DA' BACK PORCH

2010 - New Year - New Beginnings

2010-01-02T11:03:00Z

It's a new year and with it comes new beginnings in many areas of my life. Many resolutions I've made in the past, I have not kept or only finished part of them. So, I've vowed not to make any concrete resolutions this year. I still would like to loose those extra 5-10 pounds (doesn't everybody?, lol) and be able to get off all my meds! But, I know that won't happen either! I always have good intentions in the beginning, but somehow, things have a way of getting pushed onto the back burner or I just loose interest in them. So this year, I'm trying a new approach to the "resolution" thing. Instead of committing to certain goals with a time limit, I will simply try to accomplish them by working on some aspect of each goal once a week or daily as given. However, I still wrote them down so I can review them when needed, in hopes of accomplishing some of them this year. Here is a few of the most important ones I'd like to accomplish.

One new goal I intend to finish is posting a new pic-a-day for each day of 2010. By the time the year ends, you'll have a pretty good peek inside my life as a wildlife and nature photographer by viewing what I see, touch, hear, smell, taste and love. It could be a photograph of wildlife, nature, scenery, or even a still-life, or something from my family life. You can view the daily photographs on my web site (www.bayoubellephotography.com) under a new category entitled: Pic-a-Day - 2010. Here is the first photo:

Photograph of the "Blue Moon"

I have a few trips already scheduled for photo adventures and can't wait to capture some more great images. Over the course of the next few months, you should see more photographs of finches, iris's and eagles, of course!
I am also in the process of composing a book on my photography. My goal is to have it complete and available for purchase by the fall. With the tremendous amount of photographs I have, I will probably have two or more books, categorizing them by subject matter. However, with the enormous amount of time and editing that goes into producing a book, I'll probably only compose one book per year.
Organizing photographs and uploading new ones to my web site will take a front seat this year. I have a huge back-log just waiting to share with you.

You will be able to find me at my usual shows this Spring:

Southdown Marketplace - March 27th, and
Art After Dark - April 17th

I also have a few exhibits and presentations lined up for the summer and fall. I'll post more information as the time approaches.

Over the last six months, I have been ill a lot. I had surgery (nothing major), as did a few family members also, which kept me out of the loop for a while. Then, I suffered a few months with the flu, bronchitis, and several colds. Trying to keep up with everything I put on my plate was just too much and updates to my web site suffered. However, I did continue to take photographs when I could and I'm happy to say that I have lots of great shots to share with you that I will post soon...

And finally, after two years of loosing my Precious puppy girl, I've decided to open my heart again and get another puppy. This one is a Yorkshire Terrier, a female. I've named her Lady Isabella and call her Bella for short. She was born on December 10th so I have a few months before I bring her home (probably around February/March). I can't wait to take her on some of my adventures!

I visit with her regularly and post new images on my FaceBook page weekly if you're interested in seeing them. You'll have to request to be my friend, then go to Photos... Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1635553429

I'd also like to thank those of you who have purchased my photography this past year. It's great to know that my images are gracing the walls of many people all over the world! 2009 was a great year with many new prospects fulfilled. And, some still waiting in the wings. My wishes are for each and every one of you to have a very Happy New Year filled with lots of love and happiness, joy and laughter, and good health and lots of wealth! Just two or three of these would be great, wouldn't it!

If I had to choose three they would be:

Love,
Laughter, &
Good health.

For with Love, I'm rich beyond my dreams; and with laughter, I find joy and happiness; but if you have good health, you have everything. I'm blessed that I have love and laughter, but good health has eluded me for five years now. However, I'm working on getting off some of these meds (it takes a very long time--years), and I hope and pray that my chronic illness, dermatomyositis, will go into drug-free remission really, really soon!

Happy New Year!

Until next time......"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"
Let the Good Times Roll!

~Darlene~

LOOKING FOR THAT LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEA?

2009-12-13T08:00:00Z

Prints of southeast Louisiana's beautiful swamps, wildlife and nature scenes make wonderful gifts to the ones you love that already have it all. There is still time to order your prints, but time is of the essence.

Place a mail order by December 19th to receive by Dec. 24th by snail mail.
Place an order by December 20th for fed-ex delivery, 2-day air to arrive by Dec. 24th.
Place an order by December 20th for local delivery and I'll deliver it personally by Dec. 24th.

Contact me directly at bayoubellephotography@yahoo.com to arrange special ordering (i.e., framed prints for local delivery only.)

Absolute cut off date for Christmas delivery is December 20th.

PLACE YOUR ORDERS TODAY!

Thank you and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Until next time......"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"
Let the Good Times Roll!

~Darlene~

FIRST QUARTER UPDATE (2009) AND A HAIKU....

2009-03-24T02:50:00Z

A quarter of the year has already slipped quietly by. Well, maybe not so quiet for me, lol.... A lot of stuff that life is made of has happened and I have managed to reach some of the hefty goals I set for myself in 2009. Slowly....ever so slowly, I am harvesting some of those stars from the sky and making my own little constellation in my own dimension (too deep, lol!). However, some of those stars are many millions of miles away....a very long way off (i.e., my goals)... But, you have to reach out and grab them once in a while so you're own little star can shine!

In my personal life, I've managed to:

Clean out some of the stacks of paperwork I had piling up and realized how many opportunities slipped right on by cause I did not know about them. However, I still have a few piles of papers left to sort and organize.
I've cleaned out a few junky drawers and one closet filled with things I don't use anymore.
And, I am in the process of organizing my wall space to include some of my photography. I can't wait to see how they look on my own walls!
My garden is looking a little less "weedy," lol. I still have more work to do though. However, I've managed to plant 100 caladium bulbs, 16 gerber daisy plants, a flat of pansies, 16 tulip plants and transplanted a few lantanas and a small elephant ear plant. Now that the warmer weather is here, hopefully I can find the time to keep up with the weeds!

In photography I've reached several goals:

I have an exhibit of five works currently displayed at the Louisiana State Museum in Patterson, Louisiana.

I have a rotating exhibit at the Everett Street Gallery, (Artist Guild Unlimited) in Morgan City, Louisiana (on going throughout the year, rotated monthly).
I'm a cover girl, lol! My photograph, taken by Aimee Dugas Photography, is on the cover of POV Magazine for the month of March, 2009. "SNAPSHOTS OF LIFE" is the title of the feature article written by Terry Trahan, Jr. about my chronic illness and how I overcame that adversity to achieve the level of success I have with my photography. You can pick up a copy at many establishments in Houma. A list can be found on the POV web site and for those "out-of-towner's" that can't get a copy, you can read the article on the web site at: http://www.povhouma.com/current_issue.htm. It was an honor to be featured and very unexpected. My grandson now considers me famous, lol! After the month of March you can always access the article in the archives.
I have an upcoming exhibit scheduled for the month of May at the Ochsner Foundation Hospital on Jefferson Highway in New Orleans. It will be displayed the entire month in Art Walk I which is the main corridor on the first floor. The exhibit, entitled Louisiana Wildlife and Scenics, will include over 20 beautiful photographs.
I have restructured my web site for easier navigation of categories and added a new category entitled, "What's New." All new photographs will be inserted into this category, staying there until the end of the month at which time they will be recategorized into their respective category with the older photographs. New photographs may be added at any time, so check back often.

In oil painting and sculpting my goals are being reached a little slower as I still have a huge learning curve ahead of me for some time to come. However, I have reached some goals I have set for myself.

