Editor’s Note

by Leah Draffen

I have a confession. One of my favorite scents in the whole wide world is fresh lumber. You read that right. A stroll through a lumber yard or home improvement store? Yes, please. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of growing up near a sawmill, or maybe it’s because the smell usually means progress. I’ll go with the latter. There’s nothing like walking into a freshly built home.

After Hurricane Ida passed and daylight appeared, I could hear chainsaws roaring through the beaten trees. And the smell of sawdust wafted to my door. That’s when I knew that things would be okay. One of those chainsaws was operated by my husband. He was making his way to the service station to gear up for the long weeks of storm recovery ahead. He’s a lineman.

As I’m writing this, he is working a 16 plus hour day. There’s a little boy who has missed his daddy greatly and a baby girl who is wondering where that tall, bearded guy is. He has been working so hard to get the lights on for everyone as has every line worker. The love that has been shown to first responders and utility workers has been so refreshing to see. It is always incredible to feel how our community comes together in times of need and it’s also a reminder of how thankful we should be.

As Thanksgiving arrives, I’m certainly grateful for the beautiful life we have built. I cannot wait to sit at the table and enjoy a meal with our loved ones. In whatever stage of storm recovery you’re in, I pray you’re able to do the same! Fitting for this season of thankfulness is the work of our cover artist James Michalopoulos. Everything he paints comes from a place of gratitude and celebration. My conversation with him left me with a sense of hopefulness and excitement for what’s to come in

New Orleans. Read his story on page 14.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with those you love most! I know I certainly will. Cheers! With love,