Medgar Evers

Medgar Evers was a leader of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. He was a WWII veteran and a graduate of Alcorn State University (a traditionally black school) with a degree in Business Administration. He first made history when he applied to law school at the University of Mississippi (better known as Ole Miss) and was turned down based on the color of his skin.

He became a vocal champion of equal education opportunities for blacks and worked within the ranks of the NAACP to desegregate Mississippi's universities. Unfortunately, his work was not appreciated by all Mississippians and he was gunned down in front of his home on June 12, 1963. His killer, Byron de la Beckwith, went unpunished until until 1994 when new evidence brought the case back into the court. He was sentenced to life in prison and died in 2001. The case is chronicled in the movie, The Ghosts of Mississippi.

Being one of Mississippi's most prominent citizens, Jackson's airport bears his name. These photos come from a wing of the airport which pays tribute to both Evers and other Civil Rights leaders and the work they did.

Workin' at the Carwash Yeah!

The hot, sunny weather we've been having lately is perfect for taking a spin through the car wash. The Lighthouse car wash is on highway 49, just a few minutes from where I work.

I never understood why in France they wanted you to get out of the car when it went through the wash. I think staying inside and watching all those swirly things work is the most fun part! The structure of the Lighthouse is also transparent, which is extra fun!

Motorcyle Procession

There was a huge line of Harleys out on I-55 yesterday. I just happened to catch a bit of it as I drove home from work. The whole procession was really impressive, my camera-phone photo really does not do it justice!

The parade started with police from each of the different cities that make up the Jackson metro area and then continued with private bikers. I believe this is part of a national bike-a-thon or something, but I couldn't find any further info online. If anyone knows something about it, leave a comment in the box.

Keifer's

This photo was taken on the terrace of the now-famous Keifer's. I used a slow shutter speed and moved the camera to make the lights look circle-y. I'll try to get a better picture of the actual restaurant next time.

Bird Feeder

Thanks to fellow bloggers Abe and Dan, I've finally found the secret to attracting feathered friends to my backyard. I bought a double-sided shepherd's hook and a bird feeder filled with sunflower seeds and... voila the birds flocked to my backyard!

This morning I saw a beautiful red cardinal, a giant woodpecker, several mockingbirds, finches, sparrows... and this brother that I cannot identify. If anyone knows what kind of birdie this is, please let me know. Get ready for more bird photos to come. I may even have to buy a new camera to do the little guys justice.

Skywatch: Colonial Golf Club

This picture was taken this afternoon at the Colonial Golf Course. My husband and I are officially new members!

The sky was really weird today. At times it seemed like it would rain and then the sun would come out. This was a sunny moment, although the picture came out a little dark.

Check out some of the other skies around the world participating in skywatch.

Jerusalem Cafe

I love Mediterranean food, although I find it confusing when some people around here call hummus and felafel Greek.

When we first arrived in Jackson, one of my husband's co-workers offered to show us around town. Our first stop was his favorite bar - the hotel bar at the Hilton on County Line Road, not even a downtown hotel. They had live music with an Eric Clapton cover artist. Both my husband and I agreed, it was not an auspicious start!

After a few drinks, and plenty of conversation about himself, he said he wanted to take us to a great little Greek place. That did not sound promising to me, when I think of Greek food, roasted goat comes to mind. The food actually turned out to be the highlight of our evening. We stopped by Keifer's, a well-known hangout for students from Millsap's College. They have great hummus and felafel and lots of other Mediterranean stuff.

In any case, I had a craving for some baba ganouj a few days ago and decided to test the Jerusalem Cafe with a friend of mine. It was a bust - Keifer's has my business from now on!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

This is a sampling of the different veggies and flowers I've planted. I've also planted quite a few bulbs - fresias, sparaxis... So far, nothing has come up. But I'm hoping something will soon. We have visitors from Germany set to arrive next week and I'd like to have some colorful flowers to greet them with!

Bye Bye Birdie!

My husband and I finally made the decision to change golf clubs. Although we are still members at Bay Pointe until the end of the month, we've probably played our last round there.

During our last round, we saw this blue heron. I think she wanted to say good-bye, or maybe, so long and thanks for all the fish.

Sunning Turtles

If you look closely, you'll see a line of turtles on the floating log. I often see them crowding onto the log to get some sun. They seem to be pretty good about sharing the space though.

Purple Vibrations

New Vibrations is one of those cute boutiques that line State Street as it runs through the Fondren District. It's locally owned and operated. They have lots of neat gifts and handmade jewelry. If you look closely, you'll even see the flower pot with the fake birds!

Skywatch: Pink Horizon

This picture was taken from my car while crossing the causeway over the Reservoir earlier this week. I'm sorry if it's a little fuzzy, but I couldn't miss out on this beautiful pink sky and its reflection.

Take a look at some of the other skies around the world!

Street Art

If you can't tell, I've been spending a lot of time lately in the Fondren District. This lovely lady and her dog are part of the outdoor art you'll see in the area. I don't know who the artist is, but it's quite a creative piece. She certainly gets lots of looks from passers-by!

Fondren Express

The Fondren Express will take you in and around downtown Jackson - from the University Hospital to the restaurant corner, with plenty of cute shops in between. There's nothing like a trolley ride (even if it is a really a bus) to make you feel nostalgic for ye olde days. And it adds to the quaintness of the Fondren District.

