James had several opportunities for alone time while in DC and on his way home. Find him above at the museum and with Rev. Al Sharpton.
Headshots
1 year ago
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
James flies solo in DC
James had several opportunities for alone time while in DC and on his way home. Find him above at the museum and with Rev. Al Sharpton.
Surprise visit
Much to my surprise, our friend Lorie greeted us at the door of the Kalorama Guest House where we stayed while in DC. She and her significant other, Lance, made a weekend excursion from Philadelphia to spend time with us while we were in town.
On the Mall with Lorie & Lance
"The whole box like that" was the response Lance received when returning the freezer burned ice cream bar he purchased only moments before.
with Robert Mueck's 'Big Man' at the Hirshhorn - To demonstrate the scale
On the Mall with Lorie & Lance
"The whole box like that" was the response Lance received when returning the freezer burned ice cream bar he purchased only moments before.
with Robert Mueck's 'Big Man' at the Hirshhorn - To demonstrate the scale
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A little piece of New Orleans for the president
Zulu coconut delivered to President Obama
WASHINGTON -- The president of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club presented President Barack Obama with a hand-painted, personalized Zulu coconut in the Oval Office on Monday afternoon, marking the 100th anniversary of the black Carnival club and the election of the first African-American president.
....
Zulu First Lady Patricia Wade Hamilton, who was hugged twice by the president and said she would never clean the clothes that came in contact with him.
"He's a very handsome man from a female perspective, " she said shortly after leaving the White House.
Read more: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/obama_to_receive_zulu_coconut.html
WASHINGTON -- The president of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club presented President Barack Obama with a hand-painted, personalized Zulu coconut in the Oval Office on Monday afternoon, marking the 100th anniversary of the black Carnival club and the election of the first African-American president.
....
Zulu First Lady Patricia Wade Hamilton, who was hugged twice by the president and said she would never clean the clothes that came in contact with him.
"He's a very handsome man from a female perspective, " she said shortly after leaving the White House.
Read more: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/obama_to_receive_zulu_coconut.html
Monday, March 2, 2009
Three one-way tickets
Two Saturdays ago, James and I scurried into a cab at 4:30am and headed off to the airport. Along, the way, I was surprised to see the city alive with Friday night party-goers beginning to head home. We were leaving as Mardi Gras weekend was just getting rolling.
We arrived in DC a few hours later, and were repeatedly struck by the tidiness of the streets and metro, the reserve of those passing by, the complete organization of a city in which every aspect seems managed, and by the countless mailboxes - there must have been one on every corner.
We spent four days in a city that functions by creating a system for everything. Step on to the metro in the 10 seconds that the door is open - open your bag for a routine search when entering the capitol - leave your backbag and coat with the coatcheck guard at the museum. We were herded through each experience and we, like cattle,we did not disobey. We stood in in line, handed over our belongings, and did so with little disruption.
James and I parted ways on Wednesday, he returning to NOLA, I continuing on to Charlotte to visit my family. Ove the next four days, I drove from Rock Hill, SC where my mother lives to Kannapolis, NC where my sister lives - along with hundreds of thousands of other folks who call themselves Charlotteans, but live not at all in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte is the central point, where the jobs are, where the restaurants are, and where most people I know now refuse to live.
While in Kannapolis, I was a 'guest speaker' for my niece's 1st grade class. The topic was wind and hurricanes, and it was my job to talk about my experience with hurricanes and to answer questions. Besides the inevitable "How many dead people did you see during the hurricane?" and "Did your house blow down?" - the questions were sweet and innocent, as were the kids. They stretched their arms high above their heads and their eyes pleaded for me to pick them, but they did not speak out of turn. They sat in their spot on the floor until they were told to move to the next spot and they said please and thank you and smiled and laughed and talked to me and talked to each other. Their teacher(s) - there were three in one classroom, were attentive to their needs and respectful of them as individuals. The principal(s) - three for the school, each of whom I met later at an evening function, knew the kids and knew many of the parents and supported the teachers.
James picked me up at the airport yesterday morning, and as we drove from Kenner into NOLA, I couldn't help but notice with fresh eyes - the brokenness of the city. The buildings in disrepair that we passed - one after another after another. The abandoned houses, the trash in the streets, the ever bumpy roads.
