I spent the day at home, reading, watching a documentary film or two, making soup, talking to cats, and just generally being on vacation. Once the clock hit 5:00, though, it was time to get on the bike and head down to the French Quarter to meet D. and friends for food and drinks. I suited up in lights and florescent vest and my helmet out on the corner. I saw a little wriggly movement out of the corner of my eye, and there it was! A little mouse! He hopped up on the curb and looked around all nervously before scampering across the oak tree roots and into the night. Now, if this mouse had been inside my house, I’d be talking about it in an entirely different way, but out there I can keep a safe distance. Continue reading
animals
Zion Travelers Second Baptist Church at Laurel & Peniston
I woke up early this morning, an hour earlier still than up “early,” in fact. My cats were engaged in a face off with the neighborhood dogs through my windowed door, and Sully, my talkative cat, came to tell me all about it. We then engaged in our easy morning routines–Little, my quiet cat, rubbing her face against my pillow, Sully pacing until there’s food in the bowl, Little making biscuits while I read, Sully laying out on her side with her head in some crazy contortion, looking more peaceful than I can ever imagine feeling. La dee dah, they followed me around as I brushed my teeth, ate breakfast (Sully has to sniff everything), and stared at me as I wheeled the bike out (to dog territory) and headed to work. Continue reading
Peregrine Falcon Kite With Realistic Wing Flapping Motion at the Fly
It was another hot and humid day in New Orleans, the sun was shining, and S. was still in town, so after riding our bikes to campus for class, we headed over to N.’s for po-boys at Domilise’s and a bike ride to the zoo. Well, Domilise’s was closed unexpectedly, and the zoo’s closed on Mondays, so we grabbed sandwiches at a terrible restaurant and decided to ride over to the levee to look at the Mississippi River. I could look at that river forever. Continue reading
Streetlight on St. Claude Between Barracks and Gov. Nicholls
It’s termite season in New Orleans. Sigh. This town has more “seasons” than you can imagine, especially for a place where it’s pretty much just a variation on hot and humid all year round. We’ve got the good seasons: king cake, crawfish, creole tomato. And there are the bad ones: stinging caterpillar (!), termite, and, unfortunately, hurricane. Continue reading
Request to Pick Up After Your Dog in the Carrollton Neighborhood
Today was the last day of classes, and though it started off rainy and windy, by the time the afternoon rolled around the weather was absolutely picture perfect. After toasting the seniors with an afternoon beer and toasting the rest of the School of Liberal Arts faculty at our end-of-the-year BBQ, I took the bike around Uptown coffee shoppes and bookstores as I distributed posters for some events coming up this weekend. Continue reading
Miniature Ponies, a Pig, and Two Bunnies in the Chris Owens Easter Parade
It’s Easter Sunday in New Orleans, so you know what that means–parades! I was positively exhausted today, in that way that burning the candle at all ends tends to leave a girl. But once I was out of bed, I put on a pretty dress and some make up and hopped on the Surly to meet friends for yet another celebration in the French Quarter. Continue reading
Chickens and a Rooster on Peniston Near S. Saratoga
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the Saints won the Super Bowl. The streets were quiet as I headed off to work this morning, but just being out there, I could still smell the good cheer in the air. My classes were sparsely attended, and the movie we watched was just about as much as I think any of us could take; celebrating is exhausting! Continue reading
First Quarter of the Fourth Race at the Fairgrounds
It was a warm 74 degrees on a perfect New Orleans Sunday. I slept late, but headed out to the track to meet some friends to catch some racing. The streets were fairly empty, especially since the Saints don’t play until tomorrow night. Continue reading
Pigeons Snacking at the Whole Foods on Magazine
I was prepared for a significant storm today, but that’s not quite what happened. Let me amend–I thought about being prepared for a significant storm, but what that ended up meaning was that I wore flip flops on my ride to work just in case I got caught in a downpour on my ride home. I’ve ruined enough leather shoes in this town already. Continue reading
Frog on an Uptown Window
I’m back from a bike-less trip to California. It was a bit odd, going five days without riding a bicycle, but I think my knees appreciated the rest, and though I didn’t need it, Los Angeles traffic reminded me that I prefer riding a bicycle around to sitting in a car any day. Continue reading
What I Saw Riding My Bike Around Today 