The coming of the 2008 Autumn

Undoubtedly, my most favorite time of year, the leaves changing, the cooling down of the dog days of summer...not that there were many this year, but it is finally here...Autumn!

While living in Memphis and backpacking with my fellow Sierra Club members, we went on weekend trips to eastern Tennessee and western Arkansas. Climbing, rock faces, repelling, sleeping out under the glorious heavens at night. The mountains were magnificent. Warm, nearly balmy days, and cold, well, brisk nights.

Our favorite faire included homemade granola and S'mores made by roasting marshmallows over a blazing campfire.

I'd love to do that again, hike through the mountains on a wonderful Autumn weekend. I miss those days of roaming the wild outdoors, stopping to take pictures of the heavily lichen covered boulders.

The meandering stream in the valley below and the fantastic sunset on the mountaintops.

Now the picture above, was taken in Pennsylvania, where my husband was deployed with Department of Homeland Security several years ago. Yes, I do have my pics, but I haven't scanned them in the computer. Its amazing the colors are similarly the same only appearing earlier for the northeast.

Country Life

There are tons and tons of differences in living in the country and being raised in the city. All kinds of traumatic situations can occur.

Electricity is essential, but with a hard wind, thunder, lightening, rain, vibration from farm equipment traffic, the explosion of a gas truck and a Canadian National train carrying 30 plus cars full of liquid propane, and who knows what else...oh yes, let's not forget Katrina. You can lose electricity. Yep, lost electricity from Katrina although we are more than 200 miles inland. But that's another tale.

You can lose phone service. Just because the phone line runs under the bridge on the highway, a half-mile up, the vibration makes it screwy, and you lose phone service.

There are snakes, friendly snakes that keep bad snakes away. Critters of the night, like coyotes, ducks, geese, deer; you name it, we have the critters.

But there are other interesting events that can happen without warning.

Last October, I was cleaning the front porch, when I stepped off and onto a nail, a rusty nail. I immediately cleaned the wound with bleach and doctored it with Betadine, following up with triple antibiotic cream and bandaging. Thinking nothing more of it, other than a rigorous cleaning before going to bed, and then upon rising, it felt ok.

I knew I had to do the bi-monthly trip for groceries and had no problem throughout my endeavor.

Arriving home, I was unloading the car and walking up to the porch when I stepped on a Magnolia seed pod, which hurt and I do mean HURT, as it was in the same place as the nail wound.

By Sunday night, the foot had swollen and I knew I had to see the doctor the next day. When I did, he immediately sent me to the hospital, as I would need to see a surgeon to relieve the pressure.

Oh fun, fun, joy, joy.

Not that I don't like being pampered, but this was not my idea of fun, especially since one day following the surgery, they released me to go home to wound care.

I couldn't walk and when the PT was showing me how to use crutches (which I've never had to do), gave me a wedgie when I lost my balance, nearly falling on the floor.

That's a unique experience to say the least. My butt still cringes at the mere thought of it now.

So, after being invited to stay at a friend's home, which was close to the hospital's wound care center, she said they had let me out too soon, especially since I was still unable to walk.

When I went to wound care, the doctor immediately put me into the hospital after examining the foot. I underwent multiple tests, including an MRI.

Final diagnosis...MRSA.

I endured rounds and rounds of drip antibiotics and complete bed rest, legs elevated. For more than three months, I kept my legs up and learned how to debris the foot.

Nearly a year out, I am still convalescing...but such is life in the country!

Just Precious!

 
Let me introduce you to Precious.

Several years ago, when moving home from Arkansas, I went to the local Humane Society to find a cat. You see, living in the country, a cat is an essential element to keep the rodents under control.

However, while waiting to view the cats, I went into the dogs, which were numerous. I truly hate that folks don't understand the meaning of getting them spayed or neutered. It's truly sad seeing them in cages, although clean and kept and fed properly, it's still sad, nonetheless.

All of them looked so pitiful. Then the "sales pitch" started...yes, as with all my babies, they didn't have the easiest of beginnings...especially Precious.

I really don't remember the gender of the person who first directed me to Precious, telling me all about her.

She had apparently been rescued from a street in a bad section of town. She was just a mere puppy who suffered extreme abuse. They weren't certain if she would live considering all of the injuries she had.

Her bottom jaw was broken with several teeth missing. One of her ears had been ripped off. Her front shoulder had been broken, and couldn't be repaired, so walking, running was a grievous task. One of her legs had been twisted and her front feet stepped on, flattening them.

She had been in the kennel the longest with her time coming up for DESTRUCTION. No they didn't say that word, but they had tried to find her a home and no one would take her.

So that she wouldn't be alone, they had put another puppy in with her, black with white markings, named Tug. He too, was coming near his "TIME'S UP" sentence. No they didn't use that wording either.

I informed them that I would have to ask my husband before I could give them an answer. Upon leaving the shelter, I called him and he said, "Well, go back and get them! Don't let them put her down."

"Well, what about Tug?"

"Get him too!"

To which I immediately turned around and rescued these wonderful babies. They are two of the most intelligent and sweetest babies ever. In fact, Precious lays under my feet while I sit and write this blog. She never strays away from me and she runs and plays with Tug all the time. They are so wonderful and I am so blessed to have them both.

Oh, I almost forgot...the cat? A couple of weeks later, upon arriving home from a grocery run, there she was, Tinkerbelle. Solid black and full of life, a tiny kitten either dumped or wandered up, which I doubt, as she was so very tiny. Talking about a great mouser, WOW! Did we ever luck out, as well as did my babes, Precious, Tug-a-bug and Tinkerbelle.

The sweet fragrance of Summer

Now that was my question too. I never realized the Purple Cone flower had a fragrance, and Lord knows it took ...
F O R E V E R ... for that first bloom to come forth. To be honest, I didn't realize that it was a cone flower. At the end of the 2006 growing season, I was just willing to give the rest of my un-planted seeds a chance to show me what they could do.

Hm mm, 2006? What happened in 2007? That is such a good question.

Well, the pots had little to do but flourish, and to be honest, I paid little attention to them. And by autumn, I was in the hospital; and since that's another story, a very long and involved one, which I refuse to bore you with now; I'll continue with this perfectly wonder tale.

So I just broadcast the seeds, watering them into the soil and let them go.

I did notice the breaking forth of some small and some larger seedlings. But since I was not completely sure of the specie's form or shape, I just let them grow.

This spring, as the base plant shot up the first blooms, I became excited. What seemed like eternity, for the bloom to burst forth...a milky green, but recognizable cone shaped head.

Since I couldn't remember if it would be the purple or white variety. I was thinking it was Burpee's White Swan. A few days later...oh, to my surprise and delight, the majestic Purple Cone flower.

As it developed, I leaned down to see if I could detect a scent. Oh, my, what a rich, but delicate scent. To say the least, I was so excited! You see, I've not had much luck with this perennial in the past, but now was a complete success. So much so, I have begun to harvest the seed heads for future pots next year.

In the background, you see this blond dog aptly named, Blondie! He is such a sweetie. He is so full of mischief. When born, from Red Star, he has all of Red's markings, except he's blond. He, like most of the other babies, stay right with Ma, never straying too far, for fear he might miss something.

Not snowing now!

But with the temps heading upwards of 95 degrees today, I can't help but remember our wonderful scant snowfall just a few months back. It began the night before, coming down hard and fast. I didn't dare look out during the night, for fear it would stop. Come daybreak, it had and before I let the houndies out, I went out to capture the softness...I just love snow.

After making the rounds of the acreage, I knew it wasn't going to last long as the temperatures were rising and it wasn't that deep...and it didn't. By noon, it was gone.

The Mississippi Delta rarely sees a true long-lasting snow as it did many years ago, when I was younger. Snow, back then, lasted at least two days, if not longer.

We have had major ice storms, taking trees and power lines down for many days. In 1994, the ice storm hit Greenville, MS really hard. In fact, while living in Arkansas, and driving down Hwy. 82, the piles of damaged trees, cut and removed to their final resting place, just outside town, were still evident. Greenwood was spared from this storm ending just 12 miles west.

However, in 1998, Greenwood, MS was hit and hit hard with an ice storm taking away power for seven days. All those homes north of the Yazoo River were at a loss while the homes south still had power. I guess its the kid in me that loves a good snow, but not the ice.

San Francisco arrest, almost

Well, as I discovered early on in my husband and my relationship, the statement; "Is this what life with you will be like?" to which he replied, "Pretty much so..." and I replied, "Damn sure won't be dull!"

Thus this picture taken by him in San Francisco a couple of years back...You can take a boy out of Mississippi, but you can't take Mississippi out of the boy.

During a conference break, he went next door to a pastry shop and purchased a couple of what he perceived to be some delicious treats. Going back outside to enjoy the "fresh air", he took one bite and realized it was a bit stale. Rather than just throw them away, he began feeding the pigeons on the sidewalk.

As he was about to finish the feeding, a SFPD officer came up and asked him, "Sir, do you know its against the law to feed the pigeons?"

To which my Mississippi boy replied, without thinking, "You're shittin me?"

I guess the deep southern drawl gave him some leeway, as the officer replied, "No sir, it's posted all along the street."

The southern boy asked, "Where?"

The officer pointed down the street.

The boy from Mississippi said, "You mean you got homeless vagrants shitting and rubbing it on the sides of the buildings, but you've got a law where you can't feed the birds?"

The SFPD didn't think his remark was at all funny to which the Mississippi boy quickly stated, "Oh well, I'm sorry officer, I didn't see the sign."

"Well, just don't do it again."

"Yes sir."

The boy hadn't seen the sign and walked a few blocks before he came across a small posted sign, a very small sign, that said it was against the law to feed the birds.