The day was sunny, so after arriving home we took a walk to St. Charles, which was a major parade route for Mardi Gras. Our neighbors smiled and waved at us as we walked along. We stopped often to look at the blooming azaleas and beads dangling from sycamores and oaks. As we turned from St. Charles to head down Philip back to our house - we heard a brass band. We turned to see a second line parade a few streets over wandering through the streets. Someone had died and loved ones were gathering together to send that person off New Orleans style.
We arrived in DC a few hours later, and were repeatedly struck by the tidiness of the streets and metro, the reserve of those passing by, the complete organization of a city in which every aspect seems managed, and by the countless mailboxes - there must have been one on every corner.
We spent four days in a city that functions by creating a system for everything. Step on to the metro in the 10 seconds that the door is open - open your bag for a routine search when entering the capitol - leave your backbag and coat with the coatcheck guard at the museum. We were herded through each experience and we, like cattle,we did not disobey. We stood in in line, handed over our belongings, and did so with little disruption.
James and I parted ways on Wednesday, he returning to NOLA, I continuing on to Charlotte to visit my family. Ove the next four days, I drove from Rock Hill, SC where my mother lives to Kannapolis, NC where my sister lives - along with hundreds of thousands of other folks who call themselves Charlotteans, but live not at all in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte is the central point, where the jobs are, where the restaurants are, and where most people I know now refuse to live.
While in Kannapolis, I was a 'guest speaker' for my niece's 1st grade class. The topic was wind and hurricanes, and it was my job to talk about my experience with hurricanes and to answer questions. Besides the inevitable "How many dead people did you see during the hurricane?" and "Did your house blow down?" - the questions were sweet and innocent, as were the kids. They stretched their arms high above their heads and their eyes pleaded for me to pick them, but they did not speak out of turn. They sat in their spot on the floor until they were told to move to the next spot and they said please and thank you and smiled and laughed and talked to me and talked to each other. Their teacher(s) - there were three in one classroom, were attentive to their needs and respectful of them as individuals. The principal(s) - three for the school, each of whom I met later at an evening function, knew the kids and knew many of the parents and supported the teachers.
James picked me up at the airport yesterday morning, and as we drove from Kenner into NOLA, I couldn't help but notice with fresh eyes - the brokenness of the city. The buildings in disrepair that we passed - one after another after another. The abandoned houses, the trash in the streets, the ever bumpy roads.
The day was sunny, so after arriving home we took a walk to St. Charles, which was a major parade route for Mardi Gras. Our neighbors smiled and waved at us as we walked along. We stopped often to look at the blooming azaleas and beads dangling from sycamores and oaks. As we turned from St. Charles to head down Philip back to our house - we heard a brass band. We turned to see a second line parade a few streets over wandering through the streets. Someone had died and loved ones were gathering together to send that person off New Orleans style.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Babylon, Chaos, Muses
We arrived at 6:00pm to watch the Krewe of Muses parade, only to be surprised to find that the two parades ahead of it had just started. We were on the parade route at Napolean and Camp for over four hours. Krewe of Babylon led the first parade. As floats ambled by - beads,flowers, games, dolls, and other trinkets are throw to on-lookers. James was the shocked and thrilled recipient of a child-sized stuffed monkey.
Krewe of Chaos parade followed Babylon.
Kim Roberts, Trouble the Water filmmaker and rapper, led the Krewe of Muses parade. High-heeled shoes represent the Muses - and most items thrown are shoe-related. Beaded and decorated shoes are created by a group of artists and are highly sought after during the parade.
Marching teams, like the Pussyfooters, the Camel-Toed Lady Steppers and the Bearded Oysters are featured in Muses. Hopefully, I'll have photos of them to post soon.
Krewe of Chaos parade followed Babylon.
Kim Roberts, Trouble the Water filmmaker and rapper, led the Krewe of Muses parade. High-heeled shoes represent the Muses - and most items thrown are shoe-related. Beaded and decorated shoes are created by a group of artists and are highly sought after during the parade.
