Thursday, October 11, 2007

About Me

First and foremost, I'm the mother of three grown, wonderful children. The words "unconditional love" finally had meaning the day they each were placed into my arms.

Raised as a strict Roman Catholic I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and spent my summers in Sunshine, Louisiana with my maternal grandparents. After 30+ years of dabbling in Baptist, Presbyterian, and other bible churches, I am currently learning to become an Orthodox Anglican, along with my husband. I love the incense. I love the holiness and quiet reverence during mass. I love the responses and prayers we all cite together. It's like going back home after a very long, arduous journey.

My dad became a cop in the late 60s and was written about in the book Race and Democracy: The Civil Rights Struggle in Louisiana, 1915-1972. He is tough as nails which is why he has his own web site. He and my mother divorced when I was about 8, so most of my formative years were spent unsupervised while my mother worked. She taught me a lot about working hard and being honest and not expecting a handout from others. We were a self-sufficient, cohesive little unit until I smoked my first joint at 13 years old. I went through a terrible, rebellious stage, which nearly killed my mother. Somehow we lived through that and I became a responsible adult. The best part? My mother forgave me.

Mama was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease over 20 years ago. I am always on the lookout for new treatments, medicines, or surgical developments. She doesn't tolerate her current medication well. Many times it causes nausea and other unmentionable symptoms. But without the prescriptions, she would not be able to get around at all, so it's the lesser of the evils. I talk to her every day at the end of my work day. Sometimes it's just a quick five minute conversation, and other times it's a 30 minute gabfest if she's up to it. It's about all I can do from 500 miles away.

I collect renaissance angels and fleur de lis objects. I love photography and wish I was better at it. Love, love, LOVE my dogs - any dogs, really. They are the epitome of loyalty and devotion, which are two traits I hold in high esteem.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happened upon your website. Can I say how BEAUTIFUL your pictures are!??!

As a watercolour artist, and also a Louisianaian, I am impressed with your eye for composition, color, texture, contrast, and graphic skill.

Gail Dixon said...

Why, thank you! I'm so glad you stopped by. :)

Anonymous said...

This is Anonymous again, just visited your website again. Your photography is beautiful.

I don't have a website so maybe I can be called Live Oak Lily from Louisiana.

As an artist, mostly in watercolour, I am always looking for new subjects to paint. As a matter of pride, I do not use photos other than my own personal ones.

However, your photos are very close to my painting style and I would not paint anything of yours unless I had your permission. Do you ever allow your photos to be used by others?

Live Oak Lily from Louisiana

Gail Dixon said...

Live Oak Lily, thank you for visiting again. I am deeply touched that you like my photos so much. Please email me at dixon.gail@gmail.com to discuss the use of my images. Thank you and look forward to hearing from you!

Kittie Howard said...

Hi, Belle, had a bit of time to relax and went to your blog to scroll thru some of your pics. They are gorgeous. You belong behind the lens, girl! You have an amazing talent.

Anyway, thought I'd click open where you said Here and, well, just wanted to thank you for sharing a cup of tea with me.

Gail Dixon said...

Thank you, Kittie! I'm so glad you stopped by. And I thoroughly enjoyed our "tea". :)

Amy said...

I stumbled upon your site as I am always thriled to find fellow Louisiana bloggers;) I'm originally from Houma, but have lived in Lafayette for the past 14 years. Your family is quite interesting, and I'd say the description of "badass" for your Daddy is right on!

Looking forward to reading more:)

Anonymous said...

I was acquainted with your beautiful photography through FlickR, but I'm so happy to discover your blog! We have a lot in common (except I'm not nearly as skilled in photography!)

Gail Dixon said...

Hello Amy & Barbara! So nice to meet both of you. Barbara, so glad I found your blog!

Margie said...

Visiting from Jillsy Girl. Beautiful blog and glorious photography!

Gail Dixon said...

Margie, thank you so much for the kind and generous comment.