Paul Simon sang the song; his line was "Days of Wonder" and so on.
We are, I believe, in the Days of Wander. Here, we are walking as a Nation, aimlessly among the Pine Trees, Swamps, Elegant Avenues, gravel roads, and alleyways. As July draws to a close, it's a crapshoot as to where we are headed next.
So, having a home base in Teseque, New Mexico, allowed me to visit my friends quite often. One of the partners was a geologist and a very renowned photographer in that regional area.
I got to see part of New Mexico that only locals knew about. My visits were very special to me as I look back.
Our friendship continues today through FaceTime and emails.
Here are a few photos of my exploration of the trails of New Mexico:
As I look/listen to the News, a common thread seems to be invading or has totally invaded politics and American Life.
It seems that some folks, I use the term "some folks" in a broad, generalized term, seems to want their ten minutes of fame, notoriety, or being called out for some type of scandalous actions.
You, I can tell you that from my experience, in the world of politics, no one goes unscathed for 99% of their career. The 1% should count their blessings and fade into a mundane, quiet life.
And now a Blast from the past:
As I was going through some old photographs, I ran across this one; both ladies have passed on to their respective Glory. One was the Asst Director of Classification; the other was the Business Manager at the facility we worked at in the late 1980s. At the time, I was the Director of Treatment, basically overseeing mental health, medical, classification, and records personnel at the facility.
Living on the Brick Streets, in the Lil' City by the Red, we have several traditions. One is the Mardi Gras Street dance that happens on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday; another one, which is much more routine, is Coffee at the Stroke of Three in the Afternoon.
Yep, Coffee at the Stroke of Three in the Afternoon, it's the gathering in the kitchen or outer room, with friends and having coffee brewed by way of the Drip Pot, and either taken black or taken with scalded milk and natural sugar, simmered on the stove, mixed equally in one motion of pouring it into the cup.
This is a typical Central La to Southeast La tradition; it's usually with the same folks that gather at a friend's home to discuss the day, etc., etc.
I am having my coffee as I type, but (and there is always a but) aint no body to have Coffee with today.
I arose at 530am this morning, ready to meet the day, here in the Lil' City by the Red. The humidity is on the rampage, hovering at about 78%, which is not surprising, since this state is known for its Banana Republic, complete with Governors with the Last name of Long, Edwards, Edwards, Treen, Roemer, and now Landry. We have gone from Yellow Dog Democrats to Red State Trumpists.
I am not sure why I started the above paragraph on that subject.
But it must be the frustration and impending doom that I feel for all things political these days.
Even in my chosen profession, there seems to be no rehabilitation; just lock the offenders up and throw away the key in this state presently. That mindset will break the budgets of state governments and send them all into a deficit crisis. The incarceration rate here in this Banana Republic is beginning to climb again, with no end in sight. The new sentencing laws of the current government, the Bubba Conservatism, and the lack of education contribute to the overwhelming anxiety of most citizens.
Did I get up too early, or was it just a day to think, or was it the humidity that drove me crazy?
August will be here before we realize. Which means for us down here in Deep Louisiana, more searing heat, high humidity, etc. It also, in the last few years, warms the Gulf of Mexico. The temps down at the South Pass of the Mississippi, at Grand Isle, are horrific. Thus, the warm water is a breeding ground to supply a hurricane with the warm water it needs, i.e., Katrina, Betsy, Camille, and the list goes on.
Let's hope we get a pass on that hurricane, as we did with the recent Tropical Storm Bertha.
We will see if the August Heat, brings a Hurricane in September.
They say a photograph delivers a thought; it certainly lets me remember the beginnings of my service in the Public Sector.
As I go on this Journey, I was usually the one taking photographs of events and life in my career.
The photograph below was taken at a facility in the parish of my ancestors, which is the neighboring parish where I was raised.
If you Google East Feliciana, you get a sense of where I originated. Just think back 60 years or so, it was very rural, Yellow Dog Democrats etc, etc.
And as you have seen, me currently with the white hair . I wasn't that in my younger years.
Up early on a Sunday morning, sat on the front porch, enjoyed the music, loved the cigar. The humidity ran me inside in about an hour and a half.
While I was walking in the front yard, my lone coneflower attracted a bumblebee.
Here is the photo:
Many times, after I came to the Lil' City by the Red, I was invited down the street to a home that became my second set of parents. As discussed previously, my Daddy passed away in 1962, and then my Momma passed away in 2001.
