Who Dat Game Day Poem

I’m no poet, but I felt inspired to express my feelings about the Saints and what it means to be a fan – in rhyme.

For Catholics, feel free to substitute the first 2 lines with, “I was born Catholic/(Though an angel, I ain’t)”

Who Dat Game Day Poem

I wasn’t born Catholic

An angel I ain’t,

But come Sunday morning

I pray for my Saints.

Game Day as Season Ticket Holders

Football has returned to the Superdome with the Saints preseason game against the Titans. But this year is different. After 8 years on the waiting list, my newlywed-husband’s season tickets finally came through and we have a new address – a seat, row and section in the Dome. It got me thinking again about why football matters. As they unfurled the giant American flag, I was proud that football is a uniquely American sport. The whole world agrees that “football” is soccer and that soccer is a way better game, but every time I see those helmeted gladiators take the field, I swell with pride and excitement. 

New Orleans Living Magazine

A number of blogs host “guest bloggers.” I haven’t tried it yet and honestly thought I’d rather be someone’s guest than turn my reigns over to someone else to post on my blog. That said, I just read an article and interview by Christine Fontana for New Orleans Living Magazine that nearly perfectly expresses my love for this city. As such, I’m reprinting the article with clickable links to some of the places and organizations I mention.

Saints Season Starts!

Preseason is the time of year where football teams try out their new players to see who will make the cut. Normally, rookies take turns showing off while diehard fans cheer on new favorites. But, the Saints almost never do things “normally.” First, there was the much ballyhooed bounty scandal followed by an eternally long negotiation for quarterback Drew Brees’ contract. The team has lost its head coach, Sean Payton, for the entire season and acting head coach, Joe Vitt, will sit out for 6 games. While everyone else is testing out players, we’re testing out coaches. So why is the Who Dat Nation so excited?

Congo Square, Roadfood Fest, Mardi Gras Indians and Rebirth at d.b.a.

What a perfect weekend! March madness has begun and festival season is in full swing. Saturday was marked by perfect weather. It was warm and sunny with a constant balmy breeze. City Park hosted Hogs for the Cause, an all-day music fest benefitting children with brain cancer. We decided, instead, to stay in the French Quarter which was was hopping with activity. It was NOLA Pyrate Week  so, occasionally, you ended up waiting in line behind someone dressed as a pirate or seated next to a table full of them. We also crossed paths with a gathering group of hoop-skirted young ladies preparing for the Spring Fiesta parade.

Christmas Gifts and T-shirts

Whether you’re shopping for Christmas or treating yourself, you could find reasonably priced gifts in my new virtual L.A. to N.O.LA store. Items are made to order, shipped to your door and can be customized. New Orleanians will enjoy the many items made just for them including t-shirts and sweatshirts identifying you as a “Native,” “Local” or “Resident” on a fleur de lis backdrop as well as “Throw me somethin’, Mister!” Mardi Gras shirts. I’ve also made a wide variety of Christmas cards and To/From gift labels, mostly featuring images of my handmade ornaments. The Christmas collection also features labels and a card just for Saints fans!

Saints and Tigers – Celebrate Good Times

If you love winning, and most fans do, it’s a great time to be a Saints and Tigers fan. The latest Saints game was against the Carolina Panthers. It was the first division game for both teams and things were a bit more personal than usual. Former Saint, Jeremy Shockey, is now a Panther. Insanely talented (first rookie QB in NFL history to throw for 400 yards in his first NFL game) Panther quarterback, Cam Newton, admitted to being a huge fan of Drew Brees. Newton’s brother used to be a center for the Saints.

Superbowl: the moment ends, the memory is forever…

For better or for worse, the South is known for it’s ability to hang onto its past. Sunday, our beloved Saints ended their reign as Superbowl Champions and throughout the city, we remembered the sweet taste of victory last year. A few bars replayed the game before this year’s game and celebrated the moment we first realized we’d won.

Why I love the Saints (and you could too)

Everyone loves underdogs, unlikely heros and moments of glory. They tickle the part of us that whispers, “I believe.” They show us that anything can happen. Pigs can fly, hell can freeze over, the Saints can win the Super Bowl. And since anything can happen, maybe they can even win it twice. Who Dat? 2 Dat. Believe Dat!

I’ve blogged a few times about “Why Football Matters,” but I haven’t talked about why the Saints matter. As we once again secure our place in the play-offs by defeating longtime-rivals Atlanta Falcons (ending their 8 game winning streak as well as their 2 year home game winning streak), I am again reminded of all the Saints have battled and how their band of “lesser” draft choices and flat out rejects have become an international symbol for the city’s resilience and indomitable spirit.

Sweet Home, Louisiana

After a week in Los Angeles, returning to New Orleans felt great. On the plane, I ran into a fellow L.A. to N.O.LA actor who I’d carpooled with to Baton Rouge. I met a woman who’d run major art museums, taught college and painted part of the Ernie K-Doe mural on the (just-shuttered) Mother in Law Lounge. She was beautiful, smart, talented, over 60 and dying of cancer. I liked knowing that we were heading to a town where being older and dying wouldn’t detract from how sexy-cool she is.