New Orleans Sojourn

Feb 24 2015

Hardly Working

By melissasasichambers New Orleans Sojourn

Mike is back to his regular work schedule — albeit from a tiny “desk” in the corner of our tiny bedroom, and I am also beginning to get a little work done. Well, a tiny bit of work done.

Don’t give me that look!

As you might imagine, there are quite a few distractions here, which come to think of it, are what we came here for! Well, inspiring distractions anyway.

I got a Library card yesterday, and this Mardi Gras bead Indian by JEM Bead Art was in the reading room.

Our friend Joy played tour guide and chauffer for me, and after our stop at the Library we got Lattes at Fair Grinds (near the Fair Grounds where we see Jazz Fest) and walked through the Sculpture Garden by the NOMA…

We Stand Together, 2005 by George Rodrigue

Karma, 2011 by Do-Ho Suh

Window with Ladder – Too Late for Help, 2006 Leandro Erlich

Standing Man with Radiating Words, 2006 Leslie Dill

Three Figures and Four Benches, 1979 George Segal

Tree of Necklaces, 2002 Jean-Michel Othoneil

Nice, right? But what I love most about New Orleans is that no one feels like they have to wait around for “Them” to provide what ever “it” is for us.

In New Orleans everybody’s “just doing it”…

and we like it like dat!

Feb 21 2015

Feeling Right

By melissasasichambers New Orleans Sojourn

We’re still settling in to our Pied a Terre in beautiful Uptown New Orleans, but with each passing day we get closer to feeling like we’re “just home.” Mike’s had one day of working remotely and I’ve started to figure out my domestic routine — cooking, laundry, dog walking — all a bit different here.

I’m also making sure I fit in a little art now and then as I’m able.

Because Mike’s been sick since our arrival we haven’t gone out as much as we will once he’s all better, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t eaten in proper NOLA style. I’ve made us red beans and rice with hot sausage twice already. Mmm hmmm.

We did go out for lunch today though — at one of our favorite places — Casamento’s on Magazine and Napoleon.

We were both in the mood for “ersters.”

The Carol Robinson Gallery, where Mike has shown his work since 1988, is just up the street from Casamento’s. We stopped in to give Carol a hug and make plans to get together soon. It’s time to pick a date for Mike’s next show, and I’m hoping she’ll have some idea of where my Tarps might fit in here in New Orleans.

Carol is having her gallery’s 35th Anniversary exhibition, and Mike’s work is hung here and there, and tucked into nooks and crannies around the gallery…

There’s always something to celebrate in this town, and for us now it’s how right it feels to settle back into the NOLA way of life and how welcoming the city is of our doing just that.

Why, they even decorated just for us….

Mmm hmmm! Yeah, you right!

Feb 19 2015

Let the Good Times Keep on Rolling!

By melissasasichambers New Orleans Sojourn

We did it! We are in New Orleans! We arrived on Ash Wednesday, after 4 days on the road, really ready to recharge our batteries.

Our trip took us 2,200 miles through Salt Lake; Farmington, New Mexico; Santa Fe; and Allen, Texas.

There was a lot of beautiful country to see along the way, so we took our time.

(I loved this little painting we saw at the Joe Wade Fine Art Gallery in Santa Fe.)

We plotted our trip in advance, made reservations ahead of time at hotels that were pet friendly, and planned on meals at two not to be missed restaurants. The food was awesome in Salt Lake at the Red Iguana. Good thing, since we had to wait two and a half hours to be seated!

And in Santa Fe at La Plazuela restaurant in La Fonda — Dios mio, que comida mas sabrosa!

Our time in Santa Fe was too brief — one afternoon. And poorly timed at that — Monday, when all the museums are closed! But we walked around the Plaza and enjoyed the warmth in a couple of shops while we waited for our dinner reservation at La Fonda. I hope we can time it differently on our trip home because there is so much to see.