atlantic as we came across to the coast of Long Island.

For me, it often is the small things.

Live Free

2010-11-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

Another blogging friend wrote the other day about The Power of Graffiti at her blog, Backroads Photo Blog. I found it interesting as I've begun a collection of train graffiti photographs.

My "new" library sits immediately next to some very busy train tracks. I work in a port town and I see plenty of freight winding its way along the tracks. I'm constantly amazed by the artwork also traveling the tracks.

I know that I'm supposed appalled by the innate crimminal-ness of this train art (graffiti) but truly, it's simply too colorful and often fun to despise.

Of course, if my train art photo collection harbors nefarious sentiments about gang violence or tags, I'm likely to never know. I'm okay with that kind of ignorance. I'm just enjoying the colors winding the way along the track and contemplating the idea that these huge art installations may be among the most well-traveled art in the world.

Friends, I leave you with my most favorite train art quotation to date, "Live Free and Stay True!"

He Doesn't Look Like Much..

2010-11-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

...but you try to take a photo of a bat buzzing aloft, at dusk, flying in super sonic-like circles around your back yard. Whew, I actually got dizzy following him around. He was much too fast for the autofocus and this almost in focus manual capture was pure luck.

Last April, I bought two bat houses. When they came in the mail they had strict instructions. The bat house must be at least 10 feet from the ground, they need to face a certain direction preferably in an open area, and they must be in place by mid-April or the bats will not come.

The enticement of natural mosquito control had me up on the ladder 10 feet in the air on THE step, you know the one you're not supposed to stand on, risking life and equilibrium, hugging a 50 foot pine tree with one arm and swinging a hammer with the other. It was truly a life-flashing moment, twice. (Two bat houses, remember.)

Sadly, it was not a case of build it(or in this case scale a ladder) and they will come. The bats apparently had their own real estate agents because they all made other arrangements.

That is why tonight, had you been walking near our place, you would have heard Fin and me yelling at the bat circling our yard that we had a perfectly good bat house, it had been there since mid-April, and the bat was welcome to move in.

Traveling

2010-11-01T19:47:00.000-07:00

The Finman and I went for a nice paddle on Saturday. Our trip location was actually "Plan B" but I think I enjoyed it much more than I would have enjoyed the originally chosen launch site. We put in at Kreb's Lake in Pascagoula and then kayaked under the high rise bridge and down (or up, not sure which) the shipping channel.

Here is a hitchhiker that jumped on when I picked up a piece of marine debris. He hung out for a while and then scurried across the top of my boat to the other side where a gentle wave sent him on his way.

It was a beautiful day for a kayak trip. The weather was just right, the water was calm, and the sky was lovely blue. I hope we have many more days like this one in front of us.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T10:27:00.000-07:00

I do enjoy Halloween.  I guess I never got over that desire to be someone/something else for a little while.  I've enjoy the theatrics of it all.  

I've been holding onto this photo just to post today.  This is a storefront in Ocean Springs.  I like that vintage looking black cat.  The Finman and I saw this charming display the night of my birthday.  After Fin and I went to dinner, we walked around downtown while I took photos.

Now, we're off to hear a little Mozart. If you're up to any ghoulish activities today, have fun.

Miscellany

2010-10-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Things I have spent hours photographing:

Forgotten Places
Cemeteries
Open Doors
Gates
Windows
Ruins

What these things say about me:

Let's skip the symbolism shall we and just acknowledge that I have enough material there to pen the next great Southern Gothic Novel.

What catches your eye?

Photo Above: Forgotten Gate, Pascagoula Ms.

On The Road

2010-10-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

On the road this week in Vicksburg. I get to come home to the Finman, Hound Dawg, and Incredibly Furry Feline today. Wonderful!

Hello World

2010-10-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Squirrel Tree Frog in the Pump House

Tonight, I was browsing through photos from the last couple of months when I ran across this guy. This is the squirrel tree frog that lived in the pump house for our well all summer. When I would go to the pump house in the evenings to turn on the water for the garden I was almost sure to see him hanging about. In fact, he was the biggest squirrel tree frog I've ever seen, over two inches and maybe over three. That's like Big Foot in the world of squirrel tree frogs. I haven't seen him in the last few weeks. Let's hope he's moved on to greater adventures.

For the rest, I haven't blogged in soooo.. long. Real life intruded for a while, a photo project I NEEDED to finish, birthdays and birthday dinners, and award ceremonies.

Yes, awards. I've only ever entered one photo contest. Well actually, I've entered the same library photo contest for four (maybe five but I can't remember if they had the contest in '06) years. This year, I won Best of Show. I don't even think it was a pity win because there were different judges and of course they don't know your names.

So the real question is, after winning the top ribbon do I walk away or do I enter again next year? I guess I have a year to ponder.

Unseasonably Seasonable

2010-10-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

The weather here is amazing, fallish in an unseasonably cool and pleasant fall way. Fin and Hound took a break in the back yard today, internetting in the shade. Well, at least Fin internetted while Hound snoozed.

