JOHN MCCAIN

I am not a political person, honestly, I

know as much about politics as I do about Geography and

what road I am on. Da Boo can testify on the latter part.

Many either loved John McCain or disliked him

because of decisions he has made or supported.

Yet, for me, having read a little bit about his life,

He deserves this recognition that I choose to write

of in my blog.

My wanting to write this blog has nothing to do with

his political seats he has kept but more of the story of

his tragic Vietnam War stay.

Having a brother who left a part of himself in Vietnam,

just the fact that John McCain came home alive

is a miracle!

I don't know the specifics of how his plane came down in 

Vietnam territory, again my lack of history and not wanting

to know more than I need.....

However I do know he was captured with extensive injuries

and was basically left to die from those injuries.

From what I have read, my interest sparked by the 

story, once the captors found out his Father was

an Admiral they took him to a hospital and he was allowed

some treatment. At that time, they offered him release.

It is written that the Viet's were going to use his release

to shun he and his father, but that was not to happen.

Because knowing the laws of this War and that prisoners

were to be release in the order they were captured, he

refused the offer of freedom. Can you imagine,

being held prisoner, abused, starved, tortured,

in pain and turning down the chance to be back on US soil 

because it was "not your turn".

I don't know if I could have been that strong.

He stayed there I believe for almost another 5 years,

being released in 1973.

As if this was not enough, enough for his Country,

He wanted back in and in 1974, barely passing the physical 

he went back in the Military.

I knew none of this when hearing of his passing.

I did hear that he was going to stop treatment for

his brain cancer. Honestly I do believe he should not have

gone back to his Political seat after becoming ill

but again, I don't know enough about politics to discuss this.

I only know this, My admiration for a man I knew little 

of has grown 100 fold. Regardless of what he was 

in the eyes of the Big World,

to his family, he was just Dad and Husband,

Grandfather and loved.

RIP John McCain.

Your family has lost you but your 

love and legacy shall follow their broken hearts

and pull them through this time of sorrow to

remember all the good you were to them all.                                             

BLESSED WITH SWEET MATALIE JOLEE

It's been a busy week, no joking, I have at least three

major things in my head and heart that I want to blog about.....

But first, Sweet Matalie Jo!

I am a great, great Aunt to this precious child,

Born to my niece, Tie's daughter Ange' and her boyfriend, Sage.

Nine months ago, when Ange' had to tell all of us who

love her the most, that she was pregnant in her senior year,

she was terrified, thought we would be disappointed.

What she got, I don't know if she was expecting.

Yes, she and Sage were young, yes, it was not the

optimum future we wanted for them,

but we all wrapped our arms and hearts around this young

couple and offered to do all we could to be

in this baby's village, to help and love as much as we could.

Yet, something amazing happened!

Ange' graduated and became a Momma long before this child was

born. She matured, she worked hard, she rarely complained,

her Dad rented a home and she prepared a beautiful nursery,

She and Sage continued to work on the family they wanted.

I told her back then,

"It may not be the start we wanted for you but all babies are

miracles and all come to teach us something."

I promised to be in this baby's village, doing what I could to help

when I could.

Finally, the 9 months passed and there were a few false alarms 

to the hospital but finally, on Saturday, it was time.

When I tell you, an 18 year old child acted like a woman

on the day she delivered this sweet baby.

Was excited and happy, when her body just would

not dilate, she finally took the epidural at about 8:15pm 

and things went fast from there, delivering the most precious

baby at 12:20 Am with her partner and Daddy to this baby at her side.

I was amazed at the maturity of both of these literally kids,

how they handled a situation that would scare any new momma

on her first birth. She was a trooper and we all are just so darn

proud of the both of them.

Now they have brought this beautiful sweet Matalie Jolee

home with Ange' and Sage is there daily to do whatever is needed.

Each day as I text my Ange' she is always full of hope,

excitement, compliments on all that has happened.

A baby does something to a girl,

turns her into a woman a Mother.

Not all accept it, some fight it, not our Ange'

she is proud of being a Momma, so proud

of her sweet baby and boyfriend.

We are a big family, and Sage's family is as well

so this child will be surrounded with love from

the village.

