Down here in Southeast Louisiana, there's a blurring of events. While the attention of the rest of nation focuses on the University of Phoenix Stadium where the Patriots and Giants will do battle in Super Bowl XLII, people in the New Orleans area make other kinds of plans.
For the past week, communities on both sides of Lake Ponchartrain have reveled in various Carnival parades. Mandeville, Covington, Slidell, and villages on the Northshore have been busy with parades last weekend and this weekend. Parade season will climax with the "big" parades in New Orleans beginning this weekend and culminating on Fat Tuesday.
And all the while, the rest of the country have their eyes on the Big Game. Most everyone I've asked want the Giants to win. Some because of Eli Manning, who hails from New Orleans, and others because they don't want New England to have a perfect season. I suppose I fall into the later category. I remember back in 1972 that I didn't want the Miami Dolphins to win the Super Bowl and go 17-0. But they did, and my life went on. If the Patriots win, life will go on as well.
You know it's not that I don't want any team to go undefeated. It would be okay if it was my team that was going undefeated. My team? In 1972 it was the Dallas Cowboys. After all, I am from North Texas and grew up watching "America's Team" before it was known as "America's Team."
But the Cowboys aren't my favorite team today. No, today my team has to be the New Orleans Saints. That transformation took place since I've lived in Mandeville. Now for the Saints to have perfect season would be nothing short of the biggest football mircale of all time. So I don't suppose I'll be pulling for any team to have a perfect season soon.
I've been asked if I'll be going to any of the parades this weekend. My answer, "No, I've only gone to one parade since I've lived in Mandeville. That was in 1998. I didn't get it. I saw no reason to be cold, stand in a crowd along a street, and catch cheap beads."
So on Sunday, you'll find me at a Super Bowl party hoping that Eli and the Giants can pull the big upset and knock of Tom Brady and the Patriots. On Fat Tuesday, I'll be no where near a parade. But I will be enjoying a holiday that most of the rest of the country will not have. You'll find me at home hopefuly enjoying some spring weather.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Good Day for Louisiana
Monday began what I hope to be a good time for Louisiana. On Monday, our new governor, Bobby Jindal, took the oath of office as he became our state's 55th governor. During the campaign, Jindal ran on promises to reform and literally to reinvent the way Louisiana does business. Obviously, politics in Louisiana has become synonymous with corruption and payoffs. Jindal promised to change that perception.
I've known Gov. Jindal for a number of years. When he campaigned for the first time for the United States Congress, I had the privilege of having lunch with him at one of our local restaurants. Though I cannot remember the details of our conversation, I do remember that he's a genuine individual who wants to make a difference for Louisiana. He had already proven his ability to influence the influencers as he had served in Gov. Mike Foster's administration and in Pres. George W. Bush's administration.
So when invitations came to attend the prayer breakfast and the inauguration on Monday, I responded to both. Though the breakfast was not the intimate lunch Jindal and I shared a few years back, I was still impressed with our young governor. Those who addressed the gathering of about 1,000 spoke of the kinds of issues that will make a difference -- not only in Louisiana, but for our nation as well. Texas governor, Rick Perry, offered his encouragement as well. When Jindal spoke, I welled with pride both from having known him on somewhat of a personal level, but also because I really believe he will make a difference.
Later on Monday I attended the inauguration at the capitol building with my daughter, Kendal. We enjoyed our time taking it all in -- the bands, the singers, the weather, the ceremony. CBS sports announcer, Tim Brando, kept the ceremony light, and we enjoyed the comments he added.
And when Gov. Jindal gave his inauguration address, we cheered along with the crowd as he made clear that his promises during the campaign would be his clear agenda as governor. I have great confidence in him to accomplish his goals because they are rooted in relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here's the conclusion of Jindal's inaugarual address: "Our New Louisiana will be a magnet for the dreamers…the risk-takers…the adventurers…the leaders of America’s new economy.That New Louisiana will give our citizens the opportunities they deserve.That is the kind of reform we will bring.That is our goal.That is our charge.I have said it before and I will say it again…we can change….we must change…we will change.Thank you.God Bless you and God Bless the Great State of Louisiana."
I'm thanking God our governor and will be praying for him.
