Finn and Holly drove down from McKinney on Wednesday, arriving in time to get inside the box caused by all the street closures for parades. We live inside the box, which can make driving a challenge during Mardi Gras season. They got settled into their room and then I took them out to their first parade:
This was an unusually quiet evening and a great way to introduce them to Mardi Gras.
Diana arrived back from San Francisco around midnight and got ready to participate in Mardi Gras.
We enjoyed lunch at Commander’s Palace on Thursday. Finn walked in, looked around, and said “Wow, Dad!” He was equally taken with the fancy surroundings and the costumes and parties underway. It was Muses Thursday – Muses being one of the biggest and most popular of all the parades. Diana had alerted the restaurant that we were having a late celebration for Fin and Holly’s engagement.
The food and atmosphere were excellent.
Here is a group of Muses riders celebrating before the parade behind Diana:
We exited through the kitchen so that I could show Finn the organized chaos that goes into serving all those meals with such precision. The garden patio was beautiful on such a perfect day:
Thanks to Mum for the gift certificate that we used for this lovely celebration.
The parades that night were very busy and maybe a bit overwhelming for newcomers:
Sometimes you just need to take some time out on the porch:
I dropped the kids at the zoo on Friday morning and Diana and I had a walk around the park. Then it was time to get back inside the box for the Friday parades.
Our house was Mardi Gras central for the extended krewe on Tucks Saturday. Our neighbours, Roeland and Jules, ride in that parade. Walking by their house a day or two before, Jules asked me to wait as he had something for me. A custom throw that he knew he wouldn’t be able to get to me in the parade madness – plunger penguin:
Everyone brought delicious food over to help feed the multitude of folks at our house. Busy inside:
Outside:
And on the porch:
Jack thought he could use all the confusion to execute a penguin “ransom situation”:
Oliver was enjoying his second Mardi Gras season at 18 months. Greg tried to copy his hair:
The core group remaining in the evening were kind to humour my request for a sit down dinner at the dining table. I enjoyed it. Phew – busy day at 1520 Washington.
We ventured outside the box early on Thoth Sunday to park at Denny and Anne’s and watch the parade on Magazine Street. Denny and Diana had matching pants:
Anne opted for a more understated outfit:
It was less crowded on Magazine Street than by our house on St Charles – a pleasant change:
We watched a little of the Oscars on Webster Street and then headed home as the box opened in time for the last two or three awards – no big movies that I really cared for this year.
I finished the wonderful “James” by Percival Everett this week. I highly recommend this unique and creative read. You’ll remember it’s a reimagining of Huck Finn, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view.
I started another book, read two chapters and gave up. Not even worth mentioning the title – it was that bad. Where do some of these reviewers that recommended it get the gall to waste my time like that?
I heard this song on Diana’s country music channel in the car – I liked the song and looked down and was surprised it was on that channel – a great voice and overall sound:
See – I can keep an open mind about that bro-country station:)
I can’t remember where I heard this, but it brings to mind early 1960s Kinks:
Finally, a wonderful cover of one of my all time favourites:
Coexist peacefully, with patience and kindness for all!