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Published on 2 Comments on 50th Hits Close To Home

This post originally appeared in November 2013.

I am no different from many other bloggers in that you will see a variety of posts from me this month on the topic of the Kennedy assassination. And why not? Dramatic, compelling, mysterious, with significant political and historical ramifications - it pushes all my History Nerd buttons.

I also have a couple of extra buttons on this topic. I am a native Texan. Dallas is my hometown. I grew up in Oak Cliff, not far from many of the key events that unfolded that day.

We were not living in Dallas in 1963. After bouncing around the Milwaukee Braves farm system for a few years (Boise ID, Lawton OK), my dad decided professional baseball was not going to feed a family of four. We moved to Denver, where my maternal grandmother lived, and Dad got a real job. I was five when Kennedy was killed. I remember being highly annoyed that boring grownup news shows were interrupting Captain Kangaroo. Yes, I am embarrassed about that now, but that's my vivid recollection of that day.

Not long after that terrible day, my folks decided to move back to Dallas. Both had grown up there. They met in 7th grade, were high school sweethearts. The title of this post is not a cliche. After reading a great article in Slate magazine (which btw features my cousin Darwin Payne, author and retired SMU history prof), I realized several of that day's events were literally close to my childhood home as well as that of my parents, especially my mom.

This cheesy screen grab of Google Maps brings things into a little more focus. After Oswald left the grassy knoll, he returned to the community of Oak Cliff across the river from downtown Dallas. At the time of the assassination, he was renting a room in a boarding house on Beckley Avenue (purple pin). Beckley Ave. also happens to be the exit off I-30 one would use to get to the house I grew up in (pink pin). Much has changed over the last fifty years, but on my end of Beckley Avenue, it's still the home of Lone Star Donuts and Ripley Shirts.

Oswald's boarding house on Beckley was about a block from Lake Cliff Park. This park was the site of much enjoyable recreation in the 1950s. It had an enormous public swimming pool (long since filled in), which happened to be my mom's first job as a teenager. According to Mom, much adolescent hijinx occurred there. Part of me wants to know more. The other part has adopted a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy.

The Slate article also says Oswald walked a mile or so south on Beckley from the boarding house to near W. H. Adamson High School (aqua pin). This is the first I have heard of an Oswald connection to that school. That's where my folks fell in love. That's where my dad played basketball and baseball and earned a scholarship to Sul Ross State University. That's where they made some lifelong friends who still get together occasionally for some of that classic Tex Mex you just can't get anywhere outside of Texas. I don't know if school was in session that day. It would have been the Friday before Thanksgiving. The thought of an armed assassin strolling along the sidewalk near a school filled with students gives me the chills.

After passing Adamson, Oswald had his fateful encounter with Dallas police officer J,D. Tippitt at about 10th and Patton (green pin). Reading that really rocked my world. My mom grew up on Patton Street (yellow pin). As the eldest of six, she was married and out of the house in 1963, but some of the family still lived in her childhood home then. They lived a few blocks north of 10th Street, close enough to have possibly heard the shot that ended Officer Tippitt's life.

Oswald's last stop in Oak Cliff was an attempted escape through the Jefferson Blvd. retail district. He was captured in the Texas Theater (blue pin). I don't recall ever visiting it in my 20-odd years living in Oak Cliff. For many years after the shooting, it was considered uncouth as a Dallasite to show morbid interest in anything related to that event. The closest I have been to Dealey Plaza is driving home from downtown through the triple underpass. Never, ever, walked the grassy knoll or pointed with finger or camera lens at the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. But as Oak Cliff residents, we certainly passed near or shopped at Jefferson Blvd. on an almost daily basis. It was home to many iconic Oak Cliff businesses, including Red Bryan's, the Charco Broiler, Skillerns Drug Store, and the Lamar & Smith Funeral Home (which I mention because the Smiths were our neighbors).

They say times have changed, that Dallas is no longer primarily known as 'the city that killed the President'. During this time of year when we are asked to pause and reflect on our blessings, that is certainly one of the many things for which I am thankful.

