Week in Review – September 28, 2025

“New Orleans – amazing music on every corner”

Monday was a day of rest and recovery after a very busy previous few days.

We invited Kenny to join us to see the documentary “Last Class” on Tuesday. This is about the last semester that Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, taught his “Wealth and Poverty” class at the University of California in Berkeley. The class is about the widening income and equality gaps, but I think the most poignant parts of the film are when Reich reflects on his teaching career and what it means to retire. As the son of two highly dedicated educators, this film really resonated with me. I strongly recommend seeing this film if you can find it.

If you’d like to know some more about Reich’s life and the positions he held in government over many, many administrations, you can check out this blog post that I put together after watching the film:

My Robert Reich blog – biography and links to his writings and podcasts

Trivia Tuesday was a mediocre performance. Thom had some correct answers that we didn’t use for various reasons – mostly that he wasn’t emphatic enough that he really knew the answer. We did get the last question correct and added twenty points to our total, breaking one hundred:

Do you know the order, North to South?

It’s Oslo, Ottawa (we had a lot of debate over which was further north), Oklahoma City, and then Ouagadougou. If you’re like me you’re wondering where the heck that last place is. Well, it’s the capital of Burkina Faso. Not helpful? I know. Here’s the location in West Africa:

Don’t forget that for the next time it comes up in trivia (ten years from now.)

Diana began Wednesday in typical form – a run in the park followed by yoga. She always seems pumped and energized on return. This time she stopped at Whole Foods and brought me some delicious Indian food for lunch. That might have been my reward for attempting to strap the silly Halloween spider to the porch column – I realized it was a two person job after my third attempt. It took about a minute with Diana’s help.

Having completed “project spidey”, we took on replacing a can light in the kitchen. The hardest part was hauling the very heavy “little giant” ladder in from the three car garage (small ToughShed) and setting it up for McD to scale. She had the replacement installed very efficiently.

In the evening I half watched the “America’s Got Talent” show while reading – that was until this crazy trapeze performance. I’ve never seen anything quite like that.

A street singer busker from New Orleans, Jordan Blue, won third place in the finals.

I started watching a Netflix series, Black Rabbit, with Jude Law and Jason Bateman later in the evening. It’s very dark but very good. Most episodes are directed by either Bateman or Laura Linney, with somewhat of an “Ozark” feel.

We tried to play pickleball at the New Orleans Athletic Club on Thursday morning. It’s outdoor and it had rained a bit in the morning – so it was a no go as the court was too slippery. We decided to take a look anyway and it took some work to find the thing. Make a turn at the vending machine by the stairs to the pool. We did and it didn’t seem right – no signs and an outdoor walkway that customers would never be allowed to use in other states – and there it was:

The hidden joys of a very old athletic club – we’ll be back to play in a few days. I do have to wonder why they have big speakers spaced every few feet around this courtyard space.

Kenny invited me to go to lunch and shopping for Kara’s milestone birthday. He very efficiently procured something from Kiki Huston, one of Kara’s favourites. Kiki is quite the artist with silver and gemstones.

The Dutch Alley artist co-op was an interesting place – painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelry and others all in one place.

Next stop was Port O’ Call for lunch. Your choice is a burger or a big steak. I opted for the mushroom cheeseburger.

There are no fries, salad or other side choices. Only a baked potato and choice of toppings – cheese, chives, bacon, mushrooms, sour cream. It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a baked potato.

The burger and potato were both delicious and I had nice leftovers for post-nap afternoon snack time. The newspaper had their “Best of New Orleans” issue this week and I wasn’t surprised to see Port O’ Call with a few mentions:

I really enjoyed this Diane Millsap canvas painting of Port O’ Call:

Looking into her other works, I found this very nice St Charles streetcar painting:

Diana had read something online about a “one day only” tasting of five different sashimi grade tunas at GW Fins on Thursday evening. I shuddered to think how much that would cost, but decided to go with it. We’ll sit at the bar and if it’s ludicrous then we can just have a drink and leave. I was still pretty full from the burger and tater but would try something if forced to. It turns out the sashimi was reasonably priced and amazing.

Diana declared the cognac French 75 that the bartender created for her “the best I ever had.” Seems like we were off to a good start. She loved all the sashimi tuna. I tried her favourite and it was very fresh and delicious, albeit not my go to food group.

I gave into pressure and ordered the fried oyster “Bahn Mi.” I put quotes on that because it was brioche toast and not a steamed bun. This was ridiculously tasty:

Diana, not having sucked down a burger and tater at lunch, was still hungry. She had the tuna tartare tarts – I sampled one and they were also ridiculously good.

One has to wonder why we have never been to this restaurant before. We loved everything about it. Answer – there are just too many amazing places in this city. Look at all these “best of” awards this place won this week in the newspaper polls:

You’ve read my musings about number 2, Peche, and I do think for pure seafood, GW Fins is superior.

Ahead of Galatoire’s? I have so many wonderful memories of number 2 – bachelor party, Cowboys-Saints game with the maître d wearing my Cowboys jacket, Halloween with Diana. I don’t agree that GW Fins comes out ahead of the overall Galatoire’s experience. And that is just what it is – my opinion versus the readers. They can’t get them all correct.

Another disagreement so soon? Yes! Commanders is the place to get dressed up and go and do the fine dining with fun. GW Fins was certainly fine dining but without the je ne sais quoi (pizzaz) of Commanders .

I’m going to let this one slide. And if you’re not from New Orleans, I know you’re tired of reading these debates already. I love the garden at N7, as you would have read last week. Diana did mention the semi-circular booths at GW Fins that she thought were “very romantic.”

One last “best of” – Diana’s favourite New Orleans place, Cafe Degas, was voted best French restaurant. And it’s the antithesis of what that term might evoke – very casual and reasonably priced with wonderful food.

I awoke Friday, picked up my phone, and noticed the cards in the back sleeve sliding around unusually – where’s my usual credit card that locks them in there? Oh no – I left it at GW Fins. How could that have happened? I have a system, a best practice even – put the card away before signing the check. Ugh! I locked the card and went about my business for a while. We had a walk and run in Audubon park (humidity down now and almost bearable.) After that we went to Martin wine store to put together a gift basket for Kara’s birthday on Sunday. While waiting on Diana to choose things, I made a call to GW Fins – yes they had my card and, although not open, would be happy to bring it out to me, if I called them on arrival.

We decided to go and get the card while the basket was being assembled and shrink wrapped. They always say fifteen minutes and take at least thirty. I was so excited to drive up Bourbon Street and into the French Quarter for a second time in two days – it’s a lot of work to avoid all the human obstacles. I retrieved my card and we drove back to Martin to pick up the gift basket.

The basket was not to D’s standards – they had a package of something with a big price tag in the middle. Everyone agreed it obviously needed to be redone. Said Andrew, “they gave me a lot of wine training and not much gift wrap training.” We sat in the parking lot and waited for the redo – nicely done.

I went for a haircut on Friday afternoon, and was looking forward to hearing about Derek’s (barber) update on his trip to a wedding in Australia. I was surprised when he told me that the Australians tried to ruin his trip – they see Trump on TV all day and assumed he was a disciple – such a sorry global situation. I felt badly for him as Diana and I have had nothing but wonderful experiences with the Australian population. Times change.

I had a coffee and picked up a “puzzle” for Diana on my way home. Aquila bistro has these “blind date with a puzzle” offerings. I was hoping the “surreal” piece wasn’t going to be another Salvador Dali puzzle. Let’s see:

No, not Dali, but a lot of detail in that tiger’s neck. The puzzle has already been started with pieces being organized in the drawers of the puzzle board. I predict significant progress while I’m watching football today.

Due to the summer humidity, it’s been a while since we spent time on the Columns porch or patio. The evenings are now great for patio sitting, and so we decided to support the NOLA x NOLA music week offering of River Eckert and Matt Perrin on the Columns porch.

River is fifteen and plays and sings like an old veteran, and has for a couple of years now:

Here’s one of my favourite of his videos. That’s our favourite New Orleans artist, Frenchy, painting away behind him:

For more about River Eckert, check out this post:

River Eckert – videos and biography

I love this video of Matt Perrin doing the “Baby Elephant” walk in a club on Frenchmen:

We started Saturday with a trip over to the Bywater Bakery. This is about a fifteen minute drive from home, and close to Elizabeth’s. As previously discussed, we thought fifteen minutes was “close by” in McKinney, while in New Orleans it’s almost outside the acceptable drive circumference.

Kyle Roussel, genius level local pianist, was advertised to be playing at the bakery. I expected an old upright piano, a la Booker session at the back room in the Maple Leaf (Andre Bohren last week.) No – this was the grand piano in a pickup situation. Note the ladder to get in the bed and sunshade.

The bakery is amazing. Always in the running for best King cake and with some amazing looking sandwiches and pastries – I’m coming back for lunch soon.

Kyle is one of my favourite pianists – so creative and with such a unique touch and style:

Here’s a track from his album, “Church of New Orleans”, with John Boutte:

Diana, Kara and Nina enjoyed the cabana and pool at Merry Lee’s condominium on Saturday afternoon – early birthday celebration for Kara. Diana took two kinds of Chantilly cream cakes from Bywater bakery to the pool. Apparently they were well received by all three girls.

I saw a piece about Major General Joseph McNeil on a Sunday news program. He was one of the “Greensboro Four”:

“On February 1, 1960, McNeil and his fellow activists, Ezell Blair, Franklin McCain and David Richmond, walked together from the university’s library to the Woolworth‘s store in downtown Greensboro.^[12] Once there, the men purchased some items, and then sat down at the “whites only” lunch counter, where the group was refused service. McNeil and the group stayed until the store closed, and then left to return the next day.”

I visited that Woolworth’s on a trip to Greensboro while working for AIG. Such a sense of history looking at it.

More here:

Major General Joseph McNeil

I’m watching football now – the Saints are actually almost hanging in there with the Buffalo Bills. I had predicted a massive blowout for the Bills. Football is so slow with so many commercials that I usually catch up on my magazine reading during a game. The cover of the New Yorker this week made me laugh:

I finished up “I Might be in Trouble” by Daniel Aleman this week. Lots of entertaining twists in the tail. I really enjoyed this read, but be careful if you don’t like the dark and different stuff.

This showed up on one of the final pages:

““How is—” “Listen, I was thinking,” he says. “Would you want to go grab dinner? Or drinks? I just… wanted to celebrate with you, unless you have other—”

Begin rant – When did the “grab” verb insert itself into these kind of phrases? I don’t ever want to “grab” dinner or drinks. I want to sit down, relax and leisurely enjoy them. I see it in buttons to click to buy tickets for a movie or a show – “Grab your tickets now.” I’m fine with “buying” a ticket but not really interested in “grabbing” one. Rant over.

I also read “Kermit Ruffins and Vaughan’s Lounge” by Jay Mazza, inspired by his turn as an interview host for the book talk at Octavia last week. This was wonderful and reminded me of my first night in New Orleans and is a short manifesto on why we moved here.

A quote prior to my first visit to New Orleans:

“Kermit’s gig at the tiny Bywater club has become the spot for up and coming and established jazz stars to jam in a low-key setting to a truly appreciative crowd. You never know who’s going to show up, and this night proves to be incredibly special. Pianist Henry Butler sits in for the entire second set and leaves the keys burnin’ and smokin’ with his monstrous chops. Probably the single best soloing of the entire year. Kermit was good too.”

On my first ever night in New Orleans, Henry Butler sat in with Kermit. I could not believe the piano virtuoso I was hearing in this tiny dive bar – not to mention Kermit on the trumpet, the ridiculous bass, and the strong drumming. After reading this book, I understand a bit more of all that went into creating that.

And thanks to Anne for stopping to introduce Mr. Butler to me on her way to getting him a cab (he was blind.)

I’m glad I finally made it to the city I knew I should be in after that first night.

I enjoyed this piece in the New Yorker by Zadie Smith about writing essays for tests and otherwise:

Zadie Smith – on the impersonal essay

I like to read “five albums that I can’t live without” on Spin magazine’s site. This week made me smile. The comments on Springsteen’s Nebraska from a metal guy were so on point with my feelings and so well articulated ahead of the new movie about this album starring Jeremy Allen White (of the Bear):

His second choice reminded me of a night in New York with the late Greg Holowach. We arrived at a cigar bar and the bartender put on this album. I started talking to the guy next to me about it and he went DEEP into the musical technicality of it. I can’t remember a good example. I finally asked him what he did for a living. “I write symphonies, and my latest is being premiered by the New York Philharmonic tonight. I’m too nervous to attend.” Huh – feel free to critique Radiohead with me then…

And lastly, the third choice from this metal dude, I listened to extensively in my bedroom, fascinated by how these guitar and jazz parts went together:

Weird that all those three parts were in different sizes and different fonts on the same technology – not my IT problem anymore. I did remind Diana that we saw Johnny Depp perform with Jeff Beck shortly before he died (Beck, not Depp). “Isolation” was the song they swaggered through together.

I love the trombone rhythm section on this:

And finally something from the master:

Coexist peacefully, with patience and kindness for all.

River Eckert – a brief biography

We first saw River perform at the Booker Fest at the Maple Leaf Bar either one or two years ago – Diana and I can’t decide. He was amazing amidst all the old veterans and was either 13 or 14 at the time. We saw him last night on the Columns hotel porch as part of the NOLA x NOLA music week. He was playing with Matt Perrin on the tuba – a very fun combination.

I love his latest video with one of our favourite artists, Frenchy, painting behind him, and all the New Orleans murals:

And then there’s this gem, reliving Dr. John’s performance at the Band’s Last Waltz show and movie:

He seems to be having so much fun making music – long may that continue.

Now, here’s some deeper biographical information that my AI friends gathered for you:

River Eckert: Carrying the Torch of the New Orleans Piano Tradition

Early Life and Musical Roots
River Eckert was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 9, 2009. Bandsintown+2OffBeat Magazine+2 He comes from a deeply musical family: his father is Jake Eckert, a guitarist associated with groups including the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the New Orleans Suspects. Live Music News and Review+2Tipitina’s+2 Surrounded by the sounds of his city from birth, River was steeped in the New Orleans musical heritage—rhythm & blues, funk, jazz, blues, and the distinctive piano styles that have made the city famous. OffBeat Magazine+2OffBeat Magazine+2

He began playing piano at age three. Bandsintown+2Tipitina’s+2 At first his training was classical, but early on his teachers and those around him recognized his affinity for New Orleans styles—blues, jazz, funk—and encouraged him to explore and integrate those elements. Tipitina’s+2Bandsintown+2

Musical Style, Influences and Development
River Eckert is known for his deep respect for and immersion in the classic New Orleans piano tradition. His influences include legends such as Professor Longhair, James Booker, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, and Art Neville. OffBeat Magazine+3Bandsintown+3OffBeat Magazine+3 Young as he is, River aims not merely to emulate, but to carry the torch of that tradition—drawing on its rhythmic complexity, emotional directness, and richly varied lineage. OffBeat Magazine+3Bandsintown+3OffBeat Magazine+3

Beyond solo piano work, he performs in full band settings, singing as well as playing. His performance style reflects a maturity beyond his years, balancing showmanship and musical depth. OffBeat Magazine+2Bandsintown+2

Performance Milestones
Even as a teenager, River has attained considerable visibility in New Orleans and beyond. Some of his performance highlights:

Debut at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2024, at 14 years old—he ascended from performing on smaller stages like the Children’s Tent and RhythmPOURium to larger venues like the Blues Tent. OffBeat Magazine
Regular appearances at notable New Orleans venues including Tipitina’s, the Maple Leaf Bar, Chickie Wah Wah, & others. OffBeat Magazine+3Tipitina’s+3Bandsintown+3
Performances at music festivals such as the French Quarter Festival, NOLA Funk Festival, Oak Street Po‑Boy Festival. Bandsintown+2OffBeat Magazine+2
Shared stage with respected New Orleans and regional musicians: George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville, Stanton Moore, Anders Osborne, Terence Higgins; also with members of the brass and funk / R&B scenes. Bandsintown+2Tipitina’s+2

Recording and Future Directions
River has begun laying groundwork for recorded output. His debut single, “Pass That Torch,” came out in October 2024. Bandsintown+1 He is working on his first studio album, with collaborators including George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville, Terence Higgins, Cornell Williams, Raymond Weber, John Fohl, among others. The album is anticipated to be released in early 2025. Bandsintown+1

He has also been featured in video recordings with Playing for Change, an international multimedia project. Bandsintown

Personality, Mission, and Impact
Though still young, River Eckert has articulated a mission: honoring and preserving the piano traditions of New Orleans, while adding his own voice. He has been quoted as saying that “playing at Jazz Fest is a dream come true,” noting that he’s attended it almost every year of his life. OffBeat Magazine His early years of study—classical discipline followed by embracing the improvisation, rhythmic drive, and soul of blues and jazz—have given him both technical foundation and expressive agility.

Peers and critics alike comment on his remarkable poise, consistency, and versatility—from solo piano recitals to full band, from covers of classic New Orleans repertory to original work. Tipitina’s+2OffBeat Magazine+2

Challenges and Outlook
Growing up in New Orleans carries advantages—rich musical culture, mentors, live performance opportunities—but also challenges faced by all young artists: balancing schooling, growing public expectations, finding one’s own voice amid venerable influences. River seems to be navigating these with humility, passion, and steady progress.

Looking ahead, the full album expected in 2025 is likely to be a key moment: consolidating his growing reputation, extending his reach beyond local stages, and helping to define what the younger generation of New Orleans piano players can contribute.

River Eckert: A Young Keeper of the New Orleans Piano Flame

River Eckert was born October 9, 2009, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and at just 15 years old is already making his mark as one of the most promising bearers of the New Orleans piano tradition. rivereckert.com+1 From his earliest years, music was part of his DNA: his father, Jake Eckert, is a longtime musician and producer who has played with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the New Orleans Suspects, among others. Live Music News and Review+4AOL+4rivereckert.com+4

Early Years & Family Legacy

River’s affinity for piano emerged almost before he could remember. He began by age three, initially studying classical repertoire under formal instruction. rivereckert.com+2OffBeat Magazine+2 But his teachers soon realized that he had an uncanny ability to absorb blues and jazz styles, and encouraged him to explore those idioms. rivereckert.com+1

In a conversation on the Tales From the Green Room podcast, River reflected on the benefit of having older veteran musicians around him in New Orleans:

“It’s not ever annoying to hang out with older people because they’re the ones with the knowledge. … So when I’m around all those guys, it’s just I soak up any information that I can possibly get.” Tales from the Green Room+1

Indeed, the city’s musical ecosystem became his classroom.

His father, Jake, has spoken about how River’s musical roots reach further back in the family. Jake recalled that their great-grandmother was a vaudeville musician, performing in silent-movie era shows, and that his grandmother traveled in performance circuits. Jake described it as both “a blessing and a curse” to carry forward that lineage. Tales from the Green Room

Jake also described his own upbringing in New Orleans’ musical community — backyard gatherings, inviting local musicians to perform over crawfish boils — as fertile ground for River to grow up absorbing music as part of life. Tales from the Green Room

Musical Voice & Influences

From early on, River has been deeply immersed in the lineage of New Orleans piano giants: Professor Longhair, James Booker, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, Art Neville, among others. Live Music News and Review+3rivereckert.com+3OffBeat Magazine+3 His goal is often framed in his website’s biographical summary: to “carry the torch” of the New Orleans piano tradition. rivereckert.com+1

He balances reverence for tradition with an appetite to bring his own voice forward. In festival settings and band lineups, he moves between solo piano, vocal-led songs, and full band arrangements. rivereckert.com+2Live Music News and Review+2

At the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, he made his festival debut at age 14, initially playing in smaller stages (the Children’s Tent and RhythmPOURium) and then moving up to the larger Blues Tent. Reflecting on it, he said:

“I’ve gone to Jazz Fest just about every year of my life. So, getting to play at Jazz Fest is a dream come true.” OffBeat Magazine

Performing at such festivals is not just a career milestone — it’s a full-circle moment of being both audience and artist in his hometown.

On the significance of New Orleans as more than a backdrop, he has remarked:

“You can go anywhere else in the world to learn rock music or even straight‑ahead jazz — you can learn it in many places. But the only place you can come to learn New Orleans music is New Orleans.” NOLA Funk Fest

He also spoke candidly about the “main stage” leap in festival settings:

“When I played the Passing the Torch stage, it was my first time playing with my own little band … I’m really looking forward to [playing on] the main stage. … It just sounds exciting.” NOLA Funk Fest

In other words, the journey is as important to him as the destination.

Performances, Collaborations & Recordings

River already has an impressive résumé of venues, festivals, and collaborations. AOL+5rivereckert.com+5rivereckert.com+5

He has performed at:

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, multiple times, moving into larger stages. OffBeat Magazine+2rivereckert.com+2
NOLA Funk Fest, where he graduated to main stage status. NOLA Funk Fest+2rivereckert.com+2
French Quarter Festival, Oak Street Po‑Boy Festival, Bayou Boogaloo, among others. AOL+2rivereckert.com+2
Local New Orleans venues: Tipitina’s, Maple Leaf Bar, Chickie Wah Wah, Civic Theatre, House of Blues. rivereckert.com+2rivereckert.com+2
Piano events like WWOZ Piano Night, where he appeared in 2024. WWOZ New Orleans 90.7 FM+1

He has shared stages and recording space with many notable figures in the New Orleans and broader musical world: George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville, Terence Higgins, Luther Dickinson, Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Fred Wesley, Reggie Scanlan, Kirk Joseph, Donald Harrison Jr., and others. OffBeat Magazine+3rivereckert.com+3rivereckert.com+3

His recorded singles already hint at ambition. His debut single, “Pass That Torch,” dropped in October 2024. rivereckert.com+1 He followed with “Hey Hey Hey (Fi Nah Nay)” in February 2025 and “Painting Pictures” in April 2025. rivereckert.com The full album is anticipated in early 2025. rivereckert.com+1

He is also featured in Playing for Change video recordings, helping extend his reach beyond local scenes. rivereckert.com One such video is “St. James Infirmary | River Eckert | Live Outside” under the Playing for Change banner. MVOTD

Perspectives, Challenges, and Vision

Though young, River’s reflections show a maturity and humility grounded in his context.

