Most of Sunday was spent enjoying the home where I'm staying, the company of my hostess, and the outlying neighborhood.
I set out for a walk around noon. The neighborhood around the house is so idyllic. The homes complement each other without being too Edward Scissorhands.
 |
| No, thank you |
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| Yes, please |
When the heat became too oppressive, I went inside and camped out by the air conditioning vent.
Around dinner time, Dianne came over. Strangely, I've met Dianne before . . . in Guam. She was living there in 1996 when my dad and I were on our way to Palau via Guam.
We all had a lovely chat and she gave me some names and numbers of people I may wish to contact during the rest of my trip.
After she left, I set out in search of my own dinner. I suspected that this area would be the most difficult in terms of finding non-meaty food.
(Note: I'm not offended by meat serving establishments or meat eaters. I'm mostly screening for establishments that would be offended by me. I'm trying to avoid issues like I had at Durgin Park in Boston, where they do offer a vegetarian option, but it is called the "bale of hay.")
When I searched Yelp for "vegetarian" I came up with results like "this place is not very good for vegetarians." I ended up choosing the Chimes, as it is a local institution next to an educational institution -- it's right next to the LSU campus.
My hostess, Sybil, is on the cusp of 90 years old. Since I've been here, we've gotten to know each other and several times she's shared with me that getting old is for the birds. Speaking of birds . . .
On my way out, I discovered that I'm not the only house guest keeping Sybil company.
This little winged one seems perfectly content to live on top of the garage door opener. Opening and closing the door doesn't seem to bother birdie at all.
Waving goodbye to my new feathered friend, I set out to explore the heart of the college campus and beyond.
I greatly enjoyed all of the greenery after passing though so much desert. And, again, I witnessed a beautiful sunset.
My waitress was kind enough to explain some of the more foreign foods to me (boudin balls are decidedly not vegetarian friendly). We settled on a hush-puppies and a garden burger prepared like a jalapeno burger. I think it was my first time trying hush-puppies, but now I certainly hope it won't be my last.
On the way home, I passed more weeping willows and under some of their friends. Many of the trees grow together and form a canopy over the road. It would be really pretty to get lost around here.
I came back to the house and chatted with Sybil some more. She told me which of her relatives was coming by tomorrow. I am so impressed at the care everyone makes sure she receives. She's a joy to be around, but it's clear how much her family cares for her and it is wonderful how they each take turns to coming by to make sure she's okay. They aren't even her children! They're nieces, and cousins, and so on. And every night one of her daughters calls to say goodnight.
Getting old may be for the birds, but if you're going to do it, this seems like the way to do it.
Tomorrow, I venture into the Big Easy.
Odometer Start: 38459
Odometer End: 38476
Miles Driven Today: 17
Miles Driven Total: 4656
Today In/Around: Baton Rouge, LA
Tomorrow: New Orleans, LA
States Visited: 9 (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana)
Friends Starting Nursing School Tomorrow: 2 (Good luck, Abby and Gena!)
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