Touchet’s Bar Jam Session

When you see that a bar’s motto is “helping ugly people get laid since 1986” and their bumper sticker states, “Adult Day Care Center”, you know you are in for a good time. And, boy, a good time is what we had at Touchet’s Bar in Maurice, LA!!! Oh, it is pronounced Two Checks.

                

Every two weeks the local musicians come to Touchet’s to have a jam session.  They sign up for a session which changes about every 20 minutes.  From 2 to 5 p.m. there is Cajun music playing.  Oh joy, oh joy.  Ever since the Mossman’s played us a Zydeco/Cajun CD last year, both Jim and I fell in love with the music.  And to be able to hear it played live yesterday….well, we were beyond happy. This was Cajun music with all the songs sung in French. Instruments were accordion, fiddle, guitars, base and electric, and washboard with some quick-step and some waltz tempo songs.  Zydeco music would have the addition of brass, horns and mostly upbeat jazz influenced songs.

The patrons were mostly the older crowd, and it was a joy to see everyone dancing even folks in their 70s and older. One couple was celebrating their 63th anniversary.

One of our group, Jean-Pierre, got into the action playing the triangle with the band.  What a hoot!!!

Session 5 brought up a young boy, only 15 years old, named Barrett

Navarre who played the accordion that just blew us away…he was awesome.  He’s only been playing a couple of years, but he brought the house down with his musical talent.  His grandfather bought him his accordion and he is extremely proud of his grandson! He was such a nice young man, going around the tables and saying hello to all the older patrons, whom he all knew. He’s very polite and mannerly, just a very nice young man…nice to see.

On stage

with his grand dad

The music was so good and we all enjoyed ourselves.

We started off looking like this…..	and ended up looking like this

Jean-Pierre has a collection of hats and he brought a couple with him yesterday. One hat got passed around as it looked good on everybody.

	I even had to try it on

For Jim and I this was the highlight of our time here.  Being able to hear Cajun music live was such a treat.  We can’t wait till next week to go to Museum Cafe in Erath, LA, for the alternate Saturday jam session there. We need to get some CDs somewhere to take with us on the road.
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Sunday Betty put on a flea market under the patio where she sold a whole bunch of her “stash”.  She said she buys things on sale all year long and has a separate room to hold it all.  She brought out hats, purses, home decorations, snack plates, etc.  Some of the campers sold their wares also with jewelry, knit scarves, tile coasters, etc. being displayed. 

Being Sunday Jim M. made Bloody Mary’s for Terri and I.  That was followed by basking in the sun in front of the rigs in a circle of chairs with folks dropping in and out as they walked by.  It was so nice to be at such an open, friendly RV park.  We all have become one big happy family, doing things together,and sharing food and cocktails.

Speaking of cocktails, Wendell made up a couple batches of Olympic Cocktails. It is equal parts of brandy, triple sec and orange juice.  Try it…it’s quite good.

We had our happy hour under the patio and then our gang grilled burgers.  Betty did organized a Hen Party Game for us to participate in that brought about hilarious laughter.  The object of the game was to get a plunger stick, held between your legs, stuck into a roll of toilet paper being held by your partner…too funny.

My kids should have such a good time during their retirement!!!

Remember, you are loved.