Where do goldfish come from?

That's right, most goldfish sold in the US come from Arkansas. So why does this matter?
I went down to Monroe, LA to meet a buddy who is teaching in Shreveport since Katrina. Monroe is sort of halfway between the two places.
Mapquest
As I am driving through the middle of nowehere I am wondering why all of these fish farms with ponds and tanks looks so familiar. I finally realized that when my old boss and I drove from the cotton classing office in Rayville to Stoneville we passed some of these same farms. Arkansas has a huge aquaculture economy, unlike Louisiana. The fishing industry is not in favor of LA getting more into farming fish.
Interesting thing about driving through the middle of nowhere is the fact that Arkansas has few towns, Louisiana has a bunch of really small towns. Although these towns are small and poor, a couple of huge antibellum style houses are present in almost all of them...pictures next time I make the drive.
Monroe was interesting, it was good to see my buddy, but the options for meeting were slim, so wings at Hooter's it was. From there we went over to the family farm in Ruston and got to see my grandpa, who is out the hospital, and my mom who was out of town when I left to begin this adventure. Oh yeah, Mike got to indulge in one of his favorite beverages: the Old Fashioned.

Old Fashioned Recipe
3 oz Bourbon
2 teaspoons (iced tea spoons work well) of Simple Syrup (sugar water)
2 dashes of Peychaud Bitters
4 dashes of Angostura Bitters
twist of lemon peel, you must twist to get the oils out
Stir, add ice, and garnish with a cherry.

I may have the amount of the 2 bitters inverted. Good luck finding Peychaud Bitters outside New Orleans, but I recommend Dorignac's or Martin's Wine Cellar to find them.