HAPPY NEW YEAR MISSISSIPPI

Today memories of "Auld Lang Syne" are racing through my mind of days gone by. So I raise a glass of cheer in celebration to the people of the Mississippi towns I have lived in.

"Here's to You and Thanks for the Memories"!!!!!!

Pascagoula, Biloxi, Kosciusko, Gulfport, Lumberton and Moss Point.

"Life is not ending

Old treasures will mingle

Amongst a new beginning"

Well Christmas is over and I am glad. Was more depressed than happy. I did attend church and thanked the Lord for my family and prayed for all the hurting people in our area. My unhappiness stems from comments coming from people in forums. It seems as though if you didn't totally lose everything you own that you have no needs. If you had a large beautiful home that was reduced to a "slab" you still have no needs. The consensus seems to be that you can build again. Good grief! With what? Pay two mortgages? No flood insurance to help. Get real people. Not possible! This isn't the time to be petty. It is a time for us to reach out to one another and share the different problems we all have. Three of my four daughters suffered losses in varying degrees.

Last week, I volunteered four days of my time to help at a distribution center. The wonderful people of Minnesota sent beautiful clothes (new) to help us all. I met various people and felt empathy for each of them. My point is that they were from all walks of life and their needs were great regardless of the positions they held prior to Katrina.

Let's work together! Volunteer and serve the people of the coast when you can. We can overcome this grave adversity by walking hand and hand into a brighter future.

God Bless Us All!!!

So many people from all around the United States have generously helped stand us on our feet again. We have come together as united people, no boundaries can separate us.

Many years ago, I married a young guy from Chicago, Illinois. A midwesterner but I referred to him as a "Yankee". When he took me to his home to meet his relatives my words became even more slurred as my tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth. Maybe it was because they would say, "Listen to her Say something to them". I didn't know until much later that they found my drawl rather charming.

So the poem below was inspired by all of you midwesterners. Actually, any of you that haven't a southern accent. Although I still believe that "Yall" works better than "Youse", I extend my hand to "Youse" guys.

Charming is my soft drawl
When I say things like, "Come back yall"
Means I am saying goodbye to more than one
An invitation that leaves out none

Midwestern husband began to correct my every word to help me speak my best he said
At him, many times, my eyes sparked fires of "red"

He used his dialect as the proper way to speak
Making the art of language so sleek
"Youse" he would say sounds better than "Yall"
Have to confess that between us this caused a brawl

Soon had me speaking like him
Thinking before I spoke made me sound so prim
All my southern charm would disappear
But enunciation was clear

Eventually, I had enough and spoke rough
When provoked a southern girl can get tough

"I AM FROM THE SOUTH"!!!
"NOW YOU HUSH YOUR MOUTH"!!!

Thank you! God Bless You!

A few words of encouragement to all of you in the aftermath of Katrina. The words below are my words as I have had to walk through this life facing many challenges. A positive attitude and prayer work miracles.

Walking with courage

Focused on a better day

Obtains the foreseen

I have taken a break from writing about Katrina as we have entered the Christmas season. We are all suffering hardships to some degree. Those who lost a loved one are especially hurting at this time. Christmas is called the season of love and rightfully so. We give and we receive because there is love. Most importantly, we celebrate the birth of Our Lord. Faith in Him will turn the catastrophe that hit our beloved Mississippi Coast into a bright new world for all of us.

The poem below is one that I wrote about Christmas' past in my home.

