The writer, educator, and author of "They Called Us River Rats: The Last Batture Settlement of New Orleans" has lived on the thin strip of land on the Mississippi River-side of the levee since he stumbled onto the hidden enclave after a chance encounter at the Maple Leaf Bar decades ago. Now he chronicles the history, folkways, and legends of the area with a personal memoir of his life on the margins. Macon is comfortable living in constant jeopardy, so he’s cool as a catfish when he sits down with the Troubled Men.


Topics include election day sensations, a silent partner, the Clempire, a campaign ad idea, Po Boy Fest, Hubig’s pies, an old flame, Dave Clements, a Virginia childhood, a first rental, Wavelength magazine, a teaching job, Fortier High School, a word origin, batture commerce, goats, the heyday, the decline, squatters, mail service, the big teardown, hurricanes, flood stage, river sounds, Oliver Houck, Gemini parties, John Mooney, a french fry fight, book royalties, new friends, power lines, changes in New Orleans, a bone-in pork chop sandwich, and much more.


Intro music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman


Break Music: "Sacred Ground" from "Son & Moon" by John Mooney


Outro Music: "Standing Still" from "Truth of the Matter" by John Mooney


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