Ten days on. If this were a sensible year we’d be off to see the Krewe of Barkus today. Sometimes the dogs come along. Sometimes they’d actually be entered officially.

But, there is no Krewe of Barkus this year. There are no Mardi Gras parades. Bourbon Street will be closed. Bars will be closed. They’ll be no fun on Mardi Gras Day this year.

There are the Yardi Gras houses, all dressed up like the floats we’ll be missing. There are things to see Uptown. There just won’t be any official Mardi Gras anything.

Some misguided posters on facebook — that is to say 95% of them — are saying there is no Mardi Gras this year.

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Mardi Gras is the bridge between two Catholic holidays and it cannot be shut down. The popular celebrations can, as will the less popular costume balls. If you’ve got no floats that you’ve got no reason to hold a ball. Oh, yeah. There are indoor population and distancing limits as well.

I thought that I might chase Indians. According the ones that I know, they aren’t not even coming out in last years suits. I suppose that some will be around, but I’m not risking my health to find them.

Besides, according to an old friend of mine, we are the old wolfs now. We can sit back and let the puppies chase around.

Anyway, for the next ten days Ill be posting of Mardi Gras that you’ve never seen. I’ll tell you about the processing in the right hand column.

One more thing about tourists coming for Mardi Gras, we’ve been telling them not to come. Their general response has been, “But, there will still be fun things to do, right?”

There will be, but I’m not inviting you to my house.

I’m going to miss photographing Mardi Gras this year, especially since most of the pain I felt last year has come to a halt.

Before you ask, no I didn’t have my procedure on Thursday. There was a CoVid-19 scare at my hospital. I’ve been rescheduled for a couple of weeks from now.

No matter. I’ve got all these pictures from previous years to show you.

I did change my basic processing. I decided that if Mardi Gras was muted the least I could do was mute my color palette.

I also put frames around the pictures because this is supposed to be some kind of art statement, or something.

Anyway.

These band members were running a late for the parade. Their bus got hung up in traffic or in our narrow side streets. This happens every year. It’s part of the ritual.

And, speaking of rituals.

Stay Safe. Stay strong. Stay mighty. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Look after each other. Enjoy Mardi Gras wherever you are.