Today, I brought the Rize 4 Cannondale in Blue.

Big Purchase.



It has hydraulic brakes, no less.



I did it. Paid for it....It will be in next week. Instead of the shoe clips, I am not buying those shoes, I got bear claw pedals....I could see myself on a downhill run about to crash trying to slip/disengage the shoes from the mountings.

This is another week of not much going on...Work three days only.....Then new years eve.

On new year's eve I am cooking for Paul, Emily, David, Virginia, and Kathleen. All of my married friends, with whom i travel with.

They don't mtn bike.

I talked to this guy at the bicycle shop, about riding with a another group other than the doctors group. I think this new group is a lil more carefree, robust, loud, don't give a shit....lets hope so. I like the drs to ride with, but they are not as open...

Merry Christmas !!!

Its friggin' cold here in the lil town on the Red River.

Yesterday it didnt get above 36 degrees in the day time, most of the morning and into the afternoon was 28 degrees...

But let's hope it has killed some of the mosquito population out there..and bugs everywhere...

Just a few days more..and Christmas will be here....having dinner (that is lunch in the South)..cause we have supper down here...with the lil sister at her place out on the lake.

I am smoking a pork tenderloin, making an orange reduction glaze, ...that is my contribution.

This time of the year its just natural for me to sit here and remember happenings, goings on, events from years past......

Since moving to this lil town almost 18 years ago, Christmas has not held too much significance to me...other than going to Mass down the street at St. James either on Christmas eve or Christmas Day. Its only the memories of Christmas Past that really does it for me.....

The memories for me are of special Christmases with friends...and the events that happened around them. More often now, it is of those who have passed away in my life....... keeping their memory alive, makes them live....Again.

Other than those rambling statements above I really don't have a lot to say...

Want vs Need

I have been lamenting my need for more execerise.

What I don't need is what I have pictured. But I want it

What I really need is just to get my rump up and head back to the gym.

So, what did I do, went down to the local bicycle shop, spoke with Mike.

The Rize 4 by Cannondale is what I have been looking at.

I didn't buy myself a B Day gift, nor did I buy myself a Christmas gift...maybe I can justify it under some other heading...

Not a mid life crisis, nor trying to regain my youth...but I would be a hit on the trails with the Cenla Riders out on the trails.

I am going to think about it....see where it takes me....sleep on it...see what shakes out.

Hmmmm....but its really pretty....almost cute....Royal Blue with White Shocks...and carbon fiber pinnings.

Have to see.

OK...over the pity party.

Sitting here in BR at he Hilton, for the last two days in meetings.

Went out and ate with some friends both nights. It felt good to be back in BR.

I am going to try to come down here once a month, stay at the Hilton and see what is going on.

*Seems like I have promised this to myself several times, over the past couple of years*

Open my self up a lil more, check things out, move around...see outside the boundaries of Alex.

Headed back that way tomorrow....

Well.....I passed a another mile marker in life here on Dec 8. Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Holy Catholic Church..and I am not Catholic.

In gay terms I am now officially over the fuckin' hill... way over the fuckin hill....does this bother me.

hmmm....yes and no... If I had lived in a larger metro area, not the farm country of Central La, I would have had a great circle of friends as of now. Counting everyone that has left, passed away, gone into a drug induced state of mind (meth is the worst), I now have only a handful where I had bucket fulls five years ago.

It seems that everyone has Got out of Dodge here one way or the other. With a population of 128K in a 1400 square mile, of that the two bigs towns account for 75K of that total 128K...you can get lost for days in the woods here and not be found.

Well... I am not in a pity party please...its just the facts. My lil sister says go south to the Capitol City and forget this place.

But there is something about sitting on the porch, looking off onto 18th Street, those Red Bricks...that draws me to stay here.

and dropping a tear every once in a while for myself...cause ain't no one left to cry for me anyway.


Oh well I will just get over this one too....one way or the other.

I remember each day the friends that have passed.

From Gary Bruce, Timmy, Alan, Buddy, Dean, and the list could go on and on.

I hold each of them very dear. I speak of them as often as I can, remembering the times of the past.

For one most hold the memories of those that have gone before us...so they will live for a long long time.

December 1, 2008 7:29 PM

I posted the above comment on a friend's blog today.



I was at the City Hall today, the red balloons were outside, the stage was set for the day, I walked pass the balloons, the stage, and remembered to myself the so many faces that have passed before. The celebration was for World AIDS day.

Our lil City's representation of the Day was great. I hope that all small Southern cities and towns remember...

and remember their sons and daughters ...those who have passed away..and those who were drove away..

I believe the Angel Trumpets might bite the dust here tonight...could be a frost coming...

Cloudy day here on the Red Bricks...temp is bout 56 at 3 pm.

Heading over to the breeders tonight to make plans for the annual Christmas Trip. In days past, I never would have dreamed that I would be leaving town with a band of breeders, going to kayak Tybee Island in Ga over the Christmas Holidays. I always thought of myself as the true southern gay man, insulated by his group of friends.

Now since most of the friends(gay), ..well all of them almost, have moved away from here, I have gravitated to these hetro group of middle age individual sports minded folks..these people either kayak or mtn bike ..all individuals in but in a group activity.

When I first came to town, I didn't have any hetro friends (breeders), I was surrounded by what I thought was a permanent group of gay men and women, ... but has time has rose and fallen here...all these friends have moved away, passed away or drifted away... leaving me with some what of a vacant circle....then along comes the Gang of Five.. they kayak, ride the mtn bikes, travel ..cook supper etc...and I fell amongst them... accepted as a whole..not part.

Have to say its been pleasant, but I truly long for the days when I had a gaggle of gays,flock of fags,..just good ole boys, on the porch..yaking, talking, at times screaming..

Nothing, can compare with the friendship that is extended by one's own group.

Well its Thanksgiving.

I heard from John. Made the usual phone calls, hello how are ya. etc etc etc.

On a good note tho, had TG day dinner with the Boss, his family. Rode the bike over there.

Then came home to the above pic. Its my Angel Trumpets on the side yard. With the Kumquat tree (Fortunella sp. Swingle) to the right of the photo.

Everything is loaded, Angels Trumpets and Kumquats

Nothing else really..

Its gumbo making at the Mayor's house later on this evening.

The first pic is of my sasanqua in the front of the house here on the red bricks.