In the Green Room conversation, he acknowledged feeling the weight—and benefit—of being a teenage musician surrounded by older veterans. But he approaches it with eagerness:

“I soak up any information that I can possibly get.” Tales from the Green Room

More broadly, he embraces the idea of continuity:

“From a very young age, River has been surrounded by music … he is passionate and dedicated to ‘carrying the torch’ of the New Orleans piano tradition.” rivereckert.com

His path is not without tension. He must balance schooling, expectations, and the pressure of growing in public. But in interviews, he focuses on the joy of performance, the thrill of shared improvisation, and the pride of representing his city’s distinct musical heritage.

His father, Jake, also gives perspective on the generational thread: he describes River’s link to earlier musical eras via family stories, and the responsibility that comes with inheriting that legacy. Tales from the Green Room+1

Looking ahead, River’s upcoming album will likely act as a marker—not just of technical and compositional growth, but of how a young musician chooses to situate himself in the lineage of New Orleans piano. If past is prologue, his intent to absorb, honor, and innovate suggests a future in which he becomes not just a protégé of the tradition, but a forward‑looking voice in its evolution.

Robert Reich Biography

This post was inspired by a movie that I saw this week – “The Last Class”

Before we jump into the biographical information on Reich, here’s a link to his most recent blog post – very interesting from my perspective:

Reich blog on awakening the giant

And here’s a link to his website which contains a myriad of interesting and though provoking content:

Robert Reich website

Here’s a summary biography from Wikipedia:

About Robert Reich 40 years in education.

Robert Bernard Reich (/ˈraɪʃ/ ^ⓘ RYSH;^[2] born June 24, 1946) is an American professor, author, lawyer, and political commentator.^[3] He worked in the administrations of presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter,^[4] and he served as secretary of labor in the cabinet of President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997.^[5]^[6] He was also a member of President Barack Obama‘s economic transition advisory board.^[7] In 2008, Time magazine named him one of the Ten Best Cabinet Members of the century;^[8] in the same year The Wall Street Journal placed him sixth on its list of Most Influential Business Thinkers.^[9]

Reich has also had a long teaching career. From 1981 to 1992 he was a lecturer at Harvard University‘s John F. Kennedy School of Government^[10] and from 1997 to 2005 he was a professor of social and economic policy at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management of Brandeis University. In January 2006 he was appointed Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.^[11] He taught his last class at Berkeley in the spring of 2023^[12] and is currently Emeritus Carmel P. Friesen Professor of Public Policy.^[11]

Reich has published numerous books,^[13] including the best-sellers The Work of Nations (1991), Reason (2004), Supercapitalism (2007), Aftershock (2010), Beyond Outrage (2012), and Saving Capitalism (2015). The Robert Reich–Jacob Kornbluth film Saving Capitalism debuted on Netflix in November 2017, and their film Inequality for All won a U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Achievement in Filmmaking at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.^[14]^[15] He is board chair emeritus of the watchdog group Common Cause and blogs at Robertreich.org.^[16]

Here’s what ChatGPT generated when asked to write a one page biography:

Robert Reich – Biography Summary

Robert B. Reich is an American economist, professor, author, and political commentator widely known for his work on economic inequality, labor policy, and public policy. Born on June 24, 1946, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Reich has had a distinguished career in public service, academia, and writing. Despite being diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Fairbanks disease (which affects bone growth), Reich became a prominent and influential public intellectual.

Reich earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, won a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University, and later received a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. He began his public service career in the administrations of Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. However, he gained national prominence as Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997. During his tenure, he focused on job training, worker rights, and raising the minimum wage.

After leaving government service, Reich transitioned into academia and public advocacy. He has taught at Harvard University and is currently a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Reich has authored numerous influential books, including The Work of Nations, Aftershock, Saving Capitalism, and The System, which critique economic inequality and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable economy.

Reich is also known for his engaging public communication, including documentaries like Inequality for All (2013) and Saving Capitalism (2017), and his active social media presence where he continues to comment on economic and political issues. Through his work, Robert Reich remains a leading voice in progressive economic thought and a staunch advocate for social and economic justice.

Week in Review – September 21, 2025

“Good Friends + 4 Days in New Orleans = Priceless”

When I left you last Sunday, the Cowboys and Saints were both losing. The Cowboys did finally manage to eke out a win with an amazing 64 yard field goal by Aubrey – he is certainly a bright spot on the team. The Saints were not so fortunate either that Sunday or particularly the most recent Sunday.

Augie was busy for several hours decorating for Halloween:

Diana had a routine medical test on Monday that required fasting for a while. I gave her the choice of where to have lunch afterwards. “Let’s go to Shaya, we haven’t been there in while.” It was shortly after 11am and there were two other folks in the place. The temperature was set to very cold and so we asked to sit on the patio. Apparently opening the patio door to serve us was going to be too much. So we left for plan B.

Red Dog Diner was happy to sit us outside. We missed the 8-10am morning Happy Hour but I had a frozen Irish coffee anyway (a meal in itself.)

I entertained myself in the afternoon with the Americana music awards while Diana napped. John C. Reilly hosted and did a nice version of Tom Waits’ “Picture in a Frame:”

Mary and Chuck finally arrived in Scotland on a trip that Mum helped them plan a while ago:

I’m looking forward to hearing about it.

I met my friend Fred from Plano (really from New Orleans originally but now lives in the Dallas area) for Happy Hour at the Evangeline on Tuesday afternoon. I picked the location so that Fred could walk from his sister’s house and that worked out very well. This is one of Kenny’s favourite bars and I felt guilty going for the first time without him, but had a great visit with Fred.

Trivia on Tuesday night – all good through the first half and then we took a nosedive. We were close on this final question. You had to guess within five of the total and we were just a few outside that. The only one we knew with certainty was the hockey goals – seven.

Diana began Wednesday in typical fashion – a run and then yoga. Then we went to look at a house on Nashville Ave that had a nice pool, pool house, and way more rooms than we need. Too much upkeep and maintenance on that place.

We got some culture on Wednesday evening at a reading at Octavia books. Here’s what their email said about the event:

“From the legendary producer of Nick Drake, R.E.M., Toots and the Maytals, and Pink Floyd and author of White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s comes a riveting, world-spanning tour de force illuminating the artists, histories, controversies, and collaborations that shaped global music.”

I enjoyed the stories and music that he played. I picked up a book by the interviewer, Jay Mazza, about Kermit Ruffins and Vaughan’s lounge. Mazza attended over 300 Thursday night shows at the venue with Kermit and band. That’s where I ended up on my first ever evening in New Orleans and I was sold.

One of my favourite songs that I heard that night:

Back at the house we watched an episode of the new “Morning Show” series – not too exciting yet.

April and Jason, friends from Austin, arrived on Thursday morning. We had a nibble on a breakfast casserole that I made for the first time – yummy, and then it was off to Commander’s Palace for lunch.

After the usual trio of small soups, I passed on the usual stuffed quail and tried the cochon de lait tostada – a good new option. And of course, you can’t finish without the whiskey souffle:

Next up, Booker Sessions at the Maple Leaf. This week was Andre Bohren and he was strictly classical – none of the hybrid style that Booker is famous for creating. Lots of Chopin and Liszt.

A brief stop in to Jacques-Imo’s for alligator cheesecake and a hello to Debra, and we had day one of the visit in the books.

Our guests had not spent time in the French Quarter and so we rectified that with a brief ramble on Friday afternoon. We stopped in the lovely Peychaud’s courtyard where Jason fell in love with the Hurricane cocktail.

We had the obligatory wander down Bourbon Street and back up Royal Street, then caught a car over to N7. This is always such a lovely place to take guests when the weather is nice. The garden seating worked out very well, and we were able to share several menu highlights: tomato salad (the popping flavours), octopus, duck liver pate, tarte flambee traditionelle (always a highlight for me with those lardons and caramelized onions) and steak au poivre.

After that N7 feast, we regrouped and made a visit to Dos Jefes to watch the Joe Krown trio. After a bit of a late start (actually 30 minutes late is pretty much on time for New Orleans) we were treated to one of the best performances that I’ve heard from Joe.

We met the local krewe (Jack, Alex, Thom, Laura) at Oak and Ale to watch football on Saturday afternoon. That gave April and Jason a chance for a repeat French Quarter visit and another Hurricane.

We enjoyed dinner together at the Bouligny Tavern. How did they get that smoky char on the broccolini with the burrata? The deviled eggs were also very fancy:

We planned on Elizabeth’s in the Bywater for brunch on Sunday. I had a last minute thought that it would be nice to invite Chris who lives close. Diana did not he was joining until she saw his bike parked in front. Nice surprise!

They always have such a good selection of brunch specials – hard to decide:

The Cowboys and Saints both lost their games in the afternoon – the Saints by the worst margin since the 1970s – going to be a long season for them.

I’m a little over half way through “I Might be in Trouble” by Daniel Aleman. I’m finding it well written and funny so far, albeit a bit dark. Here’s the online summary:

“A “hilarious, suspense-filled” dark comedy about a struggling writer who wakes up to find his date from the night before dead—and must then decide how far he’s willing to go to use this as inspiration for his next book (Entertainment Weekly).

A few years ago, David Alvarez had it all: a six-figure book deal, a loving boyfriend, and an exciting writing career. His debut novel was a resounding success, which made the publication of his second book—a total flop—all the more devastating. Now, David is single, lonely, and desperately trying to come up with the next great idea for his third manuscript, one that will redeem him in the eyes of readers, reviewers, the entire publishing world…and maybe even his ex-boyfriend.

But good ideas are hard to come by, and the mounting pressure of a near-empty bank account isn’t helping. When David connects with a sexy stranger on a dating app, he figures a wild night out in New York City may be just what he needs to find inspiration.

But after one of the best nights of his life, David wakes up hungover but giddy—only to find prince charming dead next to him in bed. Suddenly faced with the implausible idea that he may have actually killed his date, David calls the only person he can trust in a moment of crisis: his literary agent, Stacey.

Together, David and Stacey must untangle the events of the previous night, cover their tracks, and spin the entire misadventure into David’s career-defining novel—if only they can figure out what to do with the body first.”

The passing of Robert Redford brought to mind this song from Allison Moorer that she performed in “The Horse Whisperer:”

Take a listen to this gorgeous cover of “Dancing in the Dark” that Jason shared with us:

Coexist peacefully, with patience and kindness for all!

Week in Review – September 14th, 2025

“Hello Cleveland”

Monday was the fist low humidity day in months and we took advantage by walking down to Aquila Bistro and Cafe. It’s only half a mile away and we haven’t been since it opened in what used to be the Rabbit’s Foot (a coffee shop that I really enjoyed.) The food and coffees were very good and the service excellent. We’ll put this back on the rotation – we have so many good coffee shops in walking distance, particularly as it starts to cool off a wee bit.

Diana got avocado toast which was served with tater tots (her number one comfort food), eggs and a salad. All very good. The shop had a clever item for sale – “A date with a puzzle.” These were jigsaw puzzles wrapped up with a description that included the number of pieces and three words to describe the subject. Maybe I’ll have to go back and get one for McD to do on a rainy day.

