This being the season for reflections, emotions, and just plain melancholy, I will go with the season feelings for the time being.

Today, Ann, her boy (age 6) and I went to subway for dinner (lunch in other parts of the country), on the way back to her office, I was taken by this rush of gloom. Not sure where it came from, but it came.

I brushed it off by saying it had something to do with the cancer. But I am not sure where it came from. I think, perhaps it was akin to what I have been feeling for sometime now, well since Sept 22nd, the day of the diagnosis, that I am not in charge of my lil life.

For years, I have planned, executed with precision the dynamics of my life, my career, and everything that falls between those two categories.

Now since Sept 22nd, I can no longer focus on anything. Can't make a decision about my personal life... I was looking at a house here the other day, couldn't make up my mind, even the car now, I am having second thoughts about.

I am now part of what I hated the most... being a wishy washy queen.!!!!

Christmas Eve 2009

Its Christmas Eve here on Albert Street, deep in the heart of ole Alexandria.

As with many small southern cities, Christmas time is for the returning of the children, those who have left here and made a life for themselves outside of this Red River Valley and these Brick Streets.

I have always been a lil curious as to why these youngsters leave. Its starts with the educational opportunities that their parents can afford, then goes on from there.

Well, I was blessed to have TW IV come yesterday and spend time with his olde Dad. We exchanged gifts, small token of our love for each other, etc....then when out to supper at the local Grill...

This morning we went over to the M's house for a brunch.

It was all good.. I was a lil bit sad to see him to leave around noon today, he is such a fine son. I am so proud of all his accomplishments in his life.

New Home for Clyde

Well the photo above is Clyde and me. Clyde came into my life after a three month wait. A doctor down in Lake Charles had him on a lease, the Dr. couldn't make up his mind if he wanted to give Clyde up. He finally decided to abandon him and Clyde needed a new home.

My friend down at the BMW place called me, Tommy he said....Clyde is here...come see Clyde.

After wrangling for a few days, we came to a deal that gave Clyde a new home.

Clyde's formal pedigree is BMW 650i convertible, twin turbos, 320 rocking horses, 9g force throw your head back when you stomp on the petro pedal. But he is easy to feed, he is doing about 26 mpg right now.

So, that is the story of Clyde and how he got a new home.

Anybody want a ride....in Clyde.

Well, here I am with my new ride. Yep, I am still a truck sort of guy, however, I did take a leap and got Clyde. Clyde is a Machine that is "performance appreciated".

It gives you a thrill, with a lil G force to throw you back. Its an eye catcher for sure. Not that I am going to catch a damn thing with it tho.

But is pretty....don't you think... looks real good in my driveway....Don't you Think..

Well... its Christmas Time in CenLa.... got a fire in the fireplace, watchin' tv in the living room, and just kicked back...

All by my self and with Clyde parked in the driveway, his big brother Bubba truck is right there to protect him too.

Clyde's big brothers Bubba Truck No 1 (GMC Z71) and Prince Albert the Land Rover welcomes him home to Albert Street.

Facing the Facts of Life

Just venting and getting a few things out in the open air.

Yesterday, I received word that my cancer mentor had been placed in the hospital. This is the man that encouraged me when I first found out to go seek a 2nd opinion, to go to a research hospital, and to Live Life.

The odds I think are catching up to him. Usually, there is about a 15 year window from time of diagonsis to the treatments start to fail..then your on your way to meet the Maker.. It is very pronounced in men who receive the news in their mid 50s. Most likely you will not be around at 75, even greater to think that you will be meeting St. Phillip at around 70.

That is just the stats above., but its reality. as a whole. I have talked to many men in their 60s to mid 60s, all are encouraging, to say that they will be around till their early 80s.......

I have found recently when you speak to some one about having cancer there is a tendency for that person to blow you off, they always say its curable and treatable... Well They have not Face their Morality Yet... The Mentor warned me about how the "have nots" deal with you, when you begin telling them about your condition.

Well....See, the younger you are diagonsis the more treatable it is at the present time, but the stats are not with you on the long end of the scale.

I am not counting myself out by No Means... just being realistic ...hoping the Mentor bounces back here shortly..

So, enough of that...and the reason for the photo change is that above.... I wanted my friends to see really who I am, to recognize me if I knock on their doors, if I come across you in Montrose, in the Heights, Mid Town Manhattan, Castro District out on the West Coast or just at Krogers on Jackson St.


So, the photo is from Mardi Gras here in Alexandria in 2007.

First Supper of the Season.

Dustin, Bradly, Natalie, and Brian

Good Friends.

Snow in the Deep Deep South

It was a lil treat from the Heavens last night. It snowed here in Alexandria.

One photo is of the snow coming down yesterday late in the day, the other is what is left of it on the back deck this morning.

Its a lil bit chilly this morning, 26 on the outside gauge. My angel trumpets and other green veggie matter I am sure bit the dust last night and early this morning. The banana trees were drooping this morning.

Ah... till next spring

Traditions

Thanksgiving Dinner

Dinner in the South is at noonish, Supper is after 6 pm. We are Ya'll down here, Not "You Guys".

So, for Thanksgiving Dinner, I set the table using Momma's wedding china, MinDee's Silver, and a few pieces of crystal that have been given to me.

My memories of sitting down around that table, which was my Grandmother's table, given to my Momma, as the Grandmother vacated the house on the marriage of my daddy and momma, so there would be only one Woman in the house, brought back so many emotions this Thanksgiving.

Southern Traditions, its the basis for Life here in the Deep South.

Started a new Tradition this past Thanksgiving, when Ann, Natalie, and I gather around that table and shared a wonderful meal. It was from one of the African American eatries here in Alexandria.

We all broke bread together, shared a cup of wine, and prayed in the kitchen.

A wonderful table with friends...what more can a man ask for!!!

Ever since the diagnosis on Sept 22nd I have been trying to eat better. Not that I didn't eat fairly good, but healthier for now on.

I was privileged to have Chef Dean Kennedy stop by the house the other night and whip up his famous Tuna Risotto, with veggies.

It was a delight, for sure.

As you can see from the photo, he sliced the tuna and served it as a small portion. Chef Kennedy believes in small portions of any main course, while veggies remain as larger portions, the risotto was small as well, not too much starch you know.

Thanks Chef Kennedy, I have lost 17 pounds since beginning your diet plan.

Been a Lil' While

Tis been a lil while since I posted.... a few days of lag time.

I have been busying myself with eating right or correctly rather.

Losing weight, getting a lil more healthy. Reducing the BP.

Not much is going on, I will write this weekend and post some pics.

I am again making plans for the next step in my life.

