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 The sun shines brightly through the trees on the shore of Bayou Boeuf south of the town of Lecompte.

 From ABQ365 With its rich history and diverse outdoor activities, Albuquerque makes a unique vacation destination for visitors of all ages. Beautifully situated between the peaks of the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande, Albuquerque boasts sunny blue skies more than 310 days a year, plus one-of-a-kind sites and experiences year-round. Explore what’s new and happening in Albuquerque in 2024.

 From Chanel 4 (UK): Congratulations on the birth of your son! Did you decide to have a baby when you read that Tash was pregnant? Yeah, me and Allan (Mustafa, playing Albert) really committed to our roles and have had a baby together… No, I was writing on the show this season, so I knew the whole time we were plotting it in the writer’s room that I was pregnant, but I was so nervous to tell them. I called them up one by one, which they all found really weird, because I'd never called them like that before. I asked if we could write it in and they were really excited. James (De Frond, director) was saying it could be really iconic, because you rarely get a woman filming while being pregnant, especially a lead character who's quite strong and interesting. I felt so lucky to able to do that.

 Back in May I took a little trip up to Shreveport and discovered some old railroad equipment behind the old Central Railroad Station. I was really surprised to find the abandoned rail cars just sitting there under the freeway and thought that they would be the perfect subject matter for a series of photographs.  

  The Old Louisiana State Capitol The Old Louisiana State Capitol is full of some amazing historical items and displays including several rooms dedicated to the turbulent political career and assassination of the infamous Huey P. Long. Long was such a polarizing figure here in this state. In fact one room has a gigantic crack painted right down the middle with one side featuring all the modern improvements he helped orchestrate for the state of Louisiana and the other featuring the depth of his corruption.

For 97 years people from all over the world have traveled to the quaint central Louisiana town of Natchitoches for their Christmas Festival. Every holiday season the town becomes a literal City of Lights as every building is adorned with strand after strand of Christmas lights. The historic district along the Cane River becomes the site of a vast holiday light display and hundreds of shoppers flock to numerous stores, boutiques and restaurants to find unique gifts and satisfy their culinary needs. Boat and carriage rides are available both day and night to provide informative tours of the town. As soon as the sun sets, the sky over the river district become alive with drones and fireworks. It's a holiday experience that you will never forget.

 From The Rams Website: Under the bright lights of prime time, the Rams (8-7) continued their playoff push with a 30-22 win over the Saints (7-8) Thursday night at SoFi Stadium.

 A funny story from 2021 resurfaced this week on Facebook about a review that a British father named Ron left on Trip Advisor about his families trip to Loch Ness. Apparently good old Ron was rather miffed that Nessie didn't grace his family with a grand viewing (and possibly an autograph signing?) so he left this rather scathing, and unintentionally humorous  review: “What a disappointment. “We traveled 400 miles from Grimsby to see the Loch Ness Monster and it didn't show up. “Don't go if you are wanting to see it because it you will end up bitterly disappointed like we were.

  The Addams Family (1973-75)(NBC) The Addams Family is an American animated sitcom adaptation of the Charles Addams cartoons produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1973. Jackie Coogan and Ted Cassidy, who played Uncle Fester and Lurch respectively from the 1960s television series, returned in voice-over roles. The cast also included an 11-year-old Jodie Foster, who performed the voice of Pugsley Addams. The show's theme music was completely different and had no lyrics and no finger snapping, although it retained a bit of the four-note score from the live-action show.

 The phrase "actions speak louder than words" resonates deeply with the teachings found in John 15:8, which emphasize the importance of bearing fruit as evidence of one's discipleship. In this context, “fruit” symbolizes tangible actions and behaviors that manifest an individual's commitment and beliefs. Much like how a tree is recognized by its fruit, a person's actions are a direct reflection of their inner values and principles. This analogy underscores the idea that what we do is more significant and revealing than what we merely say. Actions, being observable and concrete, carry a weight and authenticity that mere words often lack.

 From Warner Bros Based on the extraordinary, iconic character at the center of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how a young chocolate-maker, armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams, manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time.  From Paul King, writer/director of the “Paddington” films, David Heyman, producer of “Harry Potter,” “Gravity,” “Barbie” and “Paddington,” and producers Alexandra Derbyshire (the “Paddington” films, “Jurassic World: Dominion”) and Luke Kelly (“Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical”), comes an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humor. Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, this irresistibly vivid and inventive big screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, as he becomes the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker. 

