December 2018 — Alan Lampe

Year in Review

At the end of the year, traditionally people take time to review themselves. Numerous companies do it with Best of the Year lists. This is my year in review blog post.

My greatest accomplishment this year is that I became a published author. Many thanks go to the staff of Oghma Creative Media who produced Bill’s Cajun House of Pleasure, my romp in the swamp. The book came out April 24. I attended Books in Bloom, the Arkansas Writers’ Conference, the Mississippi Book Festival, the High Cotton on the Bayou Festival, the Ozark Writer’s Conference, and the Tulsa Night Writer’s Conference. I enjoyed them all and learned something at each event. I also gave an author talk at the Fayetteville Public Library. So far, in 2019 I have two events lined up. First, I’ll be at the Author’s Day Event at the Kimberling Area Library in Kimberling City, Missouri, on February 2. The following month, I’ll be giving an author talk at the Artist Retreat Center in Bella Vista, Arkansas, on March 10. I’m sure more events will land on my calendar as the year progresses.

As fall began, I completed my second manuscript and sent it to Oghma. It is a medieval fantasy satire that was a hoot to write. My publisher declined to publish it. The world I created for this story was a joy to be in. I look forward to writing other stories in this world in the future. I began my third manuscript and returned to the historical fiction genre. This tale brings to life Peggy’s tale from her home in the hills of West Virginia to Bill’s Cajun House of Pleasure. In the later part of the manuscript, many of your favorite characters will return for some bayou fun.

My critique group did a Halloween story contest. The story I submitted for that was a post-apocalyptic battle between the remnants of humanity and the creatures of an evil being. This idea has stayed with me these past few months. A friend gave me the bones of a great backstory for this tale. This gives me another story to tell in the future.

I’m looking forward to 2019 and the opportunities it brings. I hope you continue to follow me and invite your friends to do so as well. History doesn’t write itself, and I wish you enjoy the history I write.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what book is open on my Kindle. I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read a variety of authors and topics. Currently, I’m reading Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael series, book twenty, Brother Cadfael’s Penance.

Bill’s Cajun House of Pleasure is available on Amazon, as an eBook, and in physical formats. It is also available on the Barnes and Noble website.

St. Louis Cathedral

The Crescent City wraps up its celebratory 300^th year this week. Another icon of New Orleans commemorates its dedication on this day. A Roman Catholic church has stood where St. Louis Cathedral now sits, dating back to the founding of New Orleans. French settlers built the first church out of wood. In 1725, work began on a larger brick and timber building. French engineer Adrien de Pauger designed the structure. It took two years to complete. Four French governors and three Spanish ones worshiped in this church. On Good Friday (March 21, 1788), the church burned in the Great New Orleans Fire. In 1789, the cornerstone of St. Louis Cathedral was laid. It took five years to build the new church. Four years into construction, the new house of worship became a cathedral for a new diocese. Pope Pius VI created the Diocese of Louisiana and the Floridas on April 25, 1793.

Sixty years after the cornerstone was laid, the cathedral was restored using J. N. B. de Pouilly’s designs. The restoration was extensive, taking the building down to the lateral walls. The lower portions of the existing towers remained as well. As construction continued, it was determined the walls had to come down as well. In 1850, the central tower collapsed. This caused the departure of J. N. B. and almost all the remaining Spanish Colonial structure. The cathedral as you see it today is from 1850.

In 1910, part of the foundation collapsed. The church closed for a year, from Easter 1916 to Easter 1917 for repairs. Pope Paul VI elevated the cathedral to a minor basilica in 1964. St. Pope John Paul II visited the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis in September 1987. When Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, the storm damaged a statue of Jesus Christ. It chipped off a forefinger and a thumb. The high winds also put a hole in the roof, causing water damage to the Holtkamp pipe organ. It was shipped off for repairs and restored, returning in June 2008.

