Bourbon Street

When we saw him "working" the first night we gave him a dollar to take his picture.

Sexy, huh?

Talent

This is a painting of someone playing Operation done by stepson Jake Marotta for a HS art project a few years ago.

As you can see, he's very talented.

The new Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Illinois

Started and ended my "procedure" in this room today. Pretty much of a blur in between. The surgeon assured Terri that the "microdiscectomy and annular repair" went well.

Lazy afternoon

Saralyn dozing on the screen porch, four and a half years ago. She was just starting her senior year in high school then.

Today was her final day of student teaching, so she is officially finished with college!

Congratulations Sleeping Beauty!

Plates on a wall

Taken at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston, MO. It is known as the "home of the throwed rolls" because they literally throw the rolls to you from the front of the restaurant. Very interesting.

Summer's coming

One of the best things about summer is the abundance of free live music outdoors. All different kinds of people come together for a variety of reasons, but all share the sounds and moods created by whoever is on stage at the time. It's rarely disappointing and almost always memorable.

I'm ready.

3 little boys and 3 big boys playing

Corner

Brick wall in America's oldest bar

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, New Orleans.

2 years ago

They cut corners they knew could cause disaster in the name of profit and bonuses. And disaster happened-- 11 dead and the largest oil spill ever devastated the geography, the wildlife, and the people of the gulf states.

Then they lied about it.

Now they're in the midst of a huge public relations effort to rebuild the value of their brand by making it look like they're the good guys. There are ads everywhere with smiling, happy people saying how much good BP is doing for the area. But it's really as if BP took away everything these people owned, gave them each a belt and one shoe and excitedly proclaimed, "Hey, look, we gave you all a belt and a shoe!" BP has not changed its culture. It is simply trying to buy its way out of what it did in the Gulf of Mexico two years ago.

They are evil and will never see a dime from me.

April 20, 2010-- never forget. Never buy BP.

Answer

Question: What is a four-course Irish meal?

Morgan in the woods

The Bubble Lady

It was a beautiful Spring day as we walked through the French Quarter. Up on one of the famous balconies, this woman added to the festive feel of the neighborhood with her colorfully decorated railing and a bubble machine.

How nice.

Where beads come from

This is a bead tree along St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. It is where beads are grown that are given out freely-- and not so freely-- in the French Quarter.

As you can see, it is nearly ready to be harvested.

Professional

Terri was taking a picture of this building on Bourbon Street just as the sun set. A man walked past us, then turned, came back and said, "No, I have to show you this. I am a professional photographer and I own that camera."

He gave us a very quick lesson in how to shoot using the manual mode, took this photo, and he left.

Thanks!

Bourbon Street

You know we turned right.

(But it was OK because we were walking.)

April 13, 2004

Just married!

This photo was taken of Terri and me just after we tied the knot under this natural arch in the Valley of Fire State Park outside Las Vegas eight years ago today.

Yes, it was a very special day.

Cafe du Monde

Chickory coffe au lait and beignets-- a New Orleans tradition. The Cafe du Monde is on Decatur Street at the bottom of the French Quarter and is open 24/7. Many go for their snack at the end of their evening. We went in the morning.

More from the cemetery

Angry skies

What looks like the beginning of a nasty storm rolling in on 3/23 didn't turn out to be that bad after all. But it does look apocalyptic, doesn't it?

Terri's beautiful (and tasty) Easter cookies

Angel above the tomb

St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans

Weeping Angel

Journey

It seems that Terri and I take what we call "Journey" pictures wherever we go. We take them to remind us that life lies in the journey, not just in the destination.

This is one of my favorites. It was taken in the Cades Cove area of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Double digits

Grandson Alex-- one of happiest and nicest kids I know-- is 10 today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!

French Quarter 4

Rough buildings and relaxed attitudes. Many buildings need a fresh coat of paint and many people seem to be content with little money and lots of time to play. We especially enjoyed the painted message in the window of this bike rental and reclaimed furniture shop.

French Quarter 3

Stoops. These buildings are right on the street and the stoop is the only slight separation from sidewalk and living room. From the face of the building to the street is no more than seven feet. The shutters cover windows and doors. When they are open, it's as if people walking down the narrow sidewalk are right in the house! The stoop design shown here is fairly consistent on the homes.

French Quarter 2