Lisa Jo Ray

This is a lens all about me, Lisa Jo Ray. I cover a variety of topics as I have many interests. Did I mention I am a Cajun? I am new to this so please pardon me if I tend to go on abit. Once I get started it's hard to stop. I can almost talk your ear off.

Originally from Louisiana, I grew up with a great love of the outdoors. I have a great appreciation for nature and all things natural. Growing up in the country with the Atchafalaya Basin just a few miles from my home I couldn't help but fall in love with the area called Cajun Country.

I now travel the United States with my husband Steve in an 18 wheeler. He's the best. He's showing me sites around this country that are absolutey breathtaking. Nature at it's best. The United States is an awesome country.

New Table of Contents

Some More About Me
Moving on Up
A Bit of Innocence
The Rest of the Family
The Cain't Go Huntin' Blues
The Best Part of the Hunt
To Create a Lens or Not to Create a Lens
Where Are All the Cajuns Going?
Enjoying Louisiana
Lisa Jo's Photo Gallery
Great Stuff on CafePress
Gardening
My Thai Interests
Looking for Other Interesting Cajun Sites?
Follow me on Twitter
Me Squidooing
Let me know what you think!
A Special Thanks

Some More About Me

I'm a Cajun, born in Opelousas, Louisiana and raised in Bayou Portage. That's a little place located between Arnaudville and Cecilia, Louisiana. So small if you blink your eyes you might miss it. Just joking. Seriously though, it's not very big at all. Several families live there. Their kids grew up and some of them live there, too. I tell people that we are not all related but we might as well be because we all grew up together.

Until I was about five years old we lived in a two bedroom house just down the road from my grandmother's house. We had electricity but only one faucet with running water. Cold water. We didn't have a bathroom in the house either. I can remember Momma pulling out the aluminum tub and boiling the water so we could take a bath. The house had sort of an L-shape to it so Momma used to just put the tub in the corner for privacy. We didn't have any neighbors living behind us, just a bunch of cows in a pasture.

There was no bathroom. We used a pot called a puchom. (don't know if I spelled that right) Pronounced put-chohm with the emphasis on the chohm. That was the toilet. We had to carry it outside several times a day to dump it in the outhouse. I didn't like to go in there. It stunk and had wasps in it. It was dark in there too. I was the oldest of two girls at five years old and it was my job to dump the puchom. We had some chores but not too many. We didn't have a farm or anything like that. Daddy worked on the dredge boats. Momma stayed home and raised the kids.

Moving on Up

A Bit of Innocence

My sister Sharon and I used to find the simplest things to amuse ourselves. Momma used to get us those popsicles on the sticks. I can remember them well. The sticks were different colors and had interlocking holes so you could build things with them when you were done with your treat. I smile still when I remember this. Well, Sharon and I were playing out in the back yard with our popsicle sticks. We were throwing them up into the air as high as we could and we'd try to see if we could guess exactly where they were going to land. I threw up my stick and I couldn't find it. We looked and looked but that popsicle stick was just not there. I ran in the house and told Momma that God had taken my popsicle stick. He must have wanted to play, too. Ha, ha, ha. Now that I think of it I think they were called Elsie Stix! The innocence of those days! We didn't have too many toys and we sure didn't have video games.

We'd pick blackberries in the pastures. Not all of them made it back home. They were so big and juicy we just couldn't resist. Back then we didn't have to worry about all of the pesticides they use now. We'd start at one corner of the field and work our way around the fence. We'd eat them right off the bush and put a few in the bucket. Go to the next bush, eat a few, put some more in the bucket. Momma never let us go too far. She knew me too well. I loved to walk in the woods. She was always scared I'd get lost or get bitten by a snake. I wasn't scared at all. I had my dog with me. That dog would have died for me. I was as safe as a kitten curled up in front of a hearth.

Growing up Sharon and I were always very close. She knew me better than I knew myself. To this day she remains my best friend and confidant. She also critiques the heck out of my work.

I love her with all of my heart.