I was sort of adopted by this couple, who are credited with beginning the renovation resurgence of many years ago. They, on their own, renovated 17 homes in our lil' neighborhood and brought the Garden District back to life.
Every Saturday afternoon, after this couple would come from Mass, which would be about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, I would mosey on down the street to their home, sit on a stool in the kitchen, and drink cheap wine, hear the tales and memories of this couple and their way of life.
I learned an encyclopedia of information from them: how to cope with life in the Lil' City by the Red, how to glaze windows with Dapp 33, how to sand long-leaf pine floors, and the list goes on and on. One of the best pieces of knowledge was about the political climate and who knew what and when. That survival information proved vital to my career as the years ticked and tocked onward.
The Lady of the House passed away in July 2022; I cared for the husband up until I found him on the kitchen floor in 2023. He resides with/near his children in the Big Easy; they care for him, and he is now 96.
As a note, I still check on the home each week, adjust the a/c to meet the climate, gather the mail, and sit on that bar stool in that kitchen and remember past times. I am the caretaker of the home, since the owner now resides with his children, as described above.
Here is a photo of the home, which my adopted parents own.
So Many times over the years of blogging, the Standard of Operations among those writers in the blog world has changed, been modified, etc etc.
I have noted more photos; certainly, I have included more over the last couple of years. As I progressed from a full head of hair, to salt and pepper, to silver, now ending up mostly white-headed. Which are signs of My Dear Mother; she was white-headed as much as she could be, passing at 80+ in 2001.
In keeping with the SOP of the current day. The first photograph was taken on one of my daily walks in the neighborhood. It's of a lily:
Ya'll can describe what the second photograph is :
I came to the Lil' City by the Red in 1981, on a trip with another administrator. It was a time when there was no a/c in the state vehicles; it was about this time of the year. We traveled up here due to a judicial commitment.
I am reminded to Never say Never. I told that administrator that I sure wouldn't want to live in such a place as the Lil City by the Red.
Then, in 1991, I received my first appointment as a Deputy Warden, and where was I assigned? At a place called Camp Beauregard, which lies in the area of Post de Rapides. Yes, across the river is where.... Lil City by the Red.
Thus I came to eat my words, for sure. Here I am in 2026, been here so long I have a plot in Greenwood Cemetery, am a known figure in some circles, etc etc
It's Raining Again here in the Lil City by the Red.
The Lil' City by the Red gained another business here recently. Juneau's Meats moved into the Town and Country Meat location, once owned by the Warren Family, now owned and operated by the Juneau Family of Avoyelles and Evangeline Parishes. After the passing of the main owner of Town and Country Meats, the business began to decline. The Juneau Family has the right balance of Customer Satisfaction and Customer Appeal, which results in great products. They are known for Boudin and Smoked Specialty Meats.
Making my Saturday rounds of the Hardware Store, Meat Market, and grocery store, I stopped by Juneau's and met the new owner and his wife. It's a family business, keeping that tradition established by the previous owner 50 years ago.
It's progress here in the Lil City by the Red, where when a patriarch or matriarch passes, the business dies with them. I am very glad to see this business take a turn for the better. I can tell by the staff as they greet you when u walk in the door !!!!
Today, an old friend and I went out for lunch, dinner, actually, here in the Deep Deep South. We went to the new restaurant in town, the "Golden Lotus". It's a white-tablecloth restaurant owned by an Indian family from Goa. I had the Butter Chicken; I elected not to have it spicy, and it was spicy enough. Getting out for dinner (or lunch) used to be a good break from the workday. I rarely leave the house now, except for my daily walk. So, getting out to eat was a welcome break.
As I opened the email program for my contract with the State, I let my mind wander to items I needed to take care of today: go to the bank, the hardware store, the gas station, etc.
After making my rounds, I came home, had leftovers from the weekend, and bemoaned the ever-shrinking social circle to myself. Yes, another passes away. It's a recurring theme for me. I will not belabor the point, just mentioning it for historical measures.
At least we have rain; three summers ago, we went without rain for almost 5 weeks. This summer is like the summers of my teenage years: a thunderstorm brews up, rumbles on, rain comes, then the muggy heat returns.
Random thoughts lately.
From time to time, I think of What If, of What Could, of What Will.
Not really putting my thoughts on a blog, but letting my mind wander through my Life's experiences and my own behavior in them.
So, today, I am wandering through . The Grey Matter Forest.
Happy Fourth of July, knowing that I won't be around for the 300th Celebration; I am at this moment in time, Wishing All Y'all a Very Happy Fourth of July