Word Pondering . . .

"For it is always wiser to consider not so much why a thing is not enjoyable, as why we ourselves do not enjoy it."  G.K. Chesterton

Good question for me to ask myself when I am out among people.  As an islander I don't have much opportunity to rub up against people who do things I don't care to do.

But when I come out into 'the world' all of a sudden I have to interact with others much more than I am accustomed to and I find that not everything 'you' want to do is enjoyable to me.  Chesterton puts the onus back on me to examine my own heart in this exchange.  Hmmm...

Wishing you all an enjoyable week!

Another Goodbye . . .

In New Orleans, if we were to head south in the morning, headed toward The River, we would pass that charming Easter be-decked house that I blogged about some days ago.  

On our last morning there we headed out for beignets and coffee down at Du Monde Cafe and there in that house was a sweet kitty to say good morning.  

Immediately I thought of Maizy and Lucy and Jeanne and Cousin Janice and Carole.  And I knew you would all love this sweet face.

I love to be reminded of my 'dearly beloveds' as I go on one journey or another.

This is where we were headed . . .

And this is what we were waiting for.  Shelby introduced us to these french doughnuts at Cafe Flora in Seattle so this was a must have for our trip.  We had walked by many times and seen long, long lines so were happy to get a table right off for our treat.

By the time we came out less than a half hour later the line was way long down the block!

At this point we all parted ways for our last moments in the city.  Gail went off in one direction, the boys headed back to the hotel and I went back to see 'Joanie on her Pony' and other things that were only important to me.

The people of Orleans, France had donated this statue of Joan of Arc and since I like people who are willing to step forward to do the right thing (you can argue that last comment, if you like) I am somewhat impressed by this young woman and her story.  Another case of the big guys using the pure of heart and then getting rid of them when the deed is 'done'.

And years ago I read a number of books by Frances Parkinson Keyes so wanted to find her home.  It was not all that impressive but it was something I just had to do.

This home was formerly owned by General Beauregard of Civil War fame.  Was he not the fellow credited with firing the first shot which started the war?

Now what in the world is a pair of glasses doing way up in a tree?  On my way back to the hotel I was looking for more photos and was actually taking pictures of the ferns that were growing on this tree and there was one more piece of evidence that we missed one crazy wild party Mardi Gras.

Next year the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras are going to be at the same time in the same town.  Traveler beware!

Now I must get ready to go hiking in Sabino Canyon (different town) with Lorne and Gail and then off to lunch with Stanley and Sharyl.

A Little New Orleans Music . . .

When we stood in Jackson Square in New Orleans, looking up at a statue of Andrew Jackson, we all thought of a song from our 'youth'.  You gotta love this one!  I think this video originated on the Ed Sullivan Show.



Now I want to show you some videos of music similar to what we saw while there.  We never went into a club and sat down but here and there you would find a musician or a group of musicians wailing away on their instruments.  It was fun to watch.

This first one has a priceless dancer along with the music...Enjoy!



The clarinet is especially good on this next one...



At every turn there are very creative people sharing their joy in life.



Hope you enjoyed your time on the streets of New Orleans.

Wishing you all a lovely ending to your week.

WW 2 Museum. . .

On Tuesday morning we headed off to the Museum end of town.  There are a number clustered together but we only saw the WW2 Museum.  It is well put together and a good reminder of what others have done to keep the barbarians away from the gate.

So off we go...

We all love those streetcars...

And everyone a good sport...

Before we toured the Museum itself we went across the street to see "Beyond All Boundaries", a movie  made to honour those from the USA who served and sacrificed in the war.  Tom Hanks has produced this most sobering movie meant to remind us of the past but it fills you with immense sorrow for the waste of war.



Across the street we saw memorabilia from the 1940's.  Everyone who could possibly grow a garden planted vegetables to see them through this time of hardship.

We wandered among the machines collected for show.

Loved to see the way they made boat bumpers before the day of plastics and poly.

There were lots of weddings that happened before the boys went to war and there were weddings overseas for those who did not want to wait for the war to end. This display of dresses is made from mosquito netting and parachute cloth.