The Rest of the Family

My great uncles used to trap and hunt a lot. I can remember seeing those traps hanging up in the shed out back. They used to fish for a living, too. They didn't have a lot of money but they had what they needed to live. A home, food, a loving family and the good Lord to guide them everyday. They are all gone now. I used to love listening to their stories. Some of my cousins still fish and crawfish for a living. Nobody hunts for a living anymore. They are still big on hunting and fishing but these days it is just to get back to our roots so to speak. It's in our blood. We love it all. It helps to add something to the freezer for the winter, too. Going out and buying crawfish these days is expensive, besides the fresh ones are so much better.

The Cain't Go Huntin' Blues

I never got to go with Daddy and my brothers when they went hunting. It used to make me so mad. It was just so beautiful and peaceful. The squirrels would fuss and throw things at you if you walked beneath their trees. Sometimes we'd see some rabbits and coyotes, too. You had to be really quiet and still if you wanted to see a rabbit though, or they wouldn't come out. You could find them pretty easily, too. All you have to do is look for fresh rabbit droppings and they probably aren't too far.

When I grew up and had children of my own I taught them how to fish and shoot a gun. I couldn't get the fresh produce anymore so their little fingers never got stained like mine did. They did fling a few persimmons, though. Ha, ha. But that's another story all together.

The Best Part of the Hunt

Cooking!!!

I have to admit that in my opinion the hunt is exciting, but what comes afterwards is the best part. You get to cook it and eat it!

It is a great feeling to know that you have provided sustenance for your family. Primitive perhaps, but I guess that's just the Cajun in me. I like knowing that if times ever get really rough that I don't have a problem feeding my family.

There's nothing like fresh food, you know? The flavor and health benefits like your vitamins and minerals are not lost through processing. Personally I love the taste of wild game.

There's alot to be said about Cajun cooking. There's nothing else quite like it. It really gets to me when we travel up north and a menu has a Cajun item. It never fails to disapoint me. I get quite angry because it's false advertising. Most people think that all you have to do is put some cayenne pepper in it and you're done. Boy, what a total misconception. The proper blend of seasonings and the time it takes to cook the meal make the difference. Sorry, you can't get that in a truck-stop.

I've been all across the United States and eaten in various truck-stops and restaurants and have yet to find anything that comes close outside of Louisiana and the very near areas.

Don't think I'm a flake or anything, but it makes me so frustrated to order something Cajun and get a very bad imitation. Think about it, your taste buds are watering in anticipation of something they know will put them in taste bud heaven then you get something totally NOT what you're expecting.

I have actually asked the waitress to let me speak to the cook. I asked them what seasoning they used to call it Cajun. It sometimes actually said Cajun on the bottle but they were waaaay off. I started to tell them exactly what seasonings should be used and then my husband, Steve had to calm me down. I stopped my instructions but did not hesitate to say that I would appreciate actual Cajun food the next time I went in so I figured I'd tell them so they could prepare it properly.

Do you know those people actually argued with me that it WAS Cajun cooking? Let me tell you I set them straight on that matter. I told them flat out that I was Cajun and had eaten it all of my life and cooked it to boot. (Don't tell me this mess is Cajun cooking!) Sorry, but I got really tired of being mislead like that.

To me, Cajun cooking is almost an art. There are some dishes that can be prepared rather quickly. The best ones are the ones that take hours to cook. What I mean by best is that the flavors have time to meld together. The onions pick up the seasonings and the meat flavors. The meat soaks up the onions, peppers and seasonings. The longer you cook it the more tender the meat is as well. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

I don't think I have a single favorite dish. There are several that I could not live without. (I suppose I could but I'd be miserable). Let's see, I'd have to say that at least twice a week I eat beef in a brown onion gravy. Chicken in an onion gravy, too. Then you can get a flavor boost when you add some sausage (smoked) to the pot. Man, you're talking about some good eating. Fix up some smothered potatoes and some vegetables with a couple of slices of buttered bread to serve with that and I'm good to go.

The picture is a quick supper that Steve cooks while we are on the road. It is chicken and sausage in rotel tomatoes. We like it on the spicy side. I figure that if it can clear my sinuses within a few bites without overpowering the flavor of everything else then we've hit it right. Another good thing about Cajun cooking is that you can season it to your own tastes. Everyone is different so you can adjust to what is right for you. A little more of this or a little less of that kind of thing.

We learned to get our rotel tomatoes down in Louisiana because it seems like all they have in the other states are more Mexican style tomatoes. They are almost just as good, but beware of the ones with the habanero peppers.