My neighborhood is beginning once again to show some signs of a slight decline. In the past the neighborhood has been up and down on the scale of renewal.

Commercial encroachment and single family homes becoming single rental units are starting to dot the streets once again.

There was a strong neighborhood movement sometimes back that prevented the encroachment, but I feel it has raised its head once again. Only time will tell.

But, I am making plans and will discuss these plans later on.

Memories and a Settin' Sun

First, thanks to Glenn for checking on me. I haven't posted in a while. Its been a lil journey. More to come later.

But for the time being, I went back to Hammond, La yesterday, then on to Mandeville to meet with some old friends from college.

The college was Southeastern Louisiana University, the year was 1973, the residence hall was Lee Hall. The picture above is the marker that tells a lil information about Lee Hall, but does not say anything about the memories of three years of my life spent there.

I then traveled to Mandeville, after visiting SLU, to visit old college friends that I have not seen since 1981. It was a great 4 hours spent reminiscing and laughing of old memories. Some that I had forgot, some I remembered vividly.

On the drive back to Alexandria, I was on HWY 190 West headed to I49, when off to the left I saw the sun setting. I snapped the photo at 65 mph, .......

Closing a great day of Memories and the Settin' Sun

So what else is new

Well folks

My email address has changed due to bellsouth.

Seems that i can no longer use bellsouth for my email address, damn, I have had that address for years and years.

a pain in the ass ...and i do have one....lol....any ways.... here is the new email address

thom5005@gmail.com

Every winter my Momma would "rearrange" the living room to make the fireplace usable. So, in keeping with Thompson tradition, and remembering her memory, I "rearranged" the living here on Albert Street, Alexandria.La.

I had to start a fire too. Every Fall when the "first cool snap" would come along, Momma would make a fire in the fireplace. The only thing missing today, was her, her biscuits, and smoked sausage for breakfast.

Texas and the NEWS !!!

Today, I feel reborn to some extent, maybe given a new term or lease or just having the knowledge that one needs to head down the path of life.

First things first... the photo above is of my sister and one of her labs... Rue of Remi and Rue... two lab sisters that are my sister's constant companions.

Tis great having a lil sister with her connections... its cause of my lil sister that I am sitting here in her kitchen, on the outskirts of San Antonio, this morning saw one of the premier, if not the premier urology oncologist in the nation.

Now on to my report

It is confirmed that I have andenocarcinoma, T1 stage, lower left quad.

I will be coming to SA every 90 days to be followed for the next two years at least. This is to participate in a research basis program. I will see my urology oncologist every six months, unless the 90 day window shows a dramatic change.

So, I will get my traveling shoes on... count up my frequent flyer miles, come see the lil sister, get some blood drawn, pee in the cup and do it every 90 days....continue to eat healthy.... and be a good boy.

Made it to Texas

Flew out this morning from AEX to SA TX.

Total flight time was 1 hour 14 minutes, and two hours in the airports, AEX and IAH

Sure bets that long drive over here. Lil Sister was driving up when I walked out of the skywalk.

This afternoon, visited with a cancer surviror , whose name was Larry. We discussed the details, he was very candid with me, showed me the "pad", calmed a few misgivings I had had... Sister Beth arranged the 'talk' for me.

Will see the Dr tomorrow, get his take on it and see what he has to offer.

Jump on the Plane and Ride!!!

Yep... I will tomorrow...jump on the plane.

Its a short hop to H Town, lay over 50 minutes, hop on the plane for another short hop to San Antonio.

Cuts the travel time down in half, even with the one hour getting to the Airport in AEX...its a 7.5 to 8.5 hour drive in a car, truck or other mode...takes about 3 hours for the plane hopping...even with a lay over.


Bag is packed, computer, ipod, ALL the Forms, Records, Bone and CT Scan Disks.

Heading to see the lil Sister and the Big Docs from the University of Texas Health Science Center in downtown San Antonio.

Monday is the big day.

I will tell ya'll after I get the News.

Have a Great Sunday.

HIPPO vs HIPPA

Thanks Thom, Jason, and Brother Carl for all the good vibes, wishes.

Well,,,,,, let me tell and get this off of my chest.

Dealing with the country doctors here in the good ole boy country is a helluva damn time.

I go see the urologist to get ALL of my records so I can pack them to SA to let the expert urologist oncologist in the nation check everything out.

I am told by the nurse that the urologist said he would decided what to send...... Duh...say what... this in HIPPA suga pie..every heard of HIPPA Suga Pie... when a patient ask for his records it is suppose to ring that bell... you are to say Yes Sir we will have them by Thursday, please pick them up at the window, come at 5 pm.

No, here in the Banana Republic of the South, its still the good ole boy doctor system. .... the dr said...Did you say HIPPO... he is at the Zoo... No I said HIPPA...ASShole.

Well to make a long story short.. I didn't get l total record, just what the white haired, southern, urologist wanted to send... I will fight that battle when I come home from SA.


I did learn after I read the records that I have a small cyst on my left kidney.. he failed to tell me that on the when I saw him the last time... when I was telling him I was going for a second opinion.

.

Here is the plan.. for SA

Fly on Sunday to SA...its actually only a 2 hour flight, with a hour lay over in H Town.
Arrive SA at noon on Sunday, spent time with lil sister stay @ her house.
Monday see the Dr @ 9 am ...hear what he has to say... listen carefully..etc
Tuesday... if all goes well ...and they don't suggest I have the surgery then and now... fly home to alex ..@ 1pm

I will blog the important stuff ...as I get it.

Thanks to all for all the Support... it means a lot.

tommy

It Just Takes Time

Tomorrow I am off to get all my medical records to take to SA Tx with me.

I am thinking about how to pack my clothes, what carry on bag to bring...etc.

I have been in a fairly good mood since I was had my diagnosis' of cancer. No pity party yet.

I haven't let my self think too much about it.

I am just afraid of the aftermath, actually. That is what I am afraid of. I am not afraid of the cancer, not afraid of any operation, just what it will be like for me afterwards. I am not fearful of it, just that I really don't want to face what comes of me after the operation.

Incontinent for the first six months and maybe more

Impotent for whatever time.. maybe a short time, maybe a long time, maybe no more..

I have to say one thing, for the above two issues, especially the last issue above ... for the first time, I am glad I do not have a partner. I would hate to know that I could not give him want he wanted, to lay beside him, and his desires not be met.

My life will not be the same..... and in the end ...I will come to terms with it all...

It just takes a lil' time.....!!!

Bugs...on a window pane

This morning I notice a bunch of tiny tiny bugs on my front window pane in the living room.

They were sort of an reddish orange color.... perfect for Halloween.

So, I got out the macro lens, had to put some white paper on the other side of the glass to focus on.

