Remembering Katrina

It started on August 28, 2005.

I heard that Hurricane Katrina was classified as a Category 5 and was aiming for New Orleans. It was the storm New Orleanians always spoke of and hoped would never happen. This was the big one.

For the first time in its history, a mandatory evacuation of the City had been ordered by Mayor Ray Nagin. The shelter of last resort? The Superdome.

Call Lisa. She had left well before the evacuation order was issued and was on her way to Houston with the kids. Where's Kevin? West coast trying to head east.

I-10 west from New Orleans #parkinglot

Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005. Initial reports from New Orleans #alliswell

I caught up with Kevin and Lisa on the evening of August 29, 2005, at the J.W. Marriott in The Galleria area on Westheimer. Lisa's family was there.

We ate at Ninfa's by the ice rink. The Galleria was packed and everyone knew each other. THESE were the people who could get out on their own and had a place to go. There was an odd electricity in the air. #distractthekids

There were odd conversations happening. #whathaveyouheard #theleveesheld #neworleansdodgedabullet

I said good-bye to Kevin and Lisa. #hughugkisskiss

I woke up on August 30, 2005, to the news that the levee system failed. #neworleansisunderwater

The reports started coming in that people were stranded in the Superdome. Reports of hospitals without power and flooded. Reports of people in their attics and on their roofs because the water had risen that high. Reports of bodies floating down streets.

Call Kevin and Lisa at the J.W. Marriott. They've checked out. Call Beth. Kevin and Lisa had left and were making their way to Lafayette.

And then it turned out that the reports WERE true. I remember a guy calling in to CNN from Hotel Monaco that he was a guest and was stranded.

Soledad O'Brien reporting from the Convention Center. People went there hoping for help and no one was there.

Where was FEMA? #michaelbrownatruthschris #batonrouge Nagin? #rantingontheradio Blanco? #pissingcontest Bush #onanairplane

There was enough blame for everyone to share. #annericeranting What amazed me was that all of this was happening 300 miles to the east of me. We can airlift food and water to people overseas but we can't help our own? HOW does this happen in the United States of America? HOW do we leave our fellow citizens stranded? WE don't do that but OUR government let it happen.

It still puts a lump in my throat to think this was only 10 years ago. And the City of New Orleans was not the only one affected by this storm. Other parts of Louisiana, and Mississippi and Alabama received their share of damage.

We Will Rise Again - George Rodrigue

Parts of New Orleans have recovered, others have not. People who made their way to Houston...some have stayed, others went back to New Orleans. Why would they do that?

There is something about New Orleans. For some people, it's in their DNA. For me, it's hard to explain. I fell in love with the City the first time I visited. I can understand why someone would go back and rebuild their life.

I've been told by multiple people that I'm an old soul. New Orleans is an old city. It was bound to happen.

It's the people. The people are resilient; it's in their blood. It's the music. #birthplaceofjazz It's the food. #cajuncreole It's the city that care forgot. #laissezlesbontempsrouler It's the city that has always welcomed me with open arms.

Tennessee Williams once said, “America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland.” #iagree

There are defining moments in everyone's lives and unfortunately I have had two within four years of each other...9/11/01 and Hurricane Katrina. Let us never forget.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 06.13.15 - Rodrigue: Houston / Revisted

I returned to Rodrigue: Houston to purchase the book that shows many of the paintings from Don Sanders' collection. Don and Jacques Rodrigue were there to sign the books. It was also family day with arts and crafts for the kids and some free yogurt Pinkberry! You have until July 5 to visit Rodrigue: Houston in West Ave.

Pic Of The Day - 05.02.15 - Everything's Coming Up Roses

So...this is my hat that I created for Legacy Community Health Services' Annual Derby Day Celebration. It's the official kick-off for Mint Julep which will be held on July 19.

I was inspired by the Rodrigue: Houston exhibit that is on display. It consists of a Blue Dog, some roses and horses that I cut out of a plastic table cloth...oh, and a plastic, flying disc kind of thing...oh, and some balsa wood, poster board, a fez, and plenty of duck tape. I was working on it until 12:00PM on Saturday and I had to be at the venue by 2:00PM. It was definitely a Tim Gunn make it work moment. And in my head I could visualize Nina Garcia critiquing it. I definitely could have won an unconventional hat making contest.

To see photos from the event, visit Legacy's flickr page.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 04.22.15 - Howdy Blue Dog! Welcome To Houston!

Every now and then I have one of those days or evenings that will never be replicated. It's a combination of certain elements that create my perfect storm. Don't ask me what those elements are because they're never same. And please note, my perfect storms are usually positive experiences. This past Wednesday night was a perfect storm; a positive one.