Sage will graduate and go to college,

Ange' will enjoy these weeks ahead as she and

her most beautiful baby bond and then once

better, she too will go to college and the 

village will help in any way we can 

to make this child know and feel so love.

So Ange' and Sage, once again, I am so very proud of the both

of you, Never forget the love and this special time you 

feel right now, how much this baby has changed the two

of you. This feeling and love will carry you guys

through rough times in the future, and believe

me, there will be some. I love both of you.

This girl here, Nee Nee, my godchild, loving her

new position as Aunt Nee.

This baby will be so special to her as well.

Pray for this little family, that all will continue to go

smoothly for them all, that love will grow daily

and that beautiful Mattie Jo will continue

to be a good baby, she is such a good baby!

I cannot wait to watch this family move forward

and show other young people finding themselves

in this position that it can be done.

A village to raise a child,

that is what Ange' and Sage and Matalie are blessed with!

A VERY UNEXPECTED BIRTHDAY SURPRISE!

When you are blessed with the very best bestie's, bestie baby and boo, 

You are already blessed beyond measure

but Saturday, Saturday was one for the books.

I am not a dumb girl, not even "blonde"

but like the boo says, I have squirrels in my head,

I am not always fast on catching on to surprises.

Let me share this very awesome story.

On Friday, the boo texted me that we had a craving 

for Grapevine, our most favorite restaurant in Donaldsonville.

I thought nothing of this request as it is our fave.

We had plans to do some cleaning at his new place

but hey, Grapevine on a Saturday, didn't take much

to convince me.

That morning I texted with the bestie's like most mornings,

boo asked how they were,

"Laurie is getting things done" 

 "Ann and Moody are going look at campers."

As we headed to Grapevine, I suggested maybe

we should go to the new sushi place in Plaquemine.
"Nah, I want Grapevine"
Okay, not complaints here.
We drive up, lots of cars as usual,
I walk in first and there I see
Ann, Laurie and Lindsey.....
My first reaction, spoken out loud,
"Randy, Ann and Laurie are here, I can't believe
they came to Dville to eat and didn't tell me, I am so pissed!"
Then I tell the hostest, "We are going to sit with those
Biatches right there who didn't tell me they were coming here!"
And as I walk to the table fussing at them for not
sharing with me that they were coming to eat here,
I finally notice a chocolate cake and then,
I realize, the gathering is a surprise for me.....
OH yes, I felt like a dumb one then....
Come to find out, Laurie reached out to Randy
to get me there for Saturday to surprise me for my birthday.
So, they were all in on it but me and I am very slow sometimes....
How honored to be loved by so many, if I had nothing,
no material possessions, only the love of these three women
and the boo, I would be a rich woman.
I never feel like I deserve these types of surprises.
I always feel they all do more for me than I for them
and for that I am touched, it was hard to hold back my tears.
My Mom told me a long time ago,
"Being able to pick good friends is a talent as they
will be with you through your whole life."
My Mom had one of those in Mrs. T-Lloyd, best friends since
they had been in elementary and stayed bestie's until the day
my Mom died.
As I have reflected on this gathering at my favorite restaurant,
planned by the man I call my boo and
the three women I love so very much I am still in awe of
how it all happened. Our distance from our homes have
slowed down our gatherings but not a day goes by that
we don't touch base via texting or phone calls.
Yes, I will say once again, I am blessed beyond measure!
  I never, never
take advantage of that, not on my birthday or any other day.
The bestie baby, Lindsey really has become a bestie as well.
I love her as my own.
Thanks, Ann, Laurie, Lindsey and Randy for going
out of y'all way to make me feel so very special.
I love and adore you all!!!!

SCHOOL DAYS, SCHOOL DAYS...

A blog about School Days does not sound very interesting,

and it may not be for you.

This one is for me, for Memory's sake.

It seems like  just yesterday our little Bean 

was graduating from St. John's "yellow shirts"

which means 4 yr. Pre K and Kinder was next.

Today she begins second grade.....

Tuts, goes into yellow shirt 4 yr. program

and our baby Jemma,

blue shirt 3 yr. program on Tuesday!

And I ask what so many ask at this time of the year,

something that you see all over Facebook, Instagram...

