A New Use for Mardi Gras Beads

If you're in an area with some type of Mardi Gras celebration, then you're probably like us with about 10 pounds of beads laying around the house.

The beads are kind of like Halloween candy to kids. You know, the kids get a ton, play with them for a day, then you have them laying around the house for weeks afterward. And if you're like me, you slowly pitch a handful away behind the kids' backs until, surprise!, none are left.

So, I've come up with two solutions to get rid of them. At first I took some to my water aerobics class, threw them into the pool and challenged the ladies to swim for them. The lady who collected the most was "crowned" our Pool Queen.

This was where the beads started.

But the really fun idea was last night. At 8:30 p.m., I took probably about five pounds of the beads, went up to the kids and asked them if they wanted to help me "teepee" our neighbors trees with the beads. Our neighbors, Les and Judy, call us their kids because they don't have kids of their own. So, it's only appropriate that we act like kids.

My daughter and I walked across the street under the cover of darkness to act out our plan. The only stipulation was not throwing the beads up in the trees. Instead, place the beads on branches which in our case covers branches not higher than 5'6" tall.

And this is where some ended up.

We had a great time and I thought that years from now when my daughter is trying to get me to put my dentures in, she will remember some of the fun, crazy things we did together.

Well, this morning at 7:45 a.m., Judy called."You guys are crazy! We love our little Mardi Gras trees," she said. I tried to act confused and surprised but couldn't keep the game going. "That's the sweetest thing anyone has done for us!" Judy gushed.

The day is almost half done and the beads are still hanging proudly from their trees. Judy and Les have taken pictures, put a few strands around their cats' necks, and enjoyed the attention the beads have garnered from other neighbors.

So, my goal has been achieved. The beads have found new homes and brought smiles to two wonderful people. Although the cats don't look particularly happy.

Wondering if I should save the few remaining beads left to stuff in a pinata for Easter?

The Wondering Texan

It's Not NOLA, But It's In the Spirit

Today under gray skies and the threat of rain, the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department hosted their 10th annual Lamardi Gras Celebration.

Although probably on a 10th of a scale as Mardi Gras, Lamardi Gras gets points for effort and humor. I mean, where else would you see a retrofitted air conditioner unit masquerading as a float?

Boats, fish, old fire trucks, a plastic dinosaur, and even a cooler attached with a motor all made the route interesting. And of course, there were plenty of local politicians grinning and waving.

So I thought you would enjoy a photo tour of the parade. Sit back, pour a bowl of jambalaya, and enjoy small town Lamardi Gras -- South Texas style.

Wondering what to do with about the 10 pounds of beads my son collected?

The Wondering Texan

A Little Coyote Pee Please

A deer had a snack attack on my Hawaiian Red Ti plant.

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and for my beloved, I brought him coyote urine. You see, we are at war with deer.

A few days ago I came home to spot two new plants pulled up by their roots with the tops eaten off. And last night as we left for dinner, we spotted seven deer on someone's front lawn. Yes, seven deer. They just looked at us as if to say, "What! And just what do you think you're going to do?" They mock us.

A scare tactic: coyote urine

So yesterday I went to a local feed store. I have never been in a feed store before. Aside from the usual horse, cow and bird things, they had purses, jewelry and assorted other items I guess in an effort to feed a woman's soul. As I looked at the purses, I decided to get on with what I came for -- coyote pee.

I strolled up to the cashier area and patiently waited for the lady to finish checking out someone. There was rancher standing to my right and another man on my left. When the cashier said, "Next," the men gallantly told me I could go ahead of them. "Oh, thanks," I said. Then I said, "I need coyote urine. Do you have any?" This cracked everyone up.

"I'm at war with deer," I said. 

"I bet I know where you live," said the rancher. "They are terrible around there."

My tulips out front are defying the odds.

That's an understatement. I swear there are herds of them around here. Of course, we can't shoot them. But one neighbor (not us) shot one with an arrow. They deer survived and walks around with the arrow sticking out of its neck. Now there's an ordinance against bow hunting too.

Coyote urine comes in pellets or the liquid form. At first I opted for both. Then I saw the price tag. About 12 ounces costs $15. So, I got the pellets figuring that it may last longer with all of the rain we've been getting. It says it keeps deer, elk, armadillos and javelinas away.

Cyclamen is brussel sprouts to deer.

So last night I gave my husband his Valentine's card and then handed him the coyote urine pellets. You've been married a long time when something like that excites the both of you. Last night he went out and sprinkled it around our plants. This morning he came in all excited. "It doesn't look like the deer got into our plants!"

