Road Trippin'

In this blogger's humble opinion, this is the best time of year to go on a road trip and play tourist in and around your hometown.  The price of gas is much lower than earlier summer; weather is beginning to cool off and feel like autumn; and there's nothing on the calendar for another few weeks.  Destination: Lafayette, for the Festivals Acadiens, a three day celebration of all things French- food, culture, music.  And some not-so-Francais moments mixed in too.  The drive was long- a little over two hours- and the weather was uncooperative, as it stormed from halfway there almost to the end of our journey.  The skies literally opened up and torrential rains baptized our car and the other vehicles on the road.  Traffic started dragging.  We were worried that this intro to the weather was a sign of what it would be like at the festival, but then resolved to remain optimistic and hope for the best.  Turns out, everything worked out beautifully- when we reached Lafayette, it was absolutely beautiful weather-wise.  Whew! Puffy white clouds, a clear horizon, amazing. 

 

The Festival was free to get in, and parking was free.  (Nola, take note and stop charging so much for local events!) While in downtown stopping to use the rest area, we asked for directions from a manager of a cool retro eatery called "The Filling Station".  He directed us, and warned that parking was "a bear", and he was serious- we had to park several blocks away.  Luckily it was a nice day for a  (long) stroll, and a straight shot to the fairgrounds.  Once we arrived, we were hit by the smell of festival food, the sound of good zydeco music, and throngs of people wandering around showing off their festival wear.  I saw so many colorful boots, swinging skirts, cowboy hats and funky sunglasses.  It was a colorful pageant just watching the other onlookers in their finery.  The awesome thing about this fest is that there is literally something for everyone- the elderly can bring their chairs and camp out in comfort (albeit humid comfort!); the kids have play areas; the adults have a plethora of souvenirs, boho tents of clothing & accessories, drinks (lookout for that long line for daiquiris!) and of course, FOOD.  That was our first destination.  We made a beeline for the Cajun food stands, and Mom ordered a shrimp po-boy while I went for the crawfish and spinach boat- a delectable bread "bowl" filled and swimming with crawfish and spinach in a creamy sauce.  A few dashes of hot sauce and "C'est si bon!!!"

 

 

 

We located a tent where they were prepping for a cooking demo, and sat underneath the canopy out of the blasting heat to enjoy our lunch, while watching the cook show us how to make orange marmalade.  We met up with my friend Sara there and all picnicked together.  The food was filling and yummy, and we caught up, watched the demo and ate while sweat trickled down our necks and soaked our hair.  Ah, that good ol' Southern humidity, haha.  We are almost never without it, even in mid October. 

 

Next on the list was the music- we headed towards the stage where Rockin' Dopsie and the Zydeco Twisters were throwing out their tunes to an appreciative audience.  The music was absolutely rockin' it!  There were so many people ignoring the dead heat and free spiritedly dancing and partnering up to kick up their heels.  There was a happy vibe in the air, really great energy from the crowds and the performers.  The three of us took turns taking Nate around for a turn, and li'l man was hamming it up and giggling and shrieking for joy as we danced around to the music. 

 

The weather surprised us one more time- while the sun was beating down, dark clouds were gathering on the horizon.  While the sun was shining, small cold drops of rain started pattering down, like exclamation points in a long humid sentence.  It was surreal- and yet amazingly refreshing.  There was also a small mischievous breeze that caught our hair and cooled off our sweat-soaked skin.  Paradise! If it had stormed, I don't think there would have been one person there to complain about it, because the heat was that dramatic.  As it ended up, the small shower helped cool things off and refresh everyone, and it was an unexpected break from the blistering sun.  Perfect festival weather!

 

As always, there was not enough time to enjoy the day and all the fun that the fest had to offer.  But it was refreshing to get away from the daily routine, and enjoy familiar places that we always love to go back to, along with family friends that we never get to spend enough time with.  And the ride home gave us one more pleasant surprise- a cloud angel that hovered on the horizon and gave us a sweet goodbye from our fun adventures on the road:

 

Here's hoping that everyone gets a chance to enjoy traveling on the road and seeing new places and enjoying new adventures!