Where did the time go?

STOP!!!!

Yet, we all know time will not stop and

my sweet grand girls will continue to move through 

the years and just like my own kiddo's,

before we know it, they will be graduating.

For today, let me slow down....

and you girls, slow down!

(Bean getting her one of many "Diploma's" to come)

(This was Baby Boy's face that meant "You better behave"

or "let me make someone laugh because i am bored...")

(Their fly picture on that day... look how little they all are)

(maw maw and cousin Lizzie, who is three weeks younger than Bean)

So I say, today, have a great year my grand girls!

A big one for Bean as she will make her communion 

this year. JemJem, our baby, going to St. John is surreal.

Time really does fly when referencing little children.

On Wednesday morning, as the girls awakened one

at a time, I rocked each of them.

Bean was first. I talked to her about how big

she was getting and how proud I am that she is 

so smart and a good student and that I was going to rock

her for as long as she let me.

I know soon these times will be over as her sleep overs

will be with friends, she will be a teen and Mumsie and 

the cottage just won't be as cool anymore.

Next was Tuts, my coffee milk drinker.

I rocked her for a bit and then Coffee milk 

with her Mumsie in her special little cup.

I love our morning coffee dates when she sleeps over.

Then our baby Jemma,

not a morning gal.

she let me rock her for about 5 mins. and then

she wanted

"Springles and Jib jab"

I substituted Pringles for fruit loops

and we all sat on the round chair for a couple of

Jib Jab dances on my computer.

BE Still My Heart and stop the

process of growing up!

It being my birthday morning made it

for a perfect day and as school starts

and they all get a year older in school,

I am so very proud of each of them!                                                         

                                                                   

MISSING THE DA!

Yesterday a family friend added this photo to Facebook in 

Bayou Memories and right away I became so lonesome for

this man, my mom and the Boo's Mom, Mrs. Barbara.

Being born to older parents I was spoiled beyond rotten.

He was the one who did most the spoiling.

Some who knew him would never believe how gentle

and kind he was to his last three girls.

He melted around us, and once he retired he truly liked

us around him. As he and I got older, and he became sick

he was very irritated often and liked his cussing when

things were not going his way, but when I was around

he always became a gentle man.

Mom worked and he raised the last three of us girls.

He was a master cooker and we put in our orders in the

morning for supper when we got home.

This photo, however, was before me time.

Back when he was a photographer

he not only took every picture at Golden Meadow High School 

but he also put the year books together.

Our family had a copy of every yearbook he made.

Imagine how upset we were in 85 when Hurricane Juan

flooded our little towns we call DTB (down the bayou)

and we lost them all.

Thanks to Rhetta Domanque for reminding me of

the life he lived before his littlest girl was born.

Missing him big this AM!

A LOVE STORY

I am going to share a love story...

Not between a husband and wife,

Not between a boy and girl.

but one of a Mother, who loved fiercely and gave me so

much in the 18 months I have known her.

The love story is about the Boo's Mom,

Mrs. Barbara Legg.

When I became single and dating, there were a few dates

and short relationships, then I met the Boo, Randy, and

I knew something was different about him.

I didn't realize at the time just how much his life had to 

offer me, one being this amazing Mom of his, 

Mrs. Barbara.

The first time I met her, she was living with the boo.

He had just recovered from a very extensive knee surgery

which she moved in to care for her oldest son

and she was getting ready to have her own knee replaced.

That special day we met was like many others,

the boo and I had been junking/antiquing and he made

a call to say we were coming over to his home.

As I walked in there was his Mom and one of her

friends, Linda who happened to also be his 

sister in law's mom. They sat at the dining table 

playing Scrabble, something they both did often together.

From the very first meeting I knew we would be friends.

From day one, she accepted me into the fold of her life,

treated me as though I was one of hers,

loved me as a Mother loves a child...

And did she love her three children,

Randy, Steffanie, and Royce.

She was widowed at a young age and was an independent 

woman, much younger than the numbers said she was.

Through the year and a half I was able to be her friend,

we shared many talks, some very deep some just about life

in general. She was a fair woman, 

larger than life. At Christmas time, although I knew from

the boo, she would go into a baking frenzy, I still did not

realize just how much she did for her favorite holiday.