Just interesting looking reddish orange bugs..

Bugs on a window pane on a Sunday morning in the Deep South.

Angel Trumpets on an October Evening

The Angel Trumpets are in full bloom here in Alexandria. These beauties are on in front of my bedroom window....Tis good to wake up with yellow trumpets gently swaying in the autumn breeze early in the morning.

I was sitting on the front porch last night, the trumpets' fragrance drifted over the side yard and then up to the front porch.... Was nice to sit there, enjoy that smell on an October evening..... here on the red brick street of my town.

Tis good to enjoy the simple things of Life.

Today

Today:

Thanks to Ms. Ginger Grant
BigEzBear
Rick
Tommy
Jason
Harv

all deserve to be the first listed....

all have really been supportive on this newest journey.

an update

have an appt for Oct 19 Monday 9 am in San Antonio

number 1 urological oncologist in the good ole U S A

texas here I come.

Ms. Ginger.. Rick...... I will be flying over texas ..so I will wave hello.

Keep the Faith..!!!!.....Sugas

Tomorrow... Came Today

Well Tomorrow Came Today.....

As in:

Gleason score is .... 6
Stage is ................. B1
Type is .................. Adenocarcinoma


So, what to do..... well the is a plan:

I am headed to Texas to see a noted Urological Oncologist.

The good news is that the lil sister has arranged this through her contacts and friends.

So many things are running through my mind at this point. Plans are being made, this plan, that plan, what to do here and when to do it there.

I certainly appreciate Everyone who has written, said that I am being thought of, prayers sent my way, good vibes sent my way.

Its going to be a great journey.....

Horace Greeley said..... Go West young man, Go West... Well I am not young...but I am heading West to see the Doc.

The white truck is headed that way.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow... there will always be a Tomorrow

So Tomorrow will be the big day...

Headed to see about the Gleason Scale, the Staging, and the Type of Carcinoma, not in that order for sure.

And after those three answers, a multitude of questions about nerve bundles, surgery vs brachytherapy vs radiation ... so on.. so on.

Thanks to Jason and Ms. Ginger G. on the thoughts, vibes, and all that they are sending my way....

Thanks to my lil sister Beth, who reads this scribble scrabble I write...and her thoughts and prayers.

Tis Tomorrow......

I have done fairly well on the emotional aspect of this journey. I do have my pity minutes, but all it all, I have cracked the jokes, made the small talk, but the laugh to it all.

I have been watching videos on you tube about Mark and Julie, a couple who experienced prostate cancer and their journey.
Its been very good for me to see a man similar to me, who is going through with all of this.

I think one of the hardest things of this whole experience is going to bed at night, not having the reassurance of a mate, that hand out stretched to hold, that whisper saying all will be well.

But, isn't there always a but... I do have the best lil sister, the best woman friends... lisa and ann.....a very supportive boss and his wife......so they are the support team....

and then I have Jason, down there in New Orleans, the blogger buddy ....sending good vibes up the river to me.

All in all... I know it will be ok, its just a journey, there will be a few bumps in the road... But ! isn't it always.

Regrets and Looking Ahead.

One of the things I have regretted for a long time is that I never kept my blog on Diaryland.com.

It was started in 1998, I wrote a lot about my Momma, in her passing, and what lead up to it.

But you should not regret what has been in the past.... move on...but it behind you.... so everyone says.


This week is going to be a week, for sure. The readings on all the test are to be revealed on Tuesday.

Then I will make some decisions base on the information given...head for the 2nd opinion, where ever that maybe.

Bone Scan Yesterday

Yesterday I went over to Rapides, big hospital by the levee, for the Bone Scan.

Got a shot early in the morning, the young nurse shot me up with some radio active juice...and I was on my way to return later.

Two hours later, I did... same young nurse.... good hands...nice personality..

He put me on the table,...cranked up the machine and off I went ...

It was a 15 minute program. ... Just gave me a big headache .... hope it all went well ...and the picture will not show too much.

All tests are in.......

So on next Tuesday, October 6th, ... I will travel down to Rapides General Hospital..and.... get the news.

More to come..........

CT Scan Done... Looking to Tomorrow

Today was the first of the baseline test.

The CT Scan happened today. Interesting experience.

Smile and made small chat with the nurses. Got stuck a couple of times, drew a lil blood..

Big Donut looking machine with a sliding table was in the room to the left.

Up on the table, pulled the pants down...no hospital gown ...which I thought was nice.

(i am sure there will be those gowns soon enough)

Then here were two big syringe looking objects above my head... size of caulk tubes...

Nurse A: Your going to feel a warm rush... its going to be a hot flash...

Nurse B: Hold on Mr Thompson, ....here it comes, take a deep breath....

Well ... let me say....warm rush.... it was like going to the Key West and sitting in the noon day sun with heat lamps running.

Warm and Fuzzy... but all in all.. it was ok.

Tomorrow is the Bone Scan... I am going to be radiated tomorrow...

Told the close friends that they should go get a Mason Jar....i will put my hand in it tomorrow night and be a street lamp.


Jason is right, I have been reading the horror stories, but I have also read some incredible stories of how things might be also.

The one lingering fact remains... for a man my age...in his semi early 50s, sex will change forever for me...and that is a lil bit disheartening..to say the lest.

Moments, Places in Time.

We all have these, some not so hard as others to swallow.

I am just wondering where I will be and in what condition I will be in here in the next several months.

As I talked about in a few postings back, its the side effects that I most fear. Pee'ing in one's pants, wearing the paper diaper, and then the sexual side effects for a man.

I have read, actually stop reading, cause going over case histories of gay men, that have had the prostate surgery, is just plain depressing at this point in time.

Coping with the present, facing my fears, keeping the stiff upper lip, laughing at the mundane, all seems to be a part of what is to come.

I want to make this journey something of becoming more self aware, not centering on "poor is me", I want it to be a learning experience that I can share, something that I can improve, something that I will be a better person by.

On Thursday and Friday of this week, I am going to talk with Prostate Cancer Survivors, Listen to their experiences, get their advise.

Facing the unkown .... Facing Reality is much more fearful.

Next week is full for the first three days.

Monday meeting with the Internist to check medication.

Tuesday is the CT SCan.

Wednesday is the Bone Scan.

So, keeping the faith, spirits high.

More later.

The News III

One of the ideas that I am running is to is that prostate cancer is very curable, to a point.

Fuckin' Right.... but its the damn side effects that are what has me not sleeping at night.

Pee'ing on my self for the next two years is not a warm fuzzy feeling I want.

And then there is no hard dick.... half limp, half hung.......!!!

Well what I am running into is our lil Puritan ForeFathers are still well entrenched in the medical community.