I'm actually a bit worried because tonight it's forecast to be in the 40's. We usually have a nice long fall with a long growing season. Here we are at the beginning of October with lows in the 40's. It's wonderful and distressing all in the same moment.

Dining Out

2010-09-30T10:18:00.001-07:00

Photo: My Milton in reflection. (Actually, if I remember correctly he was up on the porch railing looking down on a very excited Hound and bracing himself for some Hound Dawg affection.)

Often, I eat my lunch at the picnic tables in the library parking lot. Luckily, the library wireless reaches to the tables so I'm able to bring my laptop along. Sometimes I blog and many times, Fin and I have a little lunch time skype.

I'm constantly surprised by the number of people that come to the library parking lot to eat lunch. They sit in their cars under the trees at the end of the lot. They are parking lot regulars.

Currently, I'm very intrigued by one parking lot regular, the man that brings his cat to the library. He and the cat sit in the car together. The cat man reads and the cat wanders around the car.

Why? Why does he bring his cat to the library? They don't look homeless, but maybe they are. Maybe the man and cat live in the car, maybe the cat goes to work with him. Why, why, why? I just want to know why.

Do you think it would be inappropriate to go knock on the window and ask, "Why do you drive your cat to the library?"

Day Trip, Longue Vue House and Gardens

2010-09-27T10:13:00.001-07:00

Hand Crank for greenhouse windows at Longue Vue.

Saturday, I drove to New Orleans and met up with Big Sis for a tour of the Longue Vue House and Gardens. The gardens were absolutely beautiful. Apart from a lovely formal garden and "wild" garden, they house a really fun learning garden for children. Definitely a fun family destination.

I think the thing that struck me most was that the woman that planned and owned the home decided to have it turned into a museum before her death. In her old age, she moved out of her home to a hotel so work could begin on the transition from home to tour destination. I just don't think that even if I had the money to be that kind of philanthropic that I could give up my last years in my own home. (Just saying.) It must have given her great joy to see the museum created before her death.

Neighborhood Alligator

2010-09-20T03:47:00.000-07:00

Fin and I went to the National Seashore Park in Ocean Springs a couple of weeks ago. We took Hound Dawg and our bikes and spent some time hanging out. Every time we go, we like many others, check in and see if the park Alligator is in his usual spot. Lately, he's been very consistent in his choice of locale. He must like the attention. Silly Alligator.

I've been working on another blog this weekend. Pop in and take a look, The Practical Omnivore.

Fall Nights

2010-09-14T05:10:00.000-07:00

Here on the gulf coast, the suddenness of fall always takes me by surprise. You begin to sense that slight change in the air that tells you that even though it's still muggy and hot, Fall is around the corner.

Then, within the course of a week it seems we go from sweltering heat to temps that entice you to open the windows at night. The days are still hot, but the nights, Oh, they are scrumptious!

Above Photo: A nice approaching Fall memory with the Finman.

Hound Dawg's Field Trip

2010-09-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

The Finman, Hound Dawg, and I all found ourselves at the beach this afternoon. We decided to try out the new beach front on Front Beach in Ocean Springs. In truth, it's not that new. I guess people have been enjoying it all summer but we generally visit a different beach when we beach walk.

The improvements made to the Front Beach post Katrina are very nice, wide sidewalk with an attractive seawall, fire pits, and those little shower thingies to wash the sand off yourself when you leave the beach. In fact, if you glance above you'll observe that Copper Dawg thought the shower thingy innovation quite nice on a warm sunny day. We hit quite a few of those as we meandered the length of the beach.

I was very glad to see that they've used native plantings in the landscaping. In a few years, barring catastrophic hurricanes, the beach front will be even more attractive.

Freezer Pot luck

2010-08-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

-Katrina Memorial Pascagoula Beach Park

This morning, I read a list of local events marking the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The one that struck me most is a area Episcopalian congregation that is marking the event by meeting for services in the parish hall, where they worshipped for months after Katrina flooded the sanctuary. They will follow services with pot luck from the freezer.

This year, I bought a small freezer. It's only five cubic feet, about the smallest home freezer you can buy. I found it on Craigslist. Big Sis was kind enough to pick it up for me in New Orleans and deliver it to my house. Turns out, the man selling was a shrimper in New Orleans who sadly didn't need it due to the oil spill.

But anyway, back to the freezer. My biggest concern this hurricane season centers around that freezer. I'm so worried that we'll lose power and lose everything in the freezer. In fact, I've considered buying a generator just because of that silly freezer.

For this reason, the idea of a commemorative freezer pot luck strikes a chord. Should south Mississippi have a significant loss of power anytime soon, know that you're all invited for a blueberry feast accompanied by chicken on the grill and spiral sliced ham. I would sprinkle everything with milled flax seed and steel cut oats but I assume those stockpiles will survive outside the freezer.

A few notes on Katrina itself:

Everyone here has a story. I think a lot of people are tired of telling their stories. My story is one of observation as I didn't move here until a few months after Katrina but having visited the gulf coast for many years prior to Hurricane Katrina, I know what was lost.

I've watched the coast rebuild. This is truly a resilient place with resilient people.

