Odds and Ends

I saw some odd things last weekend on my jaunt down south.


At The Shed in Ocean Springs, we saw these wind chimes...made from pork ribs. Weird. But cool.


At Flounders in Pensacola Beach, this sign was hanging over the entrance. I guess they wanted to make sure no customers left that couldn't find a spot right in front!

And this one, also in Pensacola Beach:

Yes, it's a house. Yes, it looks like a UFO. and yes, if you look closely at the upper windows, you will see an alien looking out at you.

Weird. But fun! Gotta love the beach!

Beach Life

I can't believe it's been a week since I left the beach in Pensacola. So much craziness of real life...and it was so relaxing to just stare at the Gulf of Mexico and listen to the waves.

Looking at this beach, it's hard to believe it's a roasting hot Saturday in August...there's not that many people here. This is why CNN was doing a story here...the sharp decine in tourism thanks to the oil spill.

Here's our intrepid reporter, Reynolds Wolf, reporting on his story of the hour...I was laying on the beach when I took this picture.

It was a nice day...very hot.

We ate supper across the street from our hotel at Flounders...pretty good.

We had to make a run for it after supper because this rolled in...

There was some serious lightning and wind with this one! Thankfully nothing serious.

OK...one more for the road!

Ah.............

Second Chances

Yesterday Nicky and I, along with members of our Boy Scout troop, helped out with our American Legion's Operation Second Chance, dedicated to those servicemen and women who have been injured in service to their country. They got to go fishing on the Chesapeake Bay, then came to the Legion for a barbeque, and finished the night at a local spa/hotel.

Our troop helped out with the barbeque, shuttling water and helping set the tables. There were so many other volunteers for this event there wasn't a whole lot for the boys to do. They had games they let the boys "test out" such as Corn Hole and horseshoes. There was also a dunk tank. The boys had a great time attempting to dunk the obnoxioud boy inside. That guy did a great job getting them riled up! Called them Girl Scouts. :) Then a Girl Scout (former) got up there and showed them how it was done. Yep--I actually dunked the guy--I didn't know I could throw a baseball like that! Somewhere there is a video of me actually accomplishing this feat...but I haven't seen it yet.

Here is one of the boys trying his best:

The Scouts waiting for the vets to arrive:

Here they come with police escort:

The vets arrived in style on one of our local school buses...

Some of our boys welcoming them with waving flags (Nicky is in the middle):

They're ready for some food and games...and lots of good music courtesy of an excellent DJ...

After everyone was settled Nicky and I challenged each other in a game of Corn Hole:

Neither of us won...we didn't come anywhere close!

I think this banner said it all:

Thank you all...I hope you enjoyed your well-deserved day.

Barbeque and the Blues

One week ago Eric and I were eating some of the best barbeque. On our drive from New Orleans to Pensacola we stopped in Ocean Springs, Mississippi to eat at The Shed.

It's on the grounds of a campground. Interesting. It's not much to look at...just an old tin...well, shed.

This is the outdoor eating area...and bar.

I was hungry and forgot to take a picture of the entire pate, which consisted of potato salad, baked beans, a roll, and beef brisket (they were out of pork, darn it all). But this is the beef...man, it was good!

While we ate outside at the picnic tables, we were entertained bya blues singer named Walter, Jr.


He was very good...he had 6 CDs for sale, so he's been at this for a good while. We enjoyed his singer and guitar playing for several songs before we hot the road again.

Eric ate here again a few days ago with his crew...no fair eating there without me! It was good eatin'!

French Quarter Sights

There were many very...interesting sights in New Orleans' French Quarter. Here are a few:

I bought a couple of cute Christmas ornaments in a very nice Christmas store in the Quarter. Lots of Christmas items!!!!!!! This tree was in the front window:

It's a Very Mardi Gras Christmas!

I loved this gold statue of Joan of Arc...

And of course, the infamous Bourbon Street:

There are many strip clubs on this street, open even in the daytime, with the employees in the doorway enticing one to enter. I'm glad my boys weren't with me...they would have gotten an eyeful!

This is one of the clubs...no girls seen here, though.

I'm sure it is MUCH livelier at night! But Friday evening we were on our way to Pensacola. Beach, here I come!

Jackson Square

While tooling around New Orleans Eric and I walked through Jackson Square, a very peaceful little park in the heart of the French Quarter, near the Mississippi River.

Here is the namesake of the park, President Andrew Jackson.

I thought this fountain was so pretty.

The church behind President Jackson is St. Louis Church: may be St. Louis Cathedral. It didn't say...just the name. I thought this shot was so cool.

A small oasis in the chaos of the French Quarter.

My Camera's Stylin'

We interrupt vacation photos for a very important update...

Today I got a lovely gift in the mail. Angela from Country Scrap Quilts, one of my favorite blogs, sent me a beautiful camera case that she sewed.

Isn't it pretty?

The striped lining provides a nice contrast to the print...

The straps can go on your belt to keep the camera safe and easily accessible. PLus there's a pocket on the back, too!

Thanks, Angela!!!!! Be sure and check out her blog for great ideas and to see her wonderful work! She's very talented!