My guests arrived as planned and I couldn’t be happier to finally meet my long
distance family! After giant sized hugs were shared by all, it was time to show
my guests to their rooms.We no sooner walked a few steps down the hall when there
came another – unexpected – knock on
the door! Jo and Jilly grabbed Tony and made a dash for the door introducing
Tony to all their friends. HEY – I warned my WAMM family in advance this could
happen! What do you do when you have a houseful? What else….
DeeJay and Steve were rather quiet when they arrived, Bambi pushing DeeJay in on a
dolly. Bambi and Paula then broke the news to DeeJay, and I ran for the bolt
cutters. It was messy… and neither DeeJay nor Steve were at all quiet, but soon
it was time for bed.
The morning brought new life to the house – the smell of Community coffee
brewing does that to people! With at least one cup down, it was time to start a
long day filled with adventure. With so many of us, I opted to take my car with
the kids and whoever wanted to tag along with us. The rest would follow our
lead. Before we could load up, I walked in on Tony, Jo and Jilly giggling in my
bedroom – hmmmm… what was this crew up to?
Knowing they were caught red-handed, they turned to me with broad smiles on
their faces! Tony fessed up and pulled the lizard from his cage they had hidden
in my drawer! “He’s really quite a specimen, Honey! Very calm, playful and he
really doesn’t make much of a mess!” I couldn’t help but fall in love with the
little guy.
“What do ya call the critter?”
“His name is Ralph.”
“Okay – Ralph can stay but he has to go to my daughter’s house while we are
gone. If we take him with us to the zoo, he’s likely gonna want to stay there!
Deal?”
“Absolutely!”
Finally ready – we took a quick tour around my quaint little town of Abita. I
think everyone can see why I call this home. No time to waste – we had to cross
Lake Pontchartrain and get to NOLA! I could hear the beignets calling! The Cafe
Ole got everyone’s juices flowing… literally! We were ready for the day!
I wish you all could have seen Tony’s face as we walked around the Audubon
Zoo! Jo and Jilly took him to see so much more as some of us (no names) had to
make pit stops! Some of us just can’t handle Cafe Ole! Told them one cup was all
ya needed – but nooo – some had to indulge. (Really couldn’t blame them!)
I wish you all could have seen Tony’s face as we walked around the Audubon
Zoo! Jo and Jilly took him to see so much more as some of us (no names) had to
make pit stops! Some of us just can’t handle Cafe Ole! Told them one cup was all
ya needed – but nooo – some had to indulge. (Really couldn’t blame them!)
With so much more to see – we decided to split up. The Aquarium and Insectarium for
some, the others would tour the French Quarter. With some very specific
instructions on where NOT to go – we agreed to meet up at The Bottom of the Tea
Cup before heading home.
LOL – the tea leaves left everyone guessing and wanting more! Well, there was
just one last surprise I had for Mary! The kids got in the car with Deej and
Vicki and headed back across the lake. Mary, Paula, Steve and I jumped in my
car. Their mouths dropped as I pulled into St. Louis cemetery No. 1 – it was
priceless!
I didn’t keep track of how long Mary stayed there; standing in front of the tomb
of Marie Laveau but I know I saw her performing the ritual done by so many
before. She drew the X on the tomb, turned around three times, knocked on the
tomb and yelled out her wish. My smile widened knowing I had just shared a very
special piece of VooDoo culture with her. Research in front of her very eyes!!
“Let’s go home y’all!”