Helen Rosburg, Heather Graham, Connie Perry

Arrived in New Orleans to attend Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans retreat to beautiful hot weather.  Just the way I like it.  Although hurricane Gustav is on everyone’s mind, the people here are just the way I remember them, smiling, kind and ready to offer suggestions on the best place to eat. 

I ended up breakfasting at the tiniest restaurant.  You order at the counter and hustle to find a seat in a room that has about 12 tables.  I lucked out because it was packed, but the food was delicious, hot and served on real dishes with real silverware (I’m so anti plastic). 

The hotel is the beautiful and historic Hotel Monteleone.  Numerous authors, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Truman Capote were frequent visitors.  There are even ghosts in residence.  The Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans dates to 1886 and is home to several friendly spirits. Recently, the International Society of Paranormal Research (ISPR) of Los Angeles conducted investigations at the hotel. According to Andrea Thornton, director of sales at the hotel, "The findings are in accordance with what guests and employees have been experiencing for years." She continues, "Most of the reports we receive about our ghosts are sightings, but some detail benign mischief like opening doors and moving soap. We had no idea this investigation would unearth such rich stories."  I haven’t had a close encounter yet, but I’ve got a couple more days.

Table reserved for ghost Pierre Antoine Lepardi Joudan

To start things off was a Wicked Welome Party sponsored by Kathy Love and Erin McCarthy.  Music was provided by The Impalers who also performed at RT.  The snacks and band were great, but to really get to mingle with people, you had to leave the room or not be heard. 

Then it was a short jaunt to Muriel’s where Helen Rosburg sponsored a Victorian Soiree.  The costumes were amazingly beautiful, but as one author commented, "How the heck did women wear all that clothing in this heat?"  I’m assuming there was a lot of fainting going on. 

My version of a romance book cover.  Jason Santiago looks great, but I don’t think it’ll sell many copies.  (Just where was that hair and make up person??)

Muriel’s has it’s own ghost.  Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan is one resident ghost. A former owner, he committed suicide when he lost the house in a poker game. Reputedly, this unhappy act occurred in the general area of the Seance Lounge, so named because of his frequent appearances there.  I had my Tarot card reading there by Marilyn Campbell and you can see it below in my Drive By Video™.  I’ll warn you now, it isn’t pretty.

This was my kind of party with great food, parlor games, a dress up area, and fascinating guests to visit with.
And this is only day one.  Saturday I’m on a panel (which always tickles me) and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for us.  Heather pulls out all the stops.

Gustav update:  I received a bulletin under my door announcing that hotel services will be affected.  Linen and towel exchange only, no room service and buffet only in the cafe for breakfast and lunch.  No dinner.  On tv, they are announcing forced evacuation in some of the parishes, but I’m not affected yet.  The hotel is on top of things, so I’ll take my cue from them and until then I plan to enjoy all that this wonderful city has to offer.

Bottom Line:  Most psychic readings involve tall, dark mysterious men waiting to sweep you off your feet.  I get, "Go home and clean out your house."  There just is no justice in the spiritual world.