Monday, July 6, 2009

7-6-09 Dianne performing with kids from the audience at the Lucedale Library

7-6-09 Dianne performing with kids from the audience at the Lucedale Library

Friends:

Today, Eliana and I began our tour in the Jackson-George Regional Libraries in Mississippi. We met Mary Ann Louviere, our gracious hostess and the children’s services coordinator for the region at a park and ride off I-10 and followed her to our first library in Lucedale. The audience was so much fun! We had a big crowd of enthusiastic children. After going through two microphones, the third one was a charm. Even when your microphones go out in the middle of the show, the show must go on, and it did!

Afterwards, the kids lined up for autographs and book signings. Here I am, signing a gigantic poster that the library designed and gave away as a prize. It was designed by Rex Bridges, the library system’s PR coordinator. Thank you for making me look so good, Rex!

7-6-09 Signing a giant poster for a fan

7-6-09 Signing a giant poster for a fan

One little boy told me that I was “prettier in person” while another boy told me I was “prettier than a rose.” How sweet is that? Here I am with those little “Romeos!” Thank you, boys! I <3 U!

7-6-09 Dianne with her Lucedale "boyfans." LOL

7-6-09 Dianne with her Lucedale "boyfans." LOL

After lunch with Mary Ann at Pockets Diner (a restaurant and pool hall with the best burgers), we headed to East Central Library. The crowd was smaller but nonetheless enthusiastic and fun.

7-6-09 Going low with "How loose is your goose?"

7-6-09 Going low with "How loose is your goose?"

They loved The Cajun Cornbread Boy! Between the two shows, I am nearly sold out of books! I have five left for the rest of the week!

7-6-09 Dianne showing The Cajun Cornbread Boy to audience at East C

7-6-09 Dianne showing The Cajun Cornbread Boy to audience at East C

Afterwards, we stayed for some fun. Eliana joined the teens for an end-of-summer karaoke party. She sang and even joined the group in a rendition of High School Musical’s “We’re All In This Together!”

Eliana sings with teens at end of summer karaoke party at East Central

Eliana sings with teens at end of summer karaoke party at East Central

Special thanks to Cindy and Micki for your gracious hospitality! Thank you, Mary Ann, for inviting me to the Jackson-George Regional Libraries. We are loving our visit and look forward to the rest of our week on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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7-5-09 Welcome to West Ship Island

7-5-09 Welcome to West Ship Island

Friends:

My family and I took a day trip to West Ship Island, located 11 miles off the coast in the Mississippi Sound. To get there, you have to take an hour ferry ride.

7-5-09 Camrynn, Eliana, Jourdan & Jasmynn on the ferry to West Ship Island

7-5-09 Camrynn, Eliana, Jourdan & Jasmynn on the ferry to West Ship Island

It was a nice ride across the sound. We even saw dolphins and a dredging station that keeps the channel deep enough for ships to pass through.

7-5-09 The Mississippi Sound Dredging Station

7-5-09 The Mississippi Sound Dredging Station

Once we docked, we walked a long pier leading to the other side of the island. I saw a fisherman snipping the barb from a stingray he caught right by the pier.

7-5-09 A fisherman snipping a stingray

7-5-09 A fisherman snipping a stingray

We took a tour of Fort Massachusetts. West Ship Island has an amazing history and was once one of the first line of military defenses for the United States. After our tour, we headed for the beach, walking the never-ending stretch of boardwalk. But the walk was worth it. The white and black sand intermingled on the pretty beach. The water, sea green in color, was pretty clear, warm and shallow. The waves were minimal.

There were tons of sheephead fish and they were not afraid of us at all! I even saw a stingray. We played in the surf and sand all day. I amassed quite a sunburn although I reapplied my sunscreen several times. Eliana and the girls caught a hermit crab.

7-5-09 Eliana, Camrynn & Ashlynn catch a hermit crab

7-5-09 Eliana, Camrynn & Ashlynn catch a hermit crab

It was so much fun. Playing in the sun sure does take its toll. Look at Eliana!

7-5-09 Eliana falls asleep on Soleil's lap on the ferry back. Look at that brown baby!

7-5-09 Eliana falls asleep on Soleil's lap on the ferry back to Gulfport.

We had an awesome time and highly recommend West Ship Island as a family destination.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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