Baja St. Martin

The crawfish are coming in. The Monday-after-Easter price was $1.50, which is still pretty good. The public boat landing is full. Now that the water is high more outboards are in use.

Easter Sunday was so beautiful and calm, I put my kayak into the water and paddled upstream a few miles. Along the way I could hear the crawfish boilers roaring away in the yards. I was invited by three different groups to come join them and eat some crawfish, which I thought was very nice but I didn’t stop. I had just filled up at home with fried catfish, fried shrimp and French fries, pretty much exceeding my quota of fried foods for the next year.

It was nice along the river with little boat traffic. As I paddled along, I could hear the subdued laughter of kids and the chatter of adults, everyone in their back yards by the water. I heard the croaking of at least two alligators, startled a few ducks, almost got hit by a fish filet tossed in the river by some guy who didn’t see me paddling close by.

Have you noticed how lovely it is now with those yellow flowers in bloom on the levee and in fields? Whatever they are, they make a solid carpet of bright yellow, sometimes stretching for what seems like miles back to the woods or river banks. If I was able to paint, that’s what I’d choose for my subject. I’ll bet the view from the air would be beautiful.

The luncheon for veterans sponsored by District Attorney Phil Haney was a great success. I’ll send a separate story about that with some pictures, but for now I just want to especially thank Mr. Haney, Ms. Shirley Akers and everyone who came and/or helped in any way. I’m getting so excited about the possibility of having the St. Martin COA come over here and provide services to our area. I know it won’t happen immediately but just knowing that it will eventually take place is so wonderful.

My older sister is now the third person I know who has shingles! She says this is the third time she’s had them and this is the worst! I am knocking on wood, throwing salt over my left shoulder and whatever else might prevent me from getting the same. The TV ads say if you ever had chickenpox, you have the virus in you that could cause shingles and I had chickenpox when I was in 11th grade. My baby sister and I keep telling one another to remain stress free and keep our immune systems high, although I don’t know how to do either.

The levee situation continues. As far as we know, F.A.S. still plans to appear before the Parish Council with their rezoning request. We will be there also. Meanwhile, the residents along Hwy. 997 are spreading the word as much as possible as to our feelings on the matter. Although the current issue pertains directly to those of us who live on this road, the future implications apply to everyone in the state.

Not quite changing the subject, but I had guests a few weeks ago from upstate New York and in conversation they mentioned the problems in their state with fracking. Now I’ve been made aware that there are lots of “dry” wells in the spillway – or ones that are no longer producing – and that the owners might be interested in accepting fracking liquids into their empty wells! Even more reason to not set a precedent with this rezoning request or any other. One foot in the door, so to speak, and others might try to follow.

Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be e-mailed at lcooke9417@bellsouth.net.