I went out before noon today to take some pictures of the damage in Pascagoula. Please remember I am not a photographer and the day was overcast. There are no words to accurately describe what I see. The scene in it's entirety would have to be captured to show the vast devastation. How can damage to all the flooded houses be shown. Many look fine until you step inside. The buildings to the left of the old Ritz Theater building were all gutted and are under repair. Most were occupied by lawyers. The M&M Bank on the corner of Jackson Ave. and So. Pascagoula was demolished. The pic below is of the new bank being constructed. Now that's the way to go Pascagoula, build bigger and better.


The small mall on Delmas Avenue in downtown Pascagoula has been cleaned up and gutted businesses have been repaired. It is a very charming area and is worth preserving. It oozes with southern hospitality. If you can't make out the license tag on the car that I thought worthy of noting, it is TEXAS!




The next pictures depict the most distressing situation in our area. Assistance that was to start on February 20th has been delayed. I personally know people who checked the internet every half hour to see if the applications were online so they could print out the forms to enter their info and be that much closer to rebuilding their homes. Instead they got an UPDATE delaying the procedure. How much longer will they be kept in limbo?





The next picture will show you just how inept I am as a photographer. I not only forgot to roll up the window, the interior of the car framing the picture was not intentional. Thought I would tell you that. The picture was taken to show this soon to be beautiful home again as the workers complete replacing the siding.


The next pic speaks for itself. Reminded me of the children trapped in the school in the Phillipines and the unfathomable agony of the parents. A child going through disasters is the biggest heartache of all. Why the children?


In the Port of Pascagoula, like a mother hen, is the Holiday cruise ship giving refuge to people who have lost their homes. God Bless!


So folks this is my hometown that I hold dear. See our needs not only with your eyes but with your heart. The picture below is of a mallard duck that everyone knows flies south for the winter. In his migration he would have arrived after Hurricane Katrina did her damage but he stayed for the warmth. That's Pascagoula!

Since I write about my hometown in Pascagoula, Mississippi I should at times put links to more pictures showing the damage. So here are several. The last link is a video that shows devastation to the coastline. I recognize most of the area to be Bay St. Louis. All of you that know this area also know how close we are to one another.

More pictures of Katrina damage in Pascagoula, Mississippi

Assortment of Damage in Pascagoula

Mississippi Press Newspaper

Scenes from BSL, Waveland, Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport

The picture above is for my friends at amazing forums that do not reside in Pascagoula at this time. It was a beautiful pier. I am sure we will rebuild it.

It's that time again to take a respite from Katrina and to tell you a little about my younger years. For me, it will be a time of reminiscing.

Higher education for women in my era was a rarity. Girls graduating from high school could expect to work as bank tellers or secretaries. Nuns prepared us well for these positions and I excelled in secretarial work as I could, not only type, I could write and decipher all the squiggly symbols of shorthand. This talent removed me from the "steno pool" very quickly. I was on call from every executive at Ingalls who preferred shorthand over a dictaphone. Was faster for very busy men.

When asked by anyone if I could do this or that, I always said "Yes I can." I trained other female employees in the use of what we called the "teletype". It turned out to be the very beginning of computer interactions.

I was fingerprinted for security purposes and my background thoroughly checked. I had in my hands secret plans I personally brought to the Navy Department. Looking back, I wouldn't have been able to divulge any info as in my youthfulness I really didn't know what I had. That's probably why they chose me. On my deliveries to the Navy I met Commander George S.... who later transferred to Ingalls as a civilian in the capacity of Sales Manager and I acquired yet another "boss".

Mr. S was instrumental in my being at a commissioning of a naval vessel. I can not tell you the name as I was more impressed by the ceremony and the young sailors that helped my girlfriend and I aboard the ship.

I went aboard one of the two luxury liners being built at Ingalls for the Moore-McCormack Lines. It was very luxurious but what stands out in my mind is claustrophobia as the corridors were so narrow that both my elbows grazed the walls.