My sculpture entitled "Cycle of Life" has been accepted into the 7th annual Juried Art Exhibition in Grand Isle, Louisiana. I sculpted a sunflower sundial which depicts the beginning the ending of time with the Alpha and Omega symbols and the word time. At the end of the gnome, there is a flower with a tiny bee collecting pollen.
Five paintings were displayed in January at the Terrebonne Parish main library as part of an art show for works completed in classes taught by Gail LeCompte and Doris Beaudean, two of my teachers.
I am currently attending a six-week pottery class at Nicholls State University; ongoing until April 13th.
Three paintings are hanging at the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild through March 31st.
The same sculpture "Cycle of Life" won "Outstanding use of Sunlight" and Honorable Mention at the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild Art Show.

Of course, many of my goals would not have been possible without the help and/or assistance of other fine human beings and the good Lord above. I'd like to recognize those who have helped me in some way to accomplish these goals.

My husband, Lonnie, for not complaining when I have papers strewn all over the house, trying to "take care of business."
My daughter, Jennifer, for being there when I need some "honest" advice about my work.
Brandi Degruise for her devotion in keeping me healthy and supporting my photography.
Bonnie Rushing for recognizing true adversity and for editing a great feature article in POV magazine.
Aimee Dugas for taking the great photograph on the cover and inside story!
And, to Terry Trahan, Jr. for his skillful words and talent to put this complicated disease into perspective so everyone could understand.
To the Ochsner Foundation Review Committee for believing in my work.
And, to my many mentors and teachers who have graciously given their time and talent so that I may develop my own.
And to YOU, my devoted followers and supporters, for your encouragement and continued support no matter how large or small.
Most of all, THANK YOU GOD for all the gifts you have bestowed upon me!

Needless to say, I've been extremely busy. But, I'm lovin' every minute of it! Now go check out the new photographs I've uploaded. And, don't forget to check back soon for more new pics.

Oh, and did I mention I write poems too? Here's a little Haiku poem. And if you don't know what a Haiku poem is...google it. They are fun to write.

                                                    Reaching for the stars
                                                    feels like leaping into space
                                                    without a tether.
                                                                     ~Darlene Martin Eschete~

Keep on clicking!

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"
                                      Let the Good Times Roll!

~Darlene~

EAGLE EXPO - 2009

2009-03-02T05:36:00Z

Once again, the Eagle Expo in Morgan City, Louisiana was a huge success. This year I attended the Friday night reception dinner, Saturday seminars and the Atchafalaya Basin tour with Cajun Jack.

After a superb, full course dinner I was excited to see the presentation of "The Inside Story: Photographing Animal Behavior in the Wild" which was expertly given by Kurt Mutchler, Deputy Director of Photography, National Geographic Magazine. It was a very interesting presentation about various wildlife all around the world. It was amazing to see how tracking devices attached to these animals could, over the course of months, show you exactly where they had been and for how long, along with certain behaviors as the animal was faced with adversity.


                                                        Kurt Mutchler,
                                        National Geographic Magazine

Wouldn't it be interesting to find out exactly where the eagles we see in southeast Louisiana migrate from? With technology today, I'm sure there is a GPS small enough to attach to an eagle's wing or leg. We can only assume the eagles migrate from our Northern states and Alaska as no studies that I am aware of are being or have been conducted on this matter.

Saturday morning was filled with very interesting presentations on eagles and other raptors (hawks, etc.), and the brown pelican. After a quick lunch, I set out for a tour of the Atchafalaya basin with Cajun Jack. I had been on the tour before and chose this one again because of it's diverse opportunity to see different species of wildlife in the basin. And this time was just as, if not more than, exciting. We saw 28 eagles, hundreds of white pelicans and double-breasted cormorants, herons, an owl, anhingas, alligators, and of course many beautiful cypress trees.

The pelicans were resting on a sand bar and as we approached, they all took off and circled the boat before landing again. The cormorants, which are black, were mixed in with the white pelicans as they flew overhead. The mixture looked like salt and pepper in the sky and their reflections on the water completed the breath-taking view! You could hear the swoosh sound of all the wings flapping at the same time but in different rhythms. I made a panorama of that scene..... Check it out on my web site: http://www.bayoubellephotography.com/



Sitting up front is Scott Walter who gave a very informative presentation on the Louisiana Brown Pelican on Les isles Dernieres Refuge just south of Terrebonne Parish. All the way in the back is Cajun Jack, who meticulously steered us through the "crooked" bayou within the Atchafalaya basin. Amongst the other tourist where professors, photographers, photo journalists and others from near and far.

Attendance for the Eagle Expo keeps going up each year. If you haven't been yet, and you want to see some of the beautiful scenery and wildlife that I have captured through my lens, make plans to go next year. You know I'll be there, God willing....February 25-27, 2010! Here is the website for you to get more information: www.cajuncoast.com or http://eagles.btnep.org/. You'll even see a few pic's of me from 2008 on the btnep site.

Even though the weather wasn't the best with the rain all around us, during the Atchafalaya tour the rain stopped. Even with the cloudiness and deflected light, I still managed to get a few great shots as you'll see on my website. Some were rather misty, but mystical, some with beautiful reflections created from the cloud disbursement, and some just breath taking.  Go to my website to check out the new photographs. Click on the Gallery Viewer at the top right, then, What's New to view the new photographs!

Not ten minutes, after I had left the landing to return home, down came the rain again.... And this time, with a vengeance! It was pelting my truck so hard from every direction that I got a free car wash!  A blessing in disguise.....

Enjoy!

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"
                                      Let the Good Times Roll!

~Darlene~

"A TASTE OF LOUISIANA"

2009-01-23T12:40:00Z

I, along with twelve other Louisiana artists, are exhibiting art work at the Louisiana State Museum in Patterson. The exhibit, entitled "A Taste of Louisiana," will depict scenes inspired by our state and its rich culture.

My work on display includes the following:

Reflections - Cypress trees of Lake Martin on canvas
Oak Alley Plantation - on canvas
Mourning - Weeping angel; Metairie Cemetery
Madewood Plantation - Collection of five images
Morning Love - Couple on bench looking over the river

You are cordially invited to attend a reception to be held on January 23, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. until 7:30. Admission is free and open to the public. The works will stay on display until mid March. The museum is located just west of Morgan City over the bridge. The address is 118 Cotten Road, which is on the left. You can see a map by clicking on this link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Louisiana%20State%20Museum%20-%20Patterson

I hope to see you there!

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"
Let the Good Times Roll!

~Darlene~

ON WEED, WEEDS, and WEEDING...

2009-01-12T22:38:00Z

THERE IS WEED...

AND THEN THERE ARE WEEDS...

AND THERE IS ALSO THE TASK OF WEEDING...

What type of weed/s/ing do you have in your life?

Well, I don't know about you (maybe you'll comment and tell me, lol) but, I have a lot of weed/s/ing in my life!

There's the junk weeds (the weed that clutters my life)
The sabotage weeds (the weed that steals my time)
The true weeds (the ones that clutter my garden)
The bad weeds (the kind that messes up my day & my life), and
The good weeds (the kind that makes you happy, lol).

The "junk weed" is all the material stuff lying around my house doing nothing but taking up space. Just think of all the natural resources used to go into this stuff, like plastics and metals and such. As the years roll on by, it seems like the "junk weed" keeps on growing and growing. It's almost to a point where I can't see above it anymore! So I am hereby instituting a new rule in my life: When I shop, and I pick up an item, in order to purchase it, it needs to be an item I can consume or utilize immediately or in the very near future. That was one of my goals...to "debunk the junk!"  Well, I did clean out one junk drawer in my kitchen, organized it and got rid of the stuff I didn't use anymore. I also cleaned out the clutter in one corner of my closet, lol....still have lot more debunkin' to do....