I understand the frustration of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the epicenter of Hurricane Katrina, which had a few towns almost wiped off the map when the spotlight of storm damage is again and again focused primarily on New Orleans.

One of my strongest memories of the rebuilding after Katrina will always be the debris trucks, piled high with ruined belongings, rattling along I-10, and occasionally losing a sofa or mattress off the top of the pile.

Ichin' and Pickin'

2010-08-27T05:11:00.000-07:00

Driving between libraries yesterday I had an itchy nose, a very itchy nose. The kind of itchy (and pardon me for this) that makes you want to just stick your finger up there and take care of things.

Thankfully, I looked up from my nose preoccupation in time to see a blond little boy, six or seven years old in the back seat of the car in front of me. I didn't recognize him. He was dressed in his school uniform, turned around backwards, waving like a maniac, and looked like he was going to wiggle right out of his skin with excitement. I stopped itching my nose long enough to wave manically back. Then, the car turned off to the left.

These days I don't have as much to do with the actual children in the communities because so much of my time is office time. I do get out occasionally to tell stories or as I did this summer, help with puppet shows. So, I probably met this young man somewhere along the way. I'm VERY glad to say that little boy didn't catch the library lady picking her nose. It just goes to show, as I'm always saying to the Finman, "You're never as alone as you think you are."

Bird of Prey, Literally

2010-08-17T04:42:00.001-07:00

This post is certainly not for the cuddly Precious Moments kind of nature lover.

Yesterday, this Cooper's Hawk and I had lunch together, in a manner of speaking. I was lunching at the picnic tables outside the library when he flew in. As he is about to have lunch and I was having lunch, I'll count it as dining together. The colors are muted so you may not notice at first that he has another smaller bird in his talons. I believe it's a Mourning Dove, though it's a little difficult to see. Apparently, Cooper's Hawks are very fond of Mourning Dove and will even take them out of their nests on occasion. Then, they just squeeze them a bit until they're uhm... dead. Sometimes, they've been known to hold prey under water until the prey drowns. The Cooper's Hawk is nothing if not efficient.

Don't you all wish you had this kind of lunch time excitement?

Gazing Pool

2010-08-04T11:00:00.001-07:00

Would you believe, this is the Hound Dawg's water bowl?

If he can't have a drink directly from the bathtub (I know, silly dog) he likes a deep dish he can sink his head into, literally. He sticks his nose under the water and blows bubbles.

I laugh every time.

Milton in the Mirror

2010-07-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

Not much time to blog but I thought a Milton Moment might be appropriate.

Looks like that Feline is having a bit of serious contemplation, staring at the mirror in the chifferobe. He's middle age these days, maybe he's looking back at his accomplishments.

Incognito

2010-07-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

On the way in from my walk with the Hound Dawg Tuesday morning, I noticed a leaf stuck in the mesh of the chain link fence. Even though, I was rushing because workday mornings are one continual blur of rush, something about that leaf just didn't "set right". Perhaps, it was because it was near the water oak and leaves from the water oak are generally brown or varying shades of green as they turn. Perhaps, it was because the leaf was yellow and there were no other yellow leafs around. Or perhaps, my brain didn't catalog it on the way out for our walk and it was a new addition to the landscape.

Whatever it was, it merited a closer inspection.

Turns out, that part of brain that keeps an eye out for the unexpected was right on target. I'd found my first Imperial Moth. Sadly, my camera was safely locked away in my work office, where I left it on accident, 25 miles away. Thankfully, I was able to improvise a photo with a photo from my webcam. I wish I could have gotten the detail, because this bugger is gorgeous.

You know, these guys, like some other moths in the moth world don't eat at all in their adult/moth stage? As a person that enjoys both cooking AND eating I find that very disturbing. I guess the upside is that they do consume quite a bit as caterpillars.

Butterfly Romance

2010-07-14T04:43:00.000-07:00

I know it's hot outside. In fact, here in muggy coastal Mississippi, sitting under an oak tree at lunch it feels like we corner the market on hot. However, if you can manage the heat, this is one of my most favorite times of year.

The butterflies are a bumper crop this year. As they tumble and toss around on the wind in the library parking lot and at the tree line in my backyard they look like a fantastic moment in time captured by a silly Victorian romance. They are just too beautiful to ignore. In fact, as I watch them in flight, time seems to slow and then snap back into place as the butterflies flutter out of view.

Above, is evidence of my first sighting of a Red-Spotted Purple. The blue on this fellow often has it mistaken for a Pipevine Swallowtail. In fact, that was my first guess until I took a closer look. Isn't he beautiful?

So, if you haven't, take some time and look around. I know the butterflies aren't only cruising in my neck of the woods. What do you see where you live?

Dinner in NOLA

2010-07-08T19:25:00.000-07:00

Last night, I was invited to tag along with visiting family as they drove to New Orleans to share dinner with my Big Sis. I'm so glad they invited me along. It's been a while since I strolled in the Big Easy and it was lovely to walk around with my cousins and share in their enjoyment of the French Quarter.

