For The Love Of Pastor Jonah 4-12-08

I am so full of love that often I feel as if I will just burst at the seems. Seriously, my mind flitters at all times on who I can help, what I can do, am I loving my son too much, my dog, my passions! LOVE can be detrimental to your health, let me tell ya!

Love can also keep this twisted world turning. With every act of visciousness there can be a turnbine of love that can spew that evilness away and touch someone's life and change the tone of a day.

I am a floater. I fluctuate across the internet, picking up information, meeting people and having my life touched in ways I could never fathom. On one of my excursions I met this man.

This man is Pastor Jonah of Kericho,Kenya.

As America has been suffering quite a bit lately, been consumed with our debt, tragedies and morose helplessness ~ just imagine the rest of the world. We must pick up our boot straps and hustle again so we can help each other and help ourselves!

Pastor Jonah has graciously taken time out from his mission to share with us something that is far greater than ourselves ~ LOVE!

In our exchange, I have learned the true testiment of our lives ~ Keep Loving and do all you can to make a difference.

*****

Thank you Pastor Jonah!How did this come about for you?

How i came to do this:

I grew up in a very poor background. i was educated thru' help from other people,

and even sometimes strangers, this somehow made me to think of a small way i can help the less fortunate in the society as well.

Tell us about the people of Kericho. What do you see in their future? What are their needs and desires? Of Ogembo? What is the population there? With all of the unrest, how many orphans are in dire need at this moment?

The people in Kericho, kenya

The place of my focus now is in kericho, the town has a rich soil and very good for agriculture. It's potential is still yet to be seen, since Loans that were once advance to farmers has dwidle, we are optistimic though that farmers can be help in someway to start out with their farm work through somekind of soft loans.

The people are optimistic and they have a rich work ethic in themselves, they want to make it in life.

The best hope is to cultivate a culture of Education, Farming and the rest will be put to a rest...and poverty will become a gone issue.

Post election violence

With the results of the flawed election, violence erupted, and this made so many people loose their jobs...., houses, and even land.

over 20,000 people were left homeless in my city ....we are still takin care of them as for now. The population of kericho is about 400,000. No census has been taken more recently..

With the elections going on here in America, the focus has been turned away from what we need to be concentrating on , such as the crisis of our neighbors. If you had one prayer for our world, for Kenya, and for children, what would it be?

My greatest prayer is

Let's love one another....in this world so we can live together. with my travels in russia, asia and other parts of africa, we seem to cry for one thing, LOVE, and acceptances. Let's lift our neighbours hand, and let them work again.

about american politics, they are in the papers often here too, since one of the runners for the presidency....we are told, his father was from here ......actually about 60 miles from kericho.

On one of your posts, dated March 11, 2008, you spoke of "Simba" the dog who had been brutally injured defending his family. How is Simba? How many other animals are being victimized along with their families?

Simba,

simba is a great dog,

he is now getting better, and we do hope that with the help of medics, he will be ok. the cut is slowly getting better and better. We are happy for this development.

we have heard of displaced cats, dogs, and even cows who were not milked for days.

it is still a hard experience.

How is the school drive going? What will the children be learning?

school drive,

the kids will be learning how to draw and color etc, it is kind of making the kids busy at the same time discover their talents.

Please expound a bit about the religious make-up and how Christianity's significance is parlayed. Are children encouraged to be Christian or is it freedom to worship as you desire? What is the designated religion of the area, if any?

Religion

Religious parity is biased towards christianity. Missionaries from the Christian side were among the first one to come over to this part of the world. about 80% profess to be christian, though alittle below 40% practice, Muslims and Budhism and others are also here.

Tell us about Ms. Penny. She seems so wise and spirited. What are her desires for the mission?

Ms penny,

she has been instrumental in setting up the site, and visited africa as well, though shortly.

How do you see the United States helping Africa? Is it better to work from within accomplishing groundwork through missions or urging our legislators and government to act in a specific way or both!

