In the Key of "G"

If the good Lord's willing and the creeks don't rise...

2010-01-30T12:37:00.000-08:00

Here's a short clip showing just how far I have to walk to get to the creek (Ladd's Branch) that runs through our property. Although it's dry most of the year, when a hard rain comes, there could be 10 feet of water rushing through this branch. I have found lots of cool looking rocks and fossils and some petrified wood. When big rains come, new rocks are exposed! The banded agates polish well. I'll post some pictures of those later.

Waiting for warmer weather

2010-01-20T18:27:00.000-08:00

So, I'm STILL waiting to try out my new surfski. It's been an unusually cool winter. I have also been looking around for a new truck, but if I want to carry kayaks, I'll need some kind of rack. I saw a post on http://www.kayakmississippi.com/phatwater/ that mentioned this rack, and IF I had a truck, I would JUMP on this deal! Guess I'll have to wait...

Cold enough for ICE CREAM!!!

2010-01-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

I recently wrote / recorded this jingle/song for Kleinpeter Dairy Farms :
http://gfsongs.com/media/jingles/Kleinpeter_Dairy_We_Love_Our_Cows_v2.mp3

What do you think?

Lyrics:

Up in the morning 'fore the break of day.
By the light of the Milky Way.
See the cows all get in line
'cause they know that it's milking time.
Jersey, Guernsey, and Holstein
Giving up their milk and cream.
Kleinpeter Dairy
We love our cows, that's right.
We love our cows, oh yeah.
We love our cows.

New Surfski (Kayak)

2010-01-05T03:01:00.000-08:00

Well, I know that I probably should have waited until spring, but well... I just got excited and placed the order. So, now, I am the proud owner of a Fenn Mako XT Surfski, which was created in South Africa, traveled by ship to Ocean Paddle Sports Ocean Paddle Sports and then by truck trailer through California, Washington, other points in between, Texas, Louisiana, and then Mississippi. I'll post some pictures later.

This weekend, I got the 3 kayaks off of the carport floor and onto some new racks that I built under the wing of my shed. This week... temperatures are going to be in the TEENS! Can't wait until Spring!

Now, how to get them from home to the Lake? I already have Yakima carriers, but would like to find a way to carry all three at once. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Being a newbie to kayaking, I probably should add some books to my library and spend the cold days/nights preparing for Spring. These look interesting:

I wonder if I could get in the water quicker if I bought a wet suit. Here are some that I am considering. Does anyone have any experience with this style for kayaking? Is XSPAN better?

I may also need gloves. These look interesting, but look like they are more for swimming. Does the wet suit come with feet? Or do I need boots like these?

Boys and their toys, right? Well, it seems safer than road bike riding...

G

2009 Phatwater Challenge: 42.5 mile kayak race on Mississippi River

2009-10-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

Well, 6 weeks prior to the race, I purchased a couple of sit-on-top kayaks through CraigsList and after a few trips out on Lake Okhissa, decided to enter this race. Fortunately, due to high water and a favorable North wind, I was able to complete the race in under 6 hours. I was 9th of 23 in my class (recreational boats under 14 feet). I am shopping for a faster boat for next year's event...

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League 2009: Rescue Pussycat

2009-10-18T19:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Emily for helping out again! My baby is growing up :(

Building a wheelchair ramp for my dad

2009-05-01T02:07:00.000-07:00

After battling diabetes and heart problems for years, my dad had to have his right foot amputated. My big brother, Jerome, and brother-in-law, Tony, built a wheelchair ramp at my parents' house, with help from some friends May (or MaryLou or Margaret) and Jess, and a little help from me and my kids.

Meadville Baptist Church Spring Choir Program

2009-04-30T04:25:00.000-07:00

In this clip, my daughter, Emily, surprises us by singing a solo on "The Sign of Christ". Yep, I'm a proud papa!

Roxie Baptist Church - Valentine's Day Banquet

2009-02-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

I had a GREAT time at Roxie Baptist Church for their Valentine's Day Banquet. This was the "finale'". The hanky went to my wife, Kathy.

