Day Trip

We had fun today on our day trip around Jackson. We took the gas-saving scooter since the weather was nice. After going to the Welty House, we skirted the Ross Barnett Reservoir and enjoyed the weather, making stops at the wildlife sanctuary and the overlook. By Todd's calculation we went about 60 miles on less than a gallon of gas.

Delta Wedding

The first Welty novel I read years ago was Delta Wedding, a fascinating family description. I'll try to find the book and reread it.

Welty Gardens

The docents said the Welty gardens are largely unchanged from when Welty's mother planted it decades ago. In fact, the wooden arbors in the garden were rebuilt of steel using old photographs of the original arbors. This is a photo of one.

Eudora Welty Home

We went to the grand opening of the Eudora Welty home in Jackson today, along with hundreds of others. It was a beautiful day and the tours did not disappoint. The home is furnished as if Ms Welty is just in the next room - for example, there is a used coffee cup on the kitchen table. No photos were allowed inside the house, but this is an exterior shot.
Info on Eudora Welty House

Ear Candy

What I'm listening to these days

Podcasts:
43 Folders
E! 'Answer Bitch'

On the MP3 player:
-Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Dani California'
-Teddy Geiger 'Gentlemen' and 'For You I Will'
-The Fray 'Over My Head'
-Retro 90s Will Smith

Mike the Tiger

We visited Louisiana State University on our Baton Rouge trip this weekend. The highlight of the university trip was visiting the LSU live mascot's new multi-million-dollar tiger cage, recently constructed on campus. If you look at the fence behind my elbow, you can see the belly of the big cat lying on the ground sunning himself.

Honey, I Shaved the Cat

Reilly the cat has a shedding problem. Todd has decided that constant brushing does no good - the only solution, he says, is shaving him. Reilly was absolutely +thrilled+ to sit for 15 minutes for this shave attempt. It took 2 of us to hold him. Our inexpensive beard shaver just wasn't up for the job - leaving a patchy area and another area simply trimming the existing hairs about 1/2 inch. The first photo is the result. Good-natured Reilly has not held it against us. He simply continued to shed this evening.

Baton Rouge Trip

We just returned from a weekend trip to Baton Rouge, La. Although a work-related trip, we were able to explore the town on Saturday. We visited the Louisiana State Capitol, which at 34 stories is the tallest U.S. capitol building, built in 1932. There are beautiful gardens surrounding the Capitol and the grounds also include the grave of former Gov. Huey P. Long, who was assassinated there in 1935. (More info on the Capitol, http://www.crt.state.la.us/tourism/capitol/capitol.htm). While we were there, others present were also gaping at the huge building, which has beautiful, symbolic architecture in the Art Deco style.

Facelift

Todd is painting our house this week - bright white paint is giving way to 'clay beige,' which is kind of an army green. We spent a lot of time last year remodeling the inside but had not changed the outward appearance of the house until this week. The difference is dramatic. Todd has a new paint sprayer which has enabled him (and a helper) to do the outside of the house in two afternoons. Last year I was working alone in the front yard of the house before we ever moved into it. A van drove by and a kid screamed out the passenger side at me: "Ugggg-ly house!" I was annoyed. So I'm thinking of that kid today as the outward appearance of the house has improved!

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

In an effort to read a bit more from Mississippi authors, I just finished Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams. A short read, it took me only three nights reading an hour or so per night to finish it. It's rather *shocking* in present day and I can't imagine how it went over in 1955 when it was published.

Family Reunion

Today at my husband's family reunion, we took this photo - from left to right - Kim, Charles, Mike, me and Todd.

Beers of the World

My father and Todd toasting to the Sam's Club 'beers of the world' collection. From right here in Jack-town to Czechoslovakia and Italy....

Cool New Shoes

I love my new shoes - the Sea to Shore Sport Shoe from www.LandsEnd.com - only $29.50 and available in a dozen colors. I'm talking about them ad nauseum to my friends and family. I am obsessing about buying another pair....

Romanov Prophecy

I just finished reading the Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry. I enjoyed the action and how it related to historical fact. It makes me want to read more about Russian history.

Pyromaniacs

Todd admits it, he loves fire. He had a craving for some real roasted weenies, so he built a backyard fire using some wood from a Katrina-downed tree. I was freaked out that it might catch the house afire, but it turned out fine. When he took this photo of me, I told him it was the "before" shot, and when the firemen arrived, we'd take the "after." Anyway, those were darn good hot dogs, and the s'mores were even better.