A Glad Good Morning on a Bayou Sunday

Good Morning Yall.  <I know there's a whatchamacallit in there somewhere but to me - yall is a word.  Thank you for all the comments in my arrival note.  That was last night.  Now, the sun is blazing and I'm in the front parlor drinking coffee.  Yes, dark roast Community.  So thick, you could stand a spoon in it.  I drink it black.  It keeps my eyes dark so they say.  The fans are blowing, the screen door is open.  I'm letting the Sabbath sounds  into the house.  Down a couple of blocks, the Catholic church bells will soon ring.  The sound of churchbells - angels singing.  Birdsong comes from a haughty mockingbird on the cable wire.  Shafts of sunlight float through mama's white lace curtains.  Across the street, marble tombs still hold last night's showers.  It is Sunday.

At 11:45, services start at Mount Zion.  This is one of my favorite churches in the area.  The congregation is mostly black, though everyone is more than welcomed.  It is an old, traditional, baptist church with the Reverend Noah Smith at the pulpit.  Behind him, dressed in burgundy robes are the choir.  To the left of him the organist, drummer, horn and guitar player rock the church.  Yes, the music is out of this world, from the old traditional gospel hymns to some really out there rocking jazz.  I love it.  Reverend Noah reminds me of Flip Wilson.  I sit up in the front pews with the elder church ladies. We have a blast.  These are the women I'm photographing for my next book, Sunday Mornings, Crowning Glories.  I hope that as I photograph their clapping hands and fashionable hats, I can capture the spirit.  It is really uplifting to sit through an entire sermon.

Today is Second Sunday, bring a friend day.  Many folks want to go to church with me.  However, I'm taking my little friend, Shelley.  She's my partner in the weight loss department.  We're both 5'2 and want to weigh 130 instead of 140.  Her daughter is getting married in one of the larger antebellum homes in the fall.  The dress she's picked out for Shelley to wear exaggerates the hips.  Shelley is desperate.  She's also fun and happy.  She'll add to the church service with her exhuberance.  I'm telling you that this congregation gets down and gets happy. 

So good folks, I shall finish eating my baby watermelon, drink another cup of Community and then start getting ready to go to church.  Have a beautiful day.  I'll send a prayer to all of you out there.  If you feel your burdens lift and a light shining in your heart, you'll know why.  Thank you.  Salud.