Butte La Rose

Bonjour!
Bridge not yet. Anticipation for Dec. 3 opening has come and went. We’ve not been forgotten though. Workers are daily doing construction on it.
Our bridge was dangerous. It’s almost feeling like being deserted tied down back here mais cher. Thank God gas prices dropped a little. Pooyie for me! I guess I should pooyie for my neighbors too! You never miss your water till the well runs dry.
I could row, row, row my boat but I don’t have a pirogue or a paddle. I know I repeat myself but it’s a hardship for neighbors having weekly doctor’s appointments to make that circle of miles.
But I gotta admit the wilderness sure is interesting scenery for driving from the pontoon to Beulah’s Grocery Store and taking a left at the stop sign heading north. The blacktop Atchafalaya River Levee Highway to I-10 is smooth and easy driving. The woods following on the west side along that road leading to there has really become a scenic route.
Some newer residents and campers living along that highway are building their homes and camps at a distance away from the road. And some built further to the edge of the woods. Some of these camps make you realize we’re living in the swamps. In recent years more buildings are being built on stilts elevating their castles higher above the ground. That’s because it was law even before that last flood scare of ours a couple of years ago. But you never know the next flood warning might be the big one. Best be prepared.
And getting on I-10 there is another breath taking view of the Henderson Lake and Lake Bijeaux. The cypress trees which live in those swamp waters are always deep golden fall colors at this time. The cypress trees elsewhere have long been shedding their leaves. But those with roots that grow in the water year round shed theirs last. The water is rising in the Henderson Lake and so naturally lilies are breaking loose floating south. I’ve been seeing little yellow flowers growing in the water to the north of the big road. I like that me.
Women with guts doing something for their community with pride and pleasure! On my way home yesterday afternoon I saw the Butte La Rose ladies preparing to Christmas decorate the Herman Dupuis Road. And they go all out and decorate the famous and much talked about pontoon bridge with lights and all. They proudly decorate our rustic ancient old bridge. It is our conversation piece and a pleasure to look at because it is ours.
We miss crossing it at this time, but soon y’all! It’s worth the ride to come out and bring the family for that sight and get the feel of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”
I heard one of the woman say they need to buy one hundred of something or other to attach to the poles for the flags and flyers. There is an expense to replace hardware every season. But to have so much courage! Now you all gotta know we are proud of our community of Butte La Rose.
Merry Christmas to everyone in the whole world.

Cousine Hélène
337-280-1988.
helenboudreaux@juno.com.