I was SO fortunate to have lived in New Orleans for about 5 years back in the '80's.. Today is FAT TUESDAY ---and I yearn to be in that glorious city (the New Orleans I remember--before Katrina). Our family would get up before dawn and stake out our place along St. Charles Avenue. We had ladders (the higher you could go, the more you could see and catch), chairs, coolers full of goodies, and our special bags to collect all of the dubloons, beads, stuffed animals, cups, etc. etc. etc. !!!! It was an exciting day!!!!
The first parade on Fat Tuesday was ZULU. Then, if you can imagine--they had truck parades (huge 18-wheelers) that seemed to last for hours and hours. These big trucks were decorated all sorts of ways --and there were lots of people on every truck. They'd throw goodies and more goodies ---and we'd stand there and BEG for those trinkets (throws). As long as I live I will never forget the sound of those truck horns blowing and echoing along St. Charles Avenue on Fat Tuesday.
After all of the trucks were gone, we had the final parade of the day, REX. After the REX float went by, we knew that the season was over for the year. We then would go home and eat our PANCAKES--- knowing that Lent (Ash Wednesday) began the very next day!!!!
I have TERRIFIC memories of my life in Nawlins. The picture above is from 2004--before Katrina hit. Let's hope that New Orleans has a much better Fat Tuesday today than they have the past few years.
I'll write more about Mardi Gras tomorrow. We were all sad at the end of Fat Tuesday, knowing that the Mardi Gras season was OVER until next year. Happy "Fat Tuesday" to YOU today. Be sure and eat your pancakes today though, since Lent begins tomorrow and I'm positive YOU will give up all of that sweet stuff. Right????????????
Hugs,
40 comments:
I am learning so much from you Betsy and I love it!! Thanks.
Wonderful glimpse into an event I have often wondered about. Thanks Betsy
I wonder if you ever lifted your shirt to get some of those beads?
I never knew Fat Tuesday existed. I know I learn a lot from reading blogs but never heard about Fat Tuesday until just now. I like your post and the photos in the sidebar too.
Brookville Ohio
I am trying to get into the season, but have too much "stuff" weighing me down at the moment. Guess I'd better get a move on, huh? :c)
Yea for Fat Tuesday! It was nice experiencing Mardi Gras thru your words! I always wondered what it would be like to see the floats and be down there - sounds like fun!!
Hey Betsy! Happy Fat Tuesday to you! Free stack of pancakes at IHOP today!!!! I just had to check you crazy people up in Tennessee - all that Vol orange can effect your brain in a BAD way....:-)) I am SO glad you got the iMac - I use 1 too and LOVE it!! I switched over a year ago and would not even consider going back to a PC.... Keep the pictures coming Betsy!
Go Gators!
Jerry in Tampa
I've never been to NO but I know my wife didn't like it very much. I'll make it to that area one of these days.
Great post! I had forgotten that today was Fat Tuesday, thanks for the reminder,
Jane
There is a church here offering pancakes and jazz so that's where I'm headed - High Point is the birthplace of John Coltrance so I'm expecting big things!!
Can't say that I ever heard of it being called Fat Tuesday. Interesting that there were so many freebies for everyone! Love a good parade!
FROM BETSY TO ALL: I like to send comments to you about your comments. I am now doing that by email. SO if you'd like to get my comments back, please send me your email if I don't have it (betsyadams@mac.com).
Thanks and have a wonderful day.
Betsy
I didn't know about FT either!
We went to New Orleans when I was 16 and went to most of the historical places like Cafe du Monde, Pat O'Briens, etc, etc. :)
I miss New Orleans at Mardi Gras! It's such a crazy, happy place then.
I'd celebrate Fat Tuesday with beignets if I had time to make some, but we're off to southern Utah this morning with the horses for some riding and exploring. Back by the weekend.
I can't imagine New Orleans during Mardi Gras! I was there the week of the Final Four and it was so crowded I couldn't believe it. We stayed at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon Street. What an exciting place. Oh, and the food!!!
