First one here? Doesn’t seem possible.
I plan to visit NOLA, myself, although nothing’s planned. Anyway, while I was checking things out at tripadvisor, one thing that sounded interesting was the Cocktail Tour. A tour guide walks with you from tavern to tavern and gives you some history on each establishment (which was once a bordello etc.). It sounded like an interesting way to tour the French Quarters.

Nothing like a tour where by the end you slosh when you walk, and you don’t really remember it afterward. *g* That actually sounds like a very cool way to see the French Quarter…

BTW, I’ve talked before about my financial fears since Mr.Solai manages a GM dealership. All seems to be well, his dealership did NOT get one of those dreaded calls yesterday. He said he felt like a real big-deal all day as he was getting calls all day from newspapers (including the NY Times) asking if his dealership was closing.

So glad to hear that — was thinking about y’all yesterday and hoping for the best. We know several folks who are involved with dealerships who also have survived for the moment and are really grateful for their reprieve. So glad you are among them!

Well, I’m not much of a drinker, but some of the people at TA said they were drinking soft drinks or sharing cocktails during the tour. Do you read tripadvisor? My second favorite site.

A good friend lost his Chrysler dealership. We were all at a party together last night and the Chrysler owner was there. He seems okay but he’s concerned about his employees.

“The coffee is strong at the Cafe Du Monde,
The donuts (Beignets) are too hot to touch!
Just like a fool, when those sweet goodies cool,
I eat ’til I eat way too much!” Jimmy Buffett

One of my favorite cities on the planet!
Tujaques and Masperos are just down the street in either direction, and Aunt Sally’s praline shop too! Take the street car down Carrollton Avenue to the Tulane campus and the Camelia Grill. Haven’t even started on the juke joints and the Hurricane holes.
Enjoy Christy! From one redhead to another, it’s our town!

Mroning all,
Christy, glad you are going before it gets real hot and muggy there in NOLA. Lots of great things to see there. My first trip there was during Mardi Gras when I snuk off from school.

Yep – BOTH Chrysler dealerships in Broome County got the axe – for service, etc. people will have to drive 25 miles out to Owego.

Mornin’, Christy, pups.

Haven’t been to NOLA in years and have never had anything to do with selling cars. *sigh* All’s I got is new tigers stories.

g’morning all,

good for you, solai. i’m glad you’ve survived.

i don’t seem to do it much (at all!) anymore, but when i was younger and lived in oregon, my favorite trips were backpacking in the oregon cascades. the alpine lakes and the mountains were so beautiful and it was so quiet and it was a different beautiful scene around each bend on the trail.

the places high on my list to go are machu picchu and bora bora.

i’m off to see furniture i’ve identified on craigslist in a little bit here. so it’s pretty much a fly-be fore me right now.

Yup, worst thing about closing a business is what about the employees. Wonder if there is anything left over from the bankster bonuses to pee on, oops, trickle down on them.

fly-by for

can you tell i just woke up?

red, your hair alone does the trick

enjoy

I have never been — Mr. ReddHedd went for a legal seminar a few years back, but I was unable to go with him because The Peanut was tiny then (waaaaaay too overprotective to be separated at that stage — now the lure of sleeping in is exciting *g*). We were also moving into our house, which we’d just purchased, and I was knee deep in boxes. He’d signed up for the seminar well before we found the house and I made him go.

I’ve wanted to get there ever since because he had such a great time finding little cafes with great red beans and rice and gumbo and such. Really looking forward to it.

I just got my hair almost all cut off, too — was too hot last summer and this year I decided what the hell and got a short do. Still adjusting to it.

It may not last past the summer, am so used to longer hair — but at least my neck will be cool this year. LOL

Well, if they come with pictures, we’re all eyes. *g*

I’m sitting here sorting through some old Sesame Street and other kiddie show DVDs. We’re overrun with clutter in our house (at least it feels that way), so I’m weeding out the kiddie shows that The Peanut has outgrown. We’re going to donate them to the local library today so other kids can watch them, too.

It’s like boxing up a whole passle of memories, I have to say. *sniffle*

Oh, wow! What a big change for you. Actually did the same thing. Greying curls. Now I look like an upside down mop. Manners, barbara, manners. G’morning, everyone!

hey christy, I was just over at the big wheel reading up on the torture, cia, cheney, rumsfeld, wilson connectitons and I had a thought;

I would like to know if someone should be contacting valery herself for an interview!

talk about a SCOOP, get her here on this subject and WATCH the traffic SOUR

they frequent the site and have said it’s among their favorites, I think they might be interested in giving jane, christy or the wheel a scoop!

I’ve been to New Orleans a couple of times and, although I’m interested in reading about the history of the city, I just didn’t get the modern appeal. I’m probably too stodgy. Wewlived in Lafayette for a couple of years, and I liked the people and loved the food in S.E. Louisiana.

I always thought an interesting place to visit is Harper’s Ferry, in your part of the country. I really enjoyed the setting and little-changed surroundings, the history, and the art colony holiday atmosphere. Not being from that part of the country, I’ve always wondered why I never hear more about it as an R&R spot.

I’ve got one up on you

my hair gives me more head breathing just from getting old!

SCORE!!!!

*sob*

OT – Christy thought you might be interested – article at TPM says Spector is changing his stance on Dawn Johnson.

Good Morning Christy and Pups.

Cloudy and a bit blustery here this morn. But yesterday was perfect for getting some plants in. Feels funny not to be planting any veggies due to our impending move, but that doesn’t keep us out of the “house staging” flower section. Cardinal climbers started and in, some petunias in, more to overflowing, asst. marigolds, New Guinea Impatiens, and some cute little edging flower that’s new too me – all in the garage awaiting their call to duty later if we don’t get rained out. Then it’s on to painting the 1/2-bath, FINDING the kitchen counter and giving it a good polish, spritzing the walnut-stained oak trim throughout, recycling s’more stuff.

