Greetings from Oklahoma City!

I spent the weekend with my family in Oklahoma City. On Saturday, I took my husband downtown to show him some of the highlights. Although he's been to OKC several times, we've never really had time to explore.

This is the Crystal Bridge which is the centerpiece of the Myriad Gardens. Inside it's basically a greenhouse filled with tropical plants and flowers. I will feature photos from Oklahoma City all week.

The Debate

The first presidential debate is taking place right here in Mississippi! There's advertising for it everywhere and folks seem pretty excited. It seems that McCain is going to make it. It would have been pretty sad if it got cancelled. I'm excited to hear how it turns out!

Nacktschnecke

Slugs have a very fitting name in German - naked snails! Although I do like snails, I'm not so fond of their slimy, naked cousins. I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to save one. But you have to admit, the name in German is quite clever and descriptive..

This little guy was in the same area as the snails. Makes me wonder if he lost his "clothes" somewhere along the way.

PS: The line "Zuzu's petals!" does come from A Wonderful Life. But don't feel bad if you didn't know it - I didn't either before I did the murder mystery.

Schnecken

Schneke (snail) is a term of endearment in German. I have always had a soft spot for the little guys. When I was a little girl, I'd always peel them off the sidewalk after it rained. It would be sad if anyone stepped on them!

I found these little guys in my backyard. I just hope they're not bad for my plants.

Rossini's

This wall mural is in the bar area of Rossini's where we held our last public performance of Good Grape Hunting last week. We have one private show scheduled for this week and then our run is over. I'm sort of glad, it's rather tiring to play a murderess.

Yes, it's true... I DID kill Will Beabore!

Murder at Rossini's

We had our last public show of Good Grape Hunting last Tuesday at Rossini's. This was the first time the group has put on a show at this particular restaurant. The owner seemed pleased with the crowd it drew, so hopefully there will be future shows.

This is how the tables looked - each team has their own name like Magnum PI or the Hardy Boys. There is quite a bit of competition to catch all the clues and win the big prize. My husband and some friends from work came to see me. They guessed the killer correctly, but they didn't get all the bonus questions right... so the prize went to someone else.

This question is the tie-breaker on our answer sheet. From what movie does the line "Zuzu's petals!" come from? If you know, leave a comment. I'll show more of Rossini's tomorrow.

Bucket Trucks

I caught three bucket trucks heading down south on I-55 (perhaps to the Mississippi coast, perhaps to NO) yesterday. Right after Gustav, I saw caravans of them almost every morning. I guess with the damage from Ike, they're back in force.

The man in the first truck waved at me as we passed. I think he liked being photographed - or he thought I was a weirdo!

Thanks go out to all the bucket truck operators who spend time away from friends and family to get the electric lines back up and running.

Pelican Cove

This is a new establishment on the Rez. I drove by it when I took my photo of the rainbow last week. It looks like an interesting place and they have a lovely terrace right on the lake. I should probably give it a try before the weather starts getting cold.

Comedy Show

This past weekend, I went with my husband and some friends to the Southeastern Comedy Festival. Comedy troupes from across the southeast (Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida...) descended upon Jackson for this year's festival. It was held at Hal and Mal's - a popular downtown eatery.

This was the first time the festival was hosted by Jackson. There was a mix of improv, sketches, stand-up and all kinds of audience participation games. It was quite fun, although the whole thing lasted around 4.5 hours. I would suggest they break the festival up into two nights. There's only so much laughing you can do!

This particular group was from Ole Miss in Oxford, MS. They did a sketch on how to pick up women in bars. I'm sure the subject is much-covered by comedians, but their take on it was quite funny. We all had some good laughs and I may just go check out some of the local acts the next time they're performing too!

Unwelcome Visitors

Last week, my husband went outside to change a lightbulb in front of our garage. He came back inside complaining that some animal had bitten him. I took a look at the injury and asked if he had seen something flying around. He said no. I wasn't sure what it could have been. I looked around the area in front of the garage - nothing.

