RHYTHM OF THE RAIN

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

 

Remember that old song “Alfie?”  “What’s it all about Alfie?”  That question has been on my mind for the past few days and I’m still not sure I have the perfect answer, but I think I’m getting closer to the truth.

Bill and I attended the wedding of one of our friend’s daughters two week-ends ago.  It was a beautiful wedding in a beautiful setting on Marco Island, FL.  The bride was beautiful and the groom handsome as they walked down the orchid strewn pathway on the beach to take their vows.  The parents and guests were watching intently with teary eyes as the vows were read and the “I do’s” said.  While sitting there in awe of all the beauty and raw emotions that were laid out by so many for everyone to see, I started to ponder…what is it REALLY all about?

As I looked around at the 100+ guests, I couldn’t help but wonder how many were still in their first marriage; how many had one behind them, and how many had even more wrecks behind them, and how many were still searching for that “right” or “perfect” one.  How many had regrets about decisions to let relationships collapse, realizing later that maybe they had the perfect one all along but didn’t realize it until it was too late.  I also wondered how many were in relationships where they had “lost” themselves or were being smothered by catering to their spouse’s desires while neglecting their own.  I couldn’t help but think of a quote from Henry David Thoreau “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”  If this is true, could the same not be said for most women?  If so…WHAT is it that all about? 

Does sanity get in the way of emotions or do emotions get in the way of sanity?  When we are young hormones are raging, and can, in some cases, over-rule sanity.  Could it not also be said if we wait for what we perceive to be the “right” moment or the “right” person, we could miss out on the perfect relationship?  My parents were married for 53 years before my dad passed away.  Does that mean they were always happy?  Not necessarily; yet they remained committed.  Is that what it is all about?  On the other hand, I have a friend who not only has been married eight times, but five times in succession to the same man!  Never giving up.  Only after his death was she able to move on to another relationship.  Could that be what it’s all about?

Recently a friend admitted to me that he wished he could turn back the clock and change his decision made years ago to walk away from a relationship to move on to what, at the time, he perceived to be “greener pastures.”  Now in his “golden years” he is totally alone, facing mortality, and all the questions and doubts that go along with it. Is THAT what it’s all about?  I hope not.

At the end of the day, as twilight settled upon the beach and the bride and groom and guests moved into the ballroom for an exciting and celebratory evening, I began to think, maybe there isn’t an answer or at least one that fits all.  Maybe we should just take life’s twists and turns as they come along, doing the best we can as we move through this maze called life.  As I watched the glowing bride and her handsome groom gliding throughout the banquet hall holding hands and accepting congratulations from friends and family, I couldn’t help but think maybe, just maybe, with a lot of work and a little luck, love and friendship is what it’s all about!   Which brings to mind another one of my favorite songs, ”Don’t Worry…Be Happy!”

 

MY ADOPTED CITY...NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans…N’awlins…no matter how you pronounce it, it is “The Big Easy.”  It is a city that never sleeps…made up of layer after layer of diversity from its European culture to its “deep south” roots; from beauty to the decadent, decaying scent of its sewer system, to the sweet fragrance of blooming Jasmine.  At any given time, in the French Quarter, one can find street musicians, artisans, beautiful art galleries, exquisite cuisine, the homeless, drug addicts, and tourists from all over the world; some seeking adventure, others experimenting with different facets of religion from Voo Doo to mainstream Christianity.  With its beautiful European architecture nestled in the curve of the mighty Mississippi one can get the feeling he or she has stepped outside the USA and into an old European city.   Outside the Quarter head toward the Garden District and you will find beautiful refurbished anti bellum homes with gardeners watering and tending the lush, green plants.  Tucked in with these are the decrepit and decaying beauties …although struggling, those reflect a glimmer of their past grandeur.  Even the cemeteries in and around the city proudly display their beautiful mausoleums, housing not only the dead, but windows made of leaded and stained glass and grand statues standing guard over the tombs.

In this photo, I have tried to cover a few of the layers of the diversity of this interesting and beautiful city. 

Bikers for Babies - SW FL November 17 2013

April 25, 2011 - Day 2 Riding in "Cajun Country"

Today, Wally, Dianne, Bill and I went to Ville Platte, located about 80 miles west of Baton Rouge.  We had lunch at the Cajun Smokehouse, (crawfish etouffee), then went to the "Slap Ya Mama" store for hot spices!

Lunch at the Smokehouse Restaurant - Ville Platte, LA

Dianne and Wally - "Out behind the Smokehouse" - Ville Platte, LA

Bill and me - "Out behind the Smokehouse" - Ville Platte, LA

"Slap Ya Mama" - Ville Platte, LA - (Owner's Picture)

 

I love this poster - was on the wall in their store

After leaving "Slap Ya Mama's," we then rode out to Chicot State Park, a wildlife reserve featuring 6,400 acres of rolling hills surrounding a 2,000 acre man-made lake.  What a beautiful place!

Chicot State Park - Near Ville Platte, LA

Lily Pads on Lake Chicot

Wally and Bill on the pier - Lake Chicot

Lake Chicot

Lake Chicot

We spent some time riding through the park.  Such a beautiful setting! Everything was so lush and green, especially through the arboretum.

