The Tomato Place @ Vicksburg, MS

Last Saturday, my daughter, Debi, and I went to eat at "The Tomato Place" in my hometown, down 61 South.  Here are some random pictures I took while we were there.  It's a quaint little place, but the food is exceptional.  

 

Daughter Debi

We had fried green tomatoes w/avocado, and it was loaded with bacon chips.  I had already picked up part of the sandwich and decided to take a picture.  When I did, the bacon fell out of the sandwich.  Also, we had fried sweet potato chips w/sauce, so good.  We both had fresh-squeezed lemonade, and it was so delicious.  Haven't had that in a long time.

Luke Hughes behind the counter.

Smiling owner, Luke Hughes!

I accidentally set my camera to portrait mode and took this black-and-white picture of the bottle tree.

Of course, I had to get a magnet for my fridge!

Tagged Out on Alligator Hunt in MS

First night hunt gains a 12-foot 4-incher in the Mississippi River! Congrats, Jonathan Wimberley and friends. Tagged out on the first night!

12 feet and 4 inches in the Mississippi River.

Public Waters Season:  August 28 at 12:00 pm to September 7 at 12:00 pm.  Hunters are allowed from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise each day.  The active season limit is two 4-foot bags per permit, with only one allowed to exceed 7 feet.

My congratulations to all.  What an adventure in hunting in our great Mississippi outdoors!

Tropical Storm Dolly

 HELLO DOLLY!

Here she comes again! Tropical Storm Dolly is now working 9-to-5 in the Atlantic.

Dolly & her coat of many colors will swirl off to the west over the next few days, probably seeking Jolene somewhere north of the Caribbean... if she's able to keep herself together.

TROPICAL UPDATE

12 PM FRIDAY 8/28/2026

Easy come, easy go!

Just 24 hours after forming, Dolly has already degenerated into a tropical wave and is no longer a tropical storm. Relentless wind shear did it in, and that shear is only expected to get stronger, so the remnants should continue to weaken.

There’s a very small chance Dolly’s remnants could try to regenerate next week near the Bahamas or possibly the Gulf. I’ll keep an eye on it, but at this point, it’s certainly nothing to worry about.

That wind shear has been absolutely relentless this season!

A Watercolor Picture of a Doe

I watercolored a photo of a doe I photographed on July 3, 2026, with my phone.  I just happened to look out my bedroom window and see it at my apartment.  She is pregnant as well.  

 

This was taken before she left and went down the hill to another subdivision.  We have deer all over my hometown of Vicksburg, MS.

Welcome Dolly

January 19, 1946 ~ August 25, 2026

A Deer Interdigital Glands

When you harvest a deer this season, look for the hidden gland between the hooves on all four feet. It's located between and just above the hooves and underneath the fur. This small opening is the “interdigital” gland, one of seven different external whitetail glands.

The interdigital glands produce a secretion that some people describe as smelling like rancid butter. Biologists don't fully understand the function of the interdigital glands, but it's likely that they enable deer to deposit a unique scent in each track as they walk. This could help them retrace their own paths and remain within a familiar home range. Or, they could be sharing information about their location and how recently they passed with other deer.

When deer detect danger and stomp their front hooves, they might deposit extra scent from the gland, which could warn other deer about this location. All these are theories, and you can add your own when you show your friends the interdigital glands on their deer and share this cool deer science

Bucks Butting

The Big 8 got his butt beat this morning!!!

My Facebook friend, Mike Persichini, who is a deer whisperer, took pictures of what he calls the "Big 8" sparring with another buck. Someone said they were just playing right now; give them a couple of months. But Mike said they were not playing; it was pretty vicious for 15 seconds.

My First Great-Granddaughter

My Granddaughter, Lucy, told me on June 20th that she was going to have a baby. In July, the baby announcement came out. Yesterday, she found out it will be a girl. I am so happy and excited for her, Hunter, and my two great-grandsons, Will and Noah. This will be my first great-granddaughter. I'm already blessed with 5 great-grandsons: Tidus, 19; Ian, 18; Will, 8; Noah, 7; and Asher, 5.

Sharing Chicago Pictures

I'm sharing some pretty nice pictures my daughter, Suzi, sent me; they were taken by my son-in-law, Dennis, while attending a conference in Chicago this week. Pretty impressive.

Trump Tower

Nicknamed "The Bean" statue, aka. Cloud Gate is in Millennium Park and mirrors the city's famous skyline and clouds on a seamless, highly polished surface.  Designed by British artist Sir Anish Kapoor and constructed between 2004 and 2006.

Skyline of Chicago.

Lake Michigan

Buck Photo-Op

My Facebook friend, Mike  Persichini, took this picture of a buck who is looking for a magazine cover!