Natchitoches, LA …and Wait — How Do You Pronounce That Again?

Whaddup Chroniclers? Sunday funday, remember? Sipping your cups? Let’s go!

Something came to mind while I was sitting here thinking of all of you. Over the past couple of weeks I have come to the realization that a number of my crew members have a few peculiar habits. Not your hero, of course, I have no idiosyncrasies. You might even go so far as to say that I am quirk free.

Let me tell you some of the observations I’ve made: Some of you might be cognizant of the odd obsession my BFF, Cmdr. McCroc, has with rubber footwear. I may have mentioned it in passing in an article or two.

Here’s another: Dr. Francois’ watch is surely broken. I think it runs about 15-20 minutes slow. Then there’s Samantha Stevens. You probably think that her weirdness is the 2-party conversations she maintains with her little stuffed friend, Stephanie. Or the hypnosis act that she performs, nodding her head when she wants you to do something. Nope. What’s odd in that couple is that the Doc’s watch runs slow and her mainspring is wound up so tight that she’s up like three hours earlier than everyone else.

“Hey, whadaya say we leave about 5:30?” Samantha will say as she’s nodding her head affirmatively, Stephanie tucked under her arm.

The rest of the group will usually look blankly at one another, because we’re pretty sure that the pamphlet we all looked at collectively said the attraction didn’t even open until eleven.

“Does she mean in the morning?”

Oh well, we still love her.

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Technically we’re still in Shreveport, but one of Samantha’s aunts wanted us to take a tour of an Antebellum plantation yesterday. The Melrose Plantation is located in Natchitoches Parish. Now how do you pronounce Natchitoches? DO NOT try to sound this word out. It will do you no good. I didn’t even know that our tour guide was saying the same word until twenty minutes into his little dissertation. The word (name) is pronounced Na Ka Tish, most locals pronounce it Na Guh Dish.

Look. Don’t ask me. I have no idea how you get that from this.

Moving on.

The Melrose Plantation was the largest plantation built and operated by free people of color in the US. It was also the home of world famous folk artist Clementine Hunter. There was so much more interesting stuff that we learned about this place and the people who lived there. Notably, we saw a political sign with the same name of the person who built and first owned the plantation. No doubt, a descendant. Check out our pictures.

The plantation was 90 minutes away, so with travel time both ways, the tour and a stop at Southern Chicken for vittles, it was a pretty full day. We slipped back to the RV park for a quick nap before more festivities with Samantha’s fam.

Frivolity, dominoes, college football and food ensued. There is one thing about the Shreveport people, they sure know how to treat guests well and serve up some good food!

This morning, before we started to stir, a weather alert warning us to seek cover from severe thunderstorms woke us. The HB and I jumped out of bed and battened down the hatches. We stowed all of the chairs and rugs and tables that we set out to entertain and watch our sports. Our timing was pretty spot on, we got everything packed away before any raindrops started to fall. There was a little bit of lightning, kind of unnerving, because I know dry lightning is just as dangerous.

We’re just sitting here now, watching the rain fall, listening to the drops hit the roof and the occasional sound of rolling thunder. Of course there are coffee mugs within reach.

Drink ‘em if you got ‘em!

One band, one sound.

#coffeehousechronicles