A few days later, I got to do a repeat performance at Meadville United Methodist Church for their Valentine's Day Banquet. Another great night!

Enjoy the clip!

Meadville United Methodist Church's performance of God Almighty, Little Child

2008-12-20T06:10:00.000-08:00

White Christmas--- in Franklin County!

2008-12-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

We had a surprise snow storm yesterday, with some parts of the county getting 8 inches! I was so excited, I ran outside with my guitar and recorded this clip. You can hear the wet snow falling!

2008-12-11T03:46:00.000-08:00

Here's a clip by David Smith of Icon Studios, the producer of How Can You Think of Me? Isn't he GREAT!

2008-12-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

Video clips from UCMVA Unity Awards

2008-12-06T10:10:00.000-08:00

Kathy and I attended the 2008 UCMVA Unity Awards in New Orleans and videotaped some performances and award presentations for Grapevine Online Here are a few of the clips.

Matthew Baute

John Michael Talbot

Matt Maher

Kara Klein

Sharmane Adams

Jason Malachi

2008 BARL song: Take Me Home

2008-12-02T18:58:00.000-08:00

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League 2008 - Take Me Home

Videos from 2007 BARL Annual Celebrity Dinner

2008-10-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League 2007 Rescue League Blues

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League 2007 - Thank God, I'm a BARL Dog

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League 2007 - B.A.R.L.

BARL 5th Annual Celebrity Dinner

2008-10-02T20:26:00.001-07:00

(copied from http://www.barl.net)

BARL Celebrity Dinner & Auction Set for October 14th

Come have a “purrfectly” wonderful evening at the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League’s (BARL) 5th Annual Celebrity Dinner. The event is set for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14th at Rusty’s Family Restaurant.

The night consists of “howling” laughter as local “celebrities” wait tables for TIPS to support BARL’s animal programs. Costumes, singing, dancing and joking make for a fun-filled atmosphere which will feature a LIVE auction by auctioneer Jimmy Ray, owner of Mid-South Auto Auctions.

“This is our first LIVE auction. In the past, we’ve always had silent auctions, but we thought this would be a lot more fun and entertaining and we hear that auctioneer Jimmy Ray does a great job,” said BARL volunteer, Beth Adcock.

Just a few of the items that will be up for bid include a Bird Hunt at Millbrook Plantation donated by Dr. Ed Carruth; Weekend at Florida Condo donated by Rep. Bobby Moak; 2 Pickup loads of Mulch donated by Phillips Bark; 1 Hour Consultation donated by Legg Landscaping; Child’s Birthday Party for 8-10 donated by Patria Coggin; Simple Will donated by Boerner Law; Eye Exam donated by Dr. Jim Hall; Granite Name Plate for Desk donated by Brookhaven Monument; and Hand painted Dog Greeting Plaque for Door donated by Ann Jackson.

Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at Rusty’s Family Restaurant. The ticket guarantees you an evening of fun and a delicious Southern-Style dinner. All proceeds from the event benefit BARL.

A few of the “celebrity” waiters include Jimmy Allen, Assistant Vice-President/Mortgage Loan Officer - Bank of Franklin; Linda Covington, Owner – Brookhaven Honda Motorcycles; Representative Becky Currie, Mississippi House of Representatives; Gerard Faucheux, Manager, IT – Telapex, Inc; Dr. Mike Gowan, Brookhaven Animal Hospital; Chief Pap Henderson, Chief of Police - City of Brookhaven Police Department; Alvin Lyons, Manager - Cellular South; Rob McCreary, President - Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Ronnie Nettles, President – Copiah-Lincoln Community College; Senator Cindy-Hyde Smith, Mississippi Senate; Terri Lynn Watkins, Circuit Clerk – Lincoln County; Dr. Bob Watson, Brookhaven Animal Hospital.

“The waiters are able to get pre-TIPS from anyone who can’t be at the event. People can still support BARL by tipping their favorite waiter in advance. TIPS can be dropped off at Rusty’s Family Restaurant or given directly to the waiter,” said Adcock.

