Today I got a call from a former colleague, decorated veteran, teacher, carpenter, raconteur and octogenarian, Mister Ferdinand Isringhausen of Sunset. All of the students at Beau Chene High School called him Nonc Ferd or Uncle Ferd when he substituted, and they showed him real respect, even the toughest of the tough. He had substituted longer than he taught, and that was at least 30 years. He was a native Louisiana Francophone, but also studied French literature in college and had a keen memory. He was forever stopping by to earnestly sing a song to me or my class, or sometimes he would teach me a word game. He taught me riddles like Voltaire's "G a" (G grand a petite, "J'ai grand appetit" or, I am very hungry.) and songs like le Réveil de la Louisiane. We often traded licks on Les Maringouins Ont Tout Mangé Ma Belle.
Today, he called for my address to send me the lyrics to J'Irais la 'Oir un Jour and the regulations and terms for Cajun card games like Bourée.
Here's what he said about La Prairie des Femmes:
Prairie des Femmes. hmm, ça- c'est une très belle place; j'aime le terrotoire là...
Prairie of the Women? hmm, that- it's a very beautiful place; I like the area there...
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| Nonc Ferd at the Sunset Herb Festival |
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