Cousins--from Alexandria to Breaux Bridge

I think I have been away from the south too long--I keep seeing things I don't quite understand.

Like this.  Is that his name?  The name of his shop? A misspelled predilection? A promise?  Anyway, I might trust him/her/it  based on the name alone.  Now ask me sometime if I have ever seen a bald crawfish.

Ron and Loretta gave me this wonderful little gadget that is the answer to my lack-of-an-oven quandary.

And it totally works though it won't bake a whole turkey, chicken or roast.  But it does potatoes, biscuits, casseroles, vegetables, etc.  Love it!

(Dean and Amanda Lambert, I am so terribly sorry but the pictures I took of you guys in Many did not come through.  I don't know why. )

(Aunt Doris, Loretta (standing), Linda, Jamie, Patsy, me, Tinker)

After a day in Toledo Bend State Park we moseyed on over to Alexandria for a few days with some more cousins. Jamie and Linda drove up for the day from southern Louisiana even though they are on our schedule of stops later in the week.

Tinker's neighbor let us park in her driveway (because it was level and Tinker's wasn't so much).  We spent several nights, got to know Tinker's kitties, and enjoyed her great biscuits and homemade jam each morning.

         

Our next stop was Breaux Bridge where we found the Crawfish Festival in full swing.

Boy was I underdressed.

But not Loretta--she found the perfect hat.

Dancing and food--Louisiana favorites.  This tent offered dance lessons on the the waltz and the two-step--not too complicated....

....so everyone can get on the floor.

And it's hard to resist when its Zydeco.  

We found this toss-the-ping-pong-balls-into-the-floating-bowls game that no one seemed to be able to win.

The prizes were not all so great...

 ...but these little guys stole my heart.

 How well do you think a bunny would ride in an RV?

 

Then, Glory Begorra!  Someone won!

This little bunny is going to be well-loved. 

 

And we finally sat down to some bald crawfish.

Loretta was willing to try--though sucking the seasoning out of the crawfish heads was asking too much. (Uh Oh! Disagreement number two)

It did not take her long to get into it and she gave those mudbugs a thumbs up.

Louisiana loves its food festivals and the residents will form one at the drop of a --well, ground.  

When a sinkhole appeared a few weeks back on Canal Street in New Orleans a festival was formed and celebrated on May 5th--Sinkhole De Mayo! Sorry I missed it but thanks for the heads-up, Jamie.

Shreveport to Lambert Town Cemetery

Our first stop in Louisiana was Shreveport.

We tried parking at a rest stop for the night but the noise from the trucks was just too much.  However,  a little way down the road we found my old standby, Cracker Barrel, so Loretta's first night in the RV was quiet and peaceful--except for the noisy birds in the morning.

Brenda and Jo Beverly

Then came the chance to spend a little time with my recently found first cousin, Jo Beverly who will be 92 in July.  Just look at that lovely lady and know-- 

--she lives alone, keeps a house and a beautiful garden, and goes to work every day at the Alliance for Aging offices!  I so hope I share some of those good Lambert genes.

Loretta and the bottle tree--a fun southern tradition.

The lush green of Louisiana was on full display.

Brenda, Loretta and Jo B

Brenda is Jo B's daughter-in-law and has a home on the same street just a few blocks away.  That wonderful red door is one of Brenda's creations.  We parked in her driveway for the night and truly appreciate her hospitality.

Jo B shared the history of the clock....

--and the phone--both family treasures.  I can remember (at about the age of 8) having a wall phone and sharing a party line.  Funny how our ideas of 'phone security' have changed. I would listen to my neighbor's teenager and try not to giggle so loud he might hear me. (Oops, how many things have I just confessed to)

(Cane River)

Onward to Natchitoches, established in 1714 as the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.

The river was once a major thoroughfare for moving cotton and tobacco to markets.  Now is is a beautiful backdrop that borders one side of Front Street, the main shopping street in town.

I think Natchitoches is one of the loveliest towns in Louisiana--especially at Christmas time.

It is also famous for its meat pies.  This is the restaurant to get the best and Loretta opted for the crawfish pie--another first for her.

 We stopped this young fella on his way to church, just because he was so decked-out.  He was also super friendly and Loretta was getting a taste of that famous 'Southern Charm'.

 We were on the tail-end of the blooming season but the magnolias are still beautiful--and everywhere.

Lambert Town, 1875

The cemetery that carries my last name and where my father's family is buried.

(Utice Drew Lambert)

Well, he hasn't moved since my last visit.

Loretta and I discover our first differences. It is a southern tradition to spend many hours in cemeteries, visiting old friends and long-gone family or reading the history of the area through the gravestones.  It's something I find relaxing and interesting, Loretta thinks that's weird.  She's probably right.

Ft Worth to Shreveport

Yes, I hear you!  All three of you that are still out there checking the blog and wondering what the flip has become of her--and especially, how are her aunt and her sister?

Well, first of all, Aunt Louise is doing quite well and the Estate Sale seems to have been a success.  There are, however, a great many things that are still unsold--dolls, Xmas stuff, more dolls, silverware, more dolls, dishes, etc.   If you are in the market for a Madame Alexander or Santa's elves  please contact me immediately.

Meanwhile, caregiver and friend, Suzanne (also answers to SueAnne), has been a real trouper in learning the whereabouts of all Aunt Louise's favorite haunts.  While I visited we did a trip to the Modern Museum and found these colorful gargantuan objects of recycled plastics and plasters. 

Hmm, I wonder if we could recycle some colorful dolls and Christmas balls. 

                                          I don't think Aunt Louise was all that impressed.

"The more paintings you make, the more you learn"

 

Now for sister, Jo.  She is recovering with lots of therapy at Marquis Shasta Rehab Center.  I think they will be sending her home soon.  There have been no more blood clots and she is walking (though painfully) on the repaired leg  and hip. 

And sister Mary is back in Hilo.  She and her husband, Jim are preparing to return to the mainland by July 1st to take over my RoadTrek for the summer.  (Halcyon II has been stored in Yuma for the past three months)

These four oddly bent metal posts were once supports for a large billboard in downtown Ft Worth.  

A few years back a tornado came through, destroyed the sign and bent all four posts in this somewhat artistic manner.  The city elected to leave the poles (not Suzanne) there as a reminder of nature's power.

Did you think I could do a blog posting without a restaurant shot?  Not likely. You know you are in the south when Fried Pickles are on the menu.

And fried catfish and Chicken fried steak.

I do not plan to return to Ft Worth until next Fall but I have learned that plans can change quickly.  But, for now, Aunt Louise is in good hands and doing very well.

On the first of May I picked up daughter-in-law, Loretta at DFW airport for a two-week tour of Louisiana. 

As I write this it is two weeks later and I have just dropped her off at the airport in New Orleans.  She is headed back to San Diego. 

It was a great two weeks and there are lots of things to share. I will now try to get something posted every day and bring you up to speed while I head slowly toward Minnesota.  

If you wonder what my plans are for the summer they are to visit the Larson/Reishus clan and be in Mn for grand niece, Katy's wedding.  Then I hope to meander east all the way to Nova Scotia and return through the New England States in the Fall.

My new RV, Spirit, is serving me well.  She has great pluses (2 big beds, private bathroom, larger fridge, more storage, etc) and one minus  (How long does it take before I learn not to drive under low-hanging branches.) Stay tuned.