Lee Circle, New Orleans

I've been doing research for my next murder mystery, "Mardi Gras Death Mask". I have one scene that takes place in Lee Circle, a famous local landmark. The center piece is a memorial and a very tall pedestal topped with a statue of the famous General.

One of the things about it that first caught my attention is the fact the the General is facing in direction that looks a little odd. You'd think they'd have him looking up Saint Charles Avenue, or at Downtown, or at the French Quarter, or even out at the Mississippi River. But he isn't looking towards any of those. 

You see, when they erected the monument back in the 1880's, they decided to have him standing there, arms crossed over his chest, silently standing vigil and keeping an ever watchful eye to the North. --It was meant to remind the city residents that you should never turn your back on the Yankees.

While doing my research I ran across this open letter posted on he internet as a kind of review on Lee Circle. It wasn't attributed to anyone and wasn't signed so I don't know who wrote it. 

Still, it made me smile and I thought it might give you a little chuckle too:

I'm from the South and this is my General Robert E. Lee on his prime pedestal in the center of our Lee Circle looking defiantly Northward at you invading Yankees with your dirty hipster and sloppy tourist ways! Verily I say unto thee bathe thouselves well and learn to behave in decent civilized ways and dress appropriately for dinner. Truly do not arrive wearing shorts or jeans to present in our fancy eating establishments. Do not whine, balk, or complain about not being allowed entry due to your lack of appropriate regalia when such dress codes are clearly posted on websites and the exterior of establishments.

Appropriately honor our monuments to the War of Northern Aggression with due historical respect and leave your snide comments about Southern culture and peoples back in your frost laden Northern lands. Repent of your Californian attitudes of despising our heavy use of butter, cream, and deep-frying in making things deliciously decadent. Imbibe in the holy consumption of alcohol to achieve the nirvanic state of inebriation so that you might fully embrace all that our Southern hospitality has to offer and join us in the revelry that we freely share. Releasing your preconceptions and fully embracing living in the space and time that you're in New Orleans will unleash a multitude of delectable possibilities.

Now salute General Lee and march on to eat something scrumptious!

Today's Reflection:

You are living proof that manure can grow legs and walk.

Live Long and Prosper...