They don't tell the full story of erectile dysfunction, incontinence, morbid bowel movements, and every dysfunction between the belly button and testicles.

Just amazing to me, tell the whole story, don't hide from it, lay it out on the table.

The News Part II

Well.....Truth be told.......!!!!!

Today, I had my doctor's appt...with Lowentritt.... up at Rapides General.

Walked into room number 4, waited till the old Doc came in. He is a neighbor of mine, lives one block down and at the corner of the street.

His head was sort of low, he slumped onto the gurney, hung his head....and said.

Neighbor.... I have some bad news.

At that point in time, my world as I have known it stopped..for just a second...

I am one of the now many men who have prostate cancer.(more details to come).

I would have not thought I would have wrote about this or talked about this for a long time. Oh, I knew I had a chance, due to the family history, etc.

But to hear those words, "Neighbor, I have some bad news"....

I have to stay, for a Gay Man, ...those words meant so much more.... .... its just fuckin hurt.

It meant that my world as I have known it had come to an end....a gay man without a prostate...Please....!!!!!!

But here is the Good News:

I am alive, I am relative healthy at the moment, I begin all the test next week.

I look forward to a new experience..... gathering knowledge that might help another man that might read this blog if he ever encounters those lil words.... I have some bad news.

I am sure in the coming months that I will go up and down the scale...so bear with me..... let me rant when I need to.... let me cry when I want to......let me laugh at the funnies either at the hospital, on the operating table...or lugging the Catheter bag around.

But in the end..... all things will be good.

Tis almost the weekend.

Not much is happening, been doing the wgt control diet... eating right.. one of the hardest things was today when every one else was gobbling the fatty hamburger, i was eating the broiled fish with steamed veggies...and drinking water.

Well.....it could be worse.

On to other subjects:

The backyard is progressing at a slow pace. I am sure if the weather permits next week, we will start back.

I haven't dated anyone lately, the older I get, the less that happens. Dating ... intelligent dating...not coming over and supper and the bed sort of routine.

I did go to BR on Tuesday, stayed there overnight, saw Edward and James, ate at Tsumani in the Shaw Bldg, looked out over the River.

Been a tough week in the employee arena. A lot of my employees are folks that have had a struggle somewhere in their lives. It is hard some times for them to be thought provoking. They are operations folks, hard working, tough, tough, tough.
They just don't seem to understand the basic elements of problem solving sometimes.

So, I am looking forward to hopefully a slow weekend. Kayak season is just round the corner..October is about here.

The News:

Today I had my 4th biopsy of my prostate in the last four years.

It was as painful, brutal as the 1st one in 2005.

The reasons for all the biopsies are several factors:

My father died in 1962 at the age of 59, of prostate cancer, I was 8 yrs old.

Cancer of all types runs, leaps, and gallops like a rogue elephant all through my family.

On the 2nd biopsy I was found to have abnormal cells in the number 1 and 3 quadrant the prostate.

I have a node in the 3rd quadrant. There ain't no normal nodes!!!!

The Good News:

My PSA has always been, for the most part, within the very acceptable range. Last week it was .9 (point 9, let me say that again)

My prostate is within the acceptable size range, actually smaller than the average man.

I have Never had any Flow problems. I pee like a Russian Race Horse. I just wish I had the "size" of the Russian Race Horse.

I have been very lucky thus far on all health fronts. ....... so far!!!.... Keep the Faith baby !!!!!

My Concerns:


As you know, being a Gay man without a prostate ...well hmmmm..... that is all I have to say is Hmmmmm for the moment.


What I am doing:

I have began reading all I can on Gay Men with Prostate Concerns. There are some books out there that specifically address that issues.

I have began a control weight routine, coupled with a dietitian memu for better health.

I did have a colonoscopy earlier this year. I passed with good grades.

I am taking charge of my Own Health.

Tuesday morning brought a renewed vigor for me on a personal level.

A look in the mirror did it over the weekend.

I wrote about all this a few entries ago.... but something sparked me today.. it came across when I was in M's office. The CC was meeting, in it's committee meetings, my reports had been completed.. the sun was on the horizon to set in about an hour...go get the bike...this is the day you are suppose to ride 6 miles...fast....

I got up, walked out, told everyone in the room, I was headed out to ride.. waved bye to M.

Its all about personal choices.

On Monday I had hired a personal dietitian ... made a commitment.

At my age, I have realized that I must take this fight to another level. It is a fight for me. As I have aged, in somewhat of a graceful manner, but in other ways I have also let myself go.

That last statement is a hard admission on my part, swallow hard... take a look in the mirror... Where do I want to be in ten years.

I know all too well what exercise, good diet can do...So, as an intelligent middle age man, I had to make that decision.

Just do it..... that is all it takes.

It happened on Labor Day Weekend.

Long Weekend away from the office, but here at the house.

One of the bloggers that I recently meet has decided to close the door on his blog, drift away ..... whether that is for good or just a rest ... its his decision.

On Friday evening, the Boss, his wife, my dear friend and work co-heart, and another friend ventured out to the local Cha Cha Palace.

On Saturday evening around the Boss's pool he looks at me and states... well I am glad its out in the open now... !!!

I just smile... and move on to another conversation.

Life continues on....

This is Elizabeth's its is located in the Bywater section of New Orleans.

I ate there with Steve on Saturday Morning.

I had Grillades and Grits.

Fine eatin'

Then I had a bloody mary at the Bourbon Street Pub.

That afternoon I got to see one of my favorite bloggers BigEzBear, who I spoke of in Part II of yesterday's post.

Gee... my heart is always drawn back to my times as a youth on St. Claude and St Roc when my kin folks lived there in the 1940s to the late 60s. In the late 50s and then into the 60s I would be transported there by my Momma to spend several weeks in the late summer at my Aunt Kane's house. This was my Momma's sister that lived down there.

We would go eat at places like Elizabeth's.

That whole experience on this past Saturday rekindled my memories and drew me back to my youth. Well back to those cafes, not the Bourbon Street Pub.

Trip Part II The Better Portion

So, now that I have the ex out of my system. Here is Part II.

As I travel, it is always good to meet fellow bloggers. Many of them will not or don't like to meet.

But, my dear blogging buddy, photographer extraordinaire, BigEzBear, did come out. We looked each other up at the G. Lantern yesterday in the late afternoon.

All topics of conversation were covered. It was great to meet and put a face with the man behind the words and photos.

Steve came to meet me there after a while. We walked the Quarter, hung out for some of his friends, ended up at the Grapevine for supper.

As we walked the Qtr, my mind drifted to thinking of having my own apt down there, so I could explore the comings and goings of the neighborhood. I believe it to be much like the neighborhood I live in now to some point.

