BORN ON THE DELTA

  Yes Sir, Yes Mam

As I travel the Magnolia State, people sometimes ask, " Were you born on the delta?" 

Must be my Feliciana accent. No, ma'am, no, sir, I was NOT "born on the delta".

This is described by many: this geographical area lies above Vicksburg, beginning roughly right before Yazoo City, as you literally drop down off of Hwy 61 into the area known as the Delta.  It's a very large geographical area that runs from that point described above to almost the Mississippi/Tennessee line.  

It's miles and miles of truly flat land, alluvial soil, in the Mississippi River floodplain, that over time has deposited the rich soil that grows anything from sunflowers to milo to soybeans and various types of corn.

It's the breadbasket of the Magnolia State.

Also, it's a true mindset. If you were born on the delta, you know what I am writing about. If you weren't born there, you have to spend a lot of time there to understand this mindset.

I am just starting to understand it; it permeates the social circles of everyone born there, or anyone who's come to understand what the phrase means... Born On The Delta.  It's used to commemorate all things historical, social, and sometimes deeply private.

 

I have come to cherish that mindset and fall affectionately for all those folks who call the Delta Home.

Speaking from Experience. Not for the Faint of Heart: Acceptance!!!

 Yes, speaking from experience, its not for the Faint of Heart:

Here's how I look at it from the perspective of a Yellow Dog Democrat who has Blue Dog tendencies.

So many of my friends, who have grown up in families that for generations voted the Democratic Ticket, whether it be Local, State, or National, have fallen out of the Dems due to the cultural shift in the Democratic Party.  

I have been guilty of trying to straddle the Party Lines and hold on to my Democratic Faith. It's hard living in the Deep, Deep South- Louisiana.  However, I have taken a stance of voting Democrat in national elections, contrary to some of my family's hard-line stance against the Dems.  

I have accepted the ultra-left for who they are and who they represent. Acceptance is the Key Word.

I don't always agree, but I accept their stance on social issues, homelessness, medical costs,  hiv matters, and so on.  I accept them for their vocal, what I sometimes consider outlandish, methods.  

The disagreement comes not from my accepting the above, but from trying to convince parts of my family, which includes all who live on The Farm, except for my dear, beloved sister, whom I cherish. For she thinks of Acceptance like her older brother, me.

I have watched so many friends leave the Democrats and, in some ways, hold their noses and flip the lever for the GOP. Then I have watched some of my friends totally convert to the GOP (for myself, I do not speak of my beliefs, nor do they push their beliefs to me), for that is why we are still lifelong friends.

I can accept those friends and colleagues who trash the Dems at every move, hoping that with this current administration they come back to Reality, period.

Commented.

 Today, I commented on a blog that I read regularly.   At the end of my comment was Go to the Ballot Box, which I know. the Blogger will do, I wrote the comment for all to see. That is the only way that we can peacefully end this Reign.  We must all vote these folks out of office to hold onto our Democracy.

Headed East Tomorrow and a lil outside garden photo.

 I'm headed East tomorrow for another corrections inspection; it's a female unit this time.   Then the following week, I have a short trip to check out a P&P office for accreditation. 

I hope we can be having some cooler weather; the searing humidity has been dealing with a lot of folks lately. Including me.   With temps hovering in the mid-90s and humidity at 75%. You sweat just by stepping out the door. Other than that, it's the dog days of summer here in the Deep, Deep South-Louisiana. 

Also, just cause others post about their flower beds, etc., I am proud of my Wandering Jew and Lantana, with a hosta thrown in for texture.  

25 Years Ago Today

 25 Years Ago Today, I was at Camp Bearegard, in my office, when the Chief of Security ran into my office and said that the news had just announced that the World Trade Center had been hit by an airplane. I went across the hallway to his office, since they had a tv in his office.  As I stood there, watching that TV screen, I saw the second plane hit the other tower of the World Trade Center.  As news came on, it was learned that another plane had hit the Pentagon in Washington, DC.  My Little sister was working at the Pentagon at the time; however, she was across the street in another office building. Thank the Good Lord.

All commercial airplane flights were shut down that day. I remember going outside the office and looking up at the blue sky.  No jet trails; it was an eerie sight that day.

I tried all day to reach my little sister and finally did; she was ok.  

On that day, our world as we know it changed. I'm not sure, after all that has occurred in the 25 years since then, if it was for the betterment of our country.  I feel we are safe now, but the changes that occurred suggest we have given up some of our freedom.  Which might be the cost in these times.

Let Us Never Forget, this Day, our country Stood Together !!!

Labor Day...

  Today, here in the Lil City by the Red ... it's quiet and peaceful.  A typical holiday, where the City Fathers rolled up the sidewalks, so to speak, and traffic is nonexistent.  It's the arrival of Dove Season in the grain fields that surround the Lil City; far off in the distance, you hear the muffled shotgun blasts, trying to hit that swiftly moving bird. The deer hunters are sighting in their rifles, four-wheelers are getting serviced, and the wives of these hunters are preparing for four months of solitude. 

For me, I am waiting for that small touch of a cool breeze to hit my face, announcing that Fall is coming, to turn off the A/C units, to open the screen porch door, to let that breeze carry the Fall scent of air through the house. For the leaves to begin their descent to the ground. Thus, Labor Day is here in the Lil City by the Red.

Tis Labor Day Weekend

 Today is Sunday, and this afternoon, in the Big Easy, down at the Corner of Bourbon Street and St. Ann, there will be a celebration:  High Tea. High Tea Dance in the various bars, the parade, half-naked men, sweating in the September Heat of the Big Easy.  Their bodies, pulsing to the beat of the bass drum, listening to the Voice of Whitney Houston, all in the Great Name of "Southern Decadence"

Tis Tuesday

 It's Tuesday;  I was asked to provide some of my expertise in Corrections by a local inhabitant of the Lil City by the Red.  As you might or might not have read or been aware, we have become a major flight Hub for those stormtroopers associated with Rump.  The stats are quite disturbing; it's embarrassing too.  Our area is becoming known for holding those people detained by That Agency.  

It's not corrections, as I responded to the question: No, Sir, I won't engage. No, Sir, you cannot have my intellectual property. Not for any amount of money; I am not for Sale.

Go find another person, and you have greatly offended me, Sir, by even asking that question. 

So went the short conversation.