October 2004 Archives

This is my fourth entry here today. Not enough to do, I suppose.

The Hall of Fame has been updated. The link on the side always tells when it was last updated as does the page, itself. I'd tell you that I space these updates out to allow for perspective. The truth of the matter is that I am a world-class procrastinator.

This photo was taken in a cemetery in Waldheim. Waldheim is an unincorporated area northeast of Covington. Patsy and I live in Waldhem, she thinks, but we have a Bush mailing address. The surrounding iron fence is weathered and showing its age. Still, it stands.

Same cemetery under a couple of magnolia trees. The closest marker in the photo is the newest ( 1971 ).

Old oak tree in old Covington right where the road is planned.

The Market in Covington. It was closed.

In a spectacular bit of overstatement or forward thinking, this is the new courthouse in Covington. I guess they’re anticipating that the crime rate will someday justify this thing. I hope they’re wrong.

This is the church in Waldheim across Hwy 21 from the cemetery. It is a very old church and was used in a commercial some years ago. That is a bit of a story. The production crew stayed at the Bed & Breakfast down the road from us. Half or more had to camp in tents across the road from the B&B. We read in the News Banner later that they were filming a Kellogg commercial to be shown to Canadian audiences only. We’re still scratching our heads about that one.

Some of old Covington is right out of the 1930's. This is the pumping station and its water tower.

This café near the old railroad tracks has changed hands several times. I’ve still never been inside.

The Beck n Call Café in Covington.

The Beck n Call, the Railroad Café, the pumping station, and the Courthouse are all within a 100 yards of each other. The Market is around the corner a ways.

For those in Minnesota and Wisonsin, the Donna that's been commenting here lately grew up across the street from the Ferraras. Some of you have met her over the years. She's my age, give or take a few months. She has a family blog, too.

Stumbled onto this stuff this morning. At first, I thought it was an unraveled cigarette filter. On closer examination, it is a whole bunch of tiny mushrooms leaning over. It's a little hard to see against the sandy background.

In Louisiana, you can obtain the ballot for your specific precinct for the Tuesday elections online here. No need to wait on a newspaper. I, for one, will be glad when this one is over.

Forgot what these are called. Katie? I planted a few of them several years ago. They have since scattered and pop up at random. I surely don't mind. They are quite lovely.

No trick or treaters come to our house in Bush. Our neighbor across CrabApple Lane used to have a group of kids ( I don’t know if they were relatives, a church group, a school group, or some other association but it was boys and girls ) over for hay rides. He used to pull them with his tractor down to the end of the then gravel road CrabApple Lane and ride them around on the usually empty lot back there and that was the extent of Halloween activity around here. That lot is no longer empty ( It has a huge house on it ) and the road is paved so I guess hay rides aren’t as much fun. It could be that the kids are grown now, too.

Do you still have trick or treaters at your house?

A year has passed. Some are marking the occasion today at Greenwood Cemetery.

This came out very well. We love the colors. It goes very well with her polka dots and flowers. I would take a picture of that, but her room is a mess and I don't want the whole world to see that.

Julia(10) and Shelby(8).

Last night, Michael commented on how there was an onion aroma in the air. The wild onions are all over the yard. When I cut the grass like I did Friday afternoon and when the air is humid and still like it was last night, the aroma is very strong. These are similar to chives in taste and have a very nice chive or green onion smell.

It was a fun evening. Patsy really outdid herself. The menu was baked spaghetti and meat sauce, stuffed mirlitons ( These were outstanding ), caesar salad, and banana caramel pie.

A little more here.

If you look to the right under " Recent Comments ", you'll see the last 10 comments posted here with a bit of an excerpt from them. If you click on the corresponding link, you will go right to it. This should make it a tad easier to find what's newly posted on the blog.

I'm adding a few features at a time. I'll add more as people get comfortable with them. I don't want to make wholesale changes. The idea is to make the blogging experience a bit more enjoyable but I surely don't want to leave anyone behind.

The Impatiens came back to life after the rain.

Looking forward to this afternoon but the aromas in the house are starting to make me crazy.

Belated Wishes.....
October 20th was Punky's birthday. I knew it, even sent a card, but forgot to post it so others could send their wishes. So Happy Birthday dear sister!! Love, Carol

The Central Grocery is a New Orleans institution. Those muffulettas are quite amazing. It’s all Italian meats and cheeses sliced paper thin with olive salad on a big sesame seed bun.

Mom, Katie, Patsy, and I ate at Muriel’s today. Katie asked the hostess to give us a tour of the premises. Make sure you do that if you ever eat here. It has very unique rooms, including a seance room, a slave storage area, and a room with a table set for the house ghosts. The balcony overlooks Jackson Square. Unfortunately, it was entirely too hot to eat outside.

Katie and Mom had Tarot card readings from Miss Lena. Should have gotten one of them to get us the winning Powerball ticket.

