Why We Love Louisiana

After an 8-hour drive, we landed in Baton Rouge for a few days.

We aren't big sports fans, but somehow you can't help but be enthusiastic about a sport when it is such a significant part of the culture. And all Louisianians, whether you want to or not, bleed purple and gold. I even wore an LSU t-shirt for 3 days straight, hoping somehow the unwashed would be some luck to the Tigers. Even Richie, who never purchased an LSU item before in his life, and who spent 10 years earning two bachelors and a PhD at LSU, finally purchased an LSU t-shirt. Now you know this was serious!



With that said, we listened intently to the final three games of the College World Series between the University of Texas and LSU. Now I remember why we don't watch or listen to sports that often - - it is stressful!

Check out the stats on the final three games to see what I mean.

And if you are not interested in reading game details, I've placed the scores from the final 3 games below:

Game 1:
LSU 7
Texas 6

Game 2:
Texas 5
LSU 1

Game 3:
LSU 11
Texas 4

Geaux Tigers!

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After our excitement in Baton Rouge, it was off to Raceland for Alexis (my niece) and Austin's (my godchild) 2nd and 6th birthday party, respectively.

Before...



During...

Watching big brother carefully for guidance...
And the "after" was a good hosing with the "hose pipe" - as we call it in Louisiana.

This was a SERIOUS birthday party - with water balloons, a slip-n-slide, this very large blow-up water gun-slide thingy, and a jumpy (aka - a spacewalk)!

Austin hurling a water balloon.
Brian (Austin's dad), Richie, and I spent the better part of the morning filling these balloons.
They were gone within seconds.
The remnants below...


This is Abe, my cousin's oldest boy.
He was coming down the slip-n-slide, when I noticed this massive booger dangling from his nose.
A classic picture - I love it!


Alexis with her Nanny.

My sister didn't tell Austin we were coming in for the party, so it was a nice surprise when we showed up to pick Austin up from my sister's office. Austin was sitting in a large office chair watching cartoons. We walked in and Austin just stared at us - wondering who we were and why we were there. Suddenly, he realized who we were and ran up to me, jumped up with his arms and legs squeezing me so hard I couldn't breathe. It was the best hug I've ever received. I forget how much I miss this kid.

So this past week was spent hanging out with a 6-year old. I couldn't have asked for a better week.


There is a unique accent in southern Louisiana. It is hard to explain, but I can best describe it as flat. There are lots of "dees" and "dats." And I pick it up as soon as I cross parish lines.

Austin is perfectly capable of pronouncing his r's, but chooses not to. So for the entire week, we have been encouraging him to pronounce his r's correctly. My dad made a good point when he said it is part of Austin's personality - - and I must admit it is pretty darn cute. The funniest thing he has said yet is when he ran to my dad and said "Pawpaw, Uncle Wichie and I went widin down da woad." My dad looked at Austin and repeated "You and Uncle Wichie went widing down da woad?"


When offering Austin a piece of gum, we would ask if he wanted red (cinnamon flavor) or green (spearmint). Of course, either pronunciation required him to use the r sound... so he would say "wed." We would then repeat the question and he would exhaustingly reply "Rrrrrrrrred!" Quite adorable.

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Now a visit to Louisiana isn't complete without a fishing trip, so we went not once, but twice.

I used to fish from the wharf at MawMaw's camp every summer. It was pretty basic - catching grass shrimp with a net for bait, and using cane poles.

Quick note: This is not my parents' boat. This is the view of a big 'ol boat from my parents' boat. The trawling motor belongs to my folks, though.

I think my dad looks like a pirate in this picture.

My parents bought a nice boat a few years ago - and it was great to see them in their element again. This time, they have fancy rods and reels with even fancier tackle.


We arrived at my parents' house for 6am, headed "down da bayou," and launched in Lake Decade (pronounced Da-Kad) by 6:30am. It is best to fish early - not just because the fish are out, but because it is much cooler in the early morning.



Ah... the simple art of fishing. My dad put "LSU" tackle on my line, and despite their baseball championship status just a few days before, the fish weren't having it. My mom is a master at catching the big fish - mainly because she uses shrimp (Yes, frozen shrimp purchased from the marina.). I quickly followed her lead and started using shrimp.



The day's catch:
8 Red Fish and a Drum
Catching Stats: Mom caught 3, while Richie, Dad, and I were pleased with our two a piece.


Our second trip was a little less successful in the fish-catching event. Austin was the main focus of this trip. He has a pretty mean casting arm for a 6-year old... and the attention span of a 6-year old. Heehee.


Richie showed Austin the classic toothpick trick. Now I won't give away the secret to the toothpick trick, but I will say that the result is a "jumping" toothpick.


Richie is a pro at it - and Austin was hooked.
Richie convinced him that the toothpick needed static electricity to "jump," so Austin was rubbing the toothpick on his head...

and even his t-shirt. Poor thing was trying really hard to make the toothpick "jump."

Cute, gullible kid.

We did more touring than fishing, which Richie and I appreciated. It was nice to see the changes in the Lake and the attempt at coastal restoration.
Catching Stats: Mom = 2; Richie = 1; Dad = 0; Michele = 0; and Austin = 0.


It was still a great adventure!


We are spending the next week with family and friends - and figuring out where we want to go next. Unfortunately, we don't have any news on a location for the Peace Corps. Our medical information is being reviewed and we are simply waiting to hear from our recruiter. We are anxious to know what country we will be in so we can start learning the language. Eeek!

And just in case you were wondering...
No, we never rode alligators to school.
Yes, they sometimes show up in backyards.
No, they won't eat you alive.
Like my dad always says "An alligator is more afraid of you than you are of it."

Gotta love da bayou!