About the USA,

it seems that country has helped the world so much. we forever remain greatful to their great help. Am not an expert in anyway to give directions on how to help, we just pray that all will be well with the politicians and they continue to help us in the best way they can see fit.

thanks a lot.

thanks for the questions,

i tried to answer them ...as far as i can english is my third language,

Jonah

This has made my month! Now go out there and love someone!

I would love to hear about it too, so let me know!!!!

Jonahsmissions

You may contact Pastor Jonah in Kenya by email missions120{at}gmail{dot}com for more information about urgent or ongoing needs of the missions. Pastor Jonah would also love to hear your comments and suggestions for the blog, receive your prayer requests or hear your ideas as to how you might partner with the Missions of Hope.

ENJOY THE DAY!

I Love Fleur de lis ~ Thanks Rene Fletcher & Fleurdelirious! 2-24-08

Rene Fletcher, CEO and President of Fleurdelisfashions.com is running quite the online sale!!!

Her passion for New Orleans, the fleur de lis AND fashion has collimated into quite the spectacular vehicle for entrepreneurship, promoting great products, and fun.

I was able to get Rene to stop in for a few to share this wonderful concept of taking what you love and turning it into a prosperous tool from which you can make your living, share your vision and enjoyment for life, all while inspiring someone else's next idea!

Rene, tell us about the blog!

The blog started off as a way to highlight our products to a broader audience than just our site. As we expanded, we have come to include stories about New Orleans, and anything having to do with the fleur de lis symbol. We have gotten some great feedback from our readers and we enjoy the feel of the blog. The combination of promoting our site and writing great articles about the fleur de lis are a fun way to stay in touch with our readers.

Is your store exclusively on line?

Yes, right now we are an online store only. One day we hope to open several boutiques where our customers can come shopping.

As women entrepreneurs, what advise can you give for an aspiring entrepreneur?

The best advice I can give is: Don't be afraid to try. Start off small, learn as much as you can. The more things you can do yourself the more money you can save. Give yourself at least two years to figure out your successes. The first year is strictly learning what works and what doesn't. The second year is when you know whether or not you can make money at it. The last piece of advice I can offer is: Do something you love. You have to love what you do to spend the amount of time it will take to run a successful business. Also, no one wants to work for an owner who is not passionate about what she does.

Can you tell us how you became "Fleurdelirious"?

We started out collecting a few pieces of jewelry to sell to our friends as the symbol was so popular in New Orleans. After the storm, it's popularity was overwhelming to our area. We were crazy about it before Katrina, but truly obsessed after!

Is it out of pure love for NOLA?

Since our love for our city was enriched after Katrina, we wanted to find a way for residents who were spread about the country to be able to connect to New Orleans. That's when we opened Fleur De Lis Fashions.Com. We wanted to offer affordable items so that even if all someone could spend was $9.99 we were able to offer something for them. Every product in our store is under $50.00 for this reason. We want people to be able to find beautiful fleur-de-lis items that are high quality at great prices.

Are you smitten with the symbol itself?

ABSOLUTELY!

The historical information on the website is fascinating? Of course, loving the symbol myself, I was aware of the background, but if there something we could share with the audience about the Fleur de lis as it is seen today, what would it be?

This symbol has hit the fashion scene in a big way! If you pay attention to different television shows and celebrities you will see it everywhere. Just the other night on American Idol, host Ryan Seacrest had on a fleur-de-lis T-shirt. While in New Orleans we feel like we own the symbol, we don't. It's popular all across the world now.

Are you familiar with the artists? Are they from NOLA?

Most of the manufacturers of the products we sell are not from NOLA, but have family or friends here. They too understand the importance of keeping prices affordable.

What are some of the favorite items?

Some of my favorite items include our Fleur De Lis Crystal Gemstone Brooch, which is on sale right now for $19.99.