On another occasion, the women at Ingalls were in a union and staged a strike for higher wages. I hadn't joined the union as I was happy with my wages. Again I had no idea what it all entailed. When they went on strike Mr. S and his wife drove me through the picket lines into the yard. They had a convertible so I wasn't hidden from view. I waved at my co-workers and they all waved back. What peaceful times existed then. I wasn't called a "scab" or ostracized thereafter. They patiently taught me what was involved. They got a raise and so did I. My naivety once again saved me.

In writing these excerpts from my past, I became aware that I played a minute part in the history of my hometown.

Every other day, I take a ride to the Pascagoula beach and then circle around to Washington Avenue, a block over. Each time I go, tears well up and I cry. If my heart hurts how much more the hearts of the people who lost their homes and possessions. A large piece of plywood with their name and address scrawled in huge letters leans against the Fema trailer or a nearby tree.

When driving through the areas, my feelings are of being in a strange world, a place I no longer recognize. It has become extremely difficult, after almost six months, to remember what was there. The once beautiful oak trees have a petrified look, as if what they had seen on August 29th turned them to stone.The scenery is devoid of color. It has become a wasteland.

Today the Corp of Engineers were everywhere. Washington Ave., So. Pascagoula and all the side streets in the vicinity of the destruction. Linemen from power companies were hard at work "restringing" the lines.Workers from telephone companies were making repairs to their lines. The bustle of activity lifted my spirits.

As I rode farther down Washington Ave., I heard the sound of hammering and the loud shrill of saws. At least four homeowners in close proximity to one another had begun to rebuild their homes.Their spirit will encourage others to once again rebuild and not let fear overwhelm them to the point of not going on with day to day life.

We have all learned many valuable lessons from Katrina. Of course, we have no control over the destruction a hurricane may cause but we can take better precautions to save our lives. Our area, at this time, had only a dozen souls who didn't survive the storm but they were a dozen too many.

Mississippi is coming back!

This is something I think warrants recognition on my blog. There are so many beautiful, generous people from not just the United States but from all around the world who are coming to our aide.

You can find the article here!

Stepping Way Out With Katrina Views

FOX NEWS: GOV'T COULD HAVE PREVENTED KATRINA DEATHS

Read Article Here

After reading many articles like this over the last five months, I think it has become more of a "Party" fight. Democrat versus Republican. Katrina is often referred to as overwhelming (crushing by reason of force, weight or numbers; irresistible). A party preference would have made no difference. We were POWERLESS! Finger pointing is not going to solve the problem. I happen to think that all the highly educated people involved in this so called "investigation" are simply a distracting smoke screen for the real issues at hand.

In relation to the article, I find no acceptable excuse for the four days we waited for life sustaining help. Due to that delay, there were deaths that could have been prevented. The link I have provided to a Sun Herald editorial explains how our state felt after Katrina's storm surge had subsided. Editorial

9/11 was the worse tragedy that happened in America. The death toll was staggering. Most Americans can remember exactly what they were doing that particular morning. We witnessed the first airplane strike the towers and thought the pilot was off course. When the second airplane struck, we knew that America had been attacked. I recall saying over and over, "Oh no, Oh no!!"

There should be no comparison between 9/11 and Katrina, as the comparison between the two gives rise to the thought that Katrina was an attack also, doesn't it?

Regardless of all that has been written and all the warnings we apparently received, most of it is "hogwash". To those of us who were here during the storm, shouldn't what we experienced first hand be taken into consideration? Katrina defied the physics of a hurricane. Camille was a category 5 storm and maintained that status as it made landfall. Katrina was a category 4 storm that made landfall as a category 3. The destruction of Katrina made the destruction of Camille pale in her wake. Something is wrong!

Happy Valentine's Day

Since it's Valentine's day I have decided not to write anything that is of a serious nature. Today is a day to share love with those you hold dear. I would also like to wish a day of love to all the people who have faithfully come to read my blog and thank you for your interest. My writings have helped relieve some of the tension that I am experiencing and hope they have given insight to you.

We seldom have cold weather in the coastal south but the frigid air this past week has allowed me to put a log in the fireplace. Each summer I wonder why I live here when it is so hot. Each winter I know why. Our weather changes from horridly hot to ideal.