A few days later, he went out to mow the lawn. The "animal" got him again and then a third time. This time he described the sting as if someone rammed a dull needle into his arm. Ah ha! Now I knew we were talking about some kind of wasp or hornet. This time when I went outside I saw a whole swarm of them buzzing around our Japanese box hedge. I told my husband he'd better make a run for the Wal-Mart for some spray.

We sprayed out the offending bush and found not one, but two nests. The next day we still saw wasps swarming around in the area and we found this nest on the back of our shutter. The picture was taken post-spray. I find it interesting that the spray seems to preserve them in whatever position they were in pre-spray. I'm glad they're gone though and let's hope they don't come back!

Beer Selection

McDade's really has quite a beer selection. Usually all you find in a normal grocery store are the usual American brands like Bud, Coors and Miller. It's nice to find a place with international flare. Although I still haven't seen any Belgian beers (besides Hoegaarden) in stores or bars. My favorites are Affligem, Leffe and Grimbergen.

Visitor

I had a visitor to my cosmos the other day. I don't know if he's harmful, but he was rather shy about having his photo taken. He kept crawling around from one side to the other. This was actually the first shot I took - the automatic flash was on.

If anyone knows what kind of spider this is, please let me know. I'd also like to know if he's harmful to my plants. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Skywatch Friday

There's nothing nicer than a rainbow. I saw this one on my way home from work Wednesday. The rain didn't even make it to my neighborhood, but at least we got a rainbow!

Take a look at some of the other skies around the world participating in today's Skywatch.

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes opened last night at the New Stage Theatre. I'm not really that keen on his stories, but I might go see it. A friend of mine will be attending this weekend, her review will be my guide.

Golfing Frog

For the last look at the pottery stand, I thought I'd share this froggy golfer. I'm not sure if he'd fit into our decor, but I do find him cute!


And this is how the new chiminea looks in our backyard.

More Pottery

Here's a look at some of the other lovely pieces at the local pottery stand. I really like these urns, and I'm sure they'd look great in my home/garden, but we already have some at the entrance of our home.


There's a wide selection of pots, urns, chimineas and other pieces. This weekend was not our first visit to the stand and I'm sure it will not be our last either!

Mexican Pottery

I just love these pottery stands. There's always so much to look at. Granted, alot of it is rather kitschy, but there are also a lot of nice things. My husband and I bought a chiminea to burn some leaves and branches from the garden in.

I'll show you some more items from the pottery stand tomorrow.

Welcome Back Mr. Sun!

Ahhh, it's always good to see a long lost friend, especially when he brings blue skies like this one. Our forecasters predicted sun all weekend long. Unfortunately, they were wrong - it was gray and cloudy on Saturday. But the sun finally made his way out today!

I love this type of grass. I'm not sure what it's called, but they have alot of it at the golf course. I've also seen it in a few yards here and there. Those fluffy, wheaty-looking things contrasted perfectly with today's sky.

I hope everyone had a great (sunny) weekend!

Walk of Fame

Okay, it's not really a walk of fame, but these stars do line the entrance up to Mississippi's one and only professional theater! I am taking an acting class there starting in two weeks and I stopped by recently to give them a down payment. I'm hoping the class will give me some exposure.

These stars are given to major contributors to the theater. I saw a few names I recognize, including a distributor who buys products from my place of business. It really is a small world.

Happy Friday everyone. It looks like it's going to rain again today - my golf game is suffering!

The Late Night Double Feature Picture Show...

Last night a friend of mine and I went to audition for the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Many of the auditionees dressed up, and had on the full make-up.

I would like to play to role of Columbia and I tried my best to play up my tap dancing skills. Although I didn't get dressed up, I did put on some heavy eyeliner. But I got the feeling the main roles were already cast ahead of time. Whatever the outcome, it was fun to see some of my buddies from the last Fondren show I did. And it's always good to meet new people!

PS: I saw a glimmer of sunlight through the clouds on my way to work this morning. Let's hope it bursts through. I am sick of the rain and grey skies.

