In the spring of 2010, my email box was inundated with writers looking for the softer side of the story of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and following oil spill disaster. These seekers of a different angle flocked to my bayou to interview my shrimping neighbors. As a wetland advocate, I wondered how I could use this man-made disaster as a platform to further the cause of education and awareness.
It became clear to me early on that most of the journalists who arrived at my door really had no clue about our culture and way of life. So, if they wanted a story about how the oil spill had impacted us, then they must humor me and allow me to educate them about this vanishing ecosystem and its people.
What these well-meaning journalists needed first was a foundational perspective from the standpoint of a population of coastal communities who were suffering yet one more blow to their way of life. As a woman who lives, works, and fishes here, I could give them that perspective, which was simply this:
This oil spill was not an isolated disaster for the people of coastal Louisiana. It was like being kicked when we were already down. And here’s why.
Does that make you narcissistic?
Yes, most definitely
I’m so jealous. The words “flowers” and “winter” do not generally fit in the same sentence around here! LOL Very pretty!
Hate to rub it in, but they smell delicious, too!!! Thanks for stopping by—let me go pay you a visit now!
i’m jealous too, it’s too darn cold here for any kind of flowers. Those look very inviting.
They are sooooo lovely!
Those are so pretty – it will be quite awhile before we get to see those or their cousins, the daffodils around my neck of the woods! I love getting to see them down at your place though.
When will they bloom, Dlyn?
Those are just beautiful! And I love the analogy you made between the flowers and the people of your area.
Trish
That’s Trish. That means a lot coming from a great writer like you!
Green Thumb BW,
I have a very wet backyard and the soil is dense. Crawfish like it tho, because I have tons of their huge mounds as testimony. Would those bulbs grow in that enviroment?
I’ve planted wild flower seeds in the past but the Hubby forgets and mows over them before they mature! Maybe the bulbs will have a better life.
Katy, hopefully you could plant them in the fall after he mows for the last time, and they will come up in January.