Stand Up and Be Counted

The goodness of locals who have survived this disaster shines as bright as a star casting a light on our battered communities. The love and generosity from good people all over the world has added brilliancy to this light so we can find our way out of the darkness.

We, in the state of Mississippi, haven't forgotten Florida, Alabama, Louisiana who suffered from Katrina. New Orleans is especially in my thoughts and prayers. The great state of Texas also for what they endured when Rita struck.

Unfortunately, there are people in our area that haven't learned the lesson that Katrina came to teach. They take, they hoard, they help only their community, they hurl derogatory barbs at denominations different from theirs and people they perceive to have more money than they. The sense of brotherhood has escaped them entirely. They have become like ravenous wolves.

We all need to free ourselves from being "kept" by the government and stand on our own. A disaster as devastating as this one can drain resources necessary to keep our country operating efficiently.

So to all you diehards out there. Appreciate what you do have. Stand up for your State and your Country!!!

Flapping screens on my backporch were a gift from Katrina. Although I thought I got away with very minor damage, I didn't. As the months rolled on the once pretty porch has now started to mold. Not black mold, just plain mildew from dampness. Doing the storm, rain water seeped under the baseboards and ruined them. The entire outside of the house needs repainting as it has slowly taken on sickly green colored splotches. Earlier I had said I would repaint myself. Well, scratch that! I can't imagine me on a tall ladder stretching to reach the highest peak. Would be a catastrophe waiting.

I engaged the help of my son in law to find me someone who paints and can do minor construction work also. He was successful in that endeavor and now I am waiting on two different estimates. One for the painting and one for repairing the porch and replacing a section of rain gutter. Actually, I don't care how much it costs because this is going to be a one time thing. If we have another catastrophe, I am just going to walk away. Where will I go? I haven't the vaguest! I could go to California and experience an earthquake or to Massachusetts and be buried in snow each winter. Or maybe I will just simply get a condo and let someone else take care of the maintenance. Now that's a good idea!!!!

Previously I had a link in this post to the Sun Herald on an article dated 2/10/06 reporting on a homeowner being delayed starting construction of a new home because some new ruling from Fema stated that any house built before 1960 had to be approved before demolishing to ascertain if there was historical value. I am happy to update that article. The homeowner was given permission for "a go ahead".

Thought this would be of interest. Yet another frustrating delay to people who are anxious to rebuild their lives. We once owned a home in Gulfport, Mississippi built in 1957. Maybe we should have kept it.

Beauvoir, the last home of confederate president Jefferson Davis was damaged by Camille. By restoration, in my opinion, it then became a replica of what it originally was. Katrina inflicted devastating damage and in its present restoration, logically speaking, "Won't it become a replica of a replica"?

Actually I have never understood what makes for historical status. I definitely know that age alone isn't the only criteria. The picture below is of the old home I grew up in along with two brothers, a sister and our parents. It existed in the 1920's and reliable sources say it goes back further in time.


Why my fixation with the old house? It is the one thing left of a once nice area. Progress destroyed the neighborhood. Memories of both my grandparents homes, as well as those of aunts and uncles, are buried under tons of concrete. Deterioration due to old age has brought ridicule to the now dilapidated house. Demolition is a certainty. It will be gone but not forgotten. Whatever the land is used for my children and grandchildren will keep the memory alive by pointing to where their ancestors homes once stood.

My previous post spoke of love for your neighbor and my charitable work gives credence of doing good works for those I don't know but...... What do I do with a neighbor who arouses my anger to the point that I have on several occasions wanted to shout "mild" expletives in his direction?

What did he do to rouse my anger? For the 9 months that I have lived in my present house, he has shown no respect for my property. He is very neat and that I commend but he is detrimental to the appearance of MY property. He puts his garbage cans, sheet rock, cabinets, open cardboard boxes stuffed with all kinds of discarded paraphenalia over the property line in the front of my house. He doesn't bag the leaves from his yard, he blows them across the line to my house. He trims his hedges that divide the property and lets all the clippings fall in my side yard.