Maybe one day, I will be lucky to have a lil apartment, tucked in an alley, somewhere for weekend retreats, and making New Friends.

But its an idea, a dream.....

So, I headed back to the Roosevelt around 930pm, to jump in bed, snuggled up with my pillows. Then this morning I awoke, jumped in the old truck and was home by 10am

First Part of the Road Trip South with Reggie

First Part of the Road Trip South

Sitting here in a newly renovated hotel on Baronne Street, New Orleans. Accompanying me here was my ex bf , whom I have known since August 1984. I picked him up at the New Orleans Airport on Wednesday; It is now early Saturday morning, 4 am, eleventh floor of the hotel, looking out onto Canal Street.
When I picked him up on Wednesday, we went back to Alexandria . The sole purpose of this trip was for him to re-connect with some events, persons, and locations of his past. I had not seen him for quite sometime before picking him up at the airport. If my memory serves me correctly, it has been almost 12 years.

Things happen, over a time span, don’t they? The ex bf has never seemed to get much of a ‘hold’ on his life. He has been employed as a church organist for the most part of his adult life. However, he does hold a MSW from LSU in Social Work. But that was never his true calling, am I not sure what his true calling is or was….other than the banging of keys on the keyboard of an organ or piano. Thinking that he would hit it big with his voice and be some star.
When he first spoke of coming back for this brief visit, I was really not wanting to participate . As I sit here now, my first intuition was correct. I didn’t want to participate was the correct decision. However, being of a good heart , I guess, I decided to.
My choice.

I feel much animosity about this whole experience. All which has been paid with my nickel. This errant musician that I have with me has not paid, offer to pay, or even had any consideration to pay for not a red cent of this trip. Nothing. We have spent one night in Alex, one night in Baton Rouge, and one night here in New Orleans. (I will stay here an extra night, cause I owe it to myself after this ordeal)

But it was my choice to participate, to give him this ride down memory lane.

I am not sure how folks live like he has, not planning for or considering their future. We were talking about health insurance, he has never had any, he could have, he could have put his MSW to work for himself, rode out a career in government or private practice, worked for a civil agency, etc. He played music instead.
He ask me about my retirement from the state agency that I worked for, he said he was envious of my second career with the City. Knowing that he would not have that. I suggested to him it was not to late. He at 48 could go to work somewhere in state govt, civil agency in his location, (he lives in Up State New York, with his lover, whom he married in Montreal Canada in 2005) work for 20 years, be vested at 10 years, and he would have something of long term value. He wants to play music instead.


Never planning in life, always counting on the ‘to come part’, which really never comes, he has muddled through life.. Some on family inheritance, some on ex lover’s pensions, some on his playing of music in churches far and wid
I am very sure that this will be the last time, I will see him.

He will leave Louisiana, never to return.
Gone from here, to play music.

Couple of weeks ago, I registered for a discussion on hurricanes, the reactions of local govts to them, and what has happened to New Orleans since Katrina.

The discussion was being held by some bloggers and other folks.... I wanted the t-shirt that was being produced for the discussion...it was really cool, but to do so you had to fill out the discussion information form, it included your blog's site.

I got a txt message from one of the Boys that they were in N.O. and saw my name on the registered list for this discussion.


I locked the blog at that point.

This is the first time someone local had found my blog and if they wanted to read my private thoughts, ideas, and moanings, it was there for people to see.

After a day or so of thinking, I said Crap on the Locked....

I am me, its just me, and I didn't want my personal wanderings to be the sordid tale in the corridors of City Hall, but at some point in time, one must just be him or herself without regard for what folks really think.

So, I unlocked the blog.

I will go from here.

For the last couple of mornings here on Albert Street there as been a faint crispness in the air. Something of a tinge of coolness as the breeze crosses the front porch.

This Saturday I was coming down the steps and noticed the leaves of the Crepe Myrtle tree beginning to turn. This is not the hybrid Crepe Myrtle, but the old type..

New hybrid turns red, old kind turns spotted yellow.

So, Fall is in the air...here in the deep South....just a hint of it.... we're in the dog days of summer ... right before that glorious weekend call Labor Day, where all the fellows gather in New Orleans to Sweat.

On the morning bike ride with Roy, we were on the trail down by the river, when we came upon this.

Must have been a good night, whomever the shorts and other garments belong too.... or they ran off cause someone found them..nakkid.

Just a morning ride on the Red River...amazing what you run into when you are out biking.

Its Sunday

Last post I had here was last Sunday.

My blog friend BigEzBear in New Orleans wrote a lil bio of himself on his blog. It sounded so similar in parts to my experience.

Well... it was a sort of rough week in the City Govt. We managed to take ownership of a hotel, had a convention, and last night the yard man..... ie. Chip went out the the local Cha Cha Palace and decided to tye one on.

His Momma called me a 5 am the morning to go get him. He is sleeping right now with a goose egg bump on his forehead..I have had him looked at by the local doctor down the street. So, we won't have any coma on our hands later on.

I still am not sure of what all happened. My intelligence from the Cha Cha Palace says he was fairly on his way to total intoxication about 1130 pm last night, the owners of the CCP had an HIV fund raiser to support the local agency here. The executive director, who is a close friend of mine, said Chip was at her table and showing no signs of slowing down. He did have some friends in from Monroe who was was driving...so that was taken care of...

But something happened... I am not sure...but there is always a BUT isn't it.

When I picked him up he was at a home on Dixie Lane, standing in the driveway was his mother and the residents of the home...his truck wasn't there, no cell phone, but a stern looking Momma who was not asking but telling me to get him out of there..oh well.

I did my part and brought him back here to the house and called the dr and he is now resting...with a goose egg attached to his forehead.....

The rest of the story will come out....as it always does...sooner or later.

I hope this week is a lil more calmer than last week...that the pace of life goes back to normal....here in the City by the River.

Dustin the house keeper wanted to throw a party to celebrate his partner's birthday. So, Calvin the Caterer came down from Winnfield and whipped up some nickie knacks. I threw a pork loin on the Egg. Rick fixed the flowers. Folks brought liquor and we had a old Saturday night party for Brian.

Brian was much surprised, he had a wonderful 25th B-Day.

The house smiled too, having a "gaggle" on the back porch.

This is post number 420.

Hmmm.....

In Louisiana, its that time, as we all cast our eyes to the Gulf and wait.

Starting August 1st, and heading towards October 1st is 60 days of wait and see. Cause the Gulf is heating up..actually its already HEATED UP.

I hope we get a pass this hurricane season. I really do. Its not pleasant memories during these 60 days, for me.