By now our kitties could sit there unfazed even if a billiard table were dropped next to them. They’re hardened off as much as those tough petunias. That’s a good thing. This move will rock their world. Mebbe I should hire southerndragon to come talk to them in his special soothing way.

We Will Sell This House! That part of our vacation, plus moving our lazy bodies to our downsized-but-delightful new digs. We’re still not ready, but we’re wayyyyy closer than we were last week.

Yesterday eve was special for us: attending a luscious overdose of Bach played by our sonny and a bunch of other fantastic players from the Canton Symphony. Their last major gig of the season. Their last 2 concerts have been sold out(!). Mebbe something besides oil futures is important to these people who come to a recital hall on a balmy evening, sit in rapt attention and growing joy as the music flows, and explode in a standing O at the end. They got their money’s worth. ;->

Clifden, Ireland on the upper west coast. Charming little town, and my first (and second and third) experience eating fresh-caught mussels. Yummmmm!

Isle of Skye, Scotland. A strange little cafe called the Oyster Catcher. Wife of owner ran home to take freshly-baked scones out of the oven and hurried back for them for us. Absolutely best scones EVAH!!!

Comanche Peak in Colorado Rockies, reached via backpacking. First backpack trek with David. Absolutely breathtakingly stunning and only reachable via hiking. Everything tastes wonderful when you’re backpacking!!

Here’s hoping. There’s a reason we’ve been trying to apply as much pressure as possible the last few weeks, eh?

wide stance?

We Will Sell This House! That part of our vacation, plus moving our lazy bodies to our downsized-but-delightful new digs. We’re still not ready, but we’re wayyyyy closer than we were last week.

hope you are left with a confortable profit for extra pleasure

Yesterday eve was special for us: attending a luscious overdose of Bach played by our sonny and a bunch of other fantastic players from the Canton Symphony. Their last major gig of the season. Their last 2 concerts have been sold out(!).

I did not know this about your family adie, do they ever play new york area?

would LOVE to score some tics, will GLADLY pay for same

must head to work, or what we are calling work in this very troubled economy

see all later!

Good Mronin’ to u too! Thanks for the news report. What IS it about these senatorial nits who insist the sun revolves around their oversize heads?!

I think it’s one of those lovely areas that the DC residents who escape there for long weekends don’t want anyone else to know about if they can help it. It is gorgeous. And with some of the loveliest bed and breakfasts anywhere, I have to say.

I’m moving, too. A bittersweet thing, isn’t it? Sort, pitch, pack, cry, sort, pitch, pack, cry, rinse, repeat. Also achy, breaky body. Yikes! This is hard work!!

Oh Christy! You’ll have such a good time. I adore NOLA — one of my favorite cities. It’s a shame it’s so humid, because it’s a place I could live otherwise. See if there’s a Garden Tour still going, you’d love that.

The very best time to go to Cafe du Mond is at dawn, after you’ve been listening to music all night, wandering from bar to bar. I was younger then…. and eat! The restaurants are sublime.

ps

christy, some of the board features still don’t work on your page, I still can’t edit and hitting tab+enter does not enter my post

should be an easy fix, I hope you can tell your webmaster to fix your page, no reason you don’t have the features even oxdown enjoys

Oh, and I’m really looking forward to just strolling around the Garden District and the French Quarter and soaking in the architecture and such. I’m not exactly a “party, party, party” kinda gal, either. *g*

No, unfortunately no pics yet. By the time I got out of the vet’s yesterday it was 6 and everybody at work had gone home so no camera to borrow. I’ve now got my first natural Manx and my first with a docked tail. Both just a pair of love sponges. Both males. Sweet Pea, the little stray from work who’ll get a real name this weekend, is laying in front of the monitor and just left me a whisker for the collection. Jonah, the natural Manx who’ll also get renamed, wants to get out and is living in a corner of the kitchen counter. Got SP isolated so he won’t get into it with anybody with his new surgery. He’s already giving Gabby a run for his money as far as vocalizing. Talks up a storm while being stroked. Gonna be an interesting few weeks.

We’re in Red Stick right now. (Baton Rouge for the uninitiated) Attended the LSU commencement where # 1 nephew received his Masters in Accounting. Don’t forget Jackson Square and the Moon Walk, in front of and behind you while you’re sitting in the open air Cafe Du Monde, the Algiers ferry ride, the Superdome, Louis Armstrong Park, the House of Blues, the Old Absinthe House, the amazing Camelia and Magnolia blossoms and the friendliest people on the planet. Can you tell I love New Orleans? Red Beans and Rice, Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffe, shrimp and oyster Po-Boy sandwiches, Gumbeaux, French Bread, Cafe Olait, Mardi Gras Beads. And Christy, on Royal Street in the French Quarter, the Court of Two Sisters has the BEST Jazz Brunch every day. It is one thing you cannot miss on a trip to N’awlins. Have a blast!

Am hoping to do a garden tour while I’m there, Beth. And also spend some time at Audubon Park, which I hear is gorgeous.

Morning, Christy. I’ve arranged to take a couple of hours from work on Tuesday, and am looking forward to seeing you and Mr. Redd there! Sadly, George can’t make it.

I just got my hair almost all cut off…,

me too.

yep. that’s what happened to all of it.

uh-huh – just a personal decision.

Tell us what you find in NOLA. I had the impression that Katrina had leveled it, and I’m very happy to hear that it is still a place you can stroll around. I remember (well pre-Katrina) poking about in musty book shops and, back out on the sidewalk, hearing electrifying guitar and singing coming out of a record shop. I went in and asked what they were playing and was told, “CD I just got of Danny Gatton playing and Robert Gordon singing.” “Do you have any for sale?”" “NO!! You can’t have it! It’s the only one I have and I’m keeping it!” He really liked that CD. He gave me the address of Danny Gatton’s mother, and after some correspondence, I got a copy of that CD (AKA “The Humbler”) and have played it ever since. So, nice things happened in Naw-leans. I hope you have a good time, too.