St_Louis_Cathedral_New_Orleans

By Nowhereman86 at en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28169640

Sitting on the square with its three spires for the past 168 years, the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis is an icon of New Orleans. History doesn’t write itself, but this building has seen a lot in its 229-year existence. For more information on this wonderful icon, the heart of old New Orleans, click here and here.

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Bill’s Cajun House of Pleasure is available on Amazon, as an eBook, and in physical formats. It is also available on the Barnes and Noble website.

Historical Louisiana Elections

The 2018 mid-term elections are behind us now. But this blog post will focus on historical Louisiana elections. Voting is the voice of people. It shouldn’t be taken for granted.

On December 8, 1879, Louisianan’s ratified a new state constitution. In doing so, they moved the state capitol from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. It returned Louisiana to home rule, the authority of a U.S. state to exercise powers of governance and perform functions pertaining to its government and affairs delegated to it by the central (state) government. Five state Supreme Court justices were approved for a twelve-year term. The people of Louisiana approved a lottery but believed gambling was still a deceptive vice and voted it down. The 1870s were tumultuous with many battles being fought. Learn more here.

The twenty-fourth governor of Louisiana was sworn in on December 9, 1872. Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback was the first black governor of any state. He was born a free man in Mason, Georgia, on May 10, 1837. He was one of the few black commissioned Union officers during the Civil War. Earlier in 1872, the Louisiana legislature impeached Governor Henry Clay Warmoth, (R). Henry had to step away from the governor’s office until his impeachment trial started, according to state law. This allowed Pinckney, the lieutenant governor, to move into the bigger office. He served the remainder of Henry’s term, just thirty-six days. On January 13, 1873, John McEnery (D) was sworn in as the twenty-fifth governor, having won the election in 1872. The charges against Henry were eventually dropped. Learn more here.

History doesn’t write itself, but it seems like there is an anniversary every day of something important that happened years ago. What’s important is, do you remember and respect your history, or are you doomed to repeat it the failed life lessons of others? Hope my work is helping you understand Louisiana history.

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Bill’s Cajun House of Pleasure is available on Amazon, as an eBook, and in physical formats. It is also available on the Barnes and Noble website.

A Bayou Cove Christmas

It’s December folks. Time to head into the swamp in your trusted flat-bottom boat and pick out a decent looking cypress tree. The one you caught the big gator at last season. Cut it down with your handy-dandy chainsaw. Float it home, and let it dry out in the yard for a couple of days. Make sure to get all the seaweed off of it. Drag it inside without damaging your door frame and set it up in your grand window. It’s the one that still has all the panes in it. Untangle yards and yards of LED lights and throw them around the tree. For decorations, add scented pine cones, paper wreaths you kid made in school, and your collection of gator teeth. On the top goes the angle, dressed in Saints black and gold. When all the work is done, and your dog has peed on it, relax in your favorite chair with a Moscow mule. Congratulations, you’re all set for the holidays in Bayou Cove. What could top this feeling of euphoria?

Awful Christmas Tree — From the Daily Mail “Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree – you are pitiful!” 12-16-14

An evening at Bill’s Cajun House of Pleasure comes to mind. His girls know what fills your heart’s desire. From intoxicating candles to a wild ride on a swing with a one-legged woman, Bill’s has it all. He may come across as a Grinch, but give him some greenbacks for your winter dalliance and you’ll see his heart grow three sizes. Well, more likely his bank account, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

Grab a whiskey when your fun is done. Slide up to the bar and listen to Top Shelf’s magnificent tale of grand theft auto, one piece at a time. A word of warning, don’t challenge Dewey to Christmas carol trivia. It’s one of the few things he excels at. And when you head home, be sure to wave at Octavius. He probably won’t respond, but that’s okay. Being an attack alligator is a tough job.

History doesn’t write itself. But if you’re lucky enough to spend Christmas in Bayou Cove, Louisiana, you’ll have a tall tale to tell for sure. It could even be called a Christmas Miracle in some circles.

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Bill’s Cajun House of Pleasure is available on Amazon, as an eBook, and in physical formats. It is also available on the Barnes and Noble website.