First Iguanas at the Rock and Bowl

a local artist has this sign in many cafes and shops. I think the sentiment is about right (despite todays' the customer is always, always right way of doing business).  I prefer to have kindness, efficiency and reality than a Stepford Wives blueprint.

At Elizabeth's, (great breakfast!)

The Lower Ninth Ward has more houses each time we visit but still a large part of the area is unoccupied.

Every 2 years I repeat stuff so here again, is the place where Maria and the boys are, but in 2005, when the levees broke

Now an area of the neighborhood has many homes with an esthetic flair but practical and necessary construct (elevation, sturdiness, solar heating and recycled water). A product of the Make It Right Project.

A favorite hang out. Needing a car to get to (or coordinating the trolley/bus lines).  Many places in New Orleans still allow smoking but Mid City Rock and Bowl does not. A nice big comfortable space where the prices are reasonable, and they didn't charge the kids admission.

The owner of MidCity Lanes (on the left) but this photo reproduction is here because years ago and in several visits, the guy in the middle took to Maria, with serious lover eyes, inward harp hand gestures and  dancing hips. For me, he provided just the deep stink eye.  The  back story with him is that initially he was 86'd from the Rock and Bowl but eventually won over John the owner- who gave him a job and a place to hang ; sort of a prince to John, the king.  Sad story is that shortly after Katrina, he died.   The weird for us- tonight when we visited with Cailin to see the Iguanas (very sparse crowd but easy to get a bowling lane) is that somehow, he is back. Alive.  Seriously spooked I am- a cousin? A brother?  And although he left Maria alone, he was drawn to Dexter and Oliver although he waved off the french fries they offered.  Not even going to try to determine the what but will allow the proper proximity to another New Orleans mystery.  

When Oliver isn't trying to get me to "dance crazy!" (as Dexter also did years before), he shared  a dance or two with his mom.

Can't visit in the summer without a visit (or two, or three) to Hansen's Sno-Bliz; the best.  I will spare everyone the usual photo of my over-enjoying my cream of nectar.  Instead Maria's eyes glisten in the moment.

Fats Domino's house in the L9.  Easy to access but we didn't.  Do you think his neighbors can tell which house is his?  I once saw Fats leaving the Praline Connection in the Marigny (he likes to eat there).  He gave me several hearty waves from inside his car.  I was thrilled.

Dexter swims.Oliver finding his comfort zone in the water, as his confidence soars.

swimming 2-3 times a day.  usually up by 7:30/8 to go swimming with Maria

glasses from next door. beverage Sucre.

Place D'Armes by night.  The pool is comfortable but smaller than this photo suggests.

our room had very high ceilings

Dexter enjoying the iPad. Cailin enjoying Dexter's enjoyment of iPad.

Thursday night Cailin watched the boys while Maria and I went out for a bit (after the Zephyrs game). We decided to pass on the Thursday night at Vaughn's (completely whiffing on any Kermit Ruffins shows this time around- also DJ as DJ SirSmokesALot on Wed., Friday on Frenchmen?, Sunday at the Free OysterFest). Instead we walked, caught a bit of the Young Fellas Brass Band on The Balcony Club (concluded that they do not play/know many tunes but the ones they do play, they play well and engage their audience) and settled in for a nice nightcap at Molly's At The Market on Decatur Street.  People like to talk here.  And it is here that many of the staff of the daily Times-Picayune newspaper gathered when they learned that their paper will go to a 3 day print schedule-also meaning that many will lose their jobs.  This will be the largest city without a daily newspaper when this happens (Aug/Sept). Awful.

Dexter so able to assemble things and make them work, got his glasses rolling. Dexter's shirt is from Dexter, Maine where from one letter the city council answered a request for anything with the word "Dexter" on it sent a care package of t-shirts and patches.

alright i couldn't resist. everyone loves a ham. i know i do.