A certain spicy stew is a cooking staple in south Louisiana.  Sauce piquante was introduced to Louisiana by the Spanish.  It has been embraced by Cajun chefs and has evolved into nearly as many differing recipes as there are cooks.

The dish begins with a roux, combined with the sauce and almost any meat you can think of.  In Louisiana, there is chicken, pork, wild duck, turtle and even alligator sauce piquante.  Here is a recipe for chicken sauce piquante submitted by Mrs. S.J. Ardoin and included in the 1977 cookbook Hot off the Press – Good Cooking from the Pages of the States Time-Morning Advocate.

Chicken Sauce Piquante

1          chicken, cut up                         ¼         cup chopped shallots

½         cup cooking oil                         2          (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce

½         cup flour                                   1          cup water

2          large onions, chopped               1          cup Burgundy

4          garlic cloves, chopped              ¼         cup chopped parsley

1          medium bell pepper                              salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste

Make roux with cooking oil and flour, stirring constantly until medium brown.  Add onions, garlic, bell pepper and shallots.  Sauté until onions are clear.  Add chicken, tomato sauce, water, Burgundy, parsley and seasoning.  Cover and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes (stirring occasionally) or until sauce begins to thicken.  Serve over rice.  Serves six.

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For those of you that have spent time in the Old Absinthe Bar on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, here is a very interesting article.

Absinthe's Mind-Altering Mystery Solved - Yahoo! News.

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Frequent readers of this column know how superstitious I am.  Business took me to rural Oklahoma today and something I saw there gave me an instant case of the creeps.  Here’s a little background info:

My business partner, fellow author r. r. bryan and I recently bought an old oil well in with the intent of recompleting in a new zone.  Being oil promoters as well as writers, we turned a percentage to a man we know in Dallas named Pat O’Neil.

Today, I was in the county on other business.  A few miles from the well in question, I came across an old sign so I stopped to take a picture.  I was blown away when I read the inscription and this is what it said:

This land was founded by Jacob Derr in the land run on September 16, 1893.  Others making the land run of 1893 were C.B. Kirk to the southwest and the west, H.C. Swingle to the east, W.R. Whitaker to the northwest, B. Lowman to the northeast.  Pat O’Neil to the southeast.

I know, the name is fairly common and it could just be a coincidence.  Maybe, but I can think of at least two more possible explanations that involve reincarnation and the supernatural.  On the other hand, I am a fiction writer with a well developed imagination.  I’m posting the picture at the bottom of the page and fiction writer or not, I think you will agree that it’s still kind of creepy, and you can draw your own conclusions.

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Here is a pic from an old bridge in Noble County, Oklahoma, looking down at a creek, swollen by several inches of recent rain.  Note the debris on the bridge.  It is an indication of just how high the water has gotten at times.

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A very creepy picture!

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Writers must have steel egos and not all of us are destined to pen best selling novels and win Pulitzer Prizes. I found out as much when I began submitting my short stories to various publications. This is the way it goes: you stuff a story that you've worked days on into an envelope, along with another one, self addressed and stamped, and then you wait - sometimes weeks, sometimes months, and sometimes longer.

There is no greater excitement than seeing one of your return envelopes in the mail box and you hold your breath while opening it. Most of the time you see only your returned short story and a form rejection slip. This happens more often than not.

Occasionally, there are a few scribbled words on the slip, sometimes encouraging, sometimes almost devastating. Still, I gleaned enough encouragement from the short words of rejection to keep writing and to keep submitting. Here is a collection of my own rejections, and thanks so much to all you compassionate editors out there. Without you, even the strongest might stop creating and give up their dream. In the oil patch, even the best oil finder drills dry holes and we say, "Just keep drilling."


THE BIG MAMOU
(1) "I could visualize Mamou as a terrific situation comedy or a quick-moving screenplay."
Carrie Pomeroy - THE OGALALA REVIEW

THE BIG THICKET
(1) "Gary, I enjoyed reading Big Thicket."
Harry Opperman - DESCANT

(2) "I enjoyed the descriptions and imagery and would consider a re-write, longer. I felt it could continue and wanted it to.
Kendrei Bailey - NEW VIRGINIA REVIEW

CITIES OF THE DEAD
(1) "I would have been interested without the flowery prose."
Margo Powers - MURDEROUS INTENT

(2) "The wake is an aside - although interesting. Good Cajun background. Consider revising and resubmitting."
Editors - RED HERRING MYSTERY MAGAZINE

CRUEL WOMAN BLUES
(1) "You almost got me with this one because I love the New Orlean's setting."
Edward J. McFadden - PIRATE WRITINGS

DALLAS SKYLINE
(1) "Not bad."
Gary Lovisi - HARDBOILED DETECTIVE

(2) "Try expanding the story a bit."
Mike Baker - SKULL

(3) "Interesting story idea."
Tim Libby - EULOGY

THE DEER
(1) "Romantic set-up."
Alex Blackburn - WRITER'S FORUM

DIAMONDS IN THE NIGHT
(1) "Nice language. Sorry about the long wait, but the staff was deciding if we could use it or not."
Maxwell Gaddis - NIHILISTIC REVIEW

(2) "Lots of suspense."
Michael K. McNamara - PINEHURST JOURNAL

DISCARDED GOLD
(1) "Fun to read, but not our slant."
Carol A. Morrison - BLUFF CITY

(2) "Some nice stuff — free and loose. Not for us but someone will take it."
Don Monaco - ECHOES

(3) "Your writing style is close to what we're looking for."
Julia Soils - THE SPITTING IMAGE

(4) "Some beautiful moments here."
Ed Eurebio - HYPHEN MAGAZINE

EARTHEN REMAINS
(1) "Good story."
Larry Kirby III - STARSONG

(2) "The beginning is interesting and I like the characters."
Betty Nolley - STARWIND

THE FOURTH HARMONIC
(1) "A facinating romp through primitive territory."
Lisa B. Neuberger - AMAZING STORIES

GENETIC DEFECTS
(1) "Holding for consideration."
Elizabeth Hebron - THE MACGUFFIN

(2) "I found the story interesting and well written, but not quite right for The Pagan Review."
Susan L. Carr - THE PAGAN REVIEW

(3) "The writing is strong."
Marybeth O'Halloran - SIRIUS VISIONS

GHOST OF A CHANCE
(1) "Both the plot summary and writing style convince me that you should try a larger publishing house, and one with a more commercial fiction list."
Jay Schaefer - CHRONICLE BOOKS

GRANDPA'S BIRD DOG
(1) "You're doing some things well here — description, dialogue and insight into characters."
Jack D. Smith - BLACK RIVER REVIEW

(2) Very good details. You made me feel I was there.
J. Wideburg - WILLOW REVIEW

HOUSE CALLS
(1) "Easy to read, had a good hook, kept me interested and I loved the characters — all of them."
Rex Winn - INNISFREE

(2) "Your ms received favorable comments. Looking forward to seeing more of your work."
Roberta George - SNAKE NATION PRESS

(3) "Displays above average plotting and excellent closure of loose ends and wrap up. Very nicely done!"
Mike - PINEHURST JOURNAL

(4) "Some nice atmosphere here."
Tom Piccirilli - PIRATE WRITINGS

(5) "I enjoyed reading it and will include it in the Winter 96 issue with your approval."
Diana L. Lambson - ROCK FALLS REVIEW

LATENT ANNIVERSARY
(1) "Try us again."
Su Wright - GENRE SAMPLER

(2) "This story has many nice qualities."
Carol Newman - RED HERRING MYSTERY MAGAZINE

LONG STORY SHORT
(1) "There's powerful stuff in Long Story Short."
Fred Pfeil - THE MINNESOTA REVIEW

(2) "I liked the tone of the piece — the wonderful description of two armies avoiding each other."
Vivian Vie Halfour - NEW RIVERS PRESS

(3) "A powerful, engaging story."
Sy Safransky - THE SUN

(4) "This is a moving, important document; I only regret that we can't use it, having published many pieces of Vietnam, including Richard Curry's "Fatal Light."
Peter Stine – WITNESS

LUCKY THIRTEEN
(1) "You write very well and clearly."
Bejou Merry - DRAGAMON PUBLISHING

(2) "Well written and a good idea."
Lew Engle - SCENES FROM THE DARK

MOONING THE MOON
(1) "It's very well written."
M. DeWalt - CAVALIER

(2) "Well-described scene. Nicely written, for sure."
P.M. Cotolo - FAT TUESDAY

(3) "Holding for consideration."
Unsigned - OYEZ REVIEW

(4) "Images come together to create a delicate setting for this story. I could almost feel the soft grass Julie buries her head in."
Ayn Owensby - Puerto Del Sol

(5) "Please keep Boulevard in mind for future submissions."
Valerie Haus - BOULEVARD

MORNING MOON AT DAWN
(1) "I liked the story a lot."
Dan Quinn - KAFKA ANTHOLOGY

(2) "You're dealing with some big ideas here."
C. Darren Butler - MAGIC REALISM

(3) "Impressed with your work; it is definitely of interest to us. Holding for consideration."
David J. Acord - NEBO

(4) "Possibly offensive to some, namely close physical descriptions. Has good idea, though."
John Thiel - PABLO LENNIS

(5) "Interesting little metaphysical twist at the end."
C.F. Roberts - SHOCKBOX

(6) "Too mainstream for Happy."
Z - HAPPY

(7) "I personally enjoyed your story "Morning Moon at Dawn" very much.
Sean Winchester - DROP FORGE

MOTORCYCLE
(1) "Sorry to say no. Thanks for sending work. Please try us again.
Gloria Mindock - BLUR

(2) "Thanks for sending "Motorcycle" our way. I regret having to disappoint you on this one."
Laurie Henry - STORY

MOTH MADNESS
(1) "Our mailbox is open to you."
Bob - COOL TRAVELER

MURDER ETOUFFE
(1) "With thanks."
The Editors - ALFRED HITCHCOCK MYSTERY MAGAZINE

(2) Well written. Not something I can use but let me see something else when you can."
Gary Lovisi - HARDBOILED

(3) "Another nice effort with some nice offbeat, hardboiled moves."
Tom Piccirilli - PIRATE WRITINGS

MUSCLE MURDERS
(1) "Please send us more of your short short fiction."
Alex Duffy - FURY MAGAZINE

1963
(1) "Made 1st cut. I came close to taking."
Fred Schepartz - MOBIUS

PONTCHARTRAIN
(1) "You should do well with this one, Eric. Sorry we cannot us it at this time. Thanks for thinking of us."
A.P. Samuels - THE POST

PRAIRIE JUSTICE
(1) "We did like a lot about this —"
The Editors - ALFRED HITCHCOCK MYSTERY MAGAZINE

PRAIRIE SUNSET
(1) "You have the ability to bring characters to life — to make them seem real and human."
Jane Howle - BASKERVILLE PUBLISHERS

THE PRESS
(1) "This is what fiction is all about."
Tim Hall - STRUGGLE

PRIMITIVE DREAMS
(1) "I came close to accepting "Dreams" and dislike only what the story says about humankind in general."
Susan Richardson - CALYPSO

(2) "You're ms came in 3rd choice. That's still pretty good. Keep going."
Charles Champion - EXPERIMENTAL (BASEMENT)

(3) "Dreams needs lots of work to become creditable fiction."
Jim Barnes - CHARITON REVIEW

(4) "Yea - this one's in our realm."
Peter Quixby - URBANUS/RAIZIRR

RING OF FIRE
(1) "Holding for possible inclusion."
Elizabeth Fischel - HAWAII PACIFIC REVIEW

THE ROOFING
(1) "Well-written."
M. Dibel - THE BELLETRIST REVIEW

San Antonio
(1) "Nicely paced melodrama."
Editor - WRITER'S FORUM

SHARED INDISCRETIONS
(1) "I like it very much."
Susan Smith Nash - TEXTURE

SHROUDED PROMISES
(1) "A fun read."
Linda Rather - HARPER'S MAGAZINE

SOLDIERS
(1) "Interesting characters."
Deborah Brandsford - CIMARRON REVIEW

(2) "Holding for consideration."
Georgette Hartley - OWEN WISTER REVIEW

(3) "You might try us again."
FG - CLOCKWATCH REVIEW

(4) "Accepted for publication."
Editors - POTPOURRI

SOUTHERN FRIED MURDER
(1) "Too long for us, but liked your writing style."
CHERIE JUNG - OVER MY DEAD BODY

(2) "Pretty good.
Gary Lovisi - HARDBOILED

(3) "I enjoy Southern/Western flavored mysteries and handed this up the ladder to Ed (McFadden), but he wasn't quite as grabbed. Sorry, best of luck."
Tom Piccirilli - PIRATE WRITINGS

A TALK WITH HENRY
(1) "A very readable little piece."
David Hanson - LOUISIANA LITERATURE

(2) "Please keep us in mind with your other stories."
Unsigned - THE NEW YORKER

(3) "Sorry we couldn't use Henry. It's really quite a good piece, convincing and well written."
Claudia Rowe - WIGWAG

(4) "Interesting story."
Quentin Howard - WIND

(5) "Henry has a certain charm about it."
Hazel Hart - ARRAY

(6) "Somewhat overwritten with too many adjectives and metaphors — needs more tension and drama, can be condensed."
The Editors - MANGROVE

UNCONSCIOUS
(1) "Interesting story."
Anthony Boyd – Whisper

(2) "Well written, but not twisted enough for us."
J Moretz - ABERATIONS

(3) "The story has potential."
Kathleen Jurgens - THIN ICE

VALLEY OF THE DOLLS
(1) "Very good at description, both physical and general."
James W. Lee - AMGARYAN LITERARY REVIEW

(2) "Interesting take with the old Russ Meyer's name."
James Haining - SALT LICK PRESS

VOODOO NIGHT
(1) "The writing is very good, the setting interesting. Try us again sometime."
Janet Hutchings - ELLERY QUEEN MYSTERY MAGAZINE

(2) "A nicely done tale but we've recently purchased a similar ‘voodoo' story."
Tom Piccirilli - PIRATE WRITINGS

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Here is a pic taken when the water was low at Lake Arcadia, near Edmond, Oklahoma.

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It’s still a month or so away before the irises begin blooming here in Central Oklahoma but they are already abloom in Louisiana.  Here is a pic taken today by my bud Dave who now lives in Livingston, Louisiana.  Thanks Dave.

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The hulk of an old Volkswagen abandoned in an old creek bed near Lake Arcadia in Oklahoma.

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Here is a pic of a lonely well in rural Logan County, Oklahoma.

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Here is a recipe I found in the wonderful cookbook Hot off the Press – Good Cooking from the Pages of the State-Times Morning Advocate published in 1977 by Capital City Press.  This recipe was submitted by Lillian Gremillion of Frisco.

BEIGNETS (The French Market Type)

½         pkg. Yeast cake                                               3 ½      cups plain flour

1          cup milk                                                           ¾         tbs salt

2          tbs sugar                                                           1          egg

2          tbs cooking oil                                                              powdered sugar

Soften yeast cake in 1/3 cup lukewarm water to form a paste.  Warm the milk and add sugar, oil and yeast mixture.  Gradually stir in 2 cups flour and the salt.  Stir until it forms a batter.  Stir in egg until it is mixed well, and then add rest of flour.  Mix well.  Cover and set in warm place about 1 ½ hours to rise.  Take dough out and roll until about ¼ inch thick.  Cut in 2 inch pieces.  Place on cookie sheet or pan and let rise another half hour.  Fry dough until it is brown and then remove and let drain.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy.

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Here is a pic of two of Ron and Shannon’s (RE: Shannon’s Wedding Video) pugs, Sammie and Princess.

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