WANTED: Nutria - dead ones . . . bounty raised from $4 to $5 per head! Finance your rebuilding!
Tasty in a sauce piquant . . . pelts like mink ~ WIN/WIN!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
WANTED
WANTED: Nutria - dead ones . . . bounty raised from $4 to $5 per head! Finance your rebuilding!
Tasty in a sauce piquant . . . pelts like mink ~ WIN/WIN!
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Flattered to be recognized
Thank you SMITH Mag.
More importantly, thank you for keeping us, in New Orleans and the Gulf Zone, in your thoughts and writing.
More importantly, thank you for keeping us, in New Orleans and the Gulf Zone, in your thoughts and writing.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Thank you (Some things bear repeating ;~)
From columnist Chris Rose of The Times-Picayune www.nola.com
Dear America,
I suppose we should introduce ourselves: We're South Louisiana.
We have arrived on your doorstep on short notice and we apologize for that, but we never were much for waiting around for invitations. We're not much on formalities like that.
And we might be staying around your town for a while, enrolling in your schools and looking for jobs, so we wanted to tell you a few things about us. We know you didn't ask for this and neither did we, so we're just going to have to make the best of it.
First of all, we thank you. For your money, your water, your food, your prayers, your boats and buses and the men and women of your National Guards, fire departments, hospitals and everyone else who has come to our rescue.
We're a fiercely proud and independent people, and we don't cotton much to outside interference, but we're not ashamed to accept help when we need it. And right now, we need it.
Just don't get carried away. For instance, once we get around to fishing again, don't try to tell us what kind of lures work best in your waters.
We're not going to listen. We're stubborn that way.
You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you'd probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard.
We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we're suspicious of others who don't.
But we'll try not to judge you while we're in your town.
Everybody loves their home, we know that. But we love South Louisiana with a ferocity that borders on the pathological. Sometimes we bury our dead in LSU sweatshirts.
Often we don't make sense. You may wonder why, for instance - if we could only carry one small bag of belongings with us on our journey to your state - why in God's name did we bring a pair of shrimp boots?
We can't really explain that. It is what it is.
You've probably heard that many of us stayed behind. As bad as it is, many of us cannot fathom a life outside of our border, out in that place we call Elsewhere.
The only way you could understand that is if you have been there, and so many of you have. So you realize that when you strip away all the craziness and bars and parades and music and architecture and all that hooey, really, the best thing about where we come from is us.
We are what made this place a national treasure. We're good people. And don't be afraid to ask us how to pronounce our names. It happens all the time.
When you meet us now and you look into our eyes, you will see the saddest story ever told. Our hearts are broken into a thousand pieces.
But don't pity us. We're gonna make it. We're resilient. After all, we've been rooting for the Saints for 35 years. That's got to count for something.
OK, maybe something else you should know is that we make jokes at inappropriate times.
But what the hell.
And one more thing: In our part of the country, we're used to having visitors. It's our way of life.
So when all this is over and we move back home, we will repay to you the hospitality and generosity of spirit you offer to us in this season of our despair.
That is our promise. That is our faith.
Chris Rose can be reached at noroses@bellsouth.net
Dear America,
I suppose we should introduce ourselves: We're South Louisiana.
We have arrived on your doorstep on short notice and we apologize for that, but we never were much for waiting around for invitations. We're not much on formalities like that.
And we might be staying around your town for a while, enrolling in your schools and looking for jobs, so we wanted to tell you a few things about us. We know you didn't ask for this and neither did we, so we're just going to have to make the best of it.
First of all, we thank you. For your money, your water, your food, your prayers, your boats and buses and the men and women of your National Guards, fire departments, hospitals and everyone else who has come to our rescue.
We're a fiercely proud and independent people, and we don't cotton much to outside interference, but we're not ashamed to accept help when we need it. And right now, we need it.
Just don't get carried away. For instance, once we get around to fishing again, don't try to tell us what kind of lures work best in your waters.
We're not going to listen. We're stubborn that way.
You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you'd probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard.
We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we're suspicious of others who don't.
But we'll try not to judge you while we're in your town.
Everybody loves their home, we know that. But we love South Louisiana with a ferocity that borders on the pathological. Sometimes we bury our dead in LSU sweatshirts.
Often we don't make sense. You may wonder why, for instance - if we could only carry one small bag of belongings with us on our journey to your state - why in God's name did we bring a pair of shrimp boots?
We can't really explain that. It is what it is.
You've probably heard that many of us stayed behind. As bad as it is, many of us cannot fathom a life outside of our border, out in that place we call Elsewhere.
The only way you could understand that is if you have been there, and so many of you have. So you realize that when you strip away all the craziness and bars and parades and music and architecture and all that hooey, really, the best thing about where we come from is us.
