Howard Westra Bio

Howard Westra, I met after the Occupy New Orleans protest had encroached upon Duncan Plaza.

The whole park was strewn with tents, both make-shift and store bought.

Howard sat by a tree and read for hours each day.

He could finish a complete novel and then start another one in the same day.
We became friends; after I realized that he acts the way he does because he is hard of hearing; and not mentally challenged; and after I brought to him a Styrofoam of some excellent restaurant food late one night; which he devoured.
He then told me that I could store my sleeping bag in his tent during the days; which led to us having several "intelligent" conversations.
He spent about ten years in China, and was the chaplain of a prison in Colorado for about another 12 years.

When we both became disillusioned with New Orleans (myself, due to the slowness of the summer season; Howard because they were talking about kicking the Occupy New Orleans group out of the park) we became travelling partners and had many adventures in Mobile, Alabama and in Baton Rouge, Louisianna which are documented in this blog.

2 comments:

  1. Mr Westra!! He was my teacher in writing course when I was in university! I miss him and tried so many years get in touch with him but failed. How is him? Hi Mr Westra, this is Nancy from Chaozhou, my dear coach!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nancy; your inquiry has motivated me to call Howard to ask him the very same question of how he is.
    He has told me many stories about teaching English and how much he enjoyed it.
    I'll mention you to him and perhaps he can send you a message through here...He is very hard of hearing; almost deaf; so I can't call him directly but must speak to him through a housemate; I'll find out how your old coach is doing, LOL; I hope he is still alive after the Covid thing; I last visited him about 2 years ago and didn't visit all the way through Covid; it's time for me to get back in contact with him; thanks for being the catalyst!

    ReplyDelete

Comments are like bottles that wash up with notes in them