[OT] Going Home to New Orleans

For Thanksgiving. We'll be staying with my daughter Erin and her family in
their newly renovated house (I'll take piccies). It will be the first time
I've seen my mom in almost 6 years - she's 81 years old and hasn't been the
same since she lost everything to Katrina. I'm going to see my brothers in
their new homes (not finished yet, but not everyone is as industrious as
Erin and Greg have been). I'm going to see childhood friends I haven't seen
in over 15 years!

Julie and Sam...

Purrs on the way for a safe and enjoyable trip.
Julie, Hobbes, Lacey, Sam and Barnabus

CatNipped...

Thanks Julie!

My d*ckhead of a boss is making me work the full day (until 6pm)
tomorrow, so I won't be getting home until close ot 8PM (or later given
this is the end of day before a holiday), so we'll be arriving in NO
*VERY* late - I hate late night driving, it can be so dangerous and I
worry about Ben falling asleep at the wheel. I *NEVER* fall asleep
without a sleeping pill, so I'll probably do most of the driving! ;<

However, as anxious as I am to see everyone, I'm very worried about seeing
my home town in its current devastation. I've seen all the pictures. (And
believe me, it's still almost as bad as right after the storm - did anyone
else see "Comic Relief" last night? It was dedicated to Katrina relief and
there was lots of stories and pictures of how bad it still is for almost
everyone.) But it's not the same as taking your childhood memories and
overlaying them with scenes from a disaster movie.

I'll check back in after we get back and post pictures.

Kreisleriana...

Blessings and purrs on you, your family, and the whole city.

CatNipped...

Thank you, Theresa!

Hugs,

CatNipped

Theresa

Make Levees, Not War

Victor Martinez...

I hope you have a great, even if bittersweet, time.

Joy...

I can imagine that it will be a very bittersweet trip. I hope you enjoy
your time with your friends and family, and that your visit helps your
mother to feel better about things. I can understand your feelings about
seeing your home town.

((((((((CatNipped and family)))))))))

CatNipped...

I'm really worried about my mom because she just *WON'T* feel better
unless she can go back to Chalmette to live. That's her home... always
has been her home, and always will be her home - and nothing else
feels the same to her. When she is there she is depressed about all
the devastation surrounding her (they have only bulldozed *ONE* house
in St. Bernard parish that I'm aware of). But when she is in her
assisted living apartment in Metairie she is depressed because it's not
home.

It's hard to make others understand the insular cohesiveness of the
people in that particular place (indeed, I don't really understand it
myself even though I grew up there - I was the only person I know who
wanted to get away from there). But the people there are willing to
live in dangerous, noxious, unhealthy conditions** just to be there
where they've lived their entire lives. It's like there's some kind of
special force that keeps people from leaving for any period of time -
really, really unlike any other town I've seen. It's not just a
feeling of homesickness, it's almost a physical manifestation of being
drawn back to that place! Sorry, I really can't explain it better than
that. It's weird!

**The chemical tanks of the oil refineries surrounding the parish where
overturned and overflowed during the flood. The chemicals seeped into
the ground and into the water table. They are still testing, and
"officially" it is inconclusive as to the lethal effects of all that
pollution, but every medical professional I know says that they
wouldn't let *their* family live in that parish!

Hugs,

CatNipped

mlbriggs...

Have a good time and forget the troubles (if possible). Who will care for
the furry ones? MLB

Sam...

Have a great trip. Eagerly awaiting the pix.