Mardi Gras and how it helped spawn the colors in the Goldfish Series. Growing up Catholic, I can remember celebrating a particular Tuesday as a kid. My Dad called it Fat Tuesday. My Mom was French Canadian and would share the translation of Mardi (Tuesday) Gras (Fat). The day that preceded Ash Wednesday and the 40 days of Lent before Easter.

I can remember it as a special day for 2 reasons:

1. It was a splurge. We rarely went out to dinner as a family. Our Fat Tuesday tradition was going to the Ponderosa. Ever been to a Ponderosa or Bonanza? It’s a western-themed buffet steakhouse. [There are still 30 in the US].

2. It was a binge. Our family would give up sweets/desserts [and TV] for Lent and my parents would typically diet. No one missed dessert that evening.

Now, Mardi Gras and its colors. The selection of the official colors originates from 1872 when the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia visited New Orleans. During his stay, the Krewe of Rex gave him the honor of selecting the official Mardi Gras colors for their parade. Purple was symbolic of justice, green was symbolic of faith, and gold was symbolic of power.

Purple, Green, and Gold became the first three colors in the Goldfish Series as an ode to the birthplace and spirit of the creole word LAGNIAPPE.

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