Well howdy ya'll Here we are in Mobile,Alabama, at the Mardi Gras Museum, and Boy Howdy, have we ever learned a bit about this thang they call 'Mardi Gras.' It is a huge festival that was actually started in ' Bama in the 1700's. It was started by folks that wanted to really live it up before Lent. They actually wanted to do everything bad, before they had to be good. So....they started all this hullabaloo. I tried to get the dragon float on, but couldn't, there are a lot of floats in the parades, and before generators & big rigs to pull them, when horses did, fellas ran along beside with the gadgets above. These were fueled by kerosene,ahh Hod my node,and whiles lighting up the floats they also often got bad burns, och, ouch,bawwwww. However it was a privilege?, so some did it every year. Now that is crazy, don't ya'll think?
These are some of the umbrellas carried by the ladies in the Queens court, such color, such flare, ain't they purty? The Queen for next year has already been chosen and is announced around Easter. They are usually of a "social Order", and it is quite a privilege to be chosen. Once chosen, the work starts on the elaborate (I ain't kiddin') costumes and capes. The King & Queen choose the theme they want, and the seamstresses go to work. You know, like the little shoemaker, no one ever sees, nor do the workers get credit, only the K & Q!! Bummer Dude, lets stand up and cheer for the HARD WORKERS, what say?
Here is one of the capes, the gentleman, who was 80yrs old, and had partied to hard the night before,was showing usthis one that was so heavy it had to have casters put on the bottom, it weighed over 40#s. Are these people wacky?? Just a thought, don't want anyone to take offense! It was really beautiful!
Here is only one of the many crowns, earrings and scepters we saw, amazing! Each one was different, and each year they got more elaborate.
Here is a picture of both the cape and the matching dress, so you can just imagine the work that goes into all this. And just for one parade, whoo~~eeee.
I thought this was the prettiest crown & scepter, I wanted to pick it up to see how heavy it was, but "Here's your sign" don't touch or I breaka your face! Sniff.
This robe was really amazing, it was all sequins, bows & flowers, this gal was just in the Jr. court. She later went on to be the Sr. Queen, but never found out which robe was hers. The pink was all velvet!! There were sooo many more, and soo much more about this whole thing. We were just aghast at all the different "dens" they called them, however no one knew WHY they called them that, there were over 50, and each one has a float in the parade. There was so much to learn, but neither of the people showing us around could really tell us much, guess it is a secret. It was very interesting, a lot of pretty stuff, but folks, I am glad I live in the Northwest and am just a "YANKEE". How ever, it felt goood to be King & Queen for a minute anyway. felt good to have such a nice figure, ain't seen that in a year or two.Won't see it again, neither. Just about the time they snapped the picture I about fell off the box, you can see me hangin' on, but doesn't Bill look handsome, aahhhh my knight in shinning armor! Now & forever!
We are now in Florida, and it is truly the 'Sunshine State'. We will be going just across the top, into Georgia, then South Carolina, then................ Come on along. When we get to Tallahassee, I will find me a Geek to show me what I am doing wrong with this computer. I'm sure it is me, although I can't imagine that, can you????Love to all, Hugs and prayers, 'specially to Linda, get better, OK? Smiles, Arlette & Bill too, and the Sweet Sassy.
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