I’m sitting here in the Orange Couch café on Royal Street in the Marigny, an eclectic neighborhood in New Orleans where I live.  It’s my favorite place to come and work . The vibes are soft and calm, the music generally low and unobtrusive, the clientele locals, people from the neighborhood.  I’ve never heard any disruption or shouting or complaining here, no harsh voices.  People respect one another.  I can hear myself think.  The owner, Fred, is a sweet generous guy, easy to talk to, down to earth.  I hope the place succeeds, thrives, always.   

I live at 2468 Dauphine, in a camelback apartment on the second floor.  

My first year in New Orleans--last year--I lived in the French Quarter.  More about that inimitable experience later. 

This is a blog about a 67 year-old man who came to New Orleans from New York City last year to teach writing at the University of New Orleans.  I had lived in New York for thirty-five years.  I had never been to New Orleans.  Everything about the experience was, and is, new.

I have reinvented myself.

Welcome to the Crescent City.