Other than that the back yard is progressing.

I had another gout attack last week. This is troubling to me. Since I was on the maintenance meds to lower my risk.

Just have to see.

Other than that City Govt is doing ok. Not much is happening there, we are into the Summer doldrums.

Well you know you are getting older when your childhood friends begin having heart caths.

I am on Facebook and have made several connections with old friends from the place of my birth.

Generally don't go there too much, Facebook that is, but I do stop in from time to time. Yesterday my best childhood friend had a heart cath. His daughter sent me an Facebook message saying " Uncle Tommy, Daddy is having a heart cath, pray for him".

There were four friends that I had in my years of growing up in Jackson, La. Mike, Danny, Dickie, Roho, We all fished together, drank together, and just were the best of friends.

Mike was the most closest as I look back. It wasn't a week that passed, that we didn't share a meal either at his folks home or mine. We hunted together, fished together.

It was a great childhood and into our college years we stayed close. After that, we managed to drift away, one of the main reasons was that I came to the realization of my orientation and choosing a partner. This was somewhat dramatic for me, due to the fact that at the time most everyone that I grew up with was practicing the "Baptist Faith"... Southern Baptist, the version of Fire and Brimstone. But I had already drifted down to the Presbyterian Church, a lil more liberal Church, in a Southern Baptist town. Side Note....I have made the 180 turn and now practice with the Episcopal Church.

Many Years Pass, partner, no partner... aging at a respectable pace... ...

Anyway along comes Facebook and I made connections with Mike's wife Debbie, then their daughter Krystan. Krystan writes to me every so often on Facebook, letting me know of her family. She addresses me as Uncle Tommy.

As you pass from childhood and go off in your own direction, the folks that remained where you grew up seem to have kept an connection with you. Must be that they hold on to relations, to events that you have long forgotten, things like that.

It happen here with Krystan...she has written to me, like I had never left, recalling events that her Father (Mike) has told her of, of the growing up of five boys in rural East Feliciana Parish and their adventures.

As I sit here it has been a slow Sunday.

On Wednesday of this past week, I took off, but work consumed most of the days off.

So its back to work, without any real rest.

Just have to take it easy more, find some time to go back to the gym...well just have to see.

The tree work has started in the backyard.

The Hackberry is gone. The Water Oak is trimmed up.

More photos on their way.

Early this morning my phone rang. The house phone. It was the Head Florist in town. The time was 234 AM. I went to bed at 932 pm last night... resting peacefully.... awakened to that ring, ring, ring....

"Helllooo, Tommy its Rick"

As soon as he said he was Rick and I did recognize the voice... I knew exactly why he was calling.

Rick, the town's head florist extraordinaire was calling cause someone in his immediate family, past lovers, current bfs, or other humans of unknown nature had fallen to the custody of the City Police, Parish Sheriff, or other law enforcement agents
It turned out to be his niece, pretty young girl who works in his shop. As the story was related with one eye open at that time in the morning, she had exited a local club on a major thorough fare, was pulled over and at that point the story is the same any where in this great land.

Every since I can remember in my adult life, the 4th of July weekend here in Louisiana has always been marked with some sort of either folks being arrested, dying of horrific circumstances, or just plain tragic accidents.

That is the reason, I go to bed early, on the 4th, snuggle up in some cleans bed sheets, and fall asleep. Cause in the past so many years, someone is going to call for assistance in some arrest, accident, or just drunk..and wanting to talk.

After noon today, I am off until next Tuesday.

Yesterday I had a heart stress test.

Passed it with flying colors.

All my arteries are clear, heart is strong.

The only thing that bothered the dr was my continued high blood pressure even tho I am on medication for it.

He told me to go back to the gym, lose 20 pounds, and take two bp pills.

Limit my caloric intake and become more healthy.

Well, I will try.

I have been doing well. No Beef, only chicken and fish.

Its those candy bowls all over the damn City offices that I must now pass up.

Have to see..... 264 today.....see what happens in two weeks.

It looks like we have a lil bit of swirling down in the Gulf below Cuba.

Let's just hope the wind dies down... and Mother Nature leaves us alone.

I know all the hot weather is not helping those temps in the Gulf, ain't nothing cool in our lil section of this banana republic..deep in the lower South.
National Hurricane Center Click on the link to see that lil darling swirling around in the Lower Gulf

The No 1 Son and I went mtn biking yesterday.

He made my Father's Day by mtn biking with me out in the kistachie national forest.

While we were out in the woods, we came upon a gathering of monks, who were clothed in flowing crimson and dark yellow robes, dancing around a fire. It was early morning when No 1 Son and I came upon them.

As we ended the day of riding, at the trailhead, one of the monks was there, he took our picture, then I took his.

No one would have believed it if I had told them a gathering of crimson robed monks were out in the national forest dancing around a fire.

All in all, it was a great day for me.... biking, having the No 1 Son there....and finding uniqueness in the woods of central la.

Geez.....

Tis a lil warm out there, even at 945 am.....

The favorite son will appear here shortly around noon time. We are off to cycle on the trails in Kisatchie National Forest .

He just got a new Cannondale mtb Bike and we are off to swap deer flies in the deep woods.

He is making my Father's Day for me.

I am in Baton Rouge tonight.

Yes the Red Stick Town

Staying downtown in my favorite hotel.

Waiting till 730 for friends to stop by and we go out for supper...cause in the South, you have dinner at noon time.

When I started down here this morning, after a brief stay at the office, got in the truck notice the temp was already 85 degrees at 830 am... I knew by mid afternoon ...it was going to be sweaty hot...muggy ..and the concrete in this urban jungle would be pushing the temp to close to 100.


Ah....Summer in the South...right now.with No Rain.

Here is a house I am currently looking at to purchase.

Its two brick streets over from my house. Inside is Art and Craftsman, original wainscoating, all beveled glass pocket doors, and 11 foot tall ceciling
Its two bedroom, two bathrooms, the original bathroom and one added one. The back porch was enclosed to be a sun room, which is off of one of the bedrooms.

As always, it has not been taken care off. I think that I can get into it with about 15K in repairs and painting.

But my delimena is do I want to take on larger house note. ...

Went kayaking today up on Iatt (pronounced I At) Lake...sort of like a lake and cypress swamp.

David and Virginia went with me. When we pulled up to the landing the duck week as thick as hair on a dogs back. We were pondering if we could even slog through it.

A man came up in a bateau and said it was only a quarter of a mile thick around the outside of the lake.

So, we slogged through it, stayed on the water for about 2.5 hours Visited some new areas of the lake, saw some interesting sights

Came home and to swing and pass the Sunday afternoon on the front porch.

