05/22/11

3 Upbeat Signs That The Doomsday Prophet Missed

Not even most church clergy agreed with radio preacher Harold Camping’s assumption of the rapture. Besides scripture he could have also looked at three dates in modern times, with biblical links, that would have given a happier picture:

• Feb. 7, 2010. Near the town of Miami a group of men called the Saints conquered their world that day. Significantly, the group they defeated was called “The Colts,” a blatant reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Surely this was a sign of righteousness over evilness; joy over gloom. Lest there be any doubts, clarion trumpets throughout the land proclaimed that the saints had marched in.

• Jan. 16, 2010. To get to Miami those saints had to first be tested by a group of Cardinals. Though...

Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2

05/16/11

Morganza Musings From New Orleans

Hearing so much about the Morgaza Spillway lately has resonated with be because I have driven across it many times, as recently as this past Easter, mostly to visit relatives in Avoyelles Parish. Morganza is more than a floodgate to me but a link to my roots. A few thoughts:

•Some residents of the area used to refer to the span that crosses the spillway as the tick-tock bridge. That is because it is built in sections with each having medal connections. During the hot months the connections expand creating a slight bump. The thing to do, at least it was among my relatives, was to try to count the bumps. (Drivers of cars with really good shock absorbers were at a disadvantage in this pursuit.)  I have tried to count the bumps many times— though at 65 mph...

Posted at 08:02 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

05/09/11

Willie Nelson -- The Singing Enigma at the New Orleans Jazz Fest

Gal Holiday and her Honk Tonk Review were performing in the Kids Tent at Jazz Fest when, between songs, she heard the melody from a distant stage. “Sounds like Willie Nelson is singing,” she told the crowd which by that time was thinning for that very reason. “He’s my hero,” she added.

In terms of pipes and beauty Holiday has every advantages over Nelson, but there is something about the old hippie cowboy that draws a crowd.  He is popular with young and old, liberals and conservatives, potheads and fundamentalists, those who like country music and those who despise it. Unlike most performers he does not survive because of his looks, youth or agility on stage, instead he is just a country crooner with a sound unlike anyone else. His rendition...

Posted at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2