Sweet Potato Queens' Big Day - Part 2

I biked back to the parade area and found my base of operations was right where all the parade participants were lining up. I proceeded to take over 250 pictures. Here's a few I've selected. (the "buns" are plastic)

Sweet Potato Queens' Big Day - Part 1

I commented last year that I didn't care to participate in the famous Mal's St. Paddy's Day Parade here in Jackson, Miss. It has become such a huge success that it can be a huge pain in the neck to deal with. The traffic, the crowds, the drunks - all the common hazards of a big celebration. 25 years ago I would have been there amongst the revelers, and I was, back in the day. Now in 2009, my sister, ML has been initiated into the celebration as a VIP of sorts, having been a friend, Girl Scout veteran, high school classmate, etc., of the world famous H.R.H. Jill Conner Brown, THE Sweet Potato Queen.

See the website: http://www.sweetpotatoqueens.com/ if you don't understand the significance, and after doing so you still may not. ML and other high school friends marched in the parade as The Queen's Revirginated Classy Mates.

There were zany things associated with this year's event, like a wedding on the float during the parade, the Classy Mates serving as bridesmaids.

Anyway, it was time to attend and pay homage, and I could run the early morning 5K and meet up with the Mississippi Heat Triathlon Team contingent with an area staked out with snacks and drinks. Fellow Flounder KE promised prime parking at her office a sweet potato's throw from the parade route and directly in the parade lineup area.

Wifeunit was laid up with a mysterious illness, so I headed out at 7 am for downtown Jackson and the St. Paddy's Day 5K. The race is very popular and well attended, and it's fun to run through the city with the tall buildings, the State Capitol and other landmarks decked out in a spring bloom of azaleas, dogwoods and lush green grass.

I ran a leisurely pace enjoying the cool air and scenery, and milled around post-race with friends. ML called and reported her position and marching orders, and I called KE to review the parking situation. I had loaded my bike in the truckster to ensure mobility in case I needed to keep claim on my parking spot, which did turn out to be crucial. I had planned to bike to the nearby YMCA for a shower, but KE offered her home facilities even nearer and less hazardous, with coffee and a pleasant garden seat to kill a little time before the parade.

To be continued...

Mardi Gras 2009 - Pascagoula, Mississippi

Here we go again, down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, close enough to New Orleans to be in mandatory Mardi Gras Parade Territory. It was another great day for a parade. Lots of interesting people having a great time.

First, you need transportation.




You might get lucky and find a party with boiled crawfish.

Royalty and celebrities are always out to greet their loyal fans.




Animals in attendance:

Delta Geese

We've noticed several posts on the Mississippi Bird list server about Snow Geese in the Delta not far from here. The geese are common in many areas of the US in winter, especially in farm land that is semi-flooded, but Wifeunit and I had never actually seen them, even though we've been on trips through the Delta in winter several times. I was determined to see them, so yesterday we drove northwest through Pocahontas and up into the hills and high bluffs that mark the boundary of the vast, flat Mississippi Delta.

The road we followed falls out of the bluffs and into the little town of Satartia, next to the Yazoo River. We learned on our Indian Mound trip last year that the Yazoo River was originally the subject of Stephen Foster's song "Sewannee River", but he asked the meaning of the name Yazoo and was told it meant River of Death, so that was that.

We drove out of Satartia into the flat farmland and before too long we found the Snow Geese -thousands of them - and they all had something to say. The word "cacaphony" would be appropriate to describe what we heard when we pulled over and rolled down the windows. Our trip turned out to be shorter that expected since we found the geese so far south. Mission Accomplished.

Today I took advantage of rare calm wind conditions and a reasonably warm 45 degrees, and canoed out into the middle of beautiful Pelahatchie Bay. I was alone but for 2 fishermen far away, and a few dozen Least Terns and Ring Billed Gulls. The wind picked up a little and forced me back in, but I was able to snag a few nice pieces of driftwood.

January Again

Of course I've been busy since Thanksgiving, and lazy, and training for a marathon in February that I've decided not to do. I had such a good time punishing myself for two half marathons that I decided enough was enough. Now I can look forward to a fresh new year, get back on the bike, work harder on swimming, and level off on a comfortable running routine for me.

In early December I ran a half on a cool day and felt good afterward. The 2nd Mississippi Blues Marathon (and Half) was not so comfortable but a lot more fun.

I'm running slower than last year and I don't mind. I'm running for fun and health. On a 7 mile run Saturday, I overtook a local legend - Murray - 80 years old. He does 3 to 5 miles 3 times a week. He had just moved to the neighborhood and I recognized him from having seen him at many 5Ks. I slowed (only slightly) to run with him and listen to his story. In case you runners weren't aware, the reason you get slower in your 70's, according to Murray, is that "your lungs draw up and you can't get as much air". I'll accept that. I'll be happy to be alive at 80, but if it's still possible to run at that age I'll do it.

