monthly notes

It’s Birthday Month

I always liked the fact that I was born in mid-November, because a birthday in November made it easy to party from Halloween all the way through Mardi Gras. Think about it – Halloween, a birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Mardi Gras. The possibilities are endless.

But, now that I’m over age 50, partying doesn’t sound that enticing. Lately I can’t remember what day it is, let alone whether that day is a holiday or not. No, I’m not suffering from old-age senility – I’m suffering from at-home-workitis. Something, obviously, needed to change.

So, a change was made. My partner and I are taking my very willing teenage daughter to New Orleans over Christmas, where we’ll eat our way through the French Quarter. We lined up reservations at Brennan’s, K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen (Paul Prudhomme’s place), Nola’s (Emeril’s place), Commander’s Palace (where Prudhomme and Emeril got their starts), and Tujague’s – all five star restaurants. Yes, I’m dieting now in anticipation. And, yes, we’re going to go through our savings with the meals that we’ll devour at these places. The cost of the hotel rooms per night will equal one meal for the three of us at each place. Phew!

But every time I visited New Orleans in the past, I never had the money to step foot in one of these places. This time my partner and I are going to treat ourselves (and my daughter) to a culinary experience that we’ll never forget. Plus, I want to visit this city again. After all, we almost lost it last year during Katrina.

After a cursory search online, I discovered that many folks are planning to enjoy their holidays in New Orleans, so I hope that the music will be there for us all to enjoy. The music, after all, is the meaning for this city. And, while my daughter is ready to shop herself silly at the RiverWalk Marketplace, the music is the real reason why I want to go.

But a Bananas Foster at Brennan’s and a Beignet at Café Du Monde won’t hurt my soul, either.

© 2006 QuiltsHome.