Day 50 of 365, 'Crossing Over'

Day 50 of 365, In an earlier post, I introduced Jeanita.  A couple days ago, mom and I met with her for lunch.  (see day 48)  Well, today was a memorial service for her husband Claude.  It was held in their home church, a beautiful old Methodist Church.  I had never been there until today.  Terry and I actually arrived just before the start of the service.  As we walked in, we were greeted by the minister in her white robe.   All of the guests in attendance were quietly seated.  The choir was in place and ready to begin.  The above picture was taken as they sang a very beautiful traditional hymn.  The service was not sad because it was a celebration of a life well lived.   My heart was so full as they were talking about Claude and the way that he lived to serve other people.  Throughout his life, he ALWAYS made the people around him feel loved and special.  He gave of his time and devotion to kids, especially, all his life.  Because he was a football FANatic, he organized and coached little league football.  There were stories told about remembrances of Coach Claude.  If he knew a child wanted to play, but their family could not afford the expenses, he found a way to raise the funds.   It was even mentioned in his eulogy that when he arrived at the emergency room, he was greeted by one of his former players who said, "Coach Claude...!"  Yes, he had a big heart and was loved by all who knew him.  He is survived by his wife Jeanita and son, Ryan & daughter-in-law, Misty.  He adored Ryan, his only son.  I remember that Claude and Jeanita were ever so so proud of their son's baseball accomplishments.  Ryan was a pitcher for his varsity baseball team and went on to play at the college level.  As a lifelong sports fan, you can just imagine how happy Claude was to follow his son through his baseball career & glory days!  Yes, today was a celebration of a life well lived and remembered.

We went back to Jeanita's parents home after the service.  Here is Jeanita in black and white greeting two long time former work colleagues as they arrived.  All three ladies, including Jeanita, were my former work co-workers as well.  In 1985, Jeanita spoke for me to her bosses.  Of course, I was In Like Flint!  Jeanita had considerable influence within the company.  She was one of  the beloved 'Lillies'!  ('Lillies' was a pet name given to the original group of ladies who worked for the founder of the company.)  I worked there for 6 years, then decided to become a stay-at-home mom after my second baby was born.  I love all three of these ladies and I had such a nice time reuniting and reminiscing with them.  As we were leaving, Terry asked me, "Do you know who those ladies remind me of?" 

Terry has always thought this...He thinks that Margie looks like Jamie Lee Curtis, Kay reminds him of Kathy Bates and Jeanita reminds him of Bette Midler.  In my opinion, he is right on the button, not only in appearance but personna as well.  Margie uses proper grammar in her speech & her dialect reminds him of  Jamie Lee Curtis.   Plus, her cute haircut makes us both think JLC, as well.  Kay is honest and straight to the point like the wonderful actress Kathy Bates.  And, Jeanita has the bold laugh, smile and personality of "the divine M", Miss Bette Midler.  Jeanita is going to be A-OK! 

'CROSSING OVER'

When we left the fellowship, we headed to Lavonia to meet with Terry's work cohorts and their wives for dinner at Not Your Mama's Cafe & Tavern.  Food & atmosphere is super great there.  We were able to talk, laugh & comfortably visit for about two hours in this wonderful restaurant.  Those men are so funny and I loved visiting with their wives too.  There is always a funny story to be told when we get together.  We are in the first stage of perhaps putting together a group trip to Talledega in October!  Oh yeah, I am up for it & ready to roll! 

TBD..., (but I think it is going to happen). I have never gone to a Nascar Race.  So, I'm super excited!

Yippee -Yi -Yay - Coyote!!!

For today's image above, I think I will call it, 'Crossing Over'.  

I captured that image as we crossed over the Old Mississippi River Bridge.

I thought of The Bridge that Crosses the Great Divide!

Sunset on the 'Mighty Mississipp'

Day 49 of 365, Arms

Day 49 of 365, Today's Daily Photo Challenge Subject is Arms.  I thought about trying to find a barbie, or even a swing arm lamp.  Then, I remembered the picture that I had taken of the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetary, Washington, DC.  The ceremony that we saw was in the middle of the day.   As time drew near for the ceremony to take place, we took a seat on the concrete benches provided for the public.  The incoming sentinal marched in at the precisely scheduled time for him to report.  The ceremonial exchange was viewed by, we, the audience.  This event occurs each and every time the standing guard is relieved of their post.  It is a somber and markedly reverant experience.  The sentinals, each wear heel taps.  As they march, the sound makes it seem more poignant.  The sentinal marches 21 steps across the black mat, makes a crisp 90 degree turn to face east for 21 seconds, then makes a crisp 90 degree turn again to face north for 21 seconds.  He then does a  "shoulder arms" movement with his rifle.  After, "shoulder arms", he continues the march of 21 steps in the other direction to start the process again.  I appreciate the opportunity to have witnessed the changing of the guard.  If interested in seeing more detailed information, a wonderful website that I found was http://www.homeofheroes.com/.

Here is a Baton Rouge Police Officer who had just passed me by on horseback.  I captioned this one 'Long Arm of the Law' to go along with the Subject theme.  I like how imposing the officer and horse appear from this perspective.  I thought of this picture in relation to the subject because of the powerful dynamic this image represents.  Can you see it?... 'The Long Arm of the Law'?  

I am thankful for the bravery of our good police officers who work to keep honest civillians safe. 