Autumn Reading List

Well, it is that time of year again- autumn, the changing of the season, the beginnings of a stirring of wind and wildness as we traverse October.  This is a good time for reading, with a cup of hot tea brewing and a dog burying his giant head against your foot.  The smell of cinnamon sticks and dying leaves simmering in the air, and mornings that occasionally bring us cooler degrees and have us hunting for cardigans and boots.  The beginning of the year's end. 

During this time, I enjoy putting together a Fall Reading List, of books that help me get in the spirit of things.  Here is my annual list, with a few new additions added to the mix.  All of them contain magic, romance, adventure and a jaunt into the dark side.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

(1) "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane"- Katherine Howe
(2) "The Society of 'S'"- Susan Hubbard
(3) "Queen of the Damned"- Anne Rice
(4) "The Witch of Blackbird Pond"- Elizabeth George Speare
(5) "The Book of Life"- Deborah Harkness
(6) "Dark Fever"- Karen Marie Moning
(7) "Sense and Sensibility"- Jane Austen
(8) "Patriot's Dream"- Barbara Michaels
(9) "The Inheritor"- Marion Zimmer Bradley
(10) "The Mystery of Grace"- Charles de Lint
(11) "Flowers of Evil"- Charles Baudelaire
(12) "Ceremony in Death"- J.D. Robb
(13) "Chocolat"- Joanne Harris
(14) "The Museum of Extraordinary Things"- Alice Hoffman
(15) "Sunshine"- Robin McKinley
(16) "Darkness, I"- Tanith Lee

Foodies- Recipe for Healthy French Toast

I am a big breakfast person.  Mom always raised me with the old adage, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day", and I took it to heart.  After waking up from a night's sleep, it is crucial that we replenish the body's fuel and give it the energy it requires for the long day ahead.  Its easy to get stuck in a rut as far as early morning menus go- the old standby of cereal and toast can get boring fast.  Another concern for many is calorie counting- although I am a believer in firing up the metabolism early in the day regardless of how caloric the meal is.  When I was pregnant with my son, my eating habits underwent some strange changes, fueled by hormones and the usual pregnant-lady cravings.  What I ended up eating, every single morning for 9 months and even to this day, is French toast.  The ingredient list is short but each item is healthy, and recently I've added bananas to the mix to provide flavor and protein.  I believe that eating healthy should not be a chore or something to dread- I feel that it can and should be delicious.  So, this is my recipe for the Breakfast of Champs- Banana French Toast. 

Ingredients:

(1) Whole wheat sliced bread (1-3 slices)
(2) 1 egg (check for organic, free-range, hormone-free)
(3) 1/3 banana, smashed to a pulp
(4) 1/2 tsp wheat germ
(5) 1/4 c. almond coconut milk
(6) 1 tsp cinnamon
(7) 1/2 tsp vanilla
(8) 1 tsp powdered sugar

Directions:

(1) In a bowl, beat the egg. Blend in all ingredients except bread. 

(2) Set frying pan on high heat for 2 minutes, then lower to medium, and spray pan with cooking spray.

(3) Dredge a slice of bread through the batter on both sides, then place in frying pan.  Flip the bread frequently.  Evenly brown on both sides.

(4) Dredge the next slice of bread through batter mix, and fry in the pan.  Remember to flip frequently to avoid the bread becoming overly-browned.   

(4) Serve sprinkled with a dusting of powdered sugar and garnish with raspberries.  Tastes even better with a mug of hot tea. 

