St. Louis Cathedral glows in the New Orleans skyline. July 2006

French Quarter is relatively quiet on this summer day in July 2006.

Muriel's Restaurant is open, carriages roll through the Quarter, but signs of repair are seen all over the city. July 2006.

Balconies swept clean from Katrina now celebrate summertime in New Orleans. July 2006.

Mural on wall of Cafe Du Monde says it all: It seemed like an ordinary day until... July 2006

Cafe Du Monde has been a French Quarter landmark for years and was one of the first shops on the Quarter to reopen after the hurricanes. July 2006

Our family at The Market Cafe, from left: Elisabeth, Carolyn (me), Dave, Jonathan, Jason (Tara's husband), and Tara (my "adopted" daughter). July 2006

Sunday lunch at The Market Cafe includes all the jazz you can listen to. July 2006

The City of Jazz, and hometown of jazz legend Louis Armstrong, hasn't missed a beat. July 2006.

Pirates Alley, where pirates where midnight trades of plunder were made with discreet New Orleans gentlemen. July 2006

In the Quarter, facing north on Decatur Street. July 2006

Mississippi River reflects the lights of the Greater New Orleans bridge. July 2006

At Riverwalk Park, a bronze statue of a grandfather passing stories to a new generation. July 2006