Columns

Wed
21
Jun

Hey, Let’s Talk!

Hey, Let’s Talk!
Hey, Let’s Talk!

Carrion Crows?

A startling site the other afternoon as I sat on the back patio was two of these big black birds wheeling expertly through the dense forest of large pine trees. I thought that was pretty peculiar to see them flying so low and emitting a kinda clacking churring sound to each other.

I was used to seeing them wheeling around way up it the sky and remembered that there were different types here in Louisiana the Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture. Wikipedia tells of early Spanish explorers hearing tails from the Atakapas Indians along the Atchafalaya River in south Louisiana of large red-headed vultures feasting on a Wooly Mammoth that had died on the banks of the Vermillion River. The explorers reported these birds as “Carencro Tete’ Rouge” and the little settlement took that Spanish name of Carencro.

Thu
15
Jun

The Power of Positivity

The Power of Positivity
The Power of Positivity

Remember that you are someone’s role model… be it your child, a friend, or just simply a spectator that thinks highly of you. Put on a professional attitude when in dialogue with others let your best strengths lead in your actions of sensible logic, for the unknown to ones self. There’s always a somebody that admires the way one carries themselves, therefore you should take it upon yourself in a specific degree of mannerism for the purpose of allowing others to learn every trait of decently being a great person in life.

Thu
15
Jun

Tips & Tales

Tips & Tales

Let’s get shakin!!!! So last week we talked about “The Trinity” now let’s get to talking about dat Roux.

Roux!!! What is a Roux? Roux is one of the first tasks taught in culinary school. Quite simply it’s the base.

Roux is a shortening of beurre roux, which in French translates as “brown butter.”

It’s the thickening agent for a lot of Cajun, Creole and some country recipes. The most famous and notable of these is of course gumbo. BUT it’s used in meatball stew, chicken stew, smothered pork and étouffée’s even though a lighter roux is usually used for dishes like étouffée.

The thought of making roux can and has intimidated the masses for decades. It can be a daunting task if you don’t take the time to follow a few simple steps. I still see a lot of great cooks (even a couple restaurant chefs that will remain nameless) using jar roux, roux mixes, and store-bought shortcuts.

Thu
15
Jun

Hey, Let’s Talk!

Hey, Let’s Talk!
Hey, Let’s Talk!

A Close Place

Methodist Pastor Kathy Fitzhugh used to say that a “Close Place” was one where heaven and earth were not far apart. She told me that the reason why she often walked around the Female College Museum grounds was because she felt that this old campus was one of those places. Most battlefields have that same hallowed feel to them and, locally, we are our very own nearby.

But the first of the week I especially felt the spirits close by. Coming to work it seemed I saw the gleam of chrome from a passing car as I parked by the side of the Museum. There was no passing car and I thought the sensation odd. As I unlocked the door I noticed the door to the attic open and the handcart in front of it pushed back. As unsettling as that was I also noticed that all of the vanity and cabinet door in the bathroom were open.

Thu
08
Jun

Tips & Tales

Tips & Tales

Let’s Get Shakin!!

People think of different things when they hear the word, ‘trinity’. If you’re from the south, especially Louisiana, odds are the first things you think of is……. Good food.

The expression “holy trinity” as it applies to Cajun cooking is thought to have originated with famed New Orleans chef, Paul Prudhomme, who specialized in Cajun and Creole cuisines.

Growing up, Louisiana weekends (especially in the fall and winter months) were for family, friends or get together’s of some kind. As you can imagine these get togethers always involved some of the best food to be had.

In my opinion there’s never a wrong time for gumbos, stews, sauce picante’s, étouffées or jambalaya. BUT in the south these are typically made during the colder months; mostly due to the heat down! The last thing you wanted was a stove top heating up an already hot house. Also, these hearty meals aren’t always the best after a long days work in the heat.

Thu
08
Jun

Hey, Let’s Talk!

Hey, Let’s Talk!
Hey, Let’s Talk!

