Hoosier Daddy

Zydeco Still Helping Katrina Victims -- YOU CAN TOO ! ! !

  For many, Katrina and the destruction that it brought to New Orleans is history.  The reporters and TV crews have all moved on to other things, leaving the people and the destruction behind them.

But the owners of one of the best restaurants in Central Indiana have not forgotten.  Deb and Carter Hutchison are owners of Zydeco's Five, the wonderful Cajun restaurant in downtown Mooresville.  They have put together a full program to help the victims of Katrina.  And all you have to do to help is show up -- on Sunday, October 14 and Sunday, November 12.  Zydeco's will be serving some of the best food north of Lake Pontchartrain -- with a large helping of music and fun.  Zydeco's will host a fund raising dinners, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. 

So what happenswith the money? 

That's the next step in the project.  Deb and Carter, and about 10 of their employees, are taking off the week of Thanksgiving and heading to New Orleans to work on the Habitat for Humanity housing project called "Musician's Village."  All of the raised will be used to transport the workers from Indiana to New Orleans to work on building Habitat for Humanity homes, with the remained being donated to Habitat for Humanity.  While in New Orleans, Carter, Deb and the rest of their krewe will tote lumber and swing hammers to help build houses for those left homeless, particularly those in New Orleans' music community.

Not stopping there, Deb and Carter are again providing those displaced with a taste of home.  Zydeco's hosting a special free Christmas dinner on December 13 for Katrina victims who relocated to Indiana.  This year, locals can make reservations to join the dinner -- but sorry, Hoosiers have to pay. 

When the first President Bush talked about "a thousand points of light," surely he had Carter and Deb Hutchison in mind.  Through the devestation of Katrina, Deb and Carter are two shining stars who bring the light of hope to many. 

Simple Pleasures of Fall & Work Done Well

   This week brought the first cool blast of weather announcing the change of seasons.   For me, it marks the beginning of my favorite time of year.  It also brought a great experience for my 17-year-old son, Alex -- something which I think he will always remember.

One of our friends from church is Quentin Wood.  Quentin is into his eighth decade, but he is as active and sharp as anyone I know.  And he grows apples.  He doesn't have a lot of trees, but he takes care of them.  And every fall, they are simply weighed down with huge apples of red, yellow and green. 

Quentin also has an old fashioned apple cider press that he rebuilt.  So on a bright, crisp fall afternoon last week, my son spend an afternoon with Quentin.  He loaded apples into the press, then chopped them, pressed them into fresh cider, then took the remnants out to the barn to feed the five steers Quentin has in his field.

At the end of the afternoon, both Alex and Quentin had smiles on their faces.  Spending time working with outside your hands, listening to stories,  and producing something -- not a bad day.  Not at all.

In Memorium: To Sitka

For nearly 11 years, my constant walking companion was a bi-eyed Siberian Husky, a beautiful dog with a white star on the back of her neck.  Named for a city in Alaska, Sitka loved to walk, and smell everything on the way.  She would sometimes prance, sometimes track a smell with her nose to the ground, but always with her beautiful tail curled high over her back. 

People always commented on how beautiful she was -- and many asked if she was part wolf.  But she was all Husky -- an Alpha Dog, a lead dog.  She would never get tangled in her extra-long leash. If she walked around a tree or pole, she knew to backtrack without even a tug, and if the leash got tangled under her legs, she would step out of it without even breaking stride.  And no dog has ever more loved frolicking in the snow or having her belly scratched.

A few days ago, I had to take her to be put down.  I took her for a last long walk, let her wade in a small creek, and scratched her behind her ears.  Then I put her in the car and drove her where I didn't want to go.

I scratched her head and belly, gave her a last long hug and told her I would always remember her -- and cried.  I'm sure I've done things in my life that were harder.  But I can't think of any right now.

One of my friends wrote to me that it's not that we love pets more than people, its just that we love them better.  I think she was right.  And maybe they love us better, too.

Lisa Runquist, a lawyer who I know through the ABA Solosez listserve, shared a poem she wrote in tribute to her dog.  It is so fitting for Sitka that I want to leave it here as a type of eulogy for my companion on so many cold mornings.

I see you running across the field --
    playing with the others,
    Chasing balls, squirrels, possums, cats --
        you're not picky.
    Always the chaser -- never the chased.

I see you greeting the children
    as they run to you --
    They see you as a big, fluffy toy.
    You don't even growl when they pull your tail
        and your ears.

