Signs of Spring

What comes to mind when spring comes to NOLA?


I know the usual answers, but for me, the night before last, it was those monstrous flying cockroaches.


I was sitting on the coach, locked into an episode of The Wire, my current tele-obsession. Kevin was sleeping peacefully with Ana and her hacking cough. Elliot had finally gone down after his own coughing fit. I was cuddled peacefully under a blanket with some ice water.


Fans of The Wire know that the details of the case and revelations of character make each moment relevant, so I was poised and attentive when it happened. A cockroach big enough to charter a flight on came careening toward me, and landed on the wall opposite me!


Out came the shrieks! Out came the expletives! I'm still reeling just thinking of how close he came to me, and how absolutely gynormous this thing was!


Without even hitting pause (now you know this is serious), I run into the kitchen for the 409, my favorite roach eliminator. Usually their down in two squirts. Quick. Painful, maybe?


And what do I see when I run into the kitchen screaming, "Uggggghhhhh, Jeezuz!"???? Two enormous fuckers on the wall! No, I mean it. They were literally FUCKING on the wall. Trying to make more god-damn roach babies beneath my stretched textiles, dammit! Does it get much worse????


I hope it was more than just fleeting roach love, cause those two creepers died doin' it.


So that was the end of TV night for me, and even under the covers in the comfort of my own bedroom, I thought I saw the silhoutte of miniature war planes circling overhead. How I love New Orleans, and how I hate those g-d roaches.


When I got over the shame of these creatures dwelling with us, I actually enjoyed trading creature stories quite a bit with Marci over gelato, and she shared this story with me. I also found this one, which was clearly not filmed in New Orleans. We have doodlebugs bigger than that "flying killer roach." I can appreciate her feelings on it, though.

And just for posterity in a post so-titled, I should say that

• I'm enjoying my front garden, and our continous work to make the backyard functional;
• I can't wait for some Rosewater Tea at Jazzfest to accompany my softshell crab. Yes, I know I can get those mostly year round anywhere, but something about having one in the gospel tent with a sweaty baby on my lap can't be replicated. Anywhere.
• Ana got to see doves "fighting" quite amorously today. Is everybody humping? Are you?Feel free to comment.
• Georgia's tree is home to a nest of mockingbird's with their characteristic aggressive guarding (understandable Mama bird) from curious eyes.
• The neighbor has a new puppy.
• Our friends are hosting their annual Jazzfest Crawfish Boil next week. It's a blast, and the food is DELICIOUS. But Ana's most excited about seeing another chrysallis...
• Elliot got a new trike yesterday (full story soon).
• A caterpillar stung the hell out of my husband.

I'm feeling quite alive. Thank you God for the gift of another day, roaches and all.