Sorry George can’t make it, but I’m looking forward to meeting you in person, Lindy. I got my hair cut into a sort of shortish pixie do, but it’s still red. *g*

Morning, Christy. So glad for your trip to NOLA, you’ll enjoy it. The first time I was ever there was during basic training years (years!) ago. They had let us go home for Christmas, and several of us were on the same flight going back and had a layover on New Years Day in NOLA. So we took a bus to the city and walked through the French Quarter, stopping at several bars. Don’t remember much about the bus ride back to the airrport, but the French quarter was very picuturesque.

Have fun!!

Am planning on taking lots of pictures for y’all so I can share them when we get back. Here’s hoping I do NOLA justice, because I’m still adjusting to the digital camera. *g* (Techno-klutz that I am, it’s always iffy when I get a new piece of technology to use.)

Oops, sorry. If you’ll turn your attention to New Mexico, I love the place. It truly is the Land of Enchantment; history, beauty, rare lighting and color; standing in the green Sangre de Christos, gazing across a hundred miles of pink and purple desert, at the green Bandaliers.

It’s been an exhausting year for us with everything — Mr. ReddHedd’s mom and dad being int he hospital for months, and then his mom passing away in October; FIL coming to live with us; the start of school for The Peanut and a whirlwind of kindergarten milestones, way too much work and everything else? We both need a vacation where we can sleep in for a bit.

So we are really looking forward ot this trip. It coincides with our anniversary — 16 years and counting — so it will be lots of much needed, relaxing fun.

New Mexico is definitely one of those places I want to visit at some point. We went to Sedona a few years back on the way home from the Grand Canyon, and the red rocks that surround it were absolutely breathtaking.

I’d imagine that New Mexico is like that…only more so.

I have to buy a new package of hair ties to keep it off my neck during our wonderful summer months of 300% humidity. *g* Last time I got my hair cut the barber, and I use the term loosely, made me look like every 75yo in Gulfport. I ain’t 75 so I let it grow back out.

heh. thanks. The only profit is in our heads and looking fwd to working our tired old bones a little more lightly.

No. The orchestra can’t afford to travel. It’s pro, but one of the jewels among the field of regional symphonies. Sonny’s revered to the point that it makes us blush as parents. He was one of the major soloists last night (BWV 1060).

But he needs more, just to eat and survive. Many of the regional symphonies, some of the major ones, are folding. Can’t make ends meet.

Keep fingers crossed for the long shot this month. Another major audition.

This is the sweet guy who serves your Starbucks latte with a smile and pleasant word, so he can keep health benefits. Cobbling that together with multiple orch. principal slots to feed the arts which sustain some of us crazy people who feel rich without money. He’s good. This is his ma, and she don’t lie! We done spawned an hautbois rock-star who’s a nice, down-to-earth, genuine sweet fella. Proud isn’t quite the right word. More like stunned and humbled. ;->

He sounds like a wonderful kid — congrats to both of you for such a good raising. :)

I also enjoy messin’ with new barbers. Invariably, they’ll ask – “what about your sideburns – they ok?”

then I tell ‘em – “actually, I’d like them a little longer please.”

and at the end, when they spin you around to check things out in the mirror, and give me the littlee hand-mirror to check the back, I’ll launch into “holy sh*t – what did you do? There’s a great big bald spot back there now!!”

P.S. last night, I took myself out for a great big ole steak at a pretty nice place. Waiter said “If you need anything, my name is Mischa.”

I asked him what his name would if it turned out that I didn’t need anything.

Service pretty much sucked after that.

Colorado is grander, and probably cleaner. But there is just something about New Mexico. If you go sometime, try to drive the mountain route from Taos to Santa Fe and find an overlook somewhere around Truchas. It’s where the “The Milagro Beanfield War” was filmed.

us crazy people who feel rich without money.

Ain’t life grand?!

Christy. We love you for coping with all that, and still somehow finding the energy to use your gifts to help the world, to help us see how we can fit into the positive mix.

Have a wonderful trip. I wish we could be there. Some day we’ll meet. I’m the dumpy gray-haired one. The Mr. is rather handsome. ;->

My son could not stand the humidity and is looking forward to moving from Navarre to Minot ND in July.

Eggs Benedict and a Mimosa. Sound like a vacation?

You’re sweet. Please forgive. I just had to toot the horn. It is a joy. Both kids are now fully fledged, flying on their own, and caring, dear people. It’s a different time for parents. You’ll see… Hug the beautiful lil’ peanut for us. ;->

Don’t think it’s your fault if the camera seems to be fighting you. I’ve got a little Casio EX-Z3 that works like second nature, but recently tried a Canon G-something-or-other. It and I are always going in opposite directions. All the aggravations of a VCR and more in one easy-to-hold package. Well, I suppose I’ll become accustomed to it.

Yep. With friends like you guys, how can we lose?!

p.e.a.c.e.

gotta go. recycle icky junk. Carry on, pups. Back later…

Hey Redd! Wishing you and peanutdaddy a great trip ..

Oh and nothin can get ya in the mood like Fred Carter the Zydeco Cowboy! it’s Saturday so he’ll be streaming as usual from 2-4 pm, at wpfw.org

Maybe he’ll play “can’t roosta like ya used ta” .. that one always makes me laff

Back to the eye doctor routine with friend Joe on Monday. Was thinking about this yesterday. Been 13 years since he showed up at my place with a bandage over his right eye and blood all over his shirt. Division of Blind Services has arranged a full blown exam. Gonna go pick him up and take him to breakfast in a few minutes.

Be good to yourselves, and all other living things.