I see you greeting your friends --
    always smiling
    that look of pure delight
        when they rub your ears.

I see you "hummingbird" tail -
    wagging furiously
    as you locate something/ someone
        in the bushes.

I see you sleeping -
    your arms outstretched
        as though you were praying.
Have you found Him?

Has he taken you into His arms
    and told you what a good dog you are -
    and what a good job you did
        getting me not just to love you -
    but teaching me how to accept your love?
Has he said - well done, good
    and faithful servant?
Has he given you another field
        with green grass
    and balls, possums, squirrels and cats to chase?

You are free, now
    my puppy.
You are not bound by your old, tired body -

Go in peace, then.

And remember --
    you will always be
        my buddy, my pal,
        my love,
        my best friend.*

*Copyright 2001 by Lisa A. Runquist

United 93 -- Heroes Among Us

  This past weekend I saw the movie United 93.   It is as gut-wrenching movie experience as I have ever had.  Halfway through the film, I took off my sweatshirt I was wearing.  Even without the sweatshirt, at the end of the movie I found my shirt drenched in sweat.  And walking out of the theater with probably 50 other people, there was a reverent and respectful silence -- homage to the incredibly brave men and women aboard United 93.

United 93 is the story of the 4th hijacked flight on September 11 -- the flight in which the passengers, knowing of the planes hitting the World Trade Center, fought back, saving this nation the horror of seeing our Nation's Capitol Building in flames and ruins.  The movie is remarkably well-made.  The hand-held camera shots give it a feeling of urgency, immediacy and intimacy that draws the audience in, even though we know the end result.  Unrecognizable actors play the roles of the passengers and crew, giving them that "everyman" quality.  Many of the ground personnel are played by themselves.

This is not a politicized or glorified version of events that day.  There are no "bigger than life" John Wayne characters, no heroic speeches -- just the events and the ordinary people swept up in them.  And in many ways, that makes their actions even more heroic.

The question is not "is the nation ready for this movie?", but rather is "are you ready for this movie?"  That is because the decision to see this movie is entirely personal.  I will not try to talk anyone into seeing it.  There is no right or wrong as to whether to see it. 

The only "right" is the way in which the makers of this film went about their work.  This movie is an honest account of the people who lost their lives on United 93 on September 11.  And in that honesty lies the greatest tribute of all -- the courage and heroism to act under circumstances of paralyzing fear. 

Redbuds, Dogwoods & the Hoosier Spring

Redbuds and dogwoods -- and deep green grass.

As we rush through the hustle of modern life, rushing from appointment to appointment, cell phone in hand, it is so easy to overlook the simple beauty of spring in Indiana.

So sometime this coming week, as you dash between meetings, or picking up the kids, or dashing off to soccer practice, or where ever life takes you this week -- take a moment to look around at the redbuds and blooming dogwoods, to smell the fresh cut grass, and just take in the beauty of an Indiana spring.

Hoosier Lawyers Lend Hand to New Orleans -- Justice Sullivan & Bar Presidents Among 40 Lawyers Who Help Katrina Victims

Spring get-away bar meetings are usually a time for pure fun.  It's off to Las Vegas, or Cancun, or maybe a cruise.  The CLE courses, which keep the event tax deductible, are lightly attended and generally over by late morning.  After that, its fun, sun, and maybe a casino. 

But this year's Spring Meeting of the Indiana State Bar Association different.  For me, and I think many of the other 40+  Hoosier lawyers, this was a far more meaningful experience than a CLE class and a couple of drinks at the bar. For photos of the trip, CLICK HERE.

The opening reception was attended by the presidents and executive directors of the Louisiana and New Orleans Bar Associations.  They shared their sincere appreciation to the Indiana bar for not cancelling the event, then told their own stories of coping with the effects of Katrina.

Friday morning we attended serious CLE sessions dealing with the lessons learned about disaster planning and recovery.  We heard a young woman lawyer tell of setting up a legal hotline for the displaced residents of New Orleans -- and doing so after losing her home and moving back to live with 13 other members of her family at her parents home, which was outside the flood area.  We heard a law firm administrator talk of keeping a mid-sized firm afloat while his home was under 18 feet of water in St. Bernard Parish. 

After lunch, we put on our jeans and old tee-shirts, grabbed our paint brushes, and headed to the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court.  It really was a remarkable scene.  This wasn't a group of second year associates.  Included in those swinging paint brushes were Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan,  current State Bar President Jim Riley, President Elect Rich Eynon, and former State Bar Presidents Clyde Compton, Jim Bourne, and Chris Fruehwald.  And these folks were not there just for show.  They were all carrying paint buckets, climbing ladders and doing real work.  At the end of the afternoon, we were all sweaty and tired, but not one of us complained. 