Marching teams, like the Pussyfooters, the Camel-Toed Lady Steppers and the Bearded Oysters are featured in Muses. Hopefully, I'll have photos of them to post soon.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
ship fetish
James' favorite passtimes continue to be photographing ships on the Mississippi and riding the ferry.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Everyone loves a parade.... or two or seven
The parades have started and they just keep coming. I've attended only two so far, even though we live only 7 blocks from St. Charles, which is a major parade route. There were, I think, 7 in our neck of the woods over the weekend - 24 total throughout the city. One parade often follows another, so the theme changes after an hour or so. This week will be filled with more on each day of the week and then next weekend will culminate in absolute parade craziness and end with Mardi Gras day on Tuesday. Check out the schedule http://www.nola.com/mardigras/parades/
Our piles of beads and James' collection of photographs are steadily increasing. Photos should follow soon.
Our piles of beads and James' collection of photographs are steadily increasing. Photos should follow soon.
Friday, February 13, 2009
demolition/decoration
Over the past week, I've been watching the standing remnants of the recently burned Carpet World fall to the ground. The demolition crew has been steadily working away removing dumpster after dumpster of scrap metal, bricks, and other debris.
Strange to see this building demolished and removed, while so many around it, continue to stand even though they look equally devastated. It took a fire, not a hurricane or neglect, for the Carpet World to be torn down.
Even stranger to see gold, purple and green banners, streamers, and grandstands, start to mask the reality of the abandoned buildings that lie in wait behind them. Those buildings act as a backdrop for the festivities that are about to happen. Do those folks visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras think about what the buildings used to be, what they are now? Do they wonder if the abandoned buildings are really vacant? Or are,instead, places for squatters and homeless people to take refuge? Will the visitors leave the confines of the quarter? St. Charles? Canal? Or will they go only where the party takes them?
As I drove down Canal today, I was amazed by the sheer number of people who were out,and the vendor trucks parked - ready - as if waiting for the city to come alive. The irony is that the city lives in a way that those who are visiting now - for Mardi Gras -will most likely not see. That life exists all year - not just during festival season.
Strange to see this building demolished and removed, while so many around it, continue to stand even though they look equally devastated. It took a fire, not a hurricane or neglect, for the Carpet World to be torn down.
Even stranger to see gold, purple and green banners, streamers, and grandstands, start to mask the reality of the abandoned buildings that lie in wait behind them. Those buildings act as a backdrop for the festivities that are about to happen. Do those folks visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras think about what the buildings used to be, what they are now? Do they wonder if the abandoned buildings are really vacant? Or are,instead, places for squatters and homeless people to take refuge? Will the visitors leave the confines of the quarter? St. Charles? Canal? Or will they go only where the party takes them?
As I drove down Canal today, I was amazed by the sheer number of people who were out,and the vendor trucks parked - ready - as if waiting for the city to come alive. The irony is that the city lives in a way that those who are visiting now - for Mardi Gras -will most likely not see. That life exists all year - not just during festival season.
Friday, February 6, 2009
King cake season
It's carnival season in New Orleans, which means king cakes keep showing up everywhere! At work, at parties, pretty much every social event has one or more. There are all different kinds and everyone claims that theirs in the best. (Kind of like po-boys, I guess). I entered king cake season on January 6, with Epiphany, never having tried a King Cake. Since that time and without any effort on my part, I've sampled maybe 15 different cakes. (They are kind of addictive.)
I have not, however, gotten the baby, though I'd really like to. My brother, on his first visit to New Orleans, without knowing what a king cake was or that there would be a baby inside, cut a large piece of two different choices and after a couple of bites, walked over to me - holding a tiny, plastic baby, 'Why does this cake have toys in it?' He inquired. I didn't know the answer and neither did anyone else. That's just the way it is. I looked it up since, and I think it means that he was the queen of the ball. I haven't told him that yet though. http://www.gumbopages.com/food/dessert/king-cake.html
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Some articles I read this morning...
Poverty Creates Toxic Stress for Young Children
With nearly one in three of Louisiana’s children under the age of five living in poverty, and an 81 percent increase in abuse and neglect cases in this age group over the past six years, the question of how to improve the lives of Louisiana’s youngest citizens is an increasingly pressing issue, says Geoffrey Nagle, director of the Tulane Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.
