Mrs. King is out of town doing dog things, as she often does. In order for her to pack sandwiches for the next few days, she sent me to Leo’s bread to buy a loaf of sourdough. It is just a five-minute stroll from my front door.
When I was there, there were two young ladies, both of them slender things.
Do they think that? I did not ask. Anorexics think they are fat even when they are little more than living skeletons.
We have some new subscribers today. Let the games begin.
To new subscribers, I warn you, there is no plot. Much like your life, my days are my days, they just happen to languidly unfold in New Orleans time in the City of New Orleans.
I am not in dental school.
The LSU Dental School, which is the only dental school in Louisiana, is located in New Orleans. It looks like a prison.
There is also only one physician assistant school in Louisiana. It is at the LSU campus in New Orleans.
One of the young ladies is going to dental school. The other one is an occupational therapist. I did not learn this until later. I am getting ahead of the story.
While at the bakery, one of the young ladies, the dental student, who lives here, she complemented me on my rhinestones.
Mardi Gras makes everything busier but it doesn't really effect my world. Today feels like Saturday to me but I know it is not. Saturday will be Samedi Gras.
Tomorrow is the big day for Mid-City, roughly the part of New Orleans where I live. I spend most of my time in Mid-City. Home is where the heart is.
Crowds are going to converge in Mid-City tomorrow. I have decided to go. It is a good parade. It is Endymion. There will be lots of lights. I am sure I will see people I know.
New Orleans is a real city but it is like a giant town because we all know each other. We are always out and about having a good time, doing our best to make good memories for everyone involved.
What am I doing today? I am not going to parades. There are three tonight, Uptown. I am tempted to see the Krewe of Hermes. Their parade is themed on the history of Storyville. I am sure the tourists will be delighted to have no idea what they are looking at.
Last year, Druids' theme was the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland. I have read it. When I saw the bulletin in the Times-Picayune, I knew what the floats were. I am sure very few people knew what they were looking at when the parade rolled by. I talked to more than a few the next day.
It makes no difference. Mardi Gras parades are the greatest free show on earth.
Everyone is happy. It is difficult to describe.
Anyhow, I got back to my house after walking Mrs. King’s dog and doing my laundry and what to my wondering eyes should appear but these two young ladies from the bakery taking a picture of Ed’s house. Ed is my neighbor.
“Are you the two ladies I saw about an hour ago?” I said.
“We are,” they said.
I gave them a tour of my house and gardens.
This is New Orleans.
This is how you get new subscribers. I hope they pass out those business cards to all their friends. Happiness loves company.
I can be cordial and charming if I choose to be. They caught me in the right mood. We are deep in Mardi Gras. Everyone, including your humble narrator, is happy. This is the most magical time of the year.
Now, I am going to talk about today’s parades. I like the free subscribers but I lavish TLC on the paid subscribers. Free subscribers have no idea what is behind the curtain.
I am about to talk parades and, then, whatever observations pop into my head. It may be Mardi Gras but it is still business as usual here at chez King.