My home at Christmas is a sight to behold

All tinseled out in ribbons of silver and gold
Front door wreath welcomes all
Who may come to call

Warmth of a cozy fire entwines
And enhances the scent of cinnamon and pine

The smell of Christmas plays a big part
With the memories I hold in my heart

Twinkling lights cast a magic spell

On Christmas’ past for some to dwell
When all our dear ones were here
Enjoying the same fun and cheer

Presents laying everywhere
Decorated with color and flair
Yarns of red, gold, green and blue
Garnish gifts from me to you

Alabama’s “Christmas In Dixie” fills the air
Sending wishes to people everywhere
From my house to yours I send
This message too, my friend

Delicious food of beef and ham
Perhaps a leg of lamb or something gourmet
Could be on the menu this special day
Chicken and oyster gumbo as the main course
My mother’s family recipe the source

Fine wines to enjoy and savor
Gives food a better flavor
Homemade fudge, pies and cake
Something of which all can partake

Grandchildren listening for Santa’s reindeer
Cause radar tracking says he is near
Visions of toys dancing in little heads
As they sleepily snuggle in their beds

Sitting on a side table
Is a moss covered little stable
In humbleness a little “babe” lies
As a man on a rugged cross he dies
Obtaining for us paradise as the ultimate prize!

Merry Christmas!

Still no relief on August 31st. We had jugs of water but we desperately needed ICE. The tremendous heat and humidity was beginning to affect all of us. Something as simple as ice was uppermost in our minds. There was no electricity, running water, or telephone. A decent meal could not be cooked as grill had been under water. Oh yes --- we had cans of potted meat, spam, crackers and pork "n" beans but still we were hungry!

We were dirty and tired. The heat was sapping our strength. I was the older one in the family and on three medications to control blood pressure. My medications would not last much longer. It wasn't a senseless oversight in preparation on my part as phamacist's will not let you stock up on drugs. No blame people ---- who could have known the disaster that would befall our beloved Mississippi.

Insects were invading the house. Mosquitos, beetles, flies and the dreaded ROACH! A praying mantis took refuge on ceiling in the kitchen. I was thankful that there were no snakes!

More to come ........

The hardships and agony that Katrina would bring in her aftermath continues to this date as flashbacks. We had no transportation as both cars in the household succumbed to the flood waters wrought by Katrina's storm surge. There was no way to check on the condition of MY home as we had no phone service and cell phones could not pick up a signal.

The carpets in the house were soggy and "squished" when walking on them. We were all very tired and traumatized and tried to bring normalcy to what was abnormal. We constantly swept water from the kitchen floors as there was a continuous seepage from the carpets in the house. We kept our shoes on while in the water knowing that was not going to protect us from possible contamination. The 7 and 8 year old boys were sent upstairs to stay dry. The 2 yr. old girl stayed in her highchair and the 17 day old baby girl in her bassinet.

Our preparations for bed that evening were not the greatest but it was all that could be done. Although we had shut off the main power supply leading into the house, the boys were not allowed to sleep upstairs. We wanted everyone close in case there was more to deal with. The two baby beds were in fine condition so the two little girls had a dry place to sleep. My daughter and her husband slept in a soggy bed The boys and I slept in the living room. One slept on an air mattress and the other in a recliner. I laid on a sofa that was wet but not soggy. Believe me there is a vast difference. At least twice during the night my daughter got up to fix a bottle for the baby. I lay there watching her and tears would well up in my eyes. She had been so happy just 17 days before with the new arrival in her family. In an instant, what life was a short time ago had become another reality. One of vast devastation!

August 30th ..... A rising sun greeted us and brought back the unbearable heat of August. It is a suffocating heat that requires drinking plenty of fluids to ward off dehydration. The baby was being affected by the heat. We would sponge her down and take turns fanning her. I was very worried about her but wouldn't voice how I felt. She could die. Please Lord NO! We kept the windows open and on rare occasions we were able to create a draft. There are no screens on the windows and various insects came inside. The biting flies were the worse. The 2 yr. old girl had fly bites all over her body. Another worry that she could contract a disease.

What ice we had melted in the refrigerator along with the rotting meat. As a morale builder for the worried parents, I would tell them that help was coming soon as it had during hurricane Camille. Water and ice was brought to our doors and in rural areas dropped from helicopters. So we held on to that hope and waited.

more to come ........