Last weekend, I decided to take a trip to New Orleans to see some friends. Two of my best friends and bridesmaids live in New Orleans and Harahan respectively. I had made this trek many times. I attended graduate school in the great city for a year. The trip down memory lane, or memory interstate, was full of swamp and a long stretch of gray bridge. Then, the nice nostalgic drive turned into the nightmare known as New Orleans traffic, and I remembered one of the many reasons I love small town Brookhaven. I also realized one of the reasons I’ve been more at peace since moving back home – no road rage. I am an impatient driver. Basically, I am impatient. The car in front of me slamming on brakes every two minutes, ten horns honking at the same time, some guy trying to cut in front of me because he waited until the last minute to switch lanes…. I’m getting angry just thinking about it. Then, there’s the vehicle on my bumper when I’m already speeding, trying to get out of this mess. Traffic jams, fender benders. And it’s not even five o’clock!

With the help of Siri and my own memory of the place, I found my way to Kerrah’s home. I say “and my own memory” because Siri, my IPhone companion/foe, likes to take me “almost” to my destination. I think I’ve talked bad to her so many times that she gets joy out of saying “arrived” when I actually am in the middle of nowhere. After spending time with Kerrah and Melissa, I remembered why I enjoyed living there. My friends. Them and the Super Target, hundreds of amazing eating places and a Smoothie King around every corner. Not to mention Magazine Street, the heavenly avenue of food and shopping, two things I LOVE. I also remembered my amazing ability to deplete my checking account while living in NOLA, as Kerrah and I ordered appetizers at every meal and just HAD to go shopping because it was “no tax” weekend, not realizing that World Market and Pier One were excluded. Oops. I consoled myself with the fact that everything I bought was on sale.

Another thing I miss about living in New Orleans is the great musical culture. Walking down a street gets you a free concert, full of soul and feeling. I love music. Soul music and soul food. My growling stomach is an indication of my several references to food in this column. Although, I think New Orleans food would make my mouth water anywhere, anytime.

My family’s favorite taste of Cajun cuisine in southwest Mississippi is Thibodeaux’s in Bude. And even though I’m developing an allergy to shrimp, I continue to order their plump and juicy boiled shellfish. Daddy has developed a full-blown allergy to shellfish, one of his favorite foods. His lip swelled up so big one time, we couldn’t find his nose. He has to refrain from eating it, but I think I’ll just purchase an epi-pen if I get to that point. Living without shrimp may be worse than living without sweet tea, which is what I often had to do when living in New Orleans.

I can’t wait for my Louisiana friends to arrive for wedding festivities next month. I may not be serving jambalaya at my reception, but there will be plenty of biscuits and tomato gravy and plenty of sweet tea, true Mississippi southern style.

Lifestyles Editor Jessica Boyd can be reached at The Daily Leader at 601-833-6961 ext. 134, by email at jessica.boyd@dailyleader.com or you can write to her at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602.