Life is for the birds --
and the bees and the flowers and the trees and the moon up above, and a thing called love -- Jewel Akens

janisgore@gmail.com

Sunday, December 30, 2012

A Southern widder's bedroom

Crossin' her is a killin' offense.

Male cats typically just piss on their territory. The boys' father was an alpha male.
Dr. John

Janis and Lyman in Egypt

Janis and Lyman in Egypt by Janis Gore
Janis and Lyman in Egypt, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

NPS legs. Always wanted pretty legs.

ca.1995CE
Commander Cody
Asleep at the Wheel
It's 24 degrees outside at this time. Brrrrr!

Dem island lookin' good dis mornin'.
Kings of Calypso

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Steel Bands

Uncle Otis and Janis 1988

Uncle Otis and Janis 1988 by Janis Gore
Uncle Otis and Janis 1988, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.
My father's youngest brother and me at my parents' house.

I was editing that newspaper at the time. I didn't do that very long. My nerves.
I found this photo in a box a day or two ago. In '88 I was 31. Must have graduated from SMU in Dec '87, then.

Those gray pants are Liz Claiborne. I picked them up at Ross for $20, and wore them until the cuffs were completely ragged. I loved those pants.

Yeppers, I still have that sweater.
Y'all, look at this stuff from fab.com.

A fine girl

A fine girl by Janis Gore
A fine girl, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

And another of Sally, just because I like her.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Thursday, December 27, 2012

The youngest of my five brothers (66 yrs.) called from Little Rock tonight:

"Some a**h**e up here wanted a White Christmas, so we've been without power for three days. We had eight inches of snow."
And that's plenty of that.

Now's time to kick ass and take names later.
Y'all understand? We call this "a teaching moment," or some other trashy vernacular.

Do an Advance Directive.

Althouse went off the rails here, and I have no further use for her.
Don't pity me. I'm perfectly fine until I confront the circumstances of his death.

That's all. It was horrible. He overrode the life support system. We hadn't done an advance directive when he went into the hospital. We didn't think it was that much.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Ahem. What did you say?

 Hell, yes, honey. It burns.
This news makes my blood run cold. Lyman's temp elevated to 103.9.
Vince Guaraldi Trio
Lansdowne Christmas
The Pointer Sisters

Pink cowgirl boots

Pink cowgirl boots by Janis Gore
Pink cowgirl boots, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Lordy, you have to be quicker on the trigger than I am to catch one of these.

Natchez green shutters

Natchez green shutters by Janis Gore
Natchez green shutters, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Of course, the shutters match.

New door color

New door color by Janis Gore
New door color, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

This is called "Natchez green."

It's very nearly black.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Moi

Moi by Janis Gore
Moi, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Never cross a musketeer.

Lansdowne Christmas

Lansdowne Christmas by Janis Gore
Lansdowne Christmas, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.



(Yeah! Mr. C)

A modest Christmas

A modest Christmas by Janis Gore
A modest Christmas, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.
The tree was from Lana.

Candlesticks from Primitives, about $13 for both of them.

Wallhanging from the Christian Market In Jerusalem.

UPDATE: I spent less money on Christmas this year than I used to spend on the boys' stockings, and I'm happier for it.
It's pouring rain this morning. God bless the parents with new trampolines and bicycles and musical instruments.

I'll be off to Lansdowne later with satsumas from our trees and fresh broccoli from the garden.

Monday, December 24, 2012



(Stolen shamelessly from Sarah.)

Christmas lights

Christmas lights by Janis Gore
Christmas lights, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

My peculiar taste in Christmas display this year -- a house that is not ashamed to open its blinds.

Friday, December 21, 2012

A gift for your favorite children.
I had a couple of drinks with Lana and husband Tom tonight. As we were packing up a round gent with a white beard and suspenders came in.

Lana said, "You look like Santa Claus."

 He said, "Ho, ho, ho."

She said, "You're calling me names now?"
9 Whimsical Christmas cards.

(Ahem. Thanks again, Mr. C.)

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Sheepdogs from Chicago.
Disorganization sucks. What's this $188 bill from AT&T? The girl on the phone told me she'd waive the bill for startup. I've got a better deal locally.
"He has who eyes to see, he who has ears to hear," Or something like that. I'm a lousy typist.


Do you understand?

Finished wall III

Finished wall III by Janis Gore
Finished wall III, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

We all interior designers down heah.