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Published on 4 Comments on February Has A Little Something For Everyone
Februarius panel from mosaic calendar, Roman Africa (Tunisia)

Ah, February - one of my favorite months for many reasons. It's my birthday month. It's my mom's, my former dog's (may she RIP), two cousins, and my paternal grandmother's as well. It's Super Bowl time, and Groundhog Day, and Mardi Gras. And of course Valentine's Day which happens to be my wedding anniversary (yeah, my husband's wallet gets slammed in February). It signals the end of winter (I live in the South) which in and of itself is a reason to celebrate. History nerds rejoice - February is Black History Month which I have blogged about previously, and also features a three day weekend thanks to the fairly recent national holiday known most places as Presidents' Day.

I say most places, as according to the federal government, it is still known as Washington's Birthday, even though his actual birthday is on February 22 and 'his' holiday has been celebrated a week early for more than 40 years. Why the change? Back in the 1960s, legislators (likely with help from labor union lobbyists) decided to shift certain holidays away from specific dates, in favor of moving them to a specific Monday. This created a nice three day weekend that would fall on the same day (not date) each year to make it easier to plan vacations. Retailers loved the idea - an extra day off to shop! And once the holiday was no longer tied to February 22, it could be expanded to include other notable leaders whose birthdays fell in February - like Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12). Indeed, the holiday is now meant to honor all presidents, not just the February babies.

True history nerds may want to take issue with my statement that Washington's 'actual' birthday is on Feb. 22. You got me! Washington was 'actually' born on February 11, 1731. But when the British empire converted from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in September of 1752, his birth date got bumped to Feb 22 due to the 11 day adjustment. If you are a little math-challenged like me, you may be wondering why he didn't just keep his birthday on Feb 11. But if he did that, he would always be 11 days off from his true solar age. That would bug me almost as much as having to switch birth dates. Washington was not exactly an early adopter, but had switched to celebrating on Feb. 22 before he died in 1799. I envision an elderly Washington doddering around Mt. Vernon every February, asking Martha, 'is it today?'.

The Gregorian calendar - get out your cheaters

There was some initial resistance to using Washington's birthday as an excuse to take the day off and tie one on. Thomas Jefferson, of all people, thought celebrating an individual's birthday was uncomfortably close to the British custom of feting King George on his special day. Jefferson's suggestion to substitute the birth of our nation on July 4 was warmly received. But it wasn't long before Washington's birthday was back on the holiday calendar. Parades, elegant 'Birthnight' (not birthday) balls, and cannon fire marked the February occasion throughout the new country.

This weekend the tradition continues. Folks somewhere are standing on a downtown sidewalk six deep in the bitter cold, waving cheap but cheerful flags at the passing high school marching band. However, I'm guessing even more folks will be waving debit cards at newly lowered prices on holiday clearance items in the comfort of their centrally heated local mall. Whether you prefer celebrating your day off with patriotism or conspicuous consumption, you have that guy on our money to thank.

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Published on 2 Comments on Resolve To Give Props

Flogging this resolution thing until the momentum runs out, estimating in about four more days . . .

A while back, I blogged about bad customer service and revenge fantasies. In the interest of thinking positive for 2019, let's turn that on its head and discuss instances of individuals and businesses CBG (Caught Being Good). Taking a page from elementary school teachers, when someone does something great, resolve this year to give props. Let no good service go un-noticed!

This topic is on my mind because recently when we got home, there was a mysterious package on the porch. Dontcha love when that happens??  I could not figure out what it could be until my hubs reminded me about the pickles.

Recently I tweeted about some amazing pickles I found at a local health food shop, how hot they were, and another company that cranks out some pretty hot stuff.

Both companies are on top of their social networking and responded to my tweet right away. The pickle guy took it to the next level and offered to send me a sampler of some of their other offerings. It would have been rude of me to refuse! And today, here they were on my front porch, expertly packed so that they arrived in great condition and even perfectly chilled thanks to Mother Nature's recent hijinx. Raise your hand if you think I will be patronizing (in a good way) this company in future. For an investment of about $10, this guy just made a lifelong loyal fan who is going to promote the heck out of him and his products. For free. Smart business move! Even better news: the pickles are Out Freakin Standing.

It is indeed a sad state of affairs when I had to really dig and ponder to come up with additional examples of outstanding customer service that did not occur before most of you were born. I fear we will soon need to file that skill under 'Lost Arts' along with driving a stick shift and operating a rotary phone. But I do have a couple:

  • It pains me to say this on account of some of their corporate policies, but Props to Hobby Lobby, the DIY craft store. Recently, filled with the worst combination of hubris and cheapskatery, I presumed to cut a double mat for a picture. I had a yardstick and an Exacto - how hard can it be? Folks, I am here to tell you: possession of a yardstick and an Exacto does not guarantee a quality mat will be the end product - quite the opposite. After a half-hearted attempt with a disastrous result, I admitted defeat and took the picture back to Hobby Lobby along with the remains of the mat boards that I had not mangled beyond recognition. The very kind, understanding staff person took pity on me. She not only took my mat board scraps in trade; she only charged me for the cutting service, and cut the mats while I waited. Ba Da Boom, Ba Da Bing, I was in and out of there in 10 minutes and under $10 for a 20 x 30 finished product. If you have had anything framed lately, you know this is a screamin' deal. Usually it's the kind of purchase you sneak home in the trunk of the car and wait until the hubs is gone to smuggle it into the house. I tweeted my props and am now a more-or-less loyal fan. I guess.
  • Anyone who has visited one of the Disney properties has experience with their superior customer service. They pride themselves on setting the bar high for their employees. The parks are clean. The employees are pleasant and presentable. There is a refreshing absence of sullen, slovenly, tattooed/pierced misfits ignoring you while they thumb their cell phones during their smoke breaks. I think of Disney often when I am submitting myself to customer service abominations elsewhere in the consumer world, standing in a line steaming while the knuckleheads behind the counter answer random phone calls and practice avoiding eye contact, feeling no pressure whatsoever to deal with the living, breathing, cash-carrying customer in front of them. Oh-so-tempted to stray into the many examples of poor customer service that come to mind (Great Clips! Cost Cutters! Maybe I should stop going to cut-rate hair salons! See what I did there!) but in the interest of giving props, I will not be that blogger. Today.

Think of good customer service as an endangered species. Give props and help preserve this valuable skill. With our love and recognition and props, we may be able to save it from extinction.

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Published on Leave a comment on Peacock Vows Are (You Knew This Was Coming) For The Birds

Nobody does peacocks like NatGeo. Original here.

Got the cheery news via Parade Magazine that only 8% of New Year's resolutions, aka 'peacock vows', are successfully achieved.  The nice folks at Parade are so sweet to phrase it like that. Of course that also means a 92% fail rate. To give more math spin on that paltry 8%:

  • If you have 5 resolutions, you will make about 40% progress on ONE of them. The other four will fail.
  • If you and 9 other friends make one resolution each, ONE of you will ALMOST succeed. The other nine will fail.
  • In order to have a better chance at having at least one resolution succeed, you need to make approximately 13 resolutions.

It's news to me that resolutions are referred to as 'peacock vows' in some sectors. According to our friends at Wiki and elsewhere, committing to lofty goals for the new year in medieval times was validated by doing so while swearing on a peacock. Apparently peacocks were easier to find than bibles back then. Why peacocks, you ask? Peacocks' showy plumage symbolized the medieval version of pop culture fame. Tonier sorts showed their hipness by featuring the flashy birds in artwork or live. Also by plucking their feathers to be used in various garments and of course roasting and eating them on special occasions. Think Louis Vuitton logo meets Thanksgiving turkey. Knights used this annual 'Peacock Vow' ritual to renew their allegiance to chivalric virtues such as gallantry, courtesy, and service to others. Nowadays our goals are somewhat less lofty: lose ten pounds, pay off the five figure college loan, be kinder to the brother-in-law even though he is a complete doofus who makes Eddie Johnson look like Albert Einstein.

Why this graphic? You know why.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand which in case my meanderings have distracted you, is New Year's resolutions. By coincidence I also read this morning a hardly original but nevertheless amusing observation by tennis player Andy Murray: if he had the power of invisibility, he would like the type that makes OTHERS disappear. This got me thinking of how we often think in a herd mentality. We wander down the same path others have trod before us. Greener pastures may await if only we have the imagination to approach from a different angle. Applying that logic to the resolution situation opens up some alternatives with potentially greater probability of success.

  • Easiest way to improve that 8% success rate (aka 92% fail rate) is to avoid making any resolutions whatsoever. Put another way, your New Year's resolution is to not make any resolutions. Zero resolutions = zero fail rate. Zero fail rate = 100% success rate, amirite??
  • If you prefer something a little more tangible so that you can contribute to the inevitable January water cooler convos, try this one:  start or stop doing something that you already do or don't do. My personal favorite is quitting smoking, because I don't smoke. 100% success rate, baby!
  • Research indicates resolutions have a better chance of success if you make your goals public. That explains the guy robbing a Stop-N-Go last January with 'Get Out Of Debt' tattooed on his forehead.

Just. Don't.

I think part of the resolution problem is that they're the same old stuff every year - spend less, exercise more, stop shaving the dog into Sesame Street characters.  Another alternative is something I blogged about here. Maybe we all need some fresh perspective. So rather than plan improvements to your own behavior, how about a 'resolution exchange' where we suggest resolutions for each other? I'll start. South Carolina Highway Patrol: starting next week, vow to 'pay it forward' by ignoring your radar guns if the driver is a middle-aged female in a black Honda CR-V. In exchange, I resolve to improve my driving habits by approximately 8%.

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Published on 2 Comments on 6 Things I Learned About Writing From Trans Siberian Orchestra

One holiday season, the hubs and I saw Trans Siberian Orchestra for the first time. We got the tickets as a thank-you gift during a public radio pledge drive. As a long-time supporter I usually don't claim a gift, but when I heard these tickets were available, I had to go for it. I had heard positive things about this group and was curious to see them live. We were not disappointed. The seats were way better than I expected. I had visions of oxygen tanks and safety harnesses but they were not required - we were on the floor level only twelve rows back. My fear of falling to my death from the 'crow's nest' seats was supplanted by fear of being decapitated by the massive lighting rigs suspended over the stage.

I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew they were an orchestra - duh! I knew they had some seasonal music connection. I imagined an evening of jazzed-up holiday standards, attracting the kind of audience who is excited about the first opportunity to wear their new Christmas sweater. I was wrong.

TSO is a holiday act in the same way Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Yes, there are a few token Christmas references, but at heart they are mind-boggling, eye-popping special effects vehicles. The artists are very talented. But the main attraction was the lighting and video effects. Think Lady Gaga concert meets the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios.

So I'm sitting there enjoying the show, observing my fellow audience members, and I realized TSO has a very solid business model that can be applied to many endeavors, including writing.

Start on time
We've all heard the nightmare stories of spoiled, irresponsible, drugged-out musicians appearing ridiculously late - or not at all - for their concerts. Not these folks! Concert was scheduled for 8:00p.m. We were underway at 8:00 p.m. No opening acts, no teasers. Clock struck 8 and away we went. As writers it is tempting to assume we are the masters of our own schedules. If we want to sleep in or take a long lunch or hit the mall during off-peak hours, why not? We can make up that precious writing time. Folks, that is the road to perdition. Have a schedule. Stick to it, same as if you were catching a train or driving the kiddos to school. Must happen in a timely manner on a regular basis.

Find a niche and work it
There can't be that many 80s-hair-band-industrial-light-and-sound-Christmas-orchestras out there. That's what I call a niche. Works for TSO, works for writers. Fiction genres have become so splintered. If you can't find a niche that fits your work, that's probably a great sign that you should start your own. Also a great sign no one is filling that need, so you can corner the market for paranormal-fuzzy sleuth-amnesia-whodunits!

Understand your strengths and stick to them
TSO's performance included a long ongoing narrative preceding several of the musical numbers. The narrator had a great voice, but the story was lame and, frankly, boring. But when we got back to the lights and music, all was well. Note to TSO: get an editor.

Understand your audience and give them what they want
Many in the audience had obviously been to a TSO performance before, or owned their recordings. They cheered at the first strains of various songs. They stood on their chairs and waved that Y-shaped hand sign meaning either they are from Hawaii or a member of the Crips, I can never remember which. So hurray for brand loyalty! The arena was pretty full and from what I understand, the retail price of those tickets ran about $75 a pop. People will pay for something that meets their entertainment needs. Find out what that is, and give it to them.

Show your audience you are giving 110%
One of the cast/band/orchestra/whatever was a violinist. Now keep in mind we were in an arena setting. Seats thousands. Sound system second to none. The set was two stories tall, with speakers to match. We are talking LOUD rock music, multiple electric guitars, not one but two electronic keyboards, and a drum set bigger than my car. And the guy with the smallest, lowest decibel instrument in the place is brandishing his violin like a Tahitian fire juggler. Could anyone hear his violin? Nope. Did he care? Not a whit. He wore himself out running all over the place, bowing that fiddle like there was no tomorrow. I don't know if he sounded any good, but A for effort. Your writing should show the same amount of dedication in the finished product. Show the reader you care enough to provide a quality entertainment experience.

Craft a satisfying ending
Endings are tough for musicians. No matter how great the performance, they can't possibly play every song in their catalog, and some fan is bound to disappointed not to hear their favorite. Not having any knowledge of TSO's music, I didn't judge their performance on what they may have left out. Rather, I evaluated it on the 'story arc'. Overall they did a good job. They started with a literal bang, had some peaks and valleys, built to a big finish, didn't stop there, and finished a little bigger. Much like a good fireworks show, it was disappointing but obvious when it was over. As writers, we have it a little easier in that we aren't expected to include each and every character or setting or situation in every story. Because we are not performing live, with proper planning and editing, we can wrap things up neatly and avoid disappointing the audience with sloppy loose ends.

We enjoyed the performance, but I'm not ready to become a TSO groupie. That's not a knock on them. I'm a change junkie. There aren't many experiences that I enjoy repeating ad infinitum. But I do appreciate their professionalism and talent. I look forward to bringing the same level of dedication and hard work to my next project. Anyone know where I can buy a fog machine and some strobe lights?

this post first appeared in 2013

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Published on Leave a comment on Tune In To The Holidays

I have this weird thing I do when it comes to the holidays: I just can't listen to holiday music until December 1. But after the first, anything goes! Nothing gets me more pumped than finding a Christmas music diamond in the rough. So I've put together a list of musical jewels I've discovered in the past. And I hope you'll share some of your favorites with me so I can add to my collection.

Indigo Christmas

My all-time favorite Christmas CD is Indigo Christmas. I bought it years ago, can't remember where, maybe Barnes and Noble?? Have just about worn it out. Every track is a fresh, jazzy arrangement guaranteed to coolify any holiday party. So glad it is still available from Amazon. Backup copies have been made just in case!

 

Bethlehem After Dark

My second-favorite holiday CD is Bethlehem After Dark by featuring Butch Thompson on piano and Laura Sewell on cello, a match made in music heaven. I believe I first heard it on NPR some years ago. Classy without being stuffy - a goal all of us should aspire to!

 

Straight No Chaser

While sampling Straight No Chaser's (of 12 Days of Christmas 15-million-and-counting-hits-on-YouTube fame) Christmas album, I fell in love with their rendition of Let It Snow. Definitely the hippest version of this literal and figurative Christmas evergreen I have heard. The link  below is to a YouTube video of their live performance at a radio station. If you can do without the video, try the album on Spotify instead. Lots of other cool tracks on that album, but this one is my fave.

Straight No Chaser - Let It Snow

In Dulci Jubilo - A Classical Guitar Christmas

Eva Beneke
I heard an interview with Eva Beneke on NPR. She is a world class guitarist. This CD is performed on a vintage Hermann Hauser guitar. Now, I don't know much about guitars. Apparently Hausers are the guitar version of the Stradivarius. The guitar she plays on this CD was on loan from its recent new owner. I checked online and if you want a new one, you are looking at $30,000 and up. A vintage one like this one (1952), one can only wonder what it sold for. I did find a site with a similar guitar for sale. The photos are gorgeous. And if it looks this good, you know it must sound phenomenal.

Anyway - as I was researching this Hauser thing, I clicked on Spotify's holiday playlist. Three songs in, I had to turn it off. So pedestrian, so overdone. I bet you can guess what the first three songs were.* So I turned it off, downloaded Ms. Beneke's beautiful CD, and have been enjoying it ever since.

And of course as soon as I snarktweet on Mariah Carey's Christmas song, I see this on Jezebel. Adorable pop-up munchkins: check. Fallon's mad kazoo skills: check. Mariah rockin' it sans Autotune: check. My Christmas is complete.

Jimmy Fallon, Mariah Carey, Roots -  All I Want For Christmas is You

August Burns Red

August Burns Red - Sleddin' Hill

This album first came to my attention when it bobbed to the top of my Spotify holiday music search. The band was completely unknown to me. I was so excited to forward it to my son, the metal band drumming wonder, to show him I was up on the latest metal band news. Of course he had already heard of them. Oh well!

This may not be your holiday music cup of tea, but I guarantee it will be different from anything else in your collection. Thanks to both of my children for keeping me informed about the music scene. Without them, I would never have listened to some of my favorite bands (Audioslave, Incubus, Rage Against The Machine). So kids, keep sending me stuff, and I will keep listening.

Stile Antico

Stile Antico (stee-lay an-TEE-co) roughly translates to 'old style', but that is much too rough a description for the heavenly sounds this British a capella choral group produces. Today's pick is a long concert, but so beautiful and guaranteed a fresh addition to your tired holiday playlist.

Stile Antico concert at St. Paul's Church, Cambridge MA aired on NPR 12/5/12

Whitney Houston
I love music. I really love Christmas music. And if I happen upon a new (to me) Christmas song that hasn't been done to death and can be enjoyed over and over again, well that just makes my day. Hope this one makes yours.

Whitney Houston with The Georgia Mass Choir - Joy To The World

I'm looking forward to adding to my holiday music collection. I'm hearing good things about Kelly Clarkson's Wrapped In Red. Tell me about your favorites in the comments.

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

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Published on Leave a comment on Valentine Secrets

Then

33 Valentine's Days ago, we slipped over to the local Justice of the Peace on our lunch hour and got married. Then we went back to work. He was late because he stopped to buy me flowers. I wore white (try not to laugh). Actually it was a white suit with a pink blouse. We were the only couple there. Complete strangers served as our witnesses. You just can't get any more romantic than that.

We had both been through the big production wedding ceremony before. That was the last thing either of us wanted. Since we were paying for the second go-round ourselves, we chose to spend our money on a fun reception and honeymoon instead.

It actually was pretty cool because we kept it a secret from everyone. Afterward, I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to wipe the goofy grin off my face so people wouldn't think I had a three martini lunch (it was the 80s).

We finally told everyone, of course, but it was fun those few weeks prior to the event when only the two of us knew.

Now

When people find out our anniversary is Valentine's Day, they usually say they think it is a great idea, so romantic, etc. At least that's what they say to my face. I imagine they are secretly thinking what a crazy idea, and how problematic it would be to plan a wedding for that day. Yes, if you were going to go big with a fancy church/location, white dress, seven course reception and so forth. But if you are just going to the JP on your lunch hour, no biggie.

They also think it is a bad idea to combine the two events into a single day and possibly reduce gifting opportunities, like having a birthday on December 25. But my husband is no slacker. He always gets me separate gifts and cards (unlike me, he is a card guy), one for Valentine's and one for anniversary. It is problematic going out to celebrate as restaurants are mobbed. But they would be mobbed anyway, whether it was our anniversary or not, so we just plan around it.

Not sure how we are celebrating this year. It's hard to top the romance of running off to get married at the JP on your lunch hour.

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Published on Leave a comment on Krewe Konfessions

Mystick Krewe of Comus invitations - notoriously hard to come by

Look at this beauty: an invitation to the Mystick Krewe of Comus' 1867 Mardi Gras ball.  Most are familiar with the springtime New Orleans extravaganza. But what's up with the krewe business?

First, let's clarify what's going on with the word 'krewe'. It's pronounced the same as 'crew', but the founders thought it would be fun to give a shout-out to John Milton and spell it old-style. Krewes are basically private clubs. Membership is select and usually requires a fee. Some membership rosters are secret. The fee varies widely, from a few bucks to thousands. Think country club membership, without the golf. Their purpose is to make a splashy contribution to the Mardi Gras celebration.  This usually takes the form of an elaborate parade float with all the accoutrements (costumes; items like fake coins and cheap beads to throw to the crowd). Some also throw a big party on Mardi Gras night, from lavish balls to tailgate-style cookouts.

The Comus Krewe is the oldest New Orleans krewe, founded in 1857.The founders were familiar with the long tradition of elaborate Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile,

The theme for Comus Krewe's floats in 1867: Epicurean

Alabama, which began in 1703. Yes, that's right - Mobile is the birthplace of the Mardi Gras celebration as we know it, not New Orleans. Not to be outdone by their Gulf Coast neighbors to the east, the Comus Krewe put on quite the shindig at home in New Orleans that spring. It was a big hit. Word got around. In subsequent years, folks traveled from near and far to observe the annual New Orleans parade. And thus a multi-million dollar tourist industry was born.

Like some country clubs, membership in Comus was limited and pricey. It wasn't long before other krewes sprang up to fill the void created by their snootiness. Some were copycats, equally pricey and snooty. Some were more casual, catering to underserved (read: folks Comus wouldn't allow in their club, like non-whites, non-Protestants, non-men).

Flights of Fancy 1901 Mardi Gras parade float designed for Comus Krewe by Jenny Wilde, one of the first female float designers via Tulane University Library

Comus Krewe operations flowed more or less without interruption until they hit a bump in the parade route in 1992, when New Orleans passed an anti-discrimination law. Comus chose to withdraw from parade participation rather than comply with the new law as it applied to their membership. They still hold their annual ball.

Most of what you've read up to this point is more or less verified and accurate, as accurate as anything can be that is based on online research. This last bit is to be viewed with an exceedingly skeptical eye, but it was so outrageous and, dare I say, crazy, I had to share:

Diligent Googling about the Comus Krewe may also steer you to a website claiming to be a transcription of a deathbed confession by a former member. In it, he claims the krewe was a front for a secret society composed of anarchists, murderers, and (gasp!) Yankee bankers. The argument is made that certain founders of the Krewe had ties to powerful financial interests that supported the creation of the Confederacy, and therefore were behind all manner of mayhem to bring this to pass. It makes all kinds of claims connecting Comus Krewe to the Bank of Rothschild, the Illuminati, the Masons, the assassination and attempted assassination of various high ranking politicians, including James Buchanan, Zachary Taylor, William Henry Harrison (presidents all) and longtime Louisiana politician Huey P. Long. The confessor does say most krewe members were unaware of the diabolical deeds the ringleaders orchestrated.

The article is long, as conspiracy rants tend to be. It needs a good editor. It's probably a load of nonsense. But if you're a conspiracy theorist, or you're looking for some story ideas, check it out. The Comus Krewe confessions might lead you somewhere even more entertaining than the French Quarter during Mardi Gras.

This post originally appeared during my participation in the 2016 A to Z Blog Challenge. 

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Published on 2 Comments on Every Day Is A Holiday Around Here. No, Really.

One of Google's MLK Day doodles

Recently we celebrated MLK Day, a national holiday honoring slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. National government agencies got a paid vacay. Where I live, schools were closed.  I quantify that because state and local entities don't necessarily have to follow along with national holidays. Most do, but there is some wiggle room there. The local entities have to budget for paying the employees for that day off, so they have some say in it.

Side note: originally there was some resistance to the MLK holiday from a few sectors, most notably Arizona. By refusing to support the national holiday passed in 1986, they lost hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding, and Super Bowl XXVII (27 for those of you non-nerds who didn't take Latin in high school) moved to Pasadena in protest. Ouch!

We are fairly well covered with national holidays as follows:

January - New Year's Day 1/1, Martin Luther King Jr. Day 3rd Monday

February - President's Day 3rd Monday

March

April

May - Memorial Day last Monday

June

July - Independence Day July 4

August

September - Labor Day 1st Monday

October - Columbus Day 2nd Monday

November - Veterans Day 11/11, Thanksgiving 4th Thursday

December - Christmas 12/25

Look at those four gaps just begging for more celebrating. This puts me in mind of all the oddball holidays. Not a single day of the year is without one. Now we could go for the low-hanging fruit to plug those gaps and add the obvious (St. Patrick's Day, April Fools, Father's Day, etc.) But where's the fun in that? If I could wave a magic legislative wand and add one more national holiday, here's my short list. It was very difficult for me not to make every choice food-related, but I did my best.

March - Must be tough competition with Easter sometimes falling within March. I mean - Plumbing Day (11)? Buzzards Day (15)? Thank goodness for Crayola Crayon Day (31).

April - is my new favorite month. It has Beer Day (7), Pillow Fight Day (5), and Grill Cheese Day (12).

June - June is struggling, with Eat Your Vegetables Day (17), Blood Donor Day (14), Sewing Machine Day (13), and Insurance Awareness Day (28) zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. However, it is redeemed by two capital holidays: Flip Flop Day (20) and Sauntering Day (19). Let's make EVERY day 'Sauntering Day'!

August - Wow, and I thought June was struggling. Love Litigating Lawyers Day (31)? Really? I'm gonna hafta go ahead and choose either International Lefthanders Day (13) or Creamsicle Day (14) with Fresh Breath Day (6) a very tempting option also. Here's my dad's contribution to Fresh Breath Day: ask your friend if they have a breath mint. If they say 'no', you say, 'here, have one of mine'.

If you didn't see anything you liked in the above suggestions, how about coming up with a holiday or two on your own? It is quite a process to get a day declared a national holiday. All that pesky politicking and budget wrangling pressure spoils the fun. But it appears if you don't care about the national bit, all you have to do to declare a day a holiday is to declare it. I am declaring today Finish Your Blog Post Day. Tomorrow is going to be Take A Break From Blogging Every Day Day.

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2

Published on 2 Comments on So About That Resolution Thing . . .

It's that time of year when we all pretend we will make life-changing improvements and 'really stick with them this time'. From sad experience, I estimate this pleasant fantasy will disappear faster than the last Yeungling in a cooler full of Bud Lite. On about Day 6 we will wake up, go about our day, and not until about 3:48 p.m. remember the resolution(s) we had completely abandoned up until that point. Resolution may or may not be attempted depending on what it is. If your resolution was something like 'watch less TV' or 'read more books', don't despair! All is not lost! If your resolution was 'no more drive-thru', but this only hits you as you are cleaning the lunchtime Taco Bell bag out of the back seat, ruh roh! On Day 7, it will occur to us around 9:30 p.m. On Day 8, no sighting. Day 9, about 8:40 a.m. we will remember that we completely forgot all about our resolutions during Day 8. Day 10 =  'what resolutions?', and that will be that until next January.

I am completely cheating on resolutions this year due to a couple of factors.

1) Like 92% of us, I usually fail at this resolution thing. I am trying to learn from past experience. You know what they say about the definition of insanity. So I have adjusted my resolutions accordingly (see below).

2) I like to think I am getting older AND wiser about some things in life. I have stopped waiting until January 1 to make lifestyle improvements. Sort of like how I now shop for myself. I don't wait until special occasions, make subtle requests and hope people take the hint and gift me with things I like. I just buy them for myself, whenever I want (budget permitting). It's just easier that way. So when I see some aspect of my life that could use some improvement, I don't wait until January 1 Resolution Mania. This is turning out to be a pretty good strategy. Specifically, I successfully eliminated drive-thru meals (you don't even want to know how bad I was getting - or how fat!) and diet soda (Coke Zero, it was fun while it lasted) from my diet, as well as improved my writing habits, so yay me. The main disadvantage of this strategy is that all the big resolution topics are no longer available on January 1, as I have already tackled them!

On to the cheating -

I have two resolutions this year. One is personal; one professional. My main resolution this year may not seem like much, but since the Big Three are already undertaken (diet, exercise, productivity), you see how that limits my options. Here it is:

WHEREAS, I am the offspring of a 1950s era baseball pitcher; and,

Dad pitching for the Milwaukee Braves farm team 1958

WHEREAS, baseball is a noble and entertaining activity; and,

WHEREAS, I enjoyed playing and watching the game as a youngster and adult until other less worthy pursuits diverted my attention; and,

WHEREAS, 'tis the season for rectifying wrongs both personal and professional;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lissa Johnston, do hereby proclaim 2018 the year I revive my lifelong interest in baseball and all related activities thereunto appertaining; vow to celebrate the glories of real grass, outdoor stadiums, and wooden bats; and resume giving our national pastime the loving devotion it deserves forthwith. Go Rangers!

The cheating comes about because there's not much happening in baseball right now other than a few trades and hiring/firing rumors, so I don't really have much pressure regarding this resolution for a couple more weeks when spring training gears up. And therein lies the danger - remembering the resolution!

 

The original version of this post first appeared in 2014.

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