I've known Gov. Jindal for a number of years. When he campaigned for the first time for the United States Congress, I had the privilege of having lunch with him at one of our local restaurants. Though I cannot remember the details of our conversation, I do remember that he's a genuine individual who wants to make a difference for Louisiana. He had already proven his ability to influence the influencers as he had served in Gov. Mike Foster's administration and in Pres. George W. Bush's administration.
So when invitations came to attend the prayer breakfast and the inauguration on Monday, I responded to both. Though the breakfast was not the intimate lunch Jindal and I shared a few years back, I was still impressed with our young governor. Those who addressed the gathering of about 1,000 spoke of the kinds of issues that will make a difference -- not only in Louisiana, but for our nation as well. Texas governor, Rick Perry, offered his encouragement as well. When Jindal spoke, I welled with pride both from having known him on somewhat of a personal level, but also because I really believe he will make a difference.
Later on Monday I attended the inauguration at the capitol building with my daughter, Kendal. We enjoyed our time taking it all in -- the bands, the singers, the weather, the ceremony. CBS sports announcer, Tim Brando, kept the ceremony light, and we enjoyed the comments he added.
And when Gov. Jindal gave his inauguration address, we cheered along with the crowd as he made clear that his promises during the campaign would be his clear agenda as governor. I have great confidence in him to accomplish his goals because they are rooted in relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here's the conclusion of Jindal's inaugarual address: "Our New Louisiana will be a magnet for the dreamers…the risk-takers…the adventurers…the leaders of America’s new economy.That New Louisiana will give our citizens the opportunities they deserve.That is the kind of reform we will bring.That is our goal.That is our charge.I have said it before and I will say it again…we can change….we must change…we will change.Thank you.God Bless you and God Bless the Great State of Louisiana."
I'm thanking God our governor and will be praying for him.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Geaux Tigers!
I must say that Monday night's BCS Championship Game was fun to watch. Our family has become completely immersed in LSU football, having experienced a transformation that really began with our oldest daughter, Keri Beth, attending LSU. And having a three-year member of the "Golden Band from Tigerland" in our daughter, Kendal, has only added to our fervor.
Ever since the Tigers made the miraculous leap from No. 7 to No. 2 on the last Saturday of the season, the Schroeders have been anticipating the championship game. Though we knew it was only a game and that life would go on whether LSU won the game or not, we couldn't wait for kickoff time.
Following our meal on Monday, our den furniture was re-positioned to allow everyone present to enjoy the best possible view from our "stadium arrangement." Keri Beth and her husband, Phillip; our daughter, Melissa; our son, Travis; Gayla and I -- all of us had our eyes fixed to the pregame proceedings.
Yes, we watched the game, but even during timeouts, we could never take our eyes from the screen for fear of missing a glimpse of our Tiger Band member. We got to see her a couple of times, but you'd think we had seen her multi-million dollar screen debut. When the phone rang shortly after one of those shots, I knew that others in our church family were doing much the same!
Can you believe it? I've got on for some time without really mentioning any details of the game that mattered on the scoreboard. Yes, the LSU Tigers won the game over Ohio State, but the real winners that evening was our family. We enjoyed an evening together -- laughing, fretting, talking, looking for Kendal, and whole lot of fun.
Ever since the Tigers made the miraculous leap from No. 7 to No. 2 on the last Saturday of the season, the Schroeders have been anticipating the championship game. Though we knew it was only a game and that life would go on whether LSU won the game or not, we couldn't wait for kickoff time.
Following our meal on Monday, our den furniture was re-positioned to allow everyone present to enjoy the best possible view from our "stadium arrangement." Keri Beth and her husband, Phillip; our daughter, Melissa; our son, Travis; Gayla and I -- all of us had our eyes fixed to the pregame proceedings.
Yes, we watched the game, but even during timeouts, we could never take our eyes from the screen for fear of missing a glimpse of our Tiger Band member. We got to see her a couple of times, but you'd think we had seen her multi-million dollar screen debut. When the phone rang shortly after one of those shots, I knew that others in our church family were doing much the same!
Can you believe it? I've got on for some time without really mentioning any details of the game that mattered on the scoreboard. Yes, the LSU Tigers won the game over Ohio State, but the real winners that evening was our family. We enjoyed an evening together -- laughing, fretting, talking, looking for Kendal, and whole lot of fun.
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