March 9, 2014: Emma and her friend Jonathan

Emma and Jonathan at Waco's Comicon on Sunday, March 9, 2014.  Happy Pokemon hunting, you two!

Cafe du Monde

Must have: beignets and French Market coffee

Friday, February 28: Bourbon Street

Mardi Gras isn't until Tuesday, March 4, but the action is revving up on Bourbon Street.

Discussing conflicting opinions

Diners and hotel guests on balconies toss Mardi Gras beads to the crowd below

So here's how you can be one of the balcony people.  Sharon's boa was tossed down to us from a woman on a balcony.

Friday, February 28: sunset on the Mississippi, Vacherie, Louisiana

On the levee across from Oak Alley plantation

Tug boat pushing barges down river.  Does that mean it's a push boat instead of a tug boat?  That's Sharon and me on the river bank.

Bon nuit, Vacherie!

Friday, February 28: Oak Alley plantation outside Vacherie, Louisiana

The two Sharons at Oak Alley plantation

Papa Tom relaxes on an oak limb that swoops to the ground.  Do you see the ferns growing on the limb?

Oak Alley plantation, a sugar plantation dating back to 1805

Oaks on the 1200 acres of Mississippi River bottom

Pineapple at the gate.  When guests arrived, they were given a pineapple on their breakfast tray to welcome them to the plantation.  Weeks or months later, they would get another pineapple on their breakfast tray, gently letting them know it was time for the visit to be over.

Au revoir, Oak Alley!

Friday, February 28: Vacherie, Louisiana

Where alligators wear lipstick

and cook for Mardi Gras.  I'm scared to ask: he looks friendly, but what (or who) is he looking to put in the boiling pot?

February 27: Krewe of Babylon, Krewe of Chaos, and Krewe of Muses

We joined Donna at Fourth and Josephine, her assigned post for the parades

The NSA's "eye" phone, the eye in the sky

Was a chilly night!

"Throw me something, mister!"

Muses high heel

Kids atop their ladder, anticipating throws

Flambeau dancers light the parade route

Thursday, February 27, 2014: dinner with Colton at Joey K's

Nephew Colton met us for dinner at Joey K's.  Wore his tux t-shirt for the occasion.  He recently became and Eagle Scout.  Congrats, Colton! Will graduate from Luscher High School in May.

Waiting for his meatball po boy.

Thursday, February 27: an afternoon in the Quarter

St. Louis Cathedral

Impatiens in bloom

I think this was on Royal Street

Segueway officer patrolling Jackson Square.  He said he can get up to about 12 miles an hour, not fast enough to catch someone initially, but, as he pointed out, he can outlast them.

"Amazing Grace" in Jackson Square

Joey, who works at the Mardi Gras mask store.  I asked him about the sock monkey cap.  He said he was wearing it because it was cold out.

Street musicians were everywhere.

Human statue.  She curtsies when you give her a tip.  

Another street band

Dancing in the street to the street band

Walter "Wolfman" Washington at d.b.a. on Frenchmen Street

Our first taste of NOLA music was to catch Walter Wolfman Washington at d.b.a. on Frenchman Street.  The band from the front . . .

. . . and the band from the back.

The two Sharons.  I'm The Other Sharon.

So many choices!

Yep, we're in Louisiana.  Abita and Zaps chips.

The neighborhood.

Pre Mardi Gras trip to NOLA: February 26-March 1, 2014

Sharon Reed is a friend from my long ago Williamson County Sun newspaper days.  We've known each other for 28 years.  She was one of the first people to hold Amon when he was born.  Sweet sister Donna had so many surprises waiting for us when we arrived:  bags for beads, Mardi Gras cups, pralines, king cake, . . . . Thanks so much for having us, Donna!

Our Mardi Gras selfie at Donna's house.

First po boys of the trip were at Short Stop, near Donna's house.

Mmm!  Shrimp po boy!

Goldilocks

Jade always wants to hear Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and The Three Bears, in that order, at bedtime.  Now it's my turn to ask: "Who's been wearing my shoes?"

And: "Who's been playing my guitar?"

Cornerstone

Papa Tom, Amon, Jade, and I drove out to Cornerstone, about 4 miles northeast of Walburg, during Amon's visit, to check the possibility of building a cottage and planting an olive grove on the land.  Couldn't go the regular way; had to go the "yee-haw" way: so called because if you're going fast, your car will fly over a rise and your stomach will drop.  

One of the rally cars Amon and his friend left at Cornerstone.  Looks like its been used for shotgun practice.

A second rally car.  We'll be selling them for junk, more than likely.

Jade and Amon, peering into the falling-down shed on the property.

Do you know what this is?  We don't.  A feeder?

Jade and Amon check out Mr. Zurovetz's stock pond.  Good to see water in it.

The shed and the old a.c. unit from our mobile home.  We lived out there from 1985-87, roughly.