Early morning on the Bricks

Was checking the email earlier this morning, had an email from an guy in an accrediting organization that I belonged to.

He as saying good bye to everyone, was moving on.

A few years back, a new administrator came along, and started to make changes. This guy was one of the last of the 'old crew' to be there.

As with all governmental organizations, the 'dogs bark, but the caravan moves on"

Its sometimes just sad to see the ups and downs in groups that I am attached to go through changes, knowing that good folks are the ones that are the losers. Good Staff put out to pasture, cause of some new breed, dip shit, all knowing person ruins it for everyone. Its the person at the Top of the Food Chain who ultimately should be the one to go, not the worker bees.

Oh well....

Walked out and looked to the east this morning, from what I could see on the bricks here, the sunrise was an orange glow.

I hope it will be a quiet weekend.... I am thinking of taking the kayaks out tomorrow, but who knows.

While I was out biking this morning...I had a chance to take some photos.

The one of the Red River is looking to the Pineville Side.. Those guys are fishing on the only public pier we have...but Since it was the anniversary of D Day...thought the reflection of the American Flag was inspiring.

The other photo is just some shadows

Hmmmm.....

I am land locked here at the house.

Since I live in the old part of Alex. my lot is 52 by 160.

Narrow and long.

I have a chance once again to relocate to another part of town. On another Brick Street.

In that section the lots are about 70 feet wide, but with an alley in the back.

Have to see where it all goes. I will post some pics of the house I am looking at in a day or two.

I have made great strides in restoration of this home. I would hate to pic up and leave just for 18 more feet..

Its a larger home, 2400 sq ft vs my 1700 I have now.... and it needs a lil restoration work also...

and there are other factors involved... ie the encroachment on my street .. of folks with no goals and aspirations.. ie the drug lords of Turner Street.

Second Topic of the Evening

Today marks the start of my 12th month with the City....this time last year I was in the bargaining stages with the Chief of Staff on the details of my position, getting a lil bit antsy on whether I should leave retirement or go back into the work a day world.

Well.... as you know I choose the Work a Day world of City Govt..... For better or worse...its not a given on any day with the City.

Tis Sunday Morning

Woke up sort of late this morning, right at 715.

Was out last night with the Mayor at his house, late supper.

I hope it is going to be a quiet week, but I have a feeling its not....just a gut feeling, hope I am wrong.

Frying some catfish this afternoon.

Tomorrow, I start my 12th month with the City... the year has passed by with amazing speed and some turbalent events.... hurricanes, straight line wind storm, parts of the City flooding from rain storms, ...So we'll have to see where this 12th month takes us.. as we head into the summer months here.

That's it from these Red Brick Streets.

Well..... I have changed the site now back to the new style of blog.

Given it a lil colour.

I have still again lost the stats counter.

Oh well....maybe another time....i can work on it.

Its a night that I can sleep. Took the lil pill....but it only worked for about two hours.

Now back up.

My counter on the blog has not been working.

So, I returned to the 'classic' style.

And I lost the contacts of the followers all four of them to this blog.

Sorry, for that, and as soon as I become more technical I will repair it.

Sunday morning on the Red Bricks.

Well made it to Gibsland today.

Saw the Bonnie and Clyde Museum

Took some photos there.

Its a small Louisiana town, celebrating its fame with the infamous couple of the 30s. Several local folks with claims to being nephews, cousins of who brought Depression Justice to Bonnie and Clyde. ...

Rough, Gritty, Down Home Folks.... not much has changed except the Main Street has been paved with asphalt.

Don't think too much will change in the next 100 years either.

Tomorrow I am off on a trip with the Mayor and Sr Staff...well most of us.

We, along with the News Media will be traveling via bus coach to Gibsland La. Its where Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow met their end.

We are heading up to that tiny Louisiana town to make an announcement on the upcoming movie that is suppose to be shot in Alexandria.... let me say suppose to be.

And we are heading into the the beginning of the summer ....... ... and there is a tropical depression in the Gulf... cross your fingers..don't step on any cracks in the sidewalk... find that 4 leaf clover..cause I surely would like a quiet summer.. not rescuing folks from flooded homes.

Well...the clock says its 3:49 AM

Been up for about two hours

Woke up thinking of a situation at the office

This morning I am off to BR to have lunch with the Good Ole Boys, my former workmates

They all stayed at the trough.... now they are eating Jindal's gruel ....

They are still Good Ole Boys cause they are maintaining the status quo .. Politics as usual in Louisiana !

Then I will make the rounds in BR, Whole Foods, Barnes and Noble, maybe even to the Backpacker

Then its back to the the Red River Valley...and good old Alex'

Shadows from the Back Porch

Well....

Its Friday here on the Red River....sleepy city of Alexandria, Louisiana.

This week I have been down with my third attack this year of Gout.

The doctors think it is somewhat related to stress, due to the fact that I am on allipurniol.

I think there are several factors...with stress being one of them.

I have gained about 20 lbs since Dec 07. Weight has a way of bringing on the bad effects of aging. I am not getting any younger.
I stopped going to the gym when I went to work for the City. Before I retired I was hitting the gym two to three times a week...now since retirement and the sort of new job with the City... its been no gym.


There is nothing that can't be corrected...... especially the weight...I am not sure about the stress...

Other then those slight bumps in the road, the sleepy City of Alexandria, by the Red River is doing ok... life just muddles on...as it has forever.

Well...its Sunday evening.....

just finished supper with the Brain Trust of the City. They are the Mayor's (i.e Big Cheese) Think Tank.. Its two of them, graduated Rice, came home to do public service.

They could be my sons.

They are great guys, one of them brought his live in gf. She is an artist.

Very in depth sort of guys, but some what light hearted .. with quirky jokes.

They have been wanting to come over, I am sure they came over to scope out the house. Report back to the Big Cheese.

I hope they got a good look and see.

We dined on Sea Bass, Scallops wrap in prosciutto ham, garlic green beans, herb salad, and wine.

The gf brought herbs from her garden. ...she seared the scallops. i grilled the sea bass ....

I have never had too much for the ACLU due to my affilation with my career. But time changes somethings doesn't it.

They sent a letter first, then Today their representative stood in front of the RPPJ and made it known on some of the same issues I spoke of in my blog entry of yesterday.

Amazing how minds sometimes think together..... if you do the right thing for the right reason.. ... sometimes it turns out ok.



The below article is quoted from the local newspaper online edition this afternoon.



"The Rapides Parish Police Jury has shown up on the radar of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana.

This newly found attention comes courtesy of a proposed resolution that establishes the Police Jury as against same-sex marriage. The resolution was offered up by Juror Jamie Floyd and will be discussed at the jury meeting at 3 p.m. today, May 4.

