Miss USA

Here is a picture of a young woman that I admire her name is Carrie Prejean. It took a lot of courage for her to stand up and say what she did. It is a shame all of us don't practice this, in this world we live in instead of trying to be political correct (what ever that is ).We often forget what is really important. I say to MR. Hilton you wanted an answer ,but you wanted it to be what you thought not what she thought.

I don't mean to hurt anyone feeling but I think it is wrong. Anyway here is the link if you have not read it. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30322005/

And you look at it another way a lot of good men fought and died to give us the right to speak our minds and many other rights that we enjoy. So that give me the right to agree with Miss Prejean and disagree with Mr.Hilton.

Another Fun Trip With my Megan

Megan and I let Jacky (my Hubby ) tag along this time. I love to watch Walt Grayson's look around MS. I was watching it one day and he did a story on Clark Creek. He showed all these beautiful waterfall. As he was telling the story he told about how you need to be in very good health to go on this adventure. Well I thought to myself, I walk 5 miles or better a day this will be nothing. (BOY WAS I EVER WRONG). I was not prepared for this trip.

It was a beautiful day and with camera in hand we were off. Colter had the good sense not to go.(smart young man) any way back to my story.

We got there didn't take any water or snack big mistake. The going in was not that bad so cocky me was thinking nothing to this Walt is older maybe that is why it was so hard on him.. We made it to the first water fall and it was so beautiful. We stayed there for a while took pictures and really enjoyed it. We even made it to the 2nd waterfall and it was just as pretty. It was getting late by this time so we decided to save the others for another day. Well the bad thing was we had come down hill to this point and being as excite as I was I didn't really pay any attention to how steep those hills were, but let me tell you I sure did on the way out.

I didn't notice all the beautiful things I saw going in. All I could think of was I am going to die , I cannot make it up another hill lol. We would walk a little and stop and this kept on till I thought it would get dark before we could get out of the woods. I could just see the headlines in the paper.

OLD WOMAN HAD TO BE RESCUED COULD NOT MAKE IT. And loads of pictures.

Well to make a long story short I did make it out on my own. And a few year later just Megan and I decided to try it again. No I never learn. But we did things a little different this time. We went early one morning and believe it or not we made it to all the waterfalls on the trail. We took each took a back pack with a lunch , snack ,and most important water. We took our time that day. It took us most of the day. It was a warm day and we played in the water some also. That was a great day that I will remember always. Here are some pictures from our first trip.

So a big thanks to Megan for going on adventures, know matter how crazy with your MOM.

MY LOVE OF POEMS

I have always love to read poems,and sometimes I did not really get the meaning of them some of them. So I would read them over and over and yes over again until something clicked. I can remember having to get up in front of the class and recite them in school. The one I remember the most is Trees. This is the poem that really started my love for poetry. Don't ask me why it just did. Maybe it was my teacher and the way she read it to the class and helped us to understand it more. That teachers name was Chris Turner. She was a hard but loving teacher. She might not in later year remember your name but she knew she taught you at some point. She remembered my name, but mostly how shy I was. If you did not know me then and know me today that probably makes you laugh. Yes I was very shy! I am going to share a poem that I found a few years ago that for some reason spoke to my heart.

THE JOURNEY

by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

thought the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice-----

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop

You knew what you had to do,

thought the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do---

determined to save

the only life that you could save.

TRIP TO CEMETERY

Yes I guess we are a little strange, but maybe not. Their are so many things you can learn . And it has become a favorite road trip for us. I love to read what people put on the tombs, some tell of the love for their loved one who has passed on and other had favorite bible verses. I do lot of genealogy so it is nice to see that some family are putting the names of their children on the markers also.

Every year we go to Angels on The Bluff in Natchez, MS. Some people think a cemetery at night no way. But it is so much fun and you learn a lot. On our last trip we took our camera, hoping very much to get a visitor from the past or at least an orb, but was not lucky enough. We still had a great time. It is about a 2 hour walk through the cemetery stopping at 5 to 6 graves with the Natchez Little Theater acting out the person that is buried in that grave. They do a great job. They tell the story as if they were that person, dressing in the clothes that person might have worn at that time. I know a lot of research goes into it every year.

Here is a little history on th the Cemetery

The article is entitled “Historic Cemeteries of Natchez” and was written by Maude K. Barton, native and long time resident of Natchez.