He didn't feed the birds again and thus, he came home, without having to post bond for breaking any San Francisco laws.

February 2003

Lake Chicot does not surround the tiny town of Lake Village, Arkansas, but just the opposite.

Formed when the Mississippi diverted it's path, leaving behind a mile wide oxbow lake, this expanse of water provides much enjoyment for all that visit it's shores.

Highway 82 and 65 converge on the west banks of the Mississippi River. When passing the Visitor's Center, you take a right and follow the banks of the lake all the way to Lake Chicot State Park, passing homes, churches, the downtown area, a multitude of private docks and a public launching area with a small amphitheater opposite the Courthouse.

To get away from the tares of work, I would often ride my bike to the shores, just to sit and enjoy the peaceful sounds of water wash aground.

Yes, even in the dead of Winter.

Tuff Turtle

What a magical creature she is. Tuff Turtle was found just outside Little Rock, in the middle of the road, upside down. We have an affinity for saving stranded turtles.

When we picked her up, there were teeth marks in her shell and sign of abuse from this attack. She didn't come out of her shell until we were well on our way home. Then she poked her head out and looked around. She looked ok and found she was just fine when we got her to her new home.

That was nearly 6 years ago. For a while, she resided on the lavatory in the guest bath in front of the mirror.

She spent many an hour looking at herself, climbing on her rocks and pool, returning to look at herself once again.

We figured that since she had suffered a traumatic event, her best bet was to become one of our family.

Some two years later, a friend brought us another turtle they had rescued from the road. We named her Tuff Turtle 2. Her shell had been severely cracked, with the most important hood of the shell lost in the crisis. She was younger and not at all timid.

TT2 took to TT1 right off. We moved them into the garden room, as they paid more attention to one another than the mirror.

Plus, we really enjoy watching them "play" with one another.

Ok, so the Bahamas aren't in the Delta

But nearly eleven years ago this week, all these beach babes, myself included, had rented one of those cutesy dune buggies to tear around Freeport and beyond. Here, we are leaving a local "garden", heading up to the north western part of the island to chase the sunset. As I recall, we didn't make the end of the island, but instead turned around to stop at The Pier Restaurant just in time to enjoy our favorite treat...a Coupe Bahini. Vanilla and chocolate ice cream with a wonderful liqueur and strawberries, bananas and pineapple...whipped cream and cherry on top...ok, gotta go...the recipe is calling my name after long dog day in my garden. My refreshment will be a little more simple...like just a couple of scoops of vanilla and dream of the days of the dolphins. While all these buds did their thing, I headed off to become a dolphin trainer...which means I must dig out those photos of feeding, walking (yes, you actually walk dolphins), swimming with and training the dolphin pictures. They are around here somewhere...

The Gardens of the Groves

Take eight dear friends and plan an escape. Seven days and 6 nights in Freeport/Port Lucaya, Grand Bahamas. Rent a couple of dune buggies and cruise the island, even riding in the rain. Eat at The Pier and watch as they feed the fish, when they ring the bell. Dine in style on the balcony, finishing up with a Coup Bahini. Spend the day "training and swimming with the dolphins". Ever have a dolphin kiss you? You get my drift. Chase a sunset across the island and don't drink too much on a booze cruise. Save your money for shopping and seeing the gardens, ahh, the gardens. Speaking of which, this is a scene in the Garden of the Groves. One of the first families to develop the island, they left their estate to provide the colorful tropical island paradise you see here.

Cramer's Lake

 
Oh, there is so much to say about this wonderful place. Cramer's Lake lay at the front of Saint Mary's of the Pines in Chatawa, Mississippi. No, its not in the Delta, but four miles north of the MS/LA line and 90 miles north of New Orleans.

Now why is this picture so important? Well, many moons ago, after viewing Haley Mills, the Trouble With Angels movie, I had this unmitigated yearning to go to a boarding school. I just thought it would be just grand. It would provide me a place to grow and develop and to get a sense of independence, responsibility and maturity. Yeah, what kid wants that? I did.

After a long hard search and a bit of conning my parents; something I was GREAT at, we found St. Mary's. After the initial interview and acceptance, I got my wish!

And a truly wonderful experience it was. A Catholic boarding school, with 200 girls, 50 plus Nuns and one priest, gave me such a "miraculous" education that stays with me to this day. I credit all my teachers as they were not only dedicated to the Lord, but to delivering knowledge in a divine way.

This coming June, a reunion will occur and I plan on going. To see old friends that I haven't seen in more than 30 years and just to reconnect with one of the most happy and influential times of my life.

Many celebrities went to school there, including a Miss Universe, a daughter of a South Indonesion president, a well-known pop star's mother, and many other famous and infamous folks.

I must tribute Sister Patrick for my love of writing, not that I have achieved greatness, but I did get a good "learnin". Thus, my blogosphere additions from time to time.