Namaste

Morning, Barbara — I got a big cut myself recently. Must be the season.

only been in and out lately, missed that you decided to move…

((barbara))

I would like to visit NOLA and still dream of going there to do some kind of service project. I took a bus from St. Louis to NO once when I was in college. I stayed with relatives who were nosomuch into the place it seemed. At least they did not give me any list of places not to be missed or info on the sights.

I visited Norway a few years ago and had the great fortune of having some friends in Oslo who were so proud of their country and wanted to make sure I had the deluxe tours of the place. It was fantastic.

The resistance museum in Oslo was the best I saw anywhere. Those people did every possible thing to thwart the Nazis. Very clever, very committed. The Viking ships were to die for, absolutely the most beautiful large human-made objects I think I have ever seen. The place is clean, the people know who they are and celebrate it.

I loved the place.

Hey you! Great to see yer phosphors. What’s shakin’?

“made me look like every 75yo in Gulfport. I ain’t 75 so I let it grow back out.”

Hey Southern, how ’bout you show us some geezer luv. Those young pups scared of 75 sure do look forward to it when they’re 74.

Morphing from gorgeous to adorable! *g*

I remember reading a book as a kid about a resistance group in Scandinavia (I want to say it was Finnish, but it may have been Norwegian) that used nighttime cross-country ski missions to thwart German occupation issues. Cannot for the life of me remember what the book was, though…

So happy that you are visiting our relaxing town. Check out the new gallery RED at 3117 Magazine St. http://www.redonmagazine.com The bus transportation in NOLA is a great way to get around after getting off the Street Car. You really must move around at a slow pace because of the heat. Just wear flats and T-shirts and carry your “to go” cocktail; you will be set for sight seeing. Most awesome burger is the Port of Call on Esplanade.

like ‘beaker’?

cool!

(sesame street)

nola–number one thing is-
i always wanted to go to the tabasco island….
McIlhenny’s located
http://www.tabasco.com/tabasco…..lhenny.cfm

on Avery Island….nature preserve.
http://www.tabasco.com/tabasco…..island.cfm

always wanted to work there, if you work there you used to get to live on the island….think it’s still that way. sounds like heaven to me.

and, when i get to nola area, always wanted to go out into the boonies for local food and local music. the mom and pop places.

Yeah — it was one of those working out in the yard and tired of being sweaty spur of the moment decisions. I’m still uncertain about it, but Mr. ReddHedd thinks it’s cute. So that’ll work for me for now. *g*

Any recommendations for NOLA BBQ shrimp? I’ve been making it at home with a recipe I snagged from Southern Living, but I’d love to sample a good version of the real deal.

In your walking around, be sure to go one street over from Bourbon to Royal. The shops there are a triumph of beautiful presentation.

Also, anyone want to venture who has the best po’ boy — and what sort to try? I already know we’ll be trying muffalettas from Central Grocery. But the po’ boy scene appears to be fiercely contested. *g* (to put it mildly)

Thanks! It’s tough going. New place is nice, though. No gardens, but no maintenance. Inviting friends to take plants from David’s gardens. Me? I’m going to try to over-winter some of his forget-me-nots in a planter. Good luck with that, eh?

I have some very comfy shoes for the trip — if I can cope with the humidity, we’ll be doing a lot of walking. Otherwise, we’ll do it early int he day and later in the evening and nap during the heat of the day. And, frankly, that wouldn’t be so bad, now would it? *g*

nuh uh. *g* We’re so far south, we SHOULD qualify for siesta time.

Thought this might be of interest – Worlds Happiest Countries
http://www.commondreams.org/further/2009/05/11-4

It’s our spring retreat from Montreal. A bit of a drive, but the Rhodoendrons are worth it. Like the kayaking in the Potomac, too.

Have a great time in NOLA. Here in Paris it is Museum night. All the Musees (Louvre, D’Orsay, Arts et Metiers, everything are open until midnight, and they are going to have a real 3 musketeers fencing exhibition in the courtyard at the Invalides. I’m dining with friendds at 7:30 tonight near the Tour Eiffel, and after we are going to walk over to the Gare d’Orsay to look at some paintings. Some days it just doesn’t get any better than that.

Have a great trip.

I spent many productive hours sobering-up and chatting-up the help at the Cafe
du Monde, before I decided to waste my time working and such.

Enjoy the chicory coffee and beignets. When eating beignets, it is best not to be wearing black.
http://www.cafedumonde.com/

Ahhhh…..Paris. One of these days, I’ll get there, too. We want to take The Peanut when she gets a bit older and is able to appreciate the museums a bit more. We’re going to warm her up with museums here for a coupla years first. *g* We figure that way momma and dad can browse to our heart’s content along with her instead of having to fight to see anything against the tide of teeny “what’s next, can we go do something fun” angst.

ummm .
do you mean in the house?
they need cold in their cycle i think….have to look it up.
they’re also touchy to replant….but is done.
don’t drown them with love, so to speak. and do it in the biggest pot you can find so you can dig up a huge chunk of dirt, plants and all…..
if you’re going to be there long enough to get some seed, that is usually how people get them to proliferate, so to speak…ha.

here’s a google page for later to read up on them to increase your chances….
http://www.google.com/search?q…..=firefox-a

Mornin’ All,

16 years and counting

20 years for us in 3 weeks – still crazy for each other ! can ya blame me ?

did I mention we’ll be empty nesters in 3 months ? why of course we’re all broken up about it why do you ask ?

Sharkalicious !!

Love, Love, Love that city. When I was in high school I tried to run away to NOLA – didn’t get far – my friend, eventual boyfriend, eventual husband turned me in before I could get very far. Plan on having white powdered sugar on your face during and after the beignets. Relax and enjoy – let the city wash over you. Don’t forget the bloody mary’s with eggs benedict. I see you already are going to search for the red beans and rice. You may not want to leave.

For us, it’s 33 years and counting. Amazing.

