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Civil code in New Orleans

Researchers at TWLF talk about the differences in New Orleans civil law (derived from Napoleonic law) from English common-law states:

1. Daughters and sons inherited equally
2. Woman never lost family name even after married. “Marie Laveau, wife of Paris.”
3. Unmarked or widow could conduct business
4. Married woman retained control of what she brought to marriage and half of community property acquired in her marriage.
5. Married woman could petition for separation of property in case of husbands bad business dealings.

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Friday on the sliver

As I read through my TWLF schedule to plan my day, I treat myself with a breakfast at Satsuma in the Bywater. Green egg sandwich, wheat grass shot (grown by a MidCity neighbor Jeff on his screened porch) and an immune booster juice.
There is a special delight in spending a day on the streets along the Mississippi, with their graceful curves and views of massive ships slowly passing at eye level. Narrow sidewalks open to old dusty brick walls and uneven stairs with acoustics that encourage fascinating side conversations and allow odd snippets to be overheard…
“Do you know the history of Utah and the Mormons before US intervention?”

“Did you replace the whole machine or just the part that was dripping?”

“I could use a Bloody Mary; actually I would abuse a Bloody Mary right about now…”

“I think that bag would work great for sneaking stuff into JazzFest.”

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Tennessee Returns To The Quarter

Ah my favorite weekend is here. Time to head to the Quarter and immerse myself in all things literary and of Tennessee. 4 days of workshops, plays, walking tours, shouting contests and mint juleps.
Hope to see you there, and if not, look for my blogs from the Fest.

http://www.tennesseewilliams.net/festival/schedule

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Quarter Stitch

One of the longstanding needlepoint shops in the city has moved-slightly. Quarter Stitch which had withstood the Alpine Bar as a neighbor, the on again off again repairs due to a historical building owned by the state, has finally moved into new space right across the street from their old location. You can now find them on the “lake side” of Chartres between Wilkinson and the Square. The new location seems more spacious and certainly is no worse than the last as far as location, and once the gutting and constructing of Dickie Brennan’s new restaurant at Le Petit Theatre is over, things should be delightful for the wonderful yarn store we all love.

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Idea Factory has moved to 924 Royal

The shock of coming across their empty location was the subject of an earlier post back in September… Their website shows them now on Royal, which makes me very glad…

original story.

Idea Factory website

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St. Joseph’s Day- March 19

Like most Americans, New Orleanians too celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, although here in New Orleans we also celebrate St. Joseph’s Day. There already was a parade through the Quarter last weekend in St. Joseph’s honor and March 19 (St. Joseph’s actual feast day) will be quite the day for viewing of the altars throughout the city. The tradition, which is Sicilian in origin but carried on locally by Italian-Americans and people of all nationalities and faiths, includes baking cookies and cakes and preparing foods for the altar. According to a legend, a drought and famine during the Middle Ages caused much suffering in Sicily. People prayed to St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, and promised to thank him with food altars on his feast day, March 19, and give away the food to all. Supposedly on midnight of March 19, it started to rain and broke the Sicilian drought. Many now create altars to thank St. Joseph for their personal prayers as well.

The altars are found in churches, businesses and homes throughout the city and when you leave after viewing, you will receive a fava bean. The fava bean will bring you luck throughout the year. Part of the tradition requires that no money be spent on the altar, so its creators must beg for all items. Once the day is over, the altar is broken down and its content donated to the poor.
St. Joseph’s Day has another connection to food: it is also the traditionally the last day to plant summer tomatoes for this region. <p><a href=’http://www.wwltv.com/news/List-of-local-St-Joseph-altars-197132801.html#.UT9OAMHCzhU.wordpress’>List of local St. Joseph altars | wwltv.com New Orleans</a>.</p>