8/29/05- The Wake of the Storm

Mom checking out the damage
 

Our next door neighbor's backyard

One of the many trees that landed- this is our neighbor's roof

New meaning to the word "treehouse"

Welcome to the Jungle- me & Marius

 

 

 

Yes, its that anniversary again.  That day when the glass globe of our world was flipped viciously backwards, and the bedrock of our lives shaken to the core, all the fragments whirling around us like snowflakes in that globe of glass we felt was shatterproof.  Katrina devastated us 9 years ago.  Its the question that locals ask- "Where were you when the storm hit?"

 

Everyone goes through at least one life-changing event at least once in their life, and if they are lucky and blessed, once is the only time they have go through the painful process of having their world turned upside-down.  It is the way we experience one of the biggest losses of all- the loss of faith.  The feeling that we felt we knew our world and its boundaries and felt a sense of being invincible, protected, safe from the unknown- like the proverbial fact that kids don't understand the concept of their own mortality.  Then a storm hits, and destroys our world and our security, and everything is obliterated, flattened to the ground, the fatal blow. 

 

My own personal story from the storm- Covington, LA.  Nightmares a few days before, a portent.  Uneasy flashes of instinct.  Strange weather patterns, and a purple sky the night before.  Just us girls- me, Mom and Marius.  The power blinked out at 4:45 a.m. The next 7 hours were the enactment of a horror story.  Towering pines on both sides of the house falling silently like matchsticks.  The howling wind and the pelting water.  Huddled in the living room, too scared to retreat to the bathtub because it was as dark and claustrophobia-inducing as a crypt.  Time was suspended as we waited and waited.  And waited.  Towards the end of the longest day ever, the house shook as though hit by a giant, and that God-awful "freight train" sound gathered and struck.  It was one of the giants, a pine tree that was knocked down and landed on the house.  Thank God it only took out the corner of the house and not the middle.  My bedroom bore the brunt of the strike.  We walked down a quiet hall and were surrounded by a fresh pine smell.  One look into my room showed us the evidence- no ceiling left, branches and pine needles occupying the small space, the light blown out and in shards on the floor.  But- thank God- that was all.  Compared to so many, MANY others out there, one room out of the entire house was a small loss to suffer. 

 

The next two and a half weeks were grueling.  No electricity.  No generator.  Dead heat of a Deep South summer.  The street completely blocked by fallen limbs, giants that stretched from one end of the road to the houses and beyond, tangled in electric wires.  An unnatural quiet hovering, but thankfully a neighbor threw out an old bbq grill and we claimed it and were able to cook on it.  The morning cups of tea and coffee Mom brewed on that old grill never tasted as good before or since.  We had running water- another amen moment- and were able to take baths, so we didn't make a complete break from civilized life.  The Guard arrived, and we went with gratitude to wait in the line and get our car loaded with MREs.  Insane lines for gas, and prices yanked sky-high for yet another staple that we took for granted in the world "before".  Dead heat of the nights, no a/c, feeling smothered by the total darkness beyond our doors, and the incredible heat sitting like a weight on our skin.  The rhythmic panting of Marius was the only sound in that complete and scary silence.  Mom had a handheld little paper fan that she waved over me and our dog, to help us sleep.  She was the angel in that nightmare- her optimism in the face of all the ugliness was a force to be reckoned with. 

 

This new world without cell phones, computers and t.v.s was overwhelming indeed.  We were frantic to know how friends and family were doing, but the texting capability was slow going.  It was a vast relief when the texts slowly trickled in and everyone checked in when they could.  Other than those slow messages from the void, no communication with the outside world- but again, a blessing in the form of radio.  We followed that radio's broadcasts the way the folks back in WWII days followed it- the one and only source of information.  A voice in the lonely and frightening darkness, a beacon back home in a world that had lost all sanity.  A kind neighbor stopped by with Popeyes chicken, and fear-inducing stories of looters and villains crossing the lake- by foot- determined to rob everyone blind and kill us all in our (fitful) sleep.  We accepted the meal with boundless gratitude, and rejected the stories, praying he was wrong or misinformed.  You see, our faith was gone, so in this new and strange world, anything was possible. 