Day 48 of 365, Dinner Bell

Day 48 of 365, Mom and I met Jeanita at Ryan's for lunch.  Mama had copied an old black and white photo of her cousin, Claude along with his brothers and parents.  Claude was Jeanita's husband.  Sadly, Claude recently passed away due to a heart attack.  Jeanita wanted Mom to enlarge the print so that it can be framed for display at his memorial service to be held Saturday.  Jeanita is doing remarkably well.  I was laughing at her silliness as we took this picture.  I handed our waitress my little point and shoot and asked her to snap the pic.  You see Jeanita's lips are pursed because she is saying "Chicken, Chicken" to the camera.  She is on the South Beach Diet.  She was on Weight Watchers but she said she is doing South Beach now because, "it's almost summer!"  She is so funny.  She has the best outlook and a gift for joyfulness.  Even though, she now has to adjust to a new way of living without her husband, she is still joyful.  I love and adore Jeanita.  I loved Claude too. 

I remember that as a sixth grader, I spent the night with Jeanita and Claude because my mom was staying at the hospital.  Mama was at the hospital because my great grandma was likely to slip away due to cancer.  The cancer came on suddenly an rabid.  It makes me so very sad that I didn't get to communicate with MawMaw Irene in those last couple weeks before she died.  She knew I loved her.  I knew she loved me too.  MawMaw loved her family and thought "the moon and stars hung on each and every one."  The night that she died, I had stayed with Jeanita and Claude, as I mentioned.  I woke up the next morning and Claude was at my side to tell me in his dear, sweet way that MawMaw was gone.  I remember this as if it were yesterday.  We loved MawMaw Irene so much.  The entire, big ole family would meet at MawMaw's for Sunday dinner.  Not just once in a while Sunday dinner, but EVERY Sunday dinner.  She cooked these big wonderful meals for all her family, three generations.  I can't even imagine doing that.  I think I am way too lazy.  But, she did.  And, she did it so happily.  If any one of her kids didn't show, it would make her so sad.  After dinner, we would roll around and hold our stomachs because we were full to the brim.  Eventually, we would all spill out onto the front porch and lawn.  Oh, it was so fun to play and run around in the front yard because the MawMaws, PawPaws, Aunts & Uncles would tell us kids how fast we could run or high we could jump.  For me, I always felt special because that's what they told me I was.  Isn't that a wonderful gift to give a child?  The feeling that they are the best, most unique, talented, athletic & special kid in the whole world?  Yeah, it was a gift that I will always treasure. 

As a little girl, my MawMaw Irene lived on a Louisiana plantation and she was raised by her Mammy.  She was stricken with polio as a child, so she wore a very tall stacked shoe and she had a serious limp.  That did not stop her at all.  She was absolutely the best!  I remember one time, Mama told her, "MawMaw, you do not have to wait on these kids."  MawMaw emphatically replied, "I will wait on them if I have to crawl."  And, that was exactly what she did.  I loved her so much and miss her still today.  

So, this is what I believe.  I believe that Claude has been reunited with his three brothers, Darrell Ray, Wayne and Harry along with his parents, Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Harry.  Plus, there is MawMaw Irene and PawPaw Jack, and other loved ones who have gone on before.  As a Christian we have a beautiful promise that gives us peace that passes all understanding..."In my Father's House there are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2.

I wonder what a banquet table looks like in Heaven and who will be there?  Who will be waiting for you?

This dinner bell stands outside the kitchen quarters of an old plantation establishment. The plantation grounds are on display as a museum of historical artifacts in Baton Rouge, La. Back in the day, no cell phones, no IM's, no text messaging needed. When the workers heard the dinner bell, the message was delivered. Dinner was ready, so, "Come and Get It!"

Day 47 of 365, seven curveS

Uploaded for Daily PHoto Challenge, Subject: Something found on the floor, Feb. 24, 2010
At first. I took the picture of the umbrella by the front door.  Then, as I backed up, I saw how the arm of that chair had a similar curve rhythm as the handle on the umbrella.  When I downloaded this image and began to work with it, I noticed a repetition of the S curve.  Can you find the seven curves?

HOLD THE PRESSES!    I just got a note from one heck of an eagle eye, nit picker...:), there are actually eight curves in this picture, not seven.  So, can you find the eighth curve?  hint:  the eight curve is a shadow on the floor cast by the umbrella stand.

cooking w/ the cajun trilogy

Feb. 23, 2010, Self Portrait, as Emeril calls the trilogy of cajun cooking, celery, onions, bell pepper - makes everything tastes sooo delicious. Bam!

Day 46 of 365, Empty...or, Not? You decide.

Day 46 of 365, Daily Photo Challenge Subject:  Empty.

"Y'Reckon God's In This Church?"

I remembered this question scratched into the church pew of this little old historical church.  It stands on display as part of the LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge, LA. 

To the question quipped by an anonymous graffiti artist, I have a very simple one word answer. 

Omnipresent. 

Omnipresent would be the operative word for me.

What do you believe?

To continue with the Empty challenge theme, I took this picture of Terry's empty cologne bottle.  I thought it needed a little masculine vibe so I added some textures that were so generously offered by Jerry Jones at http://shadowhousecreations.blogspot.com/

Reflections of Scarborough Fair

I am posting this image again to my blog because I am entering it in a fun challenge from a great blog that encourages me with inspiration and ideas. This challenge focus is HANDS -ON FUN! Check out http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/.

{Self Portrait using 10 sec Timer}:

When I was in the 6th grade, I performed Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkle as my clarinet solo. That was 33 years ago. For my first year of music, I used a clarinet that had actually been my mom's. It was an old wooden clarinet with deep, rich tones. The next year, my mom bought me a modern shiny black clarinet. This is it, 32 years later.