so i've been living here ten days.

already, i've learned a lot about the community. here's a quick recap.

-i've talked with several of the homeless in the area already. i've learned more about our neighborhood and its history, and the history of new orleans in general, from them than i ever did from marc, or a tour guide, or any historical account. i learned that the empty lot diagonal from us used to have slave quarters behind it. i learned that the house at the corner used to be a barbershop with slave quarters above it. i learned the empty lot next to us used to be a house with slave quarters behind it. when we were clearing brush and trimming branches from the trees by the shed on the girls' side, a homeless man offered to clear them away for us for $25 (Deuteronomy 24:15). between trips of hauling away the sticky, wet, heavy brush and branches he told me all about the above. i gave him $30.

-i've learned that our neighborhood is a lot less worse than we expected.

-our second day in we got herbs (basil, bay) from one of our new neighbors. i promised him i'll give him some applemint when i get it planted. he's an herbalist, and wears minnetonka moccasins.

-our neighbors are friendly as all else.

-just last night, the windows on my car were smashed in while i was just inside the house.. didn't even hear it. they took marc's gps. this is why we have a commonwealth. i'm not angry, but i am a little sad that they didn't need to steal for food or steal to have a comfortable and safe place to sleep- they stole because they wanted the gps. they also smashed my rear corner windows for some reason... yeah, still trying to figure that one out. :)

-we are all tired and grumpy but very much in love with each other, our community, and G-d.

-we still have a ton more work to do (we still need to get hot water working..) but i love it here. it's starting to take form.

we love all of you. please keep in touch with us!