Finished wall II

Finished wall II by Janis Gore
Finished wall II, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Darn. That handle is sticking out again.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Further plans include working the kitchen at Stewpot on Monday, 7 p.m. service at Our Lady of Lourdes in Vidalia, and 9 p.m. service at St. Mary's in Natchez Monday evening.
Last night I attended the First Baptist Church in Natchez Christmas program, Hail to the King.

It was a lavish production with a 23-piece orchestra, 70 very capable voices in the choir, and wonderfully done set and costumes. The staging and readings were better than good.

However, I found that modern Christmas music puts me off. I'm flat-out reactionary when it comes to Christmas music -- the older, the better.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

I know stagework when I see it. That was good.

Friday, December 14, 2012

What a a lovely evening. It was the night of the Christmas Cabaret.

I saw the original in 1993. Off-Broadway, in Natchez. Very well done..
In the mail from Peg Britton:

With the holidays upon us I would like to share a personal experience with my friends about drinking and driving.

As you may know some of us have been known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time on the way home after a "social session" out with friends. Well two days ago I was out for an evening with friends and had several cocktails followed by some rather nice red wine. Feeling jolly I still had the sense to know that I may be slightly over the limit. That’s when I did something that I've never done before - I took a cab home.

Sure enough on the way home there was a police road block but since it was a cab they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident. This was a real surprise as I had never driven a cab before, I don't know where I got it and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it.
Happy holidays!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Radishes from garden

Radishes from garden by Janis Gore
Radishes from garden, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

The broccoli is heading, too.



(Yeah, him again. Thanks, Mr. Crider.)
Nivea's A Kiss of Vitamin Swirl is one of the best lip moisturizers I've ever used, and my lips tend to chap. Might be a nice stocking-stuffer.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

It's 53 now. That's edgy. Let's let it go up another degree or so. Should get to 58 today.
Charles Gore won't shut up crying this morning. He wants to go out and talk to his buds, the wild birds outdoors. The sun is shining brightly, but it's 40 degrees out there.
Tracy Chapman

Sunday, December 9, 2012



That's a political statement.
Nat King Cole
Just a while ago, I had a long conversation with cousin Linda. We have a lot in common. I called to get her parent's address so I could send a Christmas/thank you card to her parents for the lovely party.

UPDATE: Jordana, I'm sending a zinnia.
Aren't these pretty?
Joe Cocker

Necklace, too

DSCN1379 by Janis Gore
DSCN1379, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.
For when my temper is up.

Now that pendant was $24, but it was a needful thing. It will go right well with my black cowgirl boots and Armani jacket.

That's black cord at 39 cents a yard. Four barrel clasps are $1.19.

Homemade necklace

Homemade necklace by Janis Gore
Homemade necklace, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

When the last teardrop falls, make jewelry.

I found this pendant at Craft City for $4.99. The leather and clasp probably cost $1.

All it took was a pair of needlenose pliers. I had those, already.

It looks like Murano glass, but it's Chinese.

Rod Stewart

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

A Cowgirl Christmas

DSCN1302 by Janis Gore
DSCN1302, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Haunted house next door

Haunted house next door by Janis Gore
Haunted house next door, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Leave it now as "a heart-rending tale of despair and vengeance..."

Harley with sidecar

DSCN1118 by Janis Gore
DSCN1118, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

The sidecar will be painted to match the bike.

That's Mac, he belongs next door.

A swing for the grandson, and a hammock for the husband. All the comforts of home.

Across the street from sister's house

DSCN1170 by Janis Gore
DSCN1170, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Season's Greetings

Season's Greetings by Janis Gore
Season's Greetings, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Shoot, I guess this is my Christmas card to all of you. Hail damage and all.

Hope you have as merry a Christmas as I did.

Love,
Janis

Approaching downtown Dallas

Our chariot was a Ford F-150, of course.

New Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Just opened Saturday. Very near the restaurant.

Not enough time to visit this go round.

Family Christmas party

Family Christmas party by Janis Gore
Family Christmas party, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

From the left, cousin Roger, cousin Sherry, cousin Sharon across the table, back to Sherry's granddaughter, across to Sherry's husband.

I sat beside Sherry's husband, my brother Bill was to my left, the smiling blonde woman is his wife, the red-head is my sister, and that's her husband sitting to her right. My brother Charles arrived a little late, and sat to the left of Sherry's husband. The man with his back to us is Sharon's husband, showing off their beautiful new granddaughter.

Mural back wall private room

There on the left is my cousin Richard, 56.

That man is so handsome it makes me sorry we don't come from Alabama.

He doesn't really have much of a gut. He should stand up straighter. As should I.

Janis taking pictures

Janis taking pictures by Janis Gore
Janis taking pictures, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Pretty blurry.