We are what made this place a national treasure. We're good people. And don't be afraid to ask us how to pronounce our names. It happens all the time.
When you meet us now and you look into our eyes, you will see the saddest story ever told. Our hearts are broken into a thousand pieces.
But don't pity us. We're gonna make it. We're resilient. After all, we've been rooting for the Saints for 35 years. That's got to count for something.
OK, maybe something else you should know is that we make jokes at inappropriate times.
But what the hell.
And one more thing: In our part of the country, we're used to having visitors. It's our way of life.
So when all this is over and we move back home, we will repay to you the hospitality and generosity of spirit you offer to us in this season of our despair.
That is our promise. That is our faith.
Chris Rose can be reached at noroses@bellsouth.net
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Ernesto the PEST-o
If the steering currents bring Ernesto anywhere close to us, they will issue the mandatory evacuation order this TUESDAY - Owen's birthday AND the anniversary of Katrina.
This totally SUCKS and I am pretty dang PISSED about it!
Think Bush will cancel his visit?
DAMN.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Leading up to Katrina
Some internet postings I made before The Thing, exactly as I made them - typos and all:
August 27, 2005
8:37 AM
So I guess if they call for evacuations, I ought to cancel Owen's party, huh? My sister gets in from South Carolina at eleven.
Phase I evacuation has begun . . .
HOLY HURRICANES!
August 28, 2005
7:45 AM
We're evacuating - please think of us and our HOUSE!
Katrina is a category 5 with New Orleans still in her sights. They are talking 20 foot tidal surges - the levee is only 15 feet and we can see it.
Please think of us as we try to get out of town - and as we return.
I'll try to be in touch
August 29, 2005
1:13 am
12 hour-drive later
And we are not that much further away -- about 90 miles WNW of New Orleans at my sister's house in Baton Rouge - definitely safer than in New Orleans, but people are evacuating out of HERE too - and everythng is boarded up, businesses and stores closed . . . we still expect hurricane force winds and rain -- but at least we are above sea level
We decided to evacuate this morning, when my brother (also a police officer) reported that his Chief had just placed an order for 3000 body bags . . . The recommendations we heard on the radio on the way up were nightmarish. Officials advising that those who decided to stay, make sure to put the necessary tools in their attics so that when the water rises into them, they can hack out of their roofs Bryan is in a hotel in the French Quarter - there aren't any police stations that they expect can withstand the winds - and all of them would be under water. The last time I talked to him he had been called out because there was a tornado close.
The drive up was unbelievable. Bumper to bumper traffic for all 90 miles ~ the dogs farted all the way up (GROSS!) and Owen threw up from motion sickness (how did he get THAT since we hardly MOVED?) twice - one of the dogs peed in the back of the Jeep . . . We did not find an open service station or store until 7:30 - and we had barely eaten more than snacks all day long.They expect to lose power here sometime later tonight - and in New Orleans, they do not expect to get it back for several weeks.
I do have Heather's phone number -- so I'll call her with some updates, but I think we are safer here, anyway. I hate to think about the house -- I'll be really happy to see it again . . . God willing.Thank you all so much for thinking of us! The next few days, weeks - maybe months will be interesting . . . Love ya!
August 27, 2005
8:37 AM
So I guess if they call for evacuations, I ought to cancel Owen's party, huh? My sister gets in from South Carolina at eleven.
Phase I evacuation has begun . . .
HOLY HURRICANES!
August 28, 2005
7:45 AM
We're evacuating - please think of us and our HOUSE!
Katrina is a category 5 with New Orleans still in her sights. They are talking 20 foot tidal surges - the levee is only 15 feet and we can see it.
Please think of us as we try to get out of town - and as we return.
I'll try to be in touch
August 29, 2005
1:13 am
12 hour-drive later
And we are not that much further away -- about 90 miles WNW of New Orleans at my sister's house in Baton Rouge - definitely safer than in New Orleans, but people are evacuating out of HERE too - and everythng is boarded up, businesses and stores closed . . . we still expect hurricane force winds and rain -- but at least we are above sea level
We decided to evacuate this morning, when my brother (also a police officer) reported that his Chief had just placed an order for 3000 body bags . . . The recommendations we heard on the radio on the way up were nightmarish. Officials advising that those who decided to stay, make sure to put the necessary tools in their attics so that when the water rises into them, they can hack out of their roofs Bryan is in a hotel in the French Quarter - there aren't any police stations that they expect can withstand the winds - and all of them would be under water. The last time I talked to him he had been called out because there was a tornado close.
