August Meeting Commemorates Katrina

"Water. Beginning and end of life in New Orleans. Just as floodwater seeped into places even light could not go, Katrina's aftermath found the weaknesses of any relationship and drove the wedges. Much as we like to brandish the cliche' that the storm brought us together--and it did on many collective levels the world over--it tore us apart on individual levels just as easily. And it is with these conflicts of the heart, within ourselves, our relationships, our communities, our city, that the artist finds fertile ground, not only for relief by fitting the conflict into words, but healing by sharing those words. " - (excerpt from Life in the Wake: Fiction from Post-Katrina New Orleans, NOLAFugees.com)

The Red River Pulpwood Queens held its August meeting on the 31st, just two days after the ever-changing Hurricane Katrina made landfall, 5 years ago now. We began with a gentle reminder that on this particular week in 2005, thousands of innocent people clung to roof tops and drowned in murky water. Families and homes were torn apart and we are left only to recover and reminisce.

Our usual place to meet each month is Columbia Cafe, an artsy little place in Shreveport that has always treated us marvelously. Last night, considering our topic of discussion, we were greeted with less than comfortable accommodations. The room was barely lit, the service was slow, and we spent the entire evening sweating from the heat of the cramped space. During a round of bright blue hurricane drinks, I read an excerpt from James Lee Burke's The Tin Roof Blowdown to set the scene for the book selection of the month, Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. We were also joined by our group's newest member, Ark-La-Tex author Connie Cox! We also talked about our new monthly newsletter keeping members up-to-date on events and book news.

As for next month, we will be meeting for Italian dinner; a new book as well as a new place. See you there!