Another Mardi Gras season has come and gone and I’m already looking forward to next year’s festivities.

Rather than attempting to battle the chilly temperatures and possible rain showers, I elected to watch Fat Tuesday’s parade lineup from New Orleans and surrounding areas from the warmth and comfort of my living room sofa. There was no need to bundle up with layers of clothing like the hearty souls who ventured out to the parades in New Orleans did. It seemed like the television crews had a field day asking revelers for tips on staying warm on such a cold day, if that was indeed a possibility.

When I first turned on the television and saw the wind whipping around and everybody bundled up like an Egyptian mummy, I knew I was in the right place. I can take the heat, but I sure can’t take the cold very well. After only a few minutes in cold weather, my feet and hands become numb. After a few hours out in the cold, it seems my whole body becomes numb to the cold.

It wasn’t all that long ago that I got a good dose of a cold, rainy New Orleans during Mardi Gras. It might not sound like much to some folks, but it was two consecutive nights of blustery, cold temperatures with a little rain mixed in for good measure.

I realized breathing in all that cold, damp air was not good, but I figured I might have to deal with a little cold or congestion for a few days afterward. Little did I realize what was on the horizon.

For weeks after the last parade, I kept hearing gurgling sounds coming from my chest.

I wound up with a pretty good case of pneumonia.

I spent 10 or so days in the hospital with surgery on top of that. That was a scary proposition, so I’m hesitant nowadays to venture out in the cold when I really don’t have to. On the subject of Carnival, I was impressed with last Saturday’s MCCA XXXV parade.

Crowds were enthusiastic, and floats were beautiful and well done.

Kudos to everybody associated with MCCA.

Randy Hammons is a Daily News staff writer. He can be contacted by phone at 985-732-2565 or by email at randy.hammons@thebogalusadailynews.com