I just had a conversation with some people who had visited Spain recently. The most interesting thing they both said was that dinner starts at 10pm there. Cannot find a restaurant to serve you before that time. One of the tourists was a guy who was there with his young children so that was a bit of a problem. The other was a 25yr old who thought that was pretty neat. Am I the only one that didn’t know that?

The D’Orsay: I love the statuary on the first floor, Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi is a particular favorite. The wall of pretty smiling women by Renoir is another.

I’m heading for Paris in June, apartment in Rue Caulaincourt, visiting Monet’s gardens, opera at the Bastille….

You remind me….NO has the fabulous WWII museum; it is being enlarged right now so I do not know the state of it. Fascinating.

The place fo BBQ shrimp used tobe Manale’s, fer sure, but I do not know if it is still there. Lindy would know….not very far from the Garden District.

fabulous to see the strolling/dining crowds at midnight

the Spanish are a civilized people *g*

one of my gardener friends has a bandanna thing that contains an ‘ice pack’ thing…..she swears by it. wears it when it gets hot and humid when she’s out in the yard.

don’t know if that’s ok with your lupus though. don’t know enough about it.

one of my friends loves the galleries there.
and my best friends make a memorabilia store called vintage 429 their first stop when they go there, i want to see this place. they go there first to see what they might want before they do any other window shopping. they have some really cooool things from there representing their shared history.
cool stuff.
http://www.vintage429.com/

have a blast!

take care everyone and have a great weekend.

hey jayt!

great to see you, howz thingz?

Oh, this is awesome! Thanks! I think I’ll try potting a chunk the way you suggested, leave ‘em outside for the summer (though as I recall, they look pretty done in once they’re through blooming), and then (here’s the tricky part) . . . either leave ‘em outside all winter to fend for themselves or trot them into the garage.

bbq shrimp, sounds like usual, it’s in the seasoning packet…

http://www.google.com/search?q…..=firefox-a

I’m fascinated by this. I’ve been to Europe but never ran into such a cultural difference. So, what time do they go to bed? And what time do they get up?

Okay, I don’t want to say I’m losing it or anything, but tried to figure out moments ago why I only made six cups of coffee in my 14-cup coffeemaker. Then, as I wandered through the house back to my office, found already-poured cups of coffee in my bedroom, the bathroom and one already waiting for me at the computer. Suck it up, girl! Caffeine must be ingested, not inhaled! *g*

Christy,

don’t neglect your potassium intake while on vacation :D

Here are some suggestions for BBQ shrimp from TA

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Sho…..siana.html

West coast and late, but want to remind Christy and any new short haircuts to apply the sunblock to the back of the neck– after all this time being protected is a most sensitive area until it toughens up! have a wonderful time!

the trick is getting them through the freeze and thaw……freeze and heave and thaw and rot.

i have a friend who pots up hostas, they keep getting bigger and bigger. she groups them on her patio….leaves them out year-round.
i tried it last year, but my pots apparently didn’t have good enough drainage. only one made it…this year i am adding a little material to the dirt so they will drain quicker.

leave it out in the weather to get rained on, snowed on, sun shined on, etc….

you’ll figure out a way, barbara.

Redd,
My oldest lad, soon to be Freshman in high school, is heading down to NOLA along with 36000 other youth in what is billed as the largest service project done by a group. These Lutherans had there last convention a month before Katrina in NOLA and they decided to return this time to serve the community.

Damn proud of my church and these kids.

Oh! How wonderful! One of the seven deadlies just kicked in: envy!!!

George tells me Pasquale’s Manale is open. It’s only a few blocks from our house.

Ahh Paris…love your description of your day there. My dear daughter flew in yesterday from Venice for several days of museum hopping. Cannot wait to hear from her…about both the art and how easily (?) her comfort with the language returns.

I’m both astonished and grateful for how much more expansive her opportunities have been than mine were. Sometimes feel like she’s shown me the world rather than vice versa.

Christy, was in NOLA in December and marveled at it. Hope you have a great time. It’s a cultural wonderland.

Thanks much — but you don’t have to remind me. My skin never, ever toughens up. I’m that person who turns lobster red and then peels repeatedly without sunblock. *g*

(((dmac)))

frankly solai, I was a young, always jet lagged party girl, it fit me perfectly, so I didn’t pay much attention

there is an informal siesta late in the afternoon, usually after merienda (tea)

traditionally the big meal of the day is lunch . the late dinner is usually light – tapas

hiya perris! all is well – had a great week – you?

I had a hearing this week that, all things considered, I probably should have paid the client just for the chance to do it. Some putz punched my female client in the face, then walked out the door and filed for a Protective Order *against her*. Then he filed against her for contempt, claiming that when she left, she took a bunch of his stuff (she didn’t) including all his Harley leather gear.

Two days before the hearing, the guy shows up at work wearing the leather he claimed to have been stolen – I interviewed and subpoenaed a couple of them, as well as all of her female friends wo helped with the actual move.

Not all that often that I get to have that much fun in one hearing. *g*

That is so fantastic. What a great thing for a kid his age to learn, too — service is a lifetime lesson, isn’t it? Would that more folks learned it early on…

You worldly babe, you! Well, don’t be forgetting that I know a lot about Red Oak, Iowa! *g*

One thing about New Orleans that is very special, late at night, particularly when the city Quarter is choked with fog, are the joyous and varied sounds you hear from the river, stray street performers and late night revelers.

36,000? Wow. That’s impressive. What will they be doing?

If you have time the New Orleans School of Cooking offers some quick lessons. I did it 28 years ago and I continue to spread the joy after all these years!

Check In Check Out in Slidell is the place the locals I worked with suggested for Po Boys.

Favorite NO restaurant is The Alpine. Fried fish entree smothered in crawfish cream sauce topped with fried oyster add-on.

One of the grad students I used to work with did the quick lessons. He loved them! They make it a memorable experience.

I have to put up a garden page for Project Rising Sun today, and I better get started.

That looks seriously fun. Thanks!

Christy!