The "sabotage weed" are those little things that creep up when I'm trying to work or finish up doing something I really need to do. I start out with the mindset of finishing one task and end up doing something completely different and then forgetting about the original task until I stumble upon it later on in the day....  I hate when that happens... It can be a phone call, someone coming to the door, or just a thought that I had to do something else at that moment, like stir the pot of stew before it burns, lol. Maybe I can sabotage the sabotage weed, hmmmmm... I'll try and be more conscious of the task at hand and don't let my time be sabotaged by those other little weeds that need attention too.

The "true weeds" just keep on growing and growing and growing. Every time I look out into my garden the same weeds stare right back at me.... So, there I go, pulling them up again, filling bag upon bag of weeds. Where do they come from? I know...the good earth is filled with seeds. Maybe my soil is way to fertile. The weeds just love the areas they grow in. Seems like I don't see too many in the whole yard... But, just look in my garden area and poof, there they are! What is a "true weed" anyway? To us southern folks, buttercups and clover are weeds.... Did you know that these "plants" are sold in a garden magazine to folks up north? I consider them wildflowers! And, they are a true testament that Spring is on it's way. But then again, a weed is any plant that you don't want growing where it is at that moment! Yep...all the "weeds" around my "flowers" have to go. But, if you don't pull them up and just let them grow, you might see a little flower bloom from them. And then, they'll go to seed. Then, you'll have seven years weed! As the old saying goes..."One years seed yields seven years weed!" Well, I'd better start pulling again. Seems like old man winter isn't killing my "true weeds".....

The "bad weeds," hmmmmm... Just who or what are "bad weeds?"  Everyone has someone or something in their lives that they could live without.  One "bad weed" in my life is my disease, dermatomyositis. With it, I have lots of medical problems which I prefer not to even give acknowledgement to. But then, without it, I would not be the person I have become today. I have characterized the disease and not let the disease characterize me. I have had some "bad weeds" that were people in my life and quickly weeded them out by letting them go their separate ways. In doing so, I averted the "bad weeds" from taking root inside myself. It's a good idea to take a look at the "weeds" in your life and sort through them... Pluck out or take control of the "bad weeds" and plant more or hang onto the "good weeds." The birds of a feather...flock together.....

The "good weeds." These weeds are the type that makes the garden of your life happy!  Some of the most simplest things can make your life happy. The birth of my grandkids...and the joy of seeing them grow...like weeds, lol...   A great supportive husband who puts up with my unending supply of this or that or whatever! A family that is also supportive and very loving. And then there are the talents that God has given me. He has let me "see" all the "good and bad weeds" to photograph them and share with the world.

Another "good weed" is the kind you smoke....the kind that can make you "really happy!" I am sure most of you reading this have tried it once or twice in your life.... Or maybe not, I really don't know. Hmmmmm..... Mom and Dad, if you're reading this, maybe you'll want to skip over the next two paragraphs, lol...

I've tried the "good weed" several times in my life.... Yep...I was a little wild child sometimes, lol. I was never a regular user so the times I did smoke a little, I really got "happy!" My husband, Lonnie, and I use to attend the annual bike rally in Gulfport, Mississippi. This was, of course, way before Katrina wiped out the area.  We always stayed at the Holiday Inn across from the beach. One time, after a full day of riding and having fun we decided to take a walk on the moonlit beach.   I wore a blue, tea-length sun dress and my dear hubby had nothing on but a pair of shorts. Wet sand squished in and out between our toes as we walked hand in hand. But, with the other hand, we passed the "good weed" amongst each other until we couldn't suck any more weed from it.  It didn't take very long before I really got giggly. And once I started, I couldn't stop, lol. Everything became funny... My dear hubby had a hard time trying to control my new found freedom. I was free...free as a bird...giggle...flying high through the brisk salty air. Leaping and dreaming, dreaming and leaping...giggle...I was free.....

Finally, Lonnie managed to get me back to the hotel room, where he promptly undressed me and put me to bed.... Well, on the bed was the remote control. All of a sudden...that remote control moved....or did it? It did, didn't it? giggle... I'm sure it moved....giggle... Yep it moved...look at it! giggle, giggle, giggle..... There it goes again.... Look it's a remote control...giggle... It's a remote ....giggle.... control ...giggle. Look at the remote control! giggle, giggle, giggle!  That was the most funniest looking remote control I've ever seen. I must have laughed for a good hour at that remote control....lol. The next morning I remembered about how funny looking the remote control was and to this day as I am telling you this story...that remote control didn't look any different from any other remote control I've seen to this day but it sure was funny, lol! Ahhhh...that was the "good weed!"

So many weeds come and go in our lives.....some good.....some bad....some sabotage your time....some clutter up your life.... But, most of all, cherish the "good weeds" and the "good weed" (lol) that comes into your life cause they are the best weeds of all.

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"
                                      Let the Good Times Roll!

~Darlene~

ART SHOW TONIGHT!!!

2009-01-12T21:11:00Z

As most of you are already aware, I have been dabbling in oil painting for a little over a year now. My photography gives me ample subject matter to paint and boy do I have a lot I'd like to paint..... I am enjoying it tremendously and can see a little progress from my very first painting to the last one I've recently completed. I still have a long way to go to achieve the level of ease I'd like to complete a successful painting and in discovering exactly the media and subject matter I like most. But, most of all, I'm having a great time learning all about tonal values, complementary colors, shadows, perspective, and then actually seeing the final result created from a blank canvas.

You can see five of my most recent works at a free art show and reception to be held tonight, Monday, January 12th at 7:00 p.m. You are hereby cordially invited to attend. It will be held at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library. Along with five of my most recent paintings, you also will be able to view my fellow students' work. These works include paintings which were completed through a grant supported by the Terebonne Parish Consolidated Government's Art Funding project as administered by the Houma Regional Arts Council and the Friends of the Terrebonne public Library.

My works includes the following paintings:

Portrait -- "Jesiah" -- I painted my grandson from a photograph I took when he had just finished swimming and was playing "peek-a-boo" with his Sponge Bob towel.
Floral -- "Grace" -- A bird of paradise flower with a little green frog clinging to one of the many stems I painted.
Floral -- "Louisiana Beauties" -- This is a painting of three blooming Louisiana Iris' with a dainty little lady bug on one of the stems.
Master's Reproduction -- "The Birds" -- This is a painting of the famous master painter, Caspar David Friedrichs' "Tree of Crows".
Wildlife -- "The Watchman" -- This is a painting of a Louisiana Brown Pelican perched on a pylon with an oil rig in the background. With our very delicate coastline constantly put under strain from the oil industry and natural disasters like hurricanes, our wildlife seem to be the only "Watchman" watching our coast and their habitat deteriorate almost to a point of non-existence.

Come on out and enjoy the beautiful art created by some of my fellow painting buddies!

Hope to see you there!

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"
Let the Good Times Roll!

~Darlene~

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2009!!!

2009-01-03T07:54:00Z

It's a new year....2009.

There's no looking back to 2008 for anything....it's gone!

We only have to look forward to the future to determine our goals and plans for the new year. I have a lot of goals and plan to accomplish them all... I did say "plan to". Now, whether I accomplish them all successfully or not is to be determined by my will-power to follow through on those plans.