On one particular day I was so angry with what he had in front of my house I went out and he was standing in his drive about 15 ft. from me. With super human strength I began throwing all the junk back into his drive. You know what he did? He turned and scampered back into his house. I was breathless when I finished lifting and hurling the trash back where it belonged thinking this will make him aware of what he is doing. It didn't! So for the next time I had another plan of action in mind. I raked and bagged all of the leaves in my front yard and made a barrier between his debri and my property. The next morning when leaving the house to do errands I thought to myself that this might work. When I returned all my bags had been picked up by city workers and his "stuff" remained. Where once he had been infringing on only 5 ft. of my property, that had changed. A 20 ft. fallen limb from one of his trees extended 15 ft. beyond where I had the bags as a barrier.

Today I watched from the bedroom window as he blew the leaves from his yard into mine. Back to the drawing board!!!!!

My daughter and I share an interest in many different things and oft times we work together. So her introducing me to blogging was yet another way for me to write. I prefer truth over fiction and at times I may come across too strong and opinionated. Anita

Her latest post is beautiful and well thought out and gave me an answer to something that happened over 8 years ago. The morning after one of our well known thunderstorms, local news was reporting on a small church that was damaged by the storm. The pastor and his parishoners, at their own expense, had been in the process of adding another few hundred square feet to accommodate the congregational growth. The results of their labor lay scattered in ruins. My husband and I decided to make a sizeable donation to help put the pastor's church on the road to recovery.

The necessary calls were made and he and his wife agreed to meet us at the church. When we arrived, and opened the door, they were sitting in total silence on the small altar. I lead the way down the aisle and introduced us. The pastor's wife started weeping and hugging me. She said, "As you walked down the aisle you looked like Jesus." Whoa! I didn't quite know how to handle that statement. A feeling of unworthiness washed over me and I cried too.

It is the tendency for man to put too much importance on his own self worth and to want recognition for the good he does. I remember being thrilled to be able to "shine" in this good deed. The answer I got this morning after reading Pope Benedict XVI'S encyclical was because of love for my neighbor and the answer to the pastor's wife's prayers, she visualized Jesus walking down the aisle, not me.We are the Body of Christ and are his hands, legs and arms sent to do His Will.

The same principle holds true for the work I did as a volunteer for Operation Vanessa minnesotahelpers.org

I was merely an instrument!

Okay! I have just about had enough of being an invisible victim of Hurricane Katrina. No wonder Mississippi is at the bottom of most all polls taken. Not everyone seems to know that we are a state. We are not the surrounding area of New Orleans, Louisiana as all the major newspapers have been reporting for over 5 months now. New Orleans is not on the coastline AT ALL! I realize they have a population much greater than ours and we didn't have a levee that could fail. We don't have the French Quarter either but we have many things that New Orleans doesn't have that is unique to the people of Mississippi. What is uppermost in my mind is we are thankful for the smallest thing done for us. That is why when catastrophe hits another state we give back monetarily and send the best of what we have in the way of manpower. It's nothing new to the state to be overlooked, it has happened many times.

We are a conservative people so I am sure we have at times caused agitation for our views on different referendum. When Alabama was ordered by the state to take the "Ten Commandments" out of it's Federal Building, Mississippi offered to take them. Mississippi Offers to Take Ten Commandments

Although abortion is now legal in our state the people fought hard to stop the killing of babies and are still fighting Yes,,,,, we think it's a baby and not just a "glob" of tissue. Petition Drive Aimed at Prohibited Abortions in MS

We were appalled at the killing of Terry Schiavo. She had the right to live, as the Declaration of Independence states. When the first baby was aborted, somewhere down the road we knew that euthanasia had gained a foothold. Who is more helpless than a baby, an ill person or the elderly? Because of his views, President George W. Bush had Mississippi's vote.

When there was such a slow response to what happened to us here, I personally felt that even though it was the biggest natural disaster to hit the United States, we wouldn't get the response that we should have from our leaders. Not enough thanks can ever be given to the people of all the states who came to our aid. Without all of you we would have given up hope.

The people of Mississippi are often referred to as poor and ignorant. I am neither. There are many rich people in our area. They didn't take jobs from those classified as poor nor did they abscond money. They worked hard to attain what they had. Katrina took it away but their determination is intact to build again.

