The streets here in the French Quarter today are kind of empty...... Void of the throngs of tourists that usually flock to my city this time of year. Had September 11, 2001 not been the day it was, the streets instead would be full of people having a good time, experiencing and seeing things that makes this town the wonderful destination that it is.

A year ago today though, things changed. For everyone. For some much more than others. Watching network TV today has brought tears to my eyes for those people more than once already. I'm not going to watch anymore.

On my way to work today, I bought 2 American Flags. I got out of my car and hung one of them on the Fire Station in the French Quarter this morning. No firefighters where outside with me when I did it. It made me feel a little better. They're hurting today.

There's a collection of the Missing Persons flyers from NYNY at the Comtemporary Arts Center here in N.O. today through Sept 14th. It's a framed collection/exhibit of tens of thousands of flyers that desperate people placed on walls, windows, lightposts...all over NY last September, in hope of locating someone they loved.
It should be powerful and emotional. And, get this.....They're serving gumbo to everyone there for free today!! Only in New Orleans....Only.
I love this town and I love the United States of America.
-Gene