Day 41 of 365, Stave off Winter Colds

Day 41 of 365, I went to the produce stand. Here I am picking Tangelos. I set my camera in the pears and pressed the self timer to get this. I was not going to keep propping my camera up on all the fruit to try to get a descent pic. So, this is it. I have not been feeling well for the last couple weeks. That is why I have not been motivated to take pics of myself. ugh! My ear hurts every morning probably from a sinus infection. I really need to just go to the doctor and get it over with or try to pump up with Vitamin C!

Today's daily photo challenge Subject: Something from your Medicine Cabinet. I chose to photograph Ester-C. My mom and dad have been eating tons of the citrus fruit that is grown locally. I am referring to what are called satsumas, a small orange. They are super sweet and extremely easy to peel. One day, she said that she thought the reason they have not caught a cold was because they ate so many satsumas. If we can't eat tons of satsumas, we can at least take Ester-C to help stave off those winter colds.

My PawPaw John swears by garlic's medicinal properties. Garlic has long been considered an herbal "wonder drug", with a reputation in folklore for preventing everything from the common cold to the Plague! It is also said to be an effective mosquito repellant. Go figure!

Day 40 of 365, Remembering both MawMaws

Day 40 of 365, Today's photo Subject: Size of a Pin. I decided to take a picture of my Byetta pen. I began using Byetta because I am insulin resistant. I think that is a term that I use because I really wish to deny the term diabetic. Both of my grandmothers had diabetes. Both of them died due to a massive coronary when I was 18. Yes, both died in the same year of my life. It was a very sad year for our family. They were very different women but I loved them both the same.

Maw Maw Lena was a very gentle, soft spoken lady. She always wore house dresses. I never saw her in a pair of pants. She gardened, she read her bible and attended church every Sunday. She loved her home church and congregation. My cousin, Barbara and I would love to spend the night with her. She would let us part her hair down the middle. Barbara on one side and I on the other, and we rolled her hair. We had those curlers and pins going in every direction but Maw Maw said it was perfect! MawMaw never had much in terms of worldly possessions, but she possessed the love of her huge family. Get togethers at her house was a crowded room of people sitting/standing shoulder to shoulder in her little house. But, that little house rocked with love and laughter. I remember Mama coming into my room and telling me to wake up because they had just received word that MawMaw had died. My aunt and her two children lived with MawMaw at that time. They said that she had fixed a cup of coffee for herself and turned around to get sugar. Then, she checked out of this world and went to the feet of Jesus. I will see my sweet MawMaw again someday. She was poor on earth but she is walking on streets of gold! I loved her and she loved everyone.

MawMaw Ethel was my other grandma. She was a fun lovin', laughin', boisterous cajun lady. She could cook like 'nobody's business' as we say down south. Her cookin' will "make you wanna slap ya Mama!" I remember that she used to keep those Big Giant Sized glass bottles of Coca Cola at her house. My brother and I would treat ourselves to coke and sliced cheese parties when we were supposed to be sleeping. Maw Maw said she knew this because she found the cheese wrappers all over the top of the bed. Isn't it funny how something so silly would stick in your memory bank? MawMaw loved to play cards with her weekly card group, fishing with PawPaw at their Lake Verrett camp, sewing, crafts & shopping. She lived large. I was at work when I received the call that MawMaw Ethel had been taken to the hospital. I got to the hospital before she died but could not get in to see her. She was getting ready to be transported to a larger hospital. I think she died on the way. Before she died, she gave me a 1/2 carot cluster diamond ring. She told me that when I look at the ring, remember that I wore her heart. She also made for me a crocheted afghan. When I look at those stitches, I know she was thinking of me as she worked on her labor of love. I am counting on seeing both of my grandmas one day. What a reunion it will be!

Day 39 of 365, City Hall & Signs of Spring

America, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.
Dear Lord, please let our freedoms continue to ring!
Here is our American Flag over the flag of my home state, Louisiana.
I have been wanting to go take a picture of the recently renovated City Hall. They did a very nice job with the restoration. I would like to have gone inside but decided to wait for another day.I went to a city park and saw this little rake left abandoned on the ground.
Think spring...

