Last Memorial Day, I photographed a memorial service for the American, and during the service, one older veteran handed me an American flag. I didn’t think much of it at the time and kept it on display at my desk until I moved to Nashville.

This year, I have spent most of my day relaxing and thinking about how strange it is that I did not cover a memorial service or anything related to this national holiday today. And the more I think about it, the more I think about about all the men and women I know personally, as well as those I don’t, who have served and are current serving our country.

Tonight, I remembered the Hattiesburg veteran who gave me that flag and realized that I had kept it stored away during my move. So I went in to one of my moving boxes (that has yet to be unpacked — sad face), found it and placed it in a flower pot in front of my home.

It’s not much, but I will view that little flag as a reminder every day as I walk in and out of my home of the men and women who have served our country and given their all.

Happy Memorial Day, y’all!

I visited Indianapolis this past weekend with some girlfriends. It was an AMAZING time, and I cannot believe it went by so quickly!

I found myself fascinated by our reflections in the elevator, so before we left, I snapped this image of us. It was too fun not to, no?

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What is one of the stranger places you have taken a photo?

We decided it might be easier if we took photos every day, but instead, chose our favorite seven from the week instead of highlighting one from every day. (Because, honestly, who wants to look at seven photos of Lucy taken in the middle of the night because I forgot to take a photo that day? Exactly. Nobody.)

Here’s this week’s selections:

Tuesday, March 30 at 11:19 p.m.: The mantle above the fireplace in my home. The same one that my mother, Doniree, and I redecorated after I moved in. (We also moved the Ragan painting, but that is another story for another time.) So hello Italian town watercolors, fleur-de-lis and glass eggs.

Wednesday, March 31 at 6:38 p.m.: Lucy doesn’t like having her photo made, and she makes all sorts of strange faces whenever the camera comes out. When this photo was taken, I was talking to her, and she, obviously, was looking up at me skeptically as I placed the camera on the ground and snapped away.

Wednesday, March 31 at 6:41 p.m.: I love watching the light at my little condo throughout the day, and I find it fascinating that the afternoon sunshine, especially during golden hour, shines so brightly on the patio. The bright gold light changes the bricks from muddy to vibrant.

Friday, April 2 at 6:07 p.m.: Everything has started to bloom in Nashville during the past two weeks, and it has been no different at the condos. All of our trees are carrying blooms of this brilliant magenta-ish purple or gold. Two fantastic colors, if I do say so myself…

Sunday, April 4 at 3:59 p.m.: For the past three years, my mother has come to visit me where I have lived for Easter. One year in Baton Rouge, the next in Hattiesburg and this year in Nashville. It has become a tradition of ours to plant my “garden” (I use this word loosely considering I don’t have a yard — only pots), make an Easter etouffee and eat chocolate cake. This year was no different, and it was amazing.

Sunday, April 4 at 4:28 p.m.: Another planting photo, though I love the close-up for this one. My mother knows what she’s doing, and she has a very green thumb. I can only hope I will learn all her skills in the coming years to one day be able to plant my own garden without her expert help. Just her advice over the phone. Haha.

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And that’s it for this past week!

How was your Easter? Do you have any traditions for the day?

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

A snowy surprise.

In preparation for the chilly weather, I whipped up a mug of marshmallow lovers hot chocolate and snuggled in to the couch while I watched the state football championship game on TV. (You can see images from the matchup here and here.) The snow was coming down pretty hard in Jackson (where the game was held) by the end of the first half, and I knew it was on its way for us, too.

It was clearly sleeting outside, judging from the pitter-pattering sound on my tin roof, and I snuck a few peeks out the front door before deciding to give up and go to bed.

Later that night, I awoke to learn two things. One, that my power was out because of a blown transformer. (Have no fear, the power people were able to fix it within an hour.) And two, that it had snowed (and stuck!, if only for a few hours) and that I needed to hightail it out of my home to make some images for the paper.

I made my way across town to Southern Miss to find students playing in the snow.

And on my way home, in my little alleyway, I spotted the following photo and had to stop my car, pull out my camera, and make the image:

After the photo was made, I headed back home and crawled into bed a little after 2 a.m.

While it was a busy night, it was a good one.

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What did you do for your last snow day?

Mailee, 3, of Oak Grove, tells Santa what she wants for Christmas as she is held by her mother, Mandy,Thursday afternoon at the Oak Grove Public Library. Children and their parents came to the library to take pictures with Santa. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

Wednesday: Trees were lit during Lighting the Way to the Holidays at Southern Miss. MDOT launched a new traffic management program.

