Silence and space are foods of the spirit; maybe this is how New Orleans has homegrown its vibe – little silence, no space. Many distractions.

For me these are aesthetic distractions, and New Orleans has a specific recipe -maybe street grit meets gorgeous European architecture meets pirate costumes, voodoo bats, skeletons, and red jewels for eyes, meets cheerful squealing brass bands, meets brown wrinkled women in deep V cut dresses meets…this could go on for days.

Last night we went to a jazz venue called Donna’s on the sly to catch a drummer who had applied to the program. They call themselves “The New Orlean’s Moonshiners,” and were fantastic. Just outside the club was some kind of voodoo ritual involving white head dresses, a black frying pan, and low humming. I am told this is because of the equinox.

The culture here seems very much alive and well...

Nola rises!


Ps: If I die an early death, please bring me: red poppies or ranunculus, tomato pin cushions, any partially used perfume bottles, Earl Grey tea, scones, lemon macaroons, baby powder, and cardigan sweaters.

Just kidding.