Loose Ends

A few things that I didn’t post which still stand out in my mind from our recent trip to New Orleans:

• There were lots of boats scattered around the streets. You’re just driving down the street and you’ll see a boat sitting there. Surreal.
• A house just half a block from my own was completely flattened, presumably by Katrina’s winds rather than the flooding.
• For years we’ve seen a homeless woman camped out at the intersection of Canal and Broad, bundled up in a heavy coat even in the heat of summer. I’d read on the web that she was still there after the storm, and sure enough — she was. I’m sure she’s there right now. We stopped and asked if she needed some water. She said, “I’ll take some water, but don’t trouble yourself.” We gave her three bottles.