I’ve been working to step up my omelet game in retirement. Plenty of time for chives, avocado and radishes to spice up the presentation:

We were planning to see the Spinal Tap II movie on Friday, followed by the “Hello, Cleveland” cover band. In anticipation we had Kenny, Kara, Thom, Libby and Jack over to watch the original movie on Monday night. The classic line from the original is that their amplifiers go to “11.” Diana helped me adjust mine to the same:

Spinal Tap II was filmed mostly in New Orleans with cameos from Paul McCartney and Elton John. The cheese shop scenes were filmed in the store next to my barber, Aidan Gill, and he provided the “green room” for the day with Guinness and Irish whiskies. Diana and I wandered by and saw Rob Reiner directing the action in “Nigel’s Cheese Shop.”

I ordered up some coasters and a wee Stonehenge (plays a role in the original movie stage set) to make things fun.

We had a fish and chips dining theme (would have been better if Jack had remembered his freshly caught snapper) with malt vinegar and tartar sauce – the easiest British food we could come up with on short notice.

Here’s the trailer for Spinal Tap II – complete with the Stonehenge themed 2:

I thought these beers were funny – came across them while shopping for Monday dinner with Jack “O”gan.

We seem to think we won trivia on Tuesday – there appears to be some confusion but we’re going with it. The only questions I knew were these two:

“Fuddy Duddy”

“Jimmy Johnson”

By the time I called Denny on Wednesday morning he had already heard from Jack that I was minimally helpful.

We made it to the Hot and Soul restaurant next to the new Trader Joe’s for lunch on Wednesday. This is a single shotgun house and seemed to have an interesting menu. I enjoyed the veggie curry and Diana had a tasty ceviche. We sat at the bar and I was surprised when one of the cooks proceeded to chop up more than a dozen onions on a surface just behind the bar. I asked the bartender/waitress why he didn’t do that in the back instead of bringing tears to all of our eyes. I got what I’m sure she thought was a funny reply, but it just seemed rude and flippant to me. Not sure I’ll be rushing back to this place.

Diana led an expedition to the Banks Street Bar on Wednesday evening to listen to Mia Borders perform. This was a pleasant neighbourhood bar and Mia played a good set that started on time at 6pm – always appreciated by the old folks.

We split a burger from the place next door and enjoyed it with the music.

“Set It Up” was a funny movie that we watched later in the evening.

Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell were very entertaining.

I accompanied Diana to a doctor appointment on Thursday and then we made a visit to Octavia books – such a nice store and much expanded. I picked up the Tom Piazza book about his friendship with John Prine and “Buckeye” by Patrick Ryan. More to come on both of those soon.

We picked up Kenny and Kara for the Spinal Tap II excursion on Friday evening. Here’s how the Broad newsletter advertised the event:

“First up, on Friday night, we have a twofer of Spinal Tap bliss! At 7pm, we will screen the film at The Broad Theater, then immediately following, Broadside will host HELLO CLEVELAND, the greatest (and maybe only?) Spinal Tap cover band. Hello Cleveland is compromised of Marc Paradis on guitar, Beth Patterson on electric bouzouki-tar, Dave Pomerleau on bass, Mike Barras on drums, and Josh Paxton on keys (most of the members from Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes). Check-in will be at the theater where you will be given a wrist band to enter Broadside.”

The movie was very funny and well done – I enjoyed it even more than the first one. Diana was particularly entertained – haven’t seen her laugh as much at a movie ever. We both remarked that it was fun to watch a movie in a full theater with folks that were enjoying the humour.

The cover band of all-star local musicians was also very entertaining. What a lot of work those guys did for a one night only performance. Here are some highlights:

“Heavy Duty”:

The wonderful pianist, Josh Paxson, doing an intro to “Stonehenge”:

A couple of clips from “Stonehenge”:

Jeff was in town solo on Saturday to attend his Mom’s birthday on Sunday. Merry Lee had to attend a funeral. We met Jeff at the Rusty Nail (walking distance from his condo) to watch the LSU college football game.

We left at halftime and watched the conclusion (a nice win for LSU) from our respective homes. Jeff enjoyed the Rusty Nail and was excited that it was dog friendly.

Diana joined me on a walk to French Truck coffee this morning. I realized on leaving that I had made quite a mess on the floor with my very flaky and delicious croissant.

I’m currently watching the Saints struggle to get anything going against the San Francisco 49ers. And there was just an update that the Cowboys (not on TV in New Orleans) are losing to the Giants. There’s still time for both teams to recover.

This article in the Tuesday newspaper reminded me of the literary geniuses that have inhabited New Orleans over the years:

William_Faulkner_(1924_publicity_photo_-_pipe).jpg — *William Faulkner is shown here in 1924, just a year before he arrived in New Orleans as an aspiring writer.*

For aspiring writers, New Orleans in the 1920s wasn’t just another city; it was a cultural crucible where artistic voices were forged amid a tolerant, bohemian atmosphere. For William Faulkner, his transformative stay in the French Quarter in 1925 proved pivotal, marking his transition from an aspiring poet to a fledgling novelist and profoundly shaping his literary trajectory.

When Faulkner arrived in January 1925, a few months after his 27th birthday, he was only passing through on his way to Europe. But he quickly fell under the city’s spell, finding in its French Quarter a poor man’s Paris where he could live cheaply and richly among artists.

He rented a modest apartment in Pirate’s Alley (then Orleans Alley), today a literary landmark. This lean living situation was part of the Quarter’s allure: Low rents attracted a diverse creative class that lived and worked cheek by jowl in its crumbling townhouses.

The city itself was a sensory feast. Faulkner wandered its alleys with his notebook, soaking up what he called the “city’s sweet stink,” the cacophony of street vendors, jazz and dialects swirling together in the Quarter’s courtyards and cafes.

“The brooding and timeless quality of the city,” he observed, “is broken only by the sudden raucous cry of a newsboy or the ironic laughter of a drunk.” It was the city’s unapologetic pageantry and mercurial cast of characters, observed with a sharp outsider’s eye, that would teach him to inhabit perspectives far beyond his Mississippi roots.

According to Jay Watson, recently retired Distinguished Professor of English and Howry Professor of Faulkner Studies at the University of Mississippi, New Orleans offered the young writer something Oxford, Mississippi, could not.

“In Oxford, Faulkner was condescended to for wanting to live a life of the mind,” Watson said. “In New Orleans, he found an aesthetic metropolis — a community of like-minded people that gave him permission to stay with this kind of life.”

A decisive influence during this period was Sherwood Anderson, the celebrated author of “Winesburg, Ohio,” who had made New Orleans his semiretirement home. Anderson encouraged Faulkner to abandon poetry for prose, advice that changed the young Mississippian’s life. Anderson also introduced Faulkner to his New York publisher, paving the way for his first novel, “Soldier’s Pay.”

Faulkner never forgot the kindness, later dedicating the book to Anderson. But as Watson notes, Anderson’s impact went even deeper: “Ironically, one of the most important things Sherwood Anderson ever did for Faulkner was to tell him to leave New Orleans — to go back to Mississippi, to the place he knew best, if he really wanted to maximize his talent.”

The French Quarter’s literary ferment brought him into orbit with other figures, including William Spratling, John McClure and Roark Bradford. Spratling, a Tulane architecture instructor and Faulkner’s housemate, collaborated with him on “Sherwood Anderson and Other Famous Creoles,” a satirical limited-edition book that caricatured the bohemian circle around them.

*William Faulkner sold stories to The Times-Picayune during his stint in New Orleans.PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMUEL BIRDSONG*

McClure, an editor at The Times-Picayune and the influential Double Dealer magazine, became one of Faulkner’s earliest champions, publishing his first poem and later his experimental prose sketches.

The Times-Picayune itself became Faulkner’s training ground. He sold numerous short stories and sketches to the paper, often earning $5 to $15 apiece — much-needed income for the young writer.

His series, initially titled “Mirrors of Chartres Street,” offered slice-of-life portraits of the city’s inhabitants, written with a poet’s ear but shaped by the practical realities of newspaper work.

Paid by the inch, Faulkner learned to adapt his lush style into something immediate and concise. “Being paid by The Times-Picayune must have been empowering for Faulkner,” Watson said. “For the first time, he was making coin for his writing — not vanity press or favors from friends, but real income. It helped him believe in himself.”

Beyond journalism, New Orleans gave him experiences that became raw material for fiction. A disastrous yacht excursion on Lake Pontchartrain with Anderson and other artists — plagued by mosquitoes, engine trouble, and frayed tempers — would inspire his second novel, “Mosquitoes.” The Quarter also encouraged him to experiment with shape-shifting into character, vanishing into other voices and perspectives. As he later reflected, New Orleans was a place where “imagination takes precedence over fact.”

The results were extraordinary. In just a few short months, Faulkner published 16 stories in The Times-Picayune Sunday Magazine and nearly completed “Soldier’s Pay” in his Pirate’s Alley apartment. These achievements launched his career as a novelist, providing the confidence and momentum that would carry him through the masterpieces of the next decade.

Carl_Van_Vechten_-_William_Faulkner (1).jpg — *William Faulkner’s life as a man of letters and one of the United States’ most important writers began in New Orleans.LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/ CARL VAN VECHTEN PHOTO*

Faulkner’s time in New Orleans was brief, but it became a lifelong touchstone. Later in life, he remembered the city with affection, saying he “had more fun there than I ever had and ever will have again anywhere now.”

As he once wrote in his early sketches, “Here is the substance of a thousand dreams, their beauty broken, trampled, and cast aside. Yet it still clings, the romance of a past that will not pass.”

For the Nobel laureate who would one day bend time itself into fiction, it was New Orleans that first gave him permission to play, to absorb the chaos of modern life, and to transform it into art.

The Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society will mark the centennial of Faulkner’s New Orleans year with a festival Sept. 25—28, a reminder that the city continues to celebrate the writer it once helped transform.

Joseph S. Makkos is a New Orleans — based archivist, writer and director of Intelligent Archives, a company dedicated to preserving and reimagining historic newspapers.

I hope to be able to attend the Faulkner festival this year.

My book this week was “The Grand Paloma Resort” by Cleyvis Natera. This didn’t hold my attention too well – lots of peaks and valleys with the storyline feeling a bit repetitive quite often. I would recommend skipping it. Here’s the online summary:

“The Grand Paloma Resort is a lush paradise in the Dominican Republic where the guests enjoy incredible luxury, and the staff is always eager to please—that is, until they are pushed to the brink.

Laura is a local Dominican woman who, through sheer hard work, has risen through the ranks to become manager at the Grand Paloma Resort. Her idea to pair a “platinum” guest with their own resort employee to attend to their every whim has been wildly successful, and she’s just weeks away from a promotion that could blaze a path for her off the resort and toward a life of opportunity. If only her younger sister, Elena—who she’s looked after since the death of their mother—could get with the program.”

I made a start on “Living in the Present with John Prine” by New Orleans resident Tom Piazza, and can tell that I’m going to really enjoy it.

Here’s an online summary:

“A vivid, joyful, moving window onto the life and heart of an American icon.

In the spring of 2018, Tom Piazza climbed into a 1977 Coupe de Ville with the great singer-songwriter John Prine to write an article for the Oxford American. Their Florida road trip ignited a deep friendship, full of tall tales over epic meals, long nights playing guitar and trading songs, and visits back and forth between their homes in Nashville and New Orleans. Along the way, Prine invited Piazza to work with him on a memoir, with John telling sprawling, often hilarious stories of his youth and family in Chicago and Kentucky, his breakthrough into the national spotlight, his riotous early years in the Nashville country scene, and much more. When Prine died suddenly of COVID in April 2020, that unfinished memoir evolved into an intimate and very personal narrative of the artist’s final years. In it, Piazza offers fans an unforgettable portrait of the beloved musician in his late glory―as a boyish cut-up, an epic raconteur, a great American poet, and, most important, a beloved friend.”