Sometimes, in enjoying my own little piece of the Gulf Coast I lose sight of how much I enjoy the city, and what a quick little drive it is to New Orleans. In fact, it's such a quick little drive that one can even go in the evening, get back for an almost full night's sleep, and be at work in the morning. (I almost felt like I was living my 20's again.)

Photo Above: After dark view of the Riverwalk along the Mississippi River.

Summer Blues

2010-06-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Long time, no blog.

It's summer.

Summer is:
Hot
Humid
Busy for Librarianing
Blueberry Harvests
B.P. Oil Spill
Exhausting
Dealing with death and dying
Cutting Grass
Tending the garden
Walking the Hound

FULL

Yes, I've been a bit overwhelmed. There are so many words in my head that I don't even know how to start getting them out. I do miss this little corner. It's a bit bleak knowing that there is no point in checking in as I know for a fact I haven't blogged.

Hopefully, things are calming down and I will stop here more often.

The photo to the left is of the lovely hundreds year old oak tree that shaded my Mother and me last Saturday at the U-Pick Blueberry farm. We had a lovely morning. We both ran into friends and were able to catch up with others and each other. Plus, most of labor was spent in the shade, which made our time very pleasant. Now, there are lots of berries in the freezer ready for pancakes, muffins, yogurt toppings, and who knows what else. Yum!

Title-less

2010-06-03T19:00:00.001-07:00

I'm making a definite effort to keep my online life from "being all oil spill, all the time."

This is more difficult than one would imagine. I'm just so appalled by the oil. I know that by the end of the summer, when BP finally gets their relief well drilled, and the oil is finally (hopefully) done surging freely to the surface (or floating away in plumes under the surface) that the rest of the world will be burned out on coastal crisis. I know that the short attention span of the general public both national and international will be turned to other things. I know that some camps are tired of hearing about oil even as I type. I know that there will be other disasters and and it is natural for the world to move on.

Yet, when I think about the oil, all I can see are the least terns diving and fishing off Ocean Springs East Beach. I see how free and lovely they looked last Friday as Fin and I kayaked.

I think about Louisiana Congressman Charles Melancon emotional in front of his peers as he said, "Everything I know and love is at risk".

I think about my frustration with our government at both state and federal levels. A government busily singing a refrain similar to that of Little Orphan Annie, "The sun will come out tomorrow" and glossing over and sitting on real information about the oil spill, from the amount of oil actually polluting the Gulf to the real number of animals already impacted by the spill.

When I think about the oil, I have a very difficult time not allowing it to dominate my online life.

Tonight, I sat down to write a non-oil entry. Yet, the non-oil words don't come. When I contemplate how so much in my adopted home, so much of what I "know and love is at risk" the words about oil can't help but dominate.

Fin's Photo Picks

2010-05-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Finman is headed to the East Coast in the morning to spend a few weeks. As a parting gift, I gave him the option to pick some photos for the blog. He's been itching to get a few more of my Dauphin Island Photos into the light of the world wide web.

Safe Travels Finman.

2010-05-26T05:29:00.000-07:00

Another, from the Dauphin Island trip. This was taken on an early morning bike ride. I enjoyed how the sea foam color of this Chevy Bel Air was positioned beside the strings of foam buoys, very beachy.

Camping

2010-05-25T05:16:00.001-07:00

The Finman and I went camping last weekend on Dauphin Island. Dauphin Island is a small island right off the coast of Alabama and right down the road. Since moving to coastal Mississippi this little island has become one of my favorite places to visit.

It has a charming atmosphere, a great bike path, beautiful areas to kayak, and white sand beaches. What a nice chance to get away and thanks to some clever packing and bikes that come in pieces we were able to take all our camping gear, two kayaks, and two bikes in a tiny little gas saving car.

Of course, Dauphin Island is threatened by the Oil Spill just like the rest of the coast. In fact, when Fin saw the photo above he immediately noted the symbolism inherent in the mixed images. If you look behind the fishing boat you'll notice an oil platform. Then, you have the birds flocking around the boat. Two of the things most threatened in the spill and a symbol of the industry that created it. Sad.

However, I will say that our weekend was unmarred by oil. It is was good, in even a small way to contribute to the economy of a favorite island as it struggles through a tourist slump.

If It Walks Like A...

2010-05-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

So, does it look to anyone else, like this Mississippi Sandhill Crane and this Canada Goose are playing follow the leader?

Last weekend, while driving home from Ocean Springs, I saw two Mississippi Sandhill Cranes breaking bread in the rain with these Canada Geese. I found it a bit insulting as we couldn't have been more than three miles from the feeding plot where I spent a VERY cold pre-dawn morning not Counting Cranes. In fact, for all I know these were my allotted cranes. Harumph....

Oh well, it was a pleasant surprise to run into them when I wasn't looking for them and take a few (read about 75) soggy photos.

The Finman and I are scheduled for adventure this weekend. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Ta Ta

House Broken

2010-05-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

People often ask me if the coast has recovered from Katrina. In fact, I've been asked so often over the past few months that it's given me much reason to really consider my answer. In many ways, the coast picked itself up and moved on. The biggest most obvious things were fixed.

