Tag: photos

For Greg Herren, because it’s that time of year

Greg–As you know, I come from a family divided–on both sides. Three people in my family, and three people in Tom’s family, are on the…well, the wrong side of the divide. One of Tom’s sisters sent this photo that I knew you’d understand.

shocking example of segregation in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The first man I loved

We didn’t always agree, but there was never one moment in my entire life when I doubted his love for me. The older I get and the more I see and hear, the more grateful I am for that.

It turned out that even though I didn’t think we had a lot in common, I adopted some of the traits that made me love and respect him so much, and that I hoped would make me a better person. I know he was flawed, because he was human. But time has made those flaws endearing, even humorous, and I like to think about them because they sometimes make me a little more patient with my own flaws.

I’ve never had to endure any confusion over how to be ethical or responsible or honest because I learned those things from him. I may not have always made the right choice, but I always knew the right choice. And on occasions in my life when I made choices he didn’t understand, he invariably said the same thing: You’re my daughter. I love you and support you.

Everyone should have an adult like that in her life. I was so blessed that I had one in my father.


Happy birthday, Daddy. I miss you.

So I’m a few hours late on this…

Because I went to bed Wednesday around 8 p.m. feeling a little battered by life, I’m late on this happy birthday post to my sensational friend and writing partner, Jim, whose birthday it was Wednesday. Happy birthday, Jim! And since he once humored me by letting himself be photographed just the way I wanted him to be, I’m going to post one of those Becky-demanded photos and consider it a little gift to treebreeze, because Thursday is his birthday, and who doesn’t like a cowboy on his birthday. Happy birthday, Todd!

Hope both of you get appropriately spoiled by the people who love you, because there are so many of us in your lives.

I remember

I would be remiss if I didn’t say that on this day six years ago, blessedly unaware with his mother of world events, my great-nephew Steven was born. He gave our family happiness on that day. Happy birthday, Steven.

Just another manic Thursday…

I can barely hold my eyes open right now. I’m too tired to even get up and go watch Hillary Clinton on Letterman, though I can hear the audience and Tom cracking up, so she must be doing well. Since I’m immovable, I figured I could at least post about my day.

First of all, these things right here?

They are fantastic. I love Crystal Light lemonade, and these are designed to pour into a single bottle of water. Today I mixed one with water and crushed ice when I was working at the remote office. Mmmm. Only five calories. Also, I guess Crystal Light makes some with electrolytes added, a bit like Gatorade. There are flavors other than lemonade, including green tea with honey and lemon.

No, I’m NOT getting paid for this post. I just wanted to share something that made me happy.

Another thing that made me happy was going to a reading/signing by The Times-Picayune columnist Chris Rose at Murder By the Book. He had a funny account of his experience with Oprah’s people when he was scheduled to be on her show for the Katrina anniversary. If you’re interested (and if the link still works), his column about it is here.


Chris Rose signing books.

Rose is a dynamic speaker. I think he’s feeling all the anger and frustration of anyone who lives in and loves New Orleans. But he was also able to talk about a few things that are going right–mainly the spirit of the people who are staying there and moving there and trying to make New Orleans even better than it was before. I got a copy of his collected post-Katrina columns, 1 Dead in Attic. He’ll be in Houston Friday, too, at Barnes & Noble on Westheimer at 7 p.m. (for more information call 713.783.6016). Or check here for signings in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.

Another good commentary on post-K New Orleans is this post from chefcdb. Again, anger mixed with determination and optimism.

While at Murder By the Book, I also got a copy of New Orleans Noir and got to read Greg Herren’s short story “Annunciation Shotgun” which I’ve heard so much about. It lived up to its glowing reviews.

Now if I could just have some actual time for such pleasures, I’ve got lots of good stuff to read as I sip my lemonade.