I don’t know what to write today. I barely knew what to see today. It’s the fourth anniversary of Katrina, and I am acutely aware that I wasn’t here then. I was living in Hartford, Connecticut, trying to finish my dissertation, missing California, and hating the uncomfortable broken-down office furniture the college had moved into our furnished apartment. I wished I was home. Continue reading
Katrina
Power Pole at St. Claude and Marigny
Sometimes riding my bike just feels like flying. That’s what it felt like tonight, as I rode down to the Marigny to meet friends for drinks. I’d spent the day reading, thinking, writing, cleaning, and cooking, so when night came around, it was time to just fly. Continue reading
Houses at Vicksburg Near Porteous
I finished up some last-minute work on this semester’s syllabi yesterday and decided to spend the waning hours of my summer on my bike. It was surprisingly dry yesterday–N. said it was only 15% humidity–and the sky was blue, no thunderstorms threatening. Perfect. Continue reading
Hip Hop City Urban Wear at Baronne and MLK
I was out late tonight, sipping whiskey on S.’s Treme balcony, listening to her recount her scary car accident of a couple days ago. I’m glad she’s ok and back home, but sad she won’t be able to ride a bike for awhile. Curses, broken hand! When I finally headed home I was very sleepy and in the mood to just ride. Continue reading
Acupuncture at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church
Tonight’s bike ride took me down the the Treme to meet D. and E. for dinner at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church at Marigny and Esplanade. D. and I got there after the service was over but were easily welcomed in for red beans and rice (perfectly seasoned), salad, and bread. Continue reading
FEMA Formaldehyde Trailer Claims Office
Today’s ride took me through the CBD and over toward Mid-City via Tulane Avenue. Tulane is only a couple streets uptown from Canal, but it feels so, so much different. Continue reading
New Orleans Katrina Memorial at Charity Hospital Cemetery
The weather was lovely this morning so i got up early and took a nice long bike ride. A couple of days ago I drove out Canal with the baby sis in tow, looking for Lake Pontchartrain. I ended up in Old Metairie after taking a left, so today I decided to ride out Canal to see where I would have ended up if I’d taken that right. Continue reading
Bikes on Lake Pontchartrain at the Tour de Lis
I didn’t ride a bicycle for three days in a row. I can’t remember the last time that happened. But I was on a trip to Kansas City for a conference, and didn’t bring my bike with me. I rode the bus and walked, jealously eyeing cyclists as they sped up and down the hills on Main Street. After a truly awful flight home (Houston, you’ve got some problems), the last thing I wanted to do was wake up at 6:30 in the morning for a group bike ride. Continue reading
Flowered Vines on Decaying Garage at St. Claude and Piety
For all the talk of thunderstorms yesterday, today was gray, dreary, and just a little bit wet. But after waking up on the wrong side of the bed, I decided this afternoon demanded a bike ride. So I kept my skirt on, grabbed Jack, clipped in, and rode off to meet a friend in the Marigny to do some reading. Continue reading
House at S. Saratoga and Foucher
Today looked so lovely, and it was, but the wind was heavy on my ride home from school. My legs are feeling tired lately, so I was taking it as easy as I could, pedaling lightly down Freret. It is always surprising how different a ride down Freret is from a ride down St. Charles. And they are only a few blocks away. Continue reading