One can sniff the ozone from the pine trees, visit the local bars, eat crawfish, and drink Dixie beer and feel as good as it is possible to feel in this awfully interesting century. And now and then, drive across the lake to New Orleans, still an entrancing city, eat trout amandine at Galatoire's, drive home to my pleasant, uninteresting place, try to figure out how the world got into such a fix, shrug, take a drink, and listen to the frogs tune up.
Walker Percy shares a vivid depiction of life's simple pleasures amidst a chaotic world in his writing. He describes the sensory experiences one can enjoy in the local environment, like the scent of ozone from pine trees and the tastes of crawfish and Dixie beer. These moments provide a fleeting escape from the complexities of contemporary life, allowing individuals to bask in the beauty and quaintness of their surroundings.
He also reflects on the allure of nearby New Orleans, where one can indulge in fine dining at places like Galatoire's, then return to a more mundane home, grappling with the challenges of the world. This tension between enjoyment and concern underscores the struggle to find solace in everyday experiences while pondering deeper societal issues. Percy wraps up this contemplation with a serene nod to nature, suggesting that in moments of reflection, even frogs can offer a kind of comfort.
