Down On The Bayou (With Sean of the South)

BELLE AND DOROTHY WITH SEAN DIETRICH AFTER HIS PERFORMANCE ON THE AFTERNOON OF SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2023.

Down On The Bayou (With Sean of the South)

Prologue…

When Dorothy and I returned home from our trip to the Grand Ole Opry, I was very disappointed with the photos I took, especially the selfies I took with Sean Dietrich and me at his after-party. So, I knew that somewhere down the road we would have to meet Sean again and take some proper photos. Little did I know that rendezvous was just around the bend! I read Sean’s blog/column everyday. Recently, while exploring his his website, I clicked on “Events” and found that, lo and behold, he was appearing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Sunday, April 23, 2023. A plan was hatched. Dorothy’s dear cousin Belle lives not far away in Lafayette, Louisiana, and she is always up for a visit. So I purchased three tickets to Sean’s event and we were on our way!

An Afternoon With Sean of the South…

We drove over to Lafayette on Saturday, April 22, 2023. We made a brief stop in Orange so I could return a box of photos and memorabilia to my nephew, Chris Burleigh. (I had borrowed them to use while I wrote a blog post about my sweet sister, Molly.) We arrived at our hotel late in the afternoon. While Dorothy rested for a bit, I headed over to Girard Park to do a little bird watching.

I MET THIS CUTE LITTLE FRIEND DURING MY VISIT TO GIRARD PARK.

After my walk in Girard Park, we headed to Belle’s house, picked her up, and went to Prejean’s for dinner. I love Cajun cuisine, and it always brings back pleasant memories of the smells and tastes of my childhood, growing up with one foot in Louisiana and one foot in Texas. Prejean’s was excellent, and we were all fat and happy as we dropped Belle back home and headed for a great night’s sleep at our motel.

I was up very early the next morning and made the 20 minute drive to the Cypress Island Preserve, arriving before daylight. I spent several hours walking and enjoying the views, the birds, and the alligators. For more details and photos from my visit to this beautiful place, look here.

A GREAT EGRET WITH TWO LITTLE ONES AT THE CYPRESS ISLAND ROOKERY.

Sean’s performance in Baton Rouge was scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon. We picked up Belle at 11:00 a.m. and headed east to Baton Rouge. We stopped by the venue (Trinity Episcopal Church) to find out what time the doors would open and to get a recommendation for lunch. The rector at the church, Father Peter Wong, recommended Parrain’s Seafood, which was a short drive from the church. He also told us seating was first come, first served, and that the doors would be open a little after 2:00 p.m. So, we headed over to Parrain’s and had an outstanding lunch, topped off with a shared white chocolate bread pudding.

DOROTHY AND BELLE, WAITING PATIENTLY FOR A TABLE AT PARRAIN'S. IT WAS A VERY BUSY PLACE!

DECISIONS, DECISIONS! BELLE SETTLED ON A GRILLED CRAWFISH SALAD AND DOROTHY ORDERED FISH PONCHATRAIN. I HAD A DELICIOUS BOWL OF GUMBO.

We made it back to Trinity Episcopal early enough to snag a front row seat and to visit with Sean’s wife Jamie, who was manning the book table at the back of the sanctuary.

SEAN'S WIFE JAIMIE. WHEN HE WRITES ABOUT HER, THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT SHE IS ONE OF A KIND!

IN THE TRINITY EPISCOPAL SANCTUARY BEFORE SEAN'S SHOW.

I WASN'T KIDDING WHEN I SAID WE HAD FRONT ROW SEATS!

Sean took the stage promptly at 3:00 p.m., and, for the next two hours, we were treated to music, stories, and other bits of wisdom from this very genuine, and very talented, man. I could tell he loves his accordian as much as Dorothy loves hers, because it was the butt of several jokes. My favorite: “What is the difference between an onion and an accordian? Nobody cries when you chop up an accordian!”. Before we knew it, the show was over, and what a great show it was!

THE SANCTUARY AT TRINITY EPISCOPAL WAS QUITE FULL BY THE TIME SEAN TOOK THE STAGE. OF COURSE, HE WAS GREETED WITH A STANDING OVATION FROM HIS FANS!

A LITTLE CLOSER LOOK AT THIS TALENTED PERFORMER.

Sean left the stage with the promise that he would not leave before he gave a hug to anyone who wanted one. We stayed seated for quite a while, to let the line (to meet Sean) out of the sanctuary get shorter. As we waited, we got to meet another celebrity, the Dietrich’s dog Marigold.

It was such a pleasure to meet, talk with, and hug Sean Dietrich. He graciously signed all of our books, and listened to our ramblings. Belle and Dorothy noticed he had an ink stain on the inside of the lapel of his jacket, and he even pretended to pay attention as they explained how to get the stain out. We took one final group picture, and then we were done. It was such a pleasure to meet this unique gentleman up close and personal. It was an experience I shall never forget! Thank you Sean, Jamie, Marigold, and Father Peter!