a bittersweet birthday month

It’s my birthday month (all hail fellow Capricorns!) and already I’ve enjoyed some great food, laughs with friends and one impromptu serenade of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday.” To honor the wonderful city of New Orleans I’m asking you to hold your loved ones close, and go hear some live music and celebrate safely. This is a city that knows hospitality and entertainment and the New Year’s attack on Bourbon St. is still weighing heavily on hearts and minds. 

If you’re of a mind to help the families of the 14 departed or the scores of victims, NOLA.com has a list of verified ways to give: https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/the_latest/here-are-ways-to-help-new-orleans-bourbon-street-terror-attack-victims-and-families/article_d615d2e0-c923-11ef-a9c4-6bd6a4a8ab49.html

Peace and love.

the biggest small town

New Orleans is the biggest small town I know of.

A dear friend who works in the hospital system told me he'd met so many of the Bourbon Street victims' families. I gave away the store to these dear people, he wrote: flowers, candy, hugs. He listened to the sorrowful stories, friended them on Facebook and kissed their babies. 

My neighbor's partner is in law enforcement, they told me today, one of the first to arrive at the scene on New Year's morning, on the heels of the officers who were wounded. They worked 26 hours that day, over a hundred hours this past week, and they're exhausted and worried.

At the 12th Night parade last night a police car blared its siren and the woman on the sidewalk ahead of us flinched visibly. That's all I heard that night, she said. She was at the hostel on Canal.

rest easy

 

 

 

 

 

more on 2025 but first Bourbon Street

I had a few things to say about the arrival of 2025 but the attack onBourbon Street pre-empts everything. I woke Wednesday morning to dozens of texts and NOLA Ready alerts and pulled up WDSU on my phone, watching the story unfold in horror. Friday afternoon I walked to the site to pay my respects and yes it was the usual New Orleans chaos, people on Canal loitering, talking, drinking, cars rolling slowly by with people leaning out the window videoing, countless law enforcement and journalists with cameras and microphones.

But the site feels deeply sadly peaceful, candles and flowers and messages, many visitors standing in silence. I felt a deep quiet sorrow and wished the departed souls mercy on their journey. These attacks on innocent souls out enjoying life cut deep, especially in a city which prides itself on knowing how to celebrate.

Maurice Ruffin had something to say in Time. 

To donate: https://www.gnof.org/new-orleans-new-years-day-tragedy-fund-2/

merry merry and mardi gras (while we still have TikTok)

 

@billyeichner What’s a better Christmas movie: ELF OR SCROOGED? #billyonthestreet #elf #willferrell #happyholidays ♬ original sound - Billy Eichner

@lilnasx

♬ need dat boy - Lil Nas X

@alexx_robinson It’s almost that time of year again! I’m so excited to bring you all the Mardi Gras content for 2025! #neworleansmardigras #mardigras2025 #mardigrastips #mardigrasneworleans ♬ original sound - Alex Robinson

@starrr_lover._ ITS TIMEEEE 😍😍😍😍 -I used the clip from last year because it wont let me record/save the new one #fyp #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fypage #foryou #foryoupage #blowup #itstime #christmas #newhears #mariahcarey #snow #viral_video #1stofthemonth #december #fypシ゚ #titkok #dontflop ♬ original sound - ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!

another building crumbles and a parade every Sunday

I’m no closer to understanding this gloriously paradoxical city than I was two years ago. It’s been 0 days since the last building closure for structural damage. (The city even sent emergency alerts last night about the most recent one.)

And at noon on Sunday another second line sets out, one of thirty-seven this season. A social club literally dressed to the nines, a brass band, and dancing in the streets.

 

new music Sunday (yes another one)

 Check out baddy daddy on Soundcloud. I love this artist and his joie de vivre.

BADDY DADDY🎧MUST WEAR HEADPHONES · Featuring The Wilson Sisters, in another Baddy Daddy Mixed Up Production.wav

a vintage haul

I lucked out the other day, stumbled upon a treasure trove of vintage ornaments at a nearby thrift store. As I unwound one clump of newspaper (dated 1999) and then another, the owner offered to sell me the entire dusty bin for $15. Sold, I said, handing over three Abe Lincolns and picked my way carefully home. I netted more than sixty of these babies, some are already en route to excited family members, and I feel so lucky.