Louisiana 2020

We visited my mom and dad in Louisiana this past weekend. We left at 4:30 Saturday morning and had a smooth ride all the way. No traffic. Lots of construction taking place around Houston and Beaumont, but not on a Saturday morning, so we skated right by. 

Have I mentioned the Weirdness of Houston Traffic?  The speed limit is 60, but there are a scattered handful of cars going 55 and everyone else is going anywhere between 70-95 mph? I think when there is actual traffic, the 60 mph is probably observed. But not on a Saturday morning with open lanes. 

There is a lot of evidence of the hurricanes that devastated Lake Charles. Lots of blue tarp on roofs. Lots of downed trees. Smashed windows and signage. 

The tall, scary bridge is still there. I suppose (hope..... pray.....) they inspected it and deemed it traffic-worthy. We went over it at any rate. Jonathan was driving on the way back and he drove over it without a problem. 

We met my parents at the Jennings Park, same as always. And what a special treat! They were holding a Cajun music jam session in the Gator Chateau. Three or four accordions, fiddles, triangle. It was very special to listen with the kids and my parents. My mom reminisced about Momo loving this music, loving to dance. 

Phoebe, Harrison, and Egret over Lake

We all held baby alligators. Except for Nana. 

And then we got some Community Coffee and listened to the Cajun music some more. 

My mom made delicious spaghetti for lunch. Then we went to Lafayette to an art museum. We wanted to visit a Plantation, but the closest one we could find (about an hour away) only had the grounds open for tour. The inside of the house wasn't open because of Covid. So we'll save that for another time. I found the art museum instead.

It was a beautiful building. A replica plantation home right next to a modern glass building. A lively waterfall feature where lots of photos were being taken. Families all in red for Christmas cards. Friend groups and graduation photos following a university graduation nearby. 

I do recommend most of the museum. There was a room featuring brown cotton and weaving passed down through several Cajun families. We had never heard of brown cotton, so this was new to all of us, even my mom. 

Another room featured pictures of the bridges spanning the Mississippi River. I guess it's only on display until next April. This was special because there are several familiar Missouri bridges featured ~ the Eads bridge in St. Louis (my kids love this one from watching "The Men Who Built America") and the one going across at Louisiana, MO which isn't too far from Vandalia.

Some of the other display rooms were more modern. We've been reading about modern art in Dawn to Decadence by Jacques Barzun.  It's eye-opening to see it in real life. Distorted, dissected and reattached unnaturally, throwing out of tradition and previous techniques, personally interpreted, foundations shaken, trying to figure out life when everything has been thrown out ..... 

The plantation replica was so beautiful on the outside. It housed University student artwork. It certainly gave my kids a special kind of education about these modern times. We rushed through it and left hurriedly. It was too bad they hadn't decorated it like a plantation home. I wouldn't recommend anyone with children touring the current art displays in the plantation.

Aupa took us out for ice cream. Can't sit inside, of course. Tailgating is more fun anyway!

Lafayette asked us to put on masks both places we went inside. Crowley did not. They had signs on their doors, but half the people in Crowley didn't wear masks, and we do not if we can help it. There was a nice professional sign in a bathroom with a little footnote that said, "If you are healthy, the CDC does not recommend buying or using face masks." Hmmm. Current society wouldn't have you think so. 

At the LeBlanc's house. 

Harrison likes their little doggy. Jon said that of the people we visited, Mr. Nelton sounds the most like a Cajun.

Aupa has been busy Making. 

He made Phoebe the sewing bowl out of mahogany. He gave us a resin coaster with turkey spurs from turkeys he shot this year. And he made us a special serving dish. The bottom part is made of Poplar. The middle stand part is made of Black Walnut. The top bowl is made of Koa from Hawaii. I write all this down here because I will forget it; I can come back here later to read what kind of woods they are.

And we got to attend live church services this Sunday. First time for most of us since March. Victor Knowles was there from Joplin, MO, preaching on Unity. We went to see Teressa's new house that she just moved into last week. We went to Mrs. Aline's for a down-home gumbo lunch (yes!) and conversation. We started for home by 3:00. It's always a whirlwind when we visit LA. So fun. And so nice to be home.

It was good to see you, Mom and Dad!