KATRINARITA GRAS

This is a cover that William Joyce was asked to do for the New Yorker. Unfortunately, it got bumped because Dick Cheney shot his friend instead of bird. Bill hopes his art and essay will be used to keep the story of Louisiana's troubles alive. I live in northern Louisiana and life here was disrupted very little by Katrinarita. But everyone who comes back from New Orleans says that words simply cannot describe the way things were and still are.

New Orleans has always been a one-of-a-kind place that millions of people have enjoyed. Not a perfect place but beautiful, elegant and prone to debauchery (the Puritans never got a firm toehold in New Orleans).

There are still 1000s of displaced south Louisianians. You've probably heard some of their stories. And this week NPR's All Things Considered is broadcasting from New Orleans and providing updates on some folks' stories. For those of you who have returned to New Orleans, South Louisiana and the Mississippi coast and are rebuilding your lives I wish you abundant strength and courage. You will need it. God/dess bless.