Just like cayenne peppers they get hotter the longer you cook them. We fixed our meals three days in a row using that type of rotel and boy did it tear up our stomachs. It was good, but it tended to drown out the taste of everything else. Me, I like to be able to taste what I am eating.

I am thinking about creating a lens on Cajun cooking. Maybe sharing a few recipes. Let me know if you think it would be a good idea.

To Create a Lens or Not to Create a Lens

That is the Question

If you would like me to share a few Cajun recipes with you, let me know. If enough of you say yes, then I will take the time to do so for you.

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Where Are All the Cajuns Going?

Slowly my Cajun heritage is being killed off by modern civilization. It hurts to see it go. To know that my grandchildren won't get to really experience any of it like I did.

I want them to know their heritage and the nature of the culture. The way we lived taught us so much. Not just about making a living off of the land, but so much more. Family really meant something. There is just something about family working together and living closesly that forges a bond like no other. Responsibility came at a young age. Momma and Daddy didn't just give us what we wanted. We had to earn it. We learned the value of a dollar real easy that way. We didn't just do the dishes and keep our rooms clean. We used to sit in the kitchen with Momma surrounded by great big trash bags of field peas, purple hull peas and string beans. We each had a bowl. Momma showed us how to break the string beans just the right size for cooking. She showed us how to shell the peas and separate the good ones from the bad ones. We'd sit there all day and do as much as we could. We'd get right back to it the next day if we hadn't finished the day before. Our backs were achy from sitting there all day and our little fingers were stained purple. It still makes me smile thinking about it. Sometimes we'd go up the road to Uncle Louis's house and pick some pears and figs. He had the best kind for canning. The house used to smell so good when Momma canned preserves.

I long for the simplicity of those days. Going back to Louisiana brings it all back every time I get to go out in the Basin or go to the levee to go fishing. The basin edges along the levee only a few miles from where I grew up. It doesn't take me long to get there and get that great feeling again. I just wish I could do so more often.

Enjoying Louisiana

Cajun Country - My Home

My two favorite Cajun things to do in Louisiana are going out on the water or being in the woods somewhere. I don't have to be hunting or fishing. Just being there makes me feel more alive.

Any time life gets too stressful I either take a walk in the woods or go for a boat ride. It only take a few minutes of being out there to make me feel better. A couple of deep breaths and it feels like I'm a part of it somehow or maybe it is a part of me. I don't know for sure which one it is but I feel complete. I've been all over the United States. I can honestly say that nowhere else gives me such a feeling of peace and contentment (except maybe Church).

I don't get out as much as I used to. I'm in an 18-wheeler and we travel all of the time. I really miss it sometimes. We recently spent some time with some friends of ours in Pontchatoula, Louisiana. We were out on Lake Pontchartrain. It felt so good to be out on the water again, even if it was only for a few hours. We went on a fishing trip and ended up getting towed back in to the landing because the battery was dead. I took pictures of it all. It made the whole thing hilarious. The sheriff patrol that towed us in posed for some pictures with us, too.

Lisa Jo's Photo Gallery

Travels, Mini Adventures and Life on the Road

Here are some photographs I have put together. The outdoors, my travels in the United States in our 18 wheeler, and making the best of each and every day.

See you there!

Making the most of l...

Steve cooking on the...

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Great Stuff on CafePress

Take a lil' bit of Cajun with you

I found some really awesome cajun stuff here. Check it out!

Gardening

My Next Favorite Hobby

Gardening is another passion of mine. I used to have hundreds of plants. I had a vegetable garden as well. I grew everything that I wanted to eat fresh.

The garden was located behind my home. I worked really hard to get that garden ready. I didn't have a tiller so I had to do it all by hand. That was rough because there is alot of clay dirt back home. That stuff dries up hard as rock. I went to work with my trusty shovel and hoe. I think I ended up with blisters on my hands even though I wore gloves, haha. I was determined to get that garden going.

I remember the second year that I made my garden. I had four rows of corn about 12 feet long. There was cantalope, peas, beans, tomatoes, eggplant, you name it and I was growing it. Just when my corn finally had some baby corn on it that's when the neighbor's cows got loose. When I went outside there was nothing left but a couple of inches of nubs! I chased those cows out of there like hell had broken loose! My whole garden was trampled and eaten - gone! I was so mad that I called my neighbor and told him that the next time his cows got in my yard that I was going to have fresh beef in the freezer. He knew I meant it, too. He fixed the fence shortly after that call. I still get mad thinking about it! I laugh, too because that must have truly been a sight to see! There were cows going in every direction and me smack in the middle waving my arms and yelling like crazy. I bet I could have won for Funniest Home Videos! Ha,ha,ha.

I will plant an herb garden one day soon. I've always wanted to grow my own herbs both for cooking and for medicinal purposes.

Being on the road now I can't have my garden anymore. I miss it. I fully intend to have one again soon. I just don't feel like me without one.

I recently joined Facebook. I joined a gardening group. A new friend of mine there did the sweetest thing. Hearing that I miss my garden, he introduced me to The Lil' Green Patch. Now I have a garden again!

It is actually a picture garden. It's not actual photos but it is so much fun. People send you all different kinds of plants. You can arrange them as you like. You can also send plants, too.

You earn points (play money) by tending other friends' patches. You can either buy supplies or new plants to distribute. You can even send gifts for their patches. It's fun. And the best thing - NO MORE COWS!

Each time someone uses the application the sponsors donate to saving square footage in the rain forests. I really love the idea that my new fun is also doing some good.

My Thai Interests

Thai-Go, Thai-Chi-Chuan, and Thailand Holly Mann

I love learning new things. Here are several things that have really piqued my interest. They all happen to be from Thailand!

Thai-Go is a fruit juice blend that I drink for detoxifying my body and keeping healthy. I am extremely impressed with the health benefits. I suffer from several major things and Thai-Go has been a miracle worker for me. I can't sing it's praises enough so I am going to have to make a lens just on Thai-Go.

Thai-Chi-Chuan (Thai-Chi for short) is a form of martial arts that I took back when I was in my 20's. It not only taught me self-defense but it was also a wonderful way to keep relaxed and healthy. Our classes also incorporated other styles of martial arts as well. There was Philippino Kali, Pekiti Tersia Kali, Wing-Chun and several styles favored by Bruce Lee.

My most recent interest in Thailand is a true angel, Ms. Holly Beth Mann .

She has been an inspiration and ray of hope for me. She has changed my life and I feel truly blessed that we have her in this world. She has helped so many people and continues to do so. She also has a virtue that I treasure - Honesty. I will definitely be doing a lens regarding how she has touched my life. A mere paragraph here simply would never do her justice.

Looking for Other Interesting Cajun Sites?

I have started a list of Cajun sites. There are quite a few out there but I put down some of my favorites to share with you. If you've got one or know of a really good one, share it here.

Don't forget to vote!

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St. Martin Parish, Louisiana

Looking for an experience that differs from the us more...1 point

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History of Cajun Country

An accurate and entertaining account of Cajuns and more...1 point

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Department of French Studies

This is a very fun site. You get a French-English more...1 point

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My Other Lenses

I don't have many yet as I am just beginning, but I do have another lens out there. Click on the link if you would like to see it

Awesome Results Honest Online Work

Let me know what you think!

I'm really looking forward to making some new friends, and sharing thoughts and ideas. I'd appreciate total honesty if you leave a comment. I have always told my children, "If you don't have honesty, you don't have anything. It is the basis and foundation of everything you are and you should accept nothing less from anyone else. Stand by your morals and principles in life and you will earn the respect and loyalty of others."

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Lisa Jo Ray

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Lisa Jo Ray

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Explore related pages

New Table of Contents

Some More About Me

Moving on Up

More Stories

A Bit of Innocence

The Rest of the Family

The Cain't Go Huntin' Blues

The Best Part of the Hunt

Cooking!!!

To Create a Lens or Not to Create a Lens

That is the Question

Where Are All the Cajuns Going?

Enjoying Louisiana

Cajun Country - My Home

Lisa Jo's Photo Gallery

Travels, Mini Adventures and Life on the Road

Great Stuff on CafePress

Take a lil' bit of Cajun with you

Gardening

My Next Favorite Hobby

My Thai Interests

Thai-Go, Thai-Chi-Chuan, and Thailand Holly Mann

Looking for Other Interesting Cajun Sites?

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A Special Thanks

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