Read More: http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/020309_child_poverty.cfm
New Orleans struggles to find compromise on trash
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and City Council members appeared to have reached an agreement late Monday on how to pay for washing streets and emptying litter cans in the French Quarter, but they were confronted with a separate smelly issue: garbage bags piling up throughout the historic neighborhood and the Central Business District.
The new front in the sanitation battle had little to do with the long-running feud between the executive and legislative branches that prompted Nagin -- claiming a $7.5 million shortfall in the 2009 city budget -- to pull the plug during the weekend on street sweeping and flushing and round-the-clock litter collection in the city's premier tourist destination.
Instead, the sudden accumulation of garbage along sidewalks in the Vieux Carre and CBD was the product of a surprise decision by the city's Sanitation Department to start enforcing a long-standing law that says owners of large businesses and residential properties with more than four units must hire private contractors to collect their trash. The law applies citywide.
Read more: http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1233642021239700.xml&coll=1
With nearly one in three of Louisiana’s children under the age of five living in poverty, and an 81 percent increase in abuse and neglect cases in this age group over the past six years, the question of how to improve the lives of Louisiana’s youngest citizens is an increasingly pressing issue, says Geoffrey Nagle, director of the Tulane Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.
Read More: http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/020309_child_poverty.cfm
New Orleans struggles to find compromise on trash
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and City Council members appeared to have reached an agreement late Monday on how to pay for washing streets and emptying litter cans in the French Quarter, but they were confronted with a separate smelly issue: garbage bags piling up throughout the historic neighborhood and the Central Business District.
The new front in the sanitation battle had little to do with the long-running feud between the executive and legislative branches that prompted Nagin -- claiming a $7.5 million shortfall in the 2009 city budget -- to pull the plug during the weekend on street sweeping and flushing and round-the-clock litter collection in the city's premier tourist destination.
Instead, the sudden accumulation of garbage along sidewalks in the Vieux Carre and CBD was the product of a surprise decision by the city's Sanitation Department to start enforcing a long-standing law that says owners of large businesses and residential properties with more than four units must hire private contractors to collect their trash. The law applies citywide.
Read more: http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1233642021239700.xml&coll=1
Friday, January 30, 2009
random sharing - 'world gone mad' scenerio
-My friend, Jill, (also know as Pinky's human companion) had a dream last week, which she described to me as a 'world gone mad' scenerio. She claimed that this dream was pretty typical, except that she was playing recreational sports and James had a mullet.
-The Carpet World building which is directly across the street from my office building burned down yesterday. http://www.wdsu.com/slideshow/news/18596157/detail.html It started at 4 am. I arrived at 8am to the insanity of firetrucks and road blocks. After finding a different parking spot (mine was being occupied by debris falling from the burning building), I made it inside my building looking for an explanation and was met with a smokey building and employees who by and large seemed indifferent to it. Classes weren't canceled - business as usual, we were told.
After an hour of trying to convince others to do the same, I packed up my laptop and went home to work from there. Today Carpet World is nothing but a pile of rubble.
-James is doing professional development today, which means there are no kids at school. He seems glad about the no kids part, but didn't seem ready to be developed professionally when he left this morning. I think he'd just prefer the day off.
-My boss is on leave in Norway and so I'm flying solo this month - maybe all semester. It is hard to say at this point.
-The Carpet World building which is directly across the street from my office building burned down yesterday. http://www.wdsu.com/slideshow/news/18596157/detail.html It started at 4 am. I arrived at 8am to the insanity of firetrucks and road blocks. After finding a different parking spot (mine was being occupied by debris falling from the burning building), I made it inside my building looking for an explanation and was met with a smokey building and employees who by and large seemed indifferent to it. Classes weren't canceled - business as usual, we were told.
After an hour of trying to convince others to do the same, I packed up my laptop and went home to work from there. Today Carpet World is nothing but a pile of rubble.
-James is doing professional development today, which means there are no kids at school. He seems glad about the no kids part, but didn't seem ready to be developed professionally when he left this morning. I think he'd just prefer the day off.