Great post Betsy. Gosh, is there anywhere you have NOT been to yet?
Great memories and thanks for sharing with us. I only drove through New Orleans one time...don't even remember much of it except for seeing the huge football dome. :)
I bet you saw some pretty wild sights at that parade.
Give up sweet stuff? Nah, that won't be happening! Happy day to you Betsy!
I am so going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras before I die. I went back in college right before Mardi Gras and it was a blast!
I have never been to New Orleans. I have always wanted to visit there because my maternal grandmother's family came from that city. My mother said that the Klingers started in the north when they came to this country, thought it was too cold, and traveled south until they reached New Orleans.
Wonderful memories you share about something I know very little about. Thanks!
Interesting Betsy! What a fun sounding kind of day. Imagine, Lent is already upon us. Mmmmm... as for giving up the sweet stuff .... mmmmm ... I don't think that is going to happen in this house.
I remember when I was a child one year we gave up candy for Lent and my Father brought home all these Chocolate bunnies he had gotten in the damage freight at the Railroad office where he worked. He had bought a box full of them . My mOm had to tell him that the Nuns had assigned all the children to give up candy for lent. He asked when she said today. He laughed today is Fat Tuesday they can eat all they want Lent does not start until tomorrow. Oh how we all laughed and ATE Chocolate..LOL... Such sweet memories...m..
Did you know that mardi gras originated in Mobile, Alabama? I didn't go to any parades the year I lived there. Maybe someday i'll get back and do that!
Never been there (NOLA) at any season, but your words are so vivid, it jumped write off the screen! Great post!!
So I learned something new today.I had never heard of Fat Tuesday.
Blessings,Ruth
Sounds like you had a great time there...memories like this are fun to recall.
Fat Tuesday is big around here. People eat polish donuts called Paczki. They are hideously high in calories and fat, and hideously delicious! Now that I have to be gluten-free they are on the banned foods list:(
Growing up in Baldwin County Alabama I have many memories of Mardi Gras in Mobile. (the home of the original Mardi Gras!!) Today you couldn't get me to go. Now it seems every town in LA has Mardi Gras. They even had a Mardi Gras party for the patients in a BAPTIST nursing home I worked in in South Ga. The patients didn't have a clue what it was all about and probably the person who decided on the party didn't either. LOL. Enjoyed the post!
I've never been: a place means so much more if you have a memory of it, and lived there. The closest I've been is east Texas in the Big Thicket.
Don't think I'll be giving up any sweet stuff! LOL.
Thanks for the interesting description of Mardi Gras. I had no idea they celebrated with parades and stuff. Must have been fun!
Terrific story & memories - I've never been to Nawlins! hehehe
All my friends and family have been down there, some for work & some just to party at Mardi Gras, but I've never been.
How exciting. I love that city--pre- and post Katrina. It is just such a fun city full of good people and good food and good times.
Thanks to all for enjoying "Fat Tuesday" with me. We didn't eat pancakes today--but I'm sure that many people across the country did. I didn't mention it in my blog, but Fat Tuesday is really called SHROVE Tuesday.
Tomorrow I'll talk a little more about Mardi Gras... Since it is Ash Wednesday, I will begin to contemplate what I will add (or give up) these next 40 days.. I always want to make a difference in someone's life IF I can.
Hugs to All,
Betsy
Thanks for the fun post Bets! I've never been into Mardi Gras but did used to go to a club called Gatsby's Mardi Gras!!
I'm a Baton Rouge native, so I have been to Mardi Gras. It was pretty wild for an LSU student! I don't think I'd enjoy it now. Also, I did live for a very short time in Nawlins. Used to ride the trolley down St. Charles to get to my job.
I've never been to New Orleans or heard of Fat Tuesday. How wonderful that you lived there for five years (pre-hurricane). It sounds like it was an awesome place.
I've never experienced Mardi Gras so this was interesting for me to read, Betsy.
You should visit here and experience it yourself!! We promise you it would be worth to remember!
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