New Orleans, 10 Years A.K.

Today is a special anniversary, though not an altogether happy one. Thank goodness for special dates since I seem to need an occasion to get off my ass and write something.

This blog began in 2006 as a one-time, illustrated essay of my impressions of the devastation a year after the storm. I was so taken with what I saw, I needed a new platform to express what I felt. After Images and More became a regular endeavor, an early post in March 2011 was a bit of a rant after seeing the documentary The Big Uneasy.

We’ve been living in Maryland for 25 years and I have not kept up with the city’s developments beyond what’s in the mainstream media. I believe New Orleans is both a great and flawed place. The city has rebounded and recovered in many ways…but in some ways, differently. Demographics seem to be a big part of the reporting and commentary of late. It’s not surprising when natural disasters significantly alter the human environment afterwards. For New Orleans, the local time references now add ‘Before Katrina’ or ‘After Katrina’ modifiers.

I can say more about New Orleans but not now. I want the city to survive. I am not in the “We-should-not-waste-money-to-save-a-city-built-in-such-a-stupid-place” camp. It is a vital commercial hub at the mouth of the largest river transport system in North America. It has a unique history and cultural heritage. It is also home to a half million Americans. Yesterday, I saw Chris Rose, a respected New Orleans journalist say, “The most powerful word in the English language is not ‘love’. It’s ‘home’”. That’s got to mean something.

Every holiday season, I make a calendar gift for a few close family and friends. The images used for certain months often relate to that month, as photo calendars tend to do. Snow scenes in January, grand cathedrals in December and of course, presidents’ graves in February. Another month that has been absolutely dedicated is August. There are always images from New Orleans in August because that’s when Katrina happened.

Since we lived there for over 14 years, I have many images from the city and the region. They illustrate the fascinating environment and culture of the area. I will save further commentary and criticism for future posts and leave this anniversary commemoration to simply show a few of the attractive aspects of New Orleans…all taken before Katrina. If this blog continues, I will reserve August 29 every year for New Orleans images and stories.

Until next time, let this pay homage to a fascinating piece of America.

World’s Fair at Night (1984)

We don’t do “World’s Fairs” anymore. They are expensive and our millennial sensibilities don’t care much for commercial and hokey stuff. The theme for this one was water and light. The grounds, formerly dilapidated warehouse and waterfront, became a terrific place to hang out in the evenings.

City Park (March 1984)

The only house we owned in New Orleans was a block from the largest park in the city. City Park is home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, Tad Gormley Stadium and expansive golfing, tennis and other recreational attractions. I enjoyed taking the tripod there on early mornings to capture images in the moody light.

Mardi Gras Indians at Jazz Fest 1989

Mardi Gras, the event, the season, the lifestyle, is a must-do for everyone at least once. For some, once is enough. For others, it becomes year-round, life-long, reason-for-being. After a few years of steadily declining participation, we spent the rest of our Mardi Gras’ in other parts of the country. However, we never missed Jazz Fest. The music, food, crafts and people-watching were a highlight of the year.

Audubon Park, New Orleans (22 June 2005)

This image was taken nine weeks before the storm. I returned to Louisiana just four months into retirement on my first road trip…The Dead Presidents – Bowling Nationals – Visit the Old Home Town – And Not Be Back at Work EVER AGAIN Road Trip. Audubon Park looked especially good that day and although I have been back to this spot several times, the light, blooms and other elements here have never looked so perfect.