-My boss is on leave in Norway and so I'm flying solo this month - maybe all semester. It is hard to say at this point.
brother love
James and I spent a fabulous weekend touring around with my big brother, Nick. He was here for three full days - and the more we did, the more we realized there was still left to see. That's the thing about New Orleans - there is so much food to be eaten, music to hear, houses and churches to tour, streets to wander, people to watch, shops to visit... There is more to do than can be done. Yet we tried to pack as much in as possible-
Hopefully, he'll e-mail some photos soon so that I can post them, because I didn't manage to take any pictures all weekend.
Hopefully, he'll e-mail some photos soon so that I can post them, because I didn't manage to take any pictures all weekend.
Friday, January 23, 2009
umbrella hat man
Picture an in-the-flesh version of fat albert (one of my all-time favorite cartoon characters) wearing one of those red, yellow, blue & green umbrella hats, standing near one of those little folding camp chairs, in downtown New Orleans on Canal Street where the street cars ride back and forth between really tall buildings, equipped with a megaphone in one hand - king james bible in the other, yelling (sometimes into the megaphone, sometimes not) words like 'cometh' and 'believeth' and 'repent' to passers-by.
I see umbrella hat man almost every day when I bike to work and he always makes me smile. I appreciate his effort - he's on a mission - he's devoted - and he understands the importance of sun protection. I haven't been biking because of the weather, but today it is warmer - so I'm back to my routine and I'm reminded of one of the many reasons why I love New Orleans so much.
I see umbrella hat man almost every day when I bike to work and he always makes me smile. I appreciate his effort - he's on a mission - he's devoted - and he understands the importance of sun protection. I haven't been biking because of the weather, but today it is warmer - so I'm back to my routine and I'm reminded of one of the many reasons why I love New Orleans so much.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
ambidexterity - a personal experiment
I'm right-handed. However, in high school soccer, I had better aim with my left foot than I did with my right. I also place my mouse on the left side of my keyboard, so that I can point and click with one hand and take notes with the other (this always freaks people out if they sit at my computer - I enjoy that). I have a few other left-handed preferences as well, but am predominantly right-oriented. Since my mom and my sister are lefties, I have been wondering if I have a tendency toward ambidexterity and, as a result, have made my new year's resolution to become ambidextrous. Possibly weird - I realize, but a fun challenge.
So, awkwardly, but with great attention, determination and enjoyment, I have sworn off the right hand for:
-writing journal entries and grocery lists (at work I choose efficiency over adventure and continue to use my right hand)
-cooking (e.g. holding the knife to cut vegetables, stirring anything, grating cheese, etc.)
-brushing my hair and teeth
-dialing a phone
Some things I haven't quite convinced my brain of yet:
-unlocking doors
-stitching of any sort (buttons, etc.)
-turning the pages of a book or newspaper
More updates as I progress (or not...)
(p.s. just to clarify - this is Heather's experiment. On occasion James will eat or brush his teeth with his left hand to show his solidarity, which I appreciate.)
So, awkwardly, but with great attention, determination and enjoyment, I have sworn off the right hand for:
-writing journal entries and grocery lists (at work I choose efficiency over adventure and continue to use my right hand)
-cooking (e.g. holding the knife to cut vegetables, stirring anything, grating cheese, etc.)
-brushing my hair and teeth
-dialing a phone
Some things I haven't quite convinced my brain of yet:
-unlocking doors
-stitching of any sort (buttons, etc.)
-turning the pages of a book or newspaper
More updates as I progress (or not...)
(p.s. just to clarify - this is Heather's experiment. On occasion James will eat or brush his teeth with his left hand to show his solidarity, which I appreciate.)
Friday, January 16, 2009
First Book
Students saying 'thanks', 'hallelujah' and 'amen' to us for giving them books!
Last week, I went to a local KIPP School www.kipp.org, McDonogh 15, to photograph and write a newsletter article about a book distribution for First Book, a non-profit I have been volunteering with. First Book gives donations in the form of books to kids who are low income, high need (predominantly all children in public school in NOLA). Teachers apply for the grant for their classrooms and, for those selected, First Book provides a book to each student in that teacher's class six times in one year. The books are read at school and then go home with the kids. The books become their personal property - a big deal to kids who love to read, but have little access to books.
