Now and Then

Now and Then
Originally uploaded by Gna42.

Well... it's Halloween night and I just got back from Trick-or-Treating with my wife and daughter. We avoided the "gory display" houses as I've had about enough death for one year. It warmed my heart to see the joy on my daughters face when she pointed out another happy jack-o-lantern.

My parents just couldn't stay away from Louisiana, don't ask me why. I guess the lifestyle in Wisconsin was just too "fast" for them. Where else but in Louisiana could one go to the market in their pajamas? Although things are not yet settled my parents are settling a bit. They're staying "across the lake" with my middle sister. I suppose there is something special in the air besides mosquitoes.

We are still dealing with FEMA and Mom and Dad have yet to see any money. My church has been a big disappointment to me as they also have talked a good game but have yet to do anything helpful. We have stopped tithing until we can get our parents back on track. "Faith without deeds is dead," isn't that how it goes?

My older sister is fine now and still living in an apartment in Houston. Her former employer called to ask her back to work in New Orleans and she refused, as her apartment uptown still hasn't power or clean water. I'm not sure if the sewers are working yet either. I'm proud of her as she is taking it slow now in terms of "moving back."

As for myself... this will be the first year I won't have to decide whether or not to return to Arabi for a Christmas visit. I'll miss coffee and beignets and The Camellia grill but little else.

Oh, the picture I've posted with this blog entry is of Katrina waters on the left and Betsy waters on the right, same location. Pray we all wait another 40 years to add to the picture.

CONDEMMED!

CONDEMMED!
Originally uploaded by Gna42.

NOTICE:
Thousands of homes cheap, annual river view.
Call owners (if you can find them).
Call 1-(555) AINT DERE NO MORE

Well, Dad has been to the house, looked about, rooted about... and come away with peace of mind and a decision, DEMOLISH IT!

He was able to get a few mementos and he will be seeing it again with Mom, but the decision has been made. He said he just "Had to see it for myself." And like many others he couldn't believe the amount of damage to the neighborhood and Da' parish. He said all the pictures just couldn't convey the scope of the destruction.

They may not have much now, but at least they won't have to pay to have the house demolished (Including the slab) and hauled away, at least FEMA is paying for that.

Just a musing of my own... will the debris from the neighborhoods end up as land fill in the same areas? It would be ironic to build a new Parish literally on top of the old.

Stopped by Post

Stopped by Post
Originally uploaded by Gna42.

Hello. By clicking on the photo to the right you will be taken to my Arabi/ Katrina photo set at Fliker. Then just click on the "Arabi / Katrina (Set)" link to see all the Arabi pictures.

These pics were taken a couple of weeks ago but I still cry when I see some of them. That fun old neighborhood, now a ghost town. So sad.

Pics On The Way

Pics On The Way
Originally uploaded by Gna42.

Hello everyone. I've noticed a lot of traffic from the former St. Bernard Parish residents and I appreciate it. I've received much help from the St. Bernard Forum users in helping me locate missing relatives and friends. Again, thank you.

My sister Denise shot approx. 50 shots of our house on Benjamin St. and the surrounding area. I will either post the best of them here, and or post them all on a separate page ASAP as soon as I get them.

My sister could not get the pictures developed in Mandeville because of a huge hurricane backlog, but she did get them developed while picking up my parents in Wisconsin. I'm now just waiting for the e-mails.

Hang on, they are coming!

My Mom saw them and said the destruction was just unbelievable (My sister had to tell her which room she was looking at)! I really think these pictures will be useful in helping convince people (My parents included) NOT to return to the area, Understandably they are having a hard time realizing that Arabi is GONE... just totally destroyed and never to be the same.

Check back soon for the pictures.

God bless all of you who are struggling to deal with this enormous tragedy. - Earl