THE BAYOU

Sometimes the water is cold and sometimes it is warm.

Sometimes you can catch fish and sometimes you cannot.

Sometimes the water is real murky and sometimes it is clearer.

Sometimes it flows quickly and sometimes it is as slow as molasses.

Sometimes it beckons you to pause and watch it and sometimes it is just too busy to care if you do.

Sometimes it haunts you with its past and sometimes it gives you hope.

Isnt it like life? . . . . Sometimes.

THE LOSS OF A MOTHER

I long for you mama. I miss you so very much.
The days are long without you.
I keep waiting for your telephone call but it does not come.
I have the beautiful memories but I long for even more.
Hardly a day goes by without someone speaking of you.
You touched many lives in such a blessed way.
You were a true friend to many.
You were a great mama to me.
I was blessed to have a mama like you.
I am what I am because of you and daddy.
I will always remember you as a nurse to the elderly and sick.
I will always remember you as honorable, kind, religious, prayfull, generous, hard working, loving, caring, and compassionate.
Everything I want to be.
I know you are with us spiritually.
I know you are praying for all.
Please send me a sign that you are with us.
I will take care of daddy and keep your home as you would like.
I will never forget the word you told me in the hospital, " Pray ".
I will try to live the life you taught me to live.
Please pray for us as we will pray for you.
I love you mama, always your little boy.

BAYOU TALES ( 5 )

On Tuesday, February 24 which is the last day before the Catholic Lenten season begins for the year 2009, Mardi Gras will be celebrated. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. It is a day of merriment, and celebration before the Lenten season ( a season of pennace and fasting ) leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Many of us think of parades , floats and trinkets when it comes to Mardi Gras. However in the rural areas of Louisiana (mostly South Louisiana) the custom of Mardi Gras is enjoyed in another fashion. What is called La Courier de Mardi Gras )means the running of Fat Tuesday) men and now women take to the rural roads on horseback or wagon dressed in beautifully colored and adorned costumes with masks, going from farm house to farmhouse asking the farm owner for a chicken or some other ingredient that is used in a good ole Louisiana gumbo. The farm owner makes them earn their chicken by asking them to dance and sing. Once satisfied he then releases the chicken and the merrymakers are then in hot pursuit of the chicken for it is needed for the gumbo later that night. All the chickens obtained throughout the day are then used in the gumbo. The running starts very early in the morning and ends in the late afternoon. Therefore Mardi Gras was celebrated because it was the last day before the beginning of Lent which requires fasting and pennace. It was a last chance to celebrate before Lent began. Merci !