Maybe you can find a shop with voodoo dolls of your favorite politicians whilel you are in NOLA.

It will be a five day convention where each team rotates so that several projects can be done. They are told to bring clothes that can be dirty, sweaty and filthy. See this link.

http://www.elca.org/Growing-In…..ering.aspx

that’s the same age i was when i went to appalachia for a work camp for the methodist church at henderson settlement..
http://www.hendersonsettlement.com/
wow, just looked at two photos, and i got a rush…

learned too many things there to list. thoughts of it actually bring tears to my eyes. when i went, there were only about 10 at a time, had to apply and be accepted…laid stone walkways, harvested produce. never ever want to harvest zucchini ever ever again, thank you very much. prickly. long shirts in summer heat.
we painted the very high up in the air school, where i had to do the upper storys because i was a diver and not afraid of heights, so they said…i was shakin’….i did it, knowing a hospital wasn’t exactly right down the street.
they do all kinds of things for locals, many have nothing. in the hills with no car, no nothing, and no resources to get it. years later at a union women’s conference, the main speakers were two local women from there. my age. they started a ‘bookmobile/milkmobile” that carried all kinds of things and services to people who are isolated. there are way more than people can picture. blew my mind what they had accomplished. way more ‘woman’ than i.

my parents were pretty involved with redbird mission which is also in kentucky.

anything like this, if your lad or lass doens’t get something out of it, put up the red flag and take the car keys.

i’ll never forget it. and the people. we interacted the entire time. except at night. two hour meeting in the afternoon to discuss what we had seen and what to do about it. permanently etched in my brain.

was where i learned the phrase–”everyone has a 10″ bubble around them, how are you going to get close and know this person without bursting it?”

ok, gotta go. hard to leave this place.

For that, I might need a whole other suitcase. *g*

have a great trip Christy!

Out.

Trying to figure out something fun to read for my travel book. I inherited Mr. ReddHedd’s last generation Kindle after he got a new one for his birthday this year, and there are so many options.

Anyone reading a really fun, totally escapist book at the moment they want to recommend?

I think you would enjoy the wholesale farmers market in the morning. The chefs are there to pick out the best of fresh produce and other ingredients that will be on the menu that evening.

It’s been a few years but if memory serves me correctly the market is near Cafe du Monde.

Is it located in the French Market area? If so, I am pretty sure that’s almost next door to Cafe du Monde from my reading. We are definitely planning a stroll through there one morning.

I love to hear trial cases jayt, thanx for the story

Lois Bujold’s Sharing Knife (series of 4…so far). The first one is really, really good, imo. The others are good too, but that one’s the hook.

I’m reading “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”. Very good but not necessarily ‘fun’. It’s a mystery but much much more. Swedish author and the first of a trilogy.

I Mona Lisa by Jeanne Kalogridis

Renaissance Italy, the house of Medici, famous artist of the period, serve as a background of the attempted take over of the local government by the mad monk Savonarola, who preached for the original “bonfire of vanities” where hundreds of works of art, portraying pagan themes, were burned in the public square.

Not my thing but my daughter is obsessed with the Twilight Series. Obsessed. I think she’s read 3 in the last few weeks.

Have fun on your trip, Christy! A well deserved vacation. ;-)

About the dealerships being closed down…is it possible that at some point these dealerships will be back in business when the car makers get their act together to start making more efficient cars? I think so. Some of these abandoned dealerships could also be used as refueling stations for these new cars too!

I see a better future ahead, even though some sacrifices are being made today.

How do u like Kindle?

Love it. For me, it’s really easy to hold up and read — so with a thicker book, I don’t get tired reading in bed. That’s nice. But there are some books which simply need to be read with pages turning for me (Agatha Christie, good science fiction classics, etc.), so it will never truly replace books in our house.

But for travel? It’s wonderful.

And with that, I’m off to drop off a donation of DVDs, VHS tapes and assorted books to our local library. Decided to weed things out a bit on our overcrowded shelves and give other folks a chance to view some of the little kids shows that The Peanut and I enjoyed watching together when she was smaller.

Christy,
Go to Central Grocery Store at 923 Decatur St. I used to go there when I was a wild and crazy teenager for Muffalettas. For poboys go to Domilise’s at 5240 Annunciation St. Domilise’s is where New Orleanians eat. It is a true neighborhood restaurant. Mandina’s is on Canal St. Very local.
Have fun and drink a gin fizz for me.

So glad you added Mandinas….the perfect local experience.

Ahhhh…..Paris. One of these days, I’ll get there, too. We want to take The Peanut when she gets a bit older and is able to appreciate the museums a bit more.

When you do, purchase a “museum pass” for all concerned. This a) gets you to the front of the line [past the line, actually]; and b) allows you to go in & out. So you can spend 15 minutes, if that’s her tolerance, leave, and come back again.

While there, have lunch at the cafe in the wonderful Musee d’Orsay. It’s ornate, busy, but they have great steak frites, and “sundaes”.

I second the recommendations above of Norway & New Mexico. Hubby & I are hoping to go back to Norway [it’s a LONG way from where we NOW are; a disadvantage of Maui over East Coast]. We flew into Oslo, took the train to Bergen, then rented a car there & drove way up the coast. Fewer people, beautiful scenery, nice residents. When you get ready for that trip, LMK. I still have my notes.

New Mexico: I just love the place. My family went to Santa Fe every summer when I was a kid. We drove from Houston to CO, and parents made sure we always stopped overnight in Santa Fe. Read some Tony Hillerman to get even more of a sense of the place.

Finally, re the excess Sesame Street media: when we moved, and I was FORCED to move this stuff out [kids are now 21 & 23, after all, but I wouldn’t put it past ‘em to ask for the stuff any day now], I donated it to Martha’s Table, an institution that provides shelter and daycare/after school care to central DC kids. Felt they got a lot of use there too, but to a segment of the population less likely to use the library’s resources.

