How Much Does It Take?

As an educator (reveal to those who don’t know me, I’m a college instructor), it boggles my mind that so much can be spent on those in schooling and receive so little to show for it. By that, I mean subject proficiency and graduation rates.

Greening the Crescent City

New Orleans has always been famous for its wide, tree-lined boulevards. It gives a certain beauty to the city that is often absent from other cities in America. One thing that I’ve always wondered upon, though, is the lack of edible plant material. I can recall when I was young that both sets of my grandparents had numerous fruits and veggies growing in their yards, be it merliton, figs, grapes, pecans, and even pepper bushes. I just don’t see that much these days.

(Hollygrove Market Garden, photo courtesy LSU Ag Center)

Happy Independence Day!

Just wanted to say happy 4th of July to all of you, my readers. Remember the sacrifice the Founders made in order to bring their descendants (us) greater freedom.

 

Two Wheels Good!!

Bicycles are a fun, inexpensive, and practical form of locomotion, given the weather, of course, which isn’t always the best along the Gulf Coast. But, when it is, it’s also great exercise to boot. New Orleans in particular is a bit schizophrenic for bicyclists. There is very little in the way of grading (other than near the levees or over bridges), but to counter that is an antagonistic population of motor vehicle drivers and hellacious potholes to dodge. This, nevertheless, still doesn’t daunt people from bicycling in the city proper

The City of Dis

As I stroll along the sidewalks of New Orleans (carefully, I might add, as they are often broken), I often chance upon sewer lines leaking, with algal growth accompaniment  from all the nutrients available to the slime. Daily, I drive my vehicle down the broken, pock-marked streets which are more akin to a war zone than those of a developed nation. I sit back now and wonder “Where is my tax money going”?

It’s *that* time of year again…

…for those of you who live along the Gulf and US Atlantic coasts to start thinking about tropical storms. I understand it’s a tired issue for many of us who have lived here most or all of our lives, but as New Orleans in particular has had a rather large influx of “new blood” over the past few years, I believe it is good to go over some simple ideas and guidelines. Also, it does not hurt the storm veterans to refresh their hard-earned training.

Renewal

One can go out an read all the numbers and statistics they want about vacancy and abandoned buildings in New Orleans they want, and I’m pretty certain it is probably the truth, but I can say that New Orleans is rebuilding. Every day I see old homes being renovated and new ones being built.

When the gold stops shimmering…

….this is how I feel about the social scene in New Orleans. It is complete sensory overload. Although there has always been a healthy festivity culture here, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s become a bit too much for me after all these decades of reveling in such. It seems that there is always (and I mean ALWAYS) at least 3 major events any given week. I’m suffering burnout.

Summertime in The Crescent City

Although the calendar says summer doesn’t officially start until June 21st, it’s been warm and balmy for about 2 months now, and I couldn’t be happier, although I must admit to enjoying the air conditioning after a hot, sweaty day and hitting the showers.

Louisiana Wetlands and Urban Renewal

A previous research interest of mine in graduate school was wetlands restoration, and it still holds a special place in my heart. This subject can be a sticky one in implementation, as many different groups are involved, have/want to have some sort of say, and this crosses both public and private domains, from flood control, to water flow, to even oyster fishing. Needless to say, there has been much bickering and research, but little action.