Second pic is of the duck weed that is covering the local sloughs and bayous this time of the year. Was out taking in some of the sights on them, ran across fallen leaves...



City is slowing down for the holidays, most folks that work for the city are taking off so they won't lose their leave time. This City does not allow its employees to accrue leave time like most other public services agencies here in the state. So, it does not encourage employees to build time toward retirement. They must take it off each year.

So....most of the staff is gone except for essential personnel.

Any way...not much else is going on...I heard from John in DC today...first contact I have had with him in about a eight days or so.

Still undecided as to the far reaching affects of that.

Other than anything else... not much is going on.

Saturday Afternoon.

I was sitting here by the fireplace, chill of a wind blowing outside.... thinking of my week and turning my thoughts to the long lost past.

In the years passed, I have had one true relationship. Him and I have keep in contact with each other on a fairly regular basis, in the ensuing years....well....in the last ten or so years really.

We were together in 1989...parted ways in 1992, now almost 20 years later, we find our selves talking again... routinely.

He is in a very dysfunctional relationship (the last one of four). I, on the other hand, have not been in a true relationship since 1992(Ours)... dated a lot, had someone stay over for about five months( gave a helping hand out) .... but no true relationship.

There seems to be a constant theme here with us.... we remained in contact with each other..he moved from one lover to the next.. always searching for the perfect lover. I, would date, but never commit. So we both were alone.... him being in a relationship that was always turning sour..for one reason or the other.

Me....dating.... but never committing.

Maybe I have just been waiting.

He calls in May of this year, fear was in his voice, he was in the hospital. He saw his mortality flashing before his eyes. He was very sick. He wanted to tell me that he had always love me, he hoped to see me soon.

As the summer wore on, he was in and out of the hospital, near death's door, he was constantly knocking on it. 6 weeks in the ICU. He went back and forth all summer long, well into the fall of the year now, five operations later, with one to go, before he will be whole again.

He has continue to call me .... saying that he truly wants to return to me, that we should have never parted ways.

Now it is early winter here on the Red Bricks......

For me.................

I have commitment issues that reach back to '92, in that, he should have packed his bags and came with me to these Red Bricks. Our relationship was strong I thought, but our careers were stronger. He headed to the big city...to H Town, then to Big D...then to The District...DC.

I headed to these Red Bricks.....made a life....and stayed here.

Sometimes I feel that he is just holding on to our friendship as a safety net for himself.... him knowing of my issues with commitment ....knowing that I have had only one true love in my life, which was him....

It is a long way from those other brick streets in baton rouge the year 1989.... now it is approaching 2009... with the brick streets of Alex....out in front of the house.....

only thing constant has been those damn brick streets..

I couldn't sleep again tonight.

Went to bed around 9....up at midnight.

Things from the office rolling through my head.

Damn.... retirement was not suppose to be like this.

Reminds me of my days in corrections.

Back then it was all those damn prisons to worry about.

It just must be my makeup or maybe I am not getting the necessary exercise.

Who knows.

Let us not Forget

Let us not forget the sacrifice that was given by many today.

Let us not forget the burden that all Our Wars have placed on their Souls

Let us not forget the families, mommas, daddies, sons and daughters , wives that made the sacrifice also

For me, last year the Veteran's Day brought home a new meaning. Lil T went to war, in a war his daddy did not approve of, that his daddy was on the other side of the fence with most of his neighborhood.

He signed on several years before Chaney and Rummie decided to tell W to send our troops over there to that sand pit.

He spent ten months over there, I can not imagine some one on his or her third tour or even fourth tour, ten months was ten years for me, always waiting for that knock on the door.

But he returned..Thank the Good Lord he returned, in one piece, with one mind.

Today, I think of him.... my Lil T....besides all the rhetoric from all folks.......

Lil T did his duty, serviced his country and returned home... A Good Man

Second Post of the Day:

I am sitting here, in my living room, next to the fireplace...a low fire is at a glow

I am thinking that what this blog has brought to me....

The friends that I correspond with, a friend, on line, that I have brought cards from, seen their lives.....

Through their words, their pictures ...

What I have written about in in my past career and now the one I face each day.....

I am at a crossroads ... and what is new in my life...

So, I sit besides the glow of a dimming fire...in the heart of the Garden District of this small Southern town.

Sitting on the couch...cause its Sunday in the Garden District of my lil Southern City.

Worked some yesterday down on a canal which runs thru the City. Well my employees did, but I was there also.

They call it "The Chat" short for Chatlin Lake Canal. It moves most of the water out of the City.

We are cleaning The Chat...working on the weekends...just another weekend in the Service to the People.

The people spoke didn't they.

The folks here in the deep deep South ..that is the rural deep deep South faced their fears last night...and they survived.

Nothing really changed... no horns blowing, no wild parades, no heckling, ..the night just passed as any other night would...

It was a landslide victory.... the republicans here are trying to fluff it off as being some stupid crap like ... so many minorities voted...well... . Everyone Voted here... almost everyone that is .... that is reason they lost....

cause why...........

cause the People were fed up with how the country was going...the way it was headed...and it was a victory for the fight against prejudice ...

Yep the simple, plain folks voted......they did it in the American Way.

I am proud of our country tonight.

So.... its Sunday....

Lil sister is out of town, so I went out and watered the plants for her.

other than that.... i spent last night with the Boss and his wife.

he called, so i went out to see him at his favorite bistro.

when the Boss calls.... you respond .... just the way it is in the political life of a small town guy like myself...

Power to the people....right... cause the power to the people is less than 60 hours away....

we will see where it goes... and i havent made up my mind yet....i am leaning ...its just hard to face reality in the world sometimes.... know what i mean vern !!!

I first voted for Pres when Richard Milhous Nixon (2nd term) came into office.....thats a long time ago... McGovern was the demo canidate who opposed Nixon.......

i think we are going to have a reverse of the 1972 election... have to see.

Here is a pic of the sunset from my lil sister home in New Mexico.

She is out there...to take in some New Mexico air and replinish her soul.

I hope she does.... Her home is a wonderful place of tranquil solitude, nothing beats the sunsets from her south portal of her home.... just breath taking .... you feel like you can touch your own soul by watching the sun drop over the horizon.

For a short time I locked this blog

For the last few days.

Cause I live to some extent in a bubba red neck world, they have a limited and/or lack of knowledge and no manners.

So.... I have now contemplated the consequences and the conclusion is that I will bravely trudge ahead...