And of course, I cannot write this without putting in a good word for those who fought from the Commonwealth countries.

Dame Vera Lynn does very well in this medley in 1990 considering she was a very popular singer during the war.



Be well wherever you are!

Oak Alley Plantation

You cannot go to the south of Louisiana without taking a look at the lovely homes of that bygone era, pre-civil war and post.

So we decided on a tour rather than renting a vehicle ourselves and let someone else do the driving.

We said good-bye to our home at the St. Pierre. . .

and we were off and running through the city as soon as the bus had picked up all the tourists.  With my trusty camera at hand I just started taking photos of whatever caught my eye.

That is leaning out the window of the bus.  Some lovely buildings downtown that have great detail.  And of course I try to snap the SuperDome every time we pass it just to see if I can get a better photo than the last time we roared by.

As we headed out of town (45 minute trip) to see the plantation of choice, I noticed that we crossed over a lot of swampy, watery countryside.  We could have taken a swamp tour but I don't think any of the tours take you on a airboat that roars through the swamp.  They go slowly, they say to not frighten the wildlife.

What a lovely view greeted us as we came up to Oak Alley.

This photo was taken from the inside looking out to the Mississippi.  I was disappointed to see that from the house you could not actually see the river...the levee is so high that you do not see the water. During flood season I suppose that is a good thing!

We approached the house from the side which still gives a handsome facade.

On my way into the house tour I met up with this sweet little creature.  Isn't he clever?

If anyone is a fan of antiques and old houses it is me and I also realize the validity in the notion of restoring things to how they were but here is another grand old home that needs a bit of a touch.  The furniture is gorgeous and the home has great bones but I would love to warm it up.  It is a home that I could live in but Sherwin would truly rolls his eyes just thinking of the electrical and plumbing updates that need to happen here.

There were many fine touches that dated back to original even though this house has had numerous owners.

This fan hangs over the dining room table and the rope you see at the top of the photo is pulled by a slave boy to cause this 'contraption' to fan the table without putting out the candles below.  They would place a bowl of ice in the centre of the table to help the fan cool the room.

The verandahs are 13 feet across also helping to give a cooling effect to the rooms inside.  What a grand spot to sit and watch the world ease on by.

We couldn't leave the plantation without trying a Mint Julep. . .this one is very much a virgin.  But it looks impressive!

The landscaping was very charming and well manicured.

Here is a close-up of the levee across the road from the oak alley.  The gates were locked and I wasn't up to jumping the fence to get a close look at the Mississippi rolling on by.

This bell is designed to get your attention even if you are out on the 'back 40' in the sugar cane.  Cotton didn't grow here in the damp conditions.

This large pot was originally used for boiling down the cane.  There are a number of them on the property used as water gardens.  Great application.

We did not see much for outbuildings except for this water tower and then the blacksmith shop.

Notice the sugar pot here with purple pansies at its feet.

The time went by quickly and with one last look at the house we were on our way and gone.

Hope you are all having a great week.  Now off to Tucson and some golf and shopping in warm dry heat, hopefully.

Be well.

Saying Goodbye . . .

Live Oaks, New Orleans

by Jennifer Maier

They square off along Napoleon avenue,


opposing armies of dark women, leaning out

so far their branches meet at the top, like hands


grabbing fistfuls of tangled hair;


and some of them are old, with the thick,


scarred trunks of Storyville madams, and 


roots so strong their suck heaves


up the sidewalk like so many broken


saltines. And some are young, with the


straightbacked bodies of girls who dream


of horses and the brown arms of the neighbor boys,


but underground the red roots grow together,


fuse in a living circuitry spun deep and


stronger than the whims of emperors, as if


they've known all along that earth's the right


place for love, as though, planted in battle lines,


they incline toward the circle, and hold it open,


vaulted and welcoming.

The Big Easy . . .

Welcome to New Orleans, fondly known by some as The Big Easy.  On Saturday morning we woke early and watched the ship wend it's way through the twists and turns of the lower Mississippi finally coming to rest by the Crescent City Connection Bridge and the Greater New Orleans Bridge.  I watched the sun rise and loved the brilliant skies to start the day.

