Mobile, The Azalea City

Last Sunday I took some pictures of the beautiful azaleas here in Mobile.  This has truly been one of the most beautiful azalea seasons I can remember in many years.  Take a look....

How Do You Pronounce Mobile?

Specifically, my home town, Mobile, Alabama. The correct pronunciation is Mo-beel (with emphasis on the second syllable).  Mobile is also the name of the county, shown in yellow in the map below.

Mobile's name is derived from Fort Louis de la Mobile, which was a French fortification near Mt. Vernon,  in the northern part of the county.  The settlement was established in 1702. 

It was later moved to its present location.
The word Mobile is believed to come from a Choctaw Indian word for
'paddlers.'  Mobile has been under French, British, and Spanish rule since it was first settled.  That's enough history for today, though.

source: Alabame Department of Archives and History (http://www.archives.state.al/)
http://img.realtor.com/mobile/region.gif

A Mardi Gras Delicacy--The MoonPie!

What in the world, you may ask, is a MoonPie? Well, it's just about the most delicious edible snack thrown from a float at Mardi Gras that you may have to pick up off the ground after covering it with your foot to keep someone else from taking it, that's what!

I'm serious.  Before the MoonPies were thrown from the floats, maskers were throwing such things as boxes of Crackerjacks.  But due to the velocity with which they were thrown, some parade-goers were actually injured by the boxes.  So the poor Crackerjack was banned in 1972.

What to do?  In 1974 the Maids of Mirth introduced the MoonPie as an alternative to the dangerous Crackerjacks.  MoonPie is a trademarked name of a bakery in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Other companies sell poor substitutes to the original MoonPie. There is really no comparison.

For an interesting excursion into the world of Moon Pies, take a look: http://www.moonpie.com/

My favorite way to eat a MoonPie is to wait until I'm home from the parade, and zap it in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or until the chocolate icing starts to melt.  Instant smores!!

Hey, but MoonPies don't just come in chocolate, although that's my favorite. They also come in banana, coconut, orange, vanilla, strawberry and apple. Usually they are in silver wrappers with the emblem of the parading organization on the outside.

Get Your M&MS Right Here!

Saturday night belonged to the letter "M" when it came to parades. First up was the Maids of Mirth (MOM's). Typically the ladies and queen of the Mardi Gras Court are plucked from the garden of this society, which consists of Mobile aristocracy, or bluebloods.  I have searched endlessly and still cannot locate their emblem, even though they held their 61st parade Saturday.  Their theme this year is "Pardon My French." The Budweister Clydesdales also were part of their parade.  An interesting factoid did emerge from my research: the MOM's were the first to throw moonpies, way back in 1974! That is a subject for another entry, however.

Following the MOM's was the Butterfly Maidens, which was founded in 2000 and paraded for the first time in 2002. Their theme this year was "Butterflies Under the Big Top."

Last but not least, the Krewe of Marry Mates took to the street. This society is composed entirely of married couples, the only one of its kind, and paraded for their 17th consecutive year. The theme this year was "Movie Night with the Mates."

Mobile Mystics

A relative newcomer to parading, the Mobile Mystics was founded in 1993. Their first parade was held in 1995. They parade during the day, which makes for a more family-oriented feeling.   This year's parade theme was The Wild, Wild West. 

Inca Dinka Doo!

The Order of Incas, founded in 1956, paraded last Friday night. It was first founded as a non-parading society. In its early years it supported the Joe Cain procession but in 1974 it began holding its own annual parade. This society's parade is one of the most anticipated each Mardi Gras season. The maskers are known for their unbridled enthusiasm and generosity as they pelt the parade-watchers with candy, trinkets, beads, and other goodies.

It takes its name from the Peruvian Inca Indians.  The king of the organization is called the "Mighty Inca." The society's officers are dressed in costumes depicting ancient Inca Indian warriors. They ride along with their 'king' to protect him, with the emblem float depicting an Incan Indian temple of stone.