Gardenia

Beautiful flower. Sweet scent and rain are my friend. Garden of beauty.

Lent

Traveling north through Mississippi on Fat Tuesday, we searched for a good BBQ spot and found Leatha's for a late lunch. On the road to Birmingham, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi Leatha's BBQ has a well deserved four stars on the internet. It's a laid back, family owned restaurant with humble appeal. They were out of beef ribs, so we ordered rib eye steaks, cole slaw, fried potatoes, potato salad and baked beans. Deliciousness. I will go back. The photo is of Leatha's family. It hangs on the wall of the historic restaurant.

Madi Gras 2012

Oysters on half shell. Pacing ourselves for the fun. Living day to day.

Nobody Knows

Cool mornings down south. Walking the tightrope of life. Staring at the the blooms.

Louisiana

Green. That's a shocking color after all the grey and white of Alaska. I landed hard here in New Orleans. This next step in life is going to be my biggest challenge. I see what is ahead in mystic shapes and sacred omens. Honestly, I'm not sure Louisiana is the place for me, but Alaska isn't either. The rub is that I long for Alaska. It was wonderful to run in to so many Alaskans on my first night back in Nola. I guess we all wanted relief from the dark, frozen winter. Life seems harsh to me this morning and the soft edges come in small, poignant packages. A smile from a stranger, greens growing in a box, cats stretching and napping in the sun. Time marches on and waits for no one. I have been humbled by peoples kindness and their cruelty. I sit quietly among my mother's things and remember my family. A fractured tale of love and loss. Ghosts whirl around me and whisper, "All is well." A simple nod to my courage as tears fall. Not self piety, but a weary resolve. Love, GrandMa