Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The Rural Life

The St. Gabriel, LA area (actually Sunshine) is where my maternal grandparents lived and where I spent many of my formative years. It's located about 15 miles south of Baton Rouge. Whenever I'm feeling lonely or melancholy, I often take long drives there, sometimes remembering days of my youth, or simply to clear my head.

Below are photos from one of my drives on 3/31/13. First stop is usually St. Gabriel Cemetery to visit my mom, sister, and grandparents.
I took two different versions of this statue and couldn't decide which one to post.
So you get both. :)



Following along River Road I make frequent stops. As I'm driving, the levee is on the driver's side, and opposite are homes and pastures. Since Hurricane Katrina, Baton Rouge has become a little too crowded, and with the increase in crime, many are building very nice homes in rural areas such as St. Gabriel; however, I prefer the more rural structures. The unassuming, unpretentious life is how I was raised, and I hope that never changes.
I so wanted to get on the other side of this barn, but I was relegated to one view.

An enormous ditch and a barbed wire fence kept me from crossing over to get more shots.


As a youngster I ate meat from my grandparents' cattle and vegetables from their garden.
Maybe that's why I was so healthy.



Levee with an unusually large patch of grass below.

A unique live oak tree that looks like it's been knocked down by a hurricane or two.
Despite its challenges, it's still growing and thriving. Kind of like me!

I have updated my About Me page; the last paragraph in particular. Check it out if you have time.

28 comments:

Pallavi said...

Nothing compares to the beauty of the rural life my dear Gail . The food and the air are so pure . I did feel very sad when I saw the pictures of the cemetery. May your sister, your mother and grandparents always rest in peace. Thanks for sharing such an beautiful and heartfelt part of your world.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

This looks like it was an amazing drive. Wow. I love the levee.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I like both pictures of the statue, although maybe the second one slightly more. With the color in the background, it almost looks more like fall than early spring. Love the peaceful country scenes with the cows and the colorful old barn.

hootnonny said...

Thanks for sharing the drive to the country! The statue is beautiful and serene. No wonder you like going there.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

A beautiful drive- I love both photos of the statue, and I am trying to figure out what that is on the side of the barn- is it sheets of fabric? Very different, that's for sure.

TexWisGirl said...

i envy you that you are close to 'home'. some days i'd really like to revisit some of my youth views.

love that pieced-together barn!

Anonymous said...

prachtig zoals je aan je jeugd terug denkt en je eigen met die niet kapot te krijgen eik vergelijkt.

Anonymous said...

very much love those 1st two images! Wow...great shots! So soothing and peaceful...

cath said...

Très joli texte, j'aime beaucoup ce post!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

love the shots of the cows tails in mid-wave. too awesome!! ( :

Wally Jones said...

There's nothing like a drive in the country to soothe the soul.

Thank you for sharing yours.

renae said...

Ooooooh Gail, I love the purple tone of the trees in the photo with two cows grazing. MARVELOUS!

Oh, I have to watch 'A Christmas Story' every year. We usually watch it on Thanksgiving Day as a family as we are cleaning up the dinner. We don't have to be sitting there at staring at it because we know all the scenes and all the lines. And, we laugh at the same parts EVERY TIME.

Helma said...

Hi Gail,
I feel for you. The countryside is beautiful to see and there you breathe pure air. Air which is necessary in order to be able to further.
I also know what your foot at the cemetery. Also, my parents, grandparents, and a few other loved ones as eternal life.

I'll give you a big hug and thought I hit just two arms around you

Anonymous said...

I find cemeteries quite consoling. I grew up across the street from where my ancestors were buried.
The barn unique and intriguing. Nice captures Gail.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

I love this look at rural life! I grew up on a farm in Central Virginia, and I need to take a ride a revisit some old places, too.

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful countryside. Yes, my sister left BR for the reasons you mentioned. She taught school in East Br which was tough enough, but was mugged in front of her own home one evening. The experience turned her into a "law and order" Conservative.

I love the sweet statue of Mary.

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful rural scenes! After living in a rural area myself, I could never go back to living in a city. Beautiful series and a great post. Have a happy week!

Willow said...

Beautiful photos Gail. I love unpretentious too.
That tree is really remarkable , full of character and beauty ~ like you :)

Stephanie said...

Wow, what incredible beauty, Gail! I just LOVE the old barn - such character.

Hugs!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Gail you certainly are growing and thriving and I am so enjoying the journey through your eyes. That is so beautiful those top three photos and I am glad it brings you such peace.
Love the cattle photos:) HUGS B

Brian King said...

What beautiful photos! I love the old barn! It looks like it's been patched together. The tree in the last shot is fantastic!

Shug said...

I enjoyed each and every one of these photos. Isn't it nice to take little trips like this....just to clear the mind. We all need to do this sometimes. Great photos of the old barn...
I love country life..
shug

Anonymous said...

I can't decide which photo of Mary I like better, either. Thanks for posting both!

Suzan said...

Lovely - serene - a nice place to be -- the first two shots!!
Great barn shots!! You grew up in a nice area-- all those yellow flowers out in the field??

Anonymous said...

Love these shots - particularly the bent-over live oak tree.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Sometimes a trip down memory lane is just what a person needs. Sounds like an idyllic chidhood.

EG CameraGirl said...

I must confess I LOVE living in a rural area. These photos are wonderful, Gail.

Anvilcloud said...

Barns like that are so appealing. Too often we have no access to the best shots.