Several things converged on me this week reminding me of the tragedy in New Orleans. Yes, the anniversary. And, a dear friend of mine, Anne Marie, visited the city last week for work. She stopped in to see another friend of ours, Rose Vines. Rose blogged about her experience of surviving the hurricane, the breach, her evacuation, and then her return. Anne Marie received a personal tour of the city. She came home and couldn’t find the words to express her sorrow. I could hear it in her stumbling voice.

I received a CD in the mail today from Seva Venet, a jazz musician Jill and I met in Chicago. So I sit here listening to it, and hoping for him and his fellow musicians that this deep rich artistry will go on in the city we all associate with jazz.

A new friend in my online better worlding community, Christophe, lives in St. Louis temporarily, one of the American internally displaced. He invited me to visit the great jazz city when he takes the city back.

And the blogosphere. Grist today posted an article, Life after Katrina. Upon a simple search for “Katrina environmental disaster” I discovered this gem of news compiled by Laura Erickson, a birdwatcher and blogger, who lists articles about the environment and Katrina. Chock full of stories about how our environment was damaged by the disaster and how a lack of environmental care exacerbated the situation. We must take care of the environment we have left.

At times like this when we have to acknowledge the environmental damage as well as the humanitarian crisis, is my choice for being organic making a difference? I have to believe it does. Every bit(e) counts. I send my love to all who help, who struggle, who live with the tragedy that is New Orleans. Perhaps I should redouble my efforts. I mean after the environmental disaster there, we need to be doing all we can to save the environment! Spread the word about caring for the environment and the role of being organic.