A couple of favourite passages so far:

Describing a ride in a massive 1977 Coupe de Ville:

“He gets in behind the wheel; I climb back into the marshmallow-white leather interior next to him, and as the engine starts with a Wagnerian roar a middle-aged guy walking in front of us-startled-gives us a grin and a thumbs up.

“I like giving people a smile when they see this car,” Prine says, happy as a man can be. “This car brings back dreams.””

On first seeing Prine perform at the Saenger theater in 2016:

“At one point I realized that tears were running down my cheeks. The lone figure on stage, ravaged by time and circumstance, yet standing there and delivering this painful beauty into the cavernous theater, alone…it occurred to me right then that I might want to write something about him, although I wasn’t sure just what or why.”

It’s been a while since we had anything from the inimitable Billy Preston:

I love the guitar sound on this one:

Another sweet sounding, laid back guitar:

Coexist peacefully, with patience and kindness for all!

Week in Review – September 7th, 2025

“Getaway to Bay St. Louis”

You should see this one handed catch if you missed the Miami vs Notre Dame college game last Saturday:

I’m sure Timmy didn’t love the C.J. Daniels acrobatics.

I listened to this Fresh Air podcast during a walk in the park on Monday. It featured late 80s interviews with Charles Brown and Ray Charles. Highly recommended. Charles Brown playing live in the studio is easily worth the listen.

We made the short (one hour) drive to Bay St. Louis on Tuesday afternoon. I rented an Airbnb for a few days and we invited Kenny and Kara to join us. We arrived before check in time and so had a relaxing drink at Barracuda tacos – this is the sister of the place that we have on Magazine St in New Orleans, but I think they make better drinks.

You can see how close Barracuda is to the Airbnb – it’s right next to PJs Coffee:

We were very pleased with the house on check in. The pool and outside seating areas were great.

It came with a golf cart and bikes that we didn’t use – everything was within close walking distance.

There were some interesting features – a parking meter mailbox and “Seize the Bay” neon sign (once I figured out that there was a fancy remote to turn it on):

Diana and I walked to the Thorny Oyster for dinner on Tuesday evening. We passed a few interesting buildings on our walk (church and courthouse).

This ended up being one of the best meals that we’ve had in a long time – in a large part due to the recommendations from our waiter Zak. We shared three small plates – whipped ricotta with “reds” (apparently Argentinian red shrimp), crab claws with a wonderfully good sauce (Zak joked about bringing a straw to enjoy all of it, and apparently I was the only person in months to take advantage of it), and a tuna tostada with massive cubes of very fresh tuna.

I like the oyster wallpaper in the restaurant. Seems appropriate for Diana’s office given her penchant for those creatures:

Kenny and Kara arrived later on Tuesday evening and we enjoyed relaxing by the pool for a while.

The girls went for a run along the beach on Wednesday morning while Kenny and I enjoyed a breakfast snack at Barracuda.

That was followed by pool time and then lunch at the Blind Tiger. Here’s some history on the name:

This was an easy, casual beach front place with good food and service.

Randy and Amy (friends who live in Bay St. Louis) came over in the afternoon. Amy showed up fully loaded – pool floaties and pump, Old Fashioned cocktails with large ice cubes and cherries, and cookies. The perfect guest. We had a very enjoyable afternoon and early evening visiting by the pool. Amy suggested Trapani’s for dinner and I think everyone enjoyed their meal. I had a fresh and well cooked trout and I know Kenny really enjoyed his steak.

Later that night, as we were watching some of the tennis, Kara entertained us with a comedy bit on all the ways the professionals played a similar game to her – “They hit it into the net, I hit it into the net.” You had to be there.

Thursday began with pickleball. They had some city courts that were no cost – just rock up and play. Good fun.

We followed that with a well earned breakfast at the Mockingbird Cafe – just across the street from Barracuda and very close to the house. Kara and I enjoyed frittatas, avocado toast for Diana, and a yummy looking breakfast burrito for Kenny.

Kara and Kenny left in the early afternoon so that Kenny could be back in time to teach his tennis clinic. I do love that when he commits to something, you can 100% count on him to execute.

We had a pleasant evening walk over to the Depot district – this is where the railway station is located and it has grown into a small retail area. There is a duck pond and you can buy feed at the depot.

A rail service from New Orleans to Mobile with stops in Bay St. Louis started a few weeks ago. They call it the “Mardi Gras Express.” I might consider it for our next trip – $15 and about an hour.

We walked from the Depot down to the beach and along to the Thorny Oyster. I didn’t enjoy this meal as much as the last one – no Zak for starters. The Italiano salad that we split was large and very good. The calamari was good but not the best that we’ve had.

We were home in time for some pool time before the Cowboys and Eagles game. The Cowboys played better than expected but came up just short 20-24 after an hour long lightning delay. This meme about Jerry Jones trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers made me chuckle.

I’m not laughing as much after just watching Parsons make an amazing sack for the Green Bay Packers – the closing speed!

Friday had a leisurely start. Sleep late and then pack up and make sure we take care of everything on the checkout list. Then back to the Mockingbird Cafe. This time I got the biscuits with sausage gravy and a fried egg – delicious. Diana reprised her avocado toast and added some excellent bacon (a meal in itself.)

We had an easy drive back and even stopped at Trader Joe’s to pick up some supplies once we reached New Orleans. We’re hosting a “Spinal Tap” watch party on Monday, ahead of the release of “Spinal Tap II” next Friday. We picked up some fish and chips type snacks for that.

Back at the house we watched the Djokovic vs Alcaraz tennis semi-final – very good tennis.

This article showed up in the Saturday newspaper. So funny how this happens sometimes – all about the recovery of Bay St. Louis since Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago:

“Katrina battered Bay St. Louis — destroying half the city’s homes, blowing out the bridge that connects it to Pass Christian and decimating the population. The downtown area, once busy, was essentially flattened to a blank slate.

Recovery was a yearslong effort sustained by an outpouring of assistance from the government, volunteers and locals who stayed. Public buildings, roadways and vital bridges were eventually repaired and replaced by federal money. By 2013, new developers were flocking to downtown as longtime business owners rebuilt.

Today, the ghost of Katrina’s devastation is hard to find in most parts of Bay St. Louis. In Pearlington, though, it lingers just about everywhere.

A town reborn

On Friday, the anniversary of Katrina, Nikki Moon sits in her Bay St. Louis home and remembers that day 20 years ago. When the storm hit, she clung to a bald oak with her Scottish terrier and three guests from her bed-and-breakfast, Bay Town Inn.

Today, that tree still stands by the inn. Carved into its branches are two angels, one facing the water and another looking toward Beach Boulevard, lined with busy seafood restaurants and palm trees rustling in the breeze.

Even on its slower days, the town’s rebirth is unmistakable.

On the corner of Main Street and Beach Boulevard, a couple walks into Pearl Hotel with rolling luggage. A few blocks away, in Mockingbird Cafe, a group of locals sit at a table and talk about how Bay St. Louis has transformed in the last decade.

“It is a community that came back very strongly,” Moon says, “And its people are really something special.”

Several businesses, including Bay Town Inn, began reopening on Beach Boulevard in 2013. Moon had applied for a $150,000 grant from the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, which she said gave her “the seed money” to rebuild her bed-and-breakfast. The county’s tourism office also provided funds for advertising.

“We had no roads. We had no water. We had no power,” Moon says. “Our infrastructure was starting from scratch. The city and the county had to raise the money.”

Bay St. Louis slowly came back to life, regaining its pre-Katrina identity as a quaint art colony and weekend retreat for New Orleanians.

Moon sold the inn in 2022 to Jim MacPhaille, a New Orleans developer who owns a restaurant and several other businesses in Bay St. Louis. A decade earlier, he had already seen the town’s potential.

In 2013, MacPhaille purchased two buildings on Main Street. Despite its damaged infrastructure and lack of tourism, he recognized how Bay St. Louis was “eager to get things done” as storm recovery in New Orleans lagged.

But still, “business was tough,” MacPhaille said. “Back then, they were barely making it. We had like three or four tenants roll in and out.”

In 2018, he opened two New Orleans staples — PJ’s Coffee and Creole Creamery — in his two buildings on Main Street. Today, that once-empty corridor is filled with new boutiques and restaurants. There’s little trace of the blight Katrina left behind.

Signs of hope

Even in Bay St. Louis, the story of recovery extends beyond downtown.

A few blocks away in the Depot District, new restaurants, boutiques and other businesses have opened across from the Amtrak train station, where Bay St. Louis is a stop along the Mardi Gras Service from New Orleans to Mobile. In other parts of the city, new subdivisions are emerging with houses and condos.”

We enjoyed a walk/run in the park on Saturday morning. Diana had planned on playing pickleball on Saturday evening but didn’t know about the need to register ahead of time and just missed a slot. Lesson learned. We watched some TV instead – a Catherine Zeta Jones movie called “The Rebound.” Not too bad.

Sunday was about sports – U.S. Open men’s final (relatively easy Alcaraz win) and Saints loss. I’m hoping the Lions come back against the Packers soon.

My first book this week was “I Regret Almost Everything” by Keith McNally. I enjoyed this a lot and read it in a couple of days. I used to love eating at Odeon when I was working on Wall Street for AIG – it was an easy walk and I loved the feel of the place and the quality of the food. Reading this book I learned a lot about the history that I didn’t know at all. Here’s the online summary:

“The entertaining, irreverent, and surprisingly moving memoir by the visionary restaurateur behind such iconic New York institutions as Balthazar and Pastis.

A memoir by the legendary proprietor of Balthazar, Pastis, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi, taking us from his gritty London childhood in the fifties to his serendipitous arrival in New York, where he founded the era-defining establishments the Odeon, Cafe Luxembourg, and Nell’s. Eloquent and opinionated, Keith McNally writes about the angst of being a child actor, his lack of insights from traveling overland to Kathmandu at nineteen, the instability of his two marriages and family relationships, his devastating stroke, and his Instagram notoriety.”

The book starts right out with McNally’s stroke and then rewinds through all of his previous accomplishments:

“After the doctor left, I tried wriggling my arms and legs to check that I wasn’t paralyzed. I wasn’t, thank God. To test my memory, I wrote the alphabet on the back of the nurse’s chart. I then tried saying the letters aloud, but here there was a problem. The words wouldn’t conform to my efforts. They exited my mouth in such a slurred and disorderly way that I sounded like a stage drunk. But this was a small price to pay for my stroke. My first stroke, that is. Because the next day the artillery arrived and gave me such a hammering that in one fell swoop I lost the use of my right hand, right arm and right leg. And my slurred speech, perhaps in fright, went AWOL. Overnight I was confined to a wheelchair and deprived of language. So much for The Restaurateur Who Invented Downtown.”

McNally describes the days following his stroke in a shared ward:

“I shared a ward with five other men whose ages ranged from forty to eighty. At night, with words inaccessible to me, I’d listen in awe to them talking. Speech suddenly seemed like a divine accomplishment. Even everyday words had an element of poetry to them. I dreaded the moment when the men would stop talking and I’d be left with my own thoughts. Sleepless, half-paralyzed and unable to speak, I felt buried alive. More than anything, I wished the stroke had killed me.”