Last night I made the first fire of the season in the fireplace.

Chip is in need of money..so he came over and washed the truck.

He said he needed more, so I am going to have him clean the attic later on.

Not much is happening..going for a bike ride today...I need to get out and start pedaling for sure.

We are trying to get back to a normal pace after the Prez. Elections are on everyone's mind down here...some of it is National but most of all its our City Council...two close races...have to see how that all turns out.

Just a thought here on the National Elections..I won't say no more after this.

We here in the South are having to face our prejudices head on. How we feel about O and Mc. When you try to discuss the facts with anyone, here in La, either you are accused of being a bigot/prejudice or your a screaming liberal.

But there are a lot of us...who just want to get this all behind us and move on.... let the cards fall where they may...if either one of them don't work out...boot them out in four years..that's all.... cause in the end...we should all still be friends..don't matter who's side your voted on.

Back to the daily and weekly comings and goings of a small southern town.

I was searching through the pics the from the other day.

I noticed this one, one of the staff of the Prez

Hmmm... who knows what he was thinkin'

Today I saw The Prez, he was in town, I was lucky enough to be downtown where the action was, The Prez passed within six feet of me, so I snap this pic.

He was blowing us a kiss, well to my boss I think, certainly not me or was he saying good bye.....

Bye G W

We had a cool evening last Saturday night, so I made the first gumbo of the Fall season. Was a chicken and sausage gumbo.

All said they enjoyed it.

The other pic is of a house that I have look at off and on for about four years now. A lady from NYC brought it, but has never lived in it. I have always toyed with owning the house. By her absence, the house is now falling into some desrepair, not much but some, she doesn't even have a stick of furniture in the house, never lived there. She has owned it for three years now.

I can say she is what I would call a typical carpetbagger, came here, brought the big house, she brought it for 235K, she now has it on the market for 425K, never did a piece of work to it, never lived in it, never spent one night there...Yankee that she is.

I will not pay her price, she paid too much in the first place for it. The guy who restored it brought the house for $5K, it was in bad bad shape, then he restored it to its original and prime state. Sold it for $150K. The next owners who paid 150K didnt do anything to it, they didn't like that part of town. So they put it on the market, and along came the Yankee. The sellers laugh all the way to the bank. All they wanted was 185K...!!!!

So, it just one of those things that you would love to own, but in reality, my lil bungalow is all I need right now. I brought it from the original family who built it in. The year was 1925. They brought the lot in 1923, their son, who is now with the Good Lord, (passed away when he was 80) sold it to me 12 yrs ago. I promised him I would never sell it.

He spoke to me last night...I felt his presence, ...I could tell he didn't like me thinking about that house a few streets over.

Oh well... going to be another cool Saturday night... I am going to light a fire in the fireplace and just settle back...

Count my blessing right here at this lil house on the brick street.

On the way to cut firewood today...I saw this field of what we call "lazy susans"....in older times they were called something else..
but we won't go there..ah the old ways of the South are changin' for sure...which are good in some ways..but not in others.

Sometimes I think we are losing our identity ....here in the very Deep South...like today...

I went down to the country to cut firewood, ordinarily I would have meet up with several guys, drank a lil beer, cut up some trees that had been blown over in the storm. But today, it was just an old friend and myself...no other guys, no beer, no nothing...but riding on the JD tractor...chugging through the woods, and cuttin' up wood.

For years we have gone in the woods after the storms, cut the fallen trees, made a day of it...but for the last two years its only been my old friend and myself...

But all in all it was a good day...no deer ticks, few mosquitoes, and a lot of sweat...oh the beer changed into a nice chardonnay at the end of the day...we are maturing I think.

Old Man and the Neighborhood

Went makin' groceries last night..

Bradly came over and talked about his concerns...that boy always has something going on. I hope he becomes more stable.

Last night the neighborhood was up in arms about two dogs from across the street, seems that the owners have left town for the weekend, left the 9 yr old son with some other parents, but didn't secure the two dogs.

These folks lead a ramshackle sort of life, nice home, but they seem to be discombobulated. ... Anyway, their two dogs got loose last night and were terrorizing the people who walked past the house. A lady and her small child was walking pass the house, the dogs charged out from behind the bushes...I know that they are protecting their territory, BUT...

The lady and her son was terrified to no end, didn't know where to run or stay....the two dogs consisted of a black lab mix and a pug....the mut and jeff of the street.

So, I came off the porch, yelled at the dogs, the lady and her son moved quickly down the street.

The dogs continued to bark..so I did what any one would do...call the animal control officers.

To make a long story even short here...I am not the hero in the neighborhood this morning... more looked upon as the old man that sits on his porch with nothing to do at night but call the animal control officers..

But it could have turned bad...that black lab mix could have gnawed on that boy ...and where we would be now...filing police reports and locking up the neighbors and their dogs.

Wednesday...

Most the the M's staff ...my level is out of the office this week making some negotations with some utl companies.

I am glad its Wednesday...and its Wed afternoon. I am invited to a Wednesday Dinner Society Meeting tonight, I was a part of the group for over 14 years..but got out of it about three years ago...maybe a lil more...didn't have any thing really in common with those guys and gals other than eating and drinking on a Wednesday evening.

So, the host for tonight invited me down to his house, then the next Wed night I have been invited to another meeting at another house in the neighborhood that..so two Wednesdays I wont have to cook supper for myself.

In the beginning the group did things with each other through out the week..but as the years went on..and the orginail members either died off or moved away..new members came on...there was not that bond as it was in the beginning. So, as the drift occurred...I slipped away too..

My friendship circle over the years has changed also...and that is another story for sure...

I will be cutting wood for the fireplace on Sunday..going to friend by the name of Brother..he has a wooded tract of land south of town that he had some trees that fell in the hurricane..they are deep in the woods...so will cut those up for a lil free firewood.....So it will be cutting wood on a late Sunday afternoon...then Carl's Catfish .....at the local cafe...

nothing better than that ...for a Fall afternoon in the lower country of South La.

Fall is here

Well...Fall is here for all practical purposes.

The turning of the Crepe Mrytles

The squirrels on the fence....

Just happens to be the wind blew a lil bit this afternoon while I was on the porch....that tad bit of coolness in the air.

Slow Sunday here in the District...

Day after the elections......

The Team won some, Lost a big one, ...see if it all comes together for us in November.

