Friday, December 26, 2014

Low sixties and down from a breeze....







Today I'm in the yard watching the clouds roll by.
Low sixties and down from a breeze....
I'm sitting on a picnic table near the creek.
A loud chickadee is either singing to me or scolding me I haven't decided which.

The pool is full from last week's rains.
The day is mild, typically southern.
A wet weather system is supposed to be blowing in later tonight. Another 3 to 6 inches of rain to be dribbled and poured onto the wet,  winter earth surrounding my house on the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain
Christmas came and went bringing the family near as it should be. Good food, memories and plans for the future.
Narcissus bulbs planted and a few loads of clothes fluff and folded aleady.
The sun screams as it breaks through the clouds ever so strongly but breifly.
Life is good and full.
Animals are singing announcing themselves.
The wind rustles in the cat tails and scoots up the trees all the way to the top of the leaves. The loosest leaves dangle gently vibrating like a blanket listing on the air. Listen hard and imagine you can hear their ringing like little Tibetan temple bells.

Lazy December (last work day off) kind of  Day.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Sunday Mornings

Sunday mornings are best begun with long deep yawns and a cup of coffee...
with chicory.

Friday, November 28, 2014

The Day After Thanksgiving







I'm on the back porch.
It's 58 degrees.
The sun is in my eyes and I feel warm on my cheeks.
Glorious day after Thanksgiving.
The leaves fall as the breeze picks up. Squirrels and birds are speaking ~ trying get this Sun while they can.

Slowly I'm feeling some of that tension beneath my right shoulder blade loosen up. The wind chimes rocking back and forth. Kindly and slowly.

So glad the weekend is here.

A moment of silence in honor of shrimp merliton casserole.

This year a series of unfortunate events changed our Thanksgiving plans. Instead of a family holiday in the mountains, we found ourselves at home with a gutted kitchen unable to host the annual family gathering. Thankfully my brother and sister-in-law had her family and ours for Thanksgiving at their waterfront home on Lake Pontchartrain.
Thank goodness I shopped on line earlier in the week because the Honeybaked ham store was packed. Once I went through the cattleline I had the preordered ham with a bone in hand.
A ham with a bone is a southern tradition. A necessity in and of itself. It is meant to be used for cooking after the holiday. It offers a reminder of times with family. Like a kiss to take with you as you go out the door.
My family's Thanksgiving follows a fairly regular menu. All that changes are the names of the cooks who prepare cherished Southern recipes with their own tradition and care.
Honey Baked Ham and turkey with giblet gravy. Baked maccaroni and cheese and my grandma's sweet potato casserole. Momma's cornbread dressing and my sister-in-law's mom's oyster dressing.  Shrimp merliton cassrole.  ~A moment of silence in honor of shrimp merliton casserole. ~
The kids were sweet. The hugs were tight the  words were deep and meaningful.
A good time was passed by all. Laughs, photographs, memories.
I couldn't ask for more.
My Mom and I discussed it and we both agree; The fact that my 24 year old nephew asked to have the ham bone to bring home for later cooking was significant as a sign of his newly found level of maturity.
That's when it hit me... This would not happen outside of the south.
If it did, it certainly wouldn't be an indication of a young man's entry into adulthood.
The South where recipes and traditions are handed down by many family members who have long since passed on. It is inevitable that so many of life's descriptions, adjectives and analogys surround food.

My Cup Runneth Over











From the moment of my rising until the last wakeful memory of each day I am overcome with sincere gratitude. I'm thankful for every breath, every hug,  every second of this life I am blessed to live.  I wish to savor the time spent with those I love deeply, and appreciate the impact that even the smallest exchange with another can have on my life. Thanks to all who have come in and out of my life and with sincerity of heart I am thankful to those who remain. My cup runneth over.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

I am a Southern Girl by Birth...

 ...and a native New Orleanian by the grace of Gawd. I've never considered myself a country girl. A southern girl yes, but not a country girl. That is until a month ago. My husband and I found our dream house rather by accident and left the suburbs that we fled to before we started a family. Situated about 75 miles north of New Orleans, it is a totally different world. A totally different vibe. A totally different speed. We are living in the country. 
I intend to savor every moment of every day and appreciate all of the little things. Here in the country where it's less crowded and there's more space it's easier to see the things that would have fallen between the cracks. Amidst the disorganization and frenzy of half unpacked boxes that litter my home, I am finding a gradual inner peace that has been locked away for quite some time. I want to make the next chapter of my life  mean more. I want to taste every taste. Appreciate the smallest if details. Welcome to the back porch the conversations are beginning.