This pin is of such high quality for the price you can't beat it. It truly exudes class and style with royal meaning. Another favorite of mine is any of our fleur de lis handbags.

They are so unique! Customers always tell us how they get stopped on the street and asked about them. It's not something you will see everyone have.

Best sellers?

Some of our best sellers include our Black Fleur De Lis Watch.

This watch sells for $29.99. It's so much fun because it matches easily to so many of our jewelry items. Another best seller is our Fleur De Lis Silver Rhinestone Shirt. This attractive shirt has been seen on celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Eva Longaria. It's hip and fun. The shirt sells for only $28.99. We can hardly keep it in stock!

WOW, Rene! Thanks for taking time to share this wonderful online shopping with us!

Keep us posted on sales and new arrivals! Or guys and gals, feel free to check out Rene at the following sites!

Rene Fletcher
CEO
THE STORE ** www.fleurdelisfashions.com"Style & Elegance at Affordable Prices"

THE BLOG ** www.fleurdelirious.blogspot.com

Friends On Friday Presents Dan Duster! 2/8/08

"Highlight the Positive, Learn from the Negative, and keep Moving Forward"
--------------------------------------

Dan Duster is the magnetic motivator who has inspired many to achieve their dreams.
I have heard him speak and he engages while giving power to the commoner. I enjoy speakers who make you feel comfortable while giving you invaluable tips to fortify your life. I had a chance to pin Dan down. He is always on the go! But thankfully, he had a few moments to shed some light on our quest to mobilize and enhance ourselves all while making the best of this thing called life!

You worked in the corporate world for quite some time, and then left. You had a dream and a vision. How have you nurtured this into 3D Development Group?

I've been very successful in sales with top companies such as IBM, Coca-Cola, Abbott Diagnostics.  Having gone through their training programs, I always liked training, motivational speaking and helping people achieve their goals.  I had done youth motivation since around 1990 when I worked with IBM and always thought about trying to somehow do it professionally.  After a long career in sales, in 2000, I got a contract at Verizon in Virginia as sales coach and loved it!  There, I created my own workshops for the service reps to help them improve their sales.  Within a year, I helped their office move from 4th in their district to number 1.  That gave me the confidence to know that I could be effective.  So, I moved back to Chicago in 2001 and started 3D Development Group.

In my keynote speech on Personal Achievement, I call myself Dan Duster “the Barrier Buster” – Obliterating Obstacles on your Path to Prosperity.  I help people set and embrace their goals, then I help them realize they have the motivation, creativity and resources to achieve any those goals.

What do you share with people in order to get them to realize their own visions?

The first thing that I have people do is create their visions.  I ask them to imagine where they would like to be in say, 5 years (whatever timeframe they are comfortable with).  If you are in your ideal place, there are no barriers, no distractions; you are exactly where you want to be, doing what you want to do...what is that?  I'll have them describe it to me in detail and make them experience that moment.  They can go to my website http://www.danduster.net to get a free copy of "How to Achieve the Success that you Deserve" or call me at 773-456-1064 and I'll send them one.

You are related to Ida B. Wells, who was an extraordinary activist, feminist, and one of the founders of the NAACP. How has this impacted your life?

The first thing that comes to mind is COURAGE.  She was a courageous person to do everything that she did and stand up in the face of adversity and literally life threatening dangers.   She was constantly fighting for justice and equality, and she fought with everyone.  Blacks thought she was too aggressive, white women felt she was too demanding and outspoken (with regards to the women's suffrage movement) and men in general thought she overstepped her bounds as a woman.  So, when I consider all that she went through, the challenges that I face today seem pretty small.

She directly instilled the value for education in our family.  3 out of 4 of her children graduated from college; my grandmother’s children (my father and his sister and brothers) all graduated college and have advanced degrees; all of their children attended college and about half of us have advanced degrees.  We grew up being asked: “What are you going to do after college?”

She also instilled the values of family, integrity and standing up for justice.  Most of my relatives have been involved in some type of organization or effort to enhance the community.

I’ve delivered keynote speeches across the nation, talking about her struggles and triumphs in the late 1800’s to motivate audiences to overcome the obstacles we face today and Stand Up against injustices in the workplace, our schools and our communities.  The themes of the speeches are Be WELL and Stand UP!

I talk about her principles of leadership;

Be W.E.L.L.;  

Be Wise with your Choices,                                          

Be Excellent with your Actions

Live with Integrity

Lead with Courage

Stand UP!:

Don’t be a “Guilty Bystander”; Do something to stomp out injustice whenever you see it!


What do you say to the upcoming generation of colored young men about fortitude and civic responsibility?

Wow, that's a great question!  Fortitude is crucial; that's what I talk about in my Be WELL speech.  I let them know that great leaders from the past often had to take a position that wasn't popular and be able to deal with folks calling them crazy, threatening them and/or abandoning them.  That's when a person's true character shows; not in times of comfort and agreement, but in times of struggle and adversity.

Young men have several civic responsibilities.  They must get an education so they can have options in the future and be able to be the leader in their families.  They must contribute to their communities and their families; They must be willing to uplift, protect and respect the women in their communities; it's up to them to make this world a better place.  They must continue the pursuit for justice and equality that our forefathers fought so hard to achieve.  They are literally responsible for the future of our country; they must accept that and take action!

You have also spear-headed another venture, tell us about it?

I'm starting a speaker’s bureau / incubator Local Motivators for people interested in becoming motivational speakers and for current speakers who charge less than $5,000.  I've found that there are a number of people that would like to be motivational speakers that need help cultivating their story and then marketing themselves to organizations.  There are a number of organizations that want local talent to speak to their groups at a reasonable rate.  I'm servicing that need.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks Dan!!! We'll be checking in with Dan from time to time getting updates, seminar information and tips on bettering our lives!




Dan Duster
President - 3D Development Group
9046 S. Blackstone Ave
Chicago, IL 60619
773-456-1064
877-3D-IMPACT
www.3ddevelopmentgroup.com
www.danduster.net

Friends On Friday Presents ~ UPTOWN LIZ 2/01/08

Ramona, I admire your courage and your strength. Thank you so much for sharing your story. What is your most vivid adult image or memory of Liz?

I have so many, but my vivid memories are of her incredible sense of humor and her cackle/snorting laugh.

You mentioned in an article that you two had plans to be in business together, can you tell us about your dreams and aspirations as a team?

This didn’t go too far. It is something she had been thinking about and mentioned to me a few times. The one time she did, really talked more in depth, she was already sick. Because of her illness, we were never able to plan or put anything into motion.

As little girls, what were you two like? Did you dress-up? What were your interests? Did you fight? Were you each other’s biggest fans?

We were 2.5 years apart and shared a room our whole lives, so there was a lot of sibling bickering. She used to steal my clothes, provoke me, etc. Pretty normal sister stuff. We used to play house, school and store when we were little. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, so we really used our imagination. As we got older, yes, we were each other’s biggest fans. I miss that.

What made you two giggle?

Everything! My family has a very good sense of humor, so we laughed a lot. We definitely got a lot of mileage imitating/teasing my mother. Ha!

I read and saw your piece on DarynKagan.com. It was great. Like Ms. Kagan, I was so moved because of my "sissy" and the intricacies of sibling relations. She is my biggest fan, my greatest confidant and also my hugest sparing partner. But in the end, we are more alike than we are different. There is more joy than there is pain, and I know that if either of us ever leaves the planet, the other will still be there to root the other on or challenge in the way that encourages just the right growth. Please share a bit about losing Liz to breast cancer.

There is really no way to answer this that would do it justice. Unless you’ve experience watching someone you love suffer and tragically die so young, I can’t put it into words. Her death has permanently changed me and effects every single thing I do. Her absence leaves a gaping hole in my heart that no one can repair – not the love from my amazing husband, family or friends. Someone that lost someone they loved once said, “Some things are not curable.” I couldn’t agree more.

Tell us about UptownLiz.com.

Uptown Liz was created with everything Liz loved in mind. I used her favorite colors in the design (lavender and pink, which are also the colors for cancer and breast cancer awareness), and gave it a very trendy, sophisticated and upscale feel. She was a major fashionista, so I know she would love so many things on the website. I know that most people wish they could do more for the less fortunate, but they are just too overwhelmed with their own lives. So I wanted to create a way that people could give back in an easier way, and know where the money was going. What makes Uptown Liz unique is that you can shop by charitable cause or by product category. Every item shows you how much is going to charity and has a link to that organization’s web page. Through Uptown Liz, I hope to continue the movement of retail philanthropy and through Liz’s legacy I hope to bring awareness to misdiagnosis and cancer in young people.

You are up to 500 participating companies, right? What are your goals for UptownLiz.com in 2008?

Uptown Liz has over 500 products from  many wonderful companies. My goals for 2008 is to get more media attention and bring Liz’s story and legacy to a bigger platform.

What can we do to help?

Tell everyone you know about Uptown Liz. People can spread the word through blogs, MySpace and other social networking sites. And if anyone has any great media contacts, let them know as well.

This legacy is so special, has it turned out the way you intended?

Yes it has. But, of course, I’m very type-A and an overachiever, so I have imagined much bigger things and hope to accomplish them soon.

~~~~~~~
Ramona, your courage and grace is very much appreciated. Thank you for sharing your sister and your story ~

Liz Overturf ~ July 17, 1977 ~ February 1, 2006 ~

NOLA SUNDAYS!!!!!!! ~~ Omar Aziz, Jr. 1/27/08

Talking with Omar Aziz, Jr. is passion personified. He is extremely poised and precise in his vision. That in itself is enough to get you off of any insecurities you may be shouldering and onto pursuing something ~ even if its not the goal you intended, but opening yourself to benefiting from the path along the way ~ the journey where you just may find the answer to your dreams! This kind of intuitive, dream based driven motivation should keep you flying high all week and get you to examining your goals ~ and feel free to contact Mr. Aziz for more clarity!


Growing up there was a great exposure to entrepreneurship in your home. What is the greatest lesson your parents taught you?
I was born in New Orleans, a city of romance, charm and the world’s greatest foods. I grew up happy but perpetually baffled as to how my mother’s baking skills and my father’s ability to peddle homemade pies from a basket managed to support the family.

I had my first major encounter with entrepreneurship at the early age of 16. As a youth, I was content with sampling pies — not baking or selling them — until my mother encouraged me to help bake pies for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The festival put money in my pocket and a new respect for business in my mind. My family has been a part of this festive celebration of Louisiana culture, music, crafts and food since 1976. It was later, as a college student, that I began to test my entrepreneurial leaning. My college studies and my success selling pies at the Jazz festival and in the University of New Orleans dormitories, prompted me to put the two together. I applied what I learned in my business courses. I became a student entrepreneur bridging the gap between academic theory and business practice.

My talent for marketing and business development fueled the rapidly expanding pie business. I began selling pies in the French Market, at the 1984 Worlds Fair and soon opened pie shops in the French Quarter Marketplace, Jackson Brewery, Canal Place and in New Orleans’ famous Riverwalk Mall. I made special appearances at the Dixieland Jazz Festival in California, Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Fanueil Hall in Boston, South Street Seaport and Bloomingdale’s in New York as part of the “Taste of Louisiana” promotions. I have also been the focus of numerous feature stories on ABC, CBS, NBC, local affiliates and in local and national publications. I co-host and produce a new television show entitled, "The Economics of Success" ~~

"As the founder of the American Student Entrepreneurs Association and the Urban Institute for Entrepreneurship Education, Omar has been a leading advocate for the inclusion of entrepreneurship in public education. He has gone from selling pies to teaching students and adults how to get their "piece of the pie"."

In November 1993, Entrepreneur Magazine featured my widely shared entrepreneurial equation — “K + A + C = E3 .” I also offered a series of “Building a Business” seminars at Barnes & Noble entitled "How to Get Your Piece of the Pie: 12 Secret Recipes for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Success."

I am currently the Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Development and am available for public speaking, workshops and one-on-one entrepreneurial coaching. This has become my life's mission. I believe that no one should go through life without getting their piece of the pie ~~ the American dream of ownership.

You have an initiative P.I.E. What are the goals?
Participating In Entrepreneurship (PIE) is an innovative intellectual capital development system designed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and new business startups in one year or less. PIE defines a new business as one that has met all local, state and federal filing and licensing requirements, and has completed a written business plan.

The PIE system integrates personalized assessments and computerized testing to identify participants’ learning needs. The preliminary assessments, and one-on-one coaching from business professionals, personalize the process — generating goals that can be achieved, and results that can be measured. Participants who complete the program successfully start businesses and recognize their entrepreneurial dreams.

How do you see P.I.E. impacting the community?
Did You Know…


The dream of many students is to become self-employed. Results of a US Department of Commerce study show that youths' strong interest in starting a business derives from the freedom associated with being their own boss. According to a Gallup Poll study done in conjunction with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 7 out of 10 high school students say they want to start their own business.

Entrepreneurs generate ideas; produce goods, services and jobs; and produce the economic activity that drives the local economy. Despite the widespread acceptance of the key role small businesses and entrepreneurs play in our economy, many institutions of learning are not preparing our young people for careers as business owners.

While not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur, in today’s rapidly changing economic climate not everyone is going to be able to find that "good job with a good company." That's the reason PIE is so effective. The PIE program was formulated to make inner-city students aware of the possibilities offered by entrepreneurship and prepare them to seize those opportunities.
PIE Interactive featured on ABC News




It is not only the student with predetermined small business ownership goals, but all students who can benefit from entrepreneurship education. An employee who has respect, appreciation and an understanding of entrepreneurship is more likely to be an asset to a company. Today's business owners are looking for employees who can improve the bottom line efficiently and cost effectively. PIE is a life-long learning program that develops in students traits such as initiative, optimism, resourcefulness, risk taking, foresight, leadership skills, versatility, self-determination and a respect and appreciation for the value of dedication and hard work.


Mr. Aziz, this has certainly opened my eyes on some of the ingredients needed for a good recipe for success! I can't wait until our next visit with you so that we can learn a bit more with your food for thought! Thank you so very much, we hungry readers will have to chomp on that for just a while! At least until next time!

~~~ please excuse all of the puns, I just couldn't resist!

Barnes & Noble Series ~ Dreaming Big With Your Piece of the P.I.E.




Contact for Mr Aziz as follows:
Omar Aziz
HR Training Coordinator
Griggs Enterprise, Inc.
330 Marshall Street, Suite 711
Shreveport, LA 71101
Cell (318) 349.8647

Friends on Friday Presents Dr. Jerry Kenneth Schwehm! 1/04/08

I had really taken this week off to reflect. Then I began to wonder what it was I was reflecting on. Then, while surfing on the web and responding to email and notes I came across another friend. As you most of you know, I typically lead up to the Friday post all week, but we'll change things up a bit! Dr. Jerry will be our weekend guest! His "Lighthouse" series has become my reflection, but more on that tomorrow!

First let's meet the gentleman who is both our "Friends On Friday" guest, our Saturday post AND our NOLA SUNDAYS all in one! WOW!!! He is really great!!


Dr. Jerry, your bio states that your education in the 1970s led you to receive your BA and JD from Louisiana State University; what were your plans for yourself during that time period? Did you indulge any artistic inclinations at that time? If so, what were they?
I have painted and taken art classes all my life. When I was in college at LSU I took a few courses. I even did silk screen prints for Christmas cards in the late 1960's. I designed slogans for clubs and painted windows at Christmas time for decorations as an undergraduate. After Law School I was very busy but managed to paint and carve a few things. I did a set of Kachina Dolls one summer I still have but the time has taken its toll on them. It wasn't until I partially retired that I had time to really paint things.

You shared with me that you can find health in "the fun and enjoyment of painting and viewing art." Tell us what you mean.
Stress relief. Viewing art can evoke an emotion. I like the pleasant things, calm, and friendly. I hope most of my art evokes an emotion that takes away stress and brings a happy memory to the viewer. Of course painting for me relieves stress which helps in today's hectic life. I am told too much stress can cause a lot of health problems.

What moved you to pastoral work and obtaining your Honorary Doctoral of Divinity?
After becoming a Lay Minister I volunteered to help out other Ministers through a Ministerial Alliance. I would especially help out in Revivals and Easter Services. I would also counsel people about legal issues for a few church organizations. One such group desired to honor my service to them by granting me an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. It was a way for them to show me thanks for helping them.

What do you find most rewarding from marrying people?
I enjoy meeting people. The wedding is a special time for people and being a part of that is special to me. Having the ability to make that day easy and comfortable for people who are otherwise distracted by all that goes into getting married is something I like to do.



What do you love most about NOLA?
Everything, the food the people, the spirit, the history, the buildings the lake, the river the large oak tress and the streetcars.

Tell us about Fig Street Studio?  You were victimized by Katrina. Was your experience, where you tragically lost your precious art pieces, a complete devastation, or were you able to salvage some things and some piece of mind? Loss is a motivator and a growing tool, in my humble opinion, having lost all of my literature and wedding mementos back in 1997 when the Desplaines River flooded Chicago. It is rough but renewing, how do you view your loss?
My art studio was in a big two story double in the Carrollton area, on Fig Street naturally. My entire family lived there. My son and his wife on one side and my two daughters and I. on the other. The storm flooded my neighborhood so we never were able to get back. Lucky for me most of my valuable stuff was moved upstairs by my daughter who left last. She said she felt she should put things up higher. The loss came to some personal items in sheds and the packing and moving of everything. As my kids had to get back to work they all rented right away so the house was empty and I moved to my cabin in the woods of the North Shore. The house had extensive wind and water damage from part of the roof blowing off and a lot of plumbing breaking. After we got things fixed we sold it never sleeping another night there after the storm.
The sad thing is we are all in different places now. Once we were right next door, now my son is in Philadelphia, my girls 45 miles from me. But I do have a lot more time to paint and a new space to paint in at my studio in the country.

What are your favorite expressions? I love the pieces  Nancy 




and Starry Night Riverboat.




Do you prefer painting scenes, people, NOLA or all of the above?
I love to paint, people, pets, places. I have no real preference all I need is the inspiration. I painted a friend's pet dog for as his Christmas present from his daughter. It was a real fun thing to do. Everyone enjoyed the art and I enjoyed doing it. Nancy was a special present for my daughters and Nancy's parents. It is a way of telling them there were good times and a beautiful person once and we will not forget.

My experience with Katrina, has been a renewed love for NOLA. My Gran instilled the love in me but I took NOLA for granted. I am thankful for Katrina because she brought me to so many wonderful New Orleanians and their stories.
How can we help? You mention restoring your studio, restoring the lighthouse, and I am very passionate about restoring NOLA, the people and the place, will you keep us posted on what we can do? How we can assist and any NOLA needs?
The New Basin Canal Lighthouse has a restoration committee. All of New Orleans can be helped by people visiting when possible. There are many groups doing things. I can be helped by people buying my art either prints, tiles, or the other gift items from the Fig Street Studio.

info@figstreet.com is my e-mail contact.

Thanks Dr. Jerry, more tomorrow!