We were packed and ready for a taxi as soon as they would let the four of us off the ship.

There are so many words/phrases/indicators to show us we are in New Orleans.  Pralines are a local candy and 'whodat' is all over town.

Mardi Gras is over but there are still hundreds of beads hanging from street signs, lamps and trees.

Sherwin will tell you that I probably do have an obsession with the fleur-de-lis. The city of New Orleans uses it for their symbol as did the French royal family.

Love the design. . .

St. Pierre Hotel, where we are staying in the French Quarter, has a long history. They have a trumpet once owned by Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong, hanging on their wall. (there are probably old trumpets attributed to Armstrong ownership all over town)

The Hotel is composed of a number of old houses that date back many years. We are living in the Peyroux House finding it to be pretty much just an 'old house'.

As soon as we had our luggage stashed here at the hotel we took off for a self-guided walking tour.  Before the day was out we had done our walking tour, a mule-powered buggy tour of the French Quarter and then we took a city wide bus tour.

Some of the houses are already decorated for Easter.  This home is done up very nicely.  Much of the French Quarter looks beat up and worn out but there are homes here and there that have been maintained quite respectably.

Cute bunnies, right?

We all wandered about soaking in the atmosphere.  Sherwin did find out that you had to watch your step some with such uneven pavement and lamp posts right in the middle of some sidewalks.

Details, details, details. . .  it is the details here that redeems the community.  A little colour splash helps too.

We do not use such charming crawl space vents at home.

Does this photo remind you of others you may have seen of New Orleans' French Quarter?

We had a good walk before we succumbed to the comfort of our buggy ride.

The flag of New Orleans flies proudly from this bar.

We had started our morning walk in the upper far right corner of the Quarter and ended down by the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square...cool church.

Musicians are sprinkled here and there throughout the Quarter entertaining and gathering crowds around them.  An especially colourful group got out attention in Jackson square.

Where we also climbed aboard our buggy ride which gave us a different view of the world.

You will see more photos of our Saturday wanderings on Sherwin's blog.  We are sharing a camera (if you can imagine) so Sherwin covered the bus tour of the afternoon.

Sunday morning we were off and wandering early.

Artist's leave their mark behind all over town, even on the sidewalks.

We walked on down to the Mississippi River first thing, walking along a well finished park at water's edge, where we found the 'Natchez' paddle wheeler. We saw up on top of the boat an entertainer playing for the crowds below with his steam whistle.  It was Loud but well done.  Notice the orange light in some of the whistle. . .

The rear view of the 'Natchez' sitting on the muddy Mississippi.

The Italian community has erected a statue honouring all their people who have come to America to settle.  The above faces are part of the photo below. Love those faces.

Well done work.

Maybe we were missing our ferry rides at home but since the ferry ride was free and it promised a great view of the skyline of the city, we hopped on board, rode across the river and back again.  We have nothing but time so we just do what comes as it comes.

The skies were dramatic to help with the photo.

Sherwin and Lorne decided they wanted to see a movie at the IMAX so Gail and I kept walking along Riverfront taking in the sights and smells.  We came upon a small shop making beignets (my favourite kind of French doughnut).

After re-joining with the boys we climbed aboard a streetcar for a tour of the Garden District which should probably be called the Money District.  There are miles of gorgeous homes in this area all worth millions of dollars.

We saw two very lovely synagogues too, along with Tulane and Loyola Universities.

The homes are a variety of styles and most all of them are quite appealing. Huge homes, though, that are sitting on large lots with mature landscaping and well manicured lawns.

Would love a contract on any one of these homes.  I could help them spiff up the interiors, I am sure.

When we came to the end of the St. Charles Street run I gave the camera to Sherwin to finish off the day with an educational walk down Bourbon Street getting us back to our hotel.

When I look through all my photos I see many more I want to share and I will as time goes on...you know from experience how I am slow to let the good times end.

You all have a great week.  This morning, Monday, we are headed off to see the Oak Alley Plantation House down the river on another bus tour.

Be well.