A Close Place

Methodist Pastor Kathy Fitzhugh used to say that a “Close Place” was one where heaven and earth were not far apart. She told me that the reason why she often walked around the Female College Museum grounds was because she felt that this old campus was one of those places. Most battlefields have that same hallowed feel to them and, locally, we are our very own nearby.

But the first of the week I especially felt the spirits close by. Coming to work it seemed I saw the gleam of chrome from a passing car as I parked by the side of the Museum. There was no passing car and I thought the sensation odd. As I unlocked the door I noticed the door to the attic open and the handcart in front of it pushed back. As unsettling as that was I also noticed that all of the vanity and cabinet door in the bathroom were open.

Wed
31
May

Bright Lights to Lightning Bugs

Bright Lights to Lightning Bugs
Bright Lights to Lightning Bugs

Why Can’t Methodists Stay in Their Own Lane?

When I lived in the big city I had many friends who attended other churches. Sometimes I’d go with them to a special concert or maybe a conference. But for the most part we all stayed in our own lanes.

Why did we feel the urge to stick within our own church circles? We weren’t religion snobs— we all had friends who were Catholic, Presbyterian, etc. Goodness, we even had friends who were (gasp!) Church of Christ. Maybe we believed once we picked our churches, we shouldn’t stray. Maybe we were afraid if we spent too much time with other denominations, our pastors might confiscate our membership cards and banish us forever.But honestly I think we all felt the churches we’d chosen met our needs. So why would we dip our toes into other religious waters?

Wed
31
May

Hey, Let’s Talk!

Hey, Let’s Talk!
Hey, Let’s Talk!

I read about this on the “Neighborhood Food” website by Courtney and thought it sounded pretty interesting. I was imagining a New York gangster turned “little Italy” restauranteur and serving his house specialty to the gang when they came in to do business while they ate and planned nefarious deeds over the red checkered table cloths on the small tables and booths. I was pretty far off… The Johnny Marzetti Casserole was created by Teresa Marzetti in 1896 for her little Italian restaurant in Columbus, Ohio and named for her brotherin- law. She said the mission of her restaurant was to, “… start a new place and serve good food at a profit if we can, at a lost if we must, but we WILL serve good food.” Her little restaurant was on the edge of the Ohio State campus and this inexpensive but hearty dish fed many hungry but broke college students. Kinda like Ramen Noodles back in the day!

Thu
25
May

Bright Lights to Lightning Bugs

Bright Lights to Lightning Bugs

I was asked to be the Vacation Bible School (VBS) director for our church one summer. I got the name of the curriculum publisher, ordered according to my predecessor, started gathering the usual suspects and asking them to repeat the jobs they had the year before. I basically phoned it all in. It was super easy.

VBS was fun, but it seemed like we were doing the same old same old. We invited the same kids, had the same rotations, even bought the same snacks as we had done many years before. I felt the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart and convicting me that next year we should shake things up.

The next year I held our traditional VBS meeting and stood before my fellow sisters in Christ. I explained to them I had been convicted to try something completely different this year. As I outlined my changes, I could tell by their faces that I was not getting much buy in.

Thu
25
May

Hey, Let’s Talk!

Hey, Let’s Talk!
Hey, Let’s Talk!

A Very Old Cookbook

In the last few weeks I’ve been receiving Ms. Hope Calhoun’s collection of books delivered by her Niece, Cheryl Ryder Brightwell, from Cousin Tommy Calhoun AND it’s been a major undertaking. In the 24 boxes delivered I’ve been finding gardening books, bird and plant books, cookbooks and ,most importantly for the Museum, textbooks from the old Female College. Yes, actual text and reference books!

So far some interesting finds as I unpack are a 1924 book on Parliamentary Procedure, a set of “The Student’s Cyclopaedia” copyrighted 1893 most recently updated in 1919, volumes of the “Messages and Papers of the Presidents” with Volume II copyrighted in 1897 starting with James Madison … This is gonna be fun!

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