North: Monroe Monroe tends to get overlooked in Louisiana travel conversations, which is either a shame or an advantage, depending on whether you’re a local. Situated on the banks of the Ouachita River in the northeastern part of the state,…
Restored to perfection, the vintage Sinclair station on Main Street serves as an open-air museum. On Courthouse Square, Solomon Northup, the free Black man sold into slavery whose memoir became the basis for the film “12…
The last time my husband, Mark, and I were in Lake Charles was before COVID-19 lockdowns, and boy, has a lot changed in six years. It has been a long road to recovery from multiple natural disasters, including Hurricanes Laura…
Wandering through Maison Olivier, the circa 1815 Raised Creole Cottage-style plantation house at the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historical Site, it’s easy to get the feeling you might bump into a member of the Olivier family. The home is decorated and staged…
There are four things I always do when I’m in Baton Rouge: Visit the LSU Museum of Art at the Shaw Center for the Arts, get coffee at The Vintage, take a walk on the Louisiana State Capitol Grounds and…
If, like me, you live in or are visiting a Louisiana city that is positively taken over by parties and parades during Carnival season, respite from the whirl sounds beyond appealing. Especially if it can be reached in 15 to…
Of the many aspects of Louisiana culture that lure visitors to explore the state and compel Louisianians to come back home, our theory is that food is at the top of the list. Each region has its own specialties, and…
There is no place more charming during the holidays than a historic small town. Especially in Louisiana, where religious celebrations are infused with that special blend of the state’s many cultural influences. From beautiful, twinkling light displays and festivals to…
We walked into Downtown Jeaux at about 10 a.m. comin’ in hot and hungry from our drive into Houma from New Orleans. I claimed the last open table while Mark staked a spot in the growing line. It was a…
If you are a woman or man of a certain age, it is likely that hormone therapy is on your radar. Perhaps you’ve watched the documentary “The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause” released on PBS at the end…
The infatuation, as so many do, began over a cup of coffee. Specifically, an oat milk latte made with precisely measured and pulled espresso using thoughtfully sourced and expertly roasted…
The first time my husband Mark and I visited Arnaudville we were en route to a weekend in Toledo Bend and could only stop long enough for a brief scenic driveabout and lunch. We made the brilliant decision to go…
The natural beauty of St. Francisville’s rolling hills, bluffs and ridges, pristine historic homes, quaint boutiques and top-notch eateries is like a “Gilmore Girls” Stars Hollow fever-dream. For our three-day…
It’s true New Orleans gets the most attention when it comes to Mardi Gras and no one would argue that it’s the biggest and — perhaps depending on who you ask — most notorious. But celebrations big and small,…
On Mardi Gras Day, La Société De Saint Anne parade revelers march on Royal Street in New Orleans making their way to the river to honor those who died the year prior.
Normally in this space, I’d spin a tale that relates to one of the stories in the issue or talk about something from behind-the-scenes, so please indulge me in a subject-matter shift. After having the privilege of serving as a…
Throughout middle school, high school and college, two of my favorite pastimes were intentionally scaring myself witless via horror flicks and terrifying novels. On any given night of the week, I’d hole up with cousins, friends or boyfriends in…
As the editor of Louisiana Life Magazine, I probably shouldn’t admit this, but until about 12 years ago I avoided eating crawfish. As I’ve shared before, I wasn’t an adventuresome eater in childhood. Also, I grew up in Kentucky,…
In 2020, my husband and I rescued a cat. The friendly little guy, now known as Mr. Percy, was living under our neighbor’s house, getting by on his wits and charming food out of everyone on the block. One evening…
Like a lot of picky children, for much of my young life I avoided unfamiliar foods. I was raised on a farm so regional fruits and veggies, beef, chicken and pork were recognizable and safe, while everything else was suspect.…
New Orleans La Société de Saint Anne parade revelers march the ashes of those who have died the past year to the Mississippi River on Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — On May 16, Louisiana Life magazine won 10 awards, at the 42nd annual International Regional Magazine Association (IRMA) awards presentation in Ottawa, Canada. Louisiana Life was a finalist for Magazine of the Year. IRMA members…
I often daydream about how cool it would be to live and work in a new city every year or maybe even every few months. In the past, I’ve cobbled together about two weeks of working remotely from about…
If like me, you aren’t fond of constantly getting up to forage around in your bag or medicine cabinet to find lip balm, this pro-tip is for you. Quick and dirty: Put them all over your house. Longer version:…
A few weeks ago, my husband Mark was losing it. He’s an extrovert, at risk due to asthma and we are 24 weeks and 195 days into this COVID-19 dumpster fire. Our medically approved activities include: Neighborhood walks and bike…
During our first three Carnival seasons after moving to New Orleans, by the time Fat Tuesday arrived, we were too pooped to party beyond a brief amble out to the corner for a couple of the morning parades while sipping…
My people aren’t hunters. We shoot and we eat, but we don’t shoot what we eat. It’s just not in our DNA, I suppose. At least it doesn’t appear to be part of the genetic makeup of the five generations…
The term “bucket list” just doesn’t sit well with me. Not because of its allusions to death — there’s no stopping that canoe from its rapid whoosh down river. Rather, the idea of rushing to get entertaining and adventuresome things…
On my 21st birthday, my mom and grandparents took me to a casino. It was the first time I’d ever set foot in one, seeing as you have to be of drinking age to get in, and it was…
True confessions of a food-obsessed writer
At 83, celebrated author Ernest J. Gaines reflects on his hopes and passions from his home in Oscar.
