The Magnolia State of Mind (part two)

Day 2 in Gulfport started with joy in my heart!  

The rain predicted for Sunday lifted with patches of fog to be expected. A warm front was coming up from the Gulf. Oh, and I decided we were so close to Louisiana, why not? Neither one of us had never been!

Cruising along 1-90 towards Louisiana, I had no idea a mixed bag of emotions was headed my way. 

We did a nice side trek (still in MS) along the coast through Bay St. Louis and Waveland... up towards the I-10 that leads to Louisiana. 

I love this shot my mom took on the way!

Once we crossed into the state, mom snapped my photo (thanks mom!) and besides squinting in the sun, I was bothered by the excessive traffic on a Sunday compounded with the HUGE amount of trash on the side of the road. (I am so thankful for the roadside adopt a highway programs Missouri and other states use!) 

Me and LA and trash in the far left corner.
Trust me, there was way more than what is showing in the photo!

After a quick stop at the LA visitor's center, we headed to New Orleans... NOLA for short. This is where I hope I offend NO ONE (these are just my thoughts), but I see why the NO is in NOLA. 

Visitor's Center for LA

I was able to navigate the city, but never parked. Mom took a lot of photos out the window of the cool buildings, and there were moments of beauty...

...but I have to be honest for every moment I said or thought, "Oh, this is totally what I pictured!" I had a twist of "Oh, this is so sad..."

A lot of things I saw made my heart ache. 

My mom clicked this in a residential area. Loved the houses!

Just how I had "pictured" NOLA to be. Love this one by my mom, too.

My quick NOLA experience was much like that moment you really look forward to that is a total let down. (Underwear as a kid for Christmas. That awesome Valentine's Day he forgets. The birthday party your "best" buddies blow off. I could go on and on!)

On a Sunday afternoon, I saw people passed out in filth and trash amidst beautiful buildings and historical features. I noticed a sign in a residential area encouraging people to walk in groups to be safe because as much as NOLA loves their police force, there just isn't enough of them. 

Found this image online (there are many of signs like these) of what I saw in NOLA.

There was a time I seriously thought I'd love to go to Mardi Gras in NOLA. Now, I know I would hate it. I will stick with Soulard/STL Mardi Gras and feel safer... and as odd as it sounds... CLEANER.

I would love to give NOLA another chance and perhaps take a guided tour or two, but the bit I saw (and smelled and heard) from "Betty" on Sunday destroyed the "Let the Good Times Roll" vibe I thought the city held... or maybe my idea of a good time is not the same as their view? That's always a possibility, too.

As we left NOLA and headed along a road (not the I-10) that went through LA towns and spaces that included wildlife refuges and marshes, I was still saddened by the amount of trash on the roads. Even out of the city in areas that are supposed to be protected people are dumping trash, and I still didn't see any signage or efforts for roadside cleanups. 

Getting back into Mississippi was so good. 

Back in Pass Christian, just a hop from Bay St. Louis. 

We had a late lunch / early dinner (I dub "linner") in Bay St. Louis, then went on a lovely beach walk in Pass Christian. I set up my tripod as the "blue hour" hit and got some long-exposure shots of a pier with the motion blur of the gentle waves around it. (I still have to process the images soon to see how they came out!) 

Once the light was gone, we decided to go look at some shops, hit up a Wal-Mart for local fare, and then settle in at our house for one last night, before heading back north Monday... which will be part three of this little tale! 

My gift to myself from MS! :-)

Until we meet again, 
M of MK Designs (Michelle!)

PS Do me a favor, if you like my blog or my photography... even if you can't afford to buy a piece, please share my blog on your social media sites and/or share my facebook page with your friends. I'd really appreciate it! 

Summer 2014 Blogger Challenge #25 & #26... Explore and Looking Forward To...

Oh dear blog of mine... 

I fell behind on the Blogger Challenge, but haven't quit. 

I have had a "rest" because honestly all the junk happening in the world has had my heart heavy and my brain a little muddy. 

Today, it hit me - I need to continue the Blogger Challenge. 

I accepted it, and need to finish it!

Here we go... 

#25. Explore. 

#26. I am looking forward to... (may tie a bit into EXPLORE, ya think?)

Thank you so much for your time and for supporting my endeavors. 

Michelle - the "M" of MK Designs!

August 2014

Life Doesn't Stop For ANYBODY

Having one of my more "personal" blog moments. I read recently those words above "Life Doesn't Stop for ANYBODY" and thought - "oh my, ain't that the truth!" I feel like I have lived a year this summer with all the hustle and bustle and work.

June 2013. A day working (and playing) at Zia Gallery in New Haven,
where I have work available for purchase. 