Everyone she knew, she baked for. It will be missed for a

long time. Some days I would go early to visit and she would be in

the boo's kitchen baking, sweating but happy as can be.

When the grand girls began the lemonade business in the stand

the boo built them, she baked at least 200 cookies for their opening.

This was not just 200 cookies, they were cookie cutter shapes of

at least 10 different shapes, each iced lovingly in different colors.

There were alligators, lips, lipsticks, ducks, etc.

Being a baker myself, I knew the time and love put in those cookies.

She did this for three little girls she had never met, 

So, you can imagine the love she poured on her own three

grand children. She was a hands on Grandmother, spoke of them

and her own children at every conversation.

We became even closer when she decided, having been

recovered from her knee replacement, she decided it was

time to move into her own apartment.

She found a very small, pretty run down place.

Maybe 800 sq. feet. I loved it, others were worried.
Yet, she fixed that little apartment up so sweet,
that even the landlord was shocked.
One of my favorite memories I will always have of her
is the weekend the Boo had the flu.
I went over and she and I went junking for the new apartment.
We found so many deals, but most important were the
conversations we had. We laughed, we even shed a few tears.
That day we bonded even closer.
Having gone to Pensacola for a vacation
and getting very sick, well none of us believed at first
we would loose our "Momma Legg".
After almost a month of "up and down" illnesses,
I wanted to go and see her for myself, tell her I loved her.
When I got to Pensacola on Wednesday, My nursing
knowledge told me, she was not going to pull through this.
Two of her babies were there, Steffani and Royce.
When the doctors told us she could not hold on
much longer, the Boo was on his way.
So many beautiful things happened in
her last 24 hours, things that are private.
At 7:30 am on Thursday, I left the room for coffee
and to give the Boo some time, in those minutes I was
gone, she took her last breath.
Now, each day it hits us, just what we have lost.
The boo and I stayed in Pensacola a few more days
but returning to the cottage, there are memories of her everywhere.
So many things in a year and a half she has given me,
shared with me. I miss her more now.
It has hit me that on this Earth, I will not have another day
with her.
However, I have been fortunate to have been asked if
I want her very spoiled call, Bonnie.
I mean a strange, spoiled cat!
I wanted her so much worried about her and Oliver
but every day, is better than the one before for
us and Bonnie.
Last night, she actually layed in bed with me and
I felt our Barb with me.
There is lots of her in this cat.
Our lives will never be the same,
and I only knew her under two years.
I can only imagine what her three children she adored are feeling.
I do know one thing, she would want us all to
live our best lives possible.
She would believe she went first to make a place
for her children coming after.
She was the glue that held her family together.
She would want her children to remain close.
You will be missed sweet woman.
Your "larger than life" attitude is what I will
miss the most, Our times together when it
was just us two.
Until we meet again,
rest and every once in a while,
give us a sign that you are with us.
I love you, Momma Barb!

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO FORGET....

Roxanne's benefit last weekend was one for the books!

It was like a Dursette children reunion minus a few,

It was overwhelming the amount of people there,

especially her family; Mom, Dad, siblings....

It was just a very beautiful and emotional day.

Altough, when given the opportunity to share a talk I do,

and while I always kind of plan for these things,

I never really say what I write down,

It is usually just a matter of minutes before I put down

my writing I had prepared and go with it.

Sometime, people will say something like, 

"....Oh when you said that..."

and I can't remember having said that.

Yet there are a few things from this talk that I want 

to remember, I want to preserve, just like my reclamation art.

So here I share just a few things I remember saying,

It may not be verbatim, but it is what I want to remember.

I AM HONORED TO BE HERE SHARING A FEW THINGS

WITH THIS BIG AND WONDERFUL CROWD ALL HERE

TO SUPPORT ROX AND HER FAMILY,

WHILE THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME, IT IS MY STORY 

THAT MAKES ME ABLE TO SPEAK AT A CANCER BENEFIT.

SO I WROTE A JINGLE, BECAUSE, YOU SEE, ROX AND

I, GROWING UP, WE SANG JINGLES, WE KNEW THEM ALL.

