Heading for the Old Sod...

... and I don't mean Donald Trump.

We leave Palestine Friday, and leave the US of A on Saturday heading for Ireland.  Our 10-day bus tour of the Republic of Ireland will take us counter-clockwise from Dublin across, down, under, over, and back to Dublin.  We'll see the tourist spots as well as explore on our own.

When I say "we", I mean my wife and me along with her sister and her husband.  All this courtesy of one of the great mothers-in-laws of our time, Helen Nutter.  I'll start the travelogue Saturday at the airport.  Then the words and pictures will arrive in fits and starts as wifi becomes available on the Emerald Isle.

Éirinn go Brách!

Mystics of Time Mardi Gras Parade (sans bal)

This past Saturday was the parade day for the Palestine chapter of the Mystics of Time Mardi Gras Organization.  They followed a slightly shortened parade route from city-wide parades, which I think is a good idea.

Every year, they bring a bit of NOLA to East Texas in a wonderful way.  The Mystics of Time also hold a Ball each year.  Sadly, we were not invited this year, so no pictures.  They always have live music and a bar.  You can also byob.  They're a great bunch of people.

Before the parade, there had been a progressive Cajun cooking taste tour (with wine, of course) across downtown Palestine.  Different chefs demonstrated traditional Cajun cooking for the adventurous crowds.  Wines from local to semi-local wineries were also there at each cooking location.  It was fun.  It followed the longstanding tradition at this time of year of the 5 F's:  Food, Fun, Friends, Family, and Fermentation!

Carmine Santone from Switch Brick Oven Pizza and Wine Bar

Things are really "cooking" in Palestine these days.  There's usually something great going on around holiday time.  come see for yourself.

Simon Webster from Sabor a Pasion