We did our bike ride the day before, on Saturday, May 9. Lots of friends had been posting pictures of their own two-wheeled forays throughout the city, and I decided I wanted the same experience. Seeing my city during these times was something I won't soon forget.
On account of coronavirus, New Orleans, like the rest of the country, was virtually shut down starting in March. For a normally bustling city full of locals and tourists alike with no shortage of things to do, places to visit, or cuisine to sample, life as we knew it suddenly changed. Shops, restaurants, bars, museums, playgrounds, etc. were shuttered, with no real idea of when they would be able to re-open. (We have since entered Phase 1 of a structured reopening, beginning on May 15.) For the most part, people followed guidelines and stayed home in an attempt to flatten the curve. But as I mentioned before, the weather was our saving grace, and we didn't hesitate to get out into it whenever we needed to. Socially distant, of course.
Kenny loaded up all four bikes into the back of my car, and we headed downtown just before 10am. We parked on Conti Street near the river, with no real plan in mind; I just wanted to wander. We encountered little vehicle traffic but we saw a decent amount of people, some walking around but most on bikes like us. Oh, and the weather was awesome: we all needed jackets!
We rode around Jackson Square, which was practically empty, except for one lone artist and a few street musicians. We rode through the French Market, which was completely bare and deserted. We also rode straight down Bourbon Street and past numerous restaurants and shops and hotels, most of which were closed. It was sobering but it was fascinating seeing the city this way and in this state.
We looped back towards the river and rode along the riverfront, stopping for a snack just past the docked "City of New Orleans" steamboat. We rode through Woldenberg Park and by the aquarium, where we could see the birds flitting around in their outside exhibit. Then we rode back to the car. In all, we covered just over 4 miles in an hour. It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning.
We made one more stop before heading home: the wildflower fields in City Park. I had never seen them before and thought it would be a nice thing to do with my boys, like our visit to the tulips for Valentine's Day. We had no trouble finding them, and there were a number of other families out there. We even spotted a wedding ceremony that had just ended!
We arrived home around 1pm. Shortly after that was when I was told to make myself scarce. Kenny had informed me a few days before that he and the boys would take care of dinner that night, which was just fine by me. I read out on the front porch, took myself off for a run by the lake, had a leisurely shower, and then read some more.
Meanwhile, my three boys were exceedingly busy in the kitchen, preparing a "surprise" Mother's Day dinner and making my requested zucchini bread for breakfast the next morning. Kenny put them to work, and he said they did a fantastic job with everything he assigned to them. They shredded zucchini, melted chocolate with a double boiler, measured, mixed, and stirred. They were awesome.
Around 6pm that evening, I was finally summoned from where I had been sequestering in my bedroom. I walked down the hallway and around the corner to discover Rory waiting for me in a pair of his navy school pants and a white blazer. He welcomed me and inquired whether I would like a drink while waiting for my table. Riley, the bartender, was in the background standing patiently behind a little table. He was dressed in a pair of his navy school pants and a seersucker blazer. Rory led me over to the "bar" and had me sit, while Riley mixed my drink. I was blown away.
I relaxed in my chair while Kenny finished up in the kitchen and the boys finished preparing the table. Then I was retrieved, led to my seat, and presented with the night's three-course menu at pop-up restaurant Cafe ShaNaVeLait. I was woefully under-dressed, but they let me in anyway.
Dinner was wonderful; they really outdid themselves. We had such a nice time sitting around the table chatting and enjoying each other's company. And both boys even tried the salmon! Kenny eventually excused them to go up and get ready for bed, but he and I lingered for a while at the table.
Overwhelmed. That's the word that exemplified how I felt this entire night. Overwhelmed, but in such an incredible way. My three boys collaborated to prepare me a delicious dinner. They worked so hard all afternoon and completely surprised me. I truly had no words to describe all of the emotions I felt throughout the evening. Appreciated, honored, grateful, blessed, special, and so very loved.
The next day I finally got to sample the zucchini bread they made for me. So tasty! I also forgot that the recipe actually makes two loaves so I have lots of leftovers. Kenny left to go spend some time with Grandma, and I had the boys do a special worksheet for me. I also put together a project I had been wanting to do. Other than that, it was a nice relaxing day!
We all went to Sunday dinner at Nola and Nopsi's, and the guys took care of everything. We had shrimp and grits, Brussels sprouts with fennel and prosciutto, salad, and bread. After a spread of gourmet bakery desserts, Nopsi presented Nola with a special gift he made for her. We all reacted the way he had been hoping we would: a little jealous and a lot impressed. Erin and I wanted one too! Luckily, he had foreseen that and had actually made three.
He painted the four kids at the beach, gathered around a crab in the sand. He had them pose in their backyard a couple of months ago and pretend that they were at the beach with a crab in front of them. He snapped a picture of that and painted from it. The result is simply amazing.
Erin and I were so overjoyed to receive a painting of of our own. It reflects such special memories from all of our years at the beach together.
What a weekend. Thank you, Kenny, Riley. Rory, Nopsi, and Uncle Jeff, so very much, for collectively making this Mother's Day such an incredible one. It's one I'll cherish for a long time.