It's really embarrassing to get caught talking pictures of yourself for whatever reason.

The ladies in red are, l to r, me, my cousin Sherry, and her mother, aunt Ruth. Ruth is my father's youngest sister. Janis is 55 here, and the baby of her family, too.
Texas holiday

About to come home

About to come home by Janis Gore
About to come home, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

In the parking lot at Waffle House in Terrell, TX, about 9:30 a.m.

Holiday memories

DSCN1363 by Janis Gore
Holiday memories, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

I spent the weekend with my sister and her recently wed (though long familiar) husband in Texas.

We attended a large family Christmas party given by my Uncle Dick and his wife Ruth, the youngest and last living sibling on my father's side of the family.

I'm calling this the great Christmas festivity this year. I had a lovely time all weekend long.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

I am on my knees here.

The Stewpot in Natchez, MS, needs some good knives and good potato peelers. I'd say 4 paring knives, a good carver, and a couple of good 8" chef knives, 3 or 4 potato peelers. I found that I liked using the 7" santoku for many chores, too. Forschner has proven adequate for most purposes here.

The Stewpot feeds the hungry. I volunteered for Thanksgiving.

UPDATE: Never mind. I found some reasonably priced Paula Deen knives at Walmart. They might not be the best, but they're a sight better than what they have.
Blondie


(Do I even have to say?)
Sawyer Brown

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

I told you not to piss me off.
I guess that's about it for this blog.


Truly, such jerkoffs. Do you call this a 'beating'?
Corb Lund

(Thanks, Scott Chaffin. This one makes Charles Gore howl like Mr. Wolf.)
I am up to my neck in aprons around here, but I like this one, too.
How about a Dinosaur Egg for the young'uns?
Look at this line of shawls.
A cool Christmas pendant for somebody.
I am going to make a point to see this on December 14. Lyman and I attended something similar the first year of our marriage. It was a lot of fun.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Adele
Do I need to keep crediting you, sir?.
Snotwads.
And that's what you get for going with a kinky-haired boy.
Reel Big Fish

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Monday, November 19, 2012

Sunday, November 18, 2012

For Thanksgiving, I'm fixin' to volunteer for the local Feed the Hungry organization. The money I would have spent on dinner will go to local food pantries, instead.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Honestly, someone needs to a grip here. I did get those cards out by the way, about a month after I'd personally called the sponsors.
 
Now, I've received a request for a picture of Lyman to be in a memorial video. I like this one.

What do you say?
From Bill Crider:

From Mostly Cajun, Ode to Joy


(Thanks again, Bill Crider.)
The Shadows
Bert Weedon
Neil Young Harvest

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

That'll wear you down.

I was on the phone this morning to AT&T. As of this morning, I have split my land line service off from the Internet, and managed to save more than 50% on monthly phone bills.

Vonage called with an introductory offer that guarantees a bill of $9.99 for the next three months, jumping to a whopping $32 something after. That includes unlimited long distance in the US, and unlimited long distance to 60 foreign countries. So even after the introductory rates expire, I'll still be paying half of what we were paying before -- $114 and something.

Hey, I worked for a long-distance co. that was one of the original competitors to Ma Bell's long distance service, established not long after MCI hit the scene.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Oh, and I celebrated Veterans' Day by going to Sunday brunch with my Vietnam vet brother.
Alex de Grassi
Well, shhe-ut, I've lost another wash cloth. Now where did THAT one go?

Durn! I didn't put it in the laundry, it was still hanging on one of the bath rods.

Oh. Good Lord, the other washcloth was under the clean bathmat lying on the chest at the foot of the bed. It's gonna be a LOOOONG middle age.
Occupy Sandy is doing relief work on Staten Island and at other hard-hit areas in the NYC region.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Monday, November 5, 2012

Now then, if you have a favorite charity that you believe would be helpful with Sandy victims, please post the website or proper gadget code in comments. I'll add it under the HELP banner.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Petula Clark
When the boys moved on, Michael asked to take Pierrette and Pierrot. I considered that fair, since it belonged to his grandparents.

I found this Renoir screened on canvas, at least 24x30". It is out at Dianne's for framing in a wide gold frame.

That will replace the tapestry. I'll post a picture.
Home Depot has tips about hurricane safety, and important how-to's regarding safety, and aftermath.


My kind of women.

(Thanks, Mr. Crider, again.)

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Isaac Hayes
The black yard guy is cleaning the storage room off the carport today. He's almost exactly a year older than I am.

The windows are wide open.

