First Pictures: "The Land"

[Alan L.]

Re: First Pictures: \"The Land\"

Beautiful place there. Looks like you've already done a bunch of work, even without a tractor. Looks like Augusta!!

 

[rancar]

Re: First Pictures: \"The Land\"

You've got a beautiful place Bill. It's a gorgeous setting for that new house you'll be building....next pics you'll have to post are those of that 4310....maybe next to one of those stately oaks/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

Bob

 

[blurrybill]

Re: First Pictures:

ByuBill,

Believe it or not, there are crawfish holes around that wet area - certainly not like the ponds around Opelousas, though. The nice thing about the Iowa climate that I didn't appreciate as a kid is the change of seasons. I actually enjoy Iowa winters now, because I have learned that those winters are what makes spring (like this year) so exhilarating. We have seen our place in all seasons and find it just as beautiful in the dead of winter. Can't wait to live there year-round.

We NEVER travel to Louisiana in mid-summer, but we sure enjoy the trips to see my inlaws and mother-in-law. I couldn't eat seafood until I met my wife, traveled south and learned how good it can be. Still, they don't have jello salads there for the holidays... around here you have to put out some kind of frozen/jello/coolwhip somethingorother to complete a holiday meal. Aren't different cultures grand? There are still things (like tractors and love of the land, for example) that bind us together.

Thanks for posting the Oak Alley pic -- have a great shot of the a sumbeam shining over a branch of one of those grand trees in early a.m. that I took there -framed and on the living room wall. Those wonderful trees, if I remember correctly, were planted by a French settler around 1690. The plantation home, Greek revival architecture, came around in the 1830s. There are more live oaks planted behind the house that make another avenue of oaks. Those "babies" are over 150 years old!

 

[blurrybill]

Re: First Pictures: \"The Land\"

Jerry and Wroughtn Harv,

Thanks for the nice comments. Harv, tell your wife she doesn't have to put up with me and it might make the difference! I have shared pictures from TBN with my wife and we have enjoyed seeing some lovely pieces of from around the country.

This is a great country and perhaps today is a good day to recognize that. We are flag wavers and today, as always, we are grateful for our freedoms and the opportunities afforded all of us - paid for by the sacrifices of so many.

Bill

 

[blurrybill]

Re: First Pictures: \"The Land\"

Alan,

Augusta, what a compliment! I've never been there, but sure would love to see it sometime. See how much that afternoon sun helps with picture taking?

Actually, we plan on keeping things pretty well-trimmed around the house, with a progressively more "wild" feel as we move away from where the house will be. Some of the groves are becoming overgrown and there is MUCH standing dead timber to be removed. We're planning on a Vermont Castings stove, so the wood will all be used.

Thanks for the support. Want everyone on TBN to appreciate how beautiful this part of the world can be, too.

Bill

 

[blurrybill]

Re: First Pictures: \"The Land\"

Thanks, Bob. Man, I hope I'll be posting those 4310 picts sooner rather than later. I'll find out when I get back to work if the tractor shipped as promised this second time around. You have a better idea now why I've been chaffing at the bit to get the JD and get started on some of the bigger projects.

Want that big garden and LOTs of flower beds, etc., etc.

I noticed how pretty it was where you are -- lots of green up there, too. I'm sure we'll be in touch as our JDs get a workout.

Bill

 

[webbmeister]

Re: First Pictures: \"The Land\"

"Not to be corny, but we feel a spiritual connection to this place and these trees. Very humbling and moving for our family."

Nothing corny about it. It is a gift to feel such a spiritual connection. The sign of an evolved soul. Your place is magnificent. Those trees, at 300 years old, were here in the 1700's. If only they could talk! Perhaps they are, via that spiritual connection.

Jim

 

[ByuBill]

Re: First Pictures:

<font color=blue>We <font color=red>NEVER</font color=red> travel to Louisiana in mid-summer</font color=blue>

I agree 100% on that one. I try to make my trips in Jan. or Feb. I still can't believe that I lived there most of my life. I came to N.C. on vacation to visit my brother for a couple of weeks. Ended up staying 6 months. Went back to La. for two weeks and moved here. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif That was 15 years ago. fell in love /w3tcompact/icons/love.gif with these mountains. I do miss the Cajun cooking though. It just isn't the same anywhere else. I have a lot of plantation pics somewhere. I have visited most of them in So. La. Mostly around Baton Rouge. When I moved out of the city, I went north of the lake. Attached is another view of Oak Alley.

 

[blurrybill]

Re: First Pictures: \"The Land\"

Jim,

Ah, a kindred spirit -- and a fellow musician to boot. We really do have a reverence for the land. My dissertation was on place attachment and we have been fortunate to have found an architect who will work with us and our fairly limited budget to design a home that will hopefully not do an injustice to this wonderful place. We believe we are stewards of the land and my wife and I are attempting to teach our 7 year old respect for living things. Dad and daughter have already talked about protecting this spot for other parents and children who someday, 'ages and ages hence,' will appreciate it as much as we do. Stay in touch.

Bill

 

[RobS]

Re: First Pictures: \"The Land\"

Beautiful place Bill. You're right about the oaks, very majestic trees. It looks like you're keeping the grass cut, how far from where you live is it? When do you plan on starting a house? Thanks for sharing your patch of earth with us /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif