491. Terry Ellis, part 1

491. Part 1 of our discussion with Terry Ellis about his book, Reasonably Happy. "Are You Unhappy and Not Sure Why? Reasonably Happy gets to the self-centered heart of the problem. In many ways, this book is about how to recover from the addictions all of us wrestle with. Substance addiction is the clearest example of the spiritual poverty in our culture today, but gambling, pornography, spending, and unhealthy eating also erode our spiritual awareness of God’s grace. Ultimately, we’re all addicted, or attached to caustic habits of thought and action that distance us by degrees from the God who created us for happiness. The Prayer can help.

1. This week in Louisiana history. October 15, 1802. Spanish king Charles IV ordered retrocession of Louisiana from Spain to France.
2. This week in New Orleans history.  Nicolas-Ignace de Beaubois (October 15, 1689 – January 13, 1770) was a French Jesuit priest and missionary who joined the Canadian mission in Quebec in 1719. Beaubois spent a training period in Quebec and began his spreading of religious doctrine among the Illinois Indians in 1721. On 2 Feb. 1723, at Kaskaskia, Illinois he took the vows of a Jesuit. Because of the expansion of the Mississippi valley missions, the Jesuits had made the area a distinct mission district within the diocese of Quebec and Beaubois became the superior. He immediately went to France to populate and strengthen the new jurisdiction. The Compagnie des Indes was responsible for funding the parishes and missions in the Missio Ludovisiana district and he was successful in negotiating appropriate funding for future operations. He obtained authorization for the Jesuits to open a house in New Orleans and to have a plantation near the city for supplementing their operation. Beaubois also arranged to have Ursuline nuns funded to establish a girls’ school in New Orleans. This became the first girls' school in the Mississippi valley.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Palmetto Island State Park
   19501 Pleasant Dr.
   Abbeville, LA 70510
   Website
   Walk on the wild side at Palmetto Island State Park.
   Observe wildlife of fish from the pier over the Vermilion River at Palmetto Island State Park. Palmetto Island State Park’s very name hints at the untamed wildness you can expect in this southern corner of the state. Palmettos, those shaggy, tropical trees found all over the swamps, grow alongside tall cypress and other Louisiana native plants, giving the park an air of authenticity — this is as unspoiled as south Louisiana gets. The Vermilion River runs through the Palmetto Island State Park. The most scenic way of reaching the river is via a boat launch near the center of the park, which also offers canoeists and kayakers easy access to narrow channels and tucked-away lagoons. Canoes are available for rent by the hour or day. Though the waterways here are the main attraction, the .7-mile-long Cypress Trail also allows visitors a close-up look at Palmetto Island State Park’s jungle-like ecology. At the nearby visitor center, you’ll find a water playground and bathhouse, and six cabins that give overnight guests a front-row seat to the symphony of native animal calls emerging from the swamps. Outside of Palmetto Island State Park you’ll find even more opportunities to dive into Cajun culture. The town of Abbeville is home to the Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop Museum, or check out the Acadian Museum of Erath. Over in Avery Island, you'll find the Tabasco Factory, Museum and Country Store. Entrance fee: $3 per person; free for seniors age 62 and older, and children age 3 and younger.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to a song on Mardi Gras day.

Listen on Google Play.
Listen on Google Podcasts.
Listen on Spotify.
Listen on Stitcher.
Listen on TuneIn.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.