I'm reminded by our friend how much many of us admire and respect those who lived their lives in a different age, how their lives were shaped by different experiences long before our birth. They have wisdom in their words and example that is sometimes hard to recognize. After they've passed from this world, we think how lucky we were to have been a witness to their greatness, and maybe hope to be so admired when we are gone.

I need to mention that Wifeunit and I joined a team of 25 or so dedicated local birders and thousands across the U.S. and participated in the Jackson area Christmas Bird Count. It was our first time and a great experience. We were in 8 groups covering a huge area, 3 in our group. We counted more than 60 species while the total for all Jackson groups was slightly over 100 species.

Also, I must highlight the superb effort of Wifeunit at our annual New Year's celebration. She volunteered her talents as Conductor of the first performance of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Eight-Piece Party Horn Orchestra. Brava!

Arizona Thanksgiving Trip

After a hectic Monday and a 13-hour day at work Tuesday, we were on our way Wednesday aboard an early flight to Tucson for the holiday weekend. Of course we had to fly to Altanta first, but that's normal for Delta Airlines. I guess our plane was slower than the one I saw passing us somewhere over Texas. Our reasons for going to Tucson were about getting me out of town and away from work, but the best part was having family and friends there to share some good times with.



We stayed at the El Conquistador Resort Hotel, a really nice place northeast of Tucson at the
foot of the Catalina Mountains.

Thanksgiving dinner was at the hotel grand buffet, with all the finest meats and cheeses in the land.

Cousin Sara joined us at noon for the feast, and she and Wifeunit talked all afternoon in the lobby while I relaxed on the cozy furniture. It was the most peaceful afternoon I've spent in a long while. I stared out the window at the mountains and dozed off while listening to the buzz of the girls' conversation, the sounds of the feast contiuing and a football game on a distant television in the lounge.

Not one to neglect my training schedule, Friday morning I ventured off on a run, down the busy road north to Catalina State Park, about 4 miles from the hotel. Wifeunit met me there with water and snacks. I ran another mile or so to the end of the road where some nice trails begin.

The running route was beautiful, and the weather fine. I did notice a difference in my effort since the altitude was higher than home, I think about 2600 feet.

Wifeunit and I took a short, 1-mile trail and enjoyed a nice sample of the desert landscape.

The Saguaro Cactus was an unusual sight for

Mississippi natives.

No fences, no billboards, no buildings as far as you could see.

We spent Saturday on a guided tour hosted by Vera and Larry, who moved from Mississippi to Tucson several years ago. We did some shopping, had some lunch and visited the historic Mission of San Xavier del Bac.

We had a wonderful day and lots of fun with our friends. Below are more pics, including a roadrunner, quail and two goofy tourists.

The Best Time of Year

The weather here these past few weeks here has been clear and beautiful. The leaves on the trees are in full color and the temperatures are chilly at night, but warm during the day. October and November are my favorite months, and in spite of my working a lot of weekend hours, Wifeunit and I have been able to enjoy a couple road trips to the Gulf Coast.

We made our annual trip to Jamie & Bethany's in Wiggins for Jamie and me to defend our "Paddle - Pant - Pedal" Triathlon First Place Open Team title. (This was easy since all the other teams were in the relay or mixed categories.). We spent a lazy afternoon at the farm and at the creek, and that night sat around the fire with our favorite beverages.

The next weekend was our return to Ocean Springs and the Peter Anderson Festival. Another beautiful day and visit with ML and Harry. We took a boat ride late in the day and enjoyed a nice sunset on the Pascagoula River marsh. And I did not neglect my marathon training - I drove to Gulf Islands National Seashore - Davis Bayou Park for an early morning run.

Long Time No Post

I've been really busy at work, and that means working weekends. But I've managed to squeeze in some fun here and there.

The Wellsfest 5K was bigger than ever, had a new course, and the weather was almost perfect.
I'm in the crowd somewhere and was pleased that I'm running better every week without any pain in my knee or back.








Credit Wifeunit for this wonderful picture of the kids beginning the Wellsfest 1 Mile Fun Run. This photo really looks great in a larger size.

Wellsfest is an all-day event with food and family entertainment, including a dog parade.....
















.....and yoga demonstrations, which Wifeunit joined.








I wanted to save some photos of our plants before the winter comes. These are basil, oregano, parsley and thyme - great for snipping and adding to the recipe instead of shaking out of a bottle.

One of our new plantings this year was Coleus we grew from seeds. It took a little while to get going, but we had several large plants with these wonderful colors.











This weekend I decided I'd had enough work and got in the canoe for a while. One of the islands was covered with wildflowers.











The white pelicans are back from Canada and the Great Lakes. They are a beautiful sight in the winter when they gather in big flocks and slowly circle catching the sunlight. I believe they fly this way just for fun.