Join the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge.
A selfie with my friend Sarah as we eat beignets at Festival Acadiens.
This was a weekend to embrace the culture of South Louisiana, along with the crazy heat. I’m not sure if we set records, but the temperatures were blazing while my husband and I introduced friends from Houston to the music and food of our home town. Two festivals complete with Cajun and Zydeco music, gumbo, beignets, and shrimp po-boys. We danced (and ate) all weekend. Our favorite bands are BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet and Geno Delafose and the French Rockin Boogie. Family was part of the fun, two daughters, a sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and a niece.
I have been going to these festivals for years, but dancing has only been part of them for the last three and a half. Dancing makes all the difference. I feel like I am part of the music, not just a by-stander listener. I am sore and tired, but the kind of sore and tired when you have done something vigorous, life-giving, like hiking or completing a marathon. The music is still playing in my mind.
Maggie, Katherine, and niece Claire pose at the Gumbo Cookoff.
I made a video about dancing this weekend. My husband is the handsome dancer. Be warned: there is one clip where the music comes on suddenly loud.
The beauty of growing older and wiser and embracing the moment is captured in your slice. When life gives you music, dance!
You’re cute.
Sounds like a wonderful weekend (except for the heat). This Slice reminds me of that song – is it LeAnn Womack maybe? “And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance… I hope you dance.” 🙂
I’m glad you had such fun, Margaret. It certainly sounds wonderful!
This is the festival you told me about, isn’t it?! I wish we could’ve visited Louisiana this fall – New Orleans is on my bucket list. You look like you had so much fun!
What a fun time you must have had. I love to dance and taste new foods.
This totally brought me back to a trip my husband, father-in-law and I took to Louisiana many years ago. I loved the zydeco music, beignets, and so much more. My father-in-law pulled me out onto the dance floor (I had no idea what I was doing), and it was so much fun even though I had two left feet. Thank you for bringing that to mind. I miss my father-in-law now that he is gone and that was an especially wonderful memory. It seems like you and your family are making some golden memories too.
Thanks for leaving that comment. I love it when we connect to posts this way, bringing our own unique experience and memory.
You had me at beignet! I’ve only been to N’awlins once and I remember LOVING my beignet from Cafe du Monde. (That’s what it is called, right?) That festival sounds like so much fun. Right up my alley!
Yes, Stacey. Cafe du Monde has the best beignets. The festival ones were not nearly as puffy and delicious. Next time you are in the deep south, let me know. I’d love to show you a good time, as they say.