For some reason Dennis woke up on the wrong side of the bed and that put the day off to a ruff start. Lynn’s friend Debbie, who we’d met a couple days ago, wanted to see Lynn one more time before heading out so they had planned on us all going to breakfast. For some reason Dennis saw this as a major scheduling mistake and was making quite a fuss about it. Never-the-less Debbie came to pick us all up and we headed to a restaurant outside of downtown to escape the crowds. Despite this move, it was Sunday morning so of course most breakfast places were going to be somewhat crowded.
When they told us it would be a 20 minute wait Dennis was no longer just peeved, he was mad—us girls just ignored him. I decided I wasn’t going to eat nor was I going to stand around and watch Dennis as he paced and chain smoked so I was off on a walk.
I walked all through these old neighborhoods a few blocks off the St. Charles Street Trolley. What a beautiful area it is. The trees providing a bit of shade from the hot sun, unique homes, and lovely gardens; it was really tranquil. When I got back to the restaurant they were just getting their plates and finally with some coffee and food in him Dennis was back to his normal self.
Then Debbie drove us to the festival and there we were at 12 o’clock. Dennis apologized for his morning behavior to us both with hugs and kisses and the day was a new. I gained a new respect for Lynn that morning. We both understand Dennis has been used to doing things his way most of his adult life…so it takes a bit of patience and flexibility…as well as the ability to tune him out from time to time. We both also knew that he’d come around eventually…which he did! We love you Dennis!
Last day of the Jazz Festival for us and we couldn’t have asked for better weather for that last day. Bright blue skies graced New Orleans throughout the day and the festival makers graced the fairgrounds with woodchips and sand to fill in some of the mud pits.
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| Finally a beautiful day...people could get out of raincoats and into some fun with their outfits |
The first group we watched was amazing! The New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Oh my god they were unbelievable—I couldn’t have stopped dancing if I’d wanted to. They also had a bunch of special guests—including the lead singer from My Morning Jacket—perform with them which made it even more special.
Next we stopped at the King Sunny Ade show and then went into the Jazz tent to get out of the hot sun. We found seats but the female couple next to us didn’t appreciate us saying a word to them in friendliness or any other way and after a lot of fussing finally attacked. The funny thing was they wouldn’t talk to Dennis even though they were talking about him. Instead the directed their fury towards Lynn and I, instructing us to tell our friend to keep his voice down and that they weren’t interested in his stories. It was pretty bizarre actually that they would not look him in the eye or talk to him. I guess the Jazz tent was a bit too civilized for us so we happily got up and left them to their wishes of being alone.
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| Capturing some of the people at the festival via camera |
We had lunch, relaxed, and then went to see Marcia Ball who Dennis had seen in the past and raved about. He was right! She is fabulous. Quite a rocker and we had a blast dancing with all the people around us.
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| Marcia Ball -getting groovy |
Right after Marcia Ball was Darius Rucker…AKA…”Hootie” from Hootie and the Blowfish. Of course I listened to Hootie and the Blowfish in middle school/ high school but I guess I never really appreciated what a spectacular voice that man has. His solo style is a bit different than what he used to do with Hootie, now he’s more of a country rock genre kind of guy…but I thought it was working quite well for him.
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| Dennis and Lynn having a dance |
After that we headed to the Congo Stage where the beautiful and talented Anita Baker was dancing her gorgeous gams all over the stage. Everyone was dancing and I really loved her voice and all the eclectic people watching.
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| Anita Baker -getting the crowd into it |
Last show of the festival we headed to the main stage to see the Neville Brothers. Not quite as jammed packed as yesterday for Simon & Garfunkle but still hoards of people. We found a good spot where the sound was good and the view spectacular. The Neville Brothers need to mix it up and get some new material…they are still young. Of course I love the few great songs they have and once again people watching was an excellent side show. So many people; so many different kinds of people from all over; in order to keep groups together many use distinguishing flags. I spotted a Colorado flag, a Japanese flag, and hundreds of others. Beyond the flags was the top of a cathedral and as the sun set behind us it landed on the tip of the cathedral and was just one of those moments when you’re so appreciative of the gifts you have been blessed with in life.
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| Can you see the chapel? the flags? The people? The Neville Brothers on the big screen? |
Standing there in the sun, watching Dennis and Lynn so happy and in love, dancing, music, good people, peaceful feeling—an amazing moment.
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| Dennis and Lynn...thanks for sharing it all with me! |
We got back to the hotel and went to dinner right down the street from the hotel at a place called Deanie’s that Lynn had been to before. It was our last meal together on this wonderful trip. Our waitress was a very cool and sweet girl who wasn’t shy to share that this was her second shift there and she was deliriously exhausted so wanted to apologize upfront for any mistakes she might make. Truth is she was a great waitress and we had a fabulous meal. At the end of the meal Lynn asked her for a decaf coffee but the waitress said they didn’t have any. So, Lynn said “Well, I’ll just have to have a tuaca.” The girl’s face dropped in shock. She was all “Please maam, I’m so sorry I can see if I can find some decaf for you somewhere.” We discovered the source of her fear was that she’d misunderstood Lynn and thought Lynn had said “Well, I’m just gonna have to walk out.” To walk a-t…Tuaca. HAHAH…we all had such a laugh and made for a stand out memory.
http://www.deanies.com/
Lynn and Dennis finished up their packing and we all had one last game of cribbage which we’d been playing whenever we had spare time. Lynn kicked Dennis and I’s asses yet again and then we headed to bed. The end to another tremendous day.
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