Wednesday evening was a VIP Reception/ticketed event for Rodrigue: Houston. It was great to see so many people supporting this exhibit. It was the perfect evening made up of supporters of the arts, champagne and wine, delicious lite bites from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and stunning repartee. Looking back, it was Part II of the evening in September when it was announced that the exhibit would be coming to Houston.

And speaking of September, some of the usual suspects returned: Jacques Rodriguez; Susan Sarofim; Mike Connelly; Don Sanders; Chree Boydstun; and me!

Don Sanders has the largest collection of Rodrigue's work. He has been generous enough to loan some the pieces for the exhibit. And speaking of September, I forgot that we were told we would be listed as a sponsor, so you can see my name on the wall until July 5, 2015. It's a first for me and I'm very appreciative.

The exhibit officially opens today and runs through July 5. It is located in West Ave. (2800 Kirby, Houston, TX 77098 - Kirby @ Westheimer). The exhibit is on the 2nd floor BUT look downstairs and you can see some larger pieces which includes two cows and a fish. Cost of admission is complimentary but I'm sure the foundation will gladly accept donations. And, there are books and art for sale.

#RodrigueHouston

Pic(s) Of The Day - 04.21.15 - Woof!

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity and pleasure of having a private tour of Rodrigue: Houston. The tour was led by Jacques Rodrigue, son of George Rodrigue. There were a handful of us who given insight and background stories of George's paintings.

In case you don't know, I am a big fan of George's Blue Dog. However, I never really understood some of his earlier paintings but I walked away on Tuesday with a great appreciation of his early work. It's the personal stories from Jacques that made the difference.

Houston is very fortunate to have this exhibit. Don Sanders is the largest collector of Rodrigue's work and he has loaned pieces from his private collection for this exhibit. Thank you Don Sanders!
And speaking of his private collection, there is one piece that so not Blue Dog but is Blue Dog and I love and I want it. It is inspired by Chihuly and when you visit Rodrigue: Houston, you will find it in the far diagonal corner of the entrance.

Take Me Back To Texas

Pic Of The Day - 03.25.15 - Blue Dog In Texas

It's going to happen! There will be an exhibit of Blue Dogs here in Houston! The VIP Preview Party is on April 22 and the exhibit will open on April 25 thru July 5. Get more information here.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 02.16.15 - T 'N T From Lundi Gras

Flight delay out of IAH to MSY. I had my coffee, Andy Cohen's book and beads.

My most recent "Keep Calm" poster.

There is nothing else like this Gumbo Ya-Ya at Mr. B's in New Orleans. I wanted to wipe the bowl clean with the bread.

Shrimp and andouille sausage brochettes with green and red peppers with rice and a mustard sauce.

Normally I would stick to just a Martini straight up with a twist but I opted for a King Cake Tini. It was a bit late coming to my table and that worked out for the best. It was better as a dessert drink.

I made my pilgrimage to the George Rodrigue Gallery. Hopefully one day I'll be able to purchase another Blue Dog.

The end of the day's catch. My loot from Orpheuscapade.

I'll try and post more photos from the trip. Check back.

Pic Of The Day - 10.06.14 - Ruth's Chris Revisted

I made a return trip to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and prior to eating dinner we had drinks at the bar.  And...I found another Blue Dog!  The glare kind of distorts it but I love it nonetheless.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 09.10.14 - Birthday

The day in review...

Attended Rodrigue: Houston launch party at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Carne Guisada Gorditas

I love this place.

Restaurant art

Co-workers brought mini-cupcakes from Celebrity Cupcakes.

Rodrigue Houston

What are you doing on September 10?  Don't have plans? Then...plan on joining me at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for the launch party of Rodrigue Houston!

In 2015, there will be an exhibit in Houston of some of George Rodrigue's work.  Learn more about the party here.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 08.12.14 - Some Like It Blue Dog

This is a cake that has an image of George Rodrigue's Some Like It Hot.  Back in June when I was in New Orleans, Chree and I stopped at the gallery.  This was one of the selections available for purchase.  Chree fell in love with it.

One of the interns had this cake made for her birthday.  And...

later that evening at Tony's before the cotton candy arrived,

it was revealed that Chree IS the proud owner of a Blue Dog.

Side Note: The cotton candy photo caused quite a stir.  I posted it on my accounts and all of sudden, I was the one receiving happy birthday wishes.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 06.27.14 - Scenes From A Day In NOLA Part III

One of the sponsors at the conference sponsored a "morning fitness walk" along the Mississippi River.  It started raining.

One of the prettiest buildings in the South, St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square.

This is a light fixture in the Starbucks on Canal Street a couple of blocks up the street from the Sheraton.

3-D Blue Dog in three colours at George Rodrigue Gallery.  It is on a turntable.

Telling it like it is.  A Go-Cup is a Go-Cup.  Only in New Orleans.

NOLA Restaurant

Another evening shower.

Gumbo

Fried chicken

Light installation in the porte-cochère at W French Quarter.