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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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. I’m on the eighteenth book Summer of the Danes.

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.

Memorial Day in Bayou Cove

Tomorrow America remembers its fallen military service personnel. It’s the unofficial kick off of summer and a three-day weekend for most workers. If Bayou Cove still existed, Bill would raise a glass of whiskey in salute to his father and Uncle U who fought in World War I. Top Shelf would match the salute with his Moscow mule. They’d sit at the bar of Bill’s Cajun House of Pleasure and tell war stories. This gives me the idea to write a flash fiction piece that expands this scene. This morning Amazon.com reports only ten physical copies are in stock, so I know you’re itching for some more tales from the swamp.

Books in Bloom was a great success. I set out fourteen books and sold all but one. Thanks to everyone who came out and purchased a copy, or stopped by and said hi. If you weren’t able to make it Eureka Springs last Sunday, come see me in North Little Rock at the Arkansas Writers’ Conference this Saturday. You can pick up your copy of Bill’s and enjoy your romp in the swamp!

A couple of Louisiana anniversaries to point out. On this day back in 1836, Henry Shreve and seven others laid out a town. It became Shreveport. Tomorrow, St. Bernard Parish celebrates the birthday of its most famous son, Civil War General P.G.T. Beauregard. He’d be two hundred-years-old if that was possible. Finally, on Tuesday, seventy years ago, was the last time you could ride on a streetcar named Desire. The electric car was replaced by a motorized bus. A bus named Desire just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Streetcar_Named_Desire_at_corner_of_St_Peter_Street
The streetcar Desire at the corner of St. Peter Street (from https://nolahistoryguy.com/2016/04/podcast-2-streetcar-named-desire/)

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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. I’m currently reading book seven of the Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael series, The Sanctuary Sparrow.

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.