IN KATRINA'S WAKE

For this week's 2 Things Challenge, I couldn't help but think of how important numbers and letters became in the wake of Katrina's massive destruction. Letters were used as code and spray painted on structures that had been searched. Part of the code signified whether or not there was loss of life.

Letters and numbers were also used to send a message to express profound feelings and emotions about a person's property and loss. Still ever present are the heartbreaking reminders of what we have lost.


This little house was located just off of the beach in the downtown area of Bay St. Louis, MS.
Please Respect Our Loss


Message to State Farm - Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis


Located on the beach in Bay St. Louis, The Fire Dog Saloon was once a thriving place to enjoy excellent food, fun, and friends. This sign, however, speaks to the fact that people get to the point of having to give up hope of rebuilding. Pieces of culture die off bit by bit as recovery drags out.
Fire Dog Saloon - Bay St. Louis, Feb. 2008

Memories on Doorsteps

Cobalt Glasses with Disposable Camera, Film Roll, and China Shard


The first time I visited Oak Blvd. in Waveland, I was inspired to stop and get out of my vehicle and introduce myself (something I don't normally do as I'm fairly shy) to a lady sitting by her drive in the humid August sun one year after Katrina. She was tending to a few flowers which had announced themselves beautifully within the overgrown Katrina-wracked yard and from that moment, we have been in touch. I have visited her and her mother each time I have been to the coast and wouldn't miss the chance to chat with them for anything.
Considering all the "things" Katrina removed from people's lives, friendships seemed to grow in place of things. Like little tokens lying on the doorsteps to a lost home, friendships sprouted from devastation and took away some of the pain. I have made some wonderful friends because of Katrina and though I lost a dream I had because of her, these friends are a beauty that can't be washed away.


Windows to Memories


Blue Daze


Songs in the Key of Loss


Slide Show


Blue Catfish


Table Saw


Box of Dreams


Beautiful Past


Montreal


Memory Shards


Wallet with Blue


Honra A Tu Padre

Echoes from the Mutable Land

Vault Handle


Bay St. Louis - Beach Blvd. :: Nov. 2007


What I've seen is not what those who went through Katrina saw in those initial days of total devastation.
But what I have seen has changed me. I cannot forget Katrina nor ignore her. She has touched me with her destruction so that I am forever inclined to capture her remains. . . almost the nymph, Echo, Katrina's voice remains
though her actual body is dead.


Vault Door


Vault Wall on Beach Blvd.