Black-Eyed Susan Among the Roses: A New Orleans Memoir - Tapa blanda

This is a story based on the childhood memories of one girl who struggles with heridentity and purpose in a large New Orleans family. Though rich in heritage, the family falls on hardtimes, relying heavily on financial assistance from other family members. The girl's parents aredeficient in meeting the needs of their children, so she seeks comfort and nurturing from her extended family.

Fran Gervais was born and reared in New Orleans, spending most of her summers on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at the family beach house. She has made her home in Pearl River, Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina. Fran is employed as a medical transcriptionist by Slidell Memorial Hospital located about 25 miles from downtown New Orleans. An avid animal advocate, she spends a great deal of her time in the surrounding community rescuing cats and finding them homes through adoption. Her daughters, Tracy and Nancy, and son Paul all reside north of Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany Parish and the Baton Rouge area. Her multiple family members are frequent visitors to the nearby Mississippi Gulf Coast.