11/9

We arrived in Sugarland yesterday, after driving through a terrible rain storm on the outskirts of Houston. Learned later that a tornado touched down in the area. Tomorrow we leave for Galveston and board the ship on Friday - 11/11/11. We will leave the computer here at Emily and Randy's house, and we will turn off the cell phones before we leave the dock. So we will be totally out of touch until a day or two before Thanksgiving.

11/7

We depart Lafayette tomorrow. We had lunch and dinner at Fezzo's: 2 dozen raw oysters at lunch + a bisque, and another 2 doz + grilled crawfish salad for dinner. J had a dozen grilled at lunch and another dozen at dinner.

Walking around downtown today, an older man on a bicycle offered me a "brand new Dell computer." I resisted the temptation to ask a price. We passed a restaurant advertising Greek and Lebanese food "all Kosher". OK.

11/6/11

We are in Lafayette LA, having departed from Memphis yesterday. On the way out of town, we passed a sign for Graceland, so the Boss insisted we check it out. From the street, only 2 airplanes were visible. Sorry, but I refused to pay $10 to park and $31 apiece to view the "mansion".

Today we had lunch at Don's in Hammond LA. A dozen oysters on the half shell + crawfish bisque for me, and 12 grilled oysters + crab au gratin + a bloody Mary for J. She liked the drink so well, she asked about one to go. No problem, so long as she doesn't put the straw in it until she leaves the building. Is this a great state or what!!

A sign at a gas station in town: Beer. Because it's still election season.

Sampled some boudin balls and cracklins here in Lafayette. Terrific!

11/4/11

She Who Must Be Obeyed celebrated her natal anniversary in grand style. She started with a facial at the hotel spa, enjoyed high tea at 2:30, and a terrific dinner with her favorite wine from Oregon at 7. The only hitch was after a few glasses of champagne, she entered the men's room, used it and wondered why it had urinals.

11.3.11

Greetings from the Peabody Hotel in Memphis TN, where the ducks march through the lobby and go into and out of the fountain in the middle of the lobby. J has a milestone anniversary of her nativity tomorrow (clue: she can now use a medicare card) and she wanted to celebrate somewhere fancier than a Holiday Inn. This is a great old hotel with all the modern amenities. We will leave Saturday, but it may be a reluctant departure.

We left A2 on Tuesday and stayed in Terre Haute, where we joined our friends Gary and Sharon for a nice dinner. I used to do that often when I was going to and coming from Kansas. Gary is CEO of Clabber Girl, and he gave us a guided tour of the HQ on Wed morning. Beautiful old building that Gary has renovated and turned into a local attraction with artifacts and photographs dating back to the mid-1800s when the Hulman family emigrated from Germany and started the company. A very nice museum, that includes a cafe and kitchen designed for demonstrations.

Wed we drove to Murray KY to visit J's Aunt and Uncle who live in nearby Mayfield. Nice visit.

11.3.11

Greetings from the Peabody Hotel in Memphis TN, where the ducks march through the lobby and go into and out of the fountain in the middle of the lobby. J has a milestone anniversary of her nativity tomorrow (clue: she can now use a medicare card) and she wanted to celebrate somewhere fancier than a Holiday Inn. This is a great old hotel with all the modern amenities. We will leave Saturday, but it may be a reluctant departure.

We left A2 on Tuesday and stayed in Terre Haute, where we joined our friends Gary and Sharon for a nice dinner. I used to do that often when I was going to and coming from Kansas. Gary is CEO of Clabber Girl, and he gave us a guided tour of the HQ on Wed morning. Beautiful old building that Gary has renovated and turned into a local attraction with artifacts and photographs dating back to the mid-1800s when the Hulman family emigrated from Germany and started the company. A very nice museum, that includes a cafe and kitchen designed for demonstrations.

Wed we drove to Murray KY to visit J's Aunt and Uncle who live in nearby Mayfield. Nice visit.

hello be on the lookout for new posts after november 1st.