Awake at 7am today.........I had some feelings that told me this was not going to be quite the day I would have liked to have. Still having the plumbing problems.....and this morning it was evident that things might not work as they are supposed to work.
We sort of laid around, sat around on the patio, and enjoyed a cloudy and warm morning. Jay called and then about an hour later arrived out here at the N.O. West KOA to spend the day with us. We made some plans for dinner........to go to Willa Mae's Scotch House which is reputed to be one of the top three restaurants/cafes in the entire USA for the best fried chicken!!! We just didn't too much of anything special today.....one of those restful...gloomy...days. Jay had worked long and hard AND late last night, so he would drop off into a nap often when he was relaxing in the den.
About 4pm, we decided to go downtown to have an early dinner........and when we did find Willa Mae's....in a neighborhood that most would steer away from here in New Orleans.....the cafe was closed and shuttered. DAMN!!!! We had looked forward to eating here for a couple of months......and now, it was not open!!! Soooo, Jay suggested a place where he loves to eat....and which he said has amazing food with a really varied menu. Sooooo, off we went down St. Charles Street to get to the River Road which would lead us to this "great place".
St. Charles Street.........OMG, I have been down this street many times over the past 9 days....and each time we drive down this lovely avenue, I am just stunned by the beauty of it, the absolutely marvelous homes and architectural wonders with gorgeous landscaping......it is simply breathtaking!!!! Sorry to say, we have never just stopped and taken some pictures.....perhaps tomorrow, if it is a nice day with some sun to shine through the huge old live oaks which hang gracefully over the divided street........with a median where the St. Charles Trolley goes back and forth from the Mississippi levy to Canal Street, the main street of New Orleans.
New Orleans is a city like no other......not even Charleston or Savannah can compare to the beauty of this gorgeous city. Oh don't get me wrong......there are parts of this city that are still standing that you feel a bit anxious and apprehensive about driving through, not to mention the Lower 9th Ward which still barely exists today, but.........this city has soooooo damn much to offer for the eye.......it is just a delight! WOW....WOW......if you haven't spent some time here, then put that on your "To Do List"......and don't just spend one or two days here, but take a few days and enjoy the feel of this vibrant, cultural wonder of our great country!!!! The birthplace of Jazz......and sooooo many other cultural and culinary wonders have their origin in this city.....
The Big Easy. There is sooooooooo much here besides Bourbon Street!!!! Again, as I have said about Egypt and Jordan......do not be afraid to come here and enjoy New Orleans. Thousands are here all the time.....touring, visiting, eating, dining, and loving this city as I do...........GET YOURSELF HERE!!!!!! You will not be sorry!!!!!
Soooo, sorry I got carried away(actually I'm not sorry..).......we headed up the River Road along the levy which holds back the Mississippi River. This road goes through all types of living neighborhoods.....good, poor, and incredibly rich. Soooo, we arrive, look for a place to park, and then walk a block to: "Jacques-Imo's Cafe".
OK.....I was a bit surprised at the exterior but I should have known better. When we walked.....pushed.....ourselves inside, we were sooooooo damn lucky. We were seated immediately in this very unique little house with decor from God knows where!!! Soooo different, eclectic, and just plain unusal. To get to our dining area, we had to walk through the kitchen which was almost overwhelming with wonderful aromas, visuals, and lots of very busy people who were all multi-tasking 140% to get their tasks completed so the customers could receive their plates of incredible food while it is steaming hot.
Arriving at our table, we had to squeeze between the chairs of other diners......all who had some unreal looking works of art on their plates........such creativity in dining presentations. The Menu.........two pages of culinary delights....from blackened lamb to duck breast in a wine and shitake reduction to stuffed pork loin which measured at least 7" high to all types of seafood prepared in haute cuisine ways. I settled for the Red Snapper topped with Crab Imperial in a rich, rich sauce, accompanied by the most delightful mashed potatoes and a Corn Croux.....all of which was preceded by a salad of fresh spinach leaves, a fried oyster, and a wonderful tart and light dressing. The 1st Lady had the Duck Breast in the shitake mushroom and wine reduction.....while Jay had the Stuffed Pork....and was it ever STUFFED!!!!......and it stuffed him, also!!! They each had the Corn Croux and the Mashed Sweet Potatoes.....outstanding!
OK.......it was beautifully plated and the presentation was marvelous. The servers were there OFTEN to check on our needs, but not to the point where they were overbearing. It was like they were genuinely concerned that we were enjoying our dining experience. And we did!!!!!! We declined, regretfully, the offer of the dessert menu........It was simply impossible to take another bite!
Leaving this unique restaurant, we learned that the waiting time for a table was now up to TWO HOURS!!!!.....and it was ONLY 7pm!!!!!! WHEW........sure glad we arrived early!!!!!!
Well......my plumbing problems had really begun to bother me by mid-afternoon, so we elected to return to TheHowserHouse, even though the Saturday night was quite young. As this was my BD dinner as Jay's gift......I didn't want to let them know that I was in a very uncomfortable situation......... He knew that we plan to leave on Monday.......the "magical" day that I turn 65......UGH!!!!! With the current state of my internal plumbing pipes......is this what old age has in store for me????? I read that 60-65% of all men this age and older have the same problem!!!! Why the hell hasn't someone told me this might happen to me????? Where is this information presented so that all of us aging, sagging hulks can be prepared for this, even though there is not really anything that can be done to delay the inevitable??????????? IF this is what I have.....as said on the commercials on the tellie: "a growing problem"......then why have the meds which worked for me earlier this month decided to go on strike and not really be of any assistance to my "blockage"/"growing problem"?????????? Hmmmmm........thoughts that run through my mind.....almost constantly when I am under the duress of this terribly, uncomfortable "full" feeling...like today. Is my mind worrying needlessly????? Is this a condition that I will have to endure....for the rest of my evolving days and nights????? Hmmmmm.............
OK....enough of MY problems.....because I did not let it keep me from enjoying this wonderful early evening dinner.....my upcoming birthday, dinner. And, you know........even with this "full" feeling, along with the "full" feeling from the amazing dinner.........
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!!
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