Friday Fishing

Fishing with Dad.

Hometown Job Fair

Rainy Thursday morning at the county Civic Center outside of town.

It's been a long while since I've been here; smaller than I remembered.

Had to fill out an application to get admission to the job fair.

For the county unemployment rate being so high (about 12 - 13%), it wasn't that crowded compared to the job fairs that I've attended back in Orange County.

Among the many local employers offerings jobs was world famous Viking Range Corporation (headquartered here in Greenwood). Unfortunately, they were only looking for engineering with CAD experiences otherwise they get contract and temps thru two of the local employment agencies.

Anyways, don't know how serious I am about finding work in my old hometown but it's atleast good to consider other options I have. One of the headhunters suggested looking in the Olive Branch area where there are more technology based work (as opposed to the many of the hourly jobs here).

Under Tornado Watch

We're under tornado and flood watch all day today!

TS Isaac to sidestep Ms

According to the local weather forecast, downgraded Isaac looks to move West of the Mississippi up thru Louisiana and Arkansas over the next few days. Most of South Mississippi is tornado watch and expected to move North into the Delta region.

Issac makes landfall - still dry in da Delta

Well, Hurricane Issac has made landfall and is pouring down rain all over the Gulf Coast as it slowly makes it way up Northerly on the 7th anniversary of Katrina.

Many of my friends have asked if my family is going to be okay from the effects of the hurricane; so far it's been very calm and dry as my hometown of Greenwood is about 300 miles north of New Orleans.

Aside from the damaging winds that a hurricane spawned tornado or thunderstorm; the biggest danger that can come are the flood waters from rains. However since the 1920's, the Mississippi River Valley (Including the Delta region) have a system of  man made "levee" or dikes built along every major river, creeks, and reservoirs. Here's a file photo of the levee/road in Dec 2008 that near my dad's property near Big Sand Creek.

On a humorous note, because most of the family ponds are all dried up, my dad is really hoping for lots and lots of rain in Greenwood to bring us some relief from the summer long drought that we've been experiencing here.

 

Before the storm

Starting our fishing earlier today.

Stormy clouds overhead from Issac in the gulf.

I missed a couple fishes, and Dad caught a 4.5 lb channel catfish.

I finally hooked up a small gar fish which Dad tossed back into the pond.

The stormy weather made for a nice sunset tonight.

very scenic!

Time to leave earlier today before it starts raining.

Taking Inventory

Stopped by the family business this am.

some of many family trophies.

We have prep tables that we need to sell

Commercial deep fryer and many other restaurant equipment.

And lots of misc personal / retail stuff to get rid of here!

Isaac is coming!

Hurricane Isaac is expected to make landfall at midnight locally.

Well, it is apparent that down here in the South, especially near the Gulf Coast that we have seasonal storms. As reported in the news, Isaac is expected to make landfall near New Orleans nearly seven years to the date of Hurricane Katrina. Meanwhile, I've heard that Southern California has endured nearly 300 small earthquakes near San Diego this past weekend. Atleast, with a hurricane you get some advance warning. Earthquakes can be very unnerving and terrifying if you never experience one before. Prayers for my friends on the Gulf Coast and back in the "other" LA.

Fishing Sunday

Went out to the farm when the afternoon started to cool down.

In between my fishing, took some scenic photos.

Interesting what you see along side the edge of the pond.

Lots of big clouds and I could perceive the moon moving thru the skies.

Saw a couple of these Crayfish holes.

Finally started to fish for reals after missed a big fish earlier.

Looks like a big "bell" in the sky.

Hooked up my first fish since coming home, a 14" Gar.

Caught my 2nd fish, a 1lb bass a few minutes later and then missed a small crappie.

Right about then, a small helicopter flew over pretty low (about 200' off the deck).

I released the boney Gar but kept the bass, Dad filleted my fish after I had cleaned it.

there was enough fish to do the Chinese stir-fried style too... yum!

Monster Cat!

Dad caught this 37lb 3' long bad boy a few days before I got home. My bro' took this pix as well as helped Dad load it up into his car.

Ode to da Mosquito

The "Unofficial" State bird of Mississippi!

Woke up this morning with more bites on my arms and legs! Ouch!

Friday Friday

Another beautiful evening at the farm.

All geared up but skunked again, not even a decent bite today!

Finishing off the last of the Dim Sum for lunch today

Shopping trip to the local Wal-Mart

My Anti-Mosquito supply

Late Afternoon / Early evening fishing trip with Dad.

I'm all serious about catching fish ....

As usual, Dad was the only one to catch any! I had three really good hits but failed to hook up my fish! Oh well, there's always next time!

Mid-week

"fu gua" bitter melons

Me and Dad and our guests from NYC.

Dad with his 3.5 lb Bass that he caught tonight.