 

Life took its slow, painstakingly slow, turn back to normalcy.  But it was a long and difficult battle.  Everything had to be rebuilt, from the ground-up in some cases. 

 

We survived the storm, and everything slowly and gradually returned to a normal that we could understand and feel some return of security with.  Although "normal" will never be the same again- it has been redefined across the board.  And this day- August 29- will forever be "the anniversary".  Like the end of a relationship- the one we have with our faith.  But God smiled on us, in so many ways, and saved us from the storm.  He kept us in the palm of his hand, and when the towering trees were splintered and shredded like mere toothpicks, all around us, our God kept us from the eye of the storm.  We lived through it.  We were here to rebuild.  God willing, our faith will never falter again, and God will continue to keep us safe and sound through the storms of this fragile glass globe of life.  And while we say our prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving, we pray from the bottom of our hearts for those who did not survive; who lost family and friends, and beloved pets; who suffered such loss that they had to rebuild from the foundation of their lives on up; for those who fled the path of this vicious storm, and returned thinking they would have a home to come back to, but were struck with the "new reality".  We all share this tragedy together, and your pain belongs to us because we are family.  New Orleans- and Covington, and all the surrounding area- is home.  During these horrific times, we bond together, reluctant siblings that understand we share this pain and this world, soldiers in the same war.  That makes us family.   

 

 

Herakut, and the art of Magic Realism

Herakut, as defined according to Wikipedia:

 

Herakut is the name of a two-person team of German street artists specializing in murals. Jasmin Siddiqui, or "Hera," and Falk Lehman, "Akut," call themselves graffiti artists, most of their work is commissioned; smaller Herakut works have also been exhibited more formally in galleries. They have also released two books: The Perfect Merge and After the Laughter, which are retrospectives covering 2004-2009 and 2009-2011, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 I don't hold any special claims of being an art critic of any kind.  I took the requisite art history classes in college, and have always had an appreciation for "good" (read: talented) art.  I have always been of the school "All art is unique, and if someone puts forth the effort to do something the rest of us didn't think of, or were incapable of doing, that is art."  I've always had the deepest respect for art from all walks of life: the classic, the surreal, those artists who graduated from art school, and those who (incredibly) are self-taught and making a living from what they are doing.  One thing I can bring to the table- because its not artistic talent- is an appreciation for the art that others are capable of creating.  What I feel qualifies me to critique art is the knowledge of what makes my heart skip a beat and what awakens my soul.  This insanely talented couple named "Herakut", does both. 

 

Herakut could teach the rest of the art world a lesson in humble beginnings, dedication, and remaining true to your heart's messages.  They are self-professed "graffiti artists" but that simplistic and self-deprecating handle seems completely unfitting to the gorgeous power of their detailed, incredible work.  I don't know the entire story behind their art, or what fuels their inspiration, but their messages are truly universal.  It is at times dark and sinister; at others, whimsical and childlike; and always thought-provoking.  It lives and breathes on the walls and canvases.  It is a reminder of hope in this dark mad world.  You can practically envision a silver lining on each and every art piece. 

 

 

 

 

I have always gravitated towards the movement of art known as "magic realism"- the technique that combines mystical, magical themes in the everyday world.  Herakut seems to ascribe to this particular art, with its themes of winged creatures, monsters, angels and demons, innocence and street smarts. 

 

 

 

The best art makes you question the world around you, connects you to the universe and establishes an emotional response in the viewer.  I would have to say that Herakut succeeds in all of the above.  The eyes gazing out of their murals, the tenderness of the mother embracing her baby in the shot below, and the vivid brushstrokes in each and every piece, all convey a message that is truly universal to one and all.  They are people living in a parallel world, a reflection of ours somehow.  They make their audience dream a little brighter and bigger. 