Joanna Sproles from King’s Daughters Hospital will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

“Last year Joanna was dressed in full 70’s costume complete with a huge black wig and yellow Go-Go boots. She does a fabulous job as MC,” said Adcock.

A few of this year’s event sponsors include “Top Dog” sponsors Animal Medical Center, Bank of Franklin, Lu and Mike Becker, Brookhaven Animal Hospital and Rusty’s Family Restaurant. “Pick of the Litter” sponsors include Joyce Asken Realty, McGehee McGehee and Torrey and W.H. Tyson’s and Sons.

Well, that's the official info taken from the BARL website.

This will be my 4th year to be a waiter and I have written a song each year.

2005 BARL (to the tune of YMCA) Lyrics mp3

2006 Thank God, I'm a BARL Dog Lyrics mp3

2007 Rescue League Blues Lyrics mp3

And now.... presenting the 2008 BARL Celebrity Dinner song....

2008 Take Me Home Lyrics mp3

Sometimes it really is THAT simple...

2008-09-07T05:56:00.000-07:00

After years of working in IT, having faced many troubleshooting episodes, I've developed a way of quickly solving problems. One of the things to remember is to not overlook the obvious or most simple solution in favor of a more complex one. Well... you would think that with all of this experience that it would carry over into other areas of life, right? Guess not. Guess I turn off the brain after 5pm on Friday...

When Gustav blew through, bringing some (unofficial) 20 inches of rain, which caused our normally dry creek to turn into a raging river that even overflowed its banks into our yard, our yard remained a little soggy.
High water after Hurricane Gustav

Since we're out in the country, we are on a septic tank system. When the water in the tub stopped draining, I jumped to the conclusion that our drain field was too wet, causing the tank to be full. So, in preparation for calling a pump truck out, I started to dig to find the access hole on the tank. About 30 minutes later, I tried to call the retired plumber that originally hooked up our house to the tank, but he didn't answer. So, I decided to Google this problem. I found some web sites that explained this problem of excess water causing the types of problems that I was having. The sites recommended against pumping, so we just decided that we would limit water usage until the water went down. What fun... No baths -- short showers only -- not letting the water down the drain. I even siphoned out the bathtub in the kids bathroom! Also, limited flushing! The boys were already back to nature.

Well, the plumber returned home, saw my name/number on caller id, and returned my call. It was after 6pm and already starting to get dark, so I figured, since this was Saturday, that he wouldn't be able to come until Monday. To my surprise, he said "I need to come help my friend if he can't flush!" So, about 20 minutes later, he was in my yard, running his snake down our drain pipe. Maybe 5 minutes later, the clog was cleared and we were back in business!

Yep -- simply just a blockage at the T in the tank. No digging and no pumping required!

When will I learn????

After Hurricane Gustav

2008-09-06T05:37:00.000-07:00

On September 1, 2008, Hurricane Gustav hit south Louisiana, missing New Orleans, but causing lots of damage starting about 30 miles west of NO. My parents' house is in Grand Point, St. James Parish, and as these pictures show, there was significant wind damage to this area.

I drove my mom down on September 5 to clean out the refrigerator and freezer, since they were still without electricity. FORTUNATELY, two of her friends stopped what they were doing and came over to lend a hand. THANK YOU! to Mrs. Kathleen and Mrs. Debbie! I am SO glad that you came!

Hurricanes and anniversaries

2008-08-30T09:28:00.001-07:00

August 29 was our 22nd wedding anniversary.
August 29 was the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastating landfall.

By candlelight, in the coolness of the morning, on September 2, 2005, a few days after Hurricane Katrina hit, I wrote the words to this song. Being without power at my house, I drove 200 miles to my in-laws' house where I recorded it on my Digitech GNX4.

Sparked by that event, my songwriting continued to flow and in February of this year, I traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana to record an album of 11 original songs, with David Smith providing the backing instruments and harmony.
Link to song on iTunes

We are watching as Gustav seems to have taken aim on our area of the country. People have been acting more quickly, stocking up on supplies, etc. We are praying that we will be spared. We are trying to prepare for the worst.