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Leaving the 'Dell

There's a comfort that comes from the familiar. Like the warm summer breeze it just comes.
That's the feeling I get sitting on my back porch outside of New Orleans. Wind chimes are shimmying an "every-now-and-then" song.   Squirrels jump from the oak tree to the gutter scrambling after snacks. Somewhere a weenie dog sounds mad. The birds, some seagulls,. someone's air conditioner. White noise plays in the background. I'm not alone. I am in my own my space with a lizard going from green to brown to rust and he walks on the rust colored rug.  Colored like fall.
I am excited, affirmed, and anxious. I am at peace but I am scared. I am leaving this suburban utopia near the highway. It has has grown large enough to look like the New Orleans I remember when we moved out of New Orleans.
We are moving.
Seeking Live Oaks, Hills, Horses & Heaven. Up there if a guy walks out of the woods with a shot gun, you know that whatever he shot had four legs.
Buying the dream house in the country.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

It's a Southern Thing...


NOLA Speak: What are New Orleans Go Cups?

I Have Settled Back Into the Comfortable




I have settled back into the comfortable. 
I am back at home, working the normal routine of my daily life.
Stories dont come as easily here in the real world.
I look deeper and beneath the layers I rediscover the dearness of everyday simplicity.
It is after all, the time and ordinary happenings of the everyday that make up the sum of our lives.
No there isnt a waterfront view from my back porch, and no my back porch is not a balcony.
My back porch is the space between my living and the garden.
It has a warm breeze thrown by ceiling fan and is awash in the fragrance of someones blooming sweet olive bush nearby.
I take in the familiar and search deeper beneath the layers.
Here I am happy.
I am at home.


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

•´♥¨`*•✿(ˆ◡ˆ)✿ ~ 1 woman , a beach ....flip flops and cold strong drinks



. .´¨`*(ˆˆ) ~ 1  woman , a beach ....flip flops and cold strong drinks.
The last leg of the family is driving in from Louisiana.
Little Feat singing to me and I notice the boat parade is rolling this evening.
Much needed family time.
Little feet will be running on the tile floors tonight.
Missing the old man.
On his way.

Clean soft cotton sheets on each luxurious bed.
Fluffed pillows and dusted end tables.
Clean towels and good smelling hand soap.

Prime rib in the oven
Red wine chillen.
Sunset paints the backdrop.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

¸.•´♥¨`*•✿(ˆ◡ˆ)✿The weather has permitted

The sun is rising over Ono Island.¸.´´¯`.¸¸pinks and tangerine hues are now stretched by the sun breaking through.

.• •❥ Brighter, more fantastic colors are coming up.
This late spring morning brings the first warmth felt to my cheeks this year.¸.•´♥¨`*•ˆ)
The weather has permitted. ¸.
Permitted the life to happen in front of it.
The weather has been memorably spectacular.¸.´´¯`.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..(¯`´¯) 
                                                                                                                                 *.¸.*✻  
The tide goes on bringing life in and out of the pass.
Sand outlines the happenings like an eyelet boarder.`*.¸.*
The sweet smell of the ripe fruit in the bowl beneath my nose, hangs in the air capturing my senses.´´¯`.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..

¸.Soon the house will be full again.
Laughter and small feet bare on the tile.

Missing family who are not here with me.´´¯`.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..


Friday, May 16, 2014

The Place on the Beach will soon feel complete



I have become comfortable in these surroundings.
Welcoming in the last cool front of the season.
My heart is warming. 
Family is beginning to arrive.
The Place on the Beach will soon feel complete with them in the midst.
Days will roll into nights.
Good times will pass between us.
Music and photographs.

Laughter and tenderness and awkward moments will paint our memories.
I am happy.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Lisa



Her idea of friendship can seem one sided.
I suppose she would say the same of me if asked.
I mean doesn’t everyone see their own side when things go bad?

Why doesn't she ever offer.. to pay. to place the call, to organize things?
..never.
She sits in the background, out in the open waiting,  
She dares the etiquette in each one of us to take the higher ground..
Passively casting emotional threats  ~ unsaid but present.
We do take the higher ground and avoid conflict.  Our good upbringing and manners have us hardwired to avoid conflict even when it’s uncomfortable, but it is present none the lesshanging there like smoke in a still room.