Floyd made a similar proposal in March, but it failed 7-2. In its letter, the ACLU urged the jury to stand by its original vote on the measure and its stance that “neither Rapides Parish nor any other local body can affect the laws governing marriage in Louisiana.”

“Rapides Parish enjoys the benefits of many national corporations that employ its residents. Many of these companies have policies protecting their employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” stated Marjorie R. Esman, ACLU executive director, in the letter.

She continued: “While there is a difference between sexual orientation and marriage, for Rapides Parish to go on record as a place hostile to a significant percentage of its residents would send the wrong message to these and other employers who might choose to locate here, employ your residents, and make Rapides a welcoming place for everyone.”

Backwoods ???.... Why Yer !!

On Monday there is an item on the Rapides Par. Police Jury to stand against same sex marriage and civil unions.

The Parish of Rapides including the lil City of Alexandria has Not increased its population base more than 12K folks since 1970.

The 1970 census the Parish was 118,078, in 2007 the population of the Parish was 130,079. We are in the middle of the state, crossroads to either North La or South La. The local Chamber of Com. touts us as a place of clean air, good water, and great people. The local governing body holds its self to be the embodiment of our culture and way of life.

The point being .... The Chamber of Com and the local governing body .. the Police Jury considers this a great place to live for everyone. With this on the agenda for tomorrow, we will show how backwoods we remain and why our population here has not grown in almost 40 years.

Progressive is not in the vocabulary of our governing bodies here.

Here is my first Magnolia of the year.

Taken in the morning, as the sun was peeking through the trees in the back yard.

Life on the Bricks, easy Saturday morning..... quiet time.

Oh btw, the Ligustrum is blooming here in Alex. this year. The pollen is real strong for some reason this year.

I am waking up itching, sniffling, runny nose....was out biking this afternoon, passed a Ligustrum hedge..yellow/white pollen was weft toward me..I gulped it right down on the down-stoke.

Ligustrum japonicum

Watch out it may be heading your way soon.

Early morning.

I woke up @ 4 am this morning.

I don't know what that means other than its not nice to wake up at 4 am on a Saturday morning.

Not much happening on the Bricks these days, other than work.

Sometimes I think that the second job after retirement is just something temporary and a staging point.

Then on the other hand....the below happens....

Yesterday, one of my old neighbors, who had restored a home several blocks from here was out in the yard, he dropped dead at 61.

This guy was a healthy, fit person, very on the go with working out, keeping active. ... Just his time to go.

We had never really been close, he always keep his distance, but he was a neighbor, I would always speak to him and his wife as they took their evening walks

Just brings it home.... he had retired about five years ago, was an adjunct teacher at the local college, wrote a book or two, always active in the sports...tennis, walked the golf course, etc.

Boom...dead....in the back yard trimming his flowers.

Reminds me that we should live life to the fullest....... Cause you never know.....and that brings me back to the point of the second job....!!!...worth it .....I am not sure at this point.

While I was working in the backyard today.

One of my amaryllis was blooming. I am getting a few variates around the yard of them.

I did go to Mass at St James yesterday, it was Maundy Thursday services. They stripped the altar and it was an all night vigil at the Church. I came home and went to bed.

As I was sitting on the back deck.. a rush of memories came by me.

Remembering Good Friday in years past. My brother and I would walk the creek behind our family's farm. Take our fly fishing poles and walk the creek, catching lil creek bream. It was a great place to fantasize and day dream. We would always manage to get wet, dirty. The walk back to the house was so long.

Fond memories of days long gone; always on a Good Friday.

Its spring time here in Central La. So its kayakin' time.

Pulled two boats out of the shed today, washed them, cleaned them up.

Tomorrow Paul, David, and I are Suppose to head to Valentine Lake, which is located in the Natl Forest here close to Alex.

Its our annual fishing trip. Hopefully it will all go well.

The boats needed to be cleaned anyway.

So, it was a good time to do that on a Good Friday.

Flowers from the backyard

The first is from one of the Iris beds a Ruffled Louisiana Iris the other two flowers are what Louisiana folks call Corn Flowers.

I didn't go to Mass this morning at St James, but I do have plans on attending Maundy Thursday and go from there.

Not much else is going on. We have the Cleanest City Contest here in the City this week, City Council meets also, I am always on the agenda in the last few months, its that public eye business again that I dislike...the week is a short week due to we have only to work 4 days this week, Friday being Good Friday.

Yesterday I walked out in the yard and saw the iris bed starting to bloom.

So, here is one of the blooms. The bed is with 2 yr old bulbs.

More to come...I hope.

We had high winds here today..glad the backyard is protected by that 10 foot fence. Breaks the wind.

Today March 31, 2001 my Momma passed from this earth, to her just reward.

Having been left a widow at 41 yrs of age, in 1962, with three young children (8 yr old, 5 yr old, and 3 yr old), fully operational farm, with 17 African American families still living on the farm, she brought her experience and service in WWII to give her strength, courage, and stamina.

She never remarried after Daddy's death, devoted her time to as she put it "raisin' my kids".

She was a very forceful woman in her own right. Mustering the where with all to raise, support, and put all three of her children through college, each with his or her own degrees... was remarkable.

I remembered Momma all day today...

She was a woman of her times, and beyond, being a made a single parent in 1962, and she never looked back.

She did what she could.

She did well.

The first Amaryllis from my yard of this Spring '09. Is pictured today in the blog.

Also, I went to St James today and gave a memorial for my mother who departed this life on March 31, 2001. In her memory I gave to the Church a lasting gift. My Momma was always worried about her roof of her home, the home I grew up in. We must replace the tile roof on St. James, so today, I gave a square in her honor. Also, in that tribute, I gave it in the name of my first cousin, Claire Pegeen, she urged me to become an Episcopalian, so Momma and Claire share in the memorial, a part of the new roof of St. James.

I teared up a lil bit when I was writing the check.... memories..... of Momma and Pegeen.

I have been having some bad mental health days lately.


One of the reasons is the job. It is rather high profile. From the start I was warned by many of my friends that being anonymous would not be possible in this job.

They were so right. I go to the grocery store, I am recognized, I go to the gas station some lil old lady walks up to me..complaining about her garbage....every where I go... i am there...


I don't really like it... being in the public's eye.

My vision of being retired the first time was to have a small part time job, ease into a less stressful way of life.

I would rather sit on the porch... wear shorts, don't shave, and chill.

On June 30 will be the completion of one year ... I am thinking I can make it till then...

Retire.. (again) go back to sitting on the porch, mtn biking, and not shaving for three days.


But can I cope with that as a 55 yrs old..who has worked since I was in high school.