So far we've learned that deer don't like Blue Plumbago, Monkey Grass, Vinca's, Cyclamen, or ginger plants. They load up on roses, hibiscus, tulips, pansies, snapdragons, and just about any other pretty flowering plant. The latter are like an all night buffet to them.

"Well, if this doesn't work maybe we can capture a real coyote and leash it out front," I kidded my husband. "That probably would be cheaper than continuing to buy pellets."

Wondering if this doesn't work, what's left?

The Wondering Texan

The Life of Live Oaks

The base of "Big Tree" is 35 feet around.

Today is misting rain, chilly and gray. The three ills of a beach town. I wanted to try out my new camera again and knew I wouldn't get any pretty sea, sky or surf photos. That would be difficult for a good photographer and impossible for me.

So I decided to drive out to Goose Island State Park and take a look at the area's most famous tree - "Big Tree." What it lacks in a creative name, the tree makes up for in size.

One of the growths on a Live Oak.

They say it's more than a 1,000 years old and it stands regally at more than 44 feet tall. It is the oldest live oak (Quercus virginiana) in Texas and thought to be one of the largest in the nation. Its impressive girth is more than 35 feet around with its crown spreading 90 feet out. It is the king of trees among the local palms, pines and pecans.

The tree has outlived, so to speak, the town of Lamar. During the Civil War, the town was bombarded and destroyed by the union navy. All that remained was a few old shellcrete (oyster shell concrete) homes, a chapel and the Big Tree. According to climatologists, the tree has survived between 40 - 50 hurricanes, numerous floods, droughts and wildfires. Yet, it stands majestically over Goose Island State Park.

Spanish moss growing on the oak gives additional character.

One of the things I most enjoy about this community is the numerous Southern Live Oaks. We have 22 oaks in our backyard which is great for shade, terrible for satellite reception. Their acorns are also squirrel magnets.

In some older parts of town, roads bend and weave around the live oaks. People have 2x4 poles wedged underneath some weaker limbs for support. Many of the limbs are worn and bent with knots and growths much like a 90-years-old arthritic hands. Along the bay, a row of them lean away from the water, blown by years sea winds pushing against their branches. They refuse to give up, instead they have learned to live with the wind and sea spray.

Along with barbecue, sweet tea and country music, there's nothing more Southern than live oaks.

Wondering how old mine are in the backyard?

These live oaks conform to the direction of the sea's wind.

French Cooking for Cub Scouts

This upcoming weekend my son's Cub Scout troop will hold their annual Blue and Gold ceremony. As such, each unit has been assigned to cook something from a particular country. For us it's French.

Are French fries too obvious?

I studied the French language in high school. And I visited France as a young adult. But truthfully, the only food I remember from my trip is the wine. I think that may be a separate food group in France.

I told my husband that I could just buy croissants for the banquet. Both he and our son nixed that idea. "You have to cook something," they said.

So all morning I've been thinking about what to cook. And what came to my mind was the scene in Pulp Fiction where John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson are discussing the little difference between Europe and America. Travolta tells Jackson the quarter pounder is called "Royale with cheese," because of the metric system. And the Big Mac is "Le Big Mac." And they put mayo on their French fries instead of ketchup. Could I serve "Royale with cheese" and fries with mayo?

I told my friend Winnie my plan. She put her hand on her hip, looked me square in the eyes and said, "All you need to do is buy frozen crepes and stuff them with chicken or crab." She obviously didn't like my plan and I don't think a room full of elementary school boys are going to dig into crab stuffed crepes. Besides, a pound of fresh lump crab is $15.

So then I Googled for help. Recipes for rabbit in mustard sauce; Parmesan, goat cheese and spinach flans, and blue cheese, walnuts and bresala roll-ups, appeared. Again, I don't think Cub Scouts would buy into any of this. Then I looked at "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," from legendary Julia Child. I love Julia. I loved the movie Julie and Julia. But neither have cooked for a pack of hungry Cub Scouts many of whom carry pocket knives.

Finally I came across a recipe for chicken cordon bleu casserole from food.com. Looks easy. It got good reviews. Basic ingredients. I think we've got a winner! 

So this Saturday, as others are enjoying a day at the movies or walking in the park, I will be cooking for about 40 boys and their parents. God help us all.

Wondering if I should bring some Royales with cheese just in case?

The Wondering Texan