Editing MADAME SHADE

''When I was a child in New Orleans my Grandma Barlow told me that she was descended from [[Wikipedia:Marie Laveau|Marie Laveau]], the [[Wikipedia:Voodoo|Voodoo]] Queen.  She never offered any proof of this, but considering the fact that Marie had 15 children it is quite possibly true.''

''When I was a child in New Orleans my Grandma Barlow told me that she was descended from [[Wikipedia:Marie Laveau|Marie Laveau]], the [[Wikipedia:Voodoo|Voodoo]] Queen.  She never offered any proof of this, but considering the fact that Marie had 15 children it is quite possibly true.''

<br> ''I was the only one of Grandma Barlow’s many grandchildren who was willing to spend time with her.  She repaid me well with stories and cooking lessons.  I loved being with her and exploring her beautiful mansion on the edge of the city.  No one ever explained to me how a family descended from slaves and free people of color could afford such a large and expensive house.  Grandma would only say that it was given as a gift.  A very expensive gift which still makes me wonder what price was paid in return.  Or perhaps one of our ancestors used his or her skill with Voodoo Magic to force the gift to be given.  The house is known as the Magnolia Mansion.  Whenever I picture it in my mind it is surrounded by magnolia trees of every color.''

<br> ''I was the only one of Grandma Barlow’s many grandchildren who was willing to spend time with her.  She repaid me well with stories and cooking lessons.  I loved being with her and exploring her beautiful mansion on the edge of the city.  No one ever explained to me how a family descended from slaves and free people of color could afford such a large and expensive house.  Grandma would only say that it was given as a gift.  A very expensive gift which still makes me wonder what price was paid in return.  Or perhaps one of our ancestors used his or her skill with Voodoo Magic to force the gift to be given.  The house is known as the Magnolia Mansion.  Whenever I picture it in my mind it is surrounded by magnolia trees of every color.''

''I didn’t learn until years later that along with the cooking and stories my grandmother had been giving me lessons in magic.  You would think that it would have been obvious, but I think my mother had told her not to talk to me about that part of our heritage.  Instead of making gris-gris bags, she called bags of herbs, to be used instead of perfumes.  ''

''I didn’t learn until years later that along with the cooking and stories my grandmother had been giving me lessons in magic.  You would think that it would have been obvious, but I think my mother had told her not to talk to me about that part of our heritage.  Instead of making gris-gris bags, she called bags of herbs, to be used instead of perfumes.  ''

''She also never explained to me why her handyman, Joe was such a strange man.  I suppose I just thought that he was the strong and silent type.  I also thought that he was in love with my Grandmother.  Even though she was in her 60s when I was a child, she looked like a much younger woman.  It wasn’t as unlikely as it might seem.  It wasn’t until after she died that I learned that Joe was actually a “zombie.”  Not the undead as some people might think, but a useful fellow that Grandma had used magical drugs and ceremonies to make into the perfect servant.  I don’t know where he came from, but I’m pretty sure that he doesn’t have any family.''  

''She also never explained to me why her handyman, Joe was such a strange man.  I suppose I just thought that he was the strong and silent type.  I also thought that he was in love with my Grandmother.  Even though she was in her 60s when I was a child, she looked like a much younger woman.  It wasn’t as unlikely as it might seem.  It wasn’t until after she died that I learned that Joe was actually a “zombie.”  Not the undead as some people might think, but a useful fellow that Grandma had used magical drugs and ceremonies to make into the perfect servant.  I don’t know where he came from, but I’m pretty sure that he doesn’t have any family.''  

''When I was 13 my parents decided to move from New Orleans to New York.  I think part of the reason was my Mother’s desire to separate me from my Grandmother.  It didn’t quite work out, since I was able to convince Dad to let me spend part of my summer vacations back in New Orleans.  Those were wonderful times.  Living with her away from my parents was a teenager’s dream.  Part of her belief was “do as you will” and she didn’t lay out a lot of rules for a young person on the way to womanhood.  I had no curfew when I was in New Orleans and loved it when I invited friends over for a party.  She would dance and drink along with the rest of us.''

''When I was 13 my parents decided to move from New Orleans to New York.  I think part of the reason was my Mother’s desire to separate me from my Grandmother.  It didn’t quite work out, since I was able to convince Dad to let me spend part of my summer vacations back in New Orleans.  Those were wonderful times.  Living with her away from my parents was a teenager’s dream.  Part of her belief was “do as you will” and she didn’t lay out a lot of rules for a young person on the way to womanhood.  I had no curfew when I was in New Orleans and loved it when I invited friends over for a party.  She would dance and drink along with the rest of us.''