She is smart but has trouble beginning sentences.  It’s as though all of her thoughts are trying to get out of her at once.
Every once in a while a glimmer of the hurt little girl comes through. 
For an instant empathy takes hold. 
Then she doesn’t offer and you’re reminded.

She is a contradiction between vulnerability and bravado.
She acts like she doesn't care what others think but hangs on every word, taking it deeply into her, and storing it away for another time or conversation.

Over a lifetime I have learned that it is tiring to love Lisa.  
She is someone who’s glass is never ½ full. Her angst has become ritual.
Her pain spills over into the outside. 
She arrives to each and every conversation baggage in hand
I have begun to notice that it’s as if the air gets sucked out of the room when she speaks, and her pain spills over into the outside.

I have tried to help her unpack her luggage.  
To unburden her soul. 
I have tried to carry her baggage, but the weight of my own fills my arms and leaves me with no space to fit anything else.

More times than most she speaks through text. Half complete sentences and phrases, requiring you to ask for clarification drawing you farther into that room where the air had been sucked out earlier.

I love her, but increasingly as time goes on, I am faced with a Gulf that has grown between us. 
I am not sure we will be able to get back to where we were. 
So much water fills the gulf now and as time passes the current gets stronger.

For now I will avoid swimming upstream and remain on the beach, soaking up the sun on the side lines. Time is on my side.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

...as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party ~ Jimmy Buffett


Lazy morning on Balcony. Back Bay breeze. 

Better Than Ezra singing "Extraordinary". Humming along happy.

"Searching is half the fun: life is much more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party."

Jimmy Buffett


.•´♥¨`*•✿ riding shotgun on the way back towards New Orleans

“No need to turn on the G.P.S. I know where I am going.” Stephanie pulled off in the black Cadillac with Adelle riding shotgun on the way back towards New Orleans.

As Adele tells it; ”when we passed the giant ferris wheel, I realized that Stephanie’s measure of her knowledge far surpassed reality, and included no hint of spacial concepts”. .•´♥¨`*•✿

Stephanie entertains at times. Scathing wit.
Detailed knowledge about so many things…... things you wish you knew, but don’t because of the amount of random brain power it takes to retain it all.

Sista is geographically challenged and in denial about this deficit . The story Stephanie told was that to avoid hitting the car she drove off the road. ~
The cops had to tow her out of the ditch.

She can be such a pain in the ass.
High maintenance has a new face.
Jersey girl takes effort to love. But oh my god, her energy lights up a room.
She brings “Tastee Cakes” and “Crispy Cream” doughnuts to the beach.

So many good times are had with her somewhere in the picture. Love this one deeply.

Adelle explains “Several miles past the giant Ferris wheel, she saw she was Lossed.”
Stephanie said “I don’t remember that water, this pond, no this bayou".

As Adelle was plugging in her G.P.S. she cleared her throat by “saying…that's because we are going the wrong way.”
Stephanie says “yeah, but we can get there from here.”
Adelle replies “ yeah because we will now be using a G.P.S.”.

As Adelle was telling it, I saw one of my favorite story parts. Alice standing beneath Cheshire cat in the tree. Alice says:














Listening to Adelle’s tale I see with clarity and utter comedy the gifts these woman bring to my life.
Comedy and clarity.

Uniting some of my favorite sayings, drinks, songs, memories.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

I am fetching her a glass of Moscato.

Adelle  was a dark haired girl who grew into a Platinum Blonde.
Sultry doesn’t touch her vocal treasure chest.
Mannerisms are refined.
Classic southern beauty .
A Flaming overture of charm, wit and depth of understanding..
I am fetching her a glass of Moscato.
Bare feet,
Stone balcony. 
Flip Flops.
To the bar the clink of a wine glass.
Search for corkscrew.

Splash into cup.bubley.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Forever Returning There


.•*¨*¨*• Bad Company singing Lunch to Us.

.•*¨*• Bad Company singing Lunch to Us  .
It's  brunch.  Really lunch time, but on Orange Beach time. Paul Rodgers is singing about the sky being silver, blue & gold. ••
 Here it is simply a magnificent Gray..•*¨*••*¨


Somewhere between flannel and smoke ~ but lighter and fluffier.. 
The sun is on retainer for another day and time.
The waves roll this morning on the Back Bay, 
constant and methodic rocking me through the day. Its marvelous how the air moves up here on the balcony above life.

Elton John is guiding me we have gone crazy lately.. my friends out there.. Sugar Bear.. butterflies are free to fly.   
Life is good. I am blessed.