Pattusa

2012 has been, thus far, just as interesting and fun as ever before. Family and friends surround every adventure with love and enthusiasm. MacKenzie’s Pub in Beaumont hosted a Valentine’s dinner and dance that only MacKinzie’s can do. Friend George and I enjoyed every minute. My son and friend, Brooke, visited Beaumont. Nancy and I had many hugs and kisses to and from these two. Phyllis and I traveled to Florida in April for fun and did dispite rain and chilly weather. I will never again miss the Mediterranean Festival on the grounds of St. Michael’s Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in Beaumont. No one person should eat as much food and as much fun as I did ! June was a great adventure. George and I traveled to Switzerland to surprise our darling friend, Jo, and ... read more

Please note the following: John Baptiste Chaison was born August 7, 1745 in Nova Scotia, but migrated to France when his country was ceded to England. He returned to America when the American Revolution broke out and served with Colonel Benedict Arnold at the Siege of Quebec, General Lafayette at Brandywine. He was wounded at the Battle of Eutaw Springs, but recovered to fight with General Lafayette at Yorktown. In 1832 he migrated to Jefferson County, Texas, where he died on July 20, 1854. He is buried in the Jirou Cemetery located north of Beaumont, Texas. The cemetery was abandoned when the freeway was built, and a church was built over the site of his grave. A DAR grave marker was placed on his grave site in 1944, but the marker was moved to Pipkin Park ... read more

I realize that it’s been a long time since my last post. I thank those of you that have inquired as to my whereabouts. The year started with friends and a limo ride to see the production of “Mama Mia” at the Lutcher Theater in Orange. Very nice on such a winter day. I have been all over the Houston and my area for friend and occasion events including the Big Band sounds of the Remember When Orchestra featuring Britt Godwin, and the Mid Eastern party and feast featuring Shaharazad and the Habibi Belly Dance Troupe, both at MacKenzie’s Pub in Beaumont. I attended a friend’s high school reunion (that he didn’t care to go to) and saw friends I hadn’t seen in more years than I care to share with you. I once again enjoyed ... read more

Vacation and I opted for the Yucatan - again. Friend, Phyllis, came along with me. She too is now totally in love with Merida and everything about it. Stayed where I always stay at the Hotel Mucuy in Centro. Ms. Ophelia owns the Mucuy, is a wonderful person and has a beautiful small establishment. The airport is under construction for new additions, has more shops in it and was open at 9:30 pm (the shops and snack / drink places that is). Things were even open at 5:30 am when we left a week later. Amazing, After landing, we were not that tired and were excited to be there so off to our room to deposit suitcases and down the block to my favorite two restaurant & bars. Phyllis ate the salsa even though I warned ... read more

For all out there that want to see one list of Mardi Gras activities, I've compiled what I could find from all the area websites I could find. We're experiencing several holidays and traditions in a short period this year. Least of those is not Mardi Gras! Fat Tuesday this year is February 16th. This is always the day before Ash Wednesday. Texans do not generally get the day off from work for this special holiday. Some of us are jealous for those in our neighbors of Louisiana who do. Our Golden Triangle area of southeast Texas is hopping with Mardi Gras activities at this very moment. Floats and costumes are being assembled, trinkets to throw from the floats and to share with the masses are being readied, King Cakes are being baked by the thousands ... read more

As promised I had the film developed and they were great photos given an old camera I had ordered and not noticed the expiration date. I really appreciate the friend of George's that took all the photos for us but apologize that I didn't retain his name for the credit. If I get other pictures of the parties from participants I will, of course, share those too. George will let his friends know that they are on Travelblog with Elvis! I hope all of you are having as much fun as I am.... read more

In going through some photo CDs that I have, I discovered pictures that I'd never placed on my computer or shared with you. Turner and I had traveled to Belize in 2005 to visit friend Rodger Christopher. We briefly experienced Belize City before traveling and being chauffeured by Rodger to his base of Sittee River Village. The towns of Dangriga and Hopkins Village were part of our experience as well. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures at Mama Noots where we had a blast while at the Mayflower Bocawina National Park. Rodger has the Sittee River Lodge and invites visitors. The web address is http://sitteeriverlodge.com/index.html. You will love the area. This is not one of the resort areas. Sittee River is just as great but not the coast. The area in this part of Belize sports Mayan ... read more