Kelcey Chandler-Yates and Jim Yates present...

UnderSeaPhotoVideo.com

Redding Record Searchlight Monthly Article!!

February 28, 2003

God only one more month on land!!--hope you like this--please reply when you get it to the hotmail address-- svladystarlight@hotmail.com --soon--Kelcey They say we have the perfect life-I can't say we don't but when it comes to aging parents I don't think anyone can see the situation as perfect. With 3 years ahead of us being located in the remote areas of the Pacific Jim and I decided it was time to address the issue. Jim's parents are not a concern but my grandmother and mother could be. Being 97 my grandmother is spry, lives in her own home and keeps it up herself. She is incredible. My mother on the other hand is 76, has Alzheimer's and at this point could not live alone although she is still highly functioning but not much help when it comes to work around the house. The two live together with a great dane and a white egret named Henry. It is a great combination as one is kept company and the other is watched over but at 97 we must ask, what happens when Gram passes on?? With 3 brothers the answer should come easily but it didn't. Mom says she wants to live with me-----Off on a plane and 50 questions later---on the boat may be the answer. -Without the Great Dane! Time will tell. Now in New Orleans, my brothers and I will make tentative plans.

New Orleans with the Chandler Clan and Friends

But first we will enjoy our family reunion along with the hordes at Mardi Gras! Parades, beads, crazy drunk people and a lot of laughter will do us well-well at least it will be a distraction!! B-E-A-D-S they are the goal-see how many of the darn things you can have hanging around your neck by days end! A walk through the French Quarter brought some however to really score there you must bare your chest-no thanks-so we were off to the parades. Here huge brightly colored floats crept through the crowded streets awing us with their unique display of intricate designs and elaborate costumes, while people adorned with masks, hats and crazy outfits lined the streets screaming "throw me something mister". Those on the floats throw beads as well as moon pies plastic cups and the much-coveted coins called doubloons. Having in our group, several beautiful teen girls to attract the crewmembers on the float, as well as my brothers and Christopher at 6 foot 4 was a distinct advantage. As the beads were thrown towards the girls, the guys snagged the vast majority of them before others who surrounded us. I busied myself taking photos and searched the ground for the coins. These are given out by each "crew" of floats, i.e. social clubs and all sport different designs and colors as well as the year issued. These clubs originated from a variety of social groups in New Orleans that originated some time in the late1800's. The competition for the booty was fierce but when one snagged themselves a gaggle of beads or several of the same coin, they always were sure to share with others in their area. It was all quite proper for a drunken brawl!! Exhausted from all our screaming we settled into our chairs at the famed Café du Mond for beignets and café au lait. With stomachs full we head to bed so tomorrow we can do it all over again.