WHEN ANGELS LOSE WINGS

There's a saying out there in the sayings universe for just about any situation in life. There's one particular saying that's especially applicable this time of year. It's a saying that accompanies loss of something important or the occurrence of some sorrowful event. People say that “Every time [that event] happens, an angel loses its wings.” For example, take this Louisiana version of the saying: “Every time the Saints lose a game to the Falcons, an angel loses its wings.”

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Wing loss is itself a sorrowful thing in the angel universe because such loss prevents angels from performing their heavenly duties, which involve wings. And because such wings are white-pure and feathery and tend to appear in paintings and sculptures in churches, they are an appropriate and relatable symbol of loss and the sorrowful. But angels are not the only creatures that lose their wings. Consider the masses of chickens and all the fast-food joints that serve their appendages. And, apparently, wild buffalo suffer wing loss at such joints as well.

Over the course of the past several weeks, there must have been some significant loss and sorrow here in PoV country. One morning last month, I found thousands of fallen wings on the roof of my house and the hoods of my cars. They littered outdoor surfaces like snowfall and were tossed around like snowflakes by the morning breeze. And these wings were tiny, as if a calamity of tiny angels visited my house during the night. For that reason, I called a priest to inquire about such a Biblical event. In turn, the priest told me to call an exterminator. “You mean like Joshua at Jericho or Saul against the Amalekites?” I asked. “No, dude,” he replied, “I mean the bug man.” And, suddenly, I experienced a set of epiphanies that would have overwhelmed even the Magi in Bethlehem: (1) That priests made business referrals, (2) that priests say “dude,” and (3) that there's a chance that these things weren't tiny angels after all.

So, I dusted off my microscope equipment and examined one of these suspected heavenly creatures close-up. This particular specimen had made its way inside the house one night and had proceeded to inspect my unheavenly mess of a desk. Before I plated the tiny being on the microscope stage, others of its kind began gathering around the desk lamp as if a sermon had been announced. This, of course, supported the angel hypothesis because the great masters always painted multiple, winged heads of little angels on the canvases of their religious masterworks, as if those winged messengers had been attracted to a sermon. As I drew the being into focus, it became clear that the undulating creature under the microscope was no angel. The undulating performer Shakira may sing that “hips don't lie,” but this was clearly a case of “equips don't lie.” Under microscope equipment, this greasy, little, pale-looking, large-headed thing that dropped its wings on my desk top was not a tiny angel at all. Instead, it proved to be a full-sized adult termite, and there was nothing angelic about that.

As the priest-recommended bug man told me, “Termite swarming season in southeast Louisiana is April to July, with a peak beginning in early May.” Still in disbelief,

Market at the Marina

July 1, 8 a.m. - noon

Downtown Houma Marina

Kick off your weekend-long freedom celebration with Market at the Marina on Saturday, July 1. Lots of local produce, food and health vendors will be there with a variety of amazing items. Be sure to wear your red, white and blue!

Good Earth 4th of July

Festival

July 4, 5-10 p.m.

Bayou Country Sports Park, Houma

Celebrate our freedom, our good Earth, and fun times with live music, local food, fun and games! Join the all-new Independence Day tradition culminating with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Let Freedom Ring Festival

July 4, 3-10 p.m.

Peltier Park, Thibodaux

Celebrate Independence Day with a fun-filled afternoon including food, shopping, live music, a cake walk, a cornhole tournament, an auction, and a bike parade and contest! Be sure to stay for the fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Thibodaux's Exotic Pet Expo

July 8-9

Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium

This unique, indoor event offers a chance to explore a range of exotic birds, reptiles, and mammals in one place. The expo will also feature a variety of pet supplies and pet food.

Island Strong Music Fest

July 13-15

Tarpon Rodeo Pavilion

The three-day festival will feature live music, food, craft booths and various other vendors that will support Grand Isle's recovery from Hurricane Ida. All proceeds go to rebuilding Grand Isle's recreational facilities and other projects vital to the town's recovery.

Parrot Head Party

July 14, 4.- 7 p.m.

The corner of West Main and Grinage Street, Houma

Join the Parrot Head Party in support of Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne 's upcoming production, Escape to Margaritaville! The fun filled night will include music, food, and refreshments. All proceeds go towards Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne.

Escape to Margaritaville

July 14-30

Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne

Kick off your flip flops and set your clock to island time in a tropical paradise where love and laughter are the keys to growing older but not up. The local cast will sing and dance their way into your heart on a perfect summer night!

Summer Jazz-Blues, PopRock Concert

July 16, 3 p.m.

Regional Military Museum, Houma

The South Louisiana Community Orchestra invites you to their summer concert featuring conductor Dr. Ben Robichaux. The music repertoire will include Basin Street Blues, St. Louis Blues, The War of 1812, a few Pop-Rock pieces from The Doors, and several movie themes including A James Bond Medley, My Fair Lady, Jesus Christ Superstar and others.

Shrek the Musical

July 21 - July 30

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

The Thibodaux Playhouse presents a musical featuring an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Featuring over 50 local cast members, this is a show you don't want to miss!

Heroes 5K

July 29, 8 a.m.

Harold J. Callais Student Recreation Center, Nicholls State University

Presented by the Nicholls State Veterans Organization, the Heroes 5K honors local heroes by supporting their families. This 5K will be in honor of Detective Sgt. Nicholas Pepper, with proceeds going to his family. POV