It's when you really start to look that you see how tattered everything still is. It's like everyone pushed really hard and got the essentials back, libraries open, schools open, new places to live, etc. Things were put back to a point.

For example, I visited an antique store the other day. When I went in the shop, there were no antiques. There was new gift merchandise but the bulk of the store was off limits, still full of flooded antiques that will have to be dealt with. The owner told me that from time to time as people have special requests they'll go back there and sort through what they have and show a piece.

Then, you have places like this house that I walk by some days at lunch. This beautiful historic home, with a gracious southern porch, perfect for rocking chairs and sweet tea with gorgeous windows. A house for sale that apparently no one can afford or is willing to buy because the inside was utterly destroyed and all you'll really be buying is one beautiful shell that will cost a boatload to restore. So, is the Mississippi coast recovered from Katrina? Oh yes, in so many ways but still there are pieces to come together and things to restore.

And really, I hate to belabor a point but now there is the oil...

Downtown Walking

2010-05-10T05:20:00.001-07:00

Another building where I take WAY too many photos.

I happened by this last week, National Day of Prayer Observance on the steps of the Jackson County Courthouse.

Happy Monday all, hope your week is off to a good start.

On The Way Home

2010-05-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

Took time today to take a couple of photos of the oil booms protecting the mouth of the Singing River today outside of Gautier, where the river flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Just a few miles from here is where I took the photo of the nesting osprey, the mammoth alligator, and saw a nesting great horned owl.

I was at a workshop yesterday across from the beach in Gulfport. The beach and water were absolutely gorgeous. If I hadn't know better, I would have thought the smell of creosote (or crude oil smell) was coming from a roofing project just out of my line of sight. Here we are still waiting to see what happens.

Oil and Water

2010-05-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

I don''t think anyone will find it surprising that I'm very focused on oil at the moment. Specifically, the oil pumping into the Gulf of Mexico threatening nesting seabirds, countless wildlife and in a lesser comparison, my own way of life.

I don't live on the water, but the water is central to my daily life. Every weekday, on my commute I cross the mouth of the Singing River and drive by the port of Pascagoula. I almost absentmindedly note which NOAA ships are tied up in port. I watch seagulls and the occasional osprey wheel over the parking lot of the library at lunch, just blocks from the Gulf of Mexico. On the weekends, I often take my kayak to the National Seashore Park or load the Hound Dawg in the car for a walk on Ocean Springs beach. The water and family are what brought me to the coast of Mississippi.

With these things in mind, I've watched this BP engineered crises unfold in horror. As a Master Naturalist, I'm terrified for the ramifications to nesting shore birds, migrating birds, our local fisheries, and a fragile ecosystem still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

I'm a pretty moderate person and I've never been able to generate the proper eco-worry generated angst toward offshore drilling that I've known is almost requisite for one concerned with and caring for the environment. I'm a pretty practical person and know that as we have a nation currently dependent on oil, then oil we must have and that means drilling somewhere. Sometimes, "somewhere" means in your own backyard.

However, in light of British Petroleum's cavalier and in my opinion reckless attitude about drilling a well to the depth of 18,000 feet 5,000 feet below the surface of the water without seemingly an even rudimentary contingency plan in case the unthinkable happened, I think my moderate position is changing. The Associated Press printed this statement about BP's plans:

"BP suggested in a 2009 exploration plan and environmental impact analysis for the well that an accident leading to a giant crude oil spill - and serious damage to beaches, fish and mammals - was unlikely, or virtually impossible.

The plan for theDeepwater Horizon well, filed with the federal Minerals Management Service, said repeatedly that it was 'unlikely that an accidental surface or subsurface oil spill would occur from the proposed activities.' "

In light of the "unlikely" now floating in on the tide, I'm not feeling in any way moderate. In fact, I'm gearing up to angry and as I've already stated, terrified. I'm worried for all those that depend on the health of the Gulf for their livelihoods, the shrimpers, fisherman, and tourism industry. I'm fearful for local wildlife. I'm concerned about my own way of life and I'm reminded again, that you can't mix oil and water.

A Photo Note: The above photo is from East Beach in Ocean Springs, taken in March of this year on a walk with the Hound Dawg.

Nothing to See Here. Unless You're KeepinginTouch

2010-05-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

I rarely (I think actually never) do this but I'd really like to connect with some blogging friends.

For Thing1 and Thing2 at KeepinginTouch, I was so glad to see your update and have tried multiple times to leave you a comment. However, due to changes with your blogging site it seems that as I am not a member of the site I can no longer leave comments. I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you both and very glad to hear how you both are. I think the gardener is brilliant!

Chive-iliscious

2010-04-29T19:52:00.001-07:00

It's a delicious time of year. The weather is stunning and it's a wonderful time to be out. The other day my mother surprised me with this lovely bunch of chives to put in my herb garden. They are stunning.

Last night, I worked in the herb garden separating the chives, dividing lemongrass, and pulling out some renegade mint that is determined to leave the coop. It was olfactory overload in the nicest possible way. Just lovely.

