A New Orleans tourist tip

Bienvenue

I've never seen a bat in New Orleans.  There are plenty of crows, especially in the morning or in the late afternoon.  In the late afternoon, they sometimes like to roost for awhile in the oak trees out front, or in the pecan tree out back.  When they roost in the back they sometimes swoop down to the fountain to take a sip.  Maybe they're after the goldfish, but the goldfish are too wily.  They know where to hide.  I've seen plenty of pelicans, mostly in City Park or on the Mississippi River.  Sometimes one will wing over Bayou St. John, hunting for mullet.

We had a couple from Glasgow (Scotland) stay with us over Mardi Gras.  They collected bushels of beads, as most people do during Mardi Gras.  They stayed in the Clio Suite and Tammie the Housekeeper clued me in that something magical had taken place over the bedroom mantle.  I asked if they wouldn't mind if I took some pictures and they happily obliged.

Ever observant Tammie the Housekeeper

People rearrange the furniture in the suites all the time.  No worries.  As long as you stay with us, it's your home too.  Home is where the heart is.  Welcome to New Orleans.  Or, as the sign over our mailbox says, "Bienvenue."  Make yourself at home.  Just don't trash the place.

The classical busts of the women are ours and they are always on the mantle.  The beads belong to the couple and they are now in Glasgow.

Left side of the mantle

Right side of the mantle

I have a photographer friend who reads this blog and he accused me of saturating the colors in our photos.  No.  Sometimes I remove some shadows, but there isn't any need to saturate the colors.  We live in a colorful house.  If it is saturated with anything, it is only good memories.

I was walking our dog on Barracks Street late afternoon the other day when I saw the back of our house, and of the green house next door.  I was walking toward Lenore and Carla's house.  There is no need to saturate these colors.  They stand out on their own.

Like a beacon

In case you are curious, the time for wearing Mardi Gras beads is passed.  Don't be tempted.  If you wear Mardi Gras beads while walking home after a parade during Mardi Gras season, that's cool. Hope you had a good time!  Happy Mardi Gras!  If you are wearing them any other time of year, you only look cool to all your pie-eyed chums on Bourbon Street.  Up here in our neighborhood, nobody is going to come out and say you look like an moron.  They don't need to.

Here's your New Orleans tourist tip:  Mardi Gras beads are for Mardi Gras only.  Any other time of year makes you a target for a pickpocket.  

A votre santé,
La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast.