As I was out watering the yard (which I HATE doing anywhere, but whatever), I noticed that two houses down is for sale. So, I went over to peek in the windows.
A Yorkie viciously barked and a woman came out of the nearby FEMA trailer. She thought I was somebody else, but graciously showed me her house for sale.
It's for sale because her husband is divorcing and she can't afford to buy him out. Today is their 17th wedding anniversary. I said, because what else could I say?, "I'm so sorry." "Yeah, me too. I'm sorry, it's just a really bad day all aroun for me. But, I have my health, and two wonderful children."
It's $240,000, which is just land value she says. It's totally gutted and down to frame, and it even looked newly wired and plumbed. It's 2200 square feet with three bedrooms plus a den and a nice fenced-in backyard with a pool which is actually in good shape. I love it. I want it. I can't have it. I don't ever want to be in her position.
They got 15 inches, which it took me a few minutes to understand what she was saying. 15 inches of floodwater. Did 15 destroy 17?
Earlier I went to Norwood's house cuz I miss him and wondered how his house is doing - it looks great - he just put in all new windows. He's insulating and sheetrocking starting tonight. I wish my weekend weren't so packed, but I'll get over there for some of the fun times.
My best times in New Orleans so far were when I was staying with Tami, trying a new nationality of dining each evening, and volunteering at Habitat with Norwood and Kim and Keith and the boys. That's real New Orleans. Over here right by First Choice Law School, it's people from Georgia and Alabama and Michigan and Arkansas. It's not New Orleans and it's not even Louisiana.
There are such benefits to living a 5 minute walk to campus, and it's great for my environmental and karmic conscience. But part of me wants to go live next door to Norwood or other New Orleanians. Real New Orleanians. After this year I'll only have class four days a week, so maybe I can justify the commute more. Maybe I'll convince Norwood to let me move in. Kim would let me. Maybe I can just live in his FEMA trailer when he moves out - it's about the size of my apartment now.
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