Out of Place

Ever just seen something that just takes your breath away and it just seems so out of place? Mexican restaurants always seem to have very nice artwork usually stereotyped from the area that the restaurant attempts to emulate. But for some reason this moon and sun just stands out for me every time I go to El Charro in Pearl, MS… I don’t know if it is the colors, or just the fact that I absolutely love this piece of artwork.. but it just does not seem to belong is a Mexican restaurant., it must just not be sterotypical enough.

Stop and Stare at my Ordinary World

My life seems to be focused on new beginnings lately. That is a good thing, by all my standards!!! Last year in Toomsuba I planted a variable garden of sorts, I have always grown up with vegetables growing somewhere… so I am familiar with the breaking of earth and tending of the plants to grow something you can’t really get in a store. Well my venture in Toomsuba would have been successful if not for the under mining of the children, but now I have a chance to grow something that I will hopefully see the fruits of my labor. Three Tomatoes, a pepper plant, three flowering plants, as well as a plethora of Zinna’s that are direct descendants of the ones that I planted a year ago in Toomsuba. I consider it a symbolic representation of my life right now… it is awesome.

But I won't cry for yesterday There's an ordinary world Somehow I have to find And as I try to make my way To the ordinary world I will learn to survive
-Duran Duran

True Friendship

Friends are hard to come by, and I thought at one point I had surrounded myself with people I could count on. And as I was once again reminded yesterday, boy was I wrong. But the past is the past, and the riff-raff has drifted far and away, thanks to a lie that was spread to my detriment, and yet created my ultimate benefit. It is amazing how you can surround yourself with so many people you can call friends, and yet actually only have one or two real ones.

I can honestly say though, that I now have a wonderful group of people I can count on, and I know would not abandon me at the drop of a hat.

In fact this photo that symbolizes to me true friendships was taken as a result of at least one branch of the wonderful new friends that I have been blessed with… This is Molly (The Retriever) and Jackson (The Shiatsu) cuddling with one another.

Hoppy Easter

Easter 2008 has been full of many surprises; it is amazing how many wonderful friends that I really have… I am truly blessed.

These eggs are some that I and two of my dearest friends dyed in preparation for the wonderful spring festivities. I must say they are the prettiest eggs I think I have ever had the pleasure of helping dye!!!!

Ding... Dong... Ding... Dong

I’m no Hunchback of Notre Dame, but there is something about Bells that fascinates me. I find them very beautiful, and at times oddly enigmatic. This bell is on the grounds of the Mississippi State Capital, and I am sure it has some interesting story behind it. The plaque under the bell tells a partial story…

Hotel King Edward

The King Edward Hotel used to be one of the crown jewels of Jackson, Mississippi… that is until it closed in the 60’s, it has since remained closed. This relic of the heyday when Jackson was a bustling town, as sat falling apart since then, becoming an eyesore and home to drugs, prostitutes, and many others. There have been many plans to rebuild or demolish it, me personally I wanted it rebuilt… there is something about it. Finally last year several companies and our own favorite son Deuce McAlister started renovations. I’m not exactly sure what it will be, but I know anything is better than the pigeon home that has rotted in our back yard for forty years.

AWESOME NEWS!!!

Mame

Sadly, and at the same time thankfully Mame is over… and it was a great show. It had its rocky moments, and trials and tribulations… but I would not have given anything for it!!!! Cynthia Stuart was a wonderful Mame, and the cast was a wonderful cast… and I personally was honored to have a chance to discover just how far I can take my abilities. I have gained confidence in areas I needed it… and I have made many new friends, and built up ones that I made during Who Killed Aunt Caroline, It was wonderful.

This is a teaser poster I came up with for Mame, nothing big, just Cynthia Stuart as the title character. Cynthia is such a talented sweet lady; it was wonderful playing her nephew!!! Oh I did come up with a photo Montage ….

