Hi there!

There ought to be a few new people checking out the blog soon. Faithful readers, you may be curious about the new folks and here is the deal: I put out some shameless advertising for Mardi Gras season. I’m a member of Asheville Mardi Gras and I make some pretty epic throws for our parades. This year I decided to put my blog name on the beads so people could find out a little more about the person that made their fancy throw.

Hi there! Here is more about me!

Here is a cheesy Mardi Gras name generator…

…today I’m Mambo Gumbo, who are you?

Here’s more: I’ve never been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. My dad’s family is from Livingston Parish (for you outsiders, this is only about an hour and a half west of NO) and for most of my childhood my family LEFT THE STATE for this holiday. These wonderful relatives of mine had zero interest in wild parties (we are talking tee-totalers) and preferred a nice quiet get-a-way whenever possible. My grandfather proudly proclaimed he only visited the city twice in his 80+ years of life–those 2 trips were to see a cardiology specialist in New Orleans and it couldn’t be avoided.

I’m honestly not sure how I would handle Mardi Gras in the big city. I hope that some day I get to go and see…with a well planned escape route, of course. For now I will make elaborate throws for my beloved AVL parade (which does reach crowds in the 8+ thousands) and live vicariously through my friends who are brave enough to live in The City That Care Forgot.

Some points about the religious season:

As a pescatarian I LOVE the season of Lent. This is the magical time of year that all the fast food joints put out a fish sandwich for those “meat-free” Fridays that the Catholics do, especially during this religious season.  While I don’t eat much seafood, and certainly not that much fast food seafood, it IS pretty great to have so many fast fish options (beyond the antiseptic McDonalds Filet-o-Fish). {I have some fabulous Catholic friends who are writing a zine about the Fish Fry culture of the Saint Louis area. I’ll let y’all know when it gets published–it ought to be a delight.} I do have to an an eye-roll when I see the dang chocolate sacrifice people so this time every year…if you’re religious I challenge you to up your game beyond such a petty sacrifice. Maybe instead of, or in addition to giving something up try GIVING instead. Click here for some great ideas.

I’ve been doing some research on the history of throwing beads but I’ve still got some more to read up on before I report on that. You’ll have to stay tuned!

If you are new I say WELCOME and if you are a faithful reader I say HUZZAH!

I hope all you n00bs become faithful readers, too!

❤