Hey Barbara!

Didn’t mean to ignore you. We had to dash off to recycler, then catch up with some things here, so I’m all messed up on comment thread. Tried to catch up finally, and already getting “the look” about why I’m daring to sit down for a sec. ooogh.
moving is heQQ eh? I think we’ll make it. No promises. We’re to the point of being permanently achy and tired, sigh.

Well, back to those flowers, before it starts raining again.

All these people here talking about their new haircuts. Groan. Mine’s to the point that I’ll need the hedge clippers. But my haircut place is the half-bath that is all taped and needing to be painted NOW. Perhaps I’ll do both at the same time, thereby removing myself from any danger of ever being asked again by those who would speed up the project(s). hmmmm.

Having lived in the area and visited NOLA all I can say is, if the heat don’t get you the humidity will.

-um-, that sounds like a sure-fire guarantee for finding yerseff pregs again some day soon. Aw, don’t listen to me. Go on. Tidy up. heh.

First time I was in New Orleans was 31 years ago. My husband and I were traveling around the south with our youngest child. We biked all over New Orleans. Was amazed that folks could walk down the streets with open containers and drive through and order open mixed drinks.

Back there the spring before Katrina for a college tour with my youngest who was being offered quite a sizable scholarship at Loyola. She decided not to take it. Walking down Bourbon street when I was 25 with youngest in a back pack and walking down Bourbon st. with my youngest at 17 then were light years away. I said to her several times “if you decide to go to school at Loyola I hope I never find you working at one of these bootie bars” So many young gals there. Very sad in my book

The main trolley is so much fun. Don’t drive around the city if you do not have to. I spent my time on the trolley talking to every older African American women (often going to do maid work in the wealthier districts) that I could. They really and truly were almost always working as maids in the richer districts. Would ask “if you don’t mind how much are you being paid” The wages were between $6.oo- $8.00 an hour. Often these women had been working for New Orleans families for 20-30 years (no bullshit). I would then ask “does the family provide health insurance for you”? Every single answer was “no”

As Chris Matthews said on Hardball just after Katrina “katrina ripped off the scab of racism and poverty in our country” And as I repeated Matthews words back to him at the Libby trial (where I had the pleasure of talking with him) “Chris on your program the scab was ripped off for about two weeks” How much have we seen the MSM report any slice of the recovery along the coast since then.
Nada

What a city. Will have to give some thought to all of the great places we ate and let you know

walking down Bourbon street when I was 25 with my OLDEST in a back pack

christy–

sent to see what was on the vintage 429 site that i linked at 91
they have a nola coupons link at the bottom..
a few things in there, like 1/2 off dinner entrees and tours.
http://www.neworleanscoupons.com/
they also mentioned a coupon book you can get that has a variety of things in there, through that link.

bet you can find some more for places you know you want to see and things you want to do, like the gardens.

As a New Orleanian by birth and the first 33 years of my life, may I suggest a neighborhood restaurant that is the essence of real New Orleans? I am almost 65 now, and every time I go back to visit this is a “must do”:

Mandina’s!

It’s not in the French Quarter; but easily reached on the Canal St streetcar, 38 blocks from the river.

Oh Christy I do hope you have a great time while here.

I scanned the comments for suggestions for you and tried not to duplicate, but you never know…

Ok you some Peanut friendly activities. I have nieces and nephews 4 and under so I have some ideas about these things even though no Peanuts of my own.

The Aquarium and Insectarium are downtown in the French Quarter and are good activities during the heat of the day which is to be avoided naturally. These are very kid friendly. There is also a Children’t Museum on Julia Street. The WWII museum is not for small children though it is very good and worth visiting.

The French Quarter during the day is quite charming and has many street artists and performers for kids to see. There are historic homes that kids might enjoy where they talk about how people lived in the old days and cooked in fireplaces and interesting things like that. My parents took us to these as I child and it was an eye opening experience. Herman Grimma is one. Beauregard-Keys house is another.

http://www.hgghh.org/

If you venture to the New Orleans Museum of Art at City Park, the museum has a permanent collection (small, one room but pretty cool) of Faberge eggs and other Faberge created works of art. The rest of the Mueseum is nothing special, but the Bestoff Sculpture Garden might be fun as it is out of doors.

If you have a car or rent one for a day, a drive out to some of the Plantation homes of River Road is pretty cool. There are many to chose from in the area. Destrehan Plantation is the closest I think.

Have some Gumbo. There is a place on St. Peter near the Cathedral called the Gumbo Shop. Sounds touristy I know but the gumbo is very good and reliable. It is not extremely fancy so it is somewhat family friendly.

The streetcar ride to Uptown is very nice kids usually like the streetcar and gives you a break from walking. If you can make it to Magazine Street uptown try: La Divina Gelateria for yummy gelato written up in the NYTimes, Joey K’s for a neighborhood restaurant with lots of local favorites, Sucre for fancy desserts, Martinique Bistro for generally yummy fare that can be eaten al fresco (the duck is awesome), Mahoney’s Po-Boys has the best Fried Shrimp anywhere in the city IMHO!

There are two great festivals going on in New Orleans near Bayou St. John the weekend of Memorial Day one is the Greek Festival put on by the Green Orthodox Church…incredible food and Greek Music…great family fun. The other is the Bayou Boogaloo… http://thebayouboogaloo.com/

Both of these festivals give a great flavor of what New Orleans life is all about. Good food, good music and a good time. The great thing about these festivals is you can see the great live music without going to a smoke filled club and if you have little ones in tow…well they can come too! How fun is that! Bring a blanket for the peanut and parents to lay on, lots of sunscreen, a hat and be sure to hydrate. Our heat is pretty serious this time of year and we don’t want anyone ending up in the emergency room. If you are lucky there will be a breeze off of the bayou to help with the heat. If you go later in the day the heat is not as bad of course. Don’t worry about looking like a tourist, dress for comfort not fashion as we locals tend to do the same! Shorts and workout tops are everywhere. Wicking fabric is your friend!