Will you look into your future to see what you'd like to accomplish and where you hope to be at the end of 2009? What are your goals and/or plans? I don't like to say resolutions because most people don't stick to them for very long.... It's sort of like trying to do something you know you won't stick to (like loosing weight) because you know you can't have it or accomplish it in the first place..... Know what I mean? LOL. Try making some realistic goals, start small and work up to the bigger ones.

I have three lists' of goals...one list is for my photography; one is for my art (paintings and sculpture); and the last one is a personal list. Each list is quite long, but if I can accomplish everything or almost everything, I'll be a much happier individual by the end of the year. And, by writing them down, I won't loose sight of my plans.

Here are a few of my goals I've set for myself:

Photography -             * Update website weekly! I've been slacking
                                                      on this way too much...Time to step it up!
                                               * Process all photographs that are in limbo
                                                       somewhere in my computer that are just
                                                       itching to be posted!
                                               * Archive photographs by year and subject.
                                                * Start showing my work in larger craft
                                                       shows like Oak Alley and Destrahan
                                                       Plantation.

Painting/Sculpture - * Continue with educational classes in oil
                                                        painting and sculpting.
                                              * Finish work started in oils before starting
                                                       new ones.
                                                 * Start a new website for art work separate
                                                        from my photography.

Personal -                         * Debunk the Junk!
                                               * Organize closets and get rid of
                                                        stuff not used.
                                                 * Finalize flower gardens and embellish
                                                        them.
                                                 * Restock fish pond.....lost all my goldfish
                                                       thanks to Hurricane Gustav!

These lists' are no where near what I actually have written down....they're just a starter to hopefully get you motivated to start your own list! Periodically, during the year, I'll update my progress or whenever I reach a goal I'll post it on my blog---whether it be a success or failure!

Now, on to the "good stuff".....

Check out the 15 new photographs I've uploaded to my website under the following categories:

Flowers/Plants:   Amaryllis - "Red Lion" (2 images)
                                       Magnolia with dragonfly at rest
                                    Agapanthus - "Lily of the Nile"
                                       White Shasta Daisy
                                       Peace Lily

Churches & Cemeteries:   St. Martin De Tours Catholic Church
                                                          "Evangeline" (famous romantic statue)

Plantation Homes/Old Houses/Barns:
                        Longfellow-Evangeline Plantation (2 images)
                        Longfellow-Evangeline Cabin (replica of cajun life)
                        Old red roof barn with albino horse

Lagniappe:  Mosquito Bar (Stephensville)

Scenics:        Stephensville Bayou, Stephensville, Louisiana
                            Cross tree (on short-cut road Dulac/Dularge)

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"
                                      Let the Good Times Roll!

~Darlene~

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION...WILL YOU VOTE?

2008-10-24T05:20:00Z

My dear friends and family....

I am very concerned, as many of you are, about the upcoming presidential election November 4, 2008. I had decided not to vote because of the candidate choices we have for the Republican and Democratic parties. I really feel that if either of these two candidates are elected, our great nation as we know it will never be the same. Our freedom to choose our religion, basic rights, and our very lives are at stake.

Please read the following scenario of what I strongly believe will happen.

Most of you that know me really well, know that I am a true believer in God. I am not a prophet and do not claim to be. This is a revelation that I had on September 29, 2008. I struggled over the past few weeks whether or not to share it with anyone and something just keeps putting it forward so here it is:

READ ON:

Obama wins the 2008 presidential election and spends a term of 4 years in the White House....2009-2012.

Within the first two years in office he will accomplish most of the things he promised while running which includes a plan for the following:

Better and affordable health care for ALL;

Better education for ALL our children;

Fix the broken financial system so that ALL of us can retire one day with our savings;

And so on.....

As time goes on, America seems to be recovering from the turmoil of 2008.....or so it seems.

And then, while most Americans go about their busy lives once again....

Obama WILL succeed in bringing countries that we considered enemies into the heart of our great nation and share our military might to achieve WORLD PEACE...even with the Muslims. Because of Obama's Muslim descent, this task will be a walk in the park. All religions will be in harmony.

A One World Order WILL be established with ALL nations in the world within the next four years (you may not see or hear it coming!) BE FORWARNED!!! One Government and one monetary system.

And when the parable of the fig tree comes to fruition, we shall see the resemblance of the Glory of God coming from Heaven producing lightning on command. DO NOT BE FOOLED!!! Who shall unmask and tear down the Antichrist? If you are called, you should not preordain what you are to say, but let God speak through you freely.

Before the end of 2012, maybe 12-12-12? (No one knows the exact date).....We shall see the coming of the second advent...the true GLORY OF GOD IN CHRIST.

God has had enough!

Because I can not agree with either candidate for President, Republican (McCain), or Democrat (Obama) and because I believe neither candidate would be good for our country, I had decided not to go vote at all on November 4th. I am sure many other Americans feel the same way.

Concerning McCain, all I have to say about him is that I think he would be completely railroaded (if he would win, but I know he will not). Then, America will no longer be a free nation as we know it. Martial Law would be instituted and we will no longer have ANY rights as citizens of this GREAT NATION UNDER GOD!!!

McCain and Obama are not the only two candidates who are running for this prestigious and the most important position of our great nation. WE DO HAVE OTHER CHOICES!!!!

What are they???? Or should I say, Who are they??? This web site helps you by giving you information on all the candidates that will be on the ballot, with their running mates and how they stand on this issues facing America. You can find it here: http://www.politics1.com/p2008.htm

Perusing this web site, I was able to freely choose another candidate whom I feel will bring American back from the brink of disaster. His name is Charles "Chuck" Baldwin. You can read his stand on the important issues facing our nation today: http://www.baldwin08.com/ and then click on issues. He is affiliated with the Constitution Party which was established in 1992 to reflect the principals of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. You can read more about the Constitution Party here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Taxpayers_Party.

We as a nation can not sit back and do nothing. We must act in some way and live with the consequences of our own decisions. I urge you all to carefully consider the candidates and vote for the person you believe will do the best job to benefit all of America. Even though as I've said above, Obama will win and in the end Americans will loose....

Only God knows.....who, what, when, where, & why?

Now, with all that said......

I WILL GO VOTE...PLEASE VOTE ALSO!

PRAYER IS POWERFUL!

AMEN!!!

~Darlene M. Eschete~

WHY?

2008-04-13T06:15:00Z

Why is life so hard to live? I'm sure most of you "older" people have already figured this one out....It is so much easier to die than to live. I've been very close several times and if it wouldn't be for family I would not be here today. And I'll be brutally honest here....Sometimes I wish I wouldn't have to go through all that pain and suffering again..... I've always had the sense that I would not live to a ripe "old" age. I didn't want to see wrinkles anyway, lol...

So while I'm here on this good ole' earth, trekking on this special piece of ground that God put me on here in southeast Louisiana, I'm gonna live my life to the fullest every day. Hopefully, I've been able to share some special photographs and stories with you that you may have been touched by or enjoyed seeing. I'd love to here about it....

Since the Eagle expo, I've been to Grand Isle on a migratory bird expedition and another boat tour of Lake Verrett at Attakapas Landing to see the blooming Louisiana Irises. They were absolutely beautiful...gorgeous blues speckled within the Tupelo and Cypress trees. The long slender sword-like leaves were swaying back and forth in the gentle breeze as the dappled sunlight flickered off the morning dew......It almost took my breath away... I hope to post some more pics soon...