Then, I noticed these little camelia petals that dropped under the tree.

Think spring...Lastly, a bird landed on this fence. I picked up my camera and it flew away. I stood like a statue waiting for another bird to come along. It didn't. So, I took a picture of the fence. The fence shadow looks like Mississippi. You know, M-I- crooked letter, crooked letter, -I-, crooked letter, crooked letter -I-, hump back, hump back, -I-!

Think spring!

Day 38 of 365, Wii Fit

Have you ever done any of the wii fit plus games? They are actually fun. I purchased wii fit plus along with the balance board right before Christmas. I had not even played it until Trevor came over last weekend. He got on the balance board and found out what his fitness age was. I was not about to get on that darn board, at least not in front of anybody. I still have not done my profile yet. I think I will do that tomorrow. I want to do it, but don't want to. Know what I mean? I really need to start exercising. Kayla told me that Tracie J. was getting in shape.

Hey Tracie, Holla!!! You go girl. Slim in 6 must be doing the trick, huh?

Day 37 of 365, Seeing Red on Valentine's Day

Today, I didn't really do much. I woke up and my ear was hurting, I was still tired. We had spent the entire day yesterday in Baton Rouge doing the Mardi Gras Mambo. Later in the evening, Terry asked me if I bought him some Valentine's Day candy. I think he was hoping against all hope. He knew I didn't have any valentine treats. Exasperated he asked, 'No Candy No Card, No Nothing?!!!' No, I said. I knew he was trying to make me feel bad so I asked him, 'No Candy, No Card, No Nothing?!!!' Nope, none for me either. Both of us forgot about the whole darn thing. Obviously, candy is the last thing either of us need. Although at that point, I think he was probably wishing for some delicious chocolate. oopsie! I forgotsie!

Day 36 of 365, 2 Mardi Gras Parades, Spanish Town & Poseidon

I took this picture of Terry as he was capturing pics of the parade. Doesn't he look tall? He was so lucky because he could see over the top of most people's heads. I on the other hand didn't stand a chance. So, I typically stuck my camera up in the air and hoped that I was getting a shot of something.


Between parades, Spanish town & Krewe of Poseidon, I saw a group of little boys catching the football. I suddenly became so entertained by them. The little guys were on one end and the big guys (dads) were on the other. It looked like they were playing 'keep away football'. I started shooting away trying to capture some of the spirit of the all out fun they were having. As I was taking a picture of the boys, Terry took my picture. Here I am in my element. The boys, big and little, knew they were being photographed so can you say 'hot doggin'?

Here is a 90 sec slideshow with music of the Spanish Town Parade. Pause playlist at upper right sidebar.

Day 35 of 365, Look UP for a new perspective.

Our daily photo challenge today was to turn our camera straight up and shoot. I went to the post office to get my mail. I decided to try to shoot straight up the flagpole that holds our American Flag. I was having fun trying to catch the flag at a point where it would be best seen from this low perspective. I looked up and a few people were watching me from the glass window of the post office. I smiled and waved. :)

The weather forecast had been showing that snow was coming in on Friday night. Well, we started getting snow at around 6:30 am. The early morning local news were all a buzz with video of the heavy snow falling. People were sending in their snow pictures and they were posting school and street closures. They reported that the BR Sheriff's Office was sending home all 'non essential' personnel. non essential? who is not essential? ?? I know, I know. It just sounds funny. Anyway, the excitement about the snow was palpable. When I talked to mom a little later that morning, I told her I was going to Sam's to get some sandwich stuff in case we get snowed in and lose power. She said she wanted to ride with me. I was already on the road, so I pulled into Amite Baptist Church parking lot to wait for her. While I was waiting, I saw the beautiful stained glass on the outside of the old sanctuary. I jumped out of the car and shot straight up again. While I took this pic, I had sleet falling on my head.

As the snow was falling, Karmyn looked out the window and I heard her say, 'It looks like Colorado!' Yes, it was exciting for a few hours because it was actually snowing hard. As soon as the sun popped out, it all melted away. I imagine all the 'non essentials' didn't complain because they got a free day off.