Sad Semana Santa

Chispa, Eddie the Beagle’s beloved life-companion, died of kidney failure a few weeks ago. Jose and Danny helped me bury her in the citrus orchard. Oh, how I cried that day.

And we all cried again on Easter Sunday, when Lola la Vaca nearly died trying to give birth to her third calf. An Easter Sunday Birth became a stillborn calf, which they buried and then worked so hard to save Lola’s life! Jorge, the vet, was at the beach, so he recommended a colleague who came out to El Tigre and spent a number of hours doing field surgery, staying until Lola was stabilized. Unfortunately, we shall not have yoghurt or cheese-making this season - or perhaps ever again. The main thing now is that Lola rests and recovers. She is a much loved cow – very sweet-tempered - who rarely wanders beyond the pasture, unlike her meandering first-born, Negrito, who we still describe as a sweet-natured calf but who, in reality, is growing very quickly into a notable bull! And when Negrito wants to go a-wandering down his idea of Bourbon Street, into the pastureland below, it gets harder and harder for Jose to haul him back. He has to lasso him, riding my horse Matchi, and bring him back up the mountain, bucking and pulling the whole way, very unwilling to leave his playground. He now matches poor Matchi in weight, so it’s a big struggle for both horse and rider! Cowboys don’t usually sign on for bull-hauling duty unless equipped with a tranquillizer dart…

Before learning of the traumatic Easter Sunday happening back at El Tigre, Gerry and I enjoyed a lovely lunch with friends, Nancy and Don Adams, together with their family and other friends. Everyone brought something to eat and contributed to a delightful afternoon. Nancy started off the ‘rebirth feast’ with a poem by Dylan Thomas – but without the Welsh accent… We have much closer ties now that they have experienced the jungle with us in Costa Rica. The urban jungle is different but requires the same skills to survive. I get up early and sleep early, thus making me the biggest party-pooper in New Orleans. I proved that again last night, when my sheer laziness made me miss out on great piano by John Cleary at the Chickie Wah Wah lounge.

Also on Sunday, like everybody else we know in New Orleans, we watched the first episode of the second season of ‘Treme’ on HBO, and all I can say is: Awesome! Got that tune? ‘Accentuate the Positive’… It’s all so real. We recognized so many people and places. I just loved to see my favorite trombone-playing musician, Craig Klein, as well as so many other people that work, play and live here! Treme - what a great gig!

Jazz Fest is coming right up – two weekends of many reunions of old friends. My UM college roommate is visiting after many years without seeing each other. There is also another pal from Costa Rica spending his 50th birthday here in the city, and yet another coming to experience Jazz Fest this year. It’s going to be a blast...