Tag Archives: historic restoration

Life on the Town Square

BLOGGING AFTER 50

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September 5, 2014
Blogging After 50

MGB and me in front of Studio 137. Note MGB' s hat with the number 5 to signify that we are now on our 5th renovation/restoration project on the town square in Woodville.
MGB and me in front of Studio 137. Note MGB’ s hat with the number 5 to signify that we are now on our 5th renovation/restoration project on the town square in Woodville.

I’ve noticed a distinct absence of bloggers in their 50’s and 60’s (particularly in the top 10 bloggers list)- we need to step out and let the world know we aren’t dead yet. So for some odd reason I thought it a good idea for me to start a blog – partly because I thought it might keep me sane (with all this back and forth between two worlds) and partly because I wanted to share a big city girl’s (can hardly refer to me as a girl) immersion in small town life and from time to time talk about art. Since I’m a part-time Mississippian now I had hoped the writing skills would come with the property tax bills- but unfortunately, that didn’t happen. I’ll try to stay off the soapbox, try to not overly sentimentalize the rewards of small town life or the importance of saving beautiful old (crumbling) buildings and avoid trying to convince anyone to do what my husband and I have done- trade a fairly normal, routine, happy (and did I say mostly) retired lifestyle for the schizophrenic one we have created! Actually, I promise nothing, except to report the facts as I see them.

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Life on the Town Square

Me and MGB

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Woodville water tower
Woodville water tower

No. 1: August 28, 2014
Me and MGB

Allow me to introduce us. I am a lifelong New Orleanian, formerly full-time, but now a devoted resident both of the Crescent City and Woodville, MS where I own and operate Studio 137, just East of the town square. My husband Jim Derbes, the “visionary maniac” who brought me here,

Courthouse on Courthouse Square, Woodville, MS
Courthouse on Courthouse Square, Woodville, MS
MGB sketch by unknown car lover
MGB sketch by unknown car lover

will be referred to as “MGB” since that’s what he was driving when we first met over forty years ago. Together we have restored two historic buildings in this tiny town, and a third restoration is under way. My background is in art; and you might say that I am also the art consultant to these projects. I was a museum associate director and curator, a jewelry designer and a gallery owner – all in New Orleans. Here in W’ville my Studio 137 on Boston Row features the work of artists and craftspeople whom I have come to know and admire. The Studio is my way of sharing those experiences with the W’ville community.

An interior view of Studio 137
An interior view of Studio 137

If what I have to say here is life-changing, pearls of wisdom you can take to heart or prompts an epiphany for you, the reader, you have my assurance that such is a mere coincidence. I hold no keys and have basically forgotten much of what I’ve learned.