My dad sent a King Cake to us this week and it was a welcome surprise - with its green, gold and purple coloring. My youngest daughter wanted to find the baby and I reminded her that if she did, she would have to bring King Cake to the next party! (Now, where would we find a King Cake in Santa Barbara!)
As it turned out, she did find the baby and it has gotten me thinking about all that my children have missed. On the Monday before Fat Tuesday, my brother and I used the day off from school to pull together a costume to wear on Mardi Gras. It was always from using things we had around the house.
Then our parents woke us up early the next morning to go Uptown to watch the marching groups (the old guys who went from bar-to-bar handing out paper flowers to the ladies along the street in-between) and visit some of the Beach relatives. A couple of times, we even made it to the Zulu parade and got one of the prized coconuts!
Once, or maybe twice, when I was very young we made our way downtown in the evening to watch a parade which included the Flambeaux. Singed in my memory is the sight of black men dressed in white carrying the traditional flaming torches! It was a beautiful sight, and much more impressive than what ever floats passed in-between!
Oh, the memories! Both HIMSS and ACHE will be in New Orleans soon and although I though seriously of attending one or both, I'm going to stay home and work at the hospital. More than anything, I'll miss seeing my little sister's new house and New Orleans in the Spring - when it is at its finest!
I hope all of my newest friends enjoy their stay and learning a little more about my hometown!
Your kids are missing out! You should take them next year.
Happy Mardi Gras!
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Posted by: Renegade | February 20, 2007 at 02:17 PM