The drive up was unbelievable. Bumper to bumper traffic for all 90 miles ~ the dogs farted all the way up (GROSS!) and Owen threw up from motion sickness (how did he get THAT since we hardly MOVED?) twice - one of the dogs peed in the back of the Jeep . . . We did not find an open service station or store until 7:30 - and we had barely eaten more than snacks all day long.They expect to lose power here sometime later tonight - and in New Orleans, they do not expect to get it back for several weeks.
I do have Heather's phone number -- so I'll call her with some updates, but I think we are safer here, anyway. I hate to think about the house -- I'll be really happy to see it again . . . God willing.Thank you all so much for thinking of us! The next few days, weeks - maybe months will be interesting . . . Love ya!
Hurricane Evacuation Tips from the Times Picayune
Our newspaper, "The Times Picayune" has been running a column about hurricane preparedness, with tips sent in by readers. Today's tips really struck my funny bone ;~)
Hurricane Evacuation Tips
Hard-earned advice from the ultimate experts
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Take enough clothes, cash, and Charmin toilet paper to last a month. (Heinies accustomed to Charmin tend to reject Motel 6 TP.)
If you have children, cram as many toys as you possibly can into your car, or else you will find yourself at the Wal-Mart in whatever city you have landed in, spending the month's worth of cash on toys so your kids don't make you even crazier than the storm has made you.
Do not stress out inordinately over the stray cats that live in your yard, or the goldfish you can't take with you. Leave the strays and the fish with as much food as possible. When you return, not only will they still be alive, the cats will have learned to hunt squirrel and will be tame, rubbing against you lovingly every time you put out a plate of Meow Mix instead of hissing at you when you feed them. The fish, who previously ignored your very existence, will swim to the glass when they see you, and smile as you open the fish flakes.
If you find you must evacuate with others, try to get separate rooms. While it is noble to help out your buddies, they will in fact drive you insane if you are stuck with them in a single room for days on end agonizing over what may be happening back home.
Finally, marry a man who is crazy enough to go back home armed with a shotgun before the authorities give permission to do so. This is the only way to ensure that your stuff is still there when you return, whether your house is damaged or not.
If you are already married to a man who is not so inclined, divorce him and marry a man who was raised in a cave. It may be your only chance to survive on the West Bank post-Katrina.
by Holli Castillo, Harvey
. . . . . . .
Hurricane Evacuation Tips
Hard-earned advice from the ultimate experts
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Take enough clothes, cash, and Charmin toilet paper to last a month. (Heinies accustomed to Charmin tend to reject Motel 6 TP.)
If you have children, cram as many toys as you possibly can into your car, or else you will find yourself at the Wal-Mart in whatever city you have landed in, spending the month's worth of cash on toys so your kids don't make you even crazier than the storm has made you.
Do not stress out inordinately over the stray cats that live in your yard, or the goldfish you can't take with you. Leave the strays and the fish with as much food as possible. When you return, not only will they still be alive, the cats will have learned to hunt squirrel and will be tame, rubbing against you lovingly every time you put out a plate of Meow Mix instead of hissing at you when you feed them. The fish, who previously ignored your very existence, will swim to the glass when they see you, and smile as you open the fish flakes.
If you find you must evacuate with others, try to get separate rooms. While it is noble to help out your buddies, they will in fact drive you insane if you are stuck with them in a single room for days on end agonizing over what may be happening back home.
Finally, marry a man who is crazy enough to go back home armed with a shotgun before the authorities give permission to do so. This is the only way to ensure that your stuff is still there when you return, whether your house is damaged or not.If you are already married to a man who is not so inclined, divorce him and marry a man who was raised in a cave. It may be your only chance to survive on the West Bank post-Katrina.
by Holli Castillo, Harvey
. . . . . . .
Monday, August 21, 2006
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
For Sophmom ~ August 29, 2005
We celebrated Owen's birthday, as evacuees in Baton Rouge - without power. Fortunately, my sister had picked up a small cake the day before, in anticipation of our arrival ~ and we purchased "gifts" at a convenience store.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
First Days
Second Grade ~ 2006
First Grade ~ 2005
Kindergarden ~ 2004
Pre-K ~ 2003
First Day ~ August 29, 1999
Summer Camp ~ 2006
Preschool ~ 2006
Preschool 2005
Preschool 2004
First Day ~ January 31, 2003
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Waiting for an Angel ~ Natalie Wells
As seen on WDSU . . .
"This is a powerful catagory 5 song. Written about Hurricanes Rita and Katrina and in thought of past natural disasters around the world. 18 year old south Louisiana born Natalie Wells hits straight from the heart on this one."
Click here to listen
Available at NatalieWells.org
"This is a powerful catagory 5 song. Written about Hurricanes Rita and Katrina and in thought of past natural disasters around the world. 18 year old south Louisiana born Natalie Wells hits straight from the heart on this one."
Click here to listen
Available at NatalieWells.org
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