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/

bike n vote y'all

 

second line to the polls

projects abound

It’s been a fertile week conversationally. Circumstances and an overflowing psyche forced me to abandon my usually rigorous schedule of writing 2 hours each morning into finding scraps of time when I can. And suddenly creativity abounds, I’m nourishing ideas and projects to keep me busy for actual literal years.

What we found in my great-grandmother’s things, 20 years afterher passing.

A deeper dive into the aftermath of the arson murders at the Up Stairs Lounge. A pal and I attended the fiftieth anniversary last year, and can’t stop talking about it.

Inappropriate therapists. I’ve had ‘em. You’ve had ‘em. I have a lot to sort through.

--the weed guy

--the boring one

--the needy one

--the BFF

And, this series of tweets. Got almost no attention (understandably, as Helene bore down and the VP debate bubbled and fizzled). But it’s on my mind. The ole inside baseball of literary fiction, success for thee (the chosen, the moneyed) but not for me.

I still have a day job, 2 volunteer jobs and a part-time commitment to dog walking for an ailing neighbor. So, more to come.