Summer List

One of the ways I keep track of my everyday life as a busy mom and blogger- is to handwrite a to-do list.  This summer has been a super-busy one, and its not over yet!  Here is a transcription of what I plan to accomplish in my corner of the world as we approach the end of the long hot Dog Days of Summer...

(1)  Schedule an appointment for a haircut for myself at the end of August- this will be the chance to try a different style before the holidays arrive.  It will also allow the chance for it to grow out before Christmas!

(2)  Find a pair of Converse high-tops for Nate.

(3)  Plan a trip to the beach- Nate's very first Gulfcoast adventure.

(4)  Plan a return trip to Longue Vue Gardens- they have a summer program for the little folks called "Kinder Garden" and its a great opportunity to make new friends and get back in touch with nature.

(5)  Pick up our family portraits from Penney's; share with family & friends.

(6)  Plan an autumn garden- marigolds, autumn herbs.

(7)  Go to Storyland and ride the carousel horses.

(8)  Plan a photo shoot of everyday scenes during the summer- bare feet, wanderings, Beau drinking from the hose, the sunset after a storm. 

(9)  Visit the dogs during the next animal rescue event. 

(10) Indulge in shallow novels- make this summer's reading list a travesty in the lighthearted.

(11) Plan a camping trip.  For now, while on a time and money budget, practice camping in our own backyard- put up old sheet tents and listen to the crickets and frogs calling to one another. 

(12) Fill the kiddie pool up and lay out with a magazine and a cold glass of ice tea.

(13) Teach Nate how to run through the sprinkler.  Giggles guaranteed.

Summertime is a difficult time of year here in the south, due to the high humidity (steam room, anyone?), the soaring temps, and the short tempers that result from both.  Part of me longs to be outdoors enjoying this season and embracing that "fun in the sun" mentality; and the other part wants to run back indoors into the heavenly cool of the a/c, before the weather affects my hair AND attitude! The thing I try to keep in mind during these summer months is that they are fleeting, just like the rest of our lives, and as long as you don't mind getting your feet dirty, your hair frizzy and your mind open to adventures, it can be a lot of fun (albeit sweaty fun!).  Sometimes its good to get on eye-level with a child and open the door to the way things used to be before we grew up and the world handed us its expectations of perfection and politeness.  The biggest worry should be deciding what color to paint our nails since our bare toes will be making a 24/7 appearance.  Summer demands that we use our senses- the taste of snowballs and ice cream, the feel of mud beneath our bare feet, the way a storm breaks out and the smell of cool rain on hot pavement.  Maybe we need to suspend our own self-imposed demands long enough to be young and carefree, like the young children that still reside in our hearts.  We should visit that adventurous place in our minds, and focus on living from one moment, one day to the next.  Maybe its time to unplug from technology and get back to the days that didn't involve being "checked in" 24/7" with Facebook and Twitter and all the rest.  Mindfulness begins when you live in the Here and Now.  What better time to begin than these long hot summer months? 

 

Here's hoping that each of you takes the time to channel your Inner Child and throw stress and adult obligations to the wind, even for a brief time.  Happy Summer!

xoxo,
Zen Photographer

A Day at the Museum

The museum has become another sanctuary, like the library, for us to go on our family adventures.  New Orleans Museum of Arts (NOMA) has a new event going on this month- a crusade against lead poisoning.  The artist, Mel Chin, is petitioning to the government for them to get involved in this killer epidemic- I don't have the stats, but so many people die from lead poisoning year after year, and while it has received more attention recently, there is still much work to be done to wipe it out.  The artist is getting the nation and our community involved, with a take-home project for kids and adults alike.  The Fundred Dollar bill is a template- fake money that you draw on, and send in to the government as part of the exhibit.  NOMA is accepting the art and hanging it up to join the artist's exhibit.  It is a lovely way of getting families involved and promoting the arts. 

