The best Mardi Gras ever!

Here in New Orleans we are always tired the day after Mardi Gras. It's Ash Wednesday and time for lent. But this year, like everything else since Katrina, things are different. Mardi Gras brought family and friends, separated by Katrina, back together again. New Orleanians still displaced came home for some normalcy. There were much larger crowds than I expected on St. Charles Avenue. People were hugging and crying with a combination of sorrow and great joy. It was as much a reunion as a Mardi Gras celebration.

My sister, Susie, came in from Houston with her husband Andy and son Ben. It was harder than usual to see her leave. I met up with friends who just got back in their home. I found out they were about to have a new grandson. Other dear friends stopped by. They are commuting from Baton Rouge every day.

So, I'm tired today and I have a lot of cleaning up to do, and it's lent. No more king cake for breakfast. But, after the best Mardi Gras ever, it's all worth it. See some photos of the day.

See more photos.