As The Year draws to a close ....

 As the Year draws to a close,  today I took one of my Waterford Crystal Ginger Jar lamps and got a new linen shade for it, restored one of my Daddy's Sister's side tables, it was made in DC by a cabinet maker of solid cherry, no nails, all dovetailed, etc, and made the correct way, Circa 1926.  I put my Steuben Glass ashtray beside the lamp. 

I wish All a Great New Year.

 

December 31st

 As I look back, I checked my blog entry for this day last year. 

https://bricks-on-the-red.blogspot.com/2024/12/last-day-of-year.html   

 The folks who commented on that blog entry have maintained in contact with this writer all through the year of 2025.  

I appreciate that their kind words, the provocative thoughts, the statements that they made in their blogs and comments left have given me hope that the World as we know it, we see it, will improve. 

Thank You, Richard, Sandra, Michael, and Bohemian.  Also, let me note that Harvey has repeatedly linked to my blog.  

It's really connective energy; those connections spurred me onward throughout the year.  

As this year comes to an end, I am truly grateful for all who have taken the time to read my blog, even tho the majority never comment.  

Let me not forget The Mistress  Up North, who is of kindred heart.

Thank You All

Its cold today!

 It's a breezy 43 degrees,  the weather service says it should feel like 30 degrees.  I'm going to have to get out and bundle up to keep my walk going to make it to my 30-day goal.  

I've been considering the photographs to post, so I chose a few more to add to the number.  Since my name is published when I comment, one photograph will be my Grandfather's headstone; he was 69 years old when he passed away in 1905.  When you do the math, he was born in 1836.  Which means a lot of history.  He was in the Great War between the States (which is not commonly named these days). He joined a cavalry unit, along with his brothers. They were excellent horsemen. The Unit was the 3rd Louisiana Cavalry, Company I (i).   Not many folks can say that their grandfather fought and was paroled, given his citizenship back in 1865.

The second photograph is of a recent renovation being completed by a local attorney who has picked up the renovation bug to help restore some of the homes here.  Many Thanks go to him.  Its catty cornered from his law office,  It was in deporable shape broaded up, half rotten.

The third photograph is of our late Mayor's home, here in the Lil City by the Red. 

The fourth photograph is my own living room.  As you may can tell, I like stained glass.  The windows were commissioned by me, and built 20 years ago by a regional artist, Standard Glass, was his business. 

Another Walk in the Neighborhood

 As I continue my walking,  I'm averaging abot 2.4 miles a day walking around the neighborhood, My pace has increased and the weather is pleasant for the moment. 

The first photograph shows a home currently being renovated by a group of investors. The second photograph is of one of the main roads in town; it was brick when I came to town. The third photograph is of an old friend, who is a doctor; he is 78 and has just retired.

Thinking of the Future and Good Thoughts of the Past

 So many times, during my blog writing, it's been a mystery when a blogger goes silent. 

Where are they, what happened to them, has death or a tragic accident claimed them?   Have they just lost interest? I have had some of those moments myself.  But I always come back to my blog. Basically, only one other person knows about the blog, and that person actually knows me in person.   That is a friend from the local area who now lives up North; he returns to check on his mother from time to time.  He left the Lil City by the Red to follow his dream and forge a new beginning years ago.  

I have asked him to consider writing an epilogue when I pass to the hereafter.  To acknowledge my passing and draw a close to this blog.  He is considering my request. 

Now I have several people I have gotten to know from my blog.  I have met only one in person; he visited me some years ago.  I still cherish that moment of his walking off the plane in the Lil City by the Red. We have remained in contact for many years.

Its Been a very quiet day

It's been a very quiet Christmas Day here on the bricks of the Lil City by the Red.  I have several text conversations with dear friends, far and wide in area, but all very committed to Life in General.

My Momma would have been 105 today. She was born in Shreveport, La, on December 25th, 1920.   My Daddy would have been 122 this past October.  Both of them married late in Life; however, they shared ten vibrant years together before he passed on in November 1962.  

A Quiet Day of Reflection and Counting my blessings as I travel into another year.   This coming year, I will celebrate 52 years in my professional career. In the field of what is now deemed Criminal Justice.   More about that later. 

"Garden District"

 Photographs from my neighborhood, while I was on a walk yesterday.  The neighborhood is named "The Garden District" for the red brick streets that were laid in 1903.  The Camillas are in full bloom all around the neighborhood.  

Traveling Down to Elton, La.

