801 Royal

FRENCH QUARTER Thursday, Nov. 15. I love the French Quarter, the narrow streets, the ferns and potted plants hanging from the balconies, the kooky locals, the tourists clutching maps and cameras, the horses clip-clopping around Jackson Square. My intentions were to attend a session of the Faulkner Literary Festival at the nearby Hotel Monteleone, but first Melissa Wainwright and I dropped in 801 Royal for lunch. 801 Royal is a medium-priced restaurant with nice decor, friendly staff, and a well-stocked bar, recently opened by friends of Melissa and Gary. They converted and old run-down grocery store into an airy place, lots of mirrors and windows and the food is great. We were joined by friend Rodney, who just moved back into the Quarter, and we had one of those Southern conversations I truly love, into everybody's business, y'know, crabcakes and gumbo, sweet potato fries, etc. and more etc. and  a fried tomato sandwich? To die for bread pudding with rum sauce compliments of the owners,and before I knew it, time flew by and there wasn't time to hit Faulkner. Instead of gaining much needed education, all I did was gain another pound!

For the Faulkner Novel competition I sent in a manuscript called Pohainake Parish, but it didn't win, place or show. Nothing I ever write wins. When I go to the casinos I  never win. When I enter sweepstakes, I don't win. I think I won the lottery once, but I could never find the ticket. Imagine, I could probably be a millionaire today if I could remember where I stash stuff.