This wasn't a photo op.  There was no one from the media there.  The only cameras were by those of us in the group.  And the only pay was the sincere appreciation of those who are living everyday with the reality and hope of New Orleans.

Saturday, we toured the devestation of New Orleans residential areas.  It was sobering and stunning.  No matter how many photos you see, or descriptions you hear, you cannot understand and feel the extent of the devestation until you see it yourself.  At the end of the tour, we all felt a renewed commitment to this place, and to the people of New Orleans.

There is so much more to tell.  Even more remarkable than the things which we saw were the stories from all the people we met -- people who have lost everything, but are still carrying on one step at a time.  I hope to cover a few of those in future posts.

Britney, Baby Chairs and the News

What passes for news these days -- even entertainment news -- is absolutely unfathomable!

Here we are with troops in Iraq, Iran developing the Bomb, the middle class disappearing, millions protesting and counter-protesting our immigration policy (or lack thereof) -- and what do I see on television tonight?  "Exclusive film" of Britney Spears "assistants" loading a new high chair in the back of her car!

Seems her little one bumped his noggin a little on his old high chair while being watched by his nanny.  So hold the presses!  Grab the cameras!  Britney is shopping for (gasp!) a new high chair.

So how many of us out here in the heartland give a flying flip about Britney -- or anyone else that has to have assistants when they go shop for a high chair.  Why didn't she just send her nanny to do it.  Oh, but then, that wouldn't have been "news."

Edward R. Murrow, we hardly knew ye.

Spring Blossoms in Indiana

Glorious Spring!

The dogwoods and forsythias are in bloom, the sound of lawn mowers long silent, and gentle warm breezes.  It is a glorious spring in Indiana.

Sometimes when we are going through the long dreary Hoosier winter, it is easy to dream of Florida sunshine and Arizona heat.  But when spring comes in full blossom to the Indiana countryside, there just isn't anything more life affirming.

The poem "Ain't God Good to Indiana" is generally associated with fall, but one couldn't find a better expression of the last few days.

PS -- If those folks with offices in the Regions Bank tower don't fully appreciate my sentiments this spring -- we'll all understand.

The dogwoods and forsythias are in bloom, the sound of lawn mowers long silent, and gentle warm breezes.  It is a glorious spring in Indiana.

Sometimes when we are going through the long dreary Hoosier winter, it is easy to dream of Florida sunshine and Arizona heat.  But when spring comes in full blossom to the Indiana countryside, there just isn't anything more life affirming.

The poem "Ain't God Good to Indiana" is generally associated with fall, but one couldn't find a better expression of the last few days.

PS -- If those folks with offices in the Regions Bank tower don't fully appreciate my sentiments this spring -- we'll all understand.

New Test for Renewing Drivers License

My new office is open.  It's located in Ameriplex Business Park on the southwest side of Indianapolis, right next to a BMV License Branch.  After a couple of weeks, I have one interesting observation --

People renewing their drivers license are horrible drivers!  Okay, not all.  Not even the majority.  But nearly every morning when I get to the office , there is at least one, and sometimes two, cars parked over the while parking lines.  This results in taking two parking spaces in what is an often-crowded parking lot.

So I have a suggestion.  A new drivers test.  Before issuing a drivers license, the BMV must look out the window and take a look at the car being driven by the person renewing their license or license plate.  If the car is parked over the white line, they don't get it.  They have to go away and try again on another day.

Visitors Get a Dose of Indiana Weather

Well, it probably isn't what the Chamber of Commerce had in mind, but tens of thousands of visitors to Indianapolis for the Final Four Weekend got a taste of Indiana's volatile Spring weather this week.

The big wave of visitors started arriving Thursday -- a beautiful spring day with sun, warm breezes and the forsythias just starting to bloom.  But Friday, it changed in a hurry.  Ominous dark clouds swept across Indiana, and tornado sirens sounded in downtown Indianapolis.  Television and radio stations were full of reports of tornadoes hitting near Greenwood and in Shelby County.  Saturday, the day was dark, damp and nearly frigid.

So a reminder to all our visitors -- when you get ready to leave your hotel room and it's nice and sunny,  don't forget your umbrella -- or your mittens.  You might need them both before you get back to your room.