We will be buidling coalitions I am sure...well.....let's hope M wants to build some coalitions cause without them...we will be fighting and trudging our way for the next two years.

But he is a smart guy... M can do it for sure.

More to come ..

When Gustav blew into town, during the height of the storm, one of our public theaters burn down.

Building Services is one of my departments. The Theater just happens to be one of the 75 buildings that my superintendent of Bldg Services is responsible for.

Today...I got a chance to make a review of the building and this is what I found....the pics of today.

Its a total tear down....but that is another story..

Well... I thought it would all slow down after Ike passed by us.

But the work is still high with expectations. M called tonight, had to go out and see the citizens at 845 pm. The mosquito problem is still with us... so the spraying was going on tonight, was down in some of the lower eco sections of town. M wanted me to knock on a few doors tonight to reassure the folks down in those areas we are doing our best.

So, I did...walked the streets, saw the populli and reassured folks, the mosquito truck was right behind me ... pumping out the smoke.

Hopefully we will have a lil cooler weather and things will slow down.... and the election for city council will be here on Saturday..and after that..let's hope things will go our way...but I have a somewhat not so good feeling.

ah...the fun of the political adventure..

Gustav left and the water came.

Ike just tagged us a lil bit.

All in all we faired a hell of a lot better than my dear friends to the south east .towards BR and to the southwest towards H Town.

I think po' Timmy is still digging out and just now starting back to a some sort of a semi semi regular routine..well maybe.

The above two photos were shot today down at my favorite landing, where I kayak at.

When I drove up there, I could smell the stench of rotting fish, then I notice that lil fellow sunning his self on the over turned boat...he must have just finished lunch on some sac a lit..in other worlds known as white perch.

They were starting to rot my the thousands...

The second photo was taken by swinging the camera just to the left of that happy lil gator. The roof in the left hand back ground shows how high the water still is, its the top of a boat dock...must be at less eight feet to the ground at the edge of the roof line, but you can only see the top of the roof.

I gather up myself, and headed out..had to come home and deal with the new truck and the stench on inside wheel basins.

Hopefully this Hurricane Season is finished for us..please please please.


Also, tomorrow will be my first day off from the Director's position since August 28. Between Hurricane Gustav and Ike, with all of our flooding issues... I am heading to kayak on Sunday... first Sunday in a long time.

Th

hmmm.... Ike is coming on...but he is heading more to Texas.

not that I wish any bad on anyone

so, Ikey is out there....and we will share some of his fury..for sure..unless he veers off his course and goes toward Mexico.

I know some of you have not asked what I have been doing in the past several days....

So here it is......got started with cleaning out the channels of the City.way before Gustav became a man

then here is the aftermath of the flood

so you do the right thing ...but shit happens !!

When I go off the office each morning, its usually before 630 am, I see this as I turn onto the drive at the office.

The complex in the background is the operation I manage...all 270+ employees...etc.

Its really such a wonderful sight so early in the morning...to drive up on that sight..and see the twinkling lights, the fog drifting away...and the sun rising for a new day.

Here I am.

Since about mid June I have been fatigued...... few pounds here and there.. looked like I was bloating..

Was I falling apart..well damn right I was. I couldn't understand the reason. Healthy eating, a lil lite exercise, and still the weight was coming on.....

So, after a trip to the good ole doctor...he did the blood work...and here is it is

My thyroid was not working... testosterone was down....

So my metabolism was just not running correctly... after a week worth of therapy.. taking the pills. the energy level has responded... so now I hope the weight gain will be weight reduction..

Other than that......

I have been wrestling with where I want to be. What type of life do I want to have... after retirement from Corrections (and let me say...I needed to retire..even at such an early age..it was getting to me..the stress of being No. 1 ..it was a great 30 yr career even tho I begin in my early 20's) and then came.... The new position with the City...being on the Mayor's Staff is very challenging, but I do miss my old job to some extent..I just need to find myself. I thought starting the new assignment with the Mayor's Staff would bring me more of a sense of accomplishment than it has.

I am not finding the satisfaction that I was questing for... Did I know what I was searching for to begin with is the big question I have to answer.

Or maybe I am being to critical of myself.

I was thinking that maybe the return of John is on my mind, but I think I have positioned myself mentally on that. ..

I do know that my circle of friends is diminishing and that is occurring at a fast pace. ..... have I boxed myself in to some sort of guarded fort... dug a moat around myself. .. as folks move away I am not meeting new friends... as friends are drifting to other levels.. am I not reaching out....just questions I am asking myself...


or is this just a point in my life that I am doing a great deal of self reflection.

But I am blessed...truly blessed ..I know this..with all my self doubts, reflections.

Well...not much is happening other than our Zoo Director passed away on Saturday. The Zoo comes up the DPW.

Had my first crisis with the Zoo this afternoon. Delivery of horse meat. 6k pds. Really interesting when you get to think about it.

Oh well, doing good, moving ahead. I will be doing some pics here soon on a project to save some Live Oak trees. We are doing that under the banner of the DPW....

Tree Hugging at the Finest.

Sunday Morning on the Red Bricks

I didn't go to Mass

I didn't really get moving as I should

I didn't mow the grass yesterday nor will I mow it today

I did have a wonderful visit with my Lil Sister today, she stopped by after Mass

I did promise myself to ride the bike, and I will today

I did take it easy yesterday and will today too, so to be refreshed for Monday.

I was out and about yesterday making my Friday rounds with a Street Superintendent. He brought me to a lil known pond in the City. On these Friday rounds I have been bringing my camera taking pictures of places of interest, etc.

So, it was raining and I shot the shot of some egrets that were perched on some fallen cypress limbs.

I am still enjoying my job. Its very hectic, sometimes a lil stressful, but most of all rewarding due to the employees and their dedication to their jobs and the mission that they serve.

Made it for one month in the new job.

With all the hub bub about the job and my qualifications for it, (side note: the city council was really not in favor of me) I have made a dent in starting to form the relationships necessary to complete the task at hand.

That is: forming a new invigorated department that contains 10 city divisions with all the personnel issues, under handed and slight of hand moves by lower ranking employees and so called concerned citizens......

all is well in the land of the red bricks.

