Columns

During and after the Civil War Louisianans were faced with many unbearable problems. Our northwest Louisiana area faced the hardship and cruelty inflicted by the Carpet Baggers (Northern troops and individuals sent after the war to enforce privileges for the Negros). But central and south Louisiana had tremendous problems with the Jayhawkers.

The Jayhawkers were a terrifying and widespread group of notorious mongrel men whose goal was to cause havoc in the area. It appeared to have originated in Winn Parish and spread eastward and southwards. Whatever their motivation they formed violent gangs to take advantage of the war’s chaos to rob, steal and murder.

“I swawneeeee”!!!! It finally stopped raining. I hope y’all remember that old saying...if you don’t; you missed the good old days!! As I write this its Friday Feb 3, the sun is out, and NO RAIN for the first day this week. And who cares what a rodent in Pennsylvania says about winter, this is Louisiana, we ain’t doin’ 6 more weeks of winter hahahaha!

We are still getting new residents each week, and some we have to let go. We are so saddened by Ms. Nancy Zawodnik passing. She was a sweetheart and very funny lady who liked to cut up. We will miss her and her little zesty personality.

Bird-Eating Spiders!

Bulletin … Bulletin … This just in – stop – Spiders eating birds in Mansfield LA – stop – Not kidding – stop Okay, okay I know nobody sends telegraph messages anymore but I’ll bet this frantic type of introduction got your attention? AND, I really did see one in the woods behind my house. Some of my readers may remember the column when Susan and I were hunting treasure on Walpurgis Night (April 30). We actually almost walked right into the web of a large grey spider that was head … make that Face – height! We didn’t find any treasure but did have a lot of fun on that cold spooky evening and were glad to get back to that big ole bonfire we had burning in the backyard.

The Great Career Adventure

So I did this (apparently) weird thing. When each of my kids turned fifteen, I took them on The Great Career Adventure. Okay, it’s a really big name for a way I created for my kids to narrow down their passions and skills into a career they would enjoy and make a living from.

When Nathan turned fifteen I told him to choose three jobs or skills he thought he might want to do when he grew up. He only chose one-a police officer. I made an appointment with the local police department for us to sit down and talk with a police officer. Nathan wrote down ten questions to ask and we were ready for the next step.

Those of you that have read this column through the years know my first love in history is for DeSoto Parish but other things are also interesting. History can take many forms and today’s article relates to the January 1946 Roosevelt Dime. Before 1946 the dime carried the image of a female figure wearing a winged cap representing Lady Liberty and mistakenly called a Mercury Dime.

Let’s get Shakin’ Hope everyone is enjoying those Grand Bal’s, and parades. That’s right it’s Mardi Gras Season here in the south. So far, I have gotten to enjoy the Krewe of Demeter Grad Bal in Mansfield, Louisiana and I’m looking forward to February 4th and attending the Krewe of Hebe Grand Bal in Jefferson, Texas for my first time. Over the last few weeks since the twelfth night I have been sharing some of my favorite Mardi Gras Season recipes and this week is a treat for sure.

Love cornbread, of course, you do. Love crab cakes, who doesn’t? Stick with me here and let’s “mix it up” we are going to do them together for an awesome twist on the traditional crab cakes.

Doesn’t the name of this recipe just scream out at you?! It did to me especially when I learned they were wrapped with bacon. One reading and I knew I had my next column. Thanks to Charlotte Huff Miller for posting this to me on Facebook and thanks for all the positive comments by others attesting to how good they were gonna be.

Her recipe from “Best Bites” asks you to combine 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of bread crumbs, 1/3 cup of chopped onions, 1/2 tsp. of chopped garlic, ? cup BBQ Sauce, a tsp. of salt & pepper and 2 lbs. of ground beef in a large bowl.

There are times when we find time on our hands and are looking for things we can do. When it comes to volunteering, we search for a way we can serve others through the skills we have, and by doing things we already love to do. If gardening is on that list, consider starting a Community Garden.

If there isn’t one already in your community, it may first require a visit to a Town Council meeting, or to an individual who owns a section of land suitable for a Community Garden. Before you submit your request to the Council or individual, scout around for at least 3 places inside and outside the city limits that would be suitable for a Community Garden. If one says no, another may just say yes.

Determine if the land is privately or publicly owned, and whether or not it is already being used or in the planning stages for a specific use. This will help you know who to contact with your idea.

Would You Like Belgium Fries With That?

Mansfield of old would not be recognizable today. The transportation was by horseback, buggy or wagon and people did not travel to Shreveport or other distant places unless it was absolutely necessary. Logansport, 22 miles in distance, was a two-day affair. Many of the people would get up and leave by wagon to pay their taxes in Mansfield, which was the Parish Seat and ladies would shop for dress material, lace, etc. After shopping they would return to a campground just west of Attwood’s on the left side of U.S. 84. Reading one account of the family camping told of Dr. Stribling (built the Milton Baker house now the home of Sue Baker) stopping by for coffee. The campers would cook breakfast and be on the way back to Logansport by six o’clock.