I am going to end this rant by saying that constantly referring to us as poverty stricken Mississippi is like kicking us when we are down. I will be the first to admit that what wasn't poverty stricken before Katrina, is NOW!

My spirit lifted this morning as the weather is beautiful today. I decided to stay close to home and take care of things around the house I flipped on Fox News and rather quickly my sense of well being crashed as they talked about nuclear weapons in the middle east. Who has them and who doesn't? A question was asked if America has to use nuclear weapons what will they use? Of course, a lot of rhetoric followed. Pictures were displayed showing different weapons that could be used. Do you believe that ..... I don't! Why would any american believe our government would give the strategies they may have to use to the enemy? We live in very dangerous times and can only pray that our leaders will make the right choice to preserve our still young country. If not, it won't be God that destroyed our world, it will be the fault of mankind.

You may have read where I suspect something other than a hurricane devastated our area because of what is happening in the middle east, I still feel that way. Progress is still at a snail's pace. I watch my daughter and son in law working hard to repair their house and my heart weeps for them. I was a young child during World War II, a young teen during the Korean War and a young woman during the Vietnam War. Neither my daughter or son in law were born then. They face an even more terrifying fact, the threat of a nuclear war. America, as great as it is, has never been truly at peace, we have always had to fight to attain what I call a false peace. Somehow fighting to bring peace hasn't solved our problems. Peace brings tranquility. Fighting is the opposite of tranquility.

Come on America pray! Prayer can work miracles .... I know!

Oh No! I Have Been Tagged!

Had never heard of this until my daughter Anita said it is a game bloggers play to have a little fun. I have to humble myself to publish this post but "What the Heck"? Lets see... list five things ( quirks) that are inherently mine.

I am never without lipstick. Not just any color , it has to be red.It rejuvenates me to complete the many tasks that arise on any given day. If I am mowing the lawn or raking, it is done with lipstick applied. To uphold the authenticity of this I submit the following. Some years back my colon ruptured and I lay unconscious for a week Upon awakening my first words were, "Hand me my lipstick." After brushing my teeth at night I sometime freshen my lipstick before retiring. Notice I said sometime so this "quirk" hasn't completely taken me over. There is a person I hold responsible for this. Her religious name was Sr. Clara. I thought in 8th grade I had the right to wear lipstick. She had me stand before the class and they witnessed my humiliation as I bore their laughter. She ceremoniously wiped it off.

I know that through this post I am going to excuse myself in some fashion but it is in defense of what I personally believe. We aren't born with quirks, they are acquired from things we experience in our lives.

Okay here is another ...,, I don't eat a slice of birthday cake as "normal" people do. I stuff it in a glass and pour milk over it and eat it with a spoon. Gee!!! ..... even to me it seems strange. Okay this is in some way the cause of this peculiar quirk. An aunt at her children's birthday parties always had me be the last in line to get a slice of cake. It never failed that when I stepped up to get my slice it was all gone. I would eat the icing off the candles. I really have no earthly idea why I "stuff" it in a glass, I could just place it gently in the glass right? There definitely is a problem here as my "stuffing" it in is done angrily. Could this have arisen from merely not getting a slice of cake? Is this a quirk or do I need help!

My sleeping habits I can blame on no one but me. I do not like to sleep on a pillow. They are only used to give shape to the bed when I make it in the morning. I sleep only on my left side with my arm supporting my head. If I should turn to my right side, I wake up. I can have no air conditioning or heater running as the noise disturbs me. So in the summer I sweat and winter, I freeze.

Quirk number 4.....Hmmm!.... I know! Things have to balance. Pictures on the wall, the placement of furniture in relation to the pictures on the wall. Do you understand what I am saying? For instance, the Grand Casino in Gulfport, Mississippi faced north and had a slight leaning tilt that I mentioned for years to whomever would listen that it was sinking into the sandy foundation. If they actually saw it they never said anything. Maybe they didn't see what I saw or just accepted the slight imperfection. It actually bothered me that it wasn't perfectly balanced. Can you imagine what the leaning Tower of Pisa does to me?

