Dobie Gillis, the city dog

"Hey, look, mom, a garden in the middle of New Orleans, just for me."

This is the perfect fragrance.

Let's go find a girlfriend.

"Oh, my goodness, that is the cutest beagle across the street."

This was Dobie's last New Orleans' journey.  He loved making new dog friends and peeing on building corners.  I hope he will adapt to beach life as easily.  He's been a content car companion and loves when we take him sight seeing.   I bet Dobie Gillis is increasing his vocabulary on our winter journey.  We are going to Eustis, Fl.  for ten days.  I won't have much access to internet for a week or so.  Please stay tuned for a new blog when I have internet again.  Thanks for reading.

Pastor Debra Brown Morton

Pastor Debra Morton

This is Pastor Debra Brown Morton in the photo with me.  She is the pastor of a large church, Greater St. Stevens Full Gospel Baptist Church of New Orleans.  She and her husband pastor another large church of 5,000 in Atlanta. 

Debra was my student at Carter G. Woodson.  When we met this time, it was like we had never been separated.  We instantly loved each other and recognized the like Spirit within.  We spent three hours together on Thursday, another three hours on Friday at a dinner at Paul K’s Kitchen over a scrumptious New Orleans cuisine dinner.  We attended two of her Sunday services and one of her Bible study teachings.  We were so blessed.  I love this lady who has followed God, built two churches with her husband, Bishop Paul Morton,started Women of Excellence in New Orleans, as well as many other outreach ministries for women.  She is known internationally and has preached in Nigeria and London.  She is an anointed speaker and teacher.  She has the same passion and energy that she had as a middle school student in 1967.

 We couldn’t stop hugging and remembering all our school days together.  My time with Debra was both inspiring and humbling that she remembered me so well.  She remembered my words of encouragement, my gurgling giggles, and my eyes that grew so large when I would encounter a new experience.  She said I was so kind that the children decided not to give me a hard time because they knew I would just be nice to them anyway.  I can’t remember my persona at 22 or details of my first teaching job.  I am in New Orleans doing interviews to help me remember these times more accurately.  I do remember the love I had for these kids and the love returned.

My student, Arthur, and I meet again just forty-seven years later.

This is my former student, Arthur McClain, and his lovely wife Cheryl.  We met for dinner at Cowbill’s.  Arthur was the first student from forty-seven years ago that I found in my search.  We met last year and rebuilt our friendship from 1967 when he was my enthusiastic and soft-spoken student.  He would always volunteer to pass out papers, straighten desks, and do drama readings.  He still has a mellow, soft voice and now is enthusiastic about the Lord and how He has protected him through Katrina, poverty, and hardships. 

            Den and I enjoy he and his wife and laugh a lot when we are with them.  We love that New Orleans cooking.  Arthur is a key figure in my book.  I can still see that junior high guy within.  Arthur kept me laughing that first year of teaching, and he still makes me laugh in retirement.  One of the greatest blessings of being a teacher is reuniting with my students as adults. 

Wednesday on Julia Street

Art Galleries

Learning

from others is a most significant use of time.  Creativity is contagious .

Wednesday, as I walked down Julia Street, I popped into 15 private galleries. The spaces were large and deep.  I marveled at the small studio rooms within the large ones filled with three dimensional art and new artists’ works.  Artist installations were dramatic, mostly contemporary work.  I entered one after another and talked to the gallery person in charge and learned so much.  The gallery keepers were so proud of New Orleans, her talent, her ability to spring back after Katrina, and Mardi Gras traditions.  Visiting here for about the tenth time, I still found unturned treasures, new creative ideas, and historical facts for my memoir about the Big Easy. No city compares to New Orleans focus on merriment, love of the arts, classy antique stores, Cajun and Creole food, and historical architecture.  I never tire of driving down St. Charles Street and looking at the well-kept antebellum mansions.  It is a picturesque town with warm and friendly people.  I feel like a child grasping and learning all the things I can in a short time.  Even ten days is too short of a stay in New Orleans.

Reuniting

Rolled back time to 1967 at Carter G. Woodson Jr. High. This is Irene , who is a twin to Earline. (Earline lives in Dallas now because of being transplanted from Katrina.) These ladies grabbed my heart when they were my students.  I have loved them a lifetime.  I reunited with Irene yesterday.  We laughed and shared good times, funny stories, and "how it was" memories.I still felt the same love for her as when she was a seventh grader even though she is a grandma now.

The twins are key characters in my memoir.  They taught me love.

We had red beans and rice because it was Monday in New Orleans.  Christmas decorations are being exchanged for the gold, purple, and green Mardi Gras decor.  Bleachers line the streets for the parades to come.  The city is preparing for the Super Bowl in two weeks.  This is one busy city.

New Orleans discoveries

 January of 2013

I have not blogged for a long time.  I am ready to begin a new slant, a new focus. I can tell from my lack of entries that I am going a different direction.  The timing is right.  I have moved to a new city, and I am on a winter road trip.  So, pick up your imaginary suitcase and go with me on this new journey.

Many of you may know that I have been trying to write a memoir of my first year of teaching in New Orleans.  Den and I integrated schools in 1967.  We did not know we were “token” integrators, but through my research in writing this book, I have discovered many surprising  things about that year.   So, I am going to merge the old with the new.  I am going to write some of my stories, my findings, my understandings, and frustrations of writing this book. I would cherish your remarks, your questions, and even your evaluations if this story holds your interest.  I hope the blog will be more interactive this year.  I am going to have to depend on you.  I value your comments.  I need your reactions.  I hope this new format is interesting to you and helpful in completing my book.  OK, grab your bag and let’s go.