I've news tonight that my Grandmother is not well. She's 102 and my thoughts and prayers are with her tonight.

Post script: I've heard this afternoon that my Grandmother is feeling much better this afternoon.

Puttin' on the Ritz

2010-04-27T05:25:00.000-07:00

I often walk by this building when I go on my lunchtime walks. I have taken a ridiculous number of photos. I'm charmed by the Southwestern Art Deco-ish touches and the hurricane shutters.

I'm need to find out the history of the building. It houses a lawyer's office these days, but has it always? Why the Ritz? That's not the name of the law offices.

That Time of Year

2010-04-21T19:53:00.001-07:00

Tonight, dinner was "Blueberry Pancakes for Dinner Night". I'm almost to the end of the '09 blueberries that I horded in the freezer.

As Fin helped himself to the blackberry syrup he asked, "When do the blackberries bloom?" I replied, "They're blooming right now." "Oh good" Fin answers, "now we don't have to be stingy" (with the syrup).

I pointed out that we won't have blackberries until May (the end of May). He then pointed out to me that it was a good thing it was the end of April.

Of course, although I tell Fin that we have to use the syrup sparingly because it's only a renewable resource once a year, the truth is that each time he (or I) spoons out a big pancake swallowing helping I flashback to weeks on end of coming home from work and then out to the blackberries to wrestle those luscious little berries out of the bramble. I remember the countless scratches, blackberry canes trying to eat my hat, and then the hours of processing berries, boiling juice, heating the water for the water bath, and getting jars and rings ready. When the last blackberry was processed and put away last summer, I knew that I might never give any of that syrup away. After all, I'm the only one that will ever be able to truly appreciate the value of one of those little jars of syrup.

Plants That Eat Things

2010-04-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

After a biting gnat attack this evening, I have a renewed appreciation of plants that eat things.

Here from my very own backyard, a yellow pitcher plant gets ready to make bug soup out of (hopefully) scores of mosquitoes and gnats.

I went on a plant walk the other day with Botanist, Dr. Robert Mohlenbrock and he informed those of us on the walk that research has shown that pitcher plants can subsist on just the nutrients they gather from the soil. So, in his words these guys eat insects simply "because they can". After living where they grow skeeters the size of elephants, I have to say, I'd take that plant to the prom.

Really, he's one of the cool kids.

Mockingbird Concert

2010-04-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

The Mockingbirds have taken to an almost constant serenade. This one in particular likes the ornamental pear that shades our side porch. As I have the side door open most of the time these days this is the song echoing through my house. He gets really vocal about 30 seconds in.

A Break From the Natural, Mostly.

2010-04-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

I've made my annual pilgrimage to the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival on the USM Campus. This is honestly a highpoint of the year. I truly hope that the future brings me back again and again.

In addition to all the wonderful, helpful and educational things I heard today, my absolute favorite comment of the day came from, Father Goose or as he is sometimes known, Charles Ghigna. Prior to sharing some of his wonderful and enchanting poetry for children Mr. Ghigna discussed how privileged he felt to address a crowd of librarians. In his words, "The people that own the keys to the kingdom."

How true!

School librarians and public librarians truly do hold the keys that open so many doors for children; imagination, adventure, love, and so much more. Welcome to the Kingdom.

As for the lettuce photo, that's a bit of showing off and absolutely unrelated to the Book Festival. You see before you the first harvest of 2010, and the lettuce I ate on my sandwich yesterday. Although, to be perfectly frank I planted this lettuce last November. It managed to overwinter quite nicely despite our unusually cold temps.

In the Rafters

2010-04-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

Had another startle today. After I returned home from the Easter feast with family I let the hound dawg out for a ramble. I then walked into the edge of the forest with the furry beast. I was soon left to my own devices as Copper had other places to explore. Abandoned, I turned to go back.

I stopped on the way out to examine a bright green bush that reminded me of the Elliot's Blueberry. In the dim forest light, I was thoughtlessly pulling branches towards me when I caught a glimpse of almost neon green in a brown tree trunk a couple of feet away. Turns out that although I'd been carefully watching where I put my feet I also should have been turning my eyes heavenward as I had an audience at head height only a few feet away.

Thus, my introduction to the Northern Rough Greensnake. I haven't visited a cardiologist since I moved to Mississippi but I think that it may be time to find one again. I'm not sure my heart can handle many more of these harmless in your face nature adventures. The description says these fellows are arboreal. You think?

You will notice however, that my startle wasn't quite enough to keep me from running up to the car where I'd left my camera.

Another Reason I LOVE My Job

2010-03-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

I'm a bit behind with the spring blogging. I've been (and actually am) under the weather or as they said in West Texas, I'm feelin' puny. However, mere puniness could not keep me away from the field trip our library director organized last week, a ride on the McCoy Brother's Swamp and River Tour out of the Pascagoula River Audubon Center. If you're ever down in south Mississippi and you're more interested in nature than casinos then this is definitely a must do.

The river is just beginning to wake up from winter and the swamps aren't the lush green they will be in just a few weeks but the wildlife was really magnificent. The photo above shows a mother osprey protecting her nest.

