"He's Alive!"

Nature's camo works.

Wednesday, March 22…

Disclaimer: Today’s title does not mean that anyone’s life is/was in danger. 😊

Worked on taxes this morning – realized I was missing a W-2 for subbing. Fortunately, a quick call to LWSD got a 2nd copy in the mail. Later Greg & I biked down to the boat dock. Sighted a gator on the opposite shore. Greg got a picture, but the more interesting story was a younger guy on the dock to our right who was apparently biding his time waiting for the perfect shot. He was pretty much directly in front of the gator already, but when he finally took a few steps forward to frame his picture, the gator immediately shifted its position just enough to create what looked like a stare down. Neither of them appeared to move a muscle until the photographer left. 

Feeling a strong need for ice cream in the afternoon, we headed into the “historic (i.e. tourist) district” of Ocean Springs. I was all set to try Velvet ice cream at Lovelace Rexall, but – despite the lighted sign – the building was boarded up (actually, cardboarded up on the inside of the windows). Greg was looking for a bakery with good crusty bread. We ended up at French Kiss Pastries, where we enjoyed some gelato, purchased a personal cheesecake to share later, and got contact info for a “great bread baker” in Biloxi. All’s well that ends well.

French Kiss Pastries
(cute, could be in Edmonds)

Looked like a great 50s spot.

The rest of the day took an interesting turn. I really miss my music. Throughout the trip I’ve been tossing around the idea of dropping in for some church’s weeknight choir rehearsal. Yesterday I did it. We’d passed the First Baptist Church in town a couple times. It’s large so I figured it would have a functional choir. Checked their website… rehearsal at 6:15. Brushed my teeth and drove into town. Introduced myself to the first person I met in the parking lot, was welcomed in, and spent the next 90 minutes sight reading music quite different from my usual LDS fare. We worked primarily on 2 songs, “He’s Alive!” (😊) and “Call to Jesus” – both highly syncopated and accompanied (on CD) by keyboard & percussion.   The director was excellent, and complimentary of Mack Wilberg’s work. (W conducts the MoTab Choir and is an internationally respected composer and arranger.) I had a great time and will sing with the group in their church on Sunday. Monday we have a long drive to Bristol. FL, en route to the Tampa area where we’ll leave the MH for repair while we fly to Cuba. Adventures of all kinds.

Gator Pond, Greg Monet (2017)