As another poster said, we need people like you to stay in this ‘Petri dish’. It amazes me at times; the amount of ink that’s been spilled about this great social experiment of post KATRINA New Orleans. The city has a long way to go, and what will be writ in the years to come is anyone’s guess.

Fortunately, I didn’t lose anything, yet I still feel scarred. I suppose I’m acting on the axiom, if one suffers all suffer (that from a cynical hermit – go figure).

I like you and have for some time. As is, as a coming father to be, your life is in a most interesting state of transition (my daughter is 21, and a chip off my block-such as it is). Think of it, your child to come will be a native. That alone is worth the price of staying!

LDS ~ Eppito

I still check your blog every week or so — to see what is new with you and what’s happening in New Orleans from someone who’s living it every day.

Here in Houston we have our own fallout from Katrina - there are still a lot of displaced people in our city. Some, including my next-door neighbors, have made a new life here and now call Houston their home. Some are still grappling with their options for returning - and some are filling our jails.

Your blog has been an inspiration to me - I hope I would be as active as you have been in the rebuilding of my community if it went through what yours has been through. You and your wife seem like regular people and I’m glad to hear that New Orleans still has enough appeal that regular people want to raise their children there.

So here’s a total stranger telling you congratulations on your decision, and wishing you a bright future and happy holidays!