Whoo, Whoo!
For the record: I am here in Natchitoches, Louisiana to address the Redbone Heritage Foundation. I'd link it, but I'm working under duress at the moment, so look it up yourself. I'd promise to come back and add the links, but I never do, so why bullshit? Eh? The Redbone Heritage Foundation (RHF) is the brainchild of my friend, Don Marler. He has devoted a lifetime to researching and writing about Louisiana's Redbones. Google him, too. They got off to a rocky start last year for several reasons.
This year they invited me to speak to them about whatever I thought was important. That's hard to sum up in less than an hour. Loving a challenge, I accepted. So here I am.
But wait, there's more to the story. No, it's too confusing. I can't even start here. Maybe if I try very hard I can summarize it somewhat. Here's my effort. Okay, first of all, not everyone likes each other. Everyone thinks everyone else has either (1) an agenda, or (2) a psychological disorder. I'm not sure they're not all right. So far, I'm the only one I'm sure is sane. There are at least three distinct groups, although I'm not entirely happy with the word "group." It's more like a random association of strangers who agreed to bond only to do war with another random group.
I had dinner with Group 1 of the Redbone wars. Group 1 is Stacy, Gabe, Don. Don's wife Sybil was with us as well, and although she has a good mind and a strong opinion, she's not really one of the players in the group.
Tomorrow Group 2 arrives. That would be my cousins Linda, Brenda, Terry, and Jim. Kim may also be here, but it's not certain. Another cousin, Lucille, may come, but the odds are long. Although we are as an opinionated a bunch that ever came along the pike, we are not here with an agenda. That I'm aware of.
Group 3 is not here. That would be Larry and LV. They're also cousins. LV is closer in both kinship lines and cultural experience. Larry's an interesting person. I won't meet him this week-end, and that's too bad. It's hard to tell the crazy ones from the normal ones if they won't stand next to each other for you to study their twitches. So to speak.
I am going to have so much fun this week-end. They all think I'm as crazy as a loon, so we all begin on equal footing.
If no one hears from me in the next several days, notify the authorities.
An interesting observation on genetics and mental illness . . .
I'm so excited for you -- meeting all these relations face to face, previously known only by means of internet. And your presentation should convince them of their evaluation of your sanity. I mean that in a good way, sugah.
Have a blast; be crazy -- it's your cultural heritage. Knock their Redbone socks off!
Posted by: fragile industries | September 17, 2006 at 09:44 AM
Hope you had a great time there sugah and are back home.
Posted by: Vickie | September 18, 2006 at 05:12 PM
good times! can't wait to hear how it all shakes out
Posted by: Crys | September 21, 2006 at 04:02 PM
You look great in pink spandex, and the cowboy hat is a nice touch.
Hope your trip was awesome.
Posted by: Kathy | September 21, 2006 at 05:43 PM
Kathy, that was too funny!
Posted by: Houston | September 22, 2006 at 11:13 AM
Well, how was it? Sounds like a lot couldn't make it. Did you hae a critical mass, so to speak?
Posted by: riannan | September 24, 2006 at 07:47 PM
Sounds very much about most organizational meetings I've ever attended, especially those regarding religious denominations.
Go ahead - speak your mind and have fun!
Posted by: andante | September 25, 2006 at 11:01 AM
i read it...i didn't understand it...i loved it...maybe it was the accent...stay safe :)))
Posted by: marallyn | September 29, 2006 at 03:34 AM