Making it to the state of Louisiana first took my youngest son moving there for his career. It also is one of the states that gets hit hard when the hurricanes head over that way. When I lived up North, whether in New York or Illinois, it wasn't in the cards to just visit the states in the South. We couldn't afford to travel often so when we did it was usually to members of our family who were in the northern states. Now, however, we have a great deal of family who lives in the South and our visits have been shifted to them. That's how life is, you enjoy what's right around you, which is why we've not made it to nine western states.
Louisiana Art
I remember hearing about the hurricanes that were usually in those southern states, or the heat that was in Florida or Texas. I'd taken a trip to Texas in my late teens and I couldn't believe how hot and muggy Houston was. Same with Florida. But I never got to Louisiana since I knew nothing about the state or had any acquaintances living there until the aforementioned youngest son moved there in 2013. We have been to see him a number of times since we moved to Georgia in 2016, otherwise it had been too far for Louisiana. He comes to see us as well and gets to enjoy his nieces.
The James Bond watch
One thing we share is an appreciation for watches. He studied watchmaking in trade school and works now as an accomplished Watchmaker. I had collected a number a number of watches in the years prior to his interest in mechanical things. The original 1972 P1 digital watch was the first solid-state digital watch. Roger Moore wears the Hamilton Pulsar P2 2900 (second version ) for only about four minutes in the movie Live And Let Die released in 1973 but the reaction was epic. For the 50th anniversary Hamilton released the PSR in 2020, fifty years after the announcement of the first. It is very close to the original, the main difference being the OLED screen. Yes, I have an old-style CRT-shaped OLED TV screen on my wrist! The first LED screens went through batteries very quickly, but with this one the screen is always on dimly, enough to see it with a glance. You press the button to see it fully bright which was the cool trick back in the 1970's.
We also enjoy good seafood and he has taken us to some really good local places. I had a shrimp po' boy sandwich that had so many shrimp in it that more fell out than what I first ate. Top notch. That's the best part about the local shops, they do food a little different and a lot better. Every so often he sends me a photo of his latest unique lunch. One Thanksgiving with family in Texas he brought along an alligator stuffed chicken which we ate. He was going to bring a Traditional Turducken (chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey) stuffed with cornbread dressing but got his order in too late. Those are some interesting foods you won't easily find in Illinois.
What the Louisiana coast seems to have too often lately is hurricanes. Everyone remembers Hurricane Katrina in 2005 but there are usually a number that hit every year. Hurricane Laura hit Lake Charles at the end of August 2020 as one of the most powerful storms to hit Louisiana, and six weeks later Hurricane Delta pummelled Lake Charles once again. My son evacuated to Atlanta for the first one which didn't destroy his apartment, and evacuated to Texas for the second which did destroy his apartment. He lost almost everything and still comes up with things he can't find. He has moved to somewhat higher ground but that is the nature of living near the Gulf.
There are no Buc-ee's Convenience Centers yet in Louisiana, but the first one is underway and should open in 2025. You all should know by now how much I like Buc-ee's.
Until next time,
Arktander
(aka David Andreasen)
No comments:
Post a Comment