Tuesday, July 31, 2012

"New Orleans..."




Well I pawned my watch...
and I sold my ring...
Just to hear that girl sing...

~Spanish Moon~



I made my trip to New Orleans this past weekend...  I wrote about the upcoming trip HERE.  My daughter works at Tipitina's Uptown... one of my favorite bands (Little Feat) was scheduled to play Saturday night...  Needless to say, I was NOT disappointed!!  What a great show they provided.  Obviously, one misses the voice of Lowell George, but your mind tends to insert his voice.  The tricks our minds play on us sometimes...

'Tipitina's'

There are 1,001 great venues in which one can see great musicians and listen to their music in New Orleans...  A word to the ladies that attend such shows, however...


Don't show up looking like this...



... and expect us guys to NOT look...


We are just wired that way...


What is a trip to New Orleans without 
a visit to the French Quarter...



... and what is a trip to the French Quarter without a visit to the Cafe du Monde...




... where one can enjoy a cup of chicory coffee and an order of beignets...




Yum!!!


New Orleans is full of great restaurants... just full of them... my personal favorite is 
Jacques-imo's... go HERE  to visit their website... it's a great, little funky hole-in-the-wall restaurant that will just knock your socks off!!  


This is what it looks like on the outside...



This is what it looks like on the inside...


The ambience is out of this world!!!  This is my absolute most favorite-est place to eat in New Orleans... I tell myself that I need to try other restaurants, but... this place just won't let me.  Have any of you ever dined here?

One my trip home, I was compelled to drive through Slidell, LA... and visit the grave site of my good buddy, Robert... he was my colleague that suddenly died two years ago.  I wrote about him HERE, and HERE. 

One of the things that has bothered me... is that on past trips to New Orleans, I would stop to visit Robert, and... he didn't have a headstone.  I'm not sure why it bothered me, but it did.  I was pleased to see that in the time since my last visit, he finally has one.  

Odd how it made me feel better...


For Robert...

I still miss you, my friend...



Live oaks at City Park
New Orleans...

~shoes~
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34 comments:

  1. Kalei's Best FriendJuly 31, 2012 at 8:34 PM

    Since I didn't know your page when you wrote those two posts, I read them and your writings touched me... Robert was lucky to have you as a friend, and I am sure he felt the same... Its 'funny' what comes out at funerals.. The info that is...My FIL passed away a few weeks ago.. No service, he didn't want one.. We were at his house and my brother in law told me and the girls to take whatever art, photo albums we wanted... I asked if I could have the hand carved coyote my MIL bought in NM... that guy is in my home... We came across his discharge papers from WW11.. $88 was awarded to him for his way home... unbelievable.. I am amazed when I learn little bits like this.. He never mentioned it to us... btw, my girls were in New Orleans a month ago and loved it, except for the homeless woman who demanded money so she could stay at a shelter... funny, I didn't realize the homeless had to pay to stay in a shelter... My oldest gave her a $1 and got admonished because she didn't get for the $5 the woman demanded from her.

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 11:42 AM

      Hey you! How are things in your neck of the woods?? Thank you for your comments about Robert. He was a good and dear friend.

      You did get the carving you requested? I hope so.

      We tend to learn many things about people after they die. There was an old Chinese American that I had known forever that lived here. He was a nice, quiet fellow that had a farm. Upon his death, I learned that he was a member of the 101st Airborne that parachuted in behind German defenses at Normandy and fought the rest of the war in Europe. He was known within his outfit as 'Tommy Gun Gong'... I would love to have known the story about how he got that name.

      Being 'homeless' in NOLA is a great cottage industry... ;o)

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  2. MaxJuly 31, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    So glad to hear that you had a good trip!

    I might have a chance to see Little Feat next month. You'd recommend seeing them?

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 11:44 AM

      Good morning, Max... It was a great but short trip...

      Yeah, I'd see them again in a heart beat!!

      Have you been playing much? Still playing the Epi Casino??

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  3. Wine and WordsJuly 31, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    Well this was certainly the next best thing to being there. I have wanted to go for soooooo long. Maybe one day I will. This post made the longing even more pronounced. I am meant to go. I can feel it.

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 11:46 AM

      Hi, Annie... it's a great city! I think it is so alluring... great atmosphere... great history.. I think it is a very romantic city, especially in the rain.