We like the same music.
Sly and the Family Stone
The Five Stairsteps


I'm crazy about this woman -- her looks, her voice, the way she moves. Is she still alive?

From Soulful Detroit -- Update for the Five Stairsteps: This is 2006 December 6th. Alohe (Ramijimar S. Habeeb-Ullah) changed her name in 1980 in Oneonta, New York. She is enjoying her retirement. She likes Sci-Fi, science, technology, and exotic animals. She helps with social causes for all people including American Indians and Black Americans. She worked as an archaeologist, Atlanta Zoo with the Pandas. She is a scientist.
It's so foggy here this morning, I can't see more than three blocks in any direction.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Persian rug

Persian rug by Janis Gore
Persian rug, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.
I never said I didn't like drama. I just don't like adolescent drama.

My mother crocheted both throws, this red one and the purple one.

I'm rebuilding my own life here, y'all. My husband died in July. If I lost it, I'd start something else again.

I talked to a man from Bay St. Louis this morning. He lost everything in Katrina. He said, "Houses are just bricks and sticks. I'm free now."
Icepick found Your Post-Hurricane Home Inspection Checklist in Popular Mechanics.

(Thank you, dear.)
If you plan on donating to the American Red Cross, go to weather.com. They and their partners will match your donation. The minimum donation is $10.

Rodrigue's Blue Dog

Rodrigue's Blue Dog by Janis Gore
Rodrigue's Blue Dog, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.
A donation piece. 500 bucks to the Red Cross.

It symbolized -- for me -- Ivan, Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Isaac, and which one took out Galveston? Ah, yes -- Ike.

A prominent display in our home.

Now it symbolizes Sandy, too.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

You should have something to add to that, Mostly Cajun, regarding the danger of fire after a hurricane. He lost his house to fire after Rita.

Anything you'd add, Icepick? (Icepick is a Florida boy.)
TastyBits, a South Louisiana boy, offers these tips to hurricane victims --

If you know anybody who has been affected, here are a few tips to pass along:
1) GET FLOOD INSURANCE. (for everybody)
2) Have somebody help them go through their things, and keep them from tossing everything. Five years later, they will wish they still had some of the things they tossed.
3) Warped, splitting, cracked wood can be repaired. Dry it as best as possible, and get a furniture restorer later.
4) American made sofas cannot be replaced, but they can be re-covered.
5) Reputable contractors will have a waiting list, and they will be more expensive. Make temporary repairs, and wait for a reputable contractor. A local contractor should have been in a previous year’s phone book.
6) Get the roof repaired as fast as possible, but use an established roofer. Wait for a reputable roofer.
7) A carpenter is not a contractor. A butcher and a surgeon cut muscle, but a butcher is not a surgeon.
8) The place will be crawling with scammers. Scammers will promise twice much as a reputable contractor. The scammer will purchase the building material in the day, and the materials will be stolen that night.
9) The Insurance Company is not your friend. The settlement will seem high, but everything will cost twice as much. They will also include cheaper materials – stain-grade fir vs. paint-grade pine.
10) The government is not your friend. Once you get into and understand the system, it is a lot easier, but it takes time and patience. Also, the people who cheat have much less to lose. Do not take their advice.
11) People will need 6’ long tables with the plastic tops. The more surface space the better. Folding chairs are helpful also.
12) Plastic totes work better than boxes, and you can use them for years afterwards.
13) A used sofa is better than nothing, and a $250.00 Big Lots sofa works great.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Anyone of my blog buds have people in the path of Sandy? How have they fared?
NYC underwater.

Why in the world would they build a whole city on such low ground?
I like Reason's take on predicting the presidential election.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Chuck Berry

Clean cars

Clean cars by Janis Gore
Clean cars, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.
Finally.

The yard guy also cleans cars, inside and out.

Tahoes -- 2005 on the left, 1997 on the right.

I use the '97 for running around town. The newer one is the road car. Note that they're in Lucy's colors, which are also the colors for one of husband's past schools -- Louisiana Tech.
8 ways to say "you."

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz
The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life. Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others.
Left Brain Dominance: 12(12)
Right Brain Dominance: 9(9)
Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

(Thanks, Sarah.)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Visitor's bell

Visitor's bell by Janis Gore
Visitor's bell, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

Look, you even have a bell for service.

Footstool from chair cushion

DSCN0925 by Janis Gore
Footstool, a photo by Janis Gore on Flickr.

I'm serious about visiting, y'all.

If you'll come, I'll sit on this footstool and rub your feet.

(Thanks, Roy Rushing, woodworker.)