Butte La Rose

Bonjour!
My son Dale visited again this week and this time his son D.J. and his girlfriend, Kelsey, came along. It is always so good to have family come visit. They just gotta have that good ole Cajun food. I cook and so of course I sit enjoying meals with them. I cook for myself just about every day, and it tastes good, but not nearly as good as when you’ve got family to sit and enjoy it with.
After the meal, you have time to talk and reminisce about the olden days. In the olden days after you ate you’d usually go back work in the fields. But now you can take time to relax and talk about what was.
I know my mind still wanders back in time. And there is nothing wrong with that. And I do not live in the past. I love my days every day. But I do not know what tomorrow will bring. I also love yesterday because my yesterdays are tattooed in my heart. Go figure what I mean. Stop and think back for a few seconds and know what I’m saying.
Like this. I have recorded a few albums (CDs). The songs I’ve written myself are of love and life and pretty much surrounds my growing up and still today. I would think everyone in Catahoula can connect with my songs. Because we all lived the same way in this small community. We are all related to each other in one way or another. I was not thinking of anything other then writing and singing these songs myself. I would guess I have written and recorded 50 of what are original songs and more I may never record. I’ve never copied or recorded anyone else’s stuff.
I began writing way back when I was 17 years old. That song went nowhere. When I grew older, I began writing again. I kept so much of the scribbled paper with my songs and still stored in boxes. I don’t have the heart to throw them away just yet.
About 1992, after I retired from truck driving and trying to adjust to a life of old habits, I’d go around the clubs and sing a song or two with bands who would let me. I was encouraged by a friend who played fiddle in Cajun bands, to record a country duet in Cajun French. I did. I did not yet know of the competitive promotional organization in this our Cajun music. I eventually became a member and learned a lot of its functions. They’re important and promote our French culture and music world wide. That is good.
From that time in my life until something happened back in 1998 that disappointed me terribly. I came to realize that no matter what, unfair things happen. Rules are not followed and are made up to suit at the moment. I’m sure many of you reading this understand. And another incident happened to me in 2002. My disappointment in the individuals running the show drained my confidence in the organization. I can tell what unfairness happened to me. Not what happened to others. I am proud with my songs and singing sojourn.
Surprisingly in 2012, Mark Sindler, photographer for the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans came here, took pictures of me, and told me two of my CDs were being added in the Louisiana State Museum Collection. Lynn Breaux from Lafayette had told them about my music.
Last Tuesday Mark called to say The State Museum selected me for the Nationwide “Truck Driver Appreciation Week” held Sunday to Saturday, Sept. 13-19. I was on their Facebook search with a big write-up about me. It’s posted on my Facebook now. So proud. Merci Cher Dieu!

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