New Orleans has always had
her own special magic, a rich, spicy gumbo of tastes and sounds and
sights unlike anywhere else on earth. No hellion hurricane can change
what she has been to us or our love for that place, for the valiant
people committed to make her rise again.
She's still there, maybe
caught a little like Sleeping Beauty, beneath the brambles storm and
sorrow have cast over her. But she's not asleep, oh, no, not that saucy
wench. She's just catching her breath, but some of her toes are
tapping, ready to jump up and dance, to let those good times roll again.
New Orleans will be
different tomorrow, in some ways, but the essence of her remains. I am
fortunate enough to know some wonderful people there, folks who are not
quitters, who will never give in to defeat. They, and so many others
like them, will bring this Cajun Sleeping Beauty, with her wild raven
hair and her layers of beads, her flashing brilliant skirts and dancing
bare feet, to life again. If those of us who aren't residents pitch in
to help by paying a visit and supporting her economy, that day will be
hastened.
I, for one, will rejoice.
Meet you at Café du Monde for beignets, eh bien?
Two of those good folks,
Marcie Maxwell Lemoine and Becky Maxwell Ancira, created a tribute to
what's good about New Orleans, and if you'll visit my website,
www.jeanbrashear.com, you can read The Maxwell Sisters' Best of
New Orleans, along with an original short story I wrote, called
Eight A.M. in the Quarter. You can find a couple of yummy recipes
there, as well.
My latest
release, LOVE IS LOVELIER, part of the Hotel Marchand limited series
from Harlequin, will be on stands in a few weeks and is available by
order now. I loved being a part of this celebration of the wonder that
is New Orleans. I hope you'll enjoy spending time with Anne and William
and seeing that love truly can be lovelier the second time around.
