This is one of those shots where I was going for the hats, and got so much more upon further inspection at home. What a charming line of t-shirts! What might you title this photo?
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February 2015
02/18/2015
02/17/2015
Caption That Photo...
...My Beads are Bigger than Your Beads!
Happy Mardi Gras!
02/16/2015
The Return of Tim
Mardi Gras romances are fleeting. The guy is usually from out of town, here for a little fun and then on his way once more. Sometimes they come back every Mardi Gras. Other times, they just ride off into the sunset never to be heard from again.
Ever since I'd met "Tim" at the stables in 2013, I'd tried to find him along the parade routes or at the staging area of Endymion. On foot and tardy in 2013, I missed him actually parading. With a friend in from St. Louis in 2014; we discovered a move of the staging area and huge crowds when they passed. I missed Tim again..
I'd made up my mind that if at all possible, I would try to find him this year. I had to be a little brazen and a little bold, but above all persistent and patient.
I arrived around 2 and first had to figure out if this was in fact the staging area...YES! I got a few shots of the gang in their huge, red, 18-wheelers, and waited.
I grabbed one of the guys in a red shirt and asked him if any of these horses were "Tim"? He just shook his head, shrugged and walked off. It wasn't until they were all lined up that I thought I'd try again.
I asked this young man at the front of the line who said: "I don't know, but if you go ask the blonde girl with braids at the lead point...she can tell you." I did, and she sweetly pointed Tim out as the third horse from the front in the line and said: "Tim is a really great horse."
You can't touch them while they're in line, but that didn't stop photos, gazing into his eyes (after all it was Valentine's Day), and just enjoying the fact that I'd found him and could see him again after all these years. I didn't have my pink overalls on this year...it was that blue-striped engineer number with my red shirt and Tulane cap-but I began to feel like Tim knew it was me. We were communicating! Look at the great shots!
From chatting with people in the crowd, I learned that: this team is from St.Louis; this is the team that performed in this year's Superbowl Commercial; and, that New Orleans now has 2 Clydesdales of our very own that are kept out at the NOPD Stables.
I'd hoped to stay to see them on their way, but they were more patient than I was. I left Tim at the corner of Orleans and Navarre, hoping that we might find each other again.
Maybe he'll "Meet Me in St. Louis"!
I'd know those feet and those eyes anywhere!
02/15/2015
Deserted for the Clydesdales
Planning to head out to Endymion on my bike with Eric and Steward Saturday evening; I had my doubts that I would be worth much at all on my feet after the day I had all day and into the evening on Friday. I started to beg off entirely, but then thought I'd just ride over to the party and then leave from there to get Clydesdale shots...one of my unmet goals during the last 2 Mardi Gras seasons for various reasons. When I talked to Eric and the time was going to be pushed back a bit; I decided to go ahead and venture out on my own. Once I found the staging area for the Clydesdales, I knew that I'd be staying a while. And, I did.
What an opportunity!
It was so much fun to watch them unload, undress, get harnassed up, get in line, and then wait-wait-wait. What a patient and professional bunch everyone was...staff and Clydesdales. They were much more patient than I was. I'd hoped to see them set off on their way for the ride in the Endymion Parade last night, but I was overdone after a couple of hours plus of photos and waiting.
(And yes, sometimes you need a stool to get those harnesses way up there, as well as constant horse do duty.)
By the time I was photo-ed out and headed towards home; I finally stopped at an iron bench in City Park by NOMA to give Eric another call and update. The gang at the party was headed out to the parade. I begged off and headed on home...all aglow in Clydesdale Magic.
But then, I haven't told you about the man!
02/14/2015
Different Backgrounds...
...different feels, and many hand-made
Happy Valentine's Day Wishes to ALL-
Love, Laury and Sammie Cat
02/13/2015
Of Course...
.
..it's Mardi Gras Time! ENJOY!
02/12/2015
Peeking...
...out the front shutters with the camera the other morning, I found an interesting effect. It was fun, but there was an eirienss that grabbed my heart and soul when I looked at the photos later.
It makes no difference how long it's been, memories of those hurricane times always rise to the surface. This August will be the 10 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
02/11/2015
The Wander...
...of a Camelia.
02/10/2015
Strategic Sam
Feeling crafty over the weekend, I began to work on some hand made Valentine's Day cards. I was able to add some sweet little touches to my hearts that I'd made from a black and white camelia photo and tried Kat's envelope lining technique. Hearts, red glittered ribbon, tags, scissors, double-edged tape, red pens, hole punchers, and festive paper were everywhere.
Sam decided that she would help by plopping herself down on the colored paper that I'd hoped to use to line the envelopes! Strategic Sam!
I managed a dozen or so-delivered in the neighborhood or by hand when I can. The rest were mailed in the states. I'm a little too tardy for France and the rest of Europe this year. I really need to work on my timing. Mardi Gras won't get in the way next year, but I can't promise the same for Sam.
02/09/2015
Piano Longings.
After hearing Abdiel Vazquez play that beautiful Ponce Intermezzo the other evening, I've been missing Monsieur Winkelmann even more. I've checked on line and it looks like I can order the sheet music for the Intermezzo. I'll be ready and ravenous by the time the summer gets here and I head home to Cadrieu once more. During moments like these, I pretend with my sweet baby grand piano ornament and listen to my most favorite pianist: Marina Gendel. Nothing could come close to my Monsieur Winkelmann, but it will have to hold me a while longer. Ah, the magic of Cadrieu and mon Monsieur Winkelmann!