 From Sky Railway: For the first time ever, we have experiences rolling out of both the Santa Fe Depot AND the Lamy Depot for a December to remember! Choose your own adventure and vibe with these delightful and festive experiences!

Alexandria Iron & Supply Though this facility has only been closed for five years now the location looks as if no one has stepped foot on the property for decades. It just goes to show just how quickly the vegetation will overtake things that are not cared for. READ MORE Abandoned Louisiana: Under a Bayou Moon (America Through Time) Paperback - $24.99 @ Amazon.com - Order Here Brookhill Ferry Shipwreck Site in Baton Rouge What can be seen today is one of the two pontoon-like boats that formed the bottom of the ferry. There was a flat deck on top for transporting goods and passengers. The boiler for the ferry can be seen in the mud just a few yards north of the main wreckage. READ MORE Cannon embedded in a Baton Rouge Sidewalk In the 1850s, the cannons from the fort were sent to the John Hill Foundry on Third Street to be melted into sugar house machinery," Sykes said. "But the foundry sent the cannons back to the city to be imbedded into street corners to keep vehicles of...

 From Marvel Comics For Marvel fans, graphic design fans, and pop art aficionados: First announced at San Diego Comic-Con during the Marvel Classic for the Next Generation and Fans panel, Abrams Books is excited to reveal the Mighty Marvel Calendar Book: A Visual History ! Marvel Comics Calendar 2024 - $8.99 @ Amazon.com - Order Here This stunning collection brings together the full set of Marvel calendars, which were published from 1975 to 1981. Collected for the first time in a deluxe oversize edition, it features an introduction by Marvel Comics writer, editor, and historian Roy Thomas, with extensive commentary by writer and publisher Chris Ryall. From 1975-81, Marvel created seven consecutive calendars that were as artistically designed and captivatingly written as any of their comic books. Each of these annual calendars—whether they celebrated the Bicentennial (1976) or spotlighted a specific character such as Spider-Man (1978), Hulk (1979), or Doctor Strange (1980), feat...

There has been a lot of talk about about what an amazing film Godzilla Minus One truly is, and how the dramatic story featured in it has surprised both fans and critics alike, yet very little has been said about the actors themselves. Today I wanted to do a feature on Japanese actress Minami Hamabe who plays Noriko Oishi in Godzilla Minus One.  I honestly believe that Ms. Hamabe gave a stellar performance and I thought that film fans here in America would like to learn more about her. I found this biography on the Japanese website My Drama List that is couple of years old that mentions her prior film Shin Kamen Rider but not Godzilla Minus One, however it does give some background on her prior work. Hamabe Minami, born in Ishikawa, is a Japanese actress, model and a former child actress managed by Toho Entertainment. Hamabe won the New Generation Award at the 7th Toho Cinderella Audition. She is known for her beautiful eyes. She has since starred in numerous films and dra...

 With the success of Godzilla Minus One on the top of his resume, Japanese film maker Takashi Yamazaki has expressed interest in following in director Gareth Edwards shoes by using Godzilla as a springboard into potentially making a Star Wars movie or television series. After seeing his fresh take on Godzilla, Yamazaki may just be the type of film maker the stale Star Wars franchise needs right now. Super7 ULTIMATES! Toho Godzilla Minus One - 8" Toho Godzilla Action Figure - $84.99 @ Amazon.com - Order Here Check out this great piece from Ned Booth of The Playlist: Yamazaki expressed interest in directing a movie set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away in a recent talk with /Film . “I watched “Star Wars,” and that’s how I ended up being a filmmaker,” he told the outlet. “I’m really hoping I will get a call and they will bring me on ‘Star Wars.'” Of course, it’s the dream of many filmmakers to direct a “Star Wars” movie. ... But Yamazaki could provide a fresh set of eyes ...

Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina in Lafayette Louisiana Here is the low-down. Agave is by far the best Mexican food that I have had in the five years that I have lived here in Louisiana. I strongly recommend searching this place out if you are in Lafayette and are craving something tasty and different. I will be coming back again guaranteed. READ MORE Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe in Lafayette Louisiana Visit the last retail Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe in the World in Lafayette, Louisiana where you can get a taste of ice cream done "the Old Fashion Way"! READ MORE Burger Barn in Olla Louisiana If you every travel through Olla a stop at the Burger Barn is a must. You will always find the place filled with locals chatting about the high school football game or some other area gossip. I often like to just sit quietly and listen to all the conversations going on around me. Not that I want to eavesdrop on something personal internationally mind you, instead I just like to be re...