 This morning I made my annual trip to Elton, Louisiana.  it is located on the Plains of Southwest Louisiana, deep in the Heart of Acadiana.  Down to see the Bertrand Family, to pick up my Christmas Rice.  I have been purchasing Rice from the Bertrands for 26 plus years.  It's a family enterprise that includes Rice Farmers, Musicians, and Raconteurs.

As I have said in a previous post discussing the Louisiana weather, here are some prime examples of a Gray Day, over the Rice Fields of Southwest Louisiana. 

The first photograph is of a Rice Field, it's flooded with water, as you can tell. That is because the rice has been harvested, and the field was flooded to prepare for the next crop, which is Crawfish. 

The second photograph is a pump station of a rice field; in the background, you can see the crawfish traps.

The third photograph is of an old Rice Mill, near Elton, La.

The fourth photograph is the rice gift itself. On the back of the rice bag is "Christmas 2025, From My Kitchen to Your Kitchen".

  

The Approaching Day..

 The 25th is not only a day of celebration, but also a day of remembrance for the Thompson Family.   My Momma was born on the 25th day of December 1920.  My maternal grandfather gave my grandmother a clock on that day, which sits on the mantel of my daughter's home. It's a seven-day clock. You wind it up, it runs for seven days, tick tock tick tock, and it's still striking its mellow tone at the hour and a ding, on the half hour.  Also, my dear daughter-in-law, wife of the IV, was born on the 25th of this month.   

Louisiana Weather

 Most winter weather here in this Great State of Louisiana, Home of Bayous, Mosquitos, Bugs, and various poison creatures, including Vile Politicians, is cloudy, foggy, damp, and not much sunshine. 

It's Gumbo weather !!!!

Life Lived... Life Contining... Life Sober!!!! A Realization of Past and Present

My career has been one of great accomplishments, for an Out Gay Man, living in the very Rural South, the Bible Belt of Louisiana, so to speak.  As I have said in my profile on this page, it has its rewards and its drawbacks.  My struggles have been mostly internal.  After my Daddy's death, when I was 8 years old, I became tongue-tied.  That led to speech therapy, long trips to see the therapist in Baton Rouge, etc. My Daddy's death dealt a blow to me, being the firstborn, being 8 years old, being told you must be the Man of the House, and leading to educational failure a few years later.   (it took me 4 years to get out of the 7th and 8th grades). My Dear Momma had the weight of being a single Mother, wth three young children to raise, running a 1000-acre farm, and enduring a society back then that was demanding that she remarry. The year was 1962 at the time of my Daddy's Death.   Her frustration boiled over with me, and I can still hear her voice yelling at me. Tommy, you are going to be a "Ditch Digger all your Life, nothing More".  

 My Momma had the wisdom to understand that the school that I was attending had grown weary of me, and I had grown weary of the school.  In her own powerful way, she changed and we rode across the parish line to a school in another town.   My Mother had become my Father in those ensuing years, Strong and determined. It was her own resilience, brought on by her service in WW2, as a Buck Sargent in the U.S. Army Women's Air Corps, that made her forcefulness so effective. All three of us crossed the parish line and attended a school in another district without a peep of resistance from anyone.

 There at that school was a man, a principal named Charles W. "Billy" Smith, who saw some potential in a young kid named Tommy, who was lost in his world, who barely could speak but could after being given time to answer.  Smith saw a dim light; he was determined to make sure that dim light shone brightly one day.

I credit Mr. Billy for putting me on a foundation; I credit my Momma for not giving up on me during all those years, even tho she yelled at me out of frustration.  As I write this, I am into my 51st year of a career that began in 1974 and continues today.  My hallway at my house has awards, commendations, plaques, Commendations from three separate governors, the BOP, and LaDOC letters of commendation, and Awards from this and that organization lining the hallway.

 Mr. Billy sent my application to Southeastern Louisiana University. He instructed me to work hard, not to party, to go to the library to study, and not to get caught up in any fraternity. ... I took his instructions to heart; my BA degree came in three years, from the summer of 1973 to the summer of 1976.

Life has had its struggles, as Momma would say so many times, "It takes a lot of living to live".

Charles W. Billy Smith went on to become the Dean of Education, at LSU, Momma ran the Farm with a firm hand until her death in 2001, and Tommy had many successful titles, acolates, as Director of Classification, Deputy Warden, Warden, Director of Public Works, Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Public Safety, Executive Director of Judical District, an Out Gay Man, and finally a semi retired Consultant in Corrections.