The article is as follows: The old burying ground was a parrelogram the southern margin of which was Main Street for three hundred and twenty feet, the eastern margin was Fifth (now Union) Street for two hundred and ninety-seven feet, thence eastwardly another three hundred and twenty feet, street not named, then northwardly the remaining two hundred and ninety seven feet.

Part of that old cemetery is the Memorial Park, and all that remain of the dead buried there are a few bones in a common grave near Rankin Street.

Samuel Brooks, first mayor of Natchez, was buried there. He was mayor from 1803 to 1811, was a cousin to the celebrated Phillip Brooks. Mrs. Eliza C. Brooks left a donation to fence the old graveyard. This old burying ground was conveyed to the City of Natchez in the year 1817 for the nominal sum of five hundred dollars. All that time the place was a high hill and most unsuitable for a burying ground.

The first part of the new cemetery was purchased by the city consisting of about 10 acres, property of Col. John Steel. Part of which was immediately laid off for the remains of the persons belonging to the Roman Catholic Church, part for strangers, part for “persons of color”, and the rest for white persons of any church or no church at all.

Alleys and family squares were from a plan surveyed under a resolution of the President and Selectmen in the year 1824, we have no President and Selectmen now.

In that day the lots sold for fifteen dollars each, since the 7th of August 1890, the family squares or lots sell for thirty, thirty-five or forty dollars each. The sum of one thousand dollars was paid for Col. John Steel’s property.

In this old part of the city cemetery were buried many notable people in the history of this city and state. And some from Louisiana and other states. Also the grave and monument of the Royal Governor when this state was part of Louisiana, namely

Don Jose Vidal

Born in the City Cowna, Spain

March 12, 1763 died at New Orleans 22 of August 1823 Enjoyed the confidence of his sovereigns. He filled many offices of rank and trust in the Royal Government of the Province of Louisiana. Captain of Gragoons in the Spanish time; commandant of the Post of Concordia, consul of Spain at New Orleans.

This is on someone’s slab that must have suffered greatly and death was certainly relief too:

Death to the happy thou art terrible.

But how the wretched love to think of thee

Oh-thou true comforter the friend of all

We have no friend besides.

Considerable part has gone into the surrounding bayous, which though beautiful, are the curse of our own country. At one time it was an easy matter to find a skull or bone where the graves had been washed into the bayou. All that has been stopped since the Cemetery Association has taken charge. Some yeas ago the place was so overgrown with trees, vines and underbrush that it was a perfect paradise for snakes and birds, partridges ran around perfectly tame and would stand and look at you. Fact, have seen them myself.

The next new burying ground was bought from the heirs of Thos. Purnell and certain lots of it were appropriated for a place of interment of resident colored persons of the city, to be used graciously for that purpose on proper application and under the direction of the sexton. This was in 1855. In 1867 an additional burying ground was purchased by the City of Natchez from Margaret Case and in 1890 another plot was purchased of George Zurhellen and others. The pauper ground is outside of the fence surrounding the Catholic Cemetery.

Many a romance is hidden in those old graves, many queer names so forgotten in sound, cut on marble monuments. It is really interesting to read some of them. Flat on the ground and blackened with age is a plain slab just where it has fallen. “Sacred to the memory of Mary Ann Jennett, daughter of Peter and Ellen Raggio”. Also of Catherine Philomena, sister of the above, pretty names are they not. Near the bayou on that side of the city is a large square lot surrounded by a strong brick wall. The iron gate is gone and not a vestige of a grave or monument left. I wonder who it belonged to and how old it is. Nearby another overturned piece of marble, the top fragment reads: “In Memory of John Gilmore, native of the Parish.” All the rest is lost. Next to it is a dreadfully discolored leaning slab over which someone has hung a rusty iron chain, which reminds you of a ghost story, with “the rusty clanking chains.” An old Irvin Lot, part of the iron fence gone, six marble pillars dashed in a corner. A monument marks a grave of one born in 1772 and all died before 1850.

