For the love of MARDI GRAS!

Full disclosure? We’re Mardi Gras people in my family.

Yes, I have major anxiety and I hate crowds, but I love going to the parades. Strange, I know. But it’s true. I like the music. I like the smell of food cooking. I like the themes of the floats in the parades. I appreciate the show our community puts on that is unique to our culture, that you can’t find anywhere else. I’m serious; it’s just not the same in New Orleans!

My son, who usually isn’t a fan of loud noises, likes the chaos and all the beads and toys being tossed to him. (He is especially fond of the snacks.) My husband loves hollering at the riders he knows on floats as they pass by.

Both my husband and I ride in Carnival clubs. I ride with the Krewe of Hyacinthians and he rides with the Krewe of Hercules. This year, John is a Duke and my son Jackson is a Page. It has been crazy leading up to the big show: Tableau. John is extremely excited about being able to wear the big feathers and represent his float and krewe as a Royal Centurion. Jackson isn’t too sure about the “wearing make-up, tights and ballet slippers” part, but can’t wait to walk around and wave at the guests from his spot behind the King. Be sure to wave to him on the King’s Float on ride day!

It’s an amazing experience, being this involved in Mardi Gras. I love the tradition and pageantry of a tableau and parade. I appreciate the hard work that goes into the floats and the costumes, on down to sourcing the specialty throws for the krewes. You can’t imagine the months and months of hard work that the volunteers put in to host the greatest free party in the world. The next time you go to a parade, carefully look at how each float matches the theme, and the costumes match the float. Check out the trinkets you catch, and notice if they too match.

Point of Vue this month focuses on Spring and Love! Since we also celebrate Valentine’s Day, why not chat a bit about the things we love. Our stories this February share a love of flowers and a love of Cajun music.

For more than forty years, the Terrebonne Orchid Society has been cultivating a friendly, helpful, and open community around a shared passion for these beautiful flowers. The society is really a group of close friends who get together to talk about their experiences and share their love and passion for the beautiful plants. Learn more about the Terrebonne Orchid Society and their upcoming show starting on page 14.

The Cajun Music Preservation Society is on a mission to bring life and awareness back to the art of traditional Cajun music in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. It’s their love of Cajun culture, particularly the music, that pushed them to start the organization and continue to move the needle forward to grow. Enjoy learning about the Cajun Music Preservation Society on page 26. There’s nothing I love more than living here in south Louisiana. Between the people and the culture, there’s just no place like home! POV

If you could travel to any year in a time machine, what year would you choose and why?

Danielle

1985. Saturday morning cartoons and a bowl of Count Chocula - life was awesome!

Justin

I would travel back to 1990 so I could meet my parents when they were my age and see what they were like before I was born.

Anthony

I would choose to travel back to the 1960's so I could see some of my favorite bands perform. It would be amazing to listen to them live in concert and experience the songs as they were released!

Isabelle

I would travel back to the 1880's so that I could meet my favorite artists like Monet and Van Gogh and watch them work. It would be amazing to see their paintings in progress and get to learn from them as they changed the world with their art.

Kristen

I would like to travel to the 60’s; for the clothes! Either that or back to when Jesus was walking around so I could meet Him.