As A Footnote: Momma remained a Widow, never remarried, raised three very successful children, me, my brother, who is a cattlemen, Police Juror, my baby sister, Retired Lt. Colonel USAF.

Well Its Late

 Today culminated in a discussion with one of my medical doctors.  We discussed an area I am experiencing at the moment. It is the decrease in my social circle here in the Lil City by the Red.  In the last three years or so, I have had a few unpleasant political attacks because I drew the ire of some folks. Back in the day, (and for a footnote) I have been in the public service since 1974. The only good thing is that those folks were defeated at the polls.  So the folks I speak of are no longer in my arena, Poof!!

But those times are long gone, a nastiness has come over the political world that I revolve in, it's the "take no prisoners mentality", "it's the if you disagree with me, then you are my enemy". Period!!

The second part of this decrease is that, for some reason, either folks have moved away or passed away, it seems by the droves.  I have counted 17 people who are no longer here in the Lil" City by the Red, who would interact with me on either a daily or weekly basis.   Also, if you go to the gym, no one wants to say hello, they are in their own world with ear buds plugged inside, their lil' ears humming their tunes.  Can't folks just say hi, nod their heads, and smile? 

The isolationism is Awful ... I am going to try to overcome it and break out of the mundane here.

It's Late, I need to go to bed.  Nite Nite!!

Appiontments !!!!

This week I have two appointments to see to.   One is with my primary care doctor, the other with my psychiatrist.  Yep, I have graduated up the scale of mental health.  Years ago, I saw a BCSW. Then, about 10 years ago, I began seeing a psychologist who was noted as a prescribing psychologist. Now I am seeing a psychiatrist. I. Now we are in the Big Times.   

As my career blossomed, so did the stress of managing a confined population and a large staff. At one time, I had approximately 2,700 confined individuals under my umbrella of units, and about 970 staff. Between both groups, they almost drove me totally bat shit crazy.   Just to have someone to talk to confidently helped in so many ways.   I am very much of the opinion that if you are in a management position, you might or should find someone who will listen to you without being judgmental and can offer solutions for coping with all the stresses, all in a confidential manner.

Trip Back Home

Today I made the trek back to the land of my birth; it's a five-and-a-half-hour round trip, only 80 miles away. Still, it takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to go those 80 miles on two-lane country roads here in Louisiana. You leave the Lil City by the Red drive down Louisiana Highway One, which was the first black top road to be built in Louisiana by Huey P. Long, "The Kingfish".  The road runs from the Arkansas/Louisiana Line to the Island of Grand Isle, where it dead-ends at the beach on Grand Isle.   It passes through the heart of Sugar Cane Country as you approach Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee Parishes, the country turns into vast fields of sugar cane.  The first two photos are on the new suspension Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River between New Roads and St Francisville, Louisiana.  The last or bottom photo is driving through the the dense fog behind an Sugar Cane Wagon, notice in that photo the Sugar cane that is on the side of the road way, that was taken on La Hwy One as I crossed the Morganza Spillway, it has 124 gates that hold back the mighty Misssippi River, they have only been open twice in my life time.     In late winter, you must watch out during rainstorms so that the roadways do become slippery with sugar cane juice. 

The very top photo was taken me on a trip back to the land of my Birth, 3 years ago or maybe a lil bit longer. I can't remember.  But it's my favorite photo of that bridge.  The other two photos were taken today from inside my truck. 

 

Devotions By Mary Oliver

 Several Days ago, I ordered the  Book of Poems/Writings by Mary Oliver.  I had read in one of my daily reads, written by a Blogger (for privacy ), I will not share his site, cause I have not inquired to, according to the ethics, I don't share unless I ask and get permission.   

So, I have been reading the selected poems in this Book (Devotions by Mary Oliver). I haven't read a book of poems in years. I tend to read historical books. My last was a discussion of the Boer War in South Africa and the forming of what was to lead to WW1.

However, the poem "The Journey." Hit Home so much when I received the book from Amazon, the first poem I read was "The Journey". So I continued reading this book. I wish I had known of her sooner. She is a brilliant writer, and her poems consumed me for the next day or so.  It's by my bedside now. 

 The  Blogger, whom I give credit to for leading me to Mary Oliver, is so thoughtful, so intuitive; he is genuinely a Soul of Warmth and Heart.

Thank You Sir, for leading me to Mary Oliver.

Delivering the Bad News

 Today, I had the unpleasant duty to inform a young man (age 25) that his grandmother had passed away.