Final quirk ,,, This is tough.... I hate the telephone as they disturb my peace. Telephones have been in my life since the "party line". Their RING to me means something is WRONG. Gosh ... Please don't ring my phone after a reasonable hour because my quirkiness becomes paranoia.

Okay all you bloggers out there I tag you to dare you to expose your quirks. Think of it this way. By talking about your quirks you may help fellow quirkers to live with this malady.

Yesterday was not a good day for me as five months of not seeing progress can take a toll. There is no beauty anywhere.The only adjective I can use to describe what I see is "shabby". My home has also fallen into shabbiness because of an inability to find someone to make small repairs The torn screens on the backporch ,as I feared, have given access to residency for the roach. A few weeks ago, I saw a raccoon walking along the top of the privacy fence and I imagine at night he is enjoying the porch. Small things? When you live from "day to day" in this environment, it is monumental.

Most distressing was two unidentified people, a man and woman, were laid to rest after spending five months in the morgue. How many more people may not have been found? There are still many missing. Northrop Grumman, before the storm, employed 12,000 and only 80% of them reported to work. Are they just displaced? Many were in administrative positions. I find it strange that they didn't make contact. Will we ever know how many along the coastline lost their lives? Questions, questions, questions!

Every day chores that once were so important seem more intrusive now. I received a notice that it was time for my car's oil change. Maintenance is necessary but I would rather have the decorative trim put back on the hubcaps. Earlier in the aftermath, three of my tires went flat.That's correct, all at once. Either the mechanic repairing the tires is responsible for the missing parts or all the pot holes in the road that I hit takes precedence. I now prioritize what I think should come first. If it pertains to making something more pleasing to the eye, it
goes to the head of the line.

Well I got that off my chest! Thanks for listening. Maybe today I will at least "hear" the sound of rebuilding.

At 430AM I awoke to the predicted severe weather that was forecast last night. As I peered out the window, the street light, along with the flashes of lightning, gave me a glimpse of blowing rain and a heavy downfall. A thought came to me that none of us can protect ourselves from the elements with certainty that we will not be injured or killed. Chance of tornadoes was high. Should I have evacuated?

What about all the people now residing in Fema trailers? You and I know that trailers can be overturned by high winds. It was suggested last evening that they evacuate to a safer place. Where would they go? We are talking about thousands of people crammed into a small local shelter or two.

When a disaster occurs of Katrina's magnitude it brings far reaching problems well into the future. I have inserted a link to a problem that can arise in the very near future.

Pascagoula Officials Worry Clogged Drains May be Gulf Coast's Next Disaster

The Sun Herald - 01/19/06 - Forget Camille

Thought you might find this interesting. I have lived long enough to meet both of these ladies They both brought death and destruction.

On a couple points in the article I am in disagreement. Camille made landfall at approx. 11:00 PM on the night of August 17, 1969 and continued until dawn on August 18th. As it travelled through and out of Mississippi it caused severe flooding and deaths in other states.

Where Camille locally caused flooding south of the railroad tracks, Katrina flooded homes and business' everywhere. The Mississippi Sound wasn't the only source of flooding. The rivers had nowhere to flow and came over their banks.

A former residence of mine was located in Lumberton, MS., 55 miles from Gulfport, MS. Most all outside structures such as carport, gazebo and storage sheds were destroyed.

As I have said countless times, in my opinion, there was something very suspicious about Katrina. It came into our state "hellbent" on nothing less than total destruction. Its fury wreaked havoc until it finally weakened and dissipated in Mississippi.

FORGET CAMILLE

Katrina Possibility

I have talked about riding out the storm with my family on August 29, 2005. I have spoken of the aftermath. I have taken an active part in assisting my fellowman in his time of need. As a somewhat more comfortable victim of the storm (didn't lose my home) I was able to look at the events that have taken place more objectively.

The slow response to such a major disaster was hard for me to understand. So the only conclusion that I could come to was that we may have been "nuked". Certain kinds of attacks may or may not have fallout involved. But if you didn't want to chance that, just wait a few days before responding to " let the air clear".

Bear with me please. There is no one here protecting our shoreline or preventing an invasion of our still helpless people. Why? Our two major bridges are not even under