AS WE LAY IN THE TWIN BEDS IN MY HOME,

AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS WE SANG

BRADY BUNCH, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND AND 

WE SANG BEVERLY HILLBILLIES.

BEAR WITH ME AS I SING THIS ONE, AS I CAN'T SING:

SANG TO THE TUNE OF THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES:

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT A MAN NAMED FRED

THE POOR CAJUN MAN BARELY KEPT HIS FAMILY FED.

THEN JUST WHEN THINGS WERE GOING GOOD....

HIS 5 YEAR OLD LIL DAUGHTER CAME DOWN WITH THE CRUD....

CANCER IT WAS,

1968, NO CURE

WELL, SITTING THERE IN RACELAND OL' FRED WAS SO AFRAID

THE DOCTORS AND THE FAMILY SAID,

'FRED TAKE HER FAR AWAY!'

THEY SAID NEW ORLEANS IS THE PLACE SHE NEEDS TO BE

SO HE PACKED UP HIS BABY AND HE WENT TO THE CITY.

TOURO HOSPITAL, RADIATION AND CHEMOTHERAPY.

(side note, I am quite proud of my skills here!lol)

SOMEONE ASKED ME THE OTHER DAY, HAVING FOUND

OUT I SURVIVED AN INCURABLE CANCER BACK IN THE 60'S,

HOW DID THEY KNOW YOU WERE CURED?

I HAD NOT THOUGHT ABOUT THAT. YOU SEE,

BACK IN THOSE DAYS, THERE WERE NO PET SCANS,

CT SCANS, NO MRI, HECK THERE WAS NOT COLORED TV.

SO WHAT THEY DID IS, THEY PUMPED YOU UP WITH 

THE ONLY CHEMOTHERAPY THEY HAD, TWO TO CHOOSE FROM,

GAVE YOU ALL THE RADIATION A LITTLE 5 YEAR OLD COULD TAKE

AND SENT YOU HOME WITH YOUR PARENTS HAVING

BEEN GIVEN THESE INSTRUCTIONS,

"IF SHE IS STILL ALIVE IN THREE MONTHS, BRING HER BACK.

THEN THEY PUMPED ME WITH MORE CHEMO AND RADIATION.

THAT IS HOW IS WAS DONE BACK THEN.

ITS A FAMILY JOKE THAT BY THE TIME I WAS 12,

I REFUSED TO DIE SO THEY FINALLY BOUGHT ME A BIKE.

WHILE THIS SEEMS LIKE A CRUDE JOKE, 

THERE WAS SOME TRUTH TO IT, MY PARENTS WERE SOOO 

OVERPROTECTIVE, HENCE CAME ROX BEING MY FIRST FRIEND.

YOU SEE MY SISTER, CELENA, (i was so glad she was there for support)

WAS BEST FRIENDS, WITH ROX'S SISTER, LIZ

AND THEY LIVED DOWN DURSETTE LANE SO IT WAS ONLY RIGHT

THAT I COULD WALK WITH CELENA TO PLAY WITH ROXANNE.

AND PLAY WE DID. WHEN WE TOLD OUR PARENTS WE

WANTED A GROCERY STORE IN THE PLAY ROOM AT

ROX'S. OUR PARENTS STARTED SAVING ALL EMPTY FOOD CARTONS.

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THAT PLAYROOM HAD MORE

GROCERIES THAN LEDET'S SUPERMARKET.

I WANT TO SAY THAT THERE, AT MR. LINTON AND MRS. HELEN'S

HOUSE I WAS TREATED JUST LIKE ALL THE REST OF THE KIDS.

THEY DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME HOW MUCH I NEEDED THAT.

TO NOT BE THE SICK ONE, THE ONE EVERYONE FOCUSED ON,

 BUT JUST ANOTHER KID, SHOOT, I THINK MRS. HELEN

EVEN FUSSED ME A FEW TIMES! NO ONE FUSSED THE SICK ONE

AT HOME.....

I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THAT, IT MADE ME SEE

ANOTHER SIDE OF MY LIFE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE JUST A KID.