I've shown my work at Southdown Marketplace and Evangeline Longfellow State Historic Sight in St. Martinville. I also had two oil paintings in the recent Art Gallery Spring Show. Tonight was Art After Dark where I was able to bring a lot of my new work of New Orleans photographs. These were well received along with a lot of the wildlife and flora photographs. Many people were out and about and many were buying too. I hardly go to these types of things (other than craft shows) to sell my work. If I sell something it's a blessing...if not, then just sharing God's beauty with others is reward enough.

Tomorrow I'm off to New Orleans again...The New Orleans French Quarter Festival. Should be a great time....of course I'll take a few pictures. Next Saturday is Art under the Oaks at the E.D. White Historical Site north of Thibodaux. This will be my last showing for the Spring so if you'd like to see some of my work, be there!!! After that I'll be catching up with editing all the beauty I've seen in the last few months so I can share with you. And, Ms. Lois if you are reading this blog....your eagle photo is coming soon...

So why are we here on this great Earth....Do you know WHY you were put here??? We all have a purpose in life. One road will take you one way...another road will take you another way and so forth. So when you are making choices in your life, make sure you travel down the path that will bring you the most rewards. Think about what matters the most in your life and see to it that it is first and foremost in your life....EVERYDAY! You never know when God will call you home.

When I was told I was disabled, that word just went in one ear and out the other. Not in my vocabulary. What is dis-abled anyway??? Disabled from what? I could still talk...blink my eyes....and move a little...ha I may not be able to run a marathon like some people, but now I'm running another type of marathon....my own version. And I'm sharing it all with you. Yeeehaawww!

So if I haven't told you lately that I love you. I LOVE YOU!!!

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"

~Darlene~

EAGLE EXPO, WHAT A TRIP...

2008-02-24T17:00:00Z

It's finally here...the long-awaited photographs from the Eagle Expo held last week in Morgan City, Louisiana. Three days of seminars, swamp boat tours, and meeting new and exciting people all interested in the same thing---EAGLES! WHAT A TRIP!!! If I had to describe it in one word, that word would be AWESOME! I must have seen at least 30 to 40 eagles, some nesting with fledglings still in the nest. It was truly an amazing experience. It's estimated that out of over 300 eagle nests' in Louisiana, Terrebonne Parish has the highest concentrated amount of eagles with nearly 70 to 80 pairs.

I recently spotted an eagle not too far from the old abandoned nest near Prospect, going towards New Orleans. I was driving along around 70 mph and spotted an American Bald Eagle on a very high tree top (they like perching on the highest point, usually cypress trees). Luckily, the car behind me was not too close, because I probably came to a complete stop within 20 - 30 feet, lol... Stopping directly in front of the eagle, I grabbed my camera (I always bring it with me), switched lens' to the longer 400mm lens, rolled down the window and started shooting.   I was able to take quite a few shots before he spotted something and flew off.  After that, I knew it was going to be a great day, even though I was going to the Harahan Courthouse to pay a speeding ticket I got recently.

On my way back from New Orleans just before Christmas, I was one of two cars that were stopped by a State Trooper and got a speeding ticket.  Many others were traveling at the same speed beside me and passing me up going faster than I. But I was probably stopped because I have very dark tinted windows. Although I can not prove that is the reason he choose to stop me, upon asking that question, the State Trooper would not answer it...he just walked off! To me that is an admission of guilt. And, it's not the first time I've been stopped because of the dark tint and I'm sure it won't be the last. And the reason for the dark tinted windows is because I am allergic to the sun, due to my myositis disease (and yes I have the proper paper work).  One good thing about this is that I go out early in the morning and late in the afternoon to take photographs which provides a much better light than mid-day. If I do go out mid-day, I have to slab on loads of sunscreen and a hat, long sleeves, etc.

When I got to the court house and went through security, I had to practically take everything off cause I had all kinds of metal on me, lol... The beeper kept going off---purse, belt, shoes, keys. I wasn't going to take my pants off which had lots of metal too, lol...they finally just let me go through. Once inside the court room, the judge decided to give all those who had speeding tickets (ME, ME, ME, ME, ME) a little Mardi Gras Mambo...our lucky day! All I had to do was pay the court costs, the speeding fine was suspended and it was also taken off my record! Wow, that was great. So I wondered what else would happen that day.

I rode down to Bayou Dularge/Theriot to see if I could find another eagle or nest. I didn't, but I did get to see some Pelicans fishing along the bayou, and I got an awesome shot of a great blue heron which was back lit by the sun as he perched on a wharf. Another car stopper, lol... But, this time, there wasn't a shoulder to pull over. Nothing was coming behind me so I put it in park, opened my door and was able to get two shots off before I had to get back in the car and drive...look for that picture under the gallery BIRDS. One of my friends and fellow photographers knows about my frequent "quick" stops when I spot something unique or beautiful... We went on a day trip to Jefferson Island and I spotted a white and black horse together in a field...WHOA... That made a beautiful picture. Look for it under the gallery BARNYARD FRIENDS.   I think I might have to get a bumper sticker made with the phrase...

                                                       "CAUTION, CRAZY CAJUN IN CAR...
                                                         STOPS FOR ALL WILDLIFE!"

At least all of you out there following behind me would have fair warning!  Watch out for that SUV with dark tinted windows......it might just be me, lol.

At the expo I attended a bird and eagle workshop with C. C. Lockwood, a wildlife photographer located in Baton Rouge. He has published many books on  wildlife in Louisiana. You can see some of his work here:  http://www.cclockwood.com/gallery/unlimited.htm. It was great to be able to meet him as I have admired his work for a very long time (over 20 years!). He even autographed several lithographs I had from back in the 80's.  Thanks Cactus Clyde!

We also took a boat tour with "Black" Guidry, a Cajun man's swamp cruise (www.cajunman.com) to see the eagle's nesting. Mr. Guidry has tours every day except Sunday (that's Mr. Guidry on the left). You will be in awe as you see some of south Louisiana's best wildlife right here in our own back yard! I saw egrets, herons, alligators, nutria, and of course eagles!  Mr. Guidry has most of these alligators "trained" to swim to the side of the boat so he can feed them chicken.  Some will jump almost completely out of the water to catch the food!  That was amazing! But, even more amazing were the eagles... Mr. Guidry would throw some chicken skin out into the bayou where it floated on top. Then he would call for the eagle to come..... "MOMMA BIRD....MOMMA BIRD....MOMMA BIRD," he hollered. Then the eagle would swoop down with her majestic wings fully spread (6-8 feet) from her nest and barely skim the water, grabbing the chicken skin/meat with such precision. Clutching it in her talons, she immediately places it in her mouth, then returns to her nest or a nearby branch. Within a few moments, she would perform her acrobats all over again.

Watching the eagle gracefully soar and perform aerodynamics was such a beautiful sight to behold. It's something I rank up there with being FREE in our great country. I'd stay out there day and night if I could, lol...  If you have the chance to go on this boat tour, it would make your day! I also took other boat tours in Amelia, Stephensville and the Atchafalaya Basin.  They too were just teeming with wildlife. I felt privileged to share space with many more bald eagles, herons and other wildlife, including the white and brown pelicans, our state bird.

On Wednesday 02-20-08, LSU's School of Veterinary Medicine released a rehabilitated bald eagle back into the wild at the Brownell Memorial Park/Carillon Tower in Morgan City. He had suffered a gunshot wound at some point in his life, dehydration and intestinal parasites. After a few months of rehabilitation, the eagle walked out of the cage, hopped once and flew off. Within a few seconds he was soaring over the tree tops and out of sight.   It was truly an amazing experience that gave me the goosebumps!