Menacing Skies

Various parts of the state of Mississippi have been under tornado watches and warnings since Monday. The rain continues and many counties are also under flash flood warnings.

Yesterday the tornado sirens were going on and off - on and off. The skies were pretty ominous, but luckily there were no touchdowns in my area. I'm really ready for Gustav to blow on out of here. I miss you Mr. Sun!!

Gustav Update

Luckily Gustav slowed down to a category 1 storm before it hit land down here. About 35,000 evacuees from New Orleans have camped out in Jackson hotels and shelters. Although we had some winds yesterday, there was no damage in our area. It's basically been raining constantly.

Some good has come out of the Faye and Gustav rains. I planted these bulbs in March and I figured they were duds. But lo and behold a few flowers have bloomed! I don't remember the name, but they are pretty. I'm hoping the purple flowers will come up as well.

In any case, it's back to work this morning. I hope everyone had a great Labor Day. It's nice to stay at home, even if it is only to watch the rain coming down.

Sollefteå, Sweden: Twin City of Madison, Mississippi

It looks like I forgot to officially sign up for this month's theme day. In any case, this is a look at Solleftea, Sweden. It is the sister city of Madison, MS which is part of the greater Jackson area and the city where I actually live!

Take a look at some of the other blogs participating in today's theme. I'm sure it will be an interesting voyage from one twin city to another.

PS: Happy Labor Day to all my American visitors.

Gustav and Golf

Luckily Gustav did not hinder our Sunday afternoon golf game. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour did declare a state of emergency though - the major highways that run through the state (I-55 and I-59) are running northbound only in all lanes to help facilitate evacuation.

Jackson hotels are full to the brim and even our golf club got some extra business from the ladies golf team at Tulane. They used their Sunday afternoon to train for an upcoming tournament. The storm is scheduled to hit tomorrow. I hope everyone in the area stays safe. It looks like Jackson won't be seeing much action.

Getting Ready for Gustav

Apparently Gustav is on a course for the Gulf of Mexico. After Katrina, I guess people around here take the warnings pretty seriously. The lines for gas at the Kroger have been snaking outside into the streets. And Wal-Mart just keeps putting pallette after pallette of bottled water out for purchase.

I did stock up a little on extra cans and frozen stuff, but I didn't buy into the worries about not having water, etc. I don't think Jackson will be in any major danger since we're pretty far inland. I guess if we are, my husband and I will just have to drink diet coke and beer!

Corn and Beans

I also found these jars at the fruit stand. The lady running the place told me that almost all of their jarred goods come from a local group of Amish women. I've never heard of pickled beans and corn, but it might be good! It doesn't sound bad anyway.

I did buy some pickled jalapenos. My husband likes to mix a few peppers and some juice in olive oil and let it marinate a few months. It tastes great drizzled on a pizza or just to dip your crusts in.

Tomatoes!

My husband and I found a new fruit stand this weekend. There were stacks and stacks of Mississippi tomatoes! They certainly looked delicious. I didn't buy any though because I have my own tomato plants at home. The rain has sort of waterlogged them though. I hope a few of the fruit will hold on.

After the Rain

My flowers really picked up with all the rain. I hope we'll be seeing the sun soon though!

PS: I'm in Raleigh on business until Thursday. Hopefully the automatic posting will work. Hope everyone is having a nice week.

Semper Fi

This boat was actually grounded during a storm a few weeks ago. No one seems to know exactly what happened, but I bet there was alcohol and high winds involved!

I don't know how they'll get it out, but my guess is the Semper Fi may not be seaworthy for much longer.

Faye

We started feeling the effects of tropical storm Faye on Saturday evening. Luckily my husband and I still got in a full 18 holes before the rains came on, but the clouds did look menacing. We didn't even get to play today because it's just been continual downpour.

At least things weren't as bad as the weatherpeople were predicting. I don't think there has been any flooding in our area and we haven't had any high-winds. The rainy days are getting dreary though. I'm hoping we'll see the sun again tomorrow!