“NOLA Residency Week 6 – the last week”
Denny was moving slowly on Monday, so we picked up Sean and Sheri for the afternoon. We made a stop at Octavia books so that I could pick up Kevin Griffin’s “The Greatest Song.” He gave a talk and played some songs last Thursday when we were having dinner at La Petite Grocery. I was sorry to miss the event, but happier to have dinner with the group. The book talks about how to ignite your creativity, using songwriting as an example. Griffin is the lead singer for Better than Ezra, and was in town for some performances between jazzfest weekends.
Sheri was hungry so we drove over to the Columns to get some snacks before they stopped serving lunch. It was very pleasant to get some quiet time to really catch up with the Meeksies. I worked in a couple of quick work calls from the lovely garden tables.
After lunch, we did a brief driving tour of the mansions in the Garden District, including a gander at John Goodman’s place.
Denny and Anne regrouped and met us at Hungry Eyes for dinner. I was so happy to get some more of that wonderful seafood curry and roti bread. Mason, the owner, was quite happy when I told him I couldn’t get enough of that dish. We challenged each other to guess the 80s songs that were playing on the patio.
After dinner, we continued that theme at the condo, playing Kahoot music trivia. I won the first round with D and then failed on the extended second round.
Tuesday, sniff sniff, was our last day in New Orleans. During the day, I watched “The Last Five Years,” a Bowie documentary that Sean had recommended. It was quite good.
Diana had organized a final oyster Happy Hour with the girls – adding Merry Lee and Lynn to the normal group.
Kenny and Denny organized the boys event at Cooter Brown’s. Not quite as fancy with classic bar food and pitchers of beer. I added Jeff to the usual group, and he seemed to have a lot of fun.
We will truly miss all these great friends.
Pack up and drive on Wednesday were very smooth. Not much traffic and none of the bad weather we were worried about. We were back in McKinney about 8pm.
The rest of the week has been uneventful – a few morning walks, some time to relax and read. We did pick up suits and dresses from the tailors, and are preparing for the wedding next week.
This crossword clue made me chuckle. Taking me back to a Crowded House show several years ago, where Diana asked me what “No Mosheing” meant.
Will had a good night at a Warriors versus Lakers basketball playoff game, while I watched on TV.
My book this week was “Network” by L.C. Shaw. I picked this up randomly at the library and hadn’t read any reviews or recommendations. Here’s the online summary:
“A pulse-pounding, page-turning thriller involving corruption, secrets, and lies at the very deepest levels of government and media.
“This is mandatory reading for any thriller aficionado.”—Steve Berry, New York Times Bestselling Author
A shadowy group is manipulating society—and they’ve only just begun.
Late one night, investigative journalist Jack Logan receives a surprise visit from U.S. Senator Malcolm Phillips at his New York apartment. Disheveled and in a panic, the senator swears that he’s about to be murdered and pleads with Jack to protect his wife Taylor, who happens to be the only woman Jack has ever truly loved.
Days later, Phillips is found dead in a hotel room in Micronesia, the apparent victim of an allergy attack. While the nation mourns, Jack and Taylor race to find the one man who knows the truth. As they’re pursued by unknown assailants, their desperate hunt leads them to the Institute, an immense facility shrouded in mystery that has indoctrinated a generation of America’s political and media power players. Led by the enigmatic Damon Crosse, the Institute has its tentacles everywhere—but Taylor unknowingly holds the secret to the one thing that Crosse needs to carry out his plan.
Taking readers on a thrill ride from the back halls of Congress to the high-rise offices of Madison Avenue and a remote Greek island, The Network is a provocative, pulse-pounding novel that dares to ask the question: who’s really in charge?”
I agree this was a quick paced, page turner. The premise was just a bit too far fetched for me to really enjoy it.
Here’s something different from the new album from The National:
And a classic from Freddie King:
Coexist peacefully, with kindness and compassion for all!
I flew back to New Orleans on Wednesday morning, entertained to see an outpost of the Saxon Pub at the airport. I arrived back in time to make a lunchtime visit to the chiropractor.
The food was better than ever – blue crab beignets appetizer and then my favourite – alligator Bolognese. The group was fired up and ready to go after dinner. We started with a stop at DMACs – apparently there was an entertaining band playing – I ended up sitting outside and chatting with some locals. Back to the condo to freshen up and regroup. Then Denny talked us into the Soul Rebels in the tiny back room of Le Bon Temps Rouler. We ended up getting our cover charge back as it was way too packed to even get to the back room.
After lunch, we made a visit to the Sazerac House – this is a very interesting and free museum about the Sazerac drink and associated other liquors. Highly recommended way to pass an hour or two – the building has been beautifully restored.
Some entertaining people watching ensued back on the Magazine Street balcony. A new white Rolls Royce pulled up and parked in front of the Buffalo Exchange thrift shop. I suspected a musician in town for jazzfest, but didn’t recognize the lady who exited the back door to head inside. Also didn’t recognize the man who joined her about 20 minutes later. He didn’t look like a chauffeur and didn’t open the door for her on return. Just interesting that she rides in the back while he drives. This is how we pass our time on the balcony…
On Saturday evening, Denny had arranged for us all to see Low Cut Connie perform at Gasa Gasa on Freret street. This is a small club and it was sold out. The piano player and lead singer was a terrific showman and we thoroughly enjoyed the show. Kind of a cross between Gerry Lee Lewis and Brian Setzer.
Lunch on Thursday was at Mais Arepas. Another restaurant that Denny recommended visiting during the day time. I think he exaggerates, as the neighborhood is rapidly gentrifying. Everything on the menu is gluten free, so Brent could go nuts. The menu is described as Colombian Creole.
Diana took Patty and Brent to explore the art market area. They wandered back through the Jazz, Blues and Gospel tents, getting a great flavour of everything on offer. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss closed out Gentilly. A bit nuanced and mellow for the big stage, but I did enjoy a few songs, like “Rock ‘N Roll”, the Zeppelin original:
