chauncey gardner, a goat of note

i took this.  lafayette cemetery #1.

I'm still full of joyful thoughts about my New Orleans trip.  Clearly a few days doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of everything you can experience in one of the world's great cities. so I went looking for stories to help me understand what I missed.  The Big Easy did not disappoint.
Let me point you to the story of Chauncey Gardner, the goat that showed up in music videos, as a festival mascot, and not least as the inspiration behind an urban brush-removal company.
Chauncey passed on in February 2015 at the age of 11.  His obituary points out that he was a solid presence in the arts and culture of New Orleans; during the days after Hurricane Katrina, the Village Voice shared his adventures - he'd left the area riding shotgun in his people's car.  Then, as the city started taking itself back, Chauncey was the inspiration for a weed-eating team of unusual landscapers: Y'Herd Me Property Maintenance.  Excellent story about that is here.
A one-of-a-kind town needs a one-of-a-kind hero.  I can't wait to go back to NOLA.

worded wednesday

I was away for a few days to see family married in New Orleans.  Here's some photos I took that will show you a more intimate side of this most unusual and lovely city.  I hope to return!

Above: sticker found on Magazine Street.

Characteristic ironwork found in Lafayette Cemetery #1.  See the little friend?

Found on the sidewalk on a side street of the French Quarter.

These feral kitties - there's four in the photo, look at the upper left - are looked after, I gather, by the lady at the Riverwalk tourist and tour info kiosk.  They aren't used to being petted, but they will let you touch their backs with a finger.

An apartment window in the French Quarter.