Southeast Texas blues

Al & I went over to Arthur's Pub last night to see some local blues talent, Paul Orta and the Kingpins. [Unfortunately I forgot the camera.] I was immediately reminded how nice it's been the last two years in Boston since they banned smoking in all bars and restaurants. Port Arthur's behind the times on that one. Toward the end of the night they brought up some special guests, most notable of which were Joe Mendoza (awesome harmonica player and singer), Tom "the bluesman" Hunter (looked a bit like B.B. King), and of course, Miss Candy! We remembered her from a similar show four years ago in Beaumont. The crowd was wearing everything from cut-off jeans to zoot suits. (heh heh) Anyway, we had a good time and ran into a friend I hadn't seen in a dozen years, guy who worked with me selling popcorn at the movies one summer. I didn't recognize him at first - he's not a skinny 16-year-old anymore. Turns out he was on a boat in the Gulf during the storm. [!] That was the first and last week he worked offshore, he said. :P

The Christmas gumbo is cooking, and Al's headed over to make a lasagna. Anton & Natalie are arriving tonight. Should be some good bones-throwin' later on.

Merry Christmas to all my blog readers!