There’s a storm brewing outside and as I was thinking about this post, I had music going so figured I’d share what I’m listening to. It’s an oldies playlist because I’m feeling very nostalgic as I prepare for the storm. I know that sounds weird, but growing up in Louisiana, hurricanes are a way of life. Preparing for them is a source of pride. You either go overboard or you’re very cavalier about the whole thing.
My family road the fence. The first big storm I remember was Carmen in 1974. I remember loading up the U-Haul dad rented with all our worldly possessions and carrying them to higher ground. Then turning around and going back home to ride out the storm. We played Monopoly by hurricane lamp well into the night, listening to the winds slash and whip at the house. The trees outside bent perpendicular to the ground in the 100+mph winds. But our house remained standing. During the flood the year before, water filled the streets. We took an aluminum flat bottomed boat (called a bateaux) to the front of the neighborhood for weeks to catch the school bus. But our house was dry. During Andrew, my 94 yo grandfather refused to evacuate. “I built my house. I know it will stand.” He and his two 90+ year old sisters road out the storm at his house. Not a single drop of water got in that house and the only damage was to a porch awning added by someone else.
So riding out storms is not unusual. But we’re not idiots. When Andrew hit my dad was recovering from open-heart surgery and my mom packed up his stubborn butt and drove north. No one expected Katrina but I like to think my grandfather had something to do with protecting the family for that one. The city had built a 20 foot cement and steel levee around the city after the big flood in 73 and my grandfather was part of the commission that had it done. Everyone thought they were nuts. He was another writer in the family so I like to think I get some of my genius from him.
My dad loved the music of the 50s and 60s. It always makes me think of him. And storms make me think of my grandfather. He was a storm watcher. He’d track and watch and call to warn the family, make sure we were adequately prepared. He took care of anyone and everyone. I can’t believe how much I miss them both.
So here are my songs to think of them tonight:
- You Can’t Always Get What You Want
- Nights in White Satin
- I’m a Believer
- Can’t Help Falling in Love
- Natural Woman
- You Don’t Know Me
- When a Man Loves a Woman
- Stormy Weather
- Earth Angel
- In the Still of the Night
- Why Do Fools Fall in Love
- Since I Don’t Have You
Be safe Louisiana.