Took this as we made our way back to the car. Seen on just about every New Orleans postcard.

One or two more here.

Today I had a small mole removed from the crown of my head. It was quite easy, much quicker than they had suggested, and it turned out they were able to remove all cancer cells. I can't bend over and I can't wash my hair but otherwise I'm good as new. There was a square of hair removed so they could see what they were doing, but I've developed a certain expertise in covering up a rambunctious cowlick, so I think I'll manage to keep this covered as well. In two weeks, I'll return to have the eight (!) stitches removed and after promising to stay out of the sun, I'll be finished with these particular doctors.

Everything is working again. Sorry for the inconvenience and the aggravation.

I know I slept well in Minneapolis. Apparently, everyone does. New Orleans is rated as one of the worst places to get a good night's sleep. I don't think anyone is really trying in New Orleans, though.

Congrats to the Vikings on a good win.

This morning's sunrise on CrabApple Lane.

I became a mama for the first time. 9lbs. 8oz of pure love came into my life squawling. We both cried a bunch for the first month of his life. I was sleep deprived and way too worried about doing things right. My mother's words of wisdom carried me through, "it's a wonder first borns ever survive the way new moms overfeed, overdress, over-stress with their new babies." It was so true. When Aaron was 4 weeks old, and my friend's first born was 3 mos. old, it took us a half an hour, with diaper changes and emergency breast-feeding, just to get out of the door to go eat lunch. She was in from California and it felt so much like we were playing Mom. It was a fun afternoon, but lunch was hell. Both babies needed so much attention that lunch was no fun. We were both just nervines. We should have just driven thru a McDonald's and brought it home or eaten it in the car of the parking lot. It was a wasted R&O's shrimp po-boy experience.

Aaron had a slumber party last Saturday night. Six boys, including Aaron, had three play-stations set up in the living room and Aaron's room. It was nothing at all like a girl party. I was a little uneasy about that type of entertainment going on until I chased them to bed at 2:45. They were just getting ready to play hide-n-seek in my 1353 sq. ft home, with a large chunk of that being my room and off limits. What the heck were they thinking? Besides that, earlier in the evening when they attempted that, and in a darkened house, Aaron's lip connected with the back of Cal's head and it became huge. No pictures after that, except for this one and you can't tell his lip is still swollen and colorful.

Julia and Aaron at the bus stop this morning. He was still self-conscious and not wanting his picture. I couldn't get a smile out of him. I told him I was posting it on the blog so at least he stood still for a moment.

I just wanted to see if I could post pictures without Robbie sitting next to me. What do you know? I can.

This picture isn't all that clear, but one gets the gist of it. I used to have to throw a stick for Chip to pretend that is why he was swimming. Now, we have no pretense. He just wades in and swims. You can just here the "ahhhhhhhhh".

I’d like to mention two milestones/markers/accomplishments that Our Family Blog just passed.

Janine’s first picture entry here was our 500th entry.

Christina’s first comment on Katie’s entry here was the 2000th comment posted here.

You guys ( Or should I say ya’ll? ) rock.

To turn around now would be cruel. I have more photos of when we get to the pond. Maybe next time. Robbie and I want to see what it looks like on my screen. I am excited if this works out.

Elizabeth painted these polka dots on Julia's walls. She wanted to see them posted on the blog. She deserves that much.

I have lost two hours of my morning trying to upload pictures. Robbie, where would I find the information about how to put pictures on the blog in the archives? I don't have the patience to fool with this anymore this morning. I will pick up Polina from her daycare today at 1. She is in a Mother's Day Out program twice a week for four hours. Then I will take her home after her nap and Julia will continue her sewing lessons with Elizabeth. The quillow is coming out beautifully. Joe and I will read a book together or color if Polina will let us. I like spending time with them. It is a good trade. Meanwhile, I only have so many hours in my day, with this being my day off.

Lars has a job at McDonald's. I'm so proud of him! Not just for being employed, but because he's been so conscientious about it! He takes care of his own uniforms (I'm speechless!), and gets himself ready and out the door without prodding (actually he does the prodding, on the taxi driver--me!) He's really changed a lot this year. I've noticed a change in him this summer, he's growing into the nice boy I always knew he would be. Not that he wasn't always a nice boy, but his 'growing pains' were killing me! I think the worst is over, knock wood!

It has been raining non stop since Fri. We've been watching the Tchefuncte river rise all weekend. I noticed when I was out this morning that its over the road in some places here in Madisonville. I'm three miles from the river and we're high and dry anyway so I'm not concerned for myself, but I do worry for some friends of ours that live up the road from us. They flooded twice in just 2 weeks time a few years ago when we got hit back to back by 2 hurricanes. I think Georges (Jorges?) was the first one. I noticed as I passed that the water was just inches from their front door. They have sand bags in front of the entrance, but I don't think it will do them much good even if it does quit raining, because I'm sure the river and waterways will continue to rise. What a shame!

