October 13, 2023. Madison, Mississippi. New Orleans.

 Every one who spoke to friend David in Nova Scotia and knew he was coming to Mississippi, all gave one piece of advice, which was to be sure to go to New Orleans.  Chris offered to take him there and they planned to go for Saturday and Sunday this weekend.  But David decided not to stay overnight.  Instead, Chris suggested the could stay for a day.  Yesterday was the day.  The drive takes two and a half hours so the left at 7:00 in the morning and the arrived back home before dark.

Christ, my Lyft driver was born and raised in New Orleans so he knows the hot spots.  And he was a good travel guide.  They drove straight to Jackson square and parked From then on, they parted ways and met back at the car in 3 hours.  Then David walked and had a wonderful time.  He walked along the Mississippi River. but was unable to board a paddle boat but he saw them.  And he took hundreds of pictures.  He came home very happy after his day in New Orleans.

Now he would love to return for a weekend.  But in the meantime, he loved the balconies and the French Quarter.  They were fortunate with the weather.  Not too hot or not too cold.  It was busy but not crowded. David had a good day in New Orleans.  

October 12, 2023. Madison, Mississippi. Doctors Appointment.

 Today was the day I visited two doctors the same day.  First I met my Ophthalmologist for a six month check.  I really like Dr. Kosko.  We talk travel.  This May, he and his wife and four children visited southern Utah and Arizona and the loved the five National Parks they visited.  Brice was on the top of the list.  My vision is not going to get any better says the good doctor.  He has changed one drop.  But at least I have vision.

After lunch with my helper at Manships, we headed to the pulmonary specialist.  All is well in my lung department.  I took a breathing test plus an X-ray.   After listening to my chest we both determined that I am well even though I had a cough since my return. So my two appointments went well.  Next up will be the PET scan on the 23rd.  I will doubt I will have such good results.  But we will see.  

October 11, 2023. Madison, Mississippi. David's Shoulder.

 Ten days before we left Nova Scotia, during a power outage, David went outside to shut off his generator.  His back steps from his deck was slick and he fell, and hurt his shoulder.  It hurt so the next morning he went to the hospital t0 get checked out.  Sure enough, he separated the muscles from the rotator cuff.  He was told he would be called to have an ultra sound .  He was hoping it would be done before he left but no luck.    Hw would need to have surgery but not until he got the ultra sound.

When he was walking down to the dock, he reached out for the railing and hurt it again/  I suggested that he get evaluated at the Mississippi Sports Clinic which he did the next morning.  He was very pleased with the care from the Doctor, who had x rays.  And gave him a cortisone shot which helped the pain.  The doctor told him that the shoulder needs surgery but until he got home, he would be comfortable, which he is now.  In addition the doctor suggested therapy here.  David is very pleased.  He has had two sessions with the physical therapist and has another one coming on Friday.  David is pleased.

David has travel insurance but whether or not he will get compendsted remains to be seen.  But in the meantime, David is impressed with the Mississippi Sports Center.  Very impressive.  

October 10, 2023. Madison, Mississippi. Baltimore.

 The Baltimore Orioles won more games this year than any other team in the American league.  But they were swept by the Texas Rangers who just squeaked into the playoffs.  That is baseball.  In a five run series, any team can win.  Throughout the season, watching the Orioles play was a pleasure.  Both the offense and defense they played great baseball.  But now they will be going home.  

Many people expected them to play for the world series.  But they must wait for another year.  Now the Rangers await the team they play next.  Houston Astros will play their game tomorrow and are ahead of the Twins 2 to 1.  The Astros are expected to win.  But Baltimore was expected to win too but they were swept.  And that is why I love baseball.  

October 9, 2023. Madison, Mississippi. Another Excursion.

 Chris took David on another excursion today.  He had no commitments after early this morning so he suggested driving to the Delta.  Davi's son is a music buff so he urged David to check the Blues Museums in the Delta.  So today was the day.  Again, they had a wonderful day.  The weather was perfect for a drive in the country.  Sunny and 65.  David came home having taken hundreds of pictures.

He came home with a cotton ball.  And lots of combines harvesting cotton.  The B.B. Museum wa closed for Columbus Day but the Blues Musem was open, which he loved.  He brought T shirts for his sons from the museum plus a couple of mugs.  And they had lunch in Clarksburg.  That town once was a vibrant busy place.  But no longer.  But the good people of Clarksburg are trying to revive the place and turn it into the center of the Blues.  But it is not yet totally revived.

Before David went to the Delta I warned David that the most important aspect of the Delta was that it is flat.  Very flat.  And it is poor too.  But it has a mythical image for many people.  And David enjoyed the day.  Again, hats off to Chris.  

October 8, 2023. Madison, Mississippi. Sal & Phils.

 I do like that funky little restaurant.   The place has not changed since they opened the place, Many years ago.. I had warned David before we went for brunch today, but even with a warning David commented when we were walking to our table that this place is a bit tattered.  And it is.  But the food is delicious so we continue to go there.

The first thing we do upon arrival is that we order oysters on the half shel.  And we devour the 2 dozen oysters.  They are always big and succulent.  Then we order our food.  The first time upon I arrive from Nova Scotia I order their gumbo.  After a summer of eating good but bland food in Nova Scotia, I am ready for some good New Orleans food.  Christina order their boiled shrimp that she peels herself.  Mollu too.  Both David and Mary Frances ate snapper which they reported was delicious.  So now I have my first taste of gumbo.  And I enjoyed every bite.  

October 7, 2023. Madison, Mississippi. Baseball Playoffs.

 I do love October with the Baseball Playoffs are in full force.  I especially enjoy the division championships when 8 teams compete for the league championship.  Last year I watched so many games at the level that by the World Series I was kind of sick of baseball.  Today I watched part of three games and I enjoyed every minute.  

Today I enjoyed watching the Astros win their game even they blew a five run lead.  But eventually they won the game which pleased me.  Then I watched the Arizona Diamondbacks, who just barely got into the series win their game.  As I always cheer for the underdog I liked that too.  The beat the Atlanta Braves which was a surprise.  Then when the  Arizona Diamondbacks were ahead by 9 runs, over the Dodgers I quit.  Last year the Dodgers lost this series to the Padres and it looks as if they will chock too.  You never know what will happen in a baseball game.

So here we go.  Last year, the teams who I expected would win all lost.  So this year I am not even going to predict.  But for sure, some team will win.  And I will be watching.