The week after Mardi Gras is not a good time to ask me any questions that require a lucid answer. It’s a depressing time: looking at a untrimmed trailer is like looking at a Christmas tree, the day after.

If you think getting ready for Mardi Gras is a big job, just stick around for the ‘after party’. To date, all has been washed, folded, sorted and packed away for yet another year. I always wonder if I’ll be around next year to un-pack.

Mardi Gras has been a catalyst for our meeting some of the most interesting people on earth. They come from all corners of the globe; from all walks of life and all are here for one reason: to partake of the rural Cajun traditions that most of us take for granted.

I’m Cajun, me, and darn proud of it. My heritage has taken me to many places that I would not have ordinarily gone. Our handiwork has found it’s way into private collections as well as museums. We have made friendships that have lasted for decades now.

We’ve befriended people from Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Virgin Islands and Scotland for starters and practically every state in the Union. And each new friendship brings a new outlook as to where we are and what we do.

The celebration itself is a boon to the local economy and as it’s been said about farming, ‘don’t talk with your mouth full’. Yes, it’s an awful lot of work for one day but it plants the seed of interest for people to return to the area all year long, to partake of the food, music and culture.

Mardi Gras can’t be all that bad! And, if I don’t succumb to an ‘attack de vieillesse’ in the next 360-some days, I’ll see you on the run next year.

Vieillesse.

Georgie Manuel.

March 4,2012.