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Butte La Rose - Et Les Entourage

Bonjour.

A table Française will soon begin on Thursday mornings starting at 7:30 until 9:30 on the patio at the residence of Inez Francoise on the Catahoula Highway. Dallas and Louella Melancon will host. We can parlez Francais and reminisce. It is a hop, skip and a jump from Grand Bois.

The Latiolais family reunion, descendents of Alfred Latiolais and Anita Laperouse, was a happy celebration. They vowed to continue the reunion annually. They had nine children of whom still living are 87-year-old Gilbert “Rubin,” Lena Fredrick, 82, Bernice Guilbeaux, 79 and Gabriel “Tutu” 83. Deceased are Ramie, Claude, Phermine and Lucy Savoy. Rubin and Lena attended the Christmas Day reunion.

Their descendants consist of 29 grand children, 68 great-grands, 86 great-greats and 20 great-great-greats. Rubin was the oldest one there. The farthest-traveled was Kevin Latiolais from North Carolina. Lucy’s daughter Diane from Virginia was not able to attend. She did send a prayer which was read to the family by her daughter Phoebe.

The veterans of the Vietnam War family members who served their country were grandsons Tommy Latiolais, Greg Latiolais, Johnny Fredrick and F.J. Broussard (Debbie’s husband). Also a veteran of the Korean Conflict is grandson Gene Latiolais.

About 125 members attended the Christmas Day gathering. Door prizes were given out. Tommy and Cindy Latiolais, who organized the reunion, want to thank all of the family members who attended. The food was plentiful and delicious. Voilà, all passed un bon temp.

Food for Seniors will be Jan. 23. Mark your calendar.

My 17-year-old grandson Chris Gaudet and his dad, Chene Resweber, went hunting up in north Louisiana and Chris killed his first doe. This is his first year for deer hunting and he loves being out in those woods. Paul Resweber and his 11 year old son Braxton go there every year also. Braxton has been very successful in his hunts. They divide the meat among the family.

I did find a nice pair of black western boots just like I wanted and at a good price. They look good with my long maw-maw skirts. In my opinion, ya’ll, walking with boots is more comfortable than shoes.

Did ya’ll eat your blackeyed peas and cabbage on New Years Day? I think that cabbage stands for health and blackeyes is for money. Gassy stuff but very delicious you know. You could eat all of it you wanted if you didn’t have date plans for that night. (Joke!)

Camp Black Pot told me that it is was traditional to put a dime in the pot of blackeyes and who ever found it on their plate of rice and gravy would traditionally have a successful life. It’s also said that when a farmer fixed pancakes on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, if he flipped the first one and it didn't break, that meant good luck a successful crop. Camey Doucet said we eat rice on our gravy and that is why we all have gros ventres.

I recently heard some raconteur friends of mine appre causer about the time when Cajuns did every thing by hand. For the many of us who have lived awhile, we can’t seem to break the ties that bind us to those days. We remember that before chemical weedkillers, grass in the clo de canne was controlled with a plow and hoe. Workers gathered in early morning darkness at the barn, waiting for a ride into the fields on a traineau, a sled pulled by a mule. Some sleds were elaborate, with wooden runners. Others were just wide cypress boards for workers to jump onto as the mule passed by. The workers balanced themselves with their hoes. I remember we had a sled and it was narrow and papa stood behind the plow holding the handles and reins. I remember my two younger sisters and me sitting behind him and the feel of the breeze hitting my face.

Remember le basin d’eau with a “pinte” that set on the counter in the kitchen? We all drank from that same metal cup. And the aroma of the meat cooked in hog lard in the iron pot and the taste of that sauce roullier? Eggs boiled together with whole potatoes with their peelings on and then peeled after cooling to make the potato salad? Tasted better then.

Amitié à tout.

Cousine Hélène

Contact Helen Boudreaux, the Teche News’ Butte La Rose area correspondent, at helenboudreaux@juno.com.

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