streetcars on sticks September 15, 2011
What is with those painted streetcars on pedestals all over downtown? I can’t stand ‘em. I’m sure some well-meaning group put them up, but it was a bad idea.
To begin with, they look like coffins. If you put them all in a room, it would look like a casket showroom at the American Undertakers Association. The proportions are deadly.
Another thing that bugs me about them is that the painted streetcar idea is sort of a re-do of the painted fish thing, which was an appropriation of the painted cow thing in Chicago. I’m up for one generation of recycled ideas, but not two. Also, the oversized fish are a much more pleasing shape than the aforementioned sarcophagi.
And another thing. Of the many painted funerary boxes I’ve seen, only a few are well done. Some are fading dilapidated.
The last thing I’ll say is that the sight of a streetcar floating in mid air freaks me out, as it should all decent people.
Now, what are the good points? I guess some people got paid to make them. They make a handy place to put your beer while you’re digging in your briefcase. In the grand scheme of things, it’s really not that important that some people insist on junking up the public thoroughfare.
Any way, I’ve learned to live with them. But what’s next? The oversized painted King Cake baby?
a death in the family September 13, 2011
My step-dad, Kenneth Frey, died last month. I am preserving his obituary here in case it disappears from the internet. Kenneth was a great guy and I will always remember him laughing, cooking, and rooting for LSU.
Kenneth Louis Frey died August 17, 2011 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Born in Eunice, La. and reared in Iota, La., Mr. Frey received a degree in Geology from Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now known as Louisiana State University at Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1957 and was employed by Geophysical Services, Inc., Division of Texas Instruments working in Indonesia. He later joined his family in pioneering rice farming in the Mississippi Delta as owner of Frey Farms, Inc. For twenty years he successfully grew rice and raised soy beans, at one time farming 8,000 acres. He was Vice President, majority owner and on the Executive Board of Mississippi Delta Rice Mill, Cleveland, MS., and majority owner and president of Delta Seed and Rice, Arcola, MS. He was hired by Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, MO. to buy rice and implement contract growing from farmers in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana to be milled by Delta Seed and Rice in Cleveland, MS.
After retiring his farming operations, he acquired a Real Estate License in Florida and sold commercial real estate in Destin and Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Upon his death he was owner and operator of Professional Carpet System, Inc. in Jackson, MS.
Mr. Frey was a member of Theta Kappa Phi Fraternity; Sons of Confederate Veterans; 1st Vice President Mississippi Rice Growers Association; President and Executive Board Delta Seed & Rice; V. President, Executive Board MS Delta Rice Mill; U.S. Geological Society; Knights of Columbus Council 848 Jackson, MS 4th Degree serving as Immediate Past Grand Knight.
He is preceded in death by his father, Henry Louis Frey and his mother, Esther Guillory Frey.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Clark Frey; three children, Gwen Luthjens (Auggie) of Ocean Springs; Monique Harrison (Andrew) of Vicksburg; and Christopher Frey of Madison, and three step children, Kimberly Marshall (Don) of New Orleans; Amy Jones (Rabun) of Greenville, and Arthur Pogue of Jackson. He leaves behind nine grandchildren: Jennifer Tablada (Jason) of Chattanooga, TN; Andrea Harrison of Vicksburg; Crystal Frey of Madison; Meagan Frey of Madison; Laurence Landon of Lafayette, La; Leicester Landon of Providence, RI; Ashley Gardner of Greenville; Katie Duncan (Treis) of Leland; and Dakota Pogue of Indianapolis, IN. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren; Jackson Landon of Lafayette, LA; Robert Francis Duncan, IV of Leland; and Ella Grace Frey of Madison. Mr.Frey is also survived by a sister, Mary Grace Edwards (Jeff) of Lake Washington, and two brothers, Gerald Frey (Phyllis) and Pat Frey (Jean) both of Greenville.
Ever true to his Louisiana roots Mr. Frey was know for his ‘Cajun’ cooking, particularly the fried turkeys he distributed at Christmastime, his corn/crawfish bisque, and his gumbo.
heavy lies the head that wears the crown December 9, 2010
Pat McDonald Fowler came over tonight and brought me drawings of her ideas for my queen costume. She also brought a yummy bottle of champers. My royal couturiers are the greatest and my queen outfit is going to be awesome!
Unfortunately, all is not well in the kingdom. My grandmother has had a stoke. It was apparently not a very bad stroke, as they go, and they are doing some kind of procedure on her tomorrow, but the whole thing freaks me out. My grandmother is my favorite person in the whole world, after the royal offspring. I talked to her earlier and she was in her usual good humor.
photo | she was the queen of the little red, white and blue December 5, 2010
image
Originally uploaded by dangerblond.
Me at the historic moment I found out I was Queen of Mama Roux.
wham bam, hangin’ ham December 3, 2010
Viv came over today and coronated me Queen of Mama Roux! It’s so exciting! I’ve been feeling haughty and imperious all day. It is indeed good to be the queen. With Don being King of KdV, the whole damn thing is under Marshall Law.
you might be a redneck if… November 13, 2010
On my phone, I found a radio station that plays classic country music. I’m listening to that while playing on Ancestry.com. Country music is perfect inspiration for tracking down yo’ country-ass relations.
priorities
My grandmother wanted me to come and visit her this weekend, but I told her I couldn’t because I volunteered to help build a playground.
“A playground?!? Why can’t they just stay inside and watch Sesame Street?”
photo | playground
image
Originally uploaded by dangerblond.
photo | playground
image
Originally uploaded by dangerblond.
photo | playground
Kaboom playground McDonough City Park Academy
Originally uploaded by dangerblond.
McDonough City Park Academy, Kaboom playground sponsored by the DJR Foundation and the Cahn family, November 13, 2010
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