Here another female flies from the nest she is working on, see the red maple in "bloom";

A Double-Crested Cormorant, they winter here. This is my first view of a cormorant;

AND, One BIG DADDY of a 'Gator, smiling for the tourists;

The photos aren't quite as sharp as I'd like as it was a dreary day and I'm not satisfied with the lens I had with me, but it was a great afternoon to be out on the river. There was so much to see.

Good Snakes Are Still Snakes, Or Why I Don't Always Want My Instinct to Be Right

2010-03-19T20:05:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, I got a start on a project I intended to work on over the winter, clearing brush at the edge of our forest and around the blackberries. The former property owners had a size-able area where they apparently threw logs, tree branches, etc. This was worrisome because the discard/grown over brush pile is next to the where the blackberries grow. Blackberries on their own tend to be overgrown and brushy. So, the entire created habitat seemed the perfect home to animals of the slithering nature. In other words, it seemed SSSSSNAKEY..... ICK!

Now here's a bit of little known trivia. In a former life (just five years or so ago but it feels like a lifetime) I had a little part time job helping at a small zoo with some education classes. Even though, I'm personally quite nervous with snakey snakes, there were snakes I had to show for reptile classes. As I was working with children, and truly didn't want to scar them for life, I dredged up the fortitude to actually put my hand into the cages, pick up the snakes, and show them off to the children. (I never would have thought I had it in me. The things we do for money.) Surprisingly, I didn't hate it. It wasn't comfortable, but I didn't hate it.

The problem is that in real life, the same non-threatening, good for the planet reptiles are enough to send me into cardiac arrest. I mean my heart really gets a work out when I stumble upon them in their own habitat, i.e. THE WILD.

This happened this afternoon. I decided to put in time continuing on with the brush and grabbed my gloves and the wheelbarrow with my tools and headed down to that part of the yard. As I reached the cultivator into a pile of branches I saw one suspiciously loopy coily branch right in the center of the pile. Apart from nearly stopping my heart, this called for an immediate suspension of activity so I could go get my camera. I've found it's a lot easier to identify a photo of a snake than the memory of a snake. This is especially so when you're a bit snake phobic.

Turns out, that as I thought, this was a harmless little fellow (or fellowette), a simple Black Racer. After I had my camera, I gently (with the cultivator) moved a branch obscuring my view. The write-ups say that when a black racer is startled he will either flee quickly or bite. My snake didn't do either of those things but I think this may be explained by the temperature dropping this evening and him being a bit sluggish. I did some work nearby for a few minutes and when I looked over the snakey was gone.

So, turns out the brush pile by the blackberries is indeed sssssnakey...

Snake Identification Help: The University of Georgia has a nice page about Black Racers. Also, the Florida Museum of Natural History has a really helpful Layman's Identification Key. This is specific to Florida snakes but as snakes are no respecter of governmental boundaries it works pretty well for south Mississippi too. Last but not least (well in the case, kind of least), Mississippi State University Extension has an online identification tool. I mention it because it IS specific to south Mississippi but I have to be honest and say that I think the Florida one is better and that the Mississippi tool needs a little refining. I haven't had a lot of luck with it.

Weather Vane

2010-03-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

Milton, the incredibly furry weather vane.

It was bit chilly out this afternoon but the sun peeked out and of course I had more time to enjoy the sun thanks to Daylight Savings Time. Fun evening watching the Hound Dawg tear through the forest and Milton supervising the two of us.

The Thing About THE BIG CITY

2010-03-16T10:38:00.001-07:00

Really, REALLY, please ignore my bad, flat hair.

Instead, focus on my photo companion, world famous Kermit the Frog. Yes, last week, yours truly met a personal hero at the Mississippi Museum of Art. I was lucky enough to be in Jackson the last week of a traveling Smithsonian Exhibit,

It was a smallish exhibit, but had lots of great interactive media features that made it fun. I really enjoyed seeing the early Henson creations and watching the evolution of ideas into the characters that became so well known in Sesame Street and on The Muppets. Turns out, a good deal of Jim Henson's childhood was spent in Leland Mississippi. It's hard to imagine Kermit without the influence of Mississippi swamps and backwaters. It was a great learning experience and of course it really pumped me up for planning the library summer reading puppet show.

My favorite thing of the whole day happened as we were leaving the museum. I stopped in the museum store to ask the clerk about nearby dining. She was just so darn cute and helpful, I shouldn't call her cute as she's my age but still... She told me of a couple of places and gave me directions. Then, as I was about to leave she adds, "You know, in THE BIG CITY, restaurants are in the ground floor of office buildings. They don't stand alone." I immediately thought, "Oh how cute." My second thought was, "Are you referring to Jackson Mississippi as the Big City? Really?" I must have been projecting country girl that day (must have been the bad hair). The good news is that given the fact that she was doing her best to be helpful, I didn't say a single snarky thing. I just thanked her and went on. But really, Jackson population 130,000 and change is THE BIG CITY? Perhaps, that woman needs to get out more.