I feel that the motivation techniques that I have employed are working....

getting to work at 630 am, watching the sunrise over the River, having no blinds in the office, opening my doors, greeting employees as they get out of their pick up trucks, saying good morning, standing at the coffee urn and listening to the grips and comments....

then getting out of the office every day and going into the less fortunate part of the city, walking up to folks on their door steps, saying hello and just listening.

its all in a days work.....

this morning we had to go into one of those less fortunate areas of the city and perform a court mandated removal of a junked up house and yard. the lil old lady that lived there was so upset, we had gone there yesterday to talk to her, brief her on what was about to happen.. after we left...the neighbors said she started to hide her cans, broken appliances, broken bicycles, more tin cans and bottles across the street in an an abandoned house...

so it was the sanitation and street department with me and the code enforcement officers at 7 am this morning hauling the junk from around the house.... 7 am on a Saturday morning in the lower section of my great City..

i was truly the oreo in the bunch...and i loved each minute of my new found employees and their performance of duty.

vox populli to the max

Two Things

We are in the middle of our August Heat Wave, but its really the end of July.

Yesterday, it was 98 degrees at 5 pm, 95 degrees at 8 pm, ..with humidity hovering at about 75 to 80 percent..makes for a grueling day.

So, if the trend continues, August and September are going to scorchers. I have friends coming to New Orleans in mid August for two conventions. They are from up North... Too Bad that they will smother .. sweat at two steps out the door of the hotel... drank more beer than the law allows... and be damn glad to board that plane back to Chicago or where ever they are from.. above the Mason Dixon Line.

Its just Louisiana... in the last throws of an Indian Summer... its just early this year.

On to another topic....

This morning I got a call from my former partner who lives up in the DC area. He has been through a lot in the recent months. John seems to make poor choices in life. He has bounced around from one relationship to another over the last 18 years that I have known him. I was his first relationship, he was young, just out of rehab, I was some what young, but heading into my early 30s, leaving a failed marriage, so we both had our baggage.

As we grew to love each other, we had good times, turbulent good times, piss poor times, but all in all it was a growing adventure for both of us. Our careers got in the way, we were both doing well, he had just graduated from the flag ship university after a stint in the Navy and I was well on my way up the career ladder in the doc.

Basically his career in landscape architecture was leading him to a life in a big city. Well the inevitable happened, I got a job offer to move up to where I presently live at, he got a job offer to move to H Town.

We tried to hold it together, but you can't have a long distance relationship without some parameters and goals to rejoin.

We broke up.

He then went on from H Town to Big D then headed out to DC all with different men. He was searching for something, I really don't know what. We keep in touch through out the years, John telling me how this lover and that lover was going to do this and that for him. But each one was just didn't turn out how John planned it. They all went bust. The last two, were the worst. John let them suck all his money from his inheritance out of him.

Then in the last recent months, John develops cancer of the stomach, goes through a lot of crap..figurative, maybe actually ..but the partner he is with now, seems to be trying to get rid of him, abuse him. John has had the ability to choose badly, or let what he thinks is love take hold only to have his expectations diminished with reality.

So, today I got a call from John. Telling me of his dilemma and just needing some support.

As much as you care for a person, we all make our own path in life to some extent. Critical decisions are made over time.

I have offered in the recent past for John to come back to La. His mother and father are now passed, all except one sibling is passed, a sister is the only one and she lives about 125 miles from here. His sister must care for a mental challenged child. So she can only give limited support to him.

I do know that I care for him very much. I know that I can in time help him and give him that stable environment where he could get back on his feet.

But will John come home....

Well.....

Its been a long time since July 1st.

Getting back into the groove of working five to six days a week is hard.

Establishing a routine, having now 275 employees, $75M of your tax dollars to account for, but I am back at it...rolling right along.

Not having to work but working to improve something is a wonderful time. I wake up in the morning, head to work by 630am, open the door of the office and look out onto my lil govt world. ... Tis a good feeling that I am starting to make a slight difference.. .... slight I say... miniscule ........ ever so careful I tweek the system. ..

We are Vox Populi .... Working for the People.

Well....

been interesting. the comings and goings of the politics that i am involved in now.

just to make it simple, i have ran into some novices....

the guy that took my place made a faux paux today... you just don't go from the bottom to the top. in his position he should always go on an equal level... top to top.. he went from the bottom of the food chain...he should realize he is a big dog and big dogs bark and eat big dogs...don't play in a puppy pen... get in the ring with the dogs that are equal to you.

well... i am learning a lil bit more of the internal workings of the new govt agency that I am in ... interesting to say the least.

if i stay there till dec. it will be not a miracle but just amazing..!!!

It's been interesting.... the new job that is.

Moving from one govt agency to another takes lil getting use to.

But then there is the constant personnel matters, etc etc.

At least I do have something to fall back on if it all goes hay wired.

I have decided to take the transition slow, learn the basic ins and outs of their system. Chill out for a lil while. So in the end, it will be my system too.... just not theirs.

And Harvey....no ...ain't no one chasing me... i am bout to hit the double nickel... i am way pass the age difference ...

just a settled old man.... but thanks for spiking my esteem.

So, Tis Sunday !!!!!!

The democrat staffer is still here with me.

He said he is moving on after the office for the Senator is opened and up and running here next week. Ethan said he will be going by this Wednesday.

Its been another experience with living with another person. I have grown very settled in my lil' routine. I am glad that Ethan came along, just from the stand point that it has helped me in understanding a lil more about myself, once again....yes once again.

The job is in full swing. Being a political appointee myself now, I have gained a new dimension to my life.

It is taking a lil' bit of adjusting to the attention and scrutiny.

I am recognized at every event and anywhere I go. I do not like the attention. I hope all of this fades away FAST.

Today I get a call from an old friend who is working with Senator ML on her re-election campagin.

The Old Friend, who served as one of the first AA women on the La Board of Parole, she is no longer there due to our indian giver, who is now in office, well...she called me and wanted to impose on me a lil bit.

So, now I have Ethan, staffer for Senator ML going to be "bunking" at the house with me for a few days until he finds a place to live in the grand ole city on the Red R.

Be interesting to see what Ethan looks like and get his take on the Deep South, since he is from up state NY.

and the world goes on.

The pic on this page is of the Episcopal Church at the end of my street (which by the way I attend)

We had fireworks on the River for the Fourth of July. I have always wanted a pic of the fireworks over the steeple of St J's.

So, I got my opportunity the night of the 4th.

Roy was taking pics also.

Its been a lazy weekend, but my week starts up big time tomorrow, as I am back in the grind, headed to the office early, riding the Bull once again.