Three KIPP classes received and distributed books on Friday. Pre-K, K and 1st grade.KIPP focuses on the college graduation of the kids they teach, so everything each grade does has the theme of the year they will graduate. The kids even have class cheers, which they do every day to remind them of their future goal:
'We are the class of 2021 - We read, We laugh, We have lots of fun - We are the class of 2021!'
Last week, I went to a local KIPP School www.kipp.org, McDonogh 15, to photograph and write a newsletter article about a book distribution for First Book, a non-profit I have been volunteering with. First Book gives donations in the form of books to kids who are low income, high need (predominantly all children in public school in NOLA). Teachers apply for the grant for their classrooms and, for those selected, First Book provides a book to each student in that teacher's class six times in one year. The books are read at school and then go home with the kids. The books become their personal property - a big deal to kids who love to read, but have little access to books.
Three KIPP classes received and distributed books on Friday. Pre-K, K and 1st grade.KIPP focuses on the college graduation of the kids they teach, so everything each grade does has the theme of the year they will graduate. The kids even have class cheers, which they do every day to remind them of their future goal:
'We are the class of 2021 - We read, We laugh, We have lots of fun - We are the class of 2021!'
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Other people's stuff
We've always been collectors of other people's stuff. We love giving a home to things that other people have deemed unnecessary. However, our ability to acquire other people's discarded items in NOLA has surpassed my comprehension. I'm pretty sure that this is the city that Hurricane Katrina devastated. So,why is our two-bedroom residence filled with furniture when we arrived 6 months ago with only a mattress, two end tables, some random lawn furniture, clothes, toiletries, and basic kitchen supplies? We have bought almost nothing - a couch and loveseat and a couple of lamps from a yard sale during our first few weeks. The rest we have accumulated during walks or bike rides or by word of mouth.
Imagine carting a chair home on your bike - or strapping your bike to the top of your jeep in order to make room for the dresser, lamps, and dishes that you found on your way to the bike shop - or carrying a milk crate full of art supplies the two miles it takes to get home because you're on a Sunday afternoon walk. In a city where organizations are begging for clothes, books, school supplies, furniture, baby toys - why are we finding exactly these items overflowing from trash cans and discarded on the side of the road?
At first, we were thrilled by our luck at finding such treasure. Now we are frustrated with the waste, frustrated with the fact that people think so little of the things that they own and think so little of their neighbors a few blocks away who could benefit from them, frustrated that our solution is to gather these things endlessly in an attempt to keep them from becoming trash.
This weekend, while walking in a neighborhood we don't often visit, we stood before a brand new baby bouncy seat and a matching baby play yard. We were probably there for 10 minutes -looking at the items - looking at each other. We were too far from home - they were too heavy - we don't have a baby or have an immediate neighbor with a kid that size - we had our reasons for walking away, but I can't stop thinking about them. Just sitting there, wasted - while some baby who could have enjoyed those things goes without.
Imagine carting a chair home on your bike - or strapping your bike to the top of your jeep in order to make room for the dresser, lamps, and dishes that you found on your way to the bike shop - or carrying a milk crate full of art supplies the two miles it takes to get home because you're on a Sunday afternoon walk. In a city where organizations are begging for clothes, books, school supplies, furniture, baby toys - why are we finding exactly these items overflowing from trash cans and discarded on the side of the road?
At first, we were thrilled by our luck at finding such treasure. Now we are frustrated with the waste, frustrated with the fact that people think so little of the things that they own and think so little of their neighbors a few blocks away who could benefit from them, frustrated that our solution is to gather these things endlessly in an attempt to keep them from becoming trash.
This weekend, while walking in a neighborhood we don't often visit, we stood before a brand new baby bouncy seat and a matching baby play yard. We were probably there for 10 minutes -looking at the items - looking at each other. We were too far from home - they were too heavy - we don't have a baby or have an immediate neighbor with a kid that size - we had our reasons for walking away, but I can't stop thinking about them. Just sitting there, wasted - while some baby who could have enjoyed those things goes without.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
vacation photos - a selection from our excursions
In order to maintain our sanity by actually taking a break - James and I decided to stick around New Orleans during our winter vacation. We spent our time looking for outdoor adventures, lunching at restaurants that we've heard are wonderful but couldn't afford the dinner menu prices, reading, and not doing much of anything taxing or important. It was a nice way to take in the city and to recharge after the chaos and emotion of the past 6 months. Our friends, Cyrus & Bozena, from Gainesville spent a day with us last week, which was also a nice change of pace. Here are a few photos...