Thanks to Dr. Javier Nevarez and Marlana Roundtree with LSU's Wildlife Hospital for nursing him back to health.  And, to Leslie Lattimore, director of The Wings of Hope Wildlife Sanctuary which helped rehabilitate this eagle for release back to the wild side.....  Without them and many other volunteers, this eagle and countless other wildlife would not survive.

The Eagle Expo is now an annual event, sponsored by the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau, The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, U. S Fish and Wildlife Service and the America's Wetland Campaign. To find out more about next year's expo (February 12-14, 2009) go to www.cajuncoast.com. I hope to see you there!!!

I have compiled the "best-of-the-best" photographs from the Eagle Expo into a new gallery called "EAGLE EXPO-08." So check them out while you can because in a few weeks, I will distribute some of them amongst the other galleries and some will be archived.  If you also notice some other photographs "missing" from a few galleries, it is because I had to archive some photos to make room for the new ones. So periodically, I will "clean-up" and archive the photographs to make room for the new ones. Unless there just happens to be someone financially well off enough out there that would like to donate about $300 so I can purchase more megabytes (usage space) to keep everything up and running, lol.

I also took a week long cruise in January out of New Orleans headed to Roatan, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Cozumel, Mexico.   Over the next few weeks I will be posting a blog and photos from this trip. My husband and I had a really great time and enjoyed the warm weather of the Caribbean. And, I enjoyed the pina-colada's, lol...  All the people from these undeveloped countries were very polite and gracious just to have us American's there, spending our hard earned money in their country. Sharing with us their little part of the world, seemed to be the highlight of their day! I have quiet a few adventure stories to share with you.....I even got lost in the Belize Zoo...uhhh...jungle, lol!

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"

~Darlene~

SLIDE-SHOW PRESENTATION

2008-01-22T11:26:00Z

As most of you already know, photographing wildlife is one of my passions.... You can get a glimpse of what I see when I'm out and about around South Louisiana tonight at the Terrebonne Bird Club meeting (6:00 p.m. at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library). I will be presenting a slide-show of our Bayou Lafourche boating trip.  And, I'll also be showing some of the wildlife birds I shot at Lake Martin and even some in my own back yard! It should be a great showing.....

And if you'd like to become a member of the bird club, you can do so for only $5.00 per year. You'll enjoy outings with fellow birders all year long. (My first trip out is when we got into that boating accident, lol...but I'm fine now).

When:   Tonight, January 22, 2008
Where: Terrebonne Parish Main Library
What:    Slide show presentation to the Terrebonne Bird Club
Time:     6:00 p.m.

The meeting only lasts about an hour total, including the slide show.

Hope to see you there!

~Darlene~

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2007-12-31T06:45:00Z

I pray everyone has a healthy and prosperous 2008!
THANK YOU.....all of my family, friends, and customers who have purchased photographs, encouraged me to keep on keeping on, or for just listening to my never ending stories of bewilderment and adventures! I really appreciate each and every one of you.

2007 is now forever in our memories. I hope everyone can look back and remember the good times you've had. I have many memorable moments that I will cherish. Many of them were moments that I was privileged to be able to photograph and share with you; like the alligator with a seaweed bonnet, the bird in the moon photo, and the photographs of many scenic sunsets and sunrises, amongst many others. I really enjoyed seeing one of the world's natural wonders...Niagara Falls! I was overjoyed at my first photography sale in July. And now with many sales complete and more pouring in daily, I'm optimistic on where my "not so little anymore" business will take me in 2008!

Most of us have had some sad moments too. I for one, lost my beloved pet, Precious. Many of you may have lost loved ones. As hard as it is to let go, DYING is a part of LIVING. I believe for one to have lived a good life one must live a life full of love, sharing and giving. Many people live day to day; paycheck to paycheck without thinking about what life is really about. What is really important.... Once you have experienced the loss of a loved one or if you lost your health like I have and will never get what you had back, your whole world changes. Your life is placed in perspective for you. You are made aware of what is important in this world and what is not. Material things are meaningless. You don't waste your time on petty issues that other people seem to dwell on and stress over. And you never forget that God is in control.

If one thing you do this new year in addition to all the "normal" things you always do...think about WHO YOU REALLY ARE and WHAT ARE YOU GIVING AND SHARING WITH OTHERS. Include in your New Year's resolution to make a difference in someone's life. When you wake up in the morning and see the sun shining.....it's a beautiful day. When you are able to stretch and feel the comfort of your warm bed, it's a beautiful day. When you can smell the coffee brewing or bread toasting...it's a beautiful day. When you can taste those eggs and hash browns...it's a beautiful day. And then, remember those who can not see or feel the warmth of the sun. Those who can not stretch their bodies or have a warm bed to sleep in. Those who can not smell toast or eat eggs because they have no food or physically can not. Remember those who wake up in the mud to bombings nearby.... Remember those who wake up to someone hollering at them to do someone's else's work. Remember those who are abused and can not speak up. Remember those who are not loved at all and those who are all alone.

We can remember all of them with a simple prayer every day:

God, please bring a ray of sunshine into those lives that need your warmth today. Please give a loaf of bread for those that went to bed hungry. Please provide shelter for those that have none. Please keep safe those that are fighting to keep me safe. Please help those that need love to feel your love in their hearts. And please help me to help those whom I can. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

So here it is, 2008....I wonder what new adventures I'll have to share with you throughout the year? I'm sure they'll be just as exciting if not more so with God's guidance. And now to start my next adventure.....here comes Roatan, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize......and maybe even Alaska!

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"

~Darlene~

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2007-12-23T12:34:00Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS!      May all your dreams come true.....

We should count our blessings, cause unlike those folks living to our North, we're just now starting to "feel" a little more like we're in the Christmas season.  Ice, snow and freezing temperatures have caused much havoc and death across our nation. I remember when Lonnie and I were driving back from California a few days before Christmas in 2002. It was very cold and we had planned to stop and see the Grand Canyon on our drive back. We had reservations to stay in a small town nearby and to take a train ride to the canyon. About 50 miles out, it started to snow. It was very beautiful, but soon became very dangerous as the snow turned into icy roads.  We were traveling at a snails pace for about 25 miles. It was very, very stressful and took us a very long time to get there. But we made it without any problems (wrecks, lol) and the hotel had some nice hot chocolate waiting for us.  The next morning we awoke to more snow, but was still able to take the train ride and see the Grand Canyon in the snow! It was absolutely beautiful. I even made a snow angel in a little park area where no one had walked.   You can view a few photographs (for a limited time) of our adventure under the Lagniappe gallery. These were scanned in and the resolution is not that good.

Check out the new "PIC OF THE WEEK"....It's a cypress "Christmas" tree, full of great white egrets; beautiful (also found under BIRDS).

New photographs have been added to the following galleries:

PLANTATION HOMES, OLD HOUSES, BARNS:

Foley Plantation, Napoleonville - a series of four old barn windows. These windows are huge, larger than a normal sized door. They were on one side of a expansive barn style building being used to store old farm equipment.   (These photographs make an excellent collage and are available framed in two sizes...e-mail for details.)

Longfellow-Evangeline Historic Site - two shots of an old style creole cabin, front & back; one photograph of an outhouse

Madewood Plantation - one photograph of a sugar kettle topped with heron's spewing water from their beaks (backside of the plantation).

SCENICS/LANDSCAPES:

Attakapas Landing - one photograph of Cypress knees and trees.

Lake Martin - one photograph of a fisherman in the early morning fog; one photograph of a lone great white heron fishing amongst the cypress trees; and, one photograph of a wharf which seems to hyperextend into the still, foggy air.

