Douglas M. Lieux
dlieux@udel.edu

My mother's side of the family is a mixture of Irish/Highland Scottish, etc. neither of these cultures is really prevalent in the way her family was run, she's really a mix because my grandfather's family was scottish and my grandmother's was Irish. I've never been to Ireland but I have played some Highlander music (Scotland the Brave, etc.) Not many people are willing to admit it, but I like the sound of bagpipes. My father's side is a different story; he's 100% cajun, born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he has five brothers and sister who all still like in the south. This is why I have a funny last name. Lieux is a very French-Cajun name. (pronounced "Leer", Americanization took place, there is a correct French pronounciation but I can't write it down) I have taken many trips to see my family in Baton Rouge, it's really an amazing place. The people talk with Cajun accents (Cross a French accent with that of a southerner and you've got it) but the food is excellent. When I was 5 my grandfather made me shrimp gumbo with extra tabasco and it about burned my five year old mouth off. Everything my grandparents cooked was spicy:Ribs, Fried chicken, you name it My dad used to take me to New Orleans and we'd go to the French Quarter and listen to some really great jazz. All over the city you have these street musicians playing jazz and it's really informal but really kickin'. Unfortunately, both of my father's parents passed away in 1994, but they were Cajun through and through. My mother's family settled in Chester,PA years and years ago and her parents moved to Media, PA in 1957 which is where I live today. I've spent 20 of 25 years in the Philadelphia area, but Media is my hometown, I've lived there since I was 10.

So, to sum up, Irish/Scottish on my mother's side, full-blown Cajun on my father's side.