Dianna's Favorites

Dianna: I've wanted to build a raised bed garden for a long time and finally decided this was the year. I researched materials, then drew out the plan. Before I could start, we had to tear out a long of overgrown vines that had joined up with flowering vines I originally planted. Basically - it looked like a jungle. Once the preliminary cleaning up was done, we got started leveling the ground, placing paving stones for the support points then loaded up pressure treated wood and the corners. My husband set up a table in the backyard with a power saw on it, then we began building the structure. We had to measure each piece, because no matter how it looks on paper some things change along the way. Once we had the structure built, landscape cloth, rocks and rich dirt in place, I planted a few vegetables (it was late in the year for a true garden) and some flowers so that it have color. Now I'm looking forward to playing in the dirt next spring instead of reclaiming our back yard. 

As many of you know, I love to fish. What's even better is to spend time with my husband and family while out on the water.  My family knows I love to take sunrise and sunset pictures - I wanted to share this one with you.  We caught a lot of redfish, trout and drum, but what's so cool about Delacroix is the brackish water. We also caught some bass. On day two, we had a massive storm blow through (tornado sirens sounded while we were in the camper) and afterwards gators climbed out of the marsh everywhere. It was the most we'd seen at any one time over the years. Just a great visit. I returned ready to write!! 

Dianna: Many of you know that I love to ride my BMW motorcycle (that's it inset with me) just about anywhere that is not bumper-to-bumper traffic. I had the wonderful opportunity of riding Wyoming and Colorado through mountains and everything between in 2016. How many times have you heard the term "Hell's half acre"? It's real. Native Americans used it for bison drives many years ago.

I have more than one favorite fishing hole, but this one holds a special place for me, because I get to enjoy a day on the water with my brother James, sister-in-law Teri and my husband. Then we have a down home meal outdoors at the fish camp. Here’s a shot of a redfish I caught on a recent trip. (That’s my baby brother holding it for me.) The other photo on the right is Delacroix, LA at sunset. My soul loves being there with family and friends.