DUST TO DUST: one photograph of a fossilized fish. I'm not sure of the species.

A quick update.... I've recovered from the boating accident I had in October. I am finally able to move around without too much pain in the rib area. But, no sooner than that healed, I stumped my middle toe and fractured it! It turned blue immediately and I couldn't even touch it. Luckily, that toe is not used as much as the first two in walking. It's painful, but tolerable except for when you have to wear shoes! And there is nothing the doc's can do except tape it to the next toe to keep it from moving around too much!

And then I fell on the pavement....not once, but twice within the same week. I tried to break my fall by natural instinct and put my hand down. But, with the bones removed from my wrist six months ago, it doesn't bend normally so that was useless. My whole body went into a complete roll backward until the motion and energy were expended. And there I lay.... flat out...thinking....   Am I hurt...   Did I break anything?...   Can I move?... And then you look around to see if anyone saw you, lol.... In my case, it would have been a good thing, cause I have trouble getting up because of muscle weakness with the disease I have (dermatomyositis [DM]....google it if you don't know what it is). But no one was around. And to boot, it had just finished raining and the pavement was wet. So I not only had more bumps and bruises, but I was totally wet too! The other fall, I tripped over a tree branch (probably because I didn't raise my foot high enough, again due to DM), and again, I couldn't break my fall and went into a complete roll. At least that time, it was on softer ground and my hubby was there to help me up!  C'est la vie!

It's always an adventure, every time I step out the door, or sometimes not even leaving the house, lol... I never know what life has in store for me next. But, that's the fun part...all the little bumps and bruises, and broken or fractured bones, are worth the pain and suffering to be able to live a little...to see God's great world out there. There's nothing else like HIS beauty that is all around us.   Have you stopped to look at HIS creations lately? Even in the dead of winter, there is beauty all around us. You have to go out and find it...and that's where my next adventure begins...

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!" & JOYEUX NOEL

~Darlene~

ART SHOW

2007-12-17T13:47:00Z

There will be a showing of oil paintings at the Terrebonne Parish Library, main branch, on Monday, December 17th beginning at 7:00 p.m. and ending around 8:30 p.m. Over 70 paintings will be on display from local artists, including myself. I have three oil paintings which you will be able to view. They are entitled:

Gone Fishin' -  an impressionistic oil painting utilizing Monet's techniques with a little artistic free rein; i.e.,  cajun ingenuity (my own).

Day's Gone By - a oil wash utilizing only one color (Payne's Gray) to paint a cajun scene.  It looked like a black and white painting until I splashed a little color onto it...lol.

Serenity -  The photograph I took at Lake Martin of the Cypress Reflections is now forever captured in oils.....and there's a great white heron waiting patiently for the next fish to swim by.....

Everyone is invited to attend. It's free and open to the public; refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there!

Look for an update soon to my website....with all the details of my latest adventures....I mean misadventures....well both...lol, with new images.

~Darlene~

LET US GIVE THANKS....

2007-11-21T08:08:00Z

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my family and friends. I hope your day is filled with lots of turkey of the good kind, lol...

I hope also that you can find something to be thankful for and to thank and praise GOD for your blessings. I have many blessings that I am thankful to GOD for. Even though I lost my "PRECIOUS" pet this past week, I am grateful that she did not have to suffer for years even though her suffering was great. She is now resting at peace and no longer suffering. I am thankful for my family, for without them I would not be here today. I am thankful that I can walk and talk and swallow and eat. I am grateful to be able to take the beautiful photographs that I share with you on my web site. I am grateful that I can still drive, and that I can shop and take care of my family. I hope you can look back on this past year and remember some things that you are grateful and thankful for.

I've uploaded eleven (11) new images to the following galleries:

BARNYARD FRIENDS: 1 - Turkey

FLOWERS:   2 - Bird of Paradise
                         1 - Water Lily - Purple

INSECTS, SPIDERS, SNAILS: 1 - Hermit Crab

BRIDGES & TRAINS: 1 - Red, White & Blue Train
                                             3 - Trains taken in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS: 2 images of fleur-de-lis'

I also would like to thank all those who came out to the Southdown Marketplace show and Downtown on the Bayou (YMCA).  As usual, Southdown Marketplace had thousands of people buying up everything for Christmas gifts...my work included! Thanks to all my friends who made purchases from me! Downtown on the Bayou was not nearly as crowded, but the crowd enjoyed some great music and food. I made some great contacts (for future jobs) and have already received many orders from that showing. Next year promises to grow bigger and better!!!

Until next time......"Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"

~Darlene~

PRECIOUS

2007-11-17T04:36:00Z

I lost my PRECIOUS puppy girl today..... She was a toy poodle, apricot color, and very beautiful (see pictures in Lagniappe). She was perfectly healthy up until one week ago. She did go blind due to cataracts one year ago, but she adapted really well. I really had no warning that she was in ill health until last Friday when she threw up. Over the weekend she slept alot and stopped eating and drinking by Sunday. Monday I took her to the Vet and they hospitalized her, giving her fluids and antibiotics. Tuesday her blood work came back which showed her kidneys were failing. The vet said it was due to old age and there was nothing they could do. But she still had all her teeth and looked perfectly healthy--on the outside.

On Wednesday I was given a choice....euthanize her or take her home to die with me. I could not choose for her to die that way. GOD gave her life and HE is the only one who can take it. I brought her home on Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night and all day Thursday she took her meds like a champ and we spent a lot of time together. She seemed to be getting along fine, except I knew she would not recover because she still refused to eat or drink anything.

This morning (Friday), Precious began to have trouble walking. Then she pretty much went downhill fast from there. Holding her, I sang to her and hummed and prayed and loved her until she took her last breath. She was awake and conscious through it all, which made it so much harder. I will spare you all the details of her actual death, but she took her last breath in my arms at 5:00 p.m.

Precious was born on December 6th, 1992. We took our little bundle of fur home around Christmas that year. She was blessed with one tiny poodle we named Buttons. She learned all kinds of tricks and even won a contest once because of her abilities. She was a fiesty little dog and those who knew her knew when to stay away (or she would bite!) She loved her treats and would sit, roll, dance or jump for one. She even knew how to "speak" on command.

Precious lived to be 14 years old. She would have been 15 in a few weeks on December 6th. My puppy girl will be sadly missed. I now have a broken heart. She loved me unconditionally and greated me at the door every day when I came home from work or just from being outside. I will miss the pitter patter of her little paws on the hard-wood floors. I will miss her "kissing" me and just being here with me.

REST IN PEACE MY PRECIOUS PUPPY GIRL.......

~Darlene~

BOAT ACCIDENT -- : ( & NEW IMAGES

2007-11-02T05:40:00Z

I recently joined the Terrebonne Bird Club which has about 30 members. They take three to four birding excursions in the fall and the same number in the spring. They plan trips all over southeast Louisiana looking for waterfowl and song birds along specific trails. Well, this past week, I decided to go on my first trip with the group. It was a trip by boat up Bayou Lafourche leaving from the Jean Lafitte National Historic Site (the Thibodaux Library) and boating all the way to Madewood Plantation in Napoleonville.  We were riding in an old cypress hull, made to carry about 20 passengers. I got some very nice shots of herons, hawks, barred owls, an alligator and I even got my first shot of a bald eagle! We saw a lot of belted kingfishers, eastern phoebes, black birds, and starlings. We saw 37 species in all. It turned out to be a beautiful day, not too windy and a little cool in the morning but it warmed up nicely. We arrived at Madewood around 11:30, ate lunch, toured the area, then headed back down the bayou by boat again.