I have decided to write about all of that very soon. .... getting back into the world of politics wasn't my plan. Taking pictures, and living the life of Riley was the plan...but plans do change...ya know.

Well...Joshie must have been good luck.

The Fat Lady sung, had a sore throat but sung a wonderful Ava Maria.

Its a done deal.

Thanks for all the support.

t

The Fat Lady will once again assume the position and We will see if she sings the right tune this time.

Tomorrow is the big day again. Two Tuesdays ago, the confirmation process stalled. Political Drama...no less.

See if the City Fathers are willing to go along with the Mayor and his choice for the DPW.


Keep you posted.....

I wonder if the Fat Lady will sing Ava Maria

JG isn't the Fat Lady....but he does one of the best renditions.

Hmmmmm .....................

Last night I cooked a good meal. Had folks over...!!

The night was good to a point. Had eleven folks over, all on the back porch, ate out there.

Most of the dinner guests had left. Then all hell broke loose. The friend who has been on again off again druggie, was on it again. It is a total shame that drugs do it again and again.

I am glad that when the drama started that most of the guests had left, the disturbance was even at a decent hour 1100 pm.

All because, this friend backed into another guest's car, which was owned by a young lady.

The world of drugs is an awful world. It destroys ALL. !!! This friend that I speaking of had a very successful business. He traveled to China to do business.

Now, he hasn't work in two years, had enough money to carry himself, ..... but the drugs, well Meth has consumed him, Totally.

We, the Friends, have talked to him, but to no avail. His company is now almost defunct, his rental property is still making money, but some of his apts are occupied with folks that has the addiction like himself.

All, of us meet last night after the drama was over with. We all have come to a conclusion that we are saying Good Bye to him.

We have tried, tried, so many times to help him fight his addiction. Trying to get some intervention for him, but always to no avail....He must want to go to treatment.

Our stand now is Tough Love....... We say good bye to him..... He must now either fall more into the abyss or climb out and back into the Living World.

Bye Bradly

Tis Saturday Evening

The crew is coming over tonight, we are grilling.

Early night tho. everybody should be gone by 1030 pm.

Not too much to tell.... more later.

bc i get up at usually 6 am. get that morning going good...let my mind roll..

rolling rolling rolling ...on the riv....er.

ah...Sunday afternoon on the bricks...aint nuthin like it.

pass the Chardonnay. ..!!

In Church this morning for Mass.

I am not a Catholic, actually...back door. I am an Episcopalian.

My sister sits in front of me, in Chapel. We go to the 8 am service, no high smoke for us... just plain and simple worship.

We go at 8 am. We make small talk after Church and then she goes to hear a Bible lesson.

I walk home and have my morning coffee, french press no less...... and a kashi cookie...seven grains...whatever.

But I heard this morning from Father Fred this.......

most folks believe to some extent that adversity breeds character...but in actuality adversity reveals character. To reveal your character in times of stress, condemnation, .... reveals a person's true thoughts and strengths. As you carry on with dignity in Life.

Thoughts for today.....as I pass into a humid Sunday morning...after Church, on the Brick Streets on my town.

Things are progressing here rather.....well....OK.

Not much really going on. This coming week I will be walking around the Complex, meeting folks.. discussing ideas.. getting a general feel for the place.

On July 1st...which is a Tuesday...and Wimpy always said, he would gladly pay for his hamburger on Tuesday....I will get my hamburger paid for by the city fathers...or step fathers, as some would liken them to be.

Yep, confirmation will be that day.......... then its off to the races !!!

I have received the obligatory phone calls from this councilman and that councilman pledging their support... But Wimpy hasn't paid for his hamburger yet and the Fat Lady is still warming up...... clearing her throat.


On the home front ...its summer in Cen La. I went down to the place that I grew up in and around yesterday, to a court case that dealt with some family business. The brother was there...with his steely blue eyes, he didnt have anything to say to me.... but at least I did not have to take the stand for the Parish Police Jury (Police Jury is the governing body of the parish, for ya'll who are not accustom to the Napoleonic Law that governs the Great State of La). It didn't matter to my brother, who has been fighting the PJ on some land right issues. I was there and he didn't like it, couldn't stand it, and he glared at me, thru those steely blue eyes.

Oh Well...and life continues on on the Red Bricks.

Well.... its about to be a done deal.

All the politics of good old la drama.

Got a call from a politico today and its a supposely done deal.

Here we go.

If any one wants a link to the local news paper...just leave a comment.... i will comply

Wish me luck.... I am about to jump on the bull and ride !!!!

Well...let me tell ya something suga.

the local news media has been scrutinizing my resume.

they are curious as to who i am, and why our city adm wants me.

it is a lil uncomfortable to be in the spot light for sure.

but i understand to a point. I am getting the once over..maybe the twice over, who knows.

just hope all goes well next week and i make it thru the magnifying glass.

Well..... did I have some pre drawn conclusion that my retirement would somehow come to a close...

Anyway, I have been approached to take an appointed position in the current adm of our fair lil city here on the banks of the Red Rvr.

So, I am now back into the swing of things... almost. I have to pass the confirmation process.... and if it works out.... I will be employed again by late June.

Just seems that I still have a few years left to provide some insight, wisdom to folks. My reputation as a good adm'star has proceed me. Well that is what I am told by my almost new employees, I met a lot of them yesterday. All 200+ of them.

So, I will keep all posted...

OK Breanne

I took the myers brigss online test @ a cost of 59.95 US Dollars, at the site you suggested Mbticomplete.com

I think it was worth it. I wanted a comparison with the free test, and I got my money's worth.

I still came back as an ESTJ both estimated and actual.

I wonder if you are really a person, or some bot out there getting folks to buy into this program. Anywho, I satisfied my self that the free assessment is just as good as the paid one.

If your a real person, thanks for stopping by my lil blog.

Tuddles

ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

I took the above test, I have taken it before I find myself as an ESTJ, but on other Jung Test or the Myers Briggs Test I have found myself as a ENTJ, so i am an E, a T and a J, its just the second phase i get hung up on S is for sensing, N is for Intuitive I think I could be both..But I am for sure an E for Extroverted, T for Thinking, and a J for Judging.

What are you...maybe you should take the test....hmmmm..

Well it was a good paddle on Bayou Boeuf (pronounced Beth)
Paddle with Va, David, and Brother.

Here are some shots of the paddle, we stayed in the boats for 3hrs and a few minutes.

