In Louisiana, we call a little something extra “lagniappe.” Well, Saturday was just that kind of day, lagniappe. With a little nip in the air, I set out on a morning dog walk. I took my phone with me. Not sure why, except that I was going out alone, and so I chose to clip it to my waistline. I hadn’t gotten far. In fact, Charlie was sniffing and marking the front yard when I heard a strange sound. At first I thought my neighbor was pressure washing her house. However, it sounded more like air and the sound wasn’t steady. It came in bursts with long breaks in between. Then I looked up. Above me was a huge hot-air balloon. I started jogging to catch a good shot if it. I took multiple pictures of this beautiful rainbow balloon floating in the crystal blue sky. What a thrill! As I continued my walk and the balloon drifted out of sight, I approached total strangers out in their yards or walking their own dogs, “Did you see the balloon? Look, I took pictures of it.” I felt like I was spreading good news.
When I got home, I told my husband and showed him the pictures. He said, “You should send the pictures to the newspaper.” I downloaded them, posted one on Facebook, and sent two to the local paper. And sure enough in the Sunday paper, there was my snapshot on page A9 complete with a byline and everything.
What is it that a hot-air balloon offers to us? Uplifting hope? Memories of favorite movies and books? I personally think of The Wizard of Oz and The Twenty-one Balloons, both stories of hope and resurrection.
Sunday morning at choir practice, I was hoping we would sing a new anthem we have been working on, and my soprano friend turned to me and said, “I think your head is still up in that hot-air balloon.”
I would like my head to stay up in the clouds a little longer. Whenever you are feeling down, just look up. Who knows what you might see!
Looking up!
Reflections on the Teche 
My longtime dream (for about the past 20 years) has been to take a hot air balloon ride. The photos made my heart long for this even more. Maybe for my 40th birthday…!
Your post reminded me of the first time I heard that unusual that sound. I want to look up…always look up first; when I’m crying, when I’m laughing. xo nanc
One year I went to visit my friend in Albuquerque during my fall break… I didn’t even know about the Balloon Fiesta, but it was going on while I was there. My friend and I went out early one morning to watch balloons- we went to several good “lookouts” and even watched as one landed in a field and was deflated and packed up by a team. Another day we went to the Fiesta site for the “night glow”- the balloons are tethered to the ground, but the fires are lit and the balloons are so bright and beautiful. It was such a fun experience. It must have been extra-special to come across a balloon on an ordinary day right in your own neighborhood! Keep looking up! Great advice!
I’ve heard about the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. What lagniappe that it was going on while you were there!
Your early morning walk with the dog turned into a wonderful adventure. I am so happy that you had your phone with you to take photographs. I must remember to look up when I am feeling down. I have seen a balloon in our neighborhood on an early morning walk as well. I wanted to knock on people’s doors to tell them something amazing was happening.
Thank you for sharing your lagniappe. I like that word.
Sorry I missed that one. I tried to take a picture of a 180 degree rainbow on the Adriatic but didn’t get to my panorama setting in time to get it all. But you will enjoy what I did get. When we get to catch up.