After leaving the park we made a stop at D's Galore, in Port Barre.  Dianne, the lady behind the bar, said all her children and all her grandchildren's names start with a D, thus the name of the bar.  She  was very friendly, (posed for a photo), and said she "loves bikers."   We stayed there long enough to cool down from the heat and then were on our way back toward the RV park and motel.

Dianne - D's Galore - Port Barre, LA

On the way, we made a stop at the Cajun Harley-Davidson store in Scott so Bill could pick up a shirt, then it was back to the RV Park/motel.  Wally and Bill loaded the bikes onto the motor home and  trailer, then we freshened up and headed to Mulate's in Breaux Bridge for dinner.

Food at Mulate's was great as always, and the ambiance definitely "Cajun."  We had a fun evening listening to the band for a while before calling it a night.

Back at the motel we said our good-byes as Wally and Dianne were leaving early the next morning, heading to Pigeon Forge, TN, (just in time for the big storm), and we were heading back toward FL later in the day.

Thus ended a wonderful couple of days of exploring "Cajun Country" with good friends Wally and Dianne and our new "Cajun Friends," Corey and Terri.  Bill and I have been to "Cajun Country" several times over the years and have always loved it.  The people have always been so friendly and kind to us. 

April 24, 2011 - Day 1 Riding in "Cajun Country"

Dianne, Wally, Bill and I rode out to Avery Island, home of Tabasco today, only to find that their plant and gift shop were closed for the Easter Holiday; however, we were able to tour the island, which was worth the trip.

The Island has numerous exotic plants, with a number of them introduced by Edward McIlhenny in the 1800's, and the Island still has a bird sanctuary, known as "Bird City," that was founded by Mr. McIlhenny around 1895.

The Tabasco brand pepper sauce was created in the 1860's by Mr. McIlhenny.  Someone had given him some seeds of Capsicum frutesens, peppers that came from Central America or Mexico.  From those seeds he grew his pepper plants and created his special sauce.  Over 140 years later the sauce is made much the same way it was back then.

One of the roads on Avery Island with the beautiful trees and Spanish Moss

Dianne checking out the gators - Avery Island

Getting up close and personal - Avery Island

Beautiful tunnel of foliage - Avery Island

A portion of the Bird Sanctuary - Avery Island

Two hundred acres of the Island has been designated as a natural wildlife sanctuary, known as the Jungle Gardens.  Enclosed in the gardens is a shrine housing a centuries-old Buddha, which was a gift to Mr. McIlhenny in 1937.

Entrance to walkway to Buddha Temple - Avery Island

Buddha on Avery Island

Close-up of Buddha - Avery Island
Notice that part of the Buddha's right ear is missing - I've heard that
a visitor cut off part of its ear several years ago

Tabasco Gift Shop - Avery Island - photo taken through the glass of  front door

Tabasco Plant - Avery Island
You can smell the Tabasco as soon as you go onto the Island

After leaving Avery Island we rode through the town of New Iberia, looking for a place for lunch; however, because of the Easter holiday everything was closed.

One of the few old theatres still in existence -  New Iberia, LA

We then headed to St Martinville where the only thing we could find open was a Popeye's Chicken, so that's where we had lunch. While there, we saw some local bikers that we had seen on the Island earlier in the day.  After a nice conversation with their road captain, Corey, we hooked up with them and rode all over the area...New Iberia, Breaux Bridge, Henderson, Lafayette, etc. 

The group consisted of three sisters, Terri, (Corey's wife), Sharon and Kim, (her sisters), their spouses/partners and another couple, who was friends of the sisters.  It was a very pleasant day and we saw a lot of "Cajun Country" that we would not have seen had we not hooked up with them.

Riding with our new "Cajun Friends"- Corey & Terri leading the ride

Down in the Atchafalaya Basin with our new "Cajun Friends"

Dianne and me in the Basin - Basin Landing

Obviously I got a kick out of this sign at Basin Landing

After leaving Basin Landing we rode for a bit more and then stopped off at McGee's Landing for a drink and to say our good-byes to our new friends, promising to stay in touch.

Wally, Dianne, Bill and I then went to dinner at Pat's Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant in Henderson, based upon the recommendation of Corey.  We were not disappointed!  The food was excellent and our waitress was a "hoot!"  Her name was Dee and she kept us laughing all through dinner with her Thibodeaux and Boudreau jokes.

Then, it was back to the motel/RV park.  By the time we reached the motel I had received a text from Terri telling me that if we needed anything while we were in the area to let her and Corey know, which was very thoughtful.  It's always nice to make new friends, and we've made so many lasting friendships over the years through motorcycle riding.

April 23, 2011 - Leaving TX "Hill Country" - Heading for LA "Cajun Country"

We moved the motor home over to another spot for storage this morning and then Bill and I took Bud and Deb to the airport in San Antonio, where they flew out, heading back to Florida.

Bud and Deb on the way to the airport

Bill and I made it into Duson, LA around 7:00 p.m. and checked into the motel.  Wally and Dianne were already there and had their motor home set up in the park behind the motel. 

By the time we got settled in and ready to go eat it was around 8:00 p.m., so there weren't many restaurants still open.  We finally found a Mexican restaurant in downtown Lafayette, (I don't even remember the name, but the food was great), and we had a nice dinner.

Afterwards, we headed back to the motel and RV Park.  Wally and Bill unloaded our bike from the trailer and we said our good nights, and went our separate ways to get some rest for the next day's riding adventure... in LA "Cajun Country."