Pipe organs, brass rings... and Sazerac Slings.

Oh, wow. Just wow. It doesn't get much better than this.

We'll soon begin our maiden voyage to the Crescent City and our visit is shaping up to be splendid. Carousel Gardens Amusement Park in the afternoon, Muriel's for dinner, and drinks at the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone, a carousel-themed old school classic. Read the following article to learn a bit more about the bar. And its haunting.

Seriously -- for me an amusement park in a haunted, historical city and a finely-crafted Ramos Fizz to top off the evening, while my wonderful hubby enjoys a Pimm's Cup? Heaven.

Oh yeah. The bar revolves. So not too many Ramos Fizzes for yours truly.

The Wisdom of Don Draper

Soemtimes people ask me why a book about vintage amusement parks means so much to me and what's the hook, what will the general public get out of it? Recently a fellow voice actor actually came right out with this undelicate phrase: "A book about vintage amusement parks? But what would be your audience? Why would I want this book?"

Perhaps "Mad Men's" Don Draper puts it best. "Nostalgia. It's delicate... but potent":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2bLNkCqpuY

Watch and learn.

PS Ironic that this is entitled "The Carousel" and I'll be visitng Carousel Gardens in New Orleans and putting back an Old-fashioned at the Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar, a vintage bar originally installed in 1949, during the infancy of Mid-Century Modernism.

Mom works in mysterious ways

So yesterday was the 10th anniversary of my Mom's passing. From time to time, Mom loves to show up and remind me that she's never far away. So on this auspicious occasion, I knew Mom would show up in her usual subtle way: a cardinal in the tree just outside my window, meeting a gentle dog while walking Ivy. That sort of thing. Well, apparently Mom really wanted to make sure that she knows I think about her everyday because yesterday was jam-packed with her subtle and not-so-subtle messages. And they came in a set of three. Mom used to show herself aftger her passing by having things happen in "threes". But as the months and then years went by, Mom would simply show up once in a while. But for this anniversary, Mom let 'er roll.

1. While writing yesterday's blogpost, two songs came on the radio: "In My Life" and "Golden Slumbers" (a lullaby version). Both very evocative of my Mom's energy, about remembering those you've lost, about maternal love. Subtle and very "Mom".

2. Ivy never takes her toys into her bed. It's just not her thing. But yesterday, when Ben threw her toy and she ran to get it, she took it straight to her bed and curled up with it. What is this toy, you ask? Her bee. Sounds suspiciously like Mom's name, Bea. So you've got that.

But Number Three on the list is the one I'm particularly moved by. And shocked and thrilled with. Because you can chalk it up to happenstance, but then you'd be narrow-minded and just plain wrong.

3. Decided to hit Youtube in search of an elusive video from Fairyland Park. I venture there every so often, about every month or so, in search of the super-rare, nearly impossible to find Super 8 movie-transferred to video-uploaded to Youtube. Expecting to find nothing, I did this later in the evening, so I'd be ready to sign off and toddle to bed. But after entering in "Fairyland Park, Lyons, IL" into the search engine, up popped the Holy Grail:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOq8XeqMmpU

A family film taken back in 1974, toward the end of Fairyland's reign of the southwestern suburbs. Features some of the kiddie rides which lived under the canopy of the open air building which housed my carousel. Footage of the Ferris wheel (my Ferris wheel). And the octopus (not mine, because I got sick on it once), with MY beloved Paratrooper ride in the background.

Mom, this time you outdid yourself.

Sunday on the Blog with Photos!

10 years ago, my Mom left us. I'm sure she's keeping pretty busy in heaven, taking care of small, sweet beagles, enjoying all the chocolate she wants, and teaching the angels how to make The Perfect Daiquiri.

Last month we visited Disneyland to celebrate the 40th anniversary of my trip there with my Mom. We had the honor/privilege of dining at the ultra-exclusive Club 33. I ordered a daiquiri there, in her honor, placing the order the way I remembered she would: "I'd like a daiquiri made with fresh limes - no lime juice."

And that's what I got. With a Disney twist. Which I know my Mom would've appreciated. Because, as you can see, they're FRESH limes.

Love you, Mom (who just showed up,by the way. As I'm writing this, "In My Life" started playing on the radio. Followed by "Golden Slumbers")

New Orleans' Carousel Gardens

http://neworleanscitypark.com/guides.html

Click on this link to learn about how Katrina affected New Orleans City Park and its amusement park, Carousel Gardens. Cuz I could write about it right now, but my words don't have the gravity pictures do.

Go to the Hurricane Katrina Inside Guide and then to the two-year pictorial review.

Carousel Gardens was severely damaged by the hurricane. Now, I knew this from some prior research, but I didn't investigate far enough to find this Inside Guide with the terrible photos that tell the whole story.

New Orleans is truly a miracle city. We'll be paying a visit in a week or so and I simply can't wait to take it in and to honor the park that rose up from the destruction.


A plaque recognizing the donors to the reconstruction of the amusement park, dedicated August 25, 2007.

More from "American Pickers"

http://www.history.com/shows/american-pickers/videos/franks-carnival-horse#franks-carnival-horse



This is why "American Pickers" is my favorite of all the reality/antique dealer/"let's find and sell old stuff" shows out there; it's got heart. And it's got an appreciation for vintage parks. Last year, Frank and Mike visited the Bushkill Amusement Park, which was basically wiped out by a flood. The owner is trying to get it back up and running, but it's been a tough road. Watch this video and learn more about the Bushkill pick. Way to go, Frank and Mike!!

Ack! I want them all!!!!!!!

In honor of the 40th birthday of Walt Disney World, they're rolling out the swag -- and it's beeyouteefull!!! Technically, we visited WDW last year and it wasn't quite yet 40, but I'll still make mention of it in my book (without it being one of the forty parks visited for the book). But I AM making mention of the swag right now. Oh it's so wonderfully retro-cool!