Talking about the desire to keep on building and creating rather than running:

“Although my restaurants were taking in $ 80 million a year before my stroke, my reason for building them was never the pursuit of money. It was partly to gain the admiration of those I respected, and partly the satisfaction I received from seeing an idea realized. But whatever satisfaction the restaurants gave me was fleeting—which is probably why I can’t stop building.”

Diana and I have spent a few fun evenings at Pravda (subterranean vodka bar) with Teddy – it was fun to hear about this encounter:

“I caught the misty reflection of an Asian-looking woman with a sultry gaze. She was accompanying her friend to a job interview. Although we scarcely talked to each other, Alina cast such a powerful mix of tenderness and sensuality that I couldn’t look at her. During the thirty minutes she was there, we barely exchanged two words. The next time we met was two weeks later at Pravda, a subterranean vodka bar I owned. It was raining heavily that night and the place was packed and steamy. I was helping the maître d’ seat customers when Alina walked in with some girlfriends. I took a break and sat down with them. After twenty minutes we were sitting alone together.”

Who leaves school with one O level and waits on Marlon Brando two days later?:

“I left school at sixteen with just one O level—the barest minimum of qualifications—and took a job as a bellhop at London’s Hilton Hotel on Park Lane. On my second day, I was asked to escort Marlon Brando to his room. Like most movie stars, Brando was shorter in person than on the screen. He had a boxer’s broad shoulders and a surprisingly high, nasal voice. In the elevator, he asked me what I intended to do with my life. I had no idea and said as much. (I still have no idea.)”

I love this Woody Allen joke:

“the old Woody Allen joke: “You know, this guy goes into a psychiatrist’s office and says, ‘Doc, my brother’s crazy! He thinks he’s a chicken.’ And the doctor says, ‘Why don’t you turn him in?’ And the guy says, ‘I would, but I need the eggs.’”

I remembered this passage when wondering why the Napkin dispenser at Barracuda in Bay St. Louis had an exclamation point:

“Standing ovations began to increase in the 1970s, which, by coincidence, was the same decade in which the use of the exclamation point increased. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the key for the exclamation point—which in some ways is the standing ovation of correspondence—was added to a typewriter’s keyboard. The exclamation point has no grammatical purpose except to turn up the volume to eleven.”

A great description of Heathrow:

“At Heathrow I was jolted into the real world. After six weeks in the hospital and rehab, the frenzied terminal was an assault on my nerves. It was a snake pit of manic confusion. Faces strained and contorted. Couples arguing. Kids being screamed at. Is any vacation worth the anxiety that precedes it? When did travel become such a torment?”

The genesis of the title of the book:

“Po Ming was an exceptional man with a kind face and rare integrity. I once read that great people never regret anything. I regret almost everything. But most of all I regret not saying goodbye to Po Ming.”

An excellent point about all the wonderful 70s movies prior to Star Wars and the onset of the blockbuster movie phenomenon:

“the seventies: Taxi Driver, Chinatown, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Klute, Network, Marathon Man, The French Connection, Don’t Look Now, Mean Streets, Young Frankenstein, Deliverance, Annie Hall, Barry Lyndon, Three Days of the Condor, Shampoo, The Conversation, Five Easy Pieces, The Godfather parts 1 and 2, Paper Moon and my favorite film of the period, Dog Day Afternoon. By coincidence or not, each of these films came out before the blockbuster Star Wars had its theatrical release in the summer of ’77.”

The reason for calling his first restaurant “Odeon.” I enjoyed this place so much.

“Within the month, we’d signed a fifteen-year lease and roped my brother Brian into being our third partner. It was Brian who came up with the idea of calling it the Odeon—growing up, our local cinema was the Mile End Odeon.”

Some local New Orleans colour – I remember that clock very well:

“Between signing the lease for the restaurant and fixing it up, Lynn and I spent a week in New Orleans. While walking around a shady area outside the French Quarter we saw a large thirties-style neon clock in the window of a junk shop that looked perfect for our unbuilt restaurant. The only problem was there was a NOT FOR SALE sign in front of it. The eternally shy Lynn persuaded me to go in alone and make an offer. “Offer a hundred dollars but no more,” she advised.”

“That twenty-five-dollar neon clock was our first purchase for the Odeon and has been hanging in the same position on the wall next to the bar since October 1980.”

One of the things that I liked about Odeon was the different cast of characters – folks in suits and folks in jeans and tees:

“The Odeon’s success was mostly due to happenstance: being in the right place at the right time. It was a sort of success that defies logic and defines its time. Through no intention of our own, the Odeon quickly became the epicenter of the downtown art scene with Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Julian Schnabel mixing with the likes of Anna Wintour, Lorne Michaels and the cast of Saturday Night Live. Harold Pinter, as well as the writers Joseph Heller and Edward Albee, ate at the Odeon that first year.

During the Odeon’s early days, the actor John Belushi was our most regular customer. An original cast member of Saturday Night Live, he’d recently starred in the blockbuster film Animal House. Looking like someone who’d perpetually slept through his alarm, Belushi would swagger in just before closing and sit down with the staff as they gossiped about the night’s customers. One time, he came in after the cooks had left and volunteered to make the few remaining staff hamburgers. I somehow felt he was eager to show them that he could do something other than make people laugh. Watching him alone in the kitchen, cooking, was the only time I felt that Belushi was truly himself. The rest of the time I felt he was acting. But he had such a boyish charm that one couldn’t help but like him. The staff adored him.”

Talking about visiting Belushi and Aykroyd’s secret bar. I would have stayed and enjoyed the performance:

“Cheeseburgers on our laps, we sat in the limousine as it delivered us to an anonymous bar in the middle of nowhere. Anonymous, that is, until we opened the door: two hundred of Belushi’s friends and hangers-on were crowded into the tiny bar. After wolfing down the burgers, Belushi and Aykroyd jumped onto a makeshift stage and began belting out a well-known Motown song. Predictably, the crowd went berserk, and the place became too frenzied for me. Aside from a chronic inability to enjoy rock concerts—even small ones like this—I had my own bar to run. Unnoticed by Belushi and Aykroyd, Lynn and I meekly left midway through James Brown’s “I Feel Good” and returned to work.”

I loved the book “Bright Lights, Big City” years ago – not sure it would have an impact on me these days:

“In 1984, an unknown author called Jay McInerney showed up at the Odeon and asked if he could use an image of the place for the cover of his first book, Bright Lights, Big City.”

I was invited to Balthazar a few times and never made it. My loss:

“The idea for Balthazar came about while I was living in Paris seven years before I built the place. Although it’s hard for me to come up with good ideas, the few decent ones I’ve ever had have come about by pure accident. I was searching for vintage curtains at a Paris flea market in 1990 when I suddenly spotted an old sepia photo of a turn-of-the-century bar. Behind the bar’s zinc counter were hundreds of liquor bottles stacked twenty feet high, flanked by two towering statues of semi-naked women carved in the classical Greek style. I was so mesmerized by this image that I forgot about the curtains and bought the photo instead. For years I carried it in my back pocket, thinking that if I ever found a space with a sky-high ceiling, I’d build a bar just like the magnificent one in the photo. Stepping into Adar Tannery in the summer of 1995, I’d found that space. Five months later construction began.”

I love this adoration of the solitary diner and reader. I enjoy a restaurant with a book – maybe not quite as high end as these places:

“The literary critic Harold Bloom once wrote that “there is nothing more profoundly healing than the act of solitary reading.” I never really thought about this until my stay at McLean. The first books I reread were Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Reading The Sun Also Rises at twenty-two, I was bowled over by how good it was. I found Pride and Prejudice, which I read at twenty-three, artificial and silly. Rereading the Hemingway book, I winced at the dialogue and found parts of it embarrassing. With Austen it was the opposite. Second time around I thought Pride and Prejudice was a masterpiece and couldn’t believe I’d ever thought otherwise.”

I agree – the pace of change of places seems to increase as you age:

“After spending a month on Martha’s Vineyard and nine weeks at McLean, I’d been away from New York for over three months. I returned to the city in the fall of 2018 only to discover that my local barbershop had turned into a Baskin-Robbins. Why do changes in the landscape accelerate as one ages? You take a quick shower and another Duane Reade opens. You wake from an afternoon nap and there’s a new president. The second you hit sixty, life becomes the unstoppable bus in the film Speed.”

I highly recommend this autobiography. I’m not sure those who haven’t spent much time in New York restaurants will enjoy it as much as I did.

My next book was “Broken Country” by Clare Leslie Hall. This was more of a romance than I had expected, but the plot turns and construction of the story were very impressive. Will be a good one for Diana. Online summary:

““The farmer is dead. He is dead, and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”

Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.

As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.

A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.”

Gabriel’s goal for his writing:

“The only thing I want in life is to write novels. I used to want to be Graham Greene. But then I read Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis and it changed everything for me. It’s such a funny book, but daring too. And that’s the kind of novelist I’d like to be. Taking risks. Surprising people.”

Jumping to the trial, I really like the way this book jumps back and forward in time, usually something that irritates me:

“DS Morris looks down at his notebook. “We received a call at nine thirty-seven that night. We’d had report of a shotgun accident at Blakely Farm. The victim was already deceased.” “Let’s pause there for a moment. You were the officer on duty that night. You drove straight out to the Johnson farm?” “Yes. The police station is based in the local town, a drive of around eight minutes.” “Can you recall your thoughts on that journey? A man had died in a shotgun accident. One who was well known to you. Did it strike you as strange or sinister in any way? What I’m asking, DS Morris, is whether you had any inkling this might have been murder?” “Not at that point, no. Farming accidents are fairly common, unfortunately.” “But you changed your mind, once you got there?” “I did, yes. The facts didn’t seem to add up. I’ve been in this job twenty years, and you have an instinct for when you’re being fed a story.” Now Andy looks at the defendant. “Within twenty-four hours, I knew we had a murder investigation on our hands.””

I always loved an Airfix model and taking my time to assemble it. The Flying Fortress at the World War II museum last week reminded me of making an Airfix model of that plane:

“While we cook, Bobby and my father start work on an Airfix model he has given him, peering in confusion at a bag of plastic parts. I hope Bobby never grows out of Airfix, because my father certainly won’t.”

I would recommend this book to anyone who can tolerate some romance with a well written murder mystery.

The New York Times(NYT) puzzle this week had a clue “Many TV Panelists” with the answer “Talking Heads.” Rex Parker, NYT puzzle blogger, shared this video about that:

What an excellent performance.

I had always thought this was a Paul Young song (growing up in the UK). Turns out it’s a Hall and Oates classic:

Did you know Stevie Nicks had a song about New Orleans? I didn’t. Found out in the “Inside Out” section of the newspaper – a couple was talking about flying back from New Orleans to Chicago, landing at O’Hare and this song was playing. They took it as a message to pack up and move;

I love this Isbell cover of R.E.M. and also highly recommend his interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air (argumentative in a kind way):

Coexist peacefully, with kindness and patience for all!

Week in Review – August 31st, 2025

I shopped for and cooked Sunday dinner – look at me go in retirement. The black bean enchilada skillet dish was very well received by my wife. I did ask her later what dish I had bought the plain yogurt for. The one last night – “Remember I suggested that you substitute if for sour cream and added it to your shopping list?” Ahh – I do remember now and we can use it on the leftovers.

