EC-03: Caroline Thibideaux
Totally flaked on the order of this one. Should have come before the EC on the Sheriff. Sorry, Terri.--Maer
From Irina DiSanti’s encounter reports
Personal observations = (parenthetical remarks)
Direct statements = in bold.
Anything of note = italicized.
Saturday, 25 Jun 2011
Who: Caroline Thibideaux
What: Chance meeting
When: 1600hrs, local time
Where: The Cabbage Rose, souvenir shop, Natchez MS
Why: Had to get out of the heat and get a cold drink
Physical description:
- Dark blonde on blue, Caucasian, female, 5’-4”, 115-120, slim build.
Demeanor:
- Has a nice voice, drawls.
- Serene, genteel, circumspect.
- Sense of humor.
- Watches people closely when they speak. Is pretty observant, yet seems to subtly ignore some aspects of her surroundings.
Details:
- Native of Natchez
- College near Atlanta
- Thibideaux stated: “[Atlanta was]Tons of adventure, of course. But I didn’t like livin’ in such a large city. Too many people, ad far far too many people in a rush all the time. Yanke transplants (twinkles) They never learn how to slow down.”
- (Thidideaux mentioned cousins in response to book store query of mine. Does she have cousins in Atlanta area?)
- When asked what she likes best or least of Natchez, Thibideaux stated: "Natchez is a way of life, Irina." (calmly) "It is laid back and ... genteel. But it has its seedy underbelly too. I came back here because it is familiar territory -- It would take me all day to tell you what interests me. There is culture, history, art, music. It's an amazing town. What I like the least is probably what anyone likes the least about their town.... The crime levels."
- When asked if the crime levels are bad in Natchez, Thibideaux stated: "It's not horrific, I suppose. Compared to Manhattan." (chuckles) "We have our share of things, though, sure."
- (At this point, Thibideaux seemed curious and holding back questions but not being a PI or a homicide cop, she has the good manners not to ask them. More’s the pity)
After exchanging comments about area architecture, Thibideaux gathers to leave.
- When I ask how I could get in touch with her again should I relocate to Natchez, she stated: "You're more than welcome to let Gramma Willie's folks know if you need to see me. Someone'll get a message to me. Caroline Thibideaux."
- (Does she know the owners?)
Also of note:
- Thibideaux stated: [Of my arrival] "We don't get a lot of tourists quite this early. Are you new to the area?"
(*Good eyes. She’d pegged me as a tourist. I hadn’t said word one to her at this point and my accent wouldn’t have given me away. No camera in sight. Telltale maps folded away and in my pockets. Maybe it was the style of my clothes?)
- Thibideaux also stated early in our conversation: "Gramma Willie's is the place for taking the edge off the heat. Everyone who's anyone comes here pretty regularly." (smiles) "If there's anything you ever wanted to know about Natchez history, here's where to learn it."
- (I wonder if I can get a regular rocker on that porch. People are friendly—Thibideaux a case in point—but how chatty will they be with a damned Yankee?)
- Thibideaux also stated: "The humidity is what will kill you around here. It's why a lot of people take a rest in the afternoons -- it's amazing how much help just sitting in the shade can be."
- (Sounds like something out of Gone With The Wind, napping during the heat of the day.)
Overall impression:
Classy Southern lady, brought up well, educated well, doesn’t talk about herself much. Has a unique way of looking at people as they talk, like she’s listening intently. Maybe my contact for Natchez society. Maybe not.
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