There was a funeral today......

A young man, barely 20 years old, was laid to rest. He was a normal, all-around good kid..loved by many. ....And will be missed (and remembered) by many who never knew him in this life.

He graduated last year from the same high school three of my children went to. This young man wanted to be the best, so he finished school and joined the Marines. He was shot in the chest last week while far, far from home defending those principls he held so dear.

I recently heard someone make a statement that my mind keeps replaying. Her statement was, "I think only women should be able to vote."

I pray that Ryan has peace and his famiy strength during this time of separation.

Sitting here sipping a glass of white wine......

(Alabama Muscadine white wine that my daughter found in Mississippi) Yes, sitting here taking a sip of two before starting supper and thinking -- thinking about what this city I live in has become.

You can't get ANYWHERE in a timely fashion, can't make it to appointments on time unless you double (or triple) the time it used to take, can't shop as you're used to, can't take the side roads to avoid the interstate....because so many others have discovered those side roads and are driving down them so fast that people are being killed on neighborhood streets (how can you go fast enough through someone's neighborhood to be involved in a high speed crash?), can't listen to the news or read a paper without finding out about all the new types of crime (I can't believe the rate that people are dying), can't..can't..can't....

One day soon (maybe tomorrow) this entire city is going to find ourselves in a state of gridlock -- and not just for the hours on and off all day and night that we already experience it, but we're just NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET ANYWHERE!

As someone recently said -- this is a small city bursting at the seams. And, no one wants to mention the anger and frustration simmering just below the surface of most everyone living here (by choice or not). If someone doesn't come up with some solutions soon I'm afraid that Katrina's wrath might pale in comparison to what 'however many people living here now' can bring about.

It's just not working, folks!

Lost Ornament....Found..

I found it -- the lost ornament. It was hanging right over my head....hanging over the doorway that we go in and out the most every day and night. Now I hope that little nagging voice in the back of my mind (where exactly is the back of one's mind??) will GO AWAY!

This year's forgotten ornament was a precious little fuzzy green wreath with a tiny red bow. Son #3 made it in kindergarten (or was it 1st grade?). As I packed it away, I could see his tiny hands as they worked so hard (years ago) to get the fluffy-ness just right. The little girls in his class were proudly showing off their finished products as the little boys were becoming more and more frustrated. Why is it that girls always seem ahead of boys at tasks like that?

I remember all this because I was usually a 'helper mom' at most of son #3's school trips and projects. You see, while this was/is a 'good' school academically, their take on watching out for the kids was a tad bit different than mine. They would pray over the kids before class trips and then (or so it seemed to me) let come what would. Freaked me out! But....maybe it goes to show that I need to work on my faith.

Anywho....I couldn't help but noticed how large and capable son #3's hands had become as he reached up and took the lost/found ornament down. ....Where does the time go?

The Forgotten Christmas Ornament......

Where is it hiding this year? It must be lying or hanging around here someplace....someplace just waiting for me to happen upon it. And then, having discovered it, I'll have to go outside, unstack the boxes of decorations (because, of course, it'll belong in the box on the very bottom of the stack) and put it in its place.

It happens every year, so why should this year be any different? But haven't I usually found it by this time? It's driving me crazy (ok, overstatement here). But, I JUST KNOW it's around here somewhere. Somewhere just waiting to be found.

Twelfth Night......

Twelfth Night means one thing down my way....Mardi Gras, and King Cakes! (Okay, make that two things.)

Yes, ma'am. The King Cakes are in town, and....on the shelves. And they are selling out. :)

There will indeed be a Mardi Gras in the Big Easy (which is not so easy at the moment), but it's not going to be the same. Probably never will be the same. Carnival will be shorter (7/8 days, I think), and corporate sponsored (which is the real bummer), but there will be a party. That's something.

So, get the tree down, get the King Cake, get the beads and throws ready, and....

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all!