Hermione Angleterre wrote:

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Many board friends will be interested to learn that our dear Mlle. de Guerre has decided that she will not, after all, attend the New Orleans Bowl. This decision took several days, some long bubble baths, and at least half a bottle of the second-best champagne, so you can see it was not a casual change of mind. She feels, however, that the trip may be too difficult for her to make alone in the aging 'vette. Therefore, she has asked our friend LVN to be her representative amongst the ladies "d' un certain age" and to be especially charming on Mlle.'s behalf, at least to certain people. (While Mlle. de Guerre is never deliberately rude to anyone, some persons expected to be at the Bowl should not look for any particular warmth or friendliness from Mlle. or her representative.) LVN did not ask to borrow the 'vette, pleading an inability to drive a standard transmission, which I do not understand, since that doesn't seem to deter Mlle. This decision process led to some further deep thought on the entire issue of automobiles. Mlle is giving serious consideration to actually selling the 'vette and purchasing a more sedate vehicle. The chauffeur situation has become impossible. Since the storm, there have been no likely candidates, and Mlle simply cannot match the prevailing sign-on bonuses and wages. Also, candidates seem reluctant to disclose their thoughts on say, the relevance of Sartre' to the internet, and similar favorite subjects of hers. They seem unaware that brilliant conversation is a critical element of the job. But perhaps we are only getting that 11% illiterate group, do you think? In any case, Mlle. has not lost her joie de vivre to the point of purchasing, oh, say, a Buick, but she is definitely looking for something with more comfortable seats. Suggestions from friends are welcome, but do bear in mind that this is Monique de Guerre and she cannot buy a car from just anyone in Hattiesburg. Make and model aside, she has already ordered one of the new "Fleeing the power of an individual" bumper stickers. (In fact, I'm ordering one of those for myself.) Needless to say, the elegant "C'est la guerre" bumper sticker will be carefully transferred to the new auto. I do hope everyone enjoys the Bowl, and Mlle joins me in extending best wishes to the team and to Coach Bowers. While Mr. Bowers is not one of the Honorary Gentleman Callers, he is nevertheless a person Mlle admires, even after realizing the game he coaches is not soccer. Mlle. has a fairly high level of sports confusion, and I, alas, am not much help. However, she admires integrity in every walk of life. A pleasant evening to you all. Sincerely, Hermione Angleterre, Social Secretary to Monique de Guerre PS to M. Boudreaux, no, we are not interested in a truck, thank you anyway.

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Dis was a very nice post, Hermione Angleterre.  Me n Thibodeaux sur hope we not de reason for de change in plans, no.  Thibodeaux and T-Fred could drive up der and took Mlle. Monique back down here to der game, yea. (Me hopes she don't mind me usein her first name, but me I feel like ya kin after all dis time in dis board.)

Oh, if ya need a car, me and Thibodeaux done gone in to da used car busines, yea.   Hermione, cher, we gots some beauties down here we can put Mlle. Monique in for a good price, yea.  Des are good cars, yea, but sum of dem are still a little damp.