We had some interesting visitors this morning. A flock of white Ibis' were foraging in our front yard. Actually they were only a few feet from our front door. We've had them in the yard before, but usually out in the pastures and never this close. They are neat looking birds. The juveniles have brown wings and they make noise that sounded to me like very large bees! That's what first caught my attention that they were there, because I thought a huge bee was close by. I don't like bees. I'm not afraid of them (Janine), I just don't like them. No, really, ask Elizabeth.

Below, Patsy picked our first two mirlitons this morning. They are much larger than last year’s. Hopefully, we’ll have enough to have some stuffed mirlitons on the 23rd.

David is doing fine after several days of t.v. viewing/playstation playing and rest(?). After the first two days of feeling fine with no problems, it has hit Scott's daddy, though. It seems he has also developed inner ear problems (which he suffers from occasionally) and has been bed ridden sick at his stomach for the past two days. I feel so sorry for him. I've got everyone here this weekend which is less and less common these days. Kellie is here, too. We all went to see Taxi last night. It was funny. Had a little more suspense than I was expecting and lots of car chase scenes. I love Queen Latifah, though, and I also like Jimmy Falon.

I upgraded the blog software this morning and I am continuing to work on various things to get it to look more like it was looking yesterday. The appearance of the blog hasn’t changed. When you log in, though, you may notice that things have moved around and there may even be some additional options. I’m still doing some things but you can go on and do your blogging. Everything appears to be working.

I am not sure I should be saying this, but I guess I will. It all started along time ago when I had an itch on my leg. I scratched and scratched until it bled ( I was asleep at the time). Anyway, I developed a leg ulcer and it got infected. The docs sent me to a wound clinic at the hospital and I was refered to an infectious disease doc who had me get a picc line inserted so I can start IV home therapy. I had that done today! My boss won't let me work, with this in me so it looks like an unexpected vacation. I know that it sounds like I am ranting Sorry. I will keep you informed as to my progress.

Another first - I am attempting to do this without any technical support from my children. David and Scott's daddy had hand surgery today. About a year ago, while running cross country, David ran/was pushed by friends(?) into a sticker bush. Days later he told us that he got a sticker in his thumb. We said, "you'll be all right." Months later he told us he thought the sticker was still in there and that it hurt when he bent it. Our response, "Don't bend it." A few months later, he said, "it's really hurting a lot and I think you should take me to a doctor." A nurse friend agreed. We took him. The doctor said, "It'll work it's way out." After the summer, the pain got worse and the bump on his thumb was HUGE. We went to same doctor and he exclaimed, "IT'S A CYST, he'll need surgery." So that's what happened today. Bunk says that the doctor said the sticker was 1-1/2" long and going up his thumb diagonally. He also said it was as thick as a Redwood. Since being home, the cyst has gotten longer with the telling. Scott's daddy had surgery today right across the street from the hospital that David was in. Their surgeries were even supposed to be at the same time but Red's was performed three hours late. On Monday, he cut off part of his left index finger while using an electrical saw. He cut it at an angle right across his fingernail so they had to even it out. Today they cut it off right above the nail. He has been unbelievably calm about the whole thing since it happened. I, on the other hand, have had a weak stomach just thinking about it. Scott is sacrificing another day of work to stay home and watch movies all day - I mean, care for the infirm.

Well, today was a pretty big day at our house! Ashley passed her driver's test and is now a licensed driver! Look out world. Upon getting her license, she went to get her best friend and then to Culver's for a celebratory ice cream sundae. She also took Nicole to Confirmation class tonight as long as she was going to the senior high group that meets at the same time. I'll be watchin' for those headlights about 8:30! Can't believe how fast time has flown...didn't I just bring her home from the hospital! Carol

Saturday, October 23, 5PM.

Patsy and I are having a family get-together at our place. Don't bring a thing but yourself, your kids, and your appetite. We have everything else covered. All Ferraras, Byes, and Tompkins are invited. Will understand if some of you can't make it.

Go Twins!!!

The mirliton vine below has one conveniently placed within arm’s reach of the deck.

I went to go look for the little spider I had seen earlier when I came across the guy you see below. I am uncertain of the variety although I think it’s a black racer. I don’t think it’s poisonous but I didn’t take any chances. I left him alone.

I’m going to update the blog software and possibly do a slight redesign here next weekend. I’ve seen the new version on the DeRoche Blog and it has some nice, new features that I like and is essentially the same for you guys to use. I prefer having the latest versions of everything because it is usually supported better by the makers. It should be a fairly smooth update but I am waiting for a weekend just in case it isn’t.

Today is Mike's birthday. Like Dave, his chances of seeing it are remote. I did talk to him this morning, we're going out for dinner next week some time.