He is living here in the next small city across the river from the Lil City by the Red.  

He is also estranged from his family, which lives in the next parish from where I was raised, which is why I was called upon to deliver the news.   When he answered the phone, I asked him if his grandfather was Mr. D.E. He said yes. I then said I need to tell you some news. "Please bear with me," I then said your GM has passed away,

He hung up in my face.  I can understand the shock and the behavior at that moment. I then texted him and said You are listed as the first grandchild. Would u like to see the obit?  

All I got was a text 30 minutes later saying "send it to me".

I did my duty and knew that he had been estranged from his family for some time.  

I will excuse his behavior due to the moment and the shock of it all. 

Lunch Today and Another Sober Day

 For Lunch today, I was taken by a dear friend, who has become my adoptive brother, younger brother that is.   He is quite successful in the Practice of Law here on the Red Bricks.   We have very private conversations; he knows all of my business, to be perfectly honest and upfront. All of it.

I cherish his advice, and he has learned from my falls that we are all human. 

He always comes by either on my birthday or a day or so afterwards, takes me to lunch or supper. Since my stint in the hospital here in mid-November, I am very sober, and he understands that one of my falls was the lack of socialization in this community at large.  He knows that my social support circle has shrunk drastically in the last two and a half years, that  I have lost dear friends by death, transfers, and just not wanting to be around me.  He, on the other hand, has always told me, I will not abandon you, Tommy, not even when you fall in the cow paddy.   He is a true friend..  

So we went to lunch at a new cafe in town, one that is located as the town itself moves farther West. A new part of town with new residences, new shops, and new eateries. Etc..

Woke Up Early Remebering The Farm

 With no liquor these days, I tend to go to bed early and then wake up early as well, so today I woke up at 4am. Decided to get up, fix the standard Louisiana breakfast: Momma's biscuits, Coffee with heavy cream, and Steen's Sugar Cane Syrup.   Steens, Abbeville, LA

It's the best cane syrup in Louisiana.  And on cold mornings at this, with strong French-pressed coffee and the fireplace roaring before sunrise, it reminds me of life back in the hallowed lands of my birth West Feliciana Parish 

Have You Noticed All the Black Autos around

 It seems that there is a lot more Black Autos with black grills lurking around. Seems that everyone wants to drive a Black Vehicle. Mimicking those Government Folks.. 

Now I have to admit I do drive a Big Black Truck, but I bought it before he came into the office.  I purchased it in 2022 (back in February 2022).

 I was out and about today and realized all these Fo Wana A Be owners... with their Black Vehicles, Black Grilles, and Black Rims... want to mimic the Powers in DC... 

 I might have to change.

Nice Day .. Got out and went to Jackson Ms. and now Back Home on the Brick Streets of the Garden District.

 Well, I made the trip to Jackson, MS.    As I was leaving out of Pineville, LA, on  LA Hwy 28, I saw a group of monks walking on the side of the road with a Police escort.  You don't see Buddhist Monks every day in Central LA....   I wish I had taken a photo, but the Police escort was waving the traffic by as these monks in their heavy woolen dress, a burnt orange in color, were marching down this heavily trafficked roadway.   The group had a leader who was about 60 feet in front of the group... all dressed alike. The group was about 20 or so.   Someone messaged me about that time, and it popped up on my screen asking if I had seen the monks... 

I made it to Jackson, MS, and back, all 358 miles.  Having the big black truck makes riding comfortable on a long trip like that...  set on cruise. And ride along...

Buddist.  

Road Trip

 Tomorrow I will climb in the Big Black Truck and head East across the Big Muddy to Mississippi, headed to Jackson, MS, to sign my new contract for another year. So here.  Glad to be of service, and the reimbursement is quite nice ... I'll do my part for sure.

 It's 179 miles through the woods, only 36 miles is interstate, but maybe I can catch some fall leaves if the frost hasn't gotten them yet. Takes me 3 hours 25 minutes to traverse the hills and hollows of the back country. That's one way..  Sign the contract and have lunch head back home.  Light the cigar on the way home.. 

Worlds AIDS Day

 Here  I am. Deep in the Heart of what is considered the Rural Bible Belt of Louisiana.

But our local HIV/AIDS organization is here to celebrate and help us all remember the Day. 

Bravo for Them!!!!

If the current occupants of our government in DC  did not recognize it, WE sure did here in Deep Central Louisiana.  BRAVO !!!!  Photo to follow tomorrow.