Jackson, Mississippi

This is an awesome view of the Regions building of downtown Jackson, Mississippi from Amite Street. The Regions Building is currently the largest building downtown, and houses many interesting businesses and one of the most elite clubs in Mississippi… The University Club. The University Club is located on the very top floor and offers unparalleled views of the city and surrounding area for miles… I know this because many years ago I had the honor of attending a banquet they hosted. It was a surreal experience and I have yet to have anything to parallel it, but I hope to someday visit again…

Meridian At Night

Darkness can be foreboding and overwhelming, and sometimes it seems that we will never make it through. But no matter what, the light is always there… it may be dim, but the trick is to find it once you do that… it will get better.

This photo is from Meridians infamous Murder Spot. It is one of the higher points in the area, and you have a great view of the surrounding city, but it is a little creepy. The reason I say it is creepy is that there is a sign reminding people that NNS was murdered there in 1998 and not to dump, I’m not sure if it was a scare tactic to keep kids from making-out or if it did happen… but it worked on the creep factor.

RAWR!

Mississippi’s most important building, the state capital. I have been known to talk about how Jackson has gone downhill many times, but I never mention many of the great things that Jackson offers. We have two of the most beautiful of the state capital buildings, one old and this one the new capital. I love this view, it captures the face that startled me when exploring the grounds with my friend Celeste, I had not remembered any gargoyles in the years past, let alone a lion.

"Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars....So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you. And so will I."

~Mufasa

Essence of Jackson

There is a new “skyscraper*” under construction in downtown Jackson. Before construction began, a project was sent out to various schools, create a mural that captures the essence of Jackson, and it shall be hung on the construction wall. The murals themselves were lovely, they were very creative, others were really abstract… but I was impressed nonetheless. This one submitted by Jackson Prep was definitely my favorite, it really does capture the essence of downtown, all of the potential… however I thought it was odd to see the King Edward in the art, but with its new revitalization underway… perhaps soon it will be as bustling as this mural.


*For most of the world a skyscraper is a really large building that seems to scrape the sky. For Jackson it is any large building above two stories.

Serenity in Gray

Moments of serenity are the moments that you can cherish… Beauty can be found anywhere, if you are willing to look.

This photo was taken in downtown Jackson, Mississippi at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, It took my breath away when I passed by…

Special

I consider any being that experiences emotions to be a person, even if they are not Human… but on the flip side I consider any being that does not experience emotion not to be a person, even if they are Human. Enter Ellie, Ellie is a Dachshund Dapple with beautiful eyes, and a wonderfully playful energetic personality, Ellie is one of the greatest people I know. In this photo Ellie is mournfully staring at the door, waiting for her loved owners to come home… you see last weekend I babysat Ellie while her parents went to a wedding all the way in another state, and Ellie missed them terribly. To see and understand her emotions were heart wrenching, but I was glad and honored to have been there with her, and I know when her parents came home, she was ecstatic!!!!

Shattered

O, I look at you knowing that we can never be, For my heart is not ready for yet another tribulation. I need to be mindful of what is safe for me, Not just what makes me feel in a state of jubilation. My heart has grown shielded after breaking, Although you do give me hope. However my love is not yet ready for taking, Because with pain, I don’t think I could cope.

Solitude

Moments of Solitude come rarely for me, when they do… I cherish them.

Queen City

Meridian, Mississippi is a hidden jewel to most, and I can attest to that as that it was hidden to me until I lived there. Once one of Mississippi’s largest communities, second only to Jackson, it now has a unique feel that few other towns have. This has to do to the fact that it no longer holds the title of “Queen City” because other cities in the state have passed it in economic growth… but it has not lost any of it’s elegance. Meridian has a large well managed downtown area, many museums, and even more hidden spots. And for anyone who has ever been through Meridian they have Carousel horses all through the city. This was started as a Hope Village project created by one of Meridians most famous daughters, Sela Ward. It Celebrates the unique Dentzel Carousel that Meridian is home to, as well as unique art talent that designed the horses. It is magical…

Antiques Jailhouse Roadshow

I was stranded for about two hours at the Black Rose Theatre Saturday night, so of course boredom set in… I took this photo while just playing around with my phone! I was lying in the back of my truck with my legs over the side, just enjoying the cool night breeze. The building in the photo is the old Brandon, Mississippi Jailhouse turned Antique Store, it was kind of creeping me out, being there alone… with nothing but my over-active imagination and an old jail to keep me company!!!