I just wish more guys in our Great Frat would do outdoor stuff. Have another mtn bike now.
So I can take two other folks with me when I pedal.

Hopefully, I will get out into the woods this weekend for a pedal. Pics to come of that.

Yesterday I was on the road out to the sister's house. Saw some black eye susan's in a patch by the road.

Then on the way home, saw some magnolias blooming in a yard down the street.

So, here they are......protarits of summer....and its just getting warm here in the deep South...well its been warm..its really getting hot..

Not much on this Memorial Day.

Called the No. 1 Son. Thanked him for his service and dedication.

The Sago Palms are doing very well here in the Garden District this year. So, I am heading down to Paul and Emily's to shoot one of theirs. Its blooming. Which for this area is a rarity.

Got some slabs on the smoker.

Just taking it easy..for sure.

Not much going on.

Oh btw....I did meet a guy on line here a week or so ago. He lives in Monroe.

Have to see where it goes...I am not putting any stock in it. We have just chatted.

At least it might be some one to Just date

Well...here are some pics of the back yard and the new back porch.

looks sort of country with the clothes hanging up at the far end.

it is sort of country..my back Forty you know. but it is surrounded by an eight foot wood fence.

talking bout that eight foot fence, this morning i was out in the back yard so i decided to mow. had the t shirt and boxers on..just pulled the lawn mower out and pushed.

nothing like personal freedom in the city.

Been cleaning up the yard after the big wind here on Wednesday Night.

It literally 'tore up' the Garden District.

See pics above No 1 and No 3

Also, I purchased a great piece of furniture the other day. It is dated 1859, a table made from a piano, rosewood top, see pic no 2

There is a story behind this too. I was cleaning up an elderly lady's yard after the big wind of Wed. night. She is very elderly, semi bed ridden, she is 92, husband has been dead for over 40 yrs. One of the Grand Dams of the GD. Her picture hangs over the mantel of the fireplace.

There is this guy here in the City that buys furniture from little old ladies like the one above...I would say he prays on them, taking them, getting their furniture at rock bottom prices, then turning around and selling it to antique houses in New Orl, Dallas, Houtson, etc.

Well, she was telling me that this guy had come by, offered her $$ for the table, I said to her, Mabel..you know its worth $$$$, she said she did, but she need to get rid of it for various reasons.

So, I went knocking on Mabel's door the next day, inquired about the table if it was still there. It was.

So, instead of Mabel letting that shark get it for $$, I gave Mabel the real price, the price that the piece is actually worth $$$$. I hate to see folks being taken just because they need to money and be taken by some Shark who has no heart, he would have sold it ....and it would have left the Garden District...and sat in some neo non Garden District house in Houston, New Orl, or Dallas.

Mabel and her sitter came down for an late afternoon bourbon and soda, and knew the table was feeling good, cause it was still in the Garden District where it had resided for over 55 yrs now.

Well Well

I made a trip to see a semi old friend yesterday, up near the Arkansas Line.

When you go talking to semi old friends, you realize real fast why they are semi, and you don't quite keep in touch with them as you do good old friends.

I was planning on spending the night, but I drove home.

We did eat at a local steak place, it was reasonable priced and fairly good... for a north la small town cafe.

Also, I brought myself a Canon Macro Lens the other day, so I can shoot close ups etc. So get ready for flowers, bugs, rocks... and more flowers and bugs.

Nothing to report actually...... nothing to say actually either.

But I did realize driving back that I have been spending too much time at the house here, I should get out for day trips more often. It was really fun to see what was going on around Central La yesterday.

Monday Flowers

Flowers along the highway today. I went out to Valentine Lake, paddled with Lisa. We caught three sac-a-lits. Gave them to PAul and Emily when I returned to town.

We had an after fishing trip discussion on Janna, Deanna, and her... Which one, who relates the best..etc to Lisa.

But, on the way out of town, along the highway, I saw patches of flowers blooming.

So here they are.

Well Well....

my two girlfriends are off fishing ... @ the lake...on the Sabine River.

I on the other hand am weeding the front flower bed, while Chip is painting the kitchen.

He was in need of some extra cash, I don't believe in just lending a young man money, cause for the most part, you Never get your money back from the loan.

So, lil' elbow grease, kitchen needed a freshin' up, its the American Way... work for it.

HC-3, historic colour collection from Ben Moore paints....

Tinge of light yellow, as the evening drops, the colours change... remarkable paint combination.

Also goes with the black/white diamond floor and the stainless steel appliances...

oh the Race....is it today......so is my favorite H Town Guy...drankin his mint julep...in his Jefferson Cup...(sterling I hope)

Ah.....

I haven't posted since going back to watch the Number One and only Son step from the bus at the Marine Depot last Saturday.

There to meet him was the once married woman that bore him into this world..the ex wife.

His loving and dear Aunt.....my lil' Sister.

and me ....the father who begot him.

It was a joyous and wonderful sight to see him for the first time in a year. To know that he had returned home, to the soil that he defended, to have placed him self in harm's way.

So many thoughts and emotions were inside of me, but the fact remains that there will not be that loving reunion for so many young men and women, that their families will not see them set from a rented bus, on some concrete tarmac in some urban area of a city, on the soil we call the USA. My heart is saddened for them.

I cherish my son. I am glad he is home.

On his stepping onto this ground he calls home, after the hugs, tears, and the warming of all our hearts, he reaches into his bag and hands me a red folder, and says to me... "Dad, this is for you".

It was his Commendation from the Marine Corp on concerning his duty in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

I will type here some of the words used in the Commendation presented to him:

"......set forth the highest standards of professionalism and dedication to duty during the Battalion's 7 month combat deployment........ his sound moral compass and calm demeanor made him a role model to the platoon's junior marines and a sounding board for his immediate superiors...... could be relied upon to maintain discipline and vigilance amongst his marines even in the most mentally taxing and physically exhausting conditions and environments. ......"

Every time I read this... it brings tears and a well of emotions to me, knowing that my son, a marine............


DID HIS DUTY and CAME HOME

Not much is going on.

Grass cutting for sure, then off to the gym before 4 pm today, for workout, small one...more cardio.

The number one son, the only son, is coming home for Iraq. Will land in BR and I will see him for the first time in ten months.

Lil' Sister and I are traveling down there to hug, kiss, and see that red hair of his.

