Spring forward

Well folks, I simply have been negligent in posting and here is why. I couldn't figure out how to set a link on my emails. That's my story and I am sticking to it. Obviously I did find out how and so here I am.
Winter totally grounded me. Being trapped in anything with a -degree in front of it is down right nasty. I sat huddled near my fireplace with my laptop. The good news is I did get my book to a publisher, sold several stories and kept most of you up to date with Facebook. All that said, I managed to escape last week and am sitting looking out the window at glorious sunshine over New Orleans. You need to know that this will be a quick post because I am headed poolside to soak up the rays - got to get as many as I can before booting the roads north. New Orleans is proving to be a great experience. Traveling with my friend Jess, is always a good experience except this time she nearly blew it. We headed for the swamps to see alligators etc. The tour started with a warning that all bananas were to be left behind. Big laugh on our part. The trip through the bayou was amazing where trees wore moss like a veil. We did see alligators - 4 of them. We saw egrets, hanging moss, snakes and the biggest surprise of all - swamp pigs. I had no idea there were such things. The tour guides tossed marshmallows to them so they came right up to the boat. The colony consisted of 22 pigs and about 12 were out to greet us. On returning to land our boat broke down and we had to abandon ship - well transfer to another really, but abandon ship is more creative. At which time it was revealed that a banana on board was considered bad luck because a ship loaded with bananas had

sunk there. Jess meekly pulled a banana from her backpack admitting she was at fault. Laughs all around.

We toured the flea market where colourful carriages lined the street waiting for tourist riders, the French Quarter where we refreshed with a cold beer while looking out at balconies draped with flowers

and the Audubon Zoo where we saw numerous animals that were endangered species like the whooping crane.

 New Orleans is full of wonderful experiences and since we still have two days to go - I expect we will experience more fun and what is so much appreciated - more sunshine.