On our way back, the Ranger driving the boat decided to go faster than we did going up the bayou to try to make it back to the dock by 1:00, our planned return time. Well, about 20 minutes into the return, we hit a log in the bayou and it made the boat come to a dry stop! I, unfortunately, was at the front of the boat with my arm propped up on the bow. We were all seated in the deep hull, lined up on each side. Everyone's weight was hurled forward and I was knocked into the bow pretty hard. I lost my breath and had a very hard time breathing for a few minutes.  I was in severe pain from under my arm pit back to my shoulder blade through to the front of my chest, all on the right side.  I sure didn't need that to happen. So I went to the doctor, in fear that I had broken or fractured some ribs. After four x-rays, thank GOD I had no broken bones, but possible fractures, not being picked up on the x-ray due to my osteoporosis. But the worse part is that my right lung was starting to "flap" due to me not breathing deep enough (because of the pain), which could lead to pneumonia! Now, I certainly don't need that, cause I may not recover from it: so says the doc. So I was given some breathing exercises to do until the pain stops.   What a bummer! Now it hurts to lift my arm up and/or out. So much for picture taking now... it's too painful.

Thank you BRANDY for coming and pick pecans with your children, Travis, Jamie and Maddie. We all had a great time watching and helping gather all those pecans. The kids loved searching for them, it reminded me of an easter hunt, lol... And Maddie (9 months) is sooooo cute.

NEW PICTURES: This week I've uploaded 15 new images:

     CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES:
               Metarie Cemetery - 3 photos of a weeping angel
               St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Houma - night photograph
               St. John's Catholic Church - one photo of statue of Virgin Mary
               St. John's Episcopal Church & two statues in that cemetery

     CLOUD FORMATIONS/SIGNS:
               One new sign photograph - LOVE

     SCENICS & LANDSCAPES:
               One photo of Attakapas Landing in Napoleonville
               Three new sunrises - 2 at Lockport and 1 at Timbalier Bay, and
               Two photographs of the old Raceland Sugarmill in operation

My next showing will be at SOUTHDOWN MARKETPLACE this Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The estimated crowd is 6,000 to 8,000 visitors!!! Are you going to be in that number??? I will be in booth #92 near the front of the plantation house. I hope I see you there!

Until next time......."Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"

~Darlene~

GONE PECAN...

2007-10-26T03:08:00Z

It's pecan pickin' time.... About a month ago, the pecans started falling from our trees. At first it was just a handful every day. Then it was enough to bring a bowl out there... When I was looking for pecans, if you saw one and bent down to pick it up and saw another at the same time and you took your eyes off the first one it became a GONE PECAN! Good luck in finding it...lol. That went on until we started getting the rains and winds... Then the pecans really began to fall and now I'm walking on them!

We have two pecan trees. We had three but one became a stump thanks to Hurricane Katrina. And one of the two we have left was struck by lightning years ago. It has a hole straight up and down the whole trunk. The tree cutters wanted to take it down when we had the others removed, but it was still livin' so I said no. It was down, but not out...sort of like me, lol... Well, now that tree is producing more pecans than the healthy one in the front. And it's healing itself too.

Despite the six or so squirrels best efforts to eat and "squirrel away" the nuts for winter, it's still raining pecans! I might as well 'sit and pick'; they are that thick on the ground. It's like picking pole beans, with both hands! I must have picked up about 50 lbs. or more this past week. So, if anyone wants some pecans to make a delicious pecan pie, cake, or pralines, please e-mail me and we can set a date for you to come pick some up (bayoubellephotography@yahoo.com). I know of another tree close to us that no one is picking from also, so there's plenty to go around. And that tree is also loaded.

Here's a great easy recipe for PECAN PRALINES. I think I'll make some soon...

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup cream or evaporated milk
1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups pecan pieces
salt to taste

Mix sugars and milk together in a heavy duty pot. Cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes to soft boil stage or until mixture rolls into a soft ball when dropped into a glass of cold water. Add butter, vanilla and pecans, stirring good. Remove from heat and spoon out tablespoons of mixture onto wax paper about three inches apart. You can garnish the tops with half pecans if desired. Let cool and individually wrap in cellophane. Makes about 20 pralines. ENJOY!

If you missed going to Laurel Valley last Sunday, you missed a great time... The live music was great, some good ole', toe tappin' cajun music, jambalaya, white beans, pralines, pies, antiques and some very old farm equipment including a 1936 John Deer tractor. Old engines galore....even one making ice cream with it's turning wheels turning the crank. It sure tasted good! There were even men dressed in period costumes shooting a real cannon with gun powder! Talk about a bang! Could you imagine living in that time period when the civil war was going on. I don't think I would have slept a wink, lol... It sounded like a bomb had gone off....

This Saturday, October 27th, Grace Lutheran Church is having a Fall Festival which will benefit many local charities. There will be something for everyone, pony rides, children's games, music, great food, a silent auction, bingo, country store, and arts and crafts. I'll be there selling my work and enjoying the great music and food. So if you're in the area (422 Valhi Blvd. in Houma 9-4p.m.) stop by and say hello. No charge to get in and everyone is invited.

Until next time......."Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"

~Darlene~

BUTTERFLIES, HORSES & MORE

2007-10-18T21:08:00Z

Who else, but God, can create a tiny egg that develops into a creepy crawly caterpillar (larva stage) who eats until it spins a cocoon, (pupa, chrysalis stage), then metamorphosis' (imago stage) into a beautiful mature butterfly just to mate and start the process all over again? His creations are so beautiful as you'll see from the photographs (20) I have uploaded on my website this week under the gallery BUTTERFLIES. I was able to witness the Blue Morpho and the Cairns Birdwing mating. What a beautiful sight! The male Cairns Birdwing hovered inches above the female, fluttering his wings so gently that the breeze ever so softly brushed the female's wings, then he would mount her for a split second and then start the process all over again. The coupling can take up to 36 hours! These tropical butterflies are found mostly in the rain forests of South America and Southeast Asia, but I was able to see them in the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, Canada on our recent trip there. Absolutely beautiful...

I've also uploaded some new images to the BARNYARD FRIENDS gallery. You'll find (3) Texas Longhorns showing some love and a photograph of two horses in a field, a white and a dark brown. On a recent trip to St. Martinville, I took along a new friend, Stephanie Conner a fellow photographer who wanted to tag along on one of my trips. We came across a horse in a field near the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site. It was very friendly, and Stephanie happened to have a few spare apples, so she decided to feed it. In a series of shots, you'll see her coax the horse towards the fence, feed him and then it looks like the horse thanks her and she turns around. Well, after she turned around, he ....... you'll have to go to the website to find out what the horse did, lol. Check out the pictures....it tells the story.

Also look under ABSTRACTS and you'll find a new fall photo I've uploaded of some gourds. Really nice fall colors.

Sunday I'll be at the Laurel Valley craft show. It's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., about five miles going towards Nicholls on the 308 side after you cross over the bridge from Canal Street in Thibodaux (take a right). If you've ever wanted to view the area I've photographed, here's your chance. The store will be open as well as the grounds. They'll have great food and lots of engines and farm equipment for you to see in operation. The store has a lot of old antiques and photos from times gone by. You can also see the old quarters I've photographed by riding down the side road about two miles down on your right. I hope to see you there!

Enjoy the photographs and I hope to have more posted soon.

Until next time......."Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!"

~Darlene~