Well...they finally finshied steps on the front porch. I also have a deck on the back.....that's where I'll probably be most of the time at night checking out stars with my telescope. Reading during the day and relaxing...."God Say The Same" ! The driveway and sidewalk also adds a nice touch.
This is our recently built home in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. It is approximately 90% complete and things are moving alone very quickly. Soon very soon.....Can't believe three (3) DAYS turned into three (3) YEARS !! Stay turned for the finished product.
Had a great time in Vegas. Did a little slot machines and broke even I would think. I am not a real gambler and had myself on a strict budget for the slots. Once that was gone, no more gambling. Did some sightseeing and had a great time doing the Hoover Dam Tour.
This is the home across the street fro my home. The below picture shows this home before all the trees and debris was removed. Makes a big difference; doesn't it? We (neighbors) are slowly returning. Presently we now have three (3) trailers in our block. We have all streets lights on and that makes it more livable at night. As you look down the street to St. Claude St, you see no other sign of activity, which makes you wonder will things really get back to normal! The trailer isn't that bad, but nothing is like having your own home. We will start renovations soon and take it one day at a time.
This is my "Summer Home". I've officially been assigned my FEMA trailer. Yes I know the grass needs cutting, but I wouldn't want to stand out in the neighborhood. I am only one (1) of (2) trailers in my block and in about a three (3) sq block area I've counted a total of maybe eight (8). At night the street lights are lite, but absolutely nothing else is moving except for the rare moments a car might pass. Here nine (9) months later it's definately a "ghost" town in the Lower Ninth Ward. But it's my home! (smile)
My father Lionel McGruder Sr., is from the Baton Rouge area (Gross Tete, LA) and has family in Baton Rouge. This picture is an old one of my Annie Vick and I believe (Gus Young) at a ceremony. As a child my father and mother took us to Baton Rouge to visit Annie Vick and other family members. I would like very much to re-established those connections, but we grew apart over the years.
This is just a short "Blog" to wish my family and friends far and near a HAPPY BELATED NEW YEARS. I do hope you find 2006 kinder than 2005 and certainly happier. This New Year was so much different than the rest I am not sure if it was better...(smile) I plan to do the things that bring happiness into my life in 2006 and will keep on keeping on!!!
Hello all! Well I've told you where I've been and what I've been doing. So here is where I am today! This is the apartment leasing office where I now reside. We are very comfortable and should remain so for a while. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO BORED IN MY LIFE!!! This life is "twilight zoness" and I am waiting to wake up! (smile) So you see I am comfortable and we that....before I forget.....'MERRY CHRISTMAS" AND HAPPY NEW YEARS! Be safe and happy! I am....even if I am "bored" To my friends....."thanks" for the wonderful memories and to my family "thanks" for the great times!
Just a few thoughts to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We spend this Christmas in Baton Rouge, La. in lieu of my home which looked likethis before Katrina. Naturally I miss it and wish for its' return. I wish for "Burger Orleans" and hot sausage po-boys, I wish for Popeyes Chicken on Caffin Ave, I wish for walking to Walgreens and getting my prescriptions. I wish for my next door neighbor and watching her come and go as she works as a single adult, I wish for so many things and if you lived in the Lower 9th Ward I am sure you know what I mean. Since we no longer have these things and not sure if they every will be again......I wish you all Merry Christmas and Happier New Years!!!! What will 2006 bring????
This was some of the damage Katrina did to casino on the Mississippi Gulfcoast. I was performing active duty during the month of October 2005 and came across some of these pictures of the damage. Alabama and Mississippi were extremely hard hit in addition to Louisiana.
This is my mother Wilhelmina, who passed about two years ago. I am so thankful she was not around to see this devastation and destruction that Katrina brought to this city. I miss her so!
Well...just thought I'd let you all see what the contents of my home looked like Post-Katrina. As most of the homes in the Lower 9th Ward and New Orleans East looked......
This is all we have left of our memories and events that we shared!
Kinda depressing, but we will move forward and continue with our lives. It will be interesting to see what the local government and the federal government do to help the recovery process.
My city New Orleans will never be what it was, but it can be better than it was if the special interest groups and politicians stop trying to keep what little control they have and protecting the special interest, and do what is good for all without asking what's in it for me! Times have changed and we must overcome this mentality!
I know many of you may have already seen other flooded homes, but I just wanted to share. We've since emptied out our home and just need to gut. The memories and things we've lost can never be replaced.
This is me Pre-Katrina, during a lot less stressful time. I just didn't know it! Katrina has changed my world to an un-imaginable degree. Family, friends, co-workers scattered from Charlotte, NC to Houston, Tx
