week 39, post 1: dolphins at play

Last week I took Tia, the photojournalist who's with us, to Grand Isle. She intended to go out kayaking with Ken, the guide, and do photos of the marsh, Grand Isle, and perhaps the dolphins. High breezes from the east make Kayaking a real challenge, so they stayed ashore while I stayed busy with clients. But Ken put in a good word with the right people, and Andy and Sue agreed to put together a party to sailing after work. So Ken, Pastor Regina, Tia and I were treated to a wonderful evening sailing trip -- dolphins included.

I learned one way that dolphins appear to play. They catch a fish, bring it to the surface, and toss it into the air, then catch it. In my youth, I was discouraged from "playing with my food," and I don't know if PETA has picketed the vile dolphins for their cruelty. But it was great fun to watch.

Some minor boat maintenance dictated that we run aground on a sand bar while Andy scraped barnacles from the prop shaft. It provided an excellent opportunity to swim, and Tia and I availed ourselves of it. Great fun, even after some mysterious creature brushed against my leg!

We were then treated to a beautiful sunset, with a shrimp boat in the foreground for added effect. Such blessings!

Dolphin, swim and sunset pictures to follow.
Peace, Warren.

week 38, post 1: anniversary

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of our SAMHSA team arrival in Houma. Bob Walsh and I arrived at Audrey's B&B at about 5pm, and went to Boudreau's and Thibodeaux's for supper. So yesterday was a day for remembrance and a little nostalgia. I stopped by Bob and Audrey's for coffee in the morning, and ate supper with friends Elaine and Tommy at B&T's. When Bob and I got back from supper, Lowell and Steve had arrived. Gay was still lost in LA somewhere on her drive from OK, and would arrive sometime after 11:00.

We were a great team; we worked hard, cared well for evacuees, cared well for each other, enjoyed Audrey's enthusiasm and Bob's quiet, steady support.

Little did I know a year later, I'd still be here, hard at work and savoring the good memories of the life and work we lived here together in Bayou Country. Tonight I'm gonna go to da Jolly Inn, play my rub board, dance a little and celebrate the Spirit of the Adventure we call life and how, sometimes when life doesn't turn out like we'd planned it, it actually turns out a lot better.

There's a spiritual principle there. It's good to have goals and make plans and work hard toward their fulfillment -- as long as we understand that control is always an illusion and that surprise and change are the essence of life and that flexibility and creativity are essential.

Hang in there. Hang loose. Enjoy the journey. Sing and dance a little along the way. Make sure you've got good companions for the trip.

Peace, Warren

week 37, post 2; Cajunization, part______?

As I have mentioned before, Cajunization is a process which is both joyful and very serious. Not only are the initiate's character and higher/lower consciousness to be addressed, but equipment as well. So my truck also must undergo Cajunization. I'd already started that long ago with an appropriate name for the old Dodge: MOjO 2X4. It now sports a Cajunized front bumper (bent and reshaped with a hammer) fully adorned with love bugs, and an appropriately muscular trailer hitch (class III). I'd worn out the seats, so it was time for some seat covers. What color/style?
Realtree Camo of Course!
Sissy has already added her final touch -- white dog hair to complete the refinement.

Peace, Warren.

week 37, post 1: a done deal

Kind and generous souls from Chicago donated a conversion van to the church to be used as a tool for mission. No strings attached. A family "down da bayou" very much needed transportation. A good fit. So we set ourselves to the task of taking ownership of the van, then transferring it to the family in need. A straightforward and easy task, right? Perhaps you've never tried to conduct business with a church before? Perhaps you've never dealt with a state bureaucracy before?

The Van was donated to us before I arrived Dec 1, 2005. There are way too many details of the odyssey/ordeal to share here in this blog. The task was handed to me about 12 weeks ago. I'd worked on it steadily for the 12 weeks. Yesterday afternoon it was finished. The van was transferred to the deserving recipient yesterday afternoon. I had become cranky and irritable with all the frustrations of the process, though no one was ever really to blame; it's just how it all works. Now I can let go. "Now, O Lord, let your servant depart in peace..."

Published is a photo of the family, with two of our team: Courtney Pellegrin (liason, administration and outreach) holding Juliette; recipient Chris, holding Howard (busy with Taco); Pastor Kelly Bedard.

The fulfillments of the Kingdon happen all around us. It's a good thing to notice and to celebrate.

Peace, Warren