Six months, six days or six years? Which is it???
Hurricane Katrina, or as we call it in New Orleans, "THE THING," or "THE B---H" came through New Orleans on August 29th, 2005, over six months ago in real time. But to me at times it seems like only six days. Because we left town on Labor Day weekend and didn't get back until near Halloween, I've lost an entire season. I still have trouble remembering what time of year it is. I'm comforted to know that I'm not alone. Many of my fellow New Orleanians have expressed the same malady, and the mental health professionals tell us it's something called "post-traumatic stress disorder." Sure, fine, but tell THAT to my grandchildren when I show up at Easter brunch wearing my Christmas sweater!
So many of our neighborhoods are still without electricity and water, because substations and entire infrastructures are gone. The darkness at night without street lights is beyond eerie.
In my own home, the ceilings are still gone because it's hard enough to get someone to secure the outside. Although, we've made some progress- it only rains in my kitchen now. So what, I've got Mexican tile in there. I just throw down a few towels and I'm good to go.
I've found my doctors, but the hospital I use was washed away in the flood. It has to be imploded and a new state of the art hospital will replace it in about 3 years. Fortunately, all of my medical records are safe. Unfortunately, they are still out of town somewhere, but should be located soon. I had a much needed Mammogram scheduled for September 2nd of last year. (I'm a breast cancer survivor.) As soon as I can find my films, I'll reschedule. And to think, I used to hate going to get a Mammogram. I don't care what you say, being excited about being able to schedule medical tests is just not normal. But, then if you've followed my ramblings since Katrina hit, I haven't been normal for a while.
But, it could be six years if you stay on the "sliver on the River" or the oldest area of town where the flood waters did not reach. The French Quarter, Uptown, Garden District, Art/Warehouse District and American Sector, are normal,(give or take a few blue roofs). Uptown, where I live, the restaurants are open, (Notice my priorities!) We have grocery stores, the farmer's market is back, and as of last month we now have a 24 hour pharmacy. Eureka!
Ways to help
Are you an animal lover? If so, here's a great way to help us. Our zoo and aquarium are in desperate need of funds. The Audubon Zoo was unscathed, but was closed for so long (it's now open 5 days a week} that revenues are down drastically. The Aquarium of the Americas lost power for over a month. So, while many of the animals were transferred to other aquariums around the country, many of the fish, including all the sharks were lost. It should open in April.
You can help by adopting an animal or fish from the Audubon Institute website. I just gave my grandson a lemur for his 4th birthday. One or our favorite movies is Madagascar, so I knew he would like that. He gets a photo of his adoptive lemur, a story about it and an invitation to "parents' day" at the zoo.
City park needs you too
Anyone who has been to New Orleans in December has no doubt been to Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans City Park. Our park has the largest stand of live oaks in the world and the decorations and activities at Christmas time are wonderful.But this urban forest suffered a lot of damage in the storm. It flooded and many of the trees were lost due to wind or standing flood water. If you want to help, you can adopt a tree or if you're in town, you can volunteer to clean up or plant trees.
The Katrina Krewe
Another way to help if you're in town is to join the Katrina Krewe . This army of local volunteers cleans up a different neighborhood each week and can use all the help they can get.Save our Cemeteries
New Orleans is famous for our "Cities of the Dead," the above ground tombs and beautiful art of our cemeteries have always been a must-see tourist destination. But nothing is sacred to a hurricane. Our cemeteries suffered a lot of damage from Katrina. Fortunately, there's a great organization, Save our Cemeteries, that is dedicated to preserving our heritage.Thanks to all
Bottom line, we are getting along with a little help from our good friends like you. Thanks from all of us here in the Big Easy.