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  4. Jack and JillJuly 31, 2012 at 9:55 PM

    Sounds like a great time. We've never been to New Orleans, but we've always wanted to, if only for the local cuisine.

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 11:48 AM

      Good morning, Jack... one should definitely go for the cuisine... but there are so many other good reasons to go!!

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  5. The Bipolar DivaJuly 31, 2012 at 10:31 PM

    New Orleans, one of the best cities ever. My dad was raised there, I love it!

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 11:49 AM

      Hey you.. yes, it IS a great city. It has really rebounded after Katrina...

      I hope all is well with you!!

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  6. middle childAugust 1, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    Almost made it to New Orleans. We were visiting one of Hunter's new "boyfriends" and he wouldn't take the time to take me there. Glad to be able to enjoy from your veiw-point.

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 11:51 AM

      Oh, man... why would he NOT have time to take you to NOLA?!? I hope you make it down one of these days... :o(

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  7. Miss Stormy "Gumshoe" MarplesAugust 1, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    Professor Red Shoes--

    That French Quarter pic looks very cool. Those trees in the City Park are very interesting. I am a tree lover. The food and fun sound like fun in this "happening" city.

    My parents tell me I went to New Orleans when very young. I don't remember it. The two cities I want to visit are Savannah, GA and New Orleans, LA.

    I did not drink coffee until I started working at the Coffeehouse in Memphis. I have always loved the smell of coffee though. I have heard they have wonderful coffee and beignets in New Orleans. I definitely think that would be wonderful to start the day off with that and a local newspaper.

    My current mate is from the Mississippi coast. He tells me he went to New Orleans a lot. As soon as both our schedules allow, we will make a trip to New Orleans and/or Savannah. I don't know which I want to go to first.

    I will definitely ask him if we can visit Jacques-imo's. I like the looks at the inside of that restaurant. What is the best thing on the menu there do u think?

    I would love to visit cemeteries down there. I am a lover of old cemeteries and their history. He tells me I will have to go by myself on that one cuz cemeteries creep him out. I said u have got to look past the death and look at the tranquil setting and the beauty of it. But I won't force him. Sometimes, I think it best to go to cemeteries alone anyway.

    I understand the loss and sadness of ur friend Robert. One of my very good friends, died in a very bad wreck last year. I don't like to think about it. It is tough to lose ur friends and family.

    Life is short. I'm learning this more and more as I get older. I don't take myself so seriously anymore. Cuz I don't won't to look back and regret what I should have done. I really have learned to live in the moment.

    Green Monkey Tales mentioned she was going to get her tattoos done down in New Orleans. I have never been one to think I would get a tattoo but I'm thinking seriously about getting an itty bitty tattoo on my hand of a puppy paw in memory of my Pepper. I had my co-worker at Coffeehouse draw a puppy paw on my hand last night just to see what it might look like. I am surrounded by artists and music lovers in the Coffeehouse. I can't draw a stick man much less a puppy paw. Oh well. Anywhoo--don't know that I can wait to go to New Orleans to get the tattoo probably will get that in Memphis.

    Strange how we change over the course of our lives. Doing things we never thought we would do.

    U sound joyful. The trip must have lifted ur spirits. That's a good thing.

    Take care.

    StormyDawn

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 12:01 PM

      Hi there, Stormy...

      Yeah, I think NOLA is a wonderful city. I wouldn't want to live there for 1,001 reasons... but it's a fun place to visit.

      Yeah, New Orleans and Savannah do have so much in common. They are both old cities that are influenced by many different ethnic groups.

      I like both cities a great deal. I would visit Savannah again... it's beautiful.

      If you make it to New Orleans, be careful about which cemeteries you visit. Many of them are in suspect neighborhoods and you would be at risk.

      Green Monkey has her reasons for the tattoos she wants.

      The trip was a good one. Let it be noted that this trip did coincide with the end of the summer semester, so I have reasons to be uplifted.

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  8. AnonymousAugust 1, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    I'd love to go back to New Orleans someday soon. Thanks for sharing and for the great pics:).

    Love,
    Kitty

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 12:03 PM

      I would think you of all people would enjoy New Orleans!!! ;o)

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  9. UnknownAugust 1, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    New Orleans is a destination that I haven't managed to visit yet. I certainly want to experience the great music and food. BTW, I always liked Little Feat too!