Thursday: “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” surprised a local family. Children and their parents came to the Oak Grove Library for pictures with Santa. (Photos coming next week in OG Today.) Southern Miss held a memorial to remember students, staff and faculty.

Friday: We went to Collins to speak to veterans about Pearl Harbor Day. (Story coming Monday!) It snowed!

Saturday: Work continued on the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” house. Hattiesburg and Petal held their Christmas parades.

Sunday: More work on the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” house.

And my weekly favorites can be found here.

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How was your week?

Staci Williams closes her eyes and holds family dog Daisy close Tuesday morning at Oak Grove's All Animal Clinic. Daisy fell down a 40-foot well Monday afternoon, cutting her shoulder, and veterinarian Dr. Kirk Frazier and Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department firefighters pulled the dachshund out of the well. Daisy spent the night at the vet's office, was given eight stitches and was sent home with her family Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

Monday: Since Oak Grove’s game was canceled because of bad weather the previous Friday, they faced off against Brandon High School on the gridiron.

Tuesday: LIFE of Mississippi hosted its annual event, Walk With Me, to raise public awareness about the need for accessibility for all. A rescued dachshund was reunited with its owners. Measures have been taken in Mississippi for students to eat healthier at school. The WCU basketball team practiced.

Wednesday: Two teenage boys who died in an accident were laid to rest in their hometowns.

Thursday: Government-run healthcare was protested. Petal is digging a new sewer line and trying to dig out of debt. An elementary school is selling feathers to raise money to feed the needy.

Friday: A task force is tackling textbook prices. Southern Miss prepares to start their basketball season.

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How was your week? And what was the most exciting thing you did?

If last week was busy, this week has been HECTIC with the amount of assignments I’ve shot and everywhere I have been. It has been a really good experience, and I’ve done a lot of good work, even though I am really tired. Y’all are in for a HUGE week in review post on Sunday. Trust me.

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So the following image was snapped Sunday at the fair. I love the fair, and I went quite a bit when I was a kid. Especially since my school district let us out one Friday every year for ‘Fair Day.’ So when I think of the fair, I’m immediately brought back to my childhood, eating a corn dog, riding the swings and wondering if maybe this year I could ride the roller coaster. I had horrible motion sickness as a kid, and I wasn’t able to ride many rides because of this. So that roller coaster? Not a good idea.

I want to dedicate the following image to my friend, Elizabeth, who has never been to the fair. We need to remedy this, chica!

Happy Thurdsay, y’all!

Because what better way is there to end the week than spotlighting some things that inspire me and make me smile?

Let’s hit this thing off right:

Canon announced the 1D Mark IV. Que drooling and crooning over a camera body that is ENTIRELY too expensive for a newspaper shooter. (A girl can dream, though, right?) Here’s to hoping the AF isn’t wonky like the Mark IIIs were/are.

Tear alert: TIME showcases an amazing photo essay called “Strays to the Rescue” on their Web site, featuring images and clips from a new book (To the Rescue: Found Dogs with a Mission, by Elise Lufkin and photos by Diana Walker.) Check it out here.

To my AP Style-loving friends: @FakeAPStylebook has made me chuckle for the past day.

My friend, Crystal, has a featured intern diary up at Sportsshooter. While you’re at it, mosey on over to her SS page and Web site. You’ll be thankful you did.

AP shooter Brennan Linsley was quoted on the NYT Lens blog yesterday on the Pictures of the Day post. Not only are the images strong, but his words ring true about the impact of photography.

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To my shooter friends, have fun at high school football tonight. (I know I will!) And to everyone else, enjoy your evening off, whatever you may end up doing!

Happy Friday, everyone!

I photographed the North Forrest-Sumrall matchup last Friday night.

Most of the area games were delayed or cancelled due to a HUGE front of thunderstorms rolling through the area about an hour before the games kicked off. Luckily, my game only started 20 minutes behind schedule, and I was able to stay for the entire first quarter before heading back to the newsroom to submit my photographs.

Since the game started a little late, I took the time to make some feature images.

North Forrest wait beneath the concession stand before the North Forrest-Sumrall game Friday night at North Forrest High School. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

North Forrest cheerleaders Emily Patton, left, 16, and Laykin Posey, 16, hang a sign before the North Forrest-Sumrall game Friday night at North Forrest High School. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

You can check out more images from the waiting and the actual game at the Hattiesburg American Web site.