The Jackson Square Gardens

If you spend any time in the French Quarter, you will inevitably walk through Jackson Square. There is a lot that you can do to have fun right in that area at almost any hour of the day or night.

In the center of the Square is a large beautiful garden that you can walk through during daytime park hours. It's a lovely place to have a walk, and you will find the statues, trees and flowers to be breathtaking.






(photos by Nicolette Stevens)

Poetry Workshop for Teens at the Library

Well, I'm not a teenager, but I love poetry, and I remember really getting into it as a teenager. I got a notice about this and just thought I'd post it incase anyone it applies to might stumble in here. There is an amazing Library system there with some interesting events and workshops for everyone to check out.

"Gina Ferrara, a local poet and teacher, will be conducting a poetry workshop at the Latter Branch on Saturday, October 10, for 7th - 12th graders. The workshop will be from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Anyone interested in attending the workshop needs to register by calling (504) 596-2625 and asking for Missy, Shelley, or Kate.

New Orleans Public Library is collaborating with Audubon Zoo to incorporate poetry installations throughout the zoo. This project is called "The Language of Conservation" and is made possible through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The poetry workshops are designed to support "The Language of Conservation."

Latter Library
5120 St. Charles Ave., Uptown New Orleans

Nola Rising and Local Art

Loose Marbles on Royal Street

This Made Me Giggle....

I was looking for a different video, and ran across this amusing one minute video of a guy listening to the sounds of city life in New Orleans, outside his bedroom window.

'Endlessjoe' said in his youtube description: "The sounds of the city as heard from my bedroom window. I'm constantly surrounded by music and the smell of food. Depending on when you ask me, I may love it or hate it." One response said "Culture outside your bedroom window, what a concept."

In My Hallucination I dreamed of my Beloved's Garden....

It may not make sense to everyone why I'd include this here, so I'll explain. It was definitely just part of a long distance new Orleans moment. I was lonely and longing for home, and my friend Robin popped up on my IM at four am insisting that I watch this. Madonna, doing Rumi as very expressive spoken word poetry. I'm sure I will watch it a hundred times, and because my friend shared it with me, it will remind me of all the people and places I long to see again.

The Labyrinth Walk at Audobon Park

Another place I love to visit is the Labyrinth walk at Audubon Park. The park itself is amazing, with huge claimable live oak trees that exceed the size of the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest. The labyrinth can be found a short distance from the well loved tree which locals call Grandfather Oak at The Tree of Life. It was created with bricks, allowing a walkable labyrinth based on the ancient pattern. Benches surround the labyrinth with beautiful poetic quotes. If you want to spend a lovely afternoon by yourself, or find a wonderful spot for a picnic with friends, this is truly a special place.



More information about the Labyrinth walk can be found here:

http://www.labyrinthataudubonpark.org/

The House of the Rising Sun

The House of The Rising Sun is one of the most popular songs that have been written about New Orleans. Undoubtedly, The Animals version is the most well loved, although many other musicians have also covered this song. I love this song, and it has interesting and somewhat mysterious roots. Here's the Animals, tutorials on how to play it on guitar and piano, and links to more about the history of the song.



Piano tutorials:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iL8Z13swnM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaekMhDPRS4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kjeo_h1sXA

A guitar version:



A little bit about the history of this song from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_the_Rising_Sun

New Orleans Fountains

I'm not usually much for small manicured parks, but something about this place always drew me. Often when I needed a place to think or meditate I'd wander over here and sit for a while, dipping my toes and hands in the water. It always made me feel clean and refreshed inside to spend time here.

Me in The Good Children's Easter Parade 2008

I also found the whole set with some fabulous parade shots on flicker, which you can see here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nogoddess/sets/72157604240739067/