A Slice of Culture

July 28, 2015 by margaretsmn

Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for Tuesdays Slice of Life Challenge.

Photo by Cajun Byrd on flickr.

The heat is on. Temperatures are reaching well into the 90’s with heat indexes of 100+. Humidity thickens the air. And yet, the party still goes on.

Last weekend my husband and I drove an hour north through fields of sugarcane and soybeans, past ancient live oaks along the ridge of the Bayou Teche. We were driving to see one of our favorite Cajun fiddlers, Michael Doucet, who was playing with 3 other musicians at Bayou Teche Brewery in Arnaudville.

I’ve known Michael since I taught his son, Ezra, in third grade. (If my calculations are right, it’s been 17 years.) Michael has always been charming and welcoming, even though he’s gotten quite famous. This day was no different.

There was a slight breeze. When it blew, we raised our arms like cormorants. We danced a two-step and a waltz and drank a beer fresh from the brewery.

I was transported back in time…
when the coolest place was on the porch
where musicians played in the late afternoon,
and the cicadas joined the fiddle tune,
when family was mother, father, brother, sister, cousin, Parran, Nanny, and the neighbors next door.

Michael and his friends captured that front-porch-family feeling with their music.

Posted in Slice of Life | Tagged Arnaudville, Cajun music, fiddle, LA 31, Michael Doucet | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on July 28, 2015 at 10:52 am | Reply Haddon Musings

Ah, what a lovely way to cool down. Hope the humidity drops soon for you. I have been in New Orleans in August (son went to Loyola), I know it can be murder.
on July 28, 2015 at 11:13 am | Reply Jaana

What a great time to spend relaxing and gathering reserves for the upcoming school year!
on July 28, 2015 at 11:23 am | Reply mlvteach

Oh, I love this: “When it blew, we raised our arms like cormorants.” So beautiful.
on July 28, 2015 at 11:26 am | Reply Michelle Haseltine

Oh Margaret!!! When I read your blog posts, I feel like I enter a new world. I had to look up cormorants. I had no idea! The music is so beautiful!!! What a treat to know such a talented musician. I must make my way to visit this magical place you call home!!!
- on July 29, 2015 at 11:21 am | Reply margaretsmn
  
  You have an open invitation, Michelle.
on July 28, 2015 at 11:53 am | Reply Lori Van Hoesen

What a wonderful experience. So many circle moments here with your student and your memories. Lovely. 🙂
on July 28, 2015 at 12:58 pm | Reply Linda Baie

That last part is a poem, Margaret. Happy that you both got to go and listen and savor. The trip “sounds” wonderful.
on July 28, 2015 at 2:58 pm | Reply Pat

Your day sounds enchanting! Perfect travel back in time.
on July 28, 2015 at 8:18 pm | Reply Tara Smith

Such an evocative post, Margaret! Thanks for the music, I felt right there with you, sipping beer and dancing.
on July 29, 2015 at 1:40 am | Reply jarhartz

Your words lift me up and take me to the porch. Reading your blog gives lets me travel to all the richness in your world. Minus the heat and humidity.
on July 29, 2015 at 1:55 am | Reply debbussewitz

I have never been to Louisiana and your posts about life on the bayou make me want to pack my bag and see this beautiful place.
- on July 29, 2015 at 11:20 am | Reply margaretsmn
  
  I have room for visitors!
on July 29, 2015 at 1:55 pm | Reply Holly Mueller

“When it blew, we raised our arms like cormorants.” I’ve recently been amused and fascinated by cormorants since I was introduced to them in Florida where my parents recently moved, so I could completely picture this simile! 🙂 Once again, you’ve made me want to visit your neck of the woods!!
on August 9, 2015 at 11:12 pm | Reply 3011mileswestofvt

Love love this music!
Your words make me feel like I was there.