Packed up and moved my household contents in May, went on a vaction to FL and - while there - my old house sold, came back from FL and instantly closed on my new home and started unpacking, renovating, working, writing checks, whew! (if that sentence confused you, try living it!)

Mae West said: "You only live once, but if you do it right,
once is enough." - Mexico Beach Florida May 2013

Overall, it's been a whirlwind, but I am so pleased with how it's all coming along. And along the way I have had some moments of fun.

Christy and I hanging out for 6 1/2 uninterrupted hours
 in July 2013! This is huge with all the miles between
us and the fact her three sons keep her BUSY BUSY! 

It's those "needed breaks" that have helped me focus on getting this house done one bit at a time. I am so greatful for them.

Originally a pretty sickly looking evergreen was here in the
front yard. Had a redbud put in and Karlene & I did the
rock hunting, laying them out, mulching, etc. Took two hours,
but it got done quickly with TEAM WORK! July 2013. 

While it's true "Life Doesn't Stop for ANYBODY" - we can make sure to slow down a bit and enjoy some moments in order to recharge our batteries.

Another Stellar Sip of Wine & Sunset at Robller Winery! Summer 2013. 

How do I recharge?
- Meals or Winery Trips with Friends &/or Family
- Reading a book (slowly savoring my current one and it's "heavy" on the heart so I have to take breaks from it)
- Good Tea or Coffee or Ice Cream!
- Creek Days With My Daughter
- Texting or Chatting on Facebook with People
- PHOTOGRAPHY
- Stopping and Really Enjoying all I Have Accomplished by Putting my Touch on this New Place aka: Making This House a Home (cliche but true)
- Little Drives Here and There
- Doing MINIMAL Work for My Upcoming School Year (it ain't August yet!) I am just doing FUN Things and Posts with my Journalism Students
- Participating In 30 Day Photo Challenges and Other Photo Projects That Push Me to Think / Create / SEE / Observe
- Reading Blogs and Articles I enjoy
- Watching Movies (new ones and old ones)

CREEK! Blue Springs Creek with my daughter.
June 2013. 

So, while Life Doesn't Stop for ANYBODY" - we can slow a moment down and enjoy it to recharge ourselves. This is a clip from a SCI FI movie, but give it a chance. One of my favorite scenes.

The PERFECT moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdgjUPMiiEc

Thanks for reading and as always if you leave a comment you can be entered to win a prize from me.

All words and images by the M of MK Designs :)

July 2013.

Go. Outside. (Inspired by my favorite quote)

I can admit that Duck Dynasty kinda makes sense. You got troubles, GO OUTSIDE. Recently I was reminded yet again how wonderful a walk in the Missouri woods is, and how exciting it can be to finalize and book that beachside condo in Florida. 

Mexico Beach, FL 2012

It also reminded me of my favorite quote that is on my personal facebook page, by a young woman wise beyond her years. I want to share it with you today.

Mount Evans, Colorado 2010 

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God.

Council Bluffs Lake - Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri 2011

Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

The Alabama Hills, California 2010

As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be.

Tybee Island, Georgia 2009

And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”
    - Anne Frank

One foot in California, one in Nevada. 2009.
I love being in two places at once. 

All images by MK Designs. See my website: MK Designs Photography - Fine Art and Portrait Feel free to share with others, but please do not take images without permission. Thank you. 

April 2013

On... Love.

Pondering, of all things...

...Love.

In "Sense and Sensibility" a tender-hearted woman throws caution to the wind - for love. Her lack of sense tells her to follow her heart...

Many promises made alone, flowers, and sweet words exchanged... 

Sunsets and promises shared...

Suddenly he chooses another... a more "sensible" choice... honoring his public persona he's created... a choice that leaves her alone - staring out the window - waiting for him to come back over the hill to see her once again...

He doesn't return, she falls to utter dispair, only to have her sister and a man who has secretly loved her from a distance pick her up and assure her that indeed it was not her, it was him. It was nothing wrong with her character, her love, her true inner self - he felt cornered into a choice, and he foolishly didn't choose her. 

Despite her broken heart, she slowly heals and learns the man who loved her from a distance, who helped pull her back up - was the stronger man and was worth a second glance. 

It ends with the girl marrying that man... with the other man who didn't choose her watching from the hill upon his horse full of regret for allowing his one chance of true love get away. 

- Jane Austin had her stuff together, didn't she? :)

If you want to, please "like" our facebook at MK Designs / Fine Art and Portrait or go to our website at:

http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com

Until March 31, any one who comments which image is their favorite from this blog entry will get entered into a drawing for a prize from MK Designs!

All images and words courtesy of MK Designs and Jane Austin (paraphrased!) :)

March 2013.