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.

first purple Iris of the spring from the tommy's garden.

i know it looks blue, but its a Purple Iris.

was going kayakin on the bayou today, but it was a lil chilly and the wind was up about 15 mph. so, the girls didn't want to go.

anywho, the springtime is still here, and we don't usually stop kayaking until mid july. much more time is ahead to paddle.

nothing new, headed to the gym with brian this afternoon. that is bout it.

Friday and I am in the home office. I need to clean the desk off.

Sent the dearest son an email, he is in Iraq, but headed home.

Friday...got up late today, Nat and Brian came over last night, they were cooking some asparagus and called me, I had tuna steaks, so we decided to combine our items and have a nice meal. only thing it was so late when they got here. like 830 pm. i usually eat around 7 pm or even 630 pm. I knew when they came over, i would not be eating until 9 or 915, they have to have a drank etc.

Gee...do i feel bad this morning, after supper..we sat on the back porch, they didn't leave till almost the stroke of midnight.

I am sitting here in the office looking out the front windows, waiting for the fedex man to come, more like the fedex woman, actually. have a shipment of wine coming in from k&l wines out of ca.

thats my friday, also, tomorrow i paddle with the women over on the bayou and lake. pics to come.

well i called tom this morning in nyc, just cking on him, saying hello.


today is somewhat, sort of, kind of maybe, but a lil bit busy but boring.

only thing i got going on is presiding over a garden district meeting tonight at 6 pm.

picking up the door prizes...ie plants from a local nursery.

going to the gym sometimes today

and dustin is coming to clean house. actually eleven months back i employed a house keeper, once a week. dustin comes over, cleans what i consider a already clean house, but by his standards its not. he does make it smile good, get the old man funk out of the air, and he brightens my day.

on to the chores at hand.

After I posted this morning to the blog, talking bout Roy Boy and I heading to Shreeeveport, I walked out into the garden and found the above.

Louisiana Iris..... after a morning rain.

Lil' chilly for even April here, then the rain this morning...

Iris...brings to a cup of coffee and a chill in the air.

I am headed to Shreveport this afternoon. Bringing Roy Boy up there to do his part for the Red River Radio.

He is going to be talking bout all sort of things, what is happening down here on this end of the River, what the Art Council is doing, what the local Theatre is working on....etc etc etc.

Leaving around two thirty, nice drive, back around 830 I think.

I have been going to the gym of late. which means I am tightening up!!!

It wonderful how a lil extra blood flow to the brain helps all things...!!!!