THEN WE GREW TO BE TEENS, AND LIKE MOST TEENS WE

GREW APART SOMEWHAT, DIFFERENT CROWDS BUT 

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WE WOULD MEET UP OR 

VISIT AND CATCH UP ON ALL THE HAPPENINGS IN OUR LIVES.

WHEN I FOUND OUT SHE WAS GOING TO MARRY WHO

EVERYONE HERE KNOWS AS NATHAN BUT I ONLY 

AFFECTIONATELY KNOW HIM AS NOMBRE' (belly button in cajun french)

I WAS SHOCKED, NOM AND I WERE PARTY BUDDIES FROM

HIGHSCHOOL! OH THE STORIES WE COULD TELL.

THEY MARRIED AND MADE THIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.

ROX SPOILED HER TWO BOYS LIKE NO OTHER,

THEY WERE HER BABIES, HER REASON TO FIGHT

SO HARD NOW.

LET ME SHARE A FEW WISDOM'S I BELIEVE TO BE TRUE.

LAST WEEK I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MY NIECE, TOYA

(who was also in the crowd and i was pleased to see)

WHO IS FIGHTING HER OWN CANCER BATTLE.

SHE SAID, 

'AUNT LIL, EVERYONE WANTS TO DO A BENEFIT FOR ME

BUT I HAVE TROUBLE TAKING MONEY, THINGS FROM OTHERS.

I AM THE ONE WHO WORKS, MY WHOLE LIFE, I AM THE

ONE WHO GIVES NOT GET..."

I STOPPED HER THERE.

I SHARE HERE TO ROX AND HER FAMILY WHAT I SHARED

WITH TOYA.

YOU SEE, THIS DAMNED DEVIL OF CANCER,

ITS RARELY ABOUT US. THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING

BUT MORE ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE, 

SOMEONE WHO IS WATCHING THIS FAMILY, WATCHING

TO SEE HOW THEY GO ABOUT THIS HARD TIME,

HOW THEY FIGHT THEIR BATTLE.

I GO ON TO EXPLAIN, TO TOYA,

YOU SEE WHEN YOU REFUSE HELP, REFUSE 

MONETARY THINGS, BENEFITS, YOU ARE TRYING TO 

CONTROL THEIR CHANCE A BEING A DISCIPLE TO GOD

OR WHATEVER HIGHER POWER YOU BELIEVE IN.

YOU SEE, WE RARELY HAVE THE CHANCE TO DO GOD'S WORK

AND WHEN WE DO, IF YOU DENY THAT, YOU ARE

STOPPING THE BIG MAN'S PROGRESS.

WELL SHE HAD NOT LOOKED AT IT THIS WAY.

I HOPE I GIVE INSIGHT TO ROX'S FAMILY AS WELL

AS ANY OTHERS OUT THERE SUFFERING FROM THEIR OWN

DEMONS.

INSURANCE DOES NOT PAY MISSED DAYS AT WORK

FOR THE PATIENT OR THE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO NEED 

TO BE WITH YOU. IT DOES NOT PAY GAS, MEALS ON THE ROAD,

HOTEL ROOMS FOR TRAVEL. IT DOES NOT PAY FOR PEACE 

OF MIND THAT THE ONE WHO IS USUALLY THE GIVER,

GETS WHEN SHE/HE BECOMES THE RECEIVER.

SO BENEFITS ARE IMPORTANT AS WE LOOK AROUND TODAY

TO SEE ALL THE LOVE OUR LITTLE COMMUNITY HAS

FOR THIS FAMILY. 

I LOVE YOU ROX, AND YOUR FAMILY AND I CONTINUE 

TO PRAY AND FIGHT WITH YOU GUYS.

I ended with one of our favorite songs back in the day.

we all sang,

LEAN ON ME

and I reminded them I needed help as I could not sing and that

was a good thing because if I could, none of you would know me,

I'd be famous somewhere. I called my dear sister, C up to 

sing with me ala' karaoke and the crowd sang with us as 

tears streamed down many faces.

It was a great day.

I ended it with a visit to my Uncle Luke and my cousins.

That is a whole other blog!

Again, I write this one, not for bragging rights but

because I want to remember and never forget,

what myself and my little community shared that day,

HOPE.