I am so proud of him, as a Marine and one that served his country proudly. I don't agree with the President for sending them over there, Afghanistan was enough. But that is long ago history. The important thing for me is that He is on USA soil, safe and will be back to his home on Saturday.

He has followed in the foot steps of his fore fathers and mother, both grandfathers in WWII, his grandmother/my mother in WWII, my grandfather in the Great War Between the States and the list goes on.

He graduated from LaStateUni. Then went to work for Schlumberger, then his reserved unit gets the word, they are called up.

I believe he will get back to his promising career, having gained an incredible sense of who he is, tested in the line of fire, and knowing that he can overcome insurmountable obstacles, and persevere....

Just Glad that My Only Son, is back.

But my mind also wanders to those sons and daughters who will not be coming home, what a tragedy, the heart break, suffering of families that will not have a joyful reunion.

I cry for them, as I have cried to have my son home.

One pic is of a high mtn flower just in bloom.

The other pic is of Martin's Store, El Rito NM.

El Rito is a sleepy lil northern NM town. We visited there, had lunch, and then hiked up to the waterfalls and ridges.

I could retire to El Rito, ...one horse town as it is. I could tell from the folks I met at the store and the cafe that it was a warm friendly lil place. I guess they were happy to see us, to put some coins in their wallets.

More pics to come.

I am off to the open hearth cooking at the Kent House for lunch.

Here are pics from the recent trip to new mexico and our hikes.

people, scenes, and places to eat.

more to come as i sort out over 500 pics taken.

I am headed home tomorrow.

Its been ok,

Great part is that I saw my dear friends Kirt and Val

Kirt took us hiking...and Val took us to see some of Kirt's art at a local college.

Val gave us tours of Santa Fe, picked us up and brought us to the lil sister's house

Just great friends and remarkable guys.

Had some great hikes, yesterday we made it to 8000 feet, views were incredible.

Today, we drove to 11000 feet. Glad we didn't hike tho, 8k was enough.



Now on the other hand.... my two traveling companions.... dealt me a lil bit of being uncomfortable on some occasions.


As I said, its been ok, but I have several things on my mind. One is the PDAs. I for one, am not inclined to participate in PDAs, in total public areas, i.e. cafes, walking down the street, in the board open day light, etc.

If you were in the Castro Dist of San Fran, then you might do it, but not in front of lil old ladies on a walking tour of the plaza in Santa Fe. At a great resturant like the 315 Bistro in Santa Fe... Kissing in public is not my style....please. have some decorum about your self and the respect that goes along with it.

Now don't get me wrong, I have snuck a kiss in a private moment in a public place. But not lip locking and pushing the limits, just because your not in your home town or area.

Well... I will say no more about the above subject other than my traveling companions really got on my nerves with the PDAs this trip.

Oh pics to come on some flowers I photograph during the hike yesterday and some of the

I am here in Tesuque NM at the lil' sister's second home.

I am traveling with two women, one of which is a very dear friend.

As far as the views this trip, nada....it aint happening....there is some forest fire somewhere to the west of here that is producing a great amount of smoke. Which then lends itself to making the skyline hazy....almost like a fog.

Today, we are off to hike some areas north of here.

We are leaving on Monday to come home.

Maybe some pics later if the haze gets blown out of here.

Its Tuesday....

Wimpy from Popeye the Sailor Man would always say.... I'll gladly pay you on Tuesday" ...for his hamburger.

Well my dear friend Roy R, who happens to be the business manager for the local symphony here is pulling the last remaining hair from his head. There is a symphony concert on Saturday and he is missing several 1st chairs. Maybe he can find them and tell them that he would gladly pay them on Tuesday like Wimpy would have done.

Other than that, I am heading to Tesuque NM, out to the lil sister's camp on the hill, which is above Santa Fe. The Girls and I are flying out there on Friday.....spending the weekend, and then I am bringing the Rover back for the summer.

Other than that....just a slow day in the heart of Central La....watching the river rise.!!!!

Another Lilly ..from the same container. Shot in the afternoon sun at my cottage on the Red Bricks of the Garden District.

A lazy Saturday afternoon. Did go to the gym, burned a few calories...

Just hanging out...that is it.

Great day....lil bit gusty, tad chill in the air...chill as us folks from La know it.

As you can see from my previous postings, I am consumed with the flowers of spring here in the Garden District. I have been thinking of showing off more sights of the District I call home. Since I am the Prez of the Foundation now, I thought maybe to show off the lil' world of Tommy as spring comes to Life here in the Deep South. So, in the next few weeks and coming months, I plan on showing off homes, parks, Churches, just different sights of life here.

Not much is going on, there is the annual plant sale at the one of our historic sites here on the Red this morning. I am not sure if I am heading over there are not.

But all is ok, I do head out to Tesuque NM to go get the Rover next week. I wintered it out there to help the lil sister get up and down the mtn. But I will be bringing it back to the Land of the Red River here soon. The girls are going out there with me for the drive back.

toddles !!!!

tommy

Was down at Emily and Paul's house yesterday taking some pics of their tool shed, back yard gate, and a flower or two. Since I have been posting pics of late of flowers, thought I would add this to the bunch. Its an interesting house, dates back to the late 20s or early 30s sort of fortress type home, P&E restored it by their own hands. It has turned out wonderful.

I will have to do a sepia tone picture of the front of the house here soon.

Nothing to say much, spring is here in the deep South. Crawfish season is mid way, hurricane season is on the horizon starting in June, but the Gulf is a lil cooler than normal and that is good for now.

Typical Friday on the Banks of the Red, slowly passing time as the temps increase ...will get to almost 90 degrees today

I was in the back garden this morning, working. The ruffled iris bloomed this morning. So, i decided to that a pic of it, it was so lovely, then a corn plant had sprouted its finery, so i had to take that too. early this morning i went out and got the paper, the red amaryllis was peaking to come into full bloom. i so i squatted for a few minutes, the sun warmed the bricks and poof..here is the first amaryllis of the season ...... beautiful red one also.

Here are picks from the Girls and my paddle yesterday. As typical with them, we got to the creek late, around 1130 am. We paddled till about 230 pm. Had fun, didn't catch one fish. The water was muddy from all the rain we have been having lately. Hopefully it will clear up here soon.

Also the native alazleas are blooming, however I couldn't get a good shot at any of them. But I did get a shot at the thistle plant.

Its off to the gym this morning or sometimes today. Also, I need to begin writing those damn reports from those reviews I did in Fla.