A link to the recipe if you’re interested in giving it a whirl, don’t forget the sour cream:

Recipe – black bean enchilada skillet

Another “culture pass” from the library took us to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art on Monday. The first thing we saw was this “Universal, Cosmic Mule” on the way up the stairs:

Something about this guy really appealed to me.

We started on the fifth floor and worked our way down. The views from the fifth floor terrace were impressive. Here’s the World War II museum and Crescent City Connection (CCC) bridge:

And a good view of the “wing” cover over the terrace of the World War II museum:

An interesting seahorse on the patio:

There is an annual competition for local artists to have their work displayed at the Ogden and that was our favourite part of our visit. Such creativity in pieces created over the last year or two by folks living in the area.

This is a collection of 50 paintings of Vietnamese folks to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war:

This level of detailed information really made this fifth floor exhibit for me. This one was called “Hurricane Proof House” and was painted “en plain air” shortly after Katrina:

The next floors had some older Southern art. I enjoyed these two paintings:

The one directly above had a real 3D feel to it.

This is one of the more well known paintings in the collection – French Quarter rooftops by Knute Helder from 1923 :

You might be getting bored with my tour of the Ogden by now. I’ll conclude with one final painting from the “20 years after Katrina section:”

The Ogden is a beautiful building – I remembered watching the HBO Tremé series character, Annie, playing the violin there for an event along with Joe Krown. I tried hard, even using AI, to find a clip to share – none out there. I guess HBO is just as effective as Bryan Adams at policing pirate copies of their videos. There’s the episode info if you would like to watch on HBO:

Episode

Season 3, Episode 5 — “I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say”

Performance Setting

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Music Played

“O Ma Charmante, Épargnez‑Moi!” (Gottschalk) & “All That & Then Some” (Joe Krown)

YouTube Availability

Not currently found via public search

And after all that, I don’t think this is the episode I’m looking for. I’ll have to watch the whole series again.

I gave McD a choice of two places for lunch after the exhibit – Peche or Cochon Butcher. I knew which she would choose, and I was fine with either one. We started with tuna crudo and followed that with Jimmy Nardello peppers over whipped tuna – the waiter sold it to us and I’m glad he did. Those peppers were smoky and sweet. I’m ready for some more right now.

This is some research on the Jimmy Nardello pepper that I had never heard of before:

“This fine Italian pepper was grown each year by Giuseppe and Angella Nardello at their garden in the village of Ruoti, in Southern Italy. In 1887 they set sail with their one-year-old daughter Anna for a new life in the U.S. When they reached these shores, they settled and gardened in Naugatuck, Connecticut, and grew this same pepper that was named for their fourth son, Jimmy. This long, thin-skinned frying pepper dries easily and has such a rich flavor that this variety has been placed in “The Ark of Taste” by the Slow Food organization. It ripens to a deep red, is very prolific, and does well in most areas.”

We finished lunch with the crab capellini pasta – such fresh pasta and tasty sauce.

We were chatting about how unique these dishes at Peche are compared to other New Orleans restaurants, the combinations of ingredients and flavours reminding us of the wonderful Odd Duck in Austin.

I watched the movie “She Came to Me” on Monday night. Peter Dinklage is an opera composer, Anne Hathaway his wife and psychiatrist, and Marisa Tomei is a tugboat captain. Very quirky and well done.

Tuesday began with a walk in Audubon park. It was a tiny bit less humid and I didn’t feel totally sweated out after a couple of laps. After the park, we made our way over to the Batture farmer’s market. This happens every Tuesday and the Batture is the part of land that is on the Mississippi river side of the levee – grandfathered in through some weird law. If you want to learn more, check out “River Rats” by Macon Fry:

They Call us River Rats by Macon Fry

I spent an interesting day at Macon’s Batture house and will be happy to share some stories the next time we talk…

The farmer’s market was small but very well done. Great looking peppers, exotic mushrooms, tomatoes, honey, and smoothies. We bought a crawfish and mushroom risotto that a fun lady was selling, and I couldn’t resist buying a pupusa from a lovely gentleman named Mike. It was huge and very filling – Diana and I nibbled on it for several hours. Certainly the best pupusa I’ve experienced – stuffed with delicious cheese and topped with a fried egg, pickled onion and crema. I highly encourage my New Orleans friends to check this guy out – he does the City Park market on Sundays as well. Additionally, he is opening a 70s cocktail bar and Tokyo style jazz club on Freret Street opposite the Gasa Gasa club. Should be open in a couple of months – permitting delays have delayed the anticipated dates – imagine that in this city.

The Batture will reopen with food trucks and other popup restaurants this weekend for the fall and winter seasons. We will certainly check that out.

We made our way home, McD did a quick change and pack, and then I dropped her off at Merry Lee’s pool for the afternoon.

My next agenda item was to see about my cyst surgery – this time in the right week. I told the doctor that I had previously had a one inch cyst removed and now a much smaller version had grown back. “You mean 2.5 centimeters, based on your accent?” It’s not usually picked up that quickly. Apparently his daughter his studying linguistics at Trinity college in Dublin – he might know a bit about accents. The poor doctor tried really hard to arrange my surgery while I was there and was unsuccessful.

How did we do in Tuesday evening trivia? We took second place by a very small margin. I think Kenny was our MVP this week.

I always enjoy the mashup questions – “What would you call an Abba song about the longest reining UK monarch?”

Dancing Queen Elizabeth – I got that one. Dad would be disappointed if I didn’t.

In other trivia news – Glasgow featured ab0ut cloning and Dolly:

Lastly, here’s our team captain turning in our answer that Kenny got right away. “Joan of Arc.” MVP for Kenny?

As we were leaving trivia Alex asked if anyone wanted to go and see the band at the Ponchatrain hotel. Sure, I’ll do that. At the very least it’ll get me closer to home. I can walk from there.

Turns out Alex has been taking drumming lessons from Stanton for a few weeks and he invited him to come and watch the show:

Alex was impressed that I knew Oscar Rossingoli- by a week from research following the John Boutte show last week.

We attended the funeral service for the lovely Alicia Cole on Wednesday. The last time I talked to her she was feeling great and enjoying life – that changed quickly. Such a lovely lady with a massively kind heart.

Kenny suggested Mandina’s for lunch after the service. This is a classic old school Italian seafood place with a Cajun twist, reminding us of Original Joe’s in San Jose (not the Cajun part).

We had a delightful lunch with great food and company. I made the mistake of texting Denny that I had enjoyed my first visit to Mandino’s. “You have been. 1st NOLA boys trip. Followed by a stop down the street for Rebirth at Chickie Wah Wah.” He is so correct – and I had a feeling when I wrote the text that he was going to say that. Mandino’s had a lot of Hurricane Katrina (more on that coming) damage and had just reopened when we visited the first time. And the Rebirth gave us a great show – almost too big for the newly opened Chickie Wah Wah.

Diana had a loaded salad and Kenny and I split the “burger on French” – I still couldn’t finish my half.

Mandino’s reminded me a lot of Tony Moran’s – the very first place I ate in New Orleans. I came in to check up on a team that supported State Farm insurance from New Orleans. They were still recovering from Katrina. I met Denny and Anne downstairs in the bar and we had desert together with the group upstairs. Then they took us to Geno Delafonse at the original Rock ‘N Bowl and the amazing Kermit Ruffins with Henry Butler on keyboards at Vaughans lounge. Why don’t I live in this city? Took me a decade plus to make it happen

Then, it was finally time for my surgery. Took about 10 minutes and was completely successful. The surgeon is very confident that I will not have another cyst in that location.

We had planned on going t see Mia Borders at the Banks Street bar, but I wasn’t really feeling up for it. Sorry Diana – two weeks from now?

Thursday had a very exciting start – checking out the newly opened Trader Joe’s. I’m not sure how to describe this store – here’s what AI has to tell me:

” known for its unique, private-label products, affordable prices, and a welcoming shopping experience. The stores offer a wide range of products, including unique snacks, international foods, dietary options, wine, and beer, with a focus on quality and value rather than traditional branded items. The company has a cult-like following, in part due to its discovery-driven model, friendly staff, and often limited-run products. “

I think that’s a great summary. We got a lot of interesting and varied food at a good price. It seemed like they had listened to all of my complaints about other locations – nowhere near enough parking, such skinny aisles that y0u can’t even pass someone coming at you, crowding by the salad and dip section right by the front door. All resolved at the new Tulane avenue location.

We had our first quarterly financial review on Thursday afternoon. Doing well so far. Thanks Uncle Pauline.

The paper had some “Then and Now” pictures today -part of the many 20 year anniversary of Katrina reporting.. The same location then and now. I’ll share a couple of examples:

Then:

Now:

Continuing on the Katrina theme, Chris Rose wrote this. Very well written (as always) and my friends will be upset with me for giving this ******* airtime:

“Dear New Orleans: Have you heard? The exhibitions, exclamations, exhortations and excoriations — in memorium, et ceterum, ad nauseam? Triggered yet? All these sad songs they keep playing, they’re so damn … sad. As Dr. John might put it, New Orleans is being traumaticalized, all over again. Deja Vieux Carre.

It’s been 20 years since I wrote a letter like this. That one was addressed to America, introducing our beleaguered friends and neighbors who were fleeing the floodwaters — unknowns bound for elsewhere. Our Exodus. So what is this thing that is happening right now, this … reckoning? An anniversary? Accurate, but that term always seems to fail this auspicious occasion. A commemoration? A remembrance? That one’s got a touch of proper gravitas.

An apotheosis, perhaps — a collective acknowledgment that Katrina still lords over our lives two decades later? The head spins. Who can even think straight with all this 8/29/05, 24/7, somebody please pass the 4/20.

Dear New Orleans. Here’s what it looks like from a distance — of time and geography, of memory and progress, of laughter and forgetting. I have come from the mountaintops, literally — and I’ve got Katrina cred with me. I was “the voice of the tortured city,” said The Washington Post. A truth teller, Oprah called me. (Or her people, anyway.) The McClatchy News Service crowned me “the literary avenging angel of the 504.” That was my favorite.

Folks even said I saved lives, that the stories I wrote in the aftermath were righteous balm for Katrina fatigue. Just last week, an old New Orleans acquaintance of mine showed up at the state park where I am living in the mountains of western Maryland just to cry on me. That’s happened a lot over the past 20 years. People see me, they cry. That’s some heavy right there.

What did I do to deserve all this? A city lay in ruin, 1,600 dead, homes and businesses destroyed, a vital culture drowning in its own filthy water. Somebody had to tell the jokes. Me and the refrigerators.

But I’m no hero, that’s understood. What became of me was, I drank myself to death just like everybody said I would. Caused a lot of pain to family and friends. In the fall of 2021, I was diagnosed with end-stage cirrhosis. These past 20 years of active, sometimes relentless drinking have turned my liver to stone. There is no treatment and there is no cure. I’m a dead man walking.

A recent article in this newspaper told my story in grim, vivid detail — a story of my death foretold — a story so convincing that my brother in Florida received several texts from friends expressing condolences at the news of my passing. But, like my dear City of New Orleans 20 years ago — reports of our death were greatly exaggerated. The writing may be on the wall, but I’ve still got some ink left in my pen.

