Sitting in Fremin's that night so very, very long ago, ages and ages now it seems, it was hard to disagree. It was the last night of our spectacular trip to Louisiana and we had dinner in this elegant place in the historical district of Thibodaux. The 1878 three story building once housed a drug store, but on this night, this serene and wonderful night that seemed to stretch forever like the warm enveloping arms of a lover, every sensual nuance of Louisiana was on display. We had martinis and wine, chargrilled oysters, redfish and crawfish in one last expansive meal. We lingered over more martinis and a very talented jazz ensemble playing on this Wednesday night kept us enthralled. We did not want to leave. But, because we had listened to an informative and harrowing dissertation on the loss of Louisiana land and the damage done by Rita and Katrina by a park ranger in Thibodaux that day our appreciation of life’s preciousness was heightened. Despite the travails of this world though, the medicinal elixir being stirred here in Fremin’s kept us safe and sated. We truly felt happy that night in Fremin's and the very idea of returning home seemed baffling. Life goes on, even when it goes badly is a phrase I often use, but the approach to life here in Louisiana, given the history of the Cajun people, changes that sentiment from a survival course to a way of enjoying life no matter what is tossed in their path.
I have learned a lot while here in Louisiana, but the dearest lesson gained is this approach to life. Listening to that jazz ensemble play Louis Armstrong's standard “What A Wonderful World,” that delights in the simplicity of life, it all made sense and I hope I remember it for the rest of my days.
Laissez le bon temps roule.
Sigh….
This is the last entry for our trip to Louisiana. I apologize for the break in time, but it was my birthday last week and well... laissez le bon temps roule... come'on...!
Thanks so very much for reading and for all your emails. I hope you all find happiness in this world as well.
love,
greg
