Ronald Pellegrln
February 15, 2018
OZ on the BAYOU
February 15, 2018
What a week that was. The 12th was Mardi gras and Lincoln’s birthday, the 14th was Valentine’s Day. Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. What emotions are contained herein: Mirth and Merriment, Love and Affection and Faith and Devotion. My knowledge of French which is a Romance Language (Langue d’Oil) allows me to apportion them according to their importance. Cajunsare religious, therefore faith and love must come first but also because they are Cajuns mirth and merriment must be part of that equation.
When I tell people that my family lived almost three years in New Orleans during World War n their first reaction is usually’ you must have enjoyed Mardi Gras. NOT! Those were the years with no Mardi Gras. Why? A little disagreement among nations know n as World War a
This was early in the war and die Japs in the Pacific Rommel in North Africa and the Nazis controlling a major part of Europe were kicking the Allies’ butts so there was no time for gaiety in New Orleans or the Nation. Missing parades was harder on the natives because we didn’t miss what we had never seen.
Where I came from Mardi Gras was celebrated but in a more modest way. People masked and walked the highway with little red wagons and baby buggies but no major parades. We kids were apprehensive of “Mardi Gras Chick-A-La-Pie” which were maskers in costumes wearing tall cone hats and carrying cloth wraps to use on us. Instead of begging for throws (which was not universally in vogue in the thirties we would run away.
Edward R Morrow was on radio every night with his “This is London” broadcast with bombs Falling around him reminding us that big cities were being bombed which is exactly where this 12 year old boy and his family had been brought to from our safe Cajun country. (My Dad. over draft age was needed at Higgins’ defense plant building landing crafts. It was all very frightening to say the least J
Enough! Mardi Gras is a happy time and for over a week now we have enjoyed parades, floats, marching bonds and adults and children knocking each other down to catch throws from riders. The Japanese no longer make them. They now make cars, computers. I Phones and! Hop and we make the cheap stuff. Scratch I Hop…that for eating, not texting although that’s done there, too.
Historically on Ash Wednesday the festivities were over and Cajuns being predominantly’ Catholic learned that for 40 days of lent (39. actually because St Joseph day was exempted) we had to fast, pray and give up something. I usually gave up cabbage which I hated. There was also no dances, which meant musicians were unemployed for the du ration, but we found a loop hole.
In the Kingdom of Jefferson Parish, the juke pints were flourishing and we could dance but had to confess to our priest who was German and we feared him more than we feared the Sheriff. I usually got by with 5 Hail Marys and 5 Our Fathers.
Many of the old customs have fallen by the way side and the younger generations are addicted to the internet and are floating somewhere in cyber space, not knowing or caring or scared about the world they are about to inherit. That scares me. because some of them are my grandchildren. Just kidding I watch Fox News too much.
Back to Mardi Gras. I was ambivalent about parades but my wife and kids used to drag me to act as a shill because I was well known and many beads and stuff was thrown my way and the kids would gather them up, never mind that some were thrown hard and aimed for my head maybe because of my politics or my music.
Next week, one final Mardi Gras story that shaped part of my future life.
Note: The pictures that are part ofthe column show abored Assessor at a Mardi Gras event and who needs Hallmark. I make my own card and I hereby dedicate it to my wife and family. BYE NOW)
‘Mardi Gras is a happy time for over a week and for over a week now, we have enjoyed parades../
In this week’s place historical columnist Leroy Martin look back at some Mardi Gras memories, as well as sharing thoughts on both Valentine s Day and also the Lenten season. Mr. Martin says that next week. he is going to share one more Mardi Gras story which helped shape his adult life.