This year, things are a little more difficult, as my dad has recently begun dialysis treatments 3 days a week in a town about 25 miles away. Gas shortages could make the trip difficult.

He's also on a machine that delivers a higher concentration of oxygen, which requires electricity. He doesn't require it 24-hours a day, but usually sleeps with it on. Our water comes from an electric well in our yard, which is the source of our drinking water, water for washing, flushing, whatever. We have a generator, but only about 30 gallons of gas. I'm not sure how long that will last. My parents live in a camp that they built on our property and are also on our well for water. I am trying to figure out the best way to maximize the use of the one generator. When Katrina hit, we didn't have the generator. We had a small swimming pool in the back yard, and I used water from the pool for flushing. Nine days without electricity. No bathing. No cooking. No air conditioning in August, early September in southwestern Mississippi. Lord, I would rather not repeat that!
Well, compared to others, we were very blessed to not suffer significant damage or injury.
I'm off to continue preparations...
Gerard

And then, this rock I find...

2008-08-27T19:55:00.001-07:00

If you haven't listened to my song "How Can You Think of Me?", STOP! Well, pause for a moment, open another browser window to http://gfsongs.com and when the songs start to play, switch to track number 2 and listen. This was the song that was inspired by my walks along the creek (well, Ladd's Branch) that runs through our property.

Here are the lyrics:

How Can You Think Of Me?

Words and music by

Gerard C. Faucheux, Sr.

I walk along the creek

And feel the sand beneath my feet

And God, I feel so small.

‘Cause you told Abraham

“Boy, see these grains of sand?

I’ll give you children, more than them all.”

(Chorus)

So Lord of all time and space

And of the whole human race,

How can you think of me?

And then this rock I find

Brings other thoughts to mind

About the earth and its age.

No matter what that might be

Compared to eternity

It’s just a speck on history’s page.

(Repeat Chorus)

(Bridge)

Lord, I can’t comprehend

Your thoughts or your plans

Why would You ever think of me?

But You formed me in the womb

You’ll save me from the tomb

And in between, You’re always near me!

I walk out in the yard

At night and look at all the stars

And once again, I feel so small.

The furthest ones they say

Are billions of light years away,

But your word says you’ve named them all.

(Repeat chorus)

Saturday was a LONG day that started with a trip with my dad to his dialysis treatment. Seeing a room full of patients sitting for about 4 hours at a time, allowing a machine to try to mimic something that our awesome Creator established, well, what can I say? In the brief time that I was there, I was emotionally drained.

I left there and stopped first at a place that sold clothing for little kids, to purchase tap shoes and ballet slippers for my 10-yr old daughter. I honestly teared up when the sales person brought out those big shoes! They were the right size, but I was not ready to admit that my little girl was that grown up :(

I got in the car and somehow made it to another town, where I had to buy a part for my ailing lawnmower. It's great having a huge yard, EXCEPT for when it needs to be mowed! And you would think that with 3 boys that I would be able to turn over some of these jobs? Well... until I get a new lawnmower, one that I can trust, I'll keep doing it myself. Hey, it's almost September. Shouldn't have to do this MANY more times!

Well, I got home and since ANOTHER hurricane/tropical storm (Fay) was headed towards us, we loaded up the generator and brought it to my parents' camp. Since my dad's on oxygen, we need to make sure that we keep the juice flowing!

FINALLY back home, I decided to walk out to the creek to see if there was any water, since it has been dry for months (watch the videos on http://godtube.com/gfaucheux or http://myspace.com/gfaucheux to see the water). There were a few puddles from the fresh rain, but it wasn't flowing. I walked for maybe 100 yards, to a point that's probably closest to the house, a place where the bank is probably about 12 feet above the water with steep sides that cave in a little more with each rain. Down in the water, I spied a rock that looked out of place. I have found large pieces of sandstone, but this was different. I picked it up and examined it and was shocked at what I saw. After all of the tiny pieces of fossils that I have found that I suspected were fossilized coral, well, here, I was holding something that looked like a hunk of coral reef!
Check out these pictures! I have a few more posted on my Facebook page