    Cheers!
    Julie
    Julie Magers Soulen Photography

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 4:59 PM

      Hi, Julie... Little Feat rocks! :o)

      I LOVE the photos on your blog! Wonderful!!

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  10. red.neck chicAugust 1, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    I'm glad you had a good time! Good music, good food... can't beat that!

    I want to go to New Orleans sometime and go to the Christmas Club. Seriously. Christmas all year round... it's on my "do before death" list.

    It's good that Robert has a headstone. Glad you stopped to visit him.

    robelyn

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  11. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    Hey, Robelyn...

    Christmas Club? I've been there... is it on Decatur? On the Twelfth month of Christmas, Santa brought to me...

    Lalalalalalalalala

    I was glad to see Robert's grave have a headstone... I don't know why that was important to me, but it was...

    Have you eaten any soap yet?

    ~shoes~

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    1. red.neck chicAugust 1, 2012 at 7:58 PM

      hee-hee no... I haven't perfected the art of "edible soap" yet... but, the day is not over.

      I don't know where it is - but I WANT TO GO THERE!!!

      Delete
    2. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 8:05 PM

      Re: edible soap... you have to admit... someone is going to end up belching or farting bubbles... just sayin'...

      ... or blowing bubbles...

      Somehow, looking at Christmas decor in July never appealed to me...

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  12. musicwithinyouAugust 1, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    You know you're torturing me with those beignets!!

    I think I need to come south to have some with all that great music.

    As for Robert, Your posts certainly where touching from the start to the finish. I'm glad to hear he has his headstone now. His soul still lives through your friendship.

    Those live oaks must be stunning to see up close!

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 7:41 PM

      Hey you... yeah, those beignets were so good!!!

      Robert was a dear friend. I've often wondered about the dynamics of death... wherever Robert is now, when I, or someone else thinks of him, is he aware?

      Does it create some kind of consciousness within his spirit?

      The trees are beautiful...

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  13. Steven CainAugust 1, 2012 at 6:54 PM

    Shoes... I'll give you my number. Next time you're headed to a Feat show... or Orleans, forward it to that gal. Goodness.

    Glad to hear you had a good and safe time... and that your bud got a stone... that would bother me as well.

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 1, 2012 at 7:32 PM

      Hi, Steven... She had those puppies out there... LMBO...

      Yeah, I'm pleased that Robert has a stone as well. I guess, given my age, it bothered me... maybe when I was younger, maybe it wouldn't have.

      I hope all is well with you.

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  14. Introverted ArtAugust 1, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    I have always wanted to go to New Orleans. I love the creole heritage, the music, the colors... As for the ta tas, I am a girl and damn, I was looking to!!!!!!!

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 3, 2012 at 5:50 PM

      Introverted... If you haven't been, you MUST!!! It's a painter's paradise!!!

      As for the tatas... so was I... :oD

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  15. Green MonkeyAugust 1, 2012 at 9:56 PM

    SHOES!!! we have got to do and dance and dilly dally in dis town! (in this lifetime) promise?!

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 3, 2012 at 5:47 PM

      Hey there, Monkey Girl... you get to feeling better, and you are ON!! ;o)

      Promise...

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  16. UnknownAugust 2, 2012 at 1:19 AM

    Amazing. Been there, and to some of these places, in 2000. So much fun. Glad you had a blast. x

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    1. Red ShoesAugust 3, 2012 at 5:45 PM

      Hi there, Christine.. NOLA is great fun! I hope all is going well for you!!

      ~shoes~

      Delete
  17. Cocaine PrincessAugust 3, 2012 at 12:45 PM

    I've been to Rio to celebrate Carnival but I've yet to make the trip to NOLA. I love how New Orleans is so rich in history & I've heard some of the best deep fried food comes from the south, however I'd never in a million years try fried alligator balls-- I recently saw that on an episode of Cajun Justice.

    PS. Lovely tree pic & I love the Santa comic-- too funny!!

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  18. Red ShoesAugust 3, 2012 at 5:43 PM

    Hi there, Princess... I'm thinking that if you have been to Rio for Carnival, then you win!!!

    As far as food goes, if you like it fried, it's in NOLA... but there are other great cuisines to be sampled!!

    Gator balls? Swamp Oysters, no doubt!!

    Yeah, the Santa comic... that was totally Robert's sense of humor!!

    Have a great weekend!!

    ~shoes~

    ReplyDelete

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