Galatea Monday resides corporeally in New Toulouse with her bulldog Al Capone, loads of books, and a few spirits. She also owns and operates the Haunted Jellyfish, New Toulouse’s premiere ghost gallery and studio.
Send your questions to Miss Gala by mailing or dropping a note into the mailbox at our headquarters.
Dear Miss Gala,
I am undecided as to what I should give my sweetheart as a gift for Christmas. We are engaged, so I think it would be appropriate to give him a nice gift. Will you please suggest several?
Sincerely,
Coquette
Dear Coquette,
Congratulations to you both! My different fiancés over the years have appreciated many different thoughtful gifts, depending on their varied interests, of course. Some men prefer gifts that disappear, so to speak, such as a good hand and foot massage on demand, or a gloriously prepared dinner from soup to nuts with all of his favorite foods and a spicy dessert. One of my formerly affianced was very pleased with a golden cigarette case I gave him, while another was thrilled by a new puppy (and of course, the town has many cats and kittens in need of a good home). One of my beloveds was over the moon about a first-edition Jules Verne, while another was smitten when I took him to one of the great eateries in town. Books, baubles, walking sticks (silver-tipped especially), and gloves all make lovely gifts, but sometimes just wandering through the stores will give you the greatest inspiration. One of my favorite shops in town, especially for the discerning recipient, is Look What the Cat Dragged In. The illustrious shopkeeper is constantly rotating inventory and has wonderful gifts for any budget and personality. But certainly, a leisurely stroll through New Toulouse will introduce you to the many shops we have here, and you are sure to find everything from good art to warm mufflers, great restaurants, and all sorts of recreational activities. The New Toulouse Guide may be helpful in a pinch and can be found on page 6. If all fails, and depending on your level of intimacy, of course, wrapping yourself up in satin ribbons may be just the thing!
Cheers!
Miss Gala
Dear Miss Gala,
Taking notice of your work in the paper, I wish to satisfy a notion by asking you if you believe in fortune telling, palmistry and phrenology. If you think it is worthwhile to spend a little time and money in this way, please give me names and addresses of those you know to be reliable and on the square.
Signed,
Curious
Dear Curious,
Just that you asked me this question proves the serendipity in the universe! I do very much believe in such things, and here in New Toulouse, I am certainly not alone. I personally run a humble ghost studio and Spiritualist shop in town, and you can come in to give us a try. Our prices are set to be affordable to the most casual connoisseur of the incorporeal. But I would be remiss if I also didn’t tell you about House of the Spirits and so many more. A winter night’s walk in the St. Louis Cemetery may make you a believer too. The Guide above may help you find your medium, and my best advice to you is to visit all of these wonderful places and see where you feel most comfortable before engaging the services of our fine Spiritualist community.
In the mists,
Miss Gala
Dear Miss Gala,
Will you please name some new amusement for an evening social affair? No dancing or card playing. I have been to the library, but could find nothing. Thanking you.
Sincerely,
Grace
Dear Grace,
We have so many fine dining establishments here in New Toulouse, as you must know, but for an unusually engaging evening with no dancing or card playing, I’d recommend a visit to the Ghost of Liza Veliz. It is a delightfully intimate, charmingly appointed poetry gallery. The lush space is filled with interesting texts and comfortable seating sure to charm the most discriminating patron. There are also wonderful visual art galleries to explore, such as la Maison de la Femme Impatient, the Azucar Gallery, and the Indea Vaher Studio. If you’d rather indulge the senses in a different way, why not take a ferry ride? It’s a fun way to see the sights here in our beloved burg! Just pop over to the West Bayou Dock, and you’ll find the intra-bayou ferry running regularly.
Enjoy!
Miss Gala