| November 9, 2008 | | | | | Feedback | | | Calendar | | | Archives |
I had a definite checklist of things to do on our recent quick trip to Louisiana. I wanted to see the renovations to my sister Ingrid's house (great job, she took out two walls and let all the light into the kitchen), my nephew Sean's house on the Amite River (a big screen porch has a view of the river; it's a water house like ours). The cemetery tour of course, and a reunion of old friends from my two plus years in a Carmelite novitiate following high school. I was somewhat anxious about that but it turned out to be a real joy from the moment Lee Ardoin greeted me at the door. I felt instantly rebonded with the people I was close to in that intense time. I listened to stories of how lives had worked out over the last 35 or so years. There were Katrina stories and Gustav stories and relationships and marriages and children. I had a camera over my shoulder, but did not take a single picture there; there's no camera setting with a 40 year aperture. I hope to maintain some contact and visit with some of those folks in the spring. We got back on Monday before The Election and were vote counters on Tuesday night. Melissa was paired with Gary, our former neighbor on Main Street, who told her that on the previous Sunday when Todd Palin was on his way up to Bangor, Hair Flair got an early morning knock on the door from the secret service and the first dude came in for a hair cut. In Unity Obama won 483 to 481; yes, we live in the more conservative northern part of the state. Thanks to those (especially my niece Melanie) who kept me posted via text messages as states were called. We got home in time to see the election called around 11 pm. One of those amazing historical moments. It's taken me days to process it all and rest up. |