Ok so what else can I say except have a great time and be safe!

Oh damn I just read that there is no Peanut…should have read more closely…

Ok well in that case…I would still recommend everything I did except maybe the Aquarium and Insectarium as you can probably see that in a lot of other places.

I would add:

Historic New Orleans Collection for French Quarter Museum…

For a dive restaurant that has outstanding Creole Italian food to to Adolfo’s above the Appple Barrel on Frenchman St. No reservations so go early and wait in the Apple Barrel. This is a quentisential New Orleans experience. The food is awesome. The atmosphere is classic NOLA. Afterwords take in the sounds of the clubs on Frenchman. This used to be the place where only locals went but it has been discovered, hasn’t ruined it yet.

Avoid: Most restaurants on Bourbon (except Galatoire’s & Felix’s).

If you are not in town for the weekend festival you can go to the “Wednesday at the Square” concert at Lafayette square for the flavor of a festival it is 5pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday. It is free of course. http://www.wednesdayatthesquare.com/index.html

If you have any questions about the area where you are staying/what is near there and stuff in general I would be happy to share what I know with you just email me. I have lived in NOLA for 20 years now!! Crazy!

Christy, it’s great that you’ll be visiting our fabulous city. I live 2 blocks from Mandina’s and agree that it’s quintessential NOLA. But I reluctantly tell you that it’s sometimes hit or miss these days. Besides you can’t have crawfish etoufee or red beans every day. IMO a better bet for lunch is Cafe Minh a few blocks past Mandina’s on the other side of the street. We always take out of town people there and they not only rave about the food, but are grateful to have a break from fried or heavily sauced. Also, behind Mandina’s is a neighborhood lunch place with crabcakes to die for; it’s the Ruby Slipper and you see it if you stand on Mandina’s corner and look down Cortez..
But one thing I want to tell you is not to miss New Orleans Museum of Art and the Sculpture Garden right next to it, both in City Park. City Park is a natural park, as opposed to the manmade Audubon and ever so much more wonderful. It’s on the Canal Streetcar line, but you have to make sure you take the right car as one continues on down Canal, but the other (to City Park) turns on Carrollton.
Also, if you’re here on a Thurs. there is a concert every week from 6 to 8 in the park in the air-conditioned Pavillion of Two Sisters looking out over the Botanical Garden. Doors open at 5 so a person could go there from the museum. Mint juleps are served. My husband and I go every week so if you go I’ll drive you home to the Quarter.

Re po’boys: Domiliese’s or Parkway Bakery for roast beef; Mandina’s for shrimp or oysters.

You can eat yourself out of your clothes and out of your pocket in this town, but choices have to be made. I’d pick Galatoire’s. They take reservations now for the upstairs. If it’s important to be seen (and the locals think it is) then you stand in line for a table downstairs.

Back home on the beach. Try picking up a Vonnegut from any used book store.

When I went there was singing , dancing and music in the streets in the french quarter on week ends. Not during the week. Might be different during tourist season. I think William Faulkner had lived on Pirate’s Row..which is beside a catholic church . Our tour guide said the pirates gave some of their “findings” to the church. Probably protection …who knows maybe they were just tithing.

I wished I had researched New Orleans before I went. Built quite a bit by the Irish. Would have liked to have known the Irish influences. Best food I have ever eaten outside NY …as a tourist . You will be a different person when you get home.

I wanted to move there.

River boat trip down the Mississippi at night …touristy thing but awsome.

Our tour guide said in the french quarter.,,” The wealthy French did not feel that their houses had to necessarily be large….you will see the difference in the American houses built at the same time. ..Enormous …with matching lawns.”

You could tell she thought the French had more taste. I kinda’ agreed with her. If you are interested in architecture in early America…it is Heaven.

Agreed, Mandina’s is heavy. Actually I really can’t take the heavy food and neither can the Mr. MsAnnaNOLA who has acid reflux disease. So I would recommend looking at NOMenu.com and looking for the category “Contemporary Creole” under listings by cuisine. Examples abound but I like Dante’s Kitchen and One in the Riverbend both are fantastic and reasonable. I have also eaten at Brightsen’s in the same neighborhood but found we liked the other tow better. I ate at Olivier’s in the quarter when they first opened and it was very good. Basically anything on the contemporary creole list I find infinitely better than the “traditional creole and or cajun” places a la Brennan’s, Galatoire’s or K-Paul’s (which I consider Cajun)(just the bread at K-Paul’s will give you a heart attack before you have even gotten the entree.)(There is a reason Paul Prudhomme gets around exclusively on a scooter.). Tommy’s and Upperline are also very very good. I went to Tommy’s recently and ordered the crab appetizer which ended up with a mound of crab on top of some toast. It was the best non-crab cake crab cake I have had in a while. Yummy. Vizards uptown on Magazine is fabulous and I would recommend a reservation. I also had a bad meal recently at Cuvee unfortunately, it is considered “eclectic” on nomenu.com. If you want a high priced splurge in the eclectic category “Stella!” was great both times I ate there. For the most part the star system is useful on nomenu.com. There are some rated low that I would rate higher and some high I would rate lower but for the most part if you go to a restaurant with stars you won’t get a bad meal.

Unless you are really into fried food and hollandaise, the traditional creole leaves me actually somewhat sick to my stomach. Let’s face it even if you like this you probably should not eat it every meal or every day. I don’t usually eat food that heavy so it usually doesn’t agree with me. Galatoire’s, Brennan’s and to a somewhat lesser degree K-pauls left me feeling this way but I think that is because I got the blackened fish at K-paul’s which avoided the whole fried/ hollandaise trap.

Warning…ask how things are prepared…lots of stuff is fried and it doesn’t necessarily say so on the menu. My Mom got tripped up this way before because she can’t eat fried food.