 

Lucas participated in the exhibit and created his own Fundred Dollar bill design:

To date, this is my absolute favorite piece of "Lucas art" ever.  The notion behind the design is our dog Beau- inspired by Benjamin Franklin, Beau is wearing an old Colonial-style wig and a very serious expression on his face.  The "100" contains fleur-de-lis, and the motto is "In Dog We Trust".  The artist signed it on the left, and on the right I signed it ("wife/teacher/love" where the witness line is).  The back of the bill is as incredible as the front- a graveyard scene and a silver moon shining down on the angel that overlooks the cemetery:

Everything is painstakingly rendered in full detail, freehand, by the artist.  Needless to say, this piece deserves an exhibit of its own- but it is part of the big Fundred Dollar bill exhibit to raise awareness of lead poisoning, so it is going to a really worthy cause. 

 

Aside from the new exhibit, we had a fun outing to NOMA recently.  It brings out the spirit of childish play and curiosity in our entire family.  We strolled and looked at exhibits on the first and second floors, and we pointed out the interesting ones and discussed our ideas and opinions about what it all meant.  We joked around and pretended to be statues, and took lots of photos and enjoyed our family time. 

 

Another question to ponder on the subject: Does art really imitate life?? Or is it the opposite? Either way, I hope this finds you making the time for your creative pursuits and your dreams.  They say that you should do what makes you happy and the money and fame will follow.  I say to do it for yourself and for the rewarding feeling of accomplishment that comes from creating something out of a blank page, an empty canvas, a quiet room, a blank wall. 

"Become What You Are"

Today, I am a writer. 

 

Maybe I should backtrack a bit.  I have always been a writer- in years past, I've written notebooks chock-full of poetry; songs for musician friends; blogs on a weekly/bi-monthly basis; the random notes; to-dos and grocery lists; reminders for the week, every week.  But something got lost or misplaced along the way, and I stopped writing creatively- the short stories and poetry and book ideas, and children's book scribbles, were like a river that had run dry and left nothing behind but dry land and myriad cracks and creases where bubbles and water had once rippled and thrived. 

 

But today is different.  Today is a beginning.  I made a resolution for this New Year, to get back to my creative writing.  I was afraid to begin- afraid that there was nothing left in my mind and heart to share with the rest of the world.  I was scared of the blank page.  Writer's block was my worst enemy a while back, and it reared its ugly head again when I attempted to begin another "chapter" in my writing life.  I felt I had nothing to say anymore.  And what was left behind felt vanquished by depression, self-doubt, and plain old fear of the unknown.  Now, I have begun once more to write from the heart and soul.  I gave myself a writing challenge and met it headfirst.  In my mind, I can see my writer's block as a granite structure, a Stonehenge of sorrows, standing vigilant and unyielding.  And by beginning- somewhere, anywhere- I have fractured the angry rock and left a hairline crack in its rigid sneering façade.  Writing is a part of who I am, but if I don't write, I won't be a writer anymore.  I write to escape the ugliness and pain of this world, and create a place where everything is as it should be.  Where magic and destiny unfold, and justice prevails, and where there exists all possibilities, all hope, all love.  I want to rewrite the unhappy endings.  I want to right the wrongs.

I feel very strongly that our world is at a critical point where we are in danger of losing the magic.  People are afraid of the unknown, and they are afraid of believing in something besides the concrete and factual.  It's going to take the combined imagination of writers, musicians, artists and free thinking individuals who give a damn and haven't become immune to the possibility of magic, to change things.  Our society is overrun by technology (that combined blessing and curse), and we are losing what gives us our soul.  Writing is my contribution.  I want to connect with the world, and this is the only way I know how. 

 

Now that I've started, I will continue along this self-created pathway.  I realize that this isn't the end of the road as far as anxiety or writer's block goes.  But I'm looking at it as my chapter 1.  It is going to be a daily journey, and I will do my best to begin all of the threads of story ideas that I've unwound over time.  I hope that my readers join me in this new beginning, and that I can bring something to both of us.  As always, stay tuned...