There is a large lot near with only a slight vestive of the brick wall left. Then handsome monument has its foundation giving away and the iron on top cracked, but the shaft is straight and tall. But yet a little while and it will be laid low. The man whose grave it marks was born in 1809. Near there are a lot of poor looking sunken graves, a number of them are marked with small boards painted white lettered in black in some cases, a small black hand is painted, pointing to the inscription. There is a beautiful old lot with the name “Hebert” on the iron gate. A strong iron fence surrounds it and a beautiful wrought iron archway like a wreath of leaves is over the gateway. Three fine monuments are in the lot. -->

GOTTA LOVE MAXINE

A few year ago I was introduced to Maxine. Right away I thought to myself she had to be a family member. It was so plain to me we were so much alike. It was like she was writing just what I was thinking. I am sure a lot of women feel the same way about our beloved Maxine. I know she has brightened a lot of days for me. So to the author of Maxine I say thank you very much for creating her. These are just a few of my favorite one. It was hard to pick ones to put on here. I suggest you look Maxine up she is a joy.

MY OLDER SISTER

For years people have told me how much I looked like my older sister Ida. I recently got some pictures from one of my great nieces. As I was looking through the pictures she sent me I came across one that I thought was me. Looking at it closer I thought to myself . I don't recognize where this was taken and I don't remember that dress. I went on looking at the pictures and came to others and I could tell it was my sister and not me. This was a real eye opener for me.

My Sister was such a talented person. She passed away in 1997. I still miss her a lot. I have a lot of her painting to enjoy and she left me a love of flowers. In the spring we would always swap cutting from different types of flowers.

She was a fun person to be around.

Love Ya Sis

A FUN TRIP TO LAKE OKHISSA

It was such a beautiful day we decided to take a road trip. This was a short one only a few miles down the road to Lake Okhissa. As I sat there looking over the lake I had to laugh to myself. I was remembering the first time I heard them talk about building this lake. It took me back to a very long time ago when I was a teenager. My Dad and I were having a conversation about it. He did not think that this would ever come to pass. I wish he could see it now and perhaps he is looking down at it smiling. It was a hot subject and then it just died down. It would be years down the road before the work really began. The subject was brought up from time to time, finally the work began.I remember after the clearing started I would make regular trips down there to check on the progress and sitting in this very pavilion trying to picture in my mind what it would look like full of water. I went down there one time and was so excited when I came back that I sent my teenagers down there to look. As with kids they could not see what I could see that day in my minds eye. When they came back I was like a little kids asking them all kind of questions. What did they think and how did they like it and etc? They looked at each other like what is wrong with this woman, maybe she has finally gone around the bend. And this is what they said to me. Looks like someone drop a bomb to us. And of course I was thinking what is wrong with them can't they picture how beautiful this will be.. We still laugh about that day but now that the water is there they share my view of how beautiful it really is.

It still amazes me how quick the lake has filled up. It has Porter Creek running through it and has a lot of natural springs feeding it. I remember on hot days we would wade in Porter Creek and how cold the water was.

MY BABIES

A few years ago I decided that I wanted some fainting goats. Yes that is right goats.
Most women want diamonds, pearl,etc. They are so much fun. I still have some off springs for my first nanny.

A fainting goat is a breed of domestic goat whose muscles freeze for roughly 10 seconds when the goat is startled. Though painless, this generally results in the animal collapsing on its side. The characteristic is caused by a hereditary genetic disorder called myotonia congenita. When startled, younger goats will stiffen and fall over. Older goats learn to spread their legs or lean against something when startled, and often they continue to run about in an awkward, stiff-legged shuffle.

I have really enjoyed these animals through the years. The children that live around me and even the grown-up stop by from time to time to enjoy my goats also. This is the newest addtions to our family

TRIP TO DESTIN FLORIDA

I have been on vacation for the last week. Got a lot done at home and then on Saturday morning we headed to Destin , Fl. with a stop at the strawberry festival. We got there in time for the parade. It was fun with beads and candy flying every where and people acting like they had never seen either. Sad to say but I was one of those crazy people. I figured that no one knew me so why not. You have to get a little crazy every now and then. The parade lasted about 2 hours. The parade ended and we walked around looking at different booths. They had lots of food booths and beer booths. It was so many people there.

And then we were on our way to FL. I was like a little kid could not wait to get there and play in the water. But by the time we got there got checked in our room it was to late to go to the beach.But I was up bright and early the next morning and woke everyone else up. We were off to eat at IHop and then on to the beach. The water was cold and choppy but that did not stop me. I had so much fun playing in the water. I loved the waves hitting me.

We got in so miniature golf while we were there and that was a lot of fun.And all to soon it was time to come home . But it was so nice to get away for a few days.I have one day left and then it is back to work for me. But that is ok I am going back again in June or July. So it I will be saving me some money for my next trip.
Labels: much needed trip

4/8/09
by lgc