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Dear friends and family,

Last year's Habitat for Humanity trip went so well, we're going back
with an even bigger crew!

Last summer I went with about 85 eager Cincinnatians (mostly much
younger than myself) to build houses in the 9th Ward "Musicians'
Village."  You already know about my long-time affinity and affection
for the food, music and culture of New Orleans.  We all remember how
the post Hurricane Katrina coverage touched us.  Going on 3 years
since the destruction, progress is being made (largely by volunteers
like ourselves), but there is still a long way to go!

Last year we worked on building 7 new homes, climaxing on the last
day with a ceremonial "wall raising" of all seven, which we were told
was a precedent.  (I've heard that John Edwards recently stood on the
porch of one of those very homes to make his speech withdrawing from
the presidential race.)

This year our group is almost 120 in number, and we'll be boarding
the buses on July 12 for another week of work.

In case you wanted to help last year but couldn't, I'm once again
looking for help in paying the cost of this trip.  It's going to cost
about $350 per person to cover the buses, lodging, meals, supplies etc.

If you're willing to help, the web page where you can donate to my
trip is here:

http://www.givebackcincinnati.org/v3/GBBCDomestic.asp

-Click on "Donate to Member"
-Click on the drop down menu "Payment / Donation For" and look for my
name (they're listed alphabetically by FIRST Name)

The web site is secure and accepts both Visa and MasterCard.  You
will immediately get a receipt of donation for your taxes.  If we
raise more money than is needed for this specific effort, those funds
will be given to Habitat New Orleans.

We may not have the ability to transform every bad situation, but we
can positively impact the lives of fellow Americans who have survived
such a devastating natural disaster as Hurricane Katrina, and we can
each do our part to make sure that "the beat goes on" in New Orleans.

Thank you for your help.  All donations must be received by June 1, 2008.

Sincerely,

    Neil
 

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NEW ORLEANS WAITS

I walk the streets of New Orleans

and stumble over cracked walkways,

shaded by moist magnolia canopies dripping in fragrance.

I walk the streets of New Orleans

And sense her wizened arrogance, sultry and not caring.

I move to the pulse of the Vieux Carre,

Intoxicating, yet toxic, a raucous spiritland of dreams and broken hearts.

I walk the streets of New Orleans,

And drink up hot desires in hurricane glasses.

I walk the streets of New Orleans

and hear her special melody, old horns and tap shoes,

tubas and washboards, streetcars and calliopes.

I walk the streets of New Orleans and breathe in her scent,

Warm tropical blossoms and hot pots of gumbo.

I walk the streets of New Orleans in my mind

While she waits, hushed for the first time,

In a grave of dirty water and indecision.

I walk the streets of New Orleans in my heart

Joani Lacy

Gone Is My Dream

Gone away is my dream,
to walk bourbon street with you,
god brought you home to soon,
But the cajun music still rings,
down Decatur street,
In my heart and soul, I know,
I'll see you down in New Orleans,

I'm in a state of denial,
as people down here remember your smile,
sitting here down in Margraritaville,
where one day I was hoping to chill, with you,
listening to stories, and sharing one or two,
But there's only an empty seat,
down here in New Orleans,

Songs and cards hang on the walls,
In all the bars,
you were a shining star,
and how they recall your face,
no one they can ever replace,
down here in New Orleans,

Gone away is my dream,
to walk bourbon street with you,
god brought you home to soon,
But the cajun music still rings,
down Decatur street,
In my heart and soul, I know,
I'll see you down in New Orleans,

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