On the Rose
The name On the Rose is not only a play on words, but a tribute to my grandmother- Rose Marie Guillory LeDoux, named for the craving her mother had and indulged while she in utero.
She was born and raised in Eunice, Louisiana, only child of Leta and Shorty, wife of Jack, mother of four. Her home resided on farm land that offered dairy, rice, and crawfish.
She was a hunter… of deer, boar, alligator, and wild turkey. “Bless the cook and the provider”, she’d say before every meal. Though she never fired at a human, some have stared down the barrel of her gun. She was tough, but also kind, forgiving and brimming with laughter. “To each their own” and “be yourself” were needed reminders that would roll off her tongue in a low and gritty cajun tone- her words always rang true. She gave great care for everyone… as she twirled around in church with a peace sign for all, in her rosary bead prayers made everyday any place her feet met earth, when the neighbors would be invited to celebrate in the bounty that the farm had provided- a celebration of epic proportions as told by my mother, and in the consistent love and strength that radiated from her every pore- enlivening and inspiring those around her.
She loved tataille (monster) movies. During our visits she would roll out the small boxed television that lived on wheels and play us one from her VHS collection. My three sisters and I were introduced to The Blob, Clash of the Titans, and Godzilla to name a few.
Momo Rose was not without challenges in her life. There were those she loved and lost too soon, and she handled her sobriety with care after struggling with alcoholism for years.
I am grateful to have experienced her earthly presence and will continue to honor her now that she is beyond.
Love you, Momo 🥀
January 3rd, 1926- January 31st, 2017
I love these photos of her- each representing a contrasting aspect of self that so smoothly ran together throughout her life. The last image was taken from her backyard.
by Kelly Murphy
Thank you for being here and viewing my work.
I am a self taught photographer who draws from the curiosity of my youth, finding the surreal in present day adulthood, and have been capturing images for the last 25 years, my analogue roots now transposed to digital wanderings. I am inspired by that which is hidden yet within reach if only we choose to seek.
My queer grits: androgynous, omniromantic, on the ace spectrum... a relationship anarchist and aphant… middle aged with no children… formed in the warm murky waters of SWLA, now blanketed by evergreen boughs in the PNW... of Cajun + Irish descent... inspirited by the hands of honest labor and a continual cause for celebration... a practicing Veterinarian for 18 years.