I am not as I seem to be,
Nor when I smile I am not glad,
A thrall although you count me free
I, most in mirth, most pensive-sad;
I smile to shade my bitter spite

“Mardi Gras is the love of life. It is the harmonic convergence of our food, our music, our creativity, our eccentricity, our neighborhoods, and our joy of living. All at once.”

“We would make our heroes shallow. We would make them brittle. It is they who must remind of us the true meaning of strength.”