Katrina Update #39Katrina Update #39In Wisconsin (and other northern states that have real Winter weather) there is a saying: "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Winter, Winter." In New Orleans it is the reverse: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, Summer, Summer. Fall and Spring are glorious here, if all too brief. Winter in New Orleans is also brief, and for those raised in the north such as Janis, myself, and our kids, it is a walk in the park. Maybe somewhere in between, such as Memphis, they get all four seasons. Oh, wait. They have a 5th season there. Let's see, I think their seasons go like this: Summer, Fall, Winter, Ice, Spring.
Summer here starts sometime in late April when temperatures consistently reach the upper 80's during the day, and continues until mid-October, when we get our first breath of less humid, northern air. That breath came in just before dawn today and the temperatures will actually struggle to get into the mid-70's today. This is the weather I knew was coming and was waiting for. Now I can go get the debris out of the yard without sweating until every particle of clothing is dripping wet. Yard work. Oh joy.
After moving to New Orleans people would often ask me "how can you stand it down there - it is so hot and humid?" To which I would reply, "No matter how hot it gets, I don't have to shovel it," - a reference to the cold weather and amount of snow received in Wisconsin. It appears I can no longer say that, as I bought a rake and shovel yesterday, and today found me shoveling debris into trash bags. Oh well, at least I did not need to wear a snow suit to do it.
Cary worked his first shift at Coop's Place last night since getting back to New Orleans. Coop had him prepping food last night, which was a bit of a new experience. He is working as waiter tonight. He said Maximo's, just a couple of doors away, will not be reopening — ever. The owner, Jason, is moving to California. Coop's has been extremely busy. So far, they are having their best October ever, and that's with a limited menu: nothing being sold is over $8!! Cary says Jambalya will be ready today.
Another observation I made while driving around the city: the number of blue tarps covering roofs has made it look a little like the International House of Pancakes has decided to put a restaurant on almost every block.
I have added links to web sites that are listing open businesses in the New Orleans area. I thought about doing it myself, but I realized that such a project could rapidly eat up more time than I have to dedicate to such a task.
- Laura was able to return to her home and sleep in her own bed last night. Sorry, boys. No more watching the web cam as she sleeps on the pool table!
After only one day of an extended curfew (to 8PM instead of 6PM), New Orleans decided to do a "split" curfew. Effective last night, curfew in Uptown, the Central Business District, and the French Quarter is Midnight. It remains 8PM in the rest of the city, except for the lower 9th ward, which is still off limits.
In other news, New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin has come up with a plan to revitalize the city. It involves allowing all hotels already in the city to open casinos along Poydras and Canal Avenues. I have not decided if, in the long term, this is good for the city. But but there is no doubt in my mind that this is good in the short term.
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