Tuesday, August 10, 2021

RIP Sam Jasper

Sam Jasper loved and fought for the people of New Orleans.  She was their cheerleader.


Photo courtesy of Peter Athas


Sam was strong, opinionated and a had  great style as a writer AND as a person.  

I discovered Sam in the aftermath of Katrina in 2005.  Her blog "Katrina Refrigerator" was one of MANY that detailed New Orleans residents' fight for survival and recovery.  
link http://katrinafridge.blogspot.com/


Here's an example of one some of her posts from b2l2 blog

https://b2l2.com/author/sam-jasper/?fbclid=IwAR3H2WzZJIb58jn5F-sH6GHJYd6ajguvZf4K9rURi1SPuxIW-kVcNZM9oy8


In 2010, for Katrina's 5 year anniversary, Sam and another great New Orleans Blogger - Mark Folse - combined forces and chose the best of the best from NOLA Bloggers' writing in Katrina's aftermath.  They described the book as "An Anthology of Writing from PostDiluvian New Orleans"



check out their Facebook page


Sam leaves behind her loving husband and beautiful daughter.  And a legacy that enriches the understanding of the real New Orleans.










r

RIP Roy Guste

 Remembering New Orleans Photographer Roy Guste.

He enjoyed this facebook page and sharing memories here. https://www.facebook.com/roygustephoto

He will be missed by many that cherish our New Orleans Culture.
Rest in Peace!

Roy Francis Guste, Jr. born October 7, 1951 - August 9, 2021 was a New Orleans author, photographer, and culinary historian.
He has written 10 Louisiana French-Creole cuisine cookbooks. Guste, a noted Creole historian and resident of the historic French Quarter of New Orleans for more than four decades, grew up in the Garden District, New Orleans and studied at the Le Cordon Bleu. Link: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=roy+guste&ref=nb_sb_noss
Guste wrote the 1978 Antoine's Restaurant Cookbook, and self-published a new edition in 2015 which covers the history of Antoine's and Creole cuisine in New Orleans.

He is a contributor to the nationally released multi-award-winning book Orléans Embrace with the Secret Gardens of the Vieux Carré,a compendium with TJ Fisher and Louis Sahuc

The commemorative edition garnered double gold at the prestigious PMA Benjamin Franklin Awards 2007 for "The Best New Voice Nonfiction" and "The Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book Nonfiction." The book received 8 national book awards.
Guste's father, Roy F. Guste Sr. (1923-2010) was co-manager of Antione's.
Guste is the nephew of Louisiana's longest-serving Attorney General, William J. Guste. 

Sunday, August 08, 2021

Justice for Buddy (graphic image)



 While Buddy, a stray Labrador retriever mix, recovers after being intentionally set on fire by a child in Mississippi, a petition drive, Justice for Buddy, continues to garner signatures, and dozens of adoption applications have been submitted.

"He's a loving, forgiving dog," Sandy Williams, shelter director of the Tunica Humane Society, said. "I don't know how he's come through this and kept his tender heart, but he has. He's going to make somebody an exceptional dog."

Williams said they hope to adopt Buddy, and his stray pal, Snoop, together. 

Buddy was found dazed and in shock on Peavine Road in East Tate County on April 22. He had an extension cord twisted around his neck and his face had been set on fire.

A reward of more than $10,000 leading to information and conviction was offered in the following days. Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance then said a 12-year-old admitted to setting Buddy on fire. Because of his age, Lance said under Mississippi law the child could not be prosecuted.

Sheri Webb, a Georgia woman, learned of Buddy's plight and the law,  started a petition drive on Change.org.  Here's the link: 
https://www.change.org/p/state-of-mississippi-justice-for-buddy.


Buddy has been under the vet school's care since April 26, has had two skin graft surgeries performed using North Atlantic Cod fish skin. The fish skins were provided by Kerecis, a medical fish skin company.

While he will likely be able to see, the fire damaged his lids and tear ducts, preventing them from producing enough oil in the tears. Swanson said his eventual adoptive parents will need to use artificial tears to make sure his eyes remain wet enough.

Through everything, Buddy has remained loving and trusting. Swanson said he will cuddle up to his caretakers, resting his head on them, and has even ventured outside, exploring on his own without any help.

"He's very beloved here, he's in all of our hearts," Swanson said. "He's really one special dog."

Williams said she continues to receive updates on Buddy and is excited to soon reunite him with "best friend" Snoop, who is now at the shelter.



The two dogs became strays after their owner gave them up. Williams said they were well known in the area, and a man said the dogs would visit his porch, where he left beds for them to use.

Jazz Fest 2021 CANCELLED

 Thanks to anti-vaxers and anti-maskers, you selfish pieces of shit




Be Grateful

I found out I had cancer in February.  Endometrial Grade 3

Since then I've had 1 chemo session that put me in the hospital for 2 weeks (too high a dosage)

and one chemo that was just right, hardly any side affects.


i lost my hair exactly 14 days after my first chemo:  it came out in chunks. 

Right now my head has fuzzy little hairs growing all over it, like a 90 year old man.  

I hate the way I look, but it is what it is.  I've learned that it's a lot cooler in these hot Louisiana summers.  :)

When I quit smoking 23 years ago I learned that ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.  And it is!!

I'd like to share this little piece that fits with ANYTHING that is happening in our lives.  Once you learn this, you will always carry it with you.

"There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." So she did and she had a wonderful day.

 

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "Hm...mm..," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." So she did and she had a grand day.

 

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.

 

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YAY!" she exclaimed. "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

 

Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly. Be Grateful!"

To the Anti Vaxers/Maskers


The SCOTUS Women

Women of the Supreme Court just did what far too many elected officials have failed to do: they stood up to Trump’s MAGA regime and called b...