New Toulouse

The Blessing of the Waters and the Krewe du Canard boat parade will take place this Lundi Gras—Monday, February 8—at 5:50 PM. The Queen of the Carnival, Miss Maggie Hawksby, will perform the voodoo blessing at the fishing dock by Buford’s bait shop. This beautiful ceremony blesses the waters and community of New Toulouse and is a Carnival tradition that is not to be missed.

After the Blessing of the Waters, the boat parade will commence at the same location. The parade of fabulously decorated boats will wind its way through the waterways of New Toulouse. In the Lundi Gras boat parade, the parade floats actually do!

Following the boat parade, the krewe will make merry at the Toulouse Caboose, and the general public is invited.

Apparently Doctor Avalon has a friend named Lynn Mimistrobell, who seems to know a thing or two about Jelly Roll Morton’s music. Miss Lynn led a “jazz salon” on Sunday evening, where she discussed Jelly Roll’s life and his work, and then she just played his music and let it speak for itself. The Toulouse Caboose was jumping, and lots of people came from faraway places like New Babbage, Europa, Cala Mondrago, and Winterfell. There was dancing, drinking, and tomfoolery. I wonder what that crazy doctor will pull out of her medical bag next!

Photo credit: Doctor Avalon and Nikita Weymann. Pictured left: Lynn Mimistrobell.

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Avis Picayune is an old bird, but she can still hear good music.

This old bird has seen a lot of odd things floating in the waters of New Toulouse, but on Lundi Gras there was a new addition to the flood of Carnival activity: the Krewe du Canard held a little bayou regatta. The vessels were varied, ranging from Blake Palmer’s fishing boat, to Henri Godenot’s float-styled pirogue, to whatever sort of Jules Verne-type craft the Whitefalcons were piloting. Admiral Callidus Waydelich showed up in an inner tube; one would suspect the Mondragons had more impressive naval technology than that, especially after seeing that flying elephant float they made for Samedi Gras.

The parade sailed along the river, amusing the spectators on the deck of the Mama Cree. Then the Duck Armada sailed back to its home pond, and the krewe members went to the Toulouse Caboose, where they proceeded to get polluted. DJ Q got them dancing, Doc Avalon got them drinking, and Lundi Gras may never be the same, especially if the boat parade becomes a regular Carnival event.

Maggie Hawksby swam with the ducks and snapped these photos: Flickr set.

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Avis Picayune is a tough old bird.

The Krewe du Canard will parade up and down the Missedabracket River in their first annual boat parade on Monday, February 9, at 6:00 PM SLT. The procession will convene at the Toulouse Caboose and proceed up and down the river.

After the parade, the krewe will host a grand party for all with fine food, drink, and dance at the Toulouse Caboose.

Individuals who want to decorate and ride boats in the Krewe du Canard parade should notify Doctor Avalon (phone NT-290). Those who need a boat to decorate may pick one up near the steps of the Toulouse Caboose.

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Fenimore T. Abramoff still hasn’t opened that bucket.

Dr. Guenivere Avalon has been known to arrange many an event in the city, such as the Steamlands 500 air races. Now she has begun a new business enterprise in the bayou. The Toulouse Caboose is a diner in a railroad car next to the train station. The menu ranges from crawfish to more exotic fare inspired by the doctor’s travels.

“I saw an opportunity here at this superb location,” said Dr. Avalon. “I saw all of the tourists looking for ghosts in the bayou, and I realized that the bayou could use a place to socialize. Eventually the Caboose will also host concerts.”

The Caboose will kick things off with a holiday party at 6:00 PM on December 5. “I will have a holiday buffet and maybe a few other tricks. All are invited to come, of course.”

Well, this old bird will keep an eye out and maybe try to wet her beak a bit. Heaven knows that crazy doctor has some of the best medicine in town, and I mean the stuff that comes in bottles or kegs, not in pills.

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Avis Picayune is a tough old bird who is looking to get her beak wet.