The Best Thing About a Mardi Gras Fish Fry...

We pulled off another fish fry this weekend. I say we because I could not have done it with out the help of folks like Matt, Pop, Geneva and others who went on so many fishing trips with us. I thank the guys who cooked, Aaron, Runt and Morgan. They know what they are doing, are very efficient and keep food quality high. Thanks to all friends who brought food, dressed in fancy costumes for the occasion. The eats were great and I count several that were present among my oldest compadres. Thanks to Sheri and Nat for pictures and video. Thanks to all the musicians who showed up to play.  There is one thing, the best thing that I did not see coming was the time I got to spend playing music with the three of my kids (Katie is in Chicago and will be down next month) that were able to make the party. There were many compliments from my friends about how well the kids, grown people all were playing and singing. 

Getting ready for one of these fish fries starts way before hand but the real action starts the night before with food preparations beginning and with out of towners arriving. This was when Rose got here and the music playing started. It continued on the next day with friends making up the fish fry band and into the evening with a big campfire sit around song fest and I guess it really ended when we played music at church Sunday evening. To paraphrase the blues singer Howlin' Wolf "I was left with the feeling if I don't get to do this no more I have had my fun." Kids, you guys played great. 

With the cooking area and instruments set up Cathy overlooks final details.

Fried Catfish.

Mardi Gras baby. 

A band what am a band. 

Me and one of the church choir members, Marlene. 

Morgan, Quince, Warren, Jared and Jackson. 

Mary shows how to put your back to the riser and make a stand. Inside that belly poking that guitar out is the next band member, Ezra. 

Anne is breaking in a new guitar. 

Morgan, Warren, Jackson, Pop. 

Rose and Morgan

Me and Quince. I opened a dorm room door in about 1976, looked up and down the hall and this guy is what I saw. 

Rose and Pop. 

Catherine on vocals and washboard. 

Rose and Morgan 

Song circle. 

Anne and Ali. 

Hays Carll said "This line of work no one retires." 

Cathy, Rose and Coraline.

Thanks again all who made this so fun. Now we got to go fishing.