As I sit at my PC this morning pondering what to write to maintain the truthfulness of the progress along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, I find myself at a loss for words. Nine days ago the anniversary of that terrible storm was observed and I believe, to our fellow Americans, it may have sent a message of a closing to the enormous problems that remain. The speeches that were made by the governor, senators and mayors of the state were words of hope to the citizens for a future in our beloved state of Mississippi. I was disappointed that Senator Trent Lott didn't make an appearance. He attended Biloxi's memorial earlier that day and was at the grand opening of the Beau Rivage casino in Biloxi also. Lott lost his home on Pascagoula's beach The people who idolize the senator must have been sorely saddened.

I was in the small crowd of people that gathered at Beach Park in Pascagoula for the observance. The demeanor of the people that were present was quiet ... meaning not much laughter at this solemn occasion. Of course, I was taking snapshots of the clean but barren area we were in. You know the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words"? That's what came to my mind and I wanted to "pan" out farther to show the scope of the barreness that is surrounding us. I feel the same when I take pictures of reconstruction in the neighborhoods.... a "pan" to the left or right would have an entirely different effect on what I am portraying.

Our local news seems to have discontinued talking about the destruction and are focused on reconstruction now. Nothing wrong with that but it appears to me that the casinos, not local businesses, are to be our saviour and costly modular homes are what the people need ... just forsake design and beauty.

I leave you with this question, "If you were living this nightmare, and it can happen when you least expect it, "What would you do"?