It is said: The longer you live in New Orleans, the more unfit you become to live anywhere else. OK, I said that — 20 years ago. And I am proof. After my diagnosis, my vicissitudes of fortune rendered me unwilling, unable — yes, unfit — to live in New Orleans anymore. After 35 years of residence, if there’s anything left in this city that I’ve never done before — I probably shouldn’t do it. So I retreated to the woods, off the grid, into the solitude of the outdoors where the nightmares of my own past dissolve in each day’s new dawn; I fall asleep to the sound of waterfalls, wake each morning to campsmoke and songbirds. I have found my own peace.

But I raise a (nonalcoholic) toast to you who remain on this occasion, my dear New Orleans, for having stayed put longer than me, kept it together, stayed strong, stayed true. For having survived. Perhaps you’re tired of hearing about your resilience, equanimity, determination, fortitude and triumph of the human spirit — clichés all — but they’re still damn true.

Another cliché goes that living in New Orleans after the flood was like staying in an abusive relationship. For all her glaring faults, her vulgarity, her violence, she loves back like no other. Nobody puts the funk in dysfunction like the Maid of Orleans. A taste of her wicked, jasmine lips changes you forever. That’s why I still come back. I’m still smitten. New Orleans and I may be divorced now, but I guess you could say we’re still friends with benefits.

The last time I was in New Orleans was Jan. 21, 2025. If you’re looking for a balm for Katrina fatigue now, mark that date on your calendar. That was the day the people of New Orleans came out together like the folks in Whoville on Christmas morning when the Grinch brought all the presents back to the children. The day it snowed in New Orleans. Another weather event that crippled the city, blanketed streets and rooftops, canceled events and services, shut down roads and bridges. Only this time, when the snow melted and all that water soaked back into the ground, there was no bathtub ring left behind to remind us. Just some frozen toes and fantastic photographs.

But there won’t likely be any streaming documentaries about that day. Hell, it doesn’t even have a name. No books written about it, unless maybe a children’s book. No church services, obituaries, memorials, nor weeks and weeks of insufferable media coverage to keep reminding us over and over about how terrible was that Whole. Damn. Thing.

Funny though — there is a song that comes to mind. It’s called “Crescent City Sneaux.” Here’s a snippet:

Hold all our memories in one hand

So tight that you won’t let ‘em go

And in the other hand we pray

That the wind and the panic and the rain

Would all turn to a soft and quiet snow

New Orleans singer-songwriter Susan Cowsill wrote that song — 20 years ago — not about Jan. 21, but about Aug. 29. And yes, it’s so damn sad. At first.

Then it does this weird New Orleans thing. The song starts as a melancholy lament, an elegy for the landscape, “just paper and sticks and tattered sheets.” But then something happens, a slow parade snare creeps out of the dirge, Cowsill’s voice rises then soars, the coda drops a Cajun beat, then a second-line rhumba, and then inexorably, inexplicably, inimitably — and of course — a Who Dat cheer and the Saints go marching in.

It’s mournful, beautiful, inspiring, puzzling, convincing. It makes me cry, it makes no sense, just like my city — that mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma — still here, still strong, still heart-breaking, love-making, wash away my sins and tears, my dear, dear New Orleans.”

Another article about Sean Payton (Superbowl winning coach of the New Orleans Saints) after the recent pre-season match between the Saints and Denver Broncos:

The floral arrangement from the Denver Broncos at Fats Domino’s gravesite at Mount Olivet Cemetery in New Orleans.

See how Sean Payton honored a New Orleans ‘icon’ after the Broncos win against the Saints

- BY JEFF DUNCAN | Sports columnist
- Aug 25, 2025

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton didn’t celebrate his team’s preseason win against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday.

Instead, he took the time after the 28-19 victory against his former team to celebrate one of New Orleans’ favorite sons.

On the way to the airport after leaving the Superdome, Payton took the Broncos’ entire six-bus, 180-person travel party to Mount Olivet Cemetery in Gentilly to recognize Fats Domino and pay respects to the musical legend, who died in 2017 at age 89.

Broncos players and coaches visited Domino’s tomb on the first floor of the historic mausoleum and displayed a floral arrangement, highlighted with flowers in the team’s orange and navy-blue colors.

The visit was the offshoot of a Broncos’ game-week tradition. To set the tone for the week ahead, the Broncos play music representative of the city of the Broncos’ upcoming opponent. At the meeting, Payton played two of Domino’s biggest hits, “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Blueberry Hill,” and asked his players and coaches how many of them had heard of the legendary pianist, who was born and raised in the Lower 9th Ward neighborhood of New Orleans. Only a handful of people in the room raised their hand, spurring Payton to schedule the visit for the Broncos’ trip to New Orleans.

“It hit me, but it also upset me, relative to this icon, who was born in this city,” Payton said to the players and coaches at the cemetery in a video of the visit posted on his social media account. “We should know who Fats Domino is.”

The visit was originally scheduled to occur on the day before the game, but it was delayed until Saturday afternoon after the team’s charter flight to New Orleans on Friday afternoon arrived later than expected.

Domino is one of several notable New Orleanians buried at Mount Olivet, among them: pianist Henry Roeland “Professor Longhair” Byrd; saxophonist Herbert Hardesty; hip-hop artist Soulja Slim; and baseball player Walter Wright.

Payton is in his third year as the head coach of the Broncos. He coached the Saints from 2006 to 2020, leading the club to its only Super Bowl championship in 2009.

Friday began with a walk in the park. Then we met most of the krewe for Happy Hour at the new Milan lounge (underneath the Library bar) on Prytania. Diana is a big fan of the food that Andrew and team create to serve both locations. She was clearly hungry, ordering the whole fish tacos.

We met the same krewe for the kickoff of the college football season on Saturday afternoon.

Texas vs Ohio State was first, with local interest in the Texas quarterback, Arch Manning (3rd generation in the dynasty.) Texas lost – not the result that I was looking for. Next up Alabama vs Florida State. We didn’t stay for the end, but Alabama disappointed all those folks with red hats and shirts on. Not disappointed – the champagne girl:

She didn’t actually drink any of those, but they call Miller High Life “the champagne of beers” and so we thought this picture worked.

Where is that fun looking patio. That’s the Rusty Nail – a great place to watch football. I hadn’t been in many years and enjoyed the return visit.

I had started watching the new “Thursday Murder Club” on Netflix earlier in the week and just couldn’t get into it. I must have been in a more open mood on Saturday evening and enjoyed finishing this movie with such an excellent cast.

Kenny invited us to join them at the Southern Decadence parade in the Quarter on Sunday afternoon. I just wanted to chill at home, but Diana jumped on the offer and had a very good time watching all the crazy walking groups.

Meanwhile, I put together a white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette. Tasted very healthy and filling.

My first book this week was “A Family Matter” by Claire Lynch. I’m not sure what possessed me to add this to the reading list – certainly not typical of my selections. Nonetheless, having rejected my prior read, I felt compelled to persevere with this one. While the subject matter didn’t appeal a lot, the humour and style certainly did.

An online summary:

“A young wife following her heart. A husband with the law on his side. Their daughter, caught in the middle. Forty years later, a family secret changes everything in this “quietly heart-scorching” (Barbara Kingsolver) debut novel.

1982. Dawn is a young mother, still adjusting to life with her husband, when Hazel lights up her world like a torch in the dark. Theirs is the kind of connection that’s impossible to resist, and suddenly life is more complicated, and more joyful, than Dawn ever expected. But she has responsibilities and commitments. She has a daughter.

2022. Heron has just received news from his doctor that turns everything upside down. He’s an older man, stuck in the habits of a quiet existence. Telling Maggie, his only child—the person around whom his life has revolved—seems impossible. Heron can’t tell her about his diagnosis, just as he can’t reveal all the other secrets he’s been keeping from her for so many years.

A Family Matter is an “intricately layered and infinitely nuanced” (Oprah Daily) exploration of love and loss, intimacy and injustice, custody and care, and whether it is possible to heal from the wounds of the past in the changed world of today.”

This is a quick and easy read. I think I particularly enjoyed the references to UK based things that I hadn’t thought of in decades.

From a section about a jumble sale:

“Everybody knew that the best clothes would go first. Older women pulling tartan trolleys outmaneuvered young women leaning on prams.”

The old biddies with the tartan trolleys are not something you see in the US – maybe because few people walk to the stores.

Here’s one of those references from decades ago – “Rupert the Bear:”

“She runs her hand over some children’s clothes, a pair of worn-in jeans, a mustard-yellow jacket with Rupert the Bear embroidered on the chest pocket.”

“Butterfly cake” – another one from many years ago – I can picture it so well:

“Nobody is expecting her home for at least an hour, so Dawn finds the refreshments table and splurges on a cup of tea and a butterfly cake.”

“Flailing arm” – I’ve been accused of that a few times:

“Maggie sleeps with her arms thrown above her head like the laziest of ballerinas. She knows this because she wakes in this pose most mornings, with pins and needles in her hands and a pain between her shoulders. She knows it because Conor frequently complains about being hit in the face by a flailing arm in the middle of the night. When the alarm on her phone goes off, she reaches a hand down.”

“Wallpaper covers” made me smile. I think mine were more typically brown wrapping paper:

“There is work to finish before she can leave the school. Spelling tests waiting for her red ticks, the stack of project books with their wide lines and wallpaper covers.”

I love “like some metal creature settling down to sleep”:

“Perfect timing,” he says, as Maggie locks her car with a click of the key fob, the wing mirrors folding in like some metal creature settling down to sleep. He will pack away the ladder and she can stick the kettle on.”

Another UK reference that I haven’t considered in decades – “Subbuteo players”:

“She unrolls a whole-school photo from 1991. Rows and rows of girls, shrunk to the size of Subbuteo players.”

One final UK reference that made me smile – “laminated in Sellotape”:

“Her gift is so well wrapped it is virtually laminated in Sellotape, but Maggie manages to tear at one corner and open it.”

I lied – one more reference – “Matey bubble bath”:

“Bathtime and her daughter is perfection, the curve of her back, every limb and inch of her. For a treat, they pour in extra bubbles. Dawn makes the Matey bottle tip his hat, then they sing, as they always do”

There’s a new Jon Batiste album out last week, and it’s superb. This gentleman has limitless talent:

Open in Spotify

From the “Beethoven Blues” album from last year:

Open in Spotify

And his collaboration with the wonderful Randy Newman from the new album:

Open in Spotify

Here’s one other excellent song I heard this week. A cover of “Little Wing” by Devon Allman. Hoping he plays this at their Blues and BBQ appearance in early October:

Open in Spotify

Coexist peacefully, with kindness and compassion for all.

Month: September 2025

Week in Review – September 28, 2025

River Eckert – a brief biography

Early Years & Family Legacy

Musical Voice & Influences

Performances, Collaborations & Recordings

Perspectives, Challenges, and Vision

Robert Reich Biography

Week in Review – September 21, 2025

Week in Review – September 14th, 2025

William Faulkner spent a year in New Orleans. It influenced his writing all his life.

The Nobel laureate remembered the city with affection, saying he “had more fun there than I ever had and ever will have again anywhere.”

Week in Review – September 7th, 2025

A town reborn

Signs of hope

Week in Review – August 31st, 2025

See how Sean Payton honored a New Orleans ‘icon’ after the Broncos win against the Saints