Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by Haiku aficionado and artist, Marcie Flinchum Atkins Here. Last week she shared a video showcasing her fabulous haiku and photos. Thank you, Marcie, for hosting.
Today, I’ll share a few sights from New Orleans. I was there a month ago for a wedding but had plenty of time to acquaint myself with the French Quarter with all its non-stop music, art, and hospitality. (Sorry the photos are not my best.)
MERCHANTS IN THE FRENCH QUARTER Artists show their work in the shade of live oak trees tourists stop, some buy. © Janice Scully 2024
I heard wonderful music, especially Jazz everywhere. Indoors and outdoors.
IN THE FRENCH QUARTER Clarinets and drums, jambalaya and jamming-- an all day party. © Janice Scully 2024
I always look for a bookstore.
I like to buy at least one book when I travel and found this short novel by Ernest J. Gaines, A LONG DAY IN NOVEMBER.
Gaines is the author of A LESSON BEFORE DYING that I read years ago. I have never read another book by him.
A LONG DAY IN NOVEMBER is a tender book narrated by six year old Sonny, who during the 1940’s on a southern plantation where his parents chop sugarcane, finds himself in the middle of his impoverished parents separating. He is a charming, engaging character, as are his parents, and the story of his parents struggles, and how their fiery argument is resolved made for fascinating read, a quintessentially southern story. I loved the book! I recommend it, and I’m ready for another book by Earnest Gaines.
Happy New Year to everyone!
Delightful! Great small poems to commemorate your visit…and the photos aren’t bad. Thanks for the book tip. Happy New Year to you!
Thank you, Linda, and have a great New Year!
Jammin and Jambalaya! Sounds like The Big Easy to me. Thanks for the book rec, too! xo
Happy New Year, Irene! Thanks for reading. What a fun place! I’d never been to a wedding with a marching band. Xxoo
Someday I will visit NOLA – I love Dixieland Jazz! Your itinerary of touring and poem-ing is my ideal vacay. Happy New Year, Janice.
Hi, Janice! I am happy to hear of your travels to New Orleans! What fun! I would love the music that is always being played there! Thanks for sharing your book purchase inspiration, too. I love recognizing an author’s name from prior reading and knowing I want more! Stay warm!
Janice, I’ve read your post two times because I forgot to add a comment the first time. I enjoyed the 2nd read because I have always wanted to see New Orleans. Thanks for the look from afar with your fun haikus that act as a mini travel guide to fun. I am so grateful for the beautiful and unique journal that you brought home and gifted me. I finally got my post up this afternoon. It shares your wonderful Holiday Poem Swap to me. Thanks for being such a wonderful poet friend.
I love the way you immortalize your travels with poetry! You inspire me!
I love that you went to a bookstore on your travels! Music, Art, and Books. What more could anyone ask for. So lovely!
Janice, it sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I enjoyed your poems, especially “In the French Quarter.” I’ve never been to New Orleans, but your photos and poems took me there!
Great job at capturing the wonder of NOLA. It is indeed “an all day party.”
Happy New Year, Janice–hope you stay healthy and that your husband feels better!
Oh New Orleans and street artists. When I was there in the 80’s, I purchased a booklet of poems from a young girl. Recently, I ran across it and looked up to see what happened to her. Sadly, she had ended up with a tragic life and had passed away.
How sad! I’m glad you bought her book.
Happy new Year Janice and thank you for the glimpse at new Orleans. I can hear the music and see the colour – in both your images and your words.
Oh, it’s been many years since I was in New Orleans, but I’d love to hang out for that all day party. 😀
Thanks for taking me along on your trip to New Orleans, so many flavors to enjoy along with your poems, and intriguing book find too!