View at Jean Lafitte State Park
Girl and horse on the levee
Lunch at Boucherie - a new restaurant uptown
Make it Right houses in the 9th ward -Brad Pitt's foundation (http://www.makeitrightnola.org/)
Lunch at Commander's Palace with Cyrus & Bozena - Birthday celebration
Waiting for the ferry - action shot
More ferry fun...
View at Jean Lafitte State Park
Girl and horse on the levee
Lunch at Boucherie - a new restaurant uptown
Make it Right houses in the 9th ward -Brad Pitt's foundation (http://www.makeitrightnola.org/)
Lunch at Commander's Palace with Cyrus & Bozena - Birthday celebration
Waiting for the ferry - action shot
More ferry fun...
Monday, December 29, 2008
vacation
We are starting to feel human again. We have an entire week to adventure around the city and eat until our hearts are content. Today we are off to Matt and Nattie's for lunch - and then to the Columns Hotel tonight for music by David Doucet. One whole week of doing whatever we feel like whenever we feel like it.
Happy New Year!!!!!
Happy New Year!!!!!
RIP Minnie Mouse
Little Minnie was found in the trap mid-day on Christmas Eve. She couldn't resist the temptation of aluminum foil wrapped strategically around the mouse trap. James had been watching her patterns for weeks and determined that the mouse had an extreme interest in, not only his hair and grits, but also shiny pieces of tin foil that she collected and put in different locations. He capitalized on this new knowledge and Minnie immediately took the bait...
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
living fat-n-happy in the Big Easy
grits, oatmeal, licky, sticky peanut butter.... What more does a mini-mouse need to be content? Her light step never triggers the trap. Our only hope is that by receiving regular meals she'll gain some girth in order to amply weigh-in. She skitters about, never concerned by our presence. More of a companion than a nuisance, until a few nights ago, when late in the night, James was awakened by a little tug, tug, tug on his hair. For him, that sealed little Minnie's fate - the next day the trap was set.
off to bed with warm pjs and a good book
The Pajama Program provides sleepwear for kids in foster homes, orphanages, and shelters. The program was started in NJ by a woman who realized that kids went to bed in the same clothes that they wore during the day. After Katrina, a PJ program started in NOLA. Last week, I went to a Pajama Jam party - adults in jammies giving pjs to children in need. The Pajama Program's goal is to give pajamas to 5000 kids in NOLA this winter.
The kids who receive pajamas also get a book. The books were provided by another organization that I've been volunteering with First Book-Greater New Orleans. Also, a national organization with chapters or branches throughout the country.
I've been so impressed by the various organizations that exist in this city to provide for those who are struggling to get by. So much has been done. So much still to do.....
The kids who receive pajamas also get a book. The books were provided by another organization that I've been volunteering with First Book-Greater New Orleans. Also, a national organization with chapters or branches throughout the country.
I've been so impressed by the various organizations that exist in this city to provide for those who are struggling to get by. So much has been done. So much still to do.....
Monday, December 22, 2008
Letters from NOLA to South Africa
An assignment in Mr. McDonald's classes last week:
My friend Brandi is a photographer and teacher in South Africa. Her students have never seen or touched snow. Write a letter to her students describing snow and I will send it for you.
What does it feel like? Taste like? Smell like? Look like? Sound Like?
They then looked at photos on Brandi's website to learn about where the kids lived and to get an understanding of what their lives are like. http://www.photosforafrica.org/ .
Thanks Brandi for your hard work and for providing inspiration to NOLA kids!!!!!!
