–The old Adam Ponthieu store and Post Office, now a museum and historic landmark along with the Old Iron Bridge across the street.

I traveled back to my home town of Bordelonville this weekend for a very brief visit.  A small group of family members gathered to celebrate my paternal grandmother’s 93rd birthday. At the last minute I decided to take my camera along with me.  Making the trip alone and figured I might have some time to stomp around my old home town and take some pictures.  I was surprised by the result; sometimes a camera can open your eyes and reframe the past.

Growing up in Bordelonville, or more specifically Big Bend (a section of the town that “bends” around Bayou des Glaises), I will admit that I have never fully appreciated the rural and rustic setting that was the backdrop of my childhood. It was the kind of idyllic childhood that can now only be found in books and Pottery barn magazines.  However, a child does not realize this, and from a very young age, I dreamed of bigger, louder, faster moving places, places that matched my personality.  We often made trips to New Orleans to visit my maternal grandparents and I always dreaded returning to the “country” as my city relatives called it.  Oh yes, I wanted nothing more than to escape and never look back on this stale little town that time and technology forgot.

In retrospect, I didn’t go very far….only 2 hours east to Baton Rouge by way of LSU.  But at the time felt as though I had relocated to another country. I moved here when I was 17 and have stayed in the area since then.  Now that I am 34, I’ve lived the halves of my life in two different places.  I belong in Baton Rouge, of that I am sure.  Yet, the place you grew up in never leaves your heart, and yet that time seems so long ago.

There is a beauty and peacefulness to the area that natives hold dear. The only thing that changes here are the seasons.  It amazes me that I can go long periods without visiting and upon returning things are just as I left them.  It used to annoy me, but now it is strangely comforting.  Like coming home to your childhood bedroom and your parents have left your things like you remember.

So while riding around, soaking in the beauty and tranquility of spring in the bend, I felt the whispers of the past all around me.  Blooms were everywhere, wisteria lazily draped from the vine, as plentiful as Spanish moss. Cows grazed aimlessly in pastures while horses noted my presence curiously. Cobwebs and rust clung to old barns and fenceposts, both defying and defining the aged and weatherworn structures.  Time stood still here; one did not need a time machine to travel back to the past.

One of the most moving experiences for me was visiting the now defunct farm of my old neighbors growing up, Mr. Milburn and Mrs. Juliette Baudin. Mr. Milburn taught me so many things; how to milk a cow, tend a garden and the art of properly cussing a tractor - even though I’m sure he wasn’t aware of this important lesson. My favorite part of the day was hopping into the wagon hitched to that old tractor and helping him break and scatter hay bales to his herd of cows.   He passed away last year.  Mrs. Juliette, his devoted and sweet wife, one of the best cooks and canners around also passed, losing her battle with cancer just a few weeks ago.  Their grandchildren were my first friends in life, indeed we are still friends to this day.  It was bittersweet to visit these places and not see their familiar faces.  But their stories are forever imprinted here.

 It’s nice to go home.  I visited family, ate heartily and fed my soul with memories as well.  And I came away with a sense of gratitude for that little town on the bayou that time forgets, but that I never could.

-Wild daisies bloom outside of a pasture

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- Old barn resting behind a clump of wisteria

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-The Old Iron Bridge in Big Bend, Louisiana

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-Bayou des Glaises

- Adam Ponthieu store and Post Office in Big Bend

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- Barn and shed on the property of Mr. and Mrs. Milburn Baudin (deceased)

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- Rusted equipment still standing guard

- Dandelions

- Old lumber stored in the barn rafters

- Rusted pump sign made for a quick barn patch

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-The old hay wagon parked in the shed

Please note: All photos are copyright Venessa Lewis, Lewis Graphic Design.  Use of photos without express permission is forbidden.

The people around here are generally friendly to a fault.  How could being friendly ever be seen as a fault?  Well, there are times when I wish my super-friendly neighbor wouldn’t yell, “Hey, girl!” at the top of her lungs.

For instance, at seven o’clock in the morning, when I’m trying to sneak outside to put the garbage on the street while wearing no makeup, pajama pants, a ratty t-shirt, and a lopsided ponytail.  Your shriek in my direction has now riled all of the dogs in the neighborhood, which has alerted the nosy neighbor (you know who you are), who has now called the cops, who respond lights and sirens to break up the “altercation”, who laugh at me for standing in the street wearing my pajama pants, ratty t-shirt, and lopsided ponytail.  A simple, “Hey, girl!” has now set off a horrid chain of events that nearly landed me in jail!  If you’re worried about being rude, a simple head nod in my direction is perfectly acceptable.

Or, how about when I’m trying to rush in and out of the store?  Never fails.  Someone’s going to yell out, “Hey, girl!”, which will draw the attention of dozens, who will undoubtebly ask a plethora of questions.

“Ya’ll doin’ okay over there?”  

“How’s your momma and them?”  

This segues to, ”What are ya’ll doing for supper?” 

And finally, “What else ya’ll got planned for the day?” 

My two minute tampon run has now turned  into a twenty minute town hall session.  But, it’s okay.  It’s just one of those things I love about Louisiana.

I’m writing because I’m incredibly excited about my series, The Green Bayou Novels.  The series takes place in a fictional South Louisiana town and follows the life of Paramedic Emily Boudreaux.  The books contain a little of everything: action, adventure, romance, comedy, drama, suspense– you name it, it’s in there.

Growing up in a small, Cajun town has been a great experience for me.  If you’ve never visited the region, suffice to say, it’s a whole new world down here.  Not only do I hope to share news of my series with you, but I’ll also throw in some comments and quips about what it’s like to live in such a unique area.

Interested in checking out my series?  It’s available for Kindle and Nook and also in print via Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.  The first book in the series is Going Home: A Green Bayou Novel and the second is Awakenings:  A Green Bayou Novel Book Two.  Be on the lookout for Deja Vu:  A Green Bayou Novel Book Three which is due to be released this spring!  Visit www.rhondadennis.net to read sample chapters, see what readers are saying, and for more information about the series.  Happy reading!!!