Grand Time!

The weekend of October 4, we were so pleased to have two of Double D's children and three grandchildren come visit us for the first time since we moved to Baton Rouge. They're my kids, too, but my children have all visited, and I didn't want to confuse anyone.

Given some choices on what they wanted to do, the French Quarter won out unanimously. Although the day involved a trip to the hospital and a fender bender (unrelated events), overall it was a fantastic day. Since Hurricane Karen was threatening, I left Bertha at home; therefore, all the below shots were taken with the phone.

The famous Pat O'Brien's

Despite the possibility of a real hurricane, the girls jumped right in
and had their own. Those things are too strong for me!

Double D photobombed this shot and I didn't even notice until
I pulled it up on the computer. What the what is he doing back there! lol

Courtney (left) has lost 110 lbs and Lindsay has also lost a lot of weight doing
Beach Body. They look great! Such sweet and beautiful girls.

Shortly after Cami had her portrait done (a special treat for doing so well in school), Courtney
started vomiting and experiencing severe chest pains.
On the corner of Chartres and Bienville Sts. I called 911 and the medics arrived promptly.
We all have our own theories as to what occurred, but the diagnosis at Tulane
Medical Center was an anxiety attack. Hard to believe since we were having so much fun.
Thank God she's okay.

At the end of the evening, finally home, Seth talked Sparky into a game of Go Fish.
We later found Sparky under the bed protecting a Jack of Hearts, growling at anyone who tried to take it.

Double D's ex-wife and her husband generously let us use their enormous luxury van to travel in. Double D was doing a good job of getting us places in his patient, steady manner. After we picked up Courtney from the hospital, we needed gas, so we pulled into a station where we were quickly boxed in by three other cars; one in front, one in back and one on the side. Trying his best to maneuver us out in reverse, he scraped the front fender of the car behind us. The man was really upset at first, but Double D has such a calm nature that the man eventually told us to go and not worry about it. "I'm a nice guy", he said loudly in his N'awlins accent. I should say! That was a pretty long scrape on his bumper. And I felt terrible that now both sides of the van's bumper have matching boo-boos. Sorry guys!!!!!

We crammed a lot into two days, but it was worth it. I think the kids enjoyed Louisiana and will be back for more.

More Progress

A few more shots of my time fishing in Progress, Mississippi with my dad and Double D. I think I've found a new hobby!

Double D wearing his Texas Ranger colors.
I ask you, could we have fished at a more beautiful site? My dad knows the right people!

Daddy trying to get the hook out of a bream's mouth.

One of the few photos you'll ever see of me. Yuck!
Double D took this with his phone. I was the only one to catch a catfish that day.
He was so excited and proud.

Close-up of my catch. All the fish were released back into the lake.
Hopefully they weren't too traumatized.

Quick Clicks and an Update

My dad and I have logged two fishing trips so far; both of them in the same week. Fun, fun, fun! Although I enjoyed my time fishing, I also wished to wander the beautiful fields with my camera.  Out of the corner of my eye I could see small flying things begging to be photographed. I managed to sneak in one photography session on the second day before my dad could protest or do an eye roll.

I *think* this is a checkered skipper

Look at the long tan antenna on this grasshopper! Is he trying to contact Mars?

Loved the detail of the wings and legs. Nature is fascinating!

Update: At the end of September, I was informed that Cracker Barrel did not choose my photo to sell in their stores. They gave no reason, but my liaison told me that they never give a reason for why or why not, but they buy often. She said eventually we will hit upon the right image at the right time. Although slightly disappointed, I was a bit relieved since the image was not one of my favorites. They were kind enough to send me a 10x15 museum wrapped canvas print.

Just a note to all of you who post photos to a site like Flickr: Be sure to use tags! This is how all of my work has been discovered. Even putting the main color as a tag is helpful since some folks are looking for specific colors. The buyer of Cracker Barrel was looking for coral pieces. Hope this information helps someone else!

Hummers of Magnolia

I don't know what my stepmom puts in her hummingbird nectar, but she has the largest population of hummingbirds I've ever seen. At one time I counted 17 hummers, but I think there are more. The buzzing is so loud, you'd swear there was a swarm of bees nearby. They're difficult little creatures to photograph, but I tried! Photographed 9/25 and 9/26 in Magnolia, MS.

Time to skedaddle! There's the photographer lady.

Although they squabble occasionally, these are a pretty friendly crew.

Happy Monday!

Independence Park in Baton Rouge has been my "go-to" place this summer for flowers and insects. I know you're rolling your eyes and saying "Not another macro post!" Well, I suffered to get these shots, so I'm sharing. How did I suffer, you ask? With temperatures in the mid-90s (fahrenheit) and a "feels like" temp of 100+, let's just say it brought back nightmarish memories of summers in Texas. I went out with my camera every other day, staying about an hour at a time because one day I over-stayed and almost fainted. I'm brown as a raisin, though!

Hope everyone has a fabulous week!