November 3, 2011. Jackson, Mississippi. The South.

We like living in the south.     We like the weather,  but of course, we are not here in the summer so perhaps we would change our tune if we lived here year round.    Galveston weather we enjoyed and we lived there happily for six years.   But of course,  Galveston is in Texas and not in the deep south.

And we like the people.  They are pleasant and friendly.    They care about their families.  I accompanied Ken at a Doctor's appointment yesterday and three ladies were waiting with their elderly mothers, chatting away cheerfully about this and that.    The children are mannerly.    It was interesting to watch the children come up for their treats on Hallow e'en night.  Every child said  "thank you" and if asked a question responded with a "Yes Sir".

The people seem to enjoy talking history and their state.   I can not recall any conversation with anyone in Maryland where I discussed any aspect of Maryland history.  In the limited time I have been here I have had several conversations about different aspects of Mississippi history.  People seem to care about their past, here in the south.

Several things I don't understand.  One is the terrible school systems.  It makes no sense.  One day soon I will try to find out why.  In the mean time, I intend to enjoy my life in the south.

November 2, 2011. Jackson, Mississippi. The Big Blue Heron.

It was the oddest thing to watch. This very large blue heron flew to a post, ten feet high, at the edge of a,dock right in front of our condo. While sitting on his perch, he proceeded to groom all his feathers. Front and back, top to bottom, he covered every part of his large body while perched on top of the post. He stayed for ages, in fact we gave up and finally went inside.

Another heron was doing what she should, which is standing in shallow water,and search for fish. This heron stayed totally still until, she pounced and speared a fish.

Ken and I went for a walk,around our complex and commented that we had not seen the heron.  Then we sat on our tiny patio and soon we spotted the heron, strutting along the dock not twenty feet away. Soon, up he flew and proceeded to put on a show for us. It was amazing to see how much of his body he could cover with his large beak.

As Ken commented when we first arrived last Saturday "I is nice to be in the South."

Cruising

Strolling

Beaujolais

Halloween

November 1, 2011. Jackson, Mississippi. The Party.

The children had a blast, all dressed up in costume.   Different adults took the children out to do their Trick or Treat rounds, the first group with all the various ages with Christina and Sebastian and later just the older kids with Andrew.   In the middle they ate some soup or just  chocolate and candy but no matter, the children were happy, and very well behaved.

It was a lovely event with neighbors stopping by for dinner and a drink along with friends from church as well as other relatives.  Ken and I were able to meet more Jackson folks, which we enjoyed.   The food and the hot toddies were in the kitchen so at any time the house was full of people as was the large porch.

The weather was perfect, not too hot or not too cold so we were able to sit on the porch comfortably and watch the hundreds of children collect their candy.   The host John has the policy of giving two pieces of candy to each child unless they are over 12.   He then gives them a pencil.  Some older kids are happy to get a pencil while others are not so pleased.  It's a good policy.  It was a happy event for both children and adults and I felt fortunate that John and Greta Barbour invited us.