More Flowers

I found this planter filled with flowers and fake birds in front of a downtown store. I guess I like any kind of birds, even ones that don't really fly!

Spring Flowers

I never tire of photographing flowers, especially bright, sunny, yellow ones!

Rainbow Natural Foods

This is where I am currently performing The Mystery of Twicknam Vicarage with Fondren Theatre Workshop. It's part of a series of one act plays, All in the Timing.

Rainbow is a co-operative grocery store. All of the produce is organic and the meats and eggs come from farms where animals are treated ethically. They also have a large selection of health and beauty products and vitamins. If it was closer to where I live, I would shop there more often. I try to buy produce locally as much as I can.

Our show is done for this weekend, but we start up again next Thursday. I just hope I won't forget everything before then!

Sky Watch Friday

My husband and I had lunch at this Ruby Tuesday today. They have a lovely salad bar.

The weather has been strange today, the air is heavy and oppressive and it's been raining on and off. You can see the weighty clouds just waiting to let it pour.

Take a look at some of the other skies around the world today!

May Theme Day: Numbers

I was driving behind this car recently and this tag begs the question, where are YAHWEHs 1-6?

Take a look at some number-filled posts from around the world.

Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Busan, Korea South by iamnbinb, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chesapeake Daily Photo (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Chicago (IL), USA by Focused Light, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Concordia Sagittaria, Italy by Patrizia, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Dallas (TX), USA by turtle, Darmstadt, Germany by Elsch, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Mary, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hong Kong, Hong Kong by Rachel A., Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Ioannina, Greece by Christos-Ioanna, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Malaga, Spain by Paula, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Medan, Indonesia by KT, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Montpellier, France by Marie, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, North Hampton (NH), USA by Amy, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Penang, Malaysia by Maltelda, Perth, Australia by Elevation7, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea by Jules, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Riga, Latvia by Riga Images, Rollag, Norway by Stormel, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, San Francisco (CA), USA by Louis la Vache, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Seoul, South Korea by Phil, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vichy, France by Delphsnl, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

High Noon Cafe

The High Noon is a small vegetarian-friendly cafe located inside the Rainbow Foods Co-op. I have never actually eaten there, but after perusing their menu, I'd love to try some of their specialties! (I am a vegetarian, btw). They also had organic hamburgers for those who just can't make a meal without the meat.

The Jackson Free Press is the city's alternative newspaper. Each year they have a reader poll on the "best ofs" around town. Apparently the High Noon has won quite a few!

Cajun Princess

This is the first bloom on my new hibiscus tree, the Cajun Princess. When I visited my auntie in New Orleans last month, she had the most beautiful hibiscus plant. It was dark orange in the center and lighter around the edges. I believe it came from the same nursery as mine.

I have always loved hibiscus plants and I'm glad to now live in a climate where I can actually grow them!

Baby Alligator

If you look very closely, you'll see the head of a baby (or maybe a teen) alligator peeking out from under the water. We saw several of this little guys on the golf course today.

Some other golfers told us, if you put your club in the water near them, they get curious and may come out of the water. My husband and decided it's better to let them be though.

Patriotic Mackers

I don't think I've ever seen Ronald McDonald in such a patriotic display.

Bird House

In an effort to attract feathered friends to my yard, I purchased a birdhouse. My husband installed it for me and I'm just waiting for some little birdies to move in. I know it may be a little late in the season as most birds have probably nested by now, but I am still hopeful!

I have also took some bird-attracting tips from the almighty bird blogger Abe, but so far they have not been too successful. I smeared some peanut butter on the trees - it was eaten by the squirrels. I put out a suet cake - a raccoon broke the structure and ran off with the cake. Grrr...

My last resort was to plant flowers that, according to their labels, attract birds and butterflies. So far, none of them have come up yet. But I'm excited to see if the claims are true and also to see the beautiful buds.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll be working in my garden, if it doesn't rain too much.

Strawberry Plant

One of my colleagues at work gave me about 10 strawberry plants. They seem to have taken well to my garden, they have plenty of blooms and even a few berries are developing. I can't wait to taste the fruits of my labor!

The Rez

Here's another look at the Reservoir. It appears that someone is building a new restaurant out here. Let's hope it's successful. It will certainly have a great view!

Happy Earth Day!

In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would post the first magnolia blossom of the year. They are such beautiful and fragrant flowers. I love living in the Magnolia State!

The Cedars House

I visited the Cedars House today. It's one of the oldest houses in the Jackson area. It started as a two room cottage and through the years has been added onto and has grown into a lovely little residence.

Today it is an exhibition space maintained by the Fondren Renaissance Foundation. And at the moment, they are hosting a showing of local artists. There were many nice pieces of art on display, but for some reason I was drawn especially to this painting.

Plantation Interiors

The skies have turned from dark and ominous to bright blue! My husband wanted to take me to the Plantation Interiors for a look around today. This is the place where he bought the stump. Unfortunately, they were not open.


I hope we'll have time to go sometime during the week. I got a look at some of their inventory by peering through the windows. It looks like they have a lot of really nice things!

Skywatch: Ross Barnett Reservoir

Today's sky was ominous and cloudy. We had a very heavy afternoon storm and there were several tornado watches out. I stopped by this patch of the Rez (as it's known around here) on my way home from work. It's always a good place for reflection and photos!

To check out some other skies around the world, take a look here.