Here are some of their letters - no grammatical edits made but shortened in places:
Dear students,
Today I am going to tell you about snow. Snow is like ice but a little softer. December 11, 2008 it snow in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States of America. The snow was so nice and it had a lot of snow on the ground. It was so much snow it was like 3 inches. I wish that you could see the snow, but one day you will. Snow is the best thing in the sky I've ever seen. When it snow the roads get slippery and people might have accidents but theirs nothing really bad about snow because it's verry fun. You can also build a snowman (with drawing). You can build snowangels in the snow (another drawing). I like the snow so much it seems like a part of my life. Well it was nice having to tell you about snow because I had a great time. Please have a nice day or nice night. Ms. Brandi, it was nice speaking to your students. If you ever write back please have my name in it or let the kids know how precious snow is and how wonderful snow is. From, Phil
Dear Children of Africa,
My teacher Mr. McDonald told us that we should write an letter to you guys & girls. I really want to tell you about our snow day in New Orleans, Louisiana. If it ever snows down there roll up a ball of snow and throw it at someone then you will have an snow ball fight. My friend Devin throw one at my leg when it was snowing down here. It feels like it is going to melt your skin. It taste like H2O (water). It smells like nothing. It looks like little white dots falling out of the light blue sky. It doesn't really have an sound but when it hits the ground it melts. Love, Darkayla
P.S. I hope you can come and vist us a Pierre A. Capdau.
Dear students
I am going to describe snow to you. Snow is white, it's very soft. It snowed one when I was in school at Capdau UNO Charter. When you bald the snow up it gets hard and you can have snowball fights. You can make a snowman and you put scarf, 3 buttons, 1 carrot and 1 hat. You would love the snow if you could see it you and your friends will have a lot of fun if you can come down and play in the snow. I wish you can. You can come down here to play with us. We will have a lot of fun we could play football or basketball.
Dear students,
Snow is a joy because it is fun to play in because it doen't snow often in Nola. Snow is soft and cold and it is white like the clouds. Snow only happen in December because it is the coldest part of the year. Sincerely, Justin
Dear Pin Pil,
Snow looks like crunched up ice and it is very white and very cold. It feel kinda nasty and when you tuch it your hands would freeze up and would start stinging. It does not sound like nothing unless you throw it at somebody they l.o.l. Oh and just to let you know l.o.l. means laugh out loud. When you pick it up it sticks together because its like a magnet and kinda connects together and thats how snow is. Right back to me if you can. Ya digg? Sincerely, Halle
Dear students,
I would like to tell yo about snow. Snow is water, but because of how cold it is that turns it hard and it forms snow flakes. It snowed last week, because it was below 30 degrees. It was very cold. We played in the snow and made snowballs and had a snow ball fight. It was fun. I live in New Orleans, Louisiana. Down here we have a lot of holidays. The holiday that is coming up is Christmas. Merry Christmas! I'm sure you heard about Barack Obama our new president. I'm happy about that. Sincerely, Capdau Student
P.S. Holla at me (write back)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Caroling on the bayou
Last Saturday, I experienced several firsts.
Canoeing on a bayou with 100 other people by the light of the full moon; accompanied by a singing Santa on a sleigh made up of two canoes and a large platform decorated with lights; a small dog, named Gumbo, standing in for Rudolph; Santa leading the canoe caroling to party-goers on the shore; party-goers on the shore handing out cookies, zaps and libations to the carolers while singing along; James Francis singing Christmas carols enthusiastically.....
Canoeing on a bayou with 100 other people by the light of the full moon; accompanied by a singing Santa on a sleigh made up of two canoes and a large platform decorated with lights; a small dog, named Gumbo, standing in for Rudolph; Santa leading the canoe caroling to party-goers on the shore; party-goers on the shore handing out cookies, zaps and libations to the carolers while singing along; James Francis singing Christmas carols enthusiastically.....
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like really snowing! A LOT! And it has been since 7:30am. Big, fluffy, wonderful snowflakes that remind me of being a kid. It is supposed to snow all day. I'm at work and from my window I see covered rooftops and cars and huge, swirling gusts of white snow. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
James has been taking loads of photos, which I'll post tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
How to Gumbo
This fella works at the Crescent City Farmer's Market. We bought turnips from him. There isn't a huge selection at the market, but what is available is good. We get our milk from a local dairy there.
The farmer had a magazine from China that featured a step-by-step description with photos on how to cook Gumbo, New Orleans style. James is obsessed with finding the best Gumbo recipe, so he gathered evidence to see if the Chinese do it best.
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