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.