In a perfect world, I would be packing today. I would be packing sundresses and sandals, bug spray and sunblock and in every available nook and cranny of my luggage, a surprise for those four GRANDkids in New Iberia. Instead, I am sitting in my cold living room in Portland, Oregon, listening to the rain, lamenting.
No carnival for me this year. A new marriage, a new family, a bad economy....lots of reasons....none of them acceptable...when you are an annual Mardi Gras attendee and you are not there, today is known as Day 1 of Lament Week. No warm sun, no Rory and Russell, James and Danny, no dinner parties, no backyard cocktail hour, no Cafe du Monde, no Muses. Woe is me. Woe....is me.
But, you do what you can. The red beans are started. Quick method. Wash, boil for 10 minutes, soak for an hour, add the beef smoked sausage, veggies and Zatarain's seasoning mix, cook slow for 2-3 hours. A pot of white rice and dinner is done for Fred and Andy.
This morning, I bought tickets to March Fourth Marching Band's 8th anniversary show for Friday night. Spirit Mountain is having a fake Mardi Gras on March 12. Fred says we should go. I am always in the mood to commune with my Native American brethren and sistren. Particularly on that most Native American of holidays, Mardi Gras. (March 12, 1983, I married Chuck. Lordamercy that was a long time ago! First marriages...such memories!) Whatever, it is the best local party I found.
The rest of Lament Week? Fun filled! Shrimp creole, crawfish etouffe, and Po-Boys are on the menu for the week. Jambalaya is a staple around here and not even special, but it might show up as well. There is always room for a pot of gumbo!
I refuse to let the week pass without trying as hard as I can to have fun. It is a solemn promise. Web cams on the street let me view the parades mere blocks from our usual place between First and Second on St. Charles - mostly near the intersection of Second and St. Charles....Neutral Ground. I won't catch a bead...but I have lots. No Cafe du Monde, but I have a can of the coffee in my cupboard. With the french press and a little hot milk....I can conjure it....
Lament Week - bring it on! I am prepared......
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