Elliot's Blueberry, And Why You Should Just Bury Things

2010-03-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

These pink blossoms are one of the first signs of spring in my little corner. They quietly announce that winter is coming to an end and spring really is about to burst forth. I noticed these last year but didn't "do" anything about them. "Do," as in research.

The last two weeks they've been just gorgeous. My mother, a plant genius was over last week but she didn't have any insight. So, I hit the books and then the internet for an identification.

Turns out, I wish I'd bothered to find out last year. These blossoms belong to an Elliot's Blueberry or some call it a Huckleberry and others a Mayberry. Apart, from offering the promise of spring, these little blossoms are getting set to produce a tasty little berry.

I have three bushes of the Elliot's Blueberry ringing the yard at the edge of the forest. You can believe that this year, I'm going to be watching a little more closely to see what happens and to see if I can beat out the wildlife for a taste. Floridata, a great little site that I stumbled across, started by a fellow over in Florida, has a wonderful page on Elliot's Blueberry.

As to burying things, I mentioned burying things in the title and meant it in a very literal not figurative sense. When a certain hound dawg finds a dead thing in the yard and you, who have a natural disinclination towards dead things, finally through trickery and cajoling manage to separate the dead thing from the hound dawg's mouth and then announce your plan of burying the small dead thing, know that you should follow your first instinct. Because, if you listen to the person that says, "Really, burying it? That seems like overkill. Just throw it into the forest to decompose" it's a pretty sure thing that while you are on your back at the edge of the forest taking photos of pink and white blossoms against a blue sky, hound dawg will rediscover said dead thing. Only now, the dead thing is three or four days more dead than it was the first time. ICK!

Afternoon Walk at the Beach

2010-03-06T18:34:00.001-08:00

Nature Moment

2010-03-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy people bringing me things they've found in nature to identify. Generally speaking, I don't know what they are.

Thankfully, I'm not the type of naturalist that worries because I'm not a walking nature guide. Otherwise, I'd spend A LOT of time on the defensive. I hope that after a few more years(20 or 30 or so) I'll have researched so many things that some of it will stick and I WILL be a walking nature guide. Of course, by that point my mind will start to go and I'll start back at the beginning. What a viscous circle.

A couple of weeks ago, my "local" brother asked my mother to ask me about a pod type thing he'd found on a tree. My mother brought me a sample. After seeing it, I remembered glimpsing the same sort of thing in my yard while walking the Hound Dawg in the mornings. Sure enough I went home and found the same type of casing.

I assumed it was a cocoon, (even though, I did harbor thoughts of an invasion of very small aliens) it is quite large, two inches and perhaps a bit more. After researching, I believe this to be the cocoon of a Polyphemus Moth, a large Silk Moth found in much of the US but present and active along the coast most of the year. The resulting moth can reach up to five and half inches in wingspan. For more information, Bill Oehlke has an informative page HERE.

One of the most interesting things to me in my research was that the moth has no mouth parts. They rely on the stored energy from eating during their caterpillar stage. This of course, is why I love people to bring me things. It gives me a reason to research and I always have more to learn.

A Different Day, A Different Season

2010-03-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

Last May, my Favorite Pilot took me flying around Long Island. I can't remember the goal of the flight but we did fly over an estate where my pilot would play a band job the following day. This particular stretch was on the way. In reality, I have no idea where this is, apart from Long Island, but I know a guy that knows the island, and I have no doubt that he could tell you.

Today, a co-worker and friend (a woman) told me, "Girl, you have good legs." Now, in my mind the reality is that I'm a short round female closer to 40 than I want to be and pushing the envelope with black footless tights and a black mini-dress most likely more appropriate to someone literally at this point, half my age. Yet, I have to admit, that kind and spontaneous comment had this 30-something shorty walking tall. So today, thanks to complimentary co-workers that help keep the hounds of age in check.

Just Because

2010-02-26T10:52:00.000-08:00

Here we have a "just because".

To our left, we see a liter coke bottle from the Latin Store I discovered on the other side of town. One of the things I've most missed in my move "way down south" are tamales, good tamales. I happened to ask the owners (en inglés because I no longer have enough Spanish to tackle anything more challenging than "my name is..." or "where's the bathroom", admittedly important phrases but almost useless at the Latin Store) if they knew anyone who made good tamales. The inevitable answer was, "But yes, my sister does." I then was connected with Yvette the sister and hooked up with a dozen tamales. Now, Yvette's tamales are very good, but I'm afraid that she might have gringa-fied the ones for me because they had about as much spice as oatmeal. Yvette and I must tactfully revisit this in the future.

The true success of the visit was the discovery of Mexican Coke, which for reasons unknown to me tastes different than the US version, and I LOVE it. Of course, I try not to drink coke but I couldn't resist. These things take me back to a visit to Mexico City and daily orders of "una coca en bolsa", the practice of serving coke in a plastic bag with a straw so one does not pay the bottle deposit. Now, years later more than Pyramids or Cathedrals, when I think of Mexico City, I think how good that coke in a bag tasted after a long day of work at the student center near campus.