Grasping the Elusive Dream
Viewing comments for Chapter 6 "Mardi Gras in the Big Easy"The Followup to Chasing the Elusive Dream
21 total reviews
Comment from jim vecchio
But deserving of more stars! I enjoyed this so much, as I do all your chapters I've read! You present your tales in a clear way, but also one that easily allows us to see and feel the sights and actions. Due to age and situation, I probably won't ever get to physically see these places, yet you make me feel I've been there already! One question: Borrowing from Mark Twain: Do the people still practice the custom of 'lagniappe'?
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2023
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But deserving of more stars! I enjoyed this so much, as I do all your chapters I've read! You present your tales in a clear way, but also one that easily allows us to see and feel the sights and actions. Due to age and situation, I probably won't ever get to physically see these places, yet you make me feel I've been there already! One question: Borrowing from Mark Twain: Do the people still practice the custom of 'lagniappe'?
Comment Written 26-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2023
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Thank you Jim, I sorry I late getting to this but I really appreciate you comments and I so glad you've enjoyed reading my stories. Yes New Orleans still claimed to give lagniappe while I was there but I didn't get a lot of extras.
Beth
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You answered a question I've been wondering about for long time. Thanks! If I asked for that here, the store owners would think I was crazy.
Comment from patcelaw
This is a very well written story of Mardi Gras, that you attended when you were in New Orleans. I enjoyed listening to it, but I especially like the ending of it for you learned a lesson about breaking the rules just because everyone else did. What a valuable lesson that is Patricia.
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2023
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This is a very well written story of Mardi Gras, that you attended when you were in New Orleans. I enjoyed listening to it, but I especially like the ending of it for you learned a lesson about breaking the rules just because everyone else did. What a valuable lesson that is Patricia.
Comment Written 26-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2023
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Thank you Patricia. I'm glad you reading about the Mardi Gras. The lesson we learned was deserved. We should have known better. Thanks for continuing to review my stories.
Beth
Comment from Ben Colder
I was wondering about that. Knowing the car was not allowed made me think the law would have a blast impounding all of these vehicles. You explained it at the end. Yes, the impounding fees are expensive plus the towing. Tow drivers love it.
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2023
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I was wondering about that. Knowing the car was not allowed made me think the law would have a blast impounding all of these vehicles. You explained it at the end. Yes, the impounding fees are expensive plus the towing. Tow drivers love it.
Comment Written 26-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2023
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Thank you Ben. Everything seemed different that day so we decidied that maybe in New Orleans they could suspend the rules for one day. We never did it again.
Beth
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Well, a lesson learned I would say, be it to adhere to the law or pay the price OR stay home and do away with Fat Tuesday all together. Seems your transfer has a few twists and turns unexperienced in Mississippi.
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2023
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Well, a lesson learned I would say, be it to adhere to the law or pay the price OR stay home and do away with Fat Tuesday all together. Seems your transfer has a few twists and turns unexperienced in Mississippi.
Comment Written 26-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2023
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I don't think my family is so different from most. I think most people try to forget all the unpleasant and I seem to remember everything. lol. It gives me something write about. I appreciate your reviews.
Beth
Comment from Paul Manton
Hello Beth. Six stars will cheer you up. I have them so seldom. Six a week is not enough for busy reviewers!
I would change absolutely nothing in this report except the ending. It is a bit too long; it would be punchier to say: "It was a real let down to an otherwise perfect day." Even if it wasn't!
Well you are a great diarist - I just sit back and relax in a lovely stream of immaculate prose. It is clearly professional standard journalism.
It helps that I know New Orleans better than most Brits, and although I wasn't there on Fat Tuesday, I have quite a few souvenirs of it from my friends in Slidell, including King and Queen tokens.
The cuisine you mentioned is almost legendary - I talked about gumbo before - and you mentioned that some people are chary of the drinking water. Alas, I had no idea that eating too much shrimp would be so catastrophic. I don't have an iodine intolerance, but the shrimp didn't recognize that. Next day it looked like 50 bees had stung my face at once.
I didn't leave the house for three days!
So next time in Louisiana, I'm taking out insurance against shrimp and fire ants!
Loved your piece.
Paul
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2023
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Hello Beth. Six stars will cheer you up. I have them so seldom. Six a week is not enough for busy reviewers!
I would change absolutely nothing in this report except the ending. It is a bit too long; it would be punchier to say: "It was a real let down to an otherwise perfect day." Even if it wasn't!
Well you are a great diarist - I just sit back and relax in a lovely stream of immaculate prose. It is clearly professional standard journalism.
It helps that I know New Orleans better than most Brits, and although I wasn't there on Fat Tuesday, I have quite a few souvenirs of it from my friends in Slidell, including King and Queen tokens.
The cuisine you mentioned is almost legendary - I talked about gumbo before - and you mentioned that some people are chary of the drinking water. Alas, I had no idea that eating too much shrimp would be so catastrophic. I don't have an iodine intolerance, but the shrimp didn't recognize that. Next day it looked like 50 bees had stung my face at once.
I didn't leave the house for three days!
So next time in Louisiana, I'm taking out insurance against shrimp and fire ants!
Loved your piece.
Paul
Comment Written 26-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2023
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Thank you so much Paul. The six stars really make my morning bright. You are right. This one is a bit too long and ends with a letdown. I'll take your suggestion and use your ending. I"m pleased you are sharing your own experiences in Louiiana and I'm thrilled you enjoy my memoirs.
Beth.
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It's like being (comparatively) young again!
Comment from JSD
Oh no! The good with the bad Beth. But you haven't put me off wanting to go there. Thank you for continuing to share your memories. This is an engaging read.
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2023
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Oh no! The good with the bad Beth. But you haven't put me off wanting to go there. Thank you for continuing to share your memories. This is an engaging read.
Comment Written 26-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2023
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Everyone should vist New Orleans. Some tell me it isn't as much fun as it used be before Katrina and the pandemic. I've not been back lately. Thanks for the review.
Beth
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Beth, your story reads fluently and is packed with interesting detail and general colour regarding Mardi Gras. I particularly enjoy your style which is clear and well expressed and there is always structure to your prose which leads you to a telling message by the end. There are a few small edits: Equador; instead of "named for Greek Gods..." perhaps - with names inspired by Greek Gods.... ; participants instead of participates; remember full stops at end of paras; Lent with a capital letter; illegal without a capital letter. All in all a magic read! Well done! Debbie
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2023
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Beth, your story reads fluently and is packed with interesting detail and general colour regarding Mardi Gras. I particularly enjoy your style which is clear and well expressed and there is always structure to your prose which leads you to a telling message by the end. There are a few small edits: Equador; instead of "named for Greek Gods..." perhaps - with names inspired by Greek Gods.... ; participants instead of participates; remember full stops at end of paras; Lent with a capital letter; illegal without a capital letter. All in all a magic read! Well done! Debbie
Comment Written 26-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2023
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Thank you so much Debbie. I'm so sorry this wanted promoted when you read it. FanStory wouldn't let me promote it last night because they said I already had too much up for review. I guess they released it when one of mine expired. Thank you also for the suggestions and edits. I so much appreciate those who help to make my stories read better.
Beth
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No problems, Beth. A pleasure as always. Dx
Comment from Wendy G
I found this quite fascinating. This must have been before the gays and LGBTQ groups took over Mardi Gras. Here these days there is nothing good about Mardi Gras. It has changed from the way the French used to celebrate it.
Wendy
Typos: Should the title be Mardi Gras not Marti Gras? (also in the line above)
"She was from Germany,"(needs a full stop, not a comma)
"featured celebrities on their floats" (needs a full stop)
no capital for "illegal"
"venders" should be "vendors"
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2023
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I found this quite fascinating. This must have been before the gays and LGBTQ groups took over Mardi Gras. Here these days there is nothing good about Mardi Gras. It has changed from the way the French used to celebrate it.
Wendy
Typos: Should the title be Mardi Gras not Marti Gras? (also in the line above)
"She was from Germany,"(needs a full stop, not a comma)
"featured celebrities on their floats" (needs a full stop)
no capital for "illegal"
"venders" should be "vendors"
Comment Written 26-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2023
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Thank you Wendy. I really appreciate the review. I'm behind in my reviewing and answering. The French had some gays back then but nothing like now, I'm sure. Thanks for helping me correct some things. I'm always happy to get that kind of help.
Beth
Comment from forestport12
I sure learned much about Mardi Gra that I didn't know. Not sure if it would ever be my cup of tea. I'm not one to like crowded streets things that feel they could go out of control. Did like the lesson and learning here. I guess your big lesson was like you said, "Just because other break the parking rules, doesn't mean you can."
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2023
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I sure learned much about Mardi Gra that I didn't know. Not sure if it would ever be my cup of tea. I'm not one to like crowded streets things that feel they could go out of control. Did like the lesson and learning here. I guess your big lesson was like you said, "Just because other break the parking rules, doesn't mean you can."
Comment Written 25-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2023
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Thank you for a great reveiw. I'm sorry this story wasn't promoted. FanStory told me I couldn't promote it yet because I had to many things on line but apparantly they released it after one of mine expired.
Beth
Comment from prettybluebirds
Well, you learned a valuable and expensive lesson that day. It appears the day wasn't a total loss, as you enjoyed the parade. Your story is nicely written and an interesting read.
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reply by the author on 26-Jun-2023
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Well, you learned a valuable and expensive lesson that day. It appears the day wasn't a total loss, as you enjoyed the parade. Your story is nicely written and an interesting read.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 25-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2023
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Thank you so much for reviewing this. I have to apologize. I always promote my work when I release it but FanStory wouldn't allow me to last night because they said I had too much our there all ready. I decided to get up early this morning and five hard alreadu reviewed it.
Beth