Traveling I've done and MIAL

Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Awards, 2009 Pictured here are Marshall and Jason Bouldin...

Last weekend Rest and I went to Laurel for the Institute of Mississippi Arts and Letters Banquet at The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. We go every year to this event and I consider it a time for getting to know my old friends a little better. I'm not sure this year's event would win the award for food, though. Usually the food is incredible, but this year it was awful. I guess we were spoiled by the event in Natchez a few years ago and a couple of great meals in Jackson.

Luckily, we didn't go for food. We visited with Bill Dunlap, David Lambert and Vidal Blankenstein, Jesse Pinkston and Sally Scott.

I invited H.C. Porter to sit at our table and she and her mother Harriet joined us. Chris (Porter) won in the painting category. I also was there in support and happiness for Jane Rule Burdine. She is the recipient this year in photography.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to the wonderful and amazing portrait artist, Marshall Bouldin. Jason Bouldin and his wife Alicia and his mother were there too, along with the lady who lives with and cares for his parents. It was an emotional time for the family, I could tell. He gave a wonderful talk about his work and career. That is an amazing family.

H.C. Porter, right, Jane Rule Burdine, left.

Here (right) is a cool picture of our friends Jess and Sally.

Sally Scott is from Gunnison, Jess from Greenwood, but they have a condo here in Oxford now and we had a great dinner with them a few weeks ago at the Blind Pig. Clarissa Romano joined us for a while. She was waiting for Jane Rule, but we all had a great time. Clarissa is my fabulous Yoga teacher. Finally, once again, Rest...

Good way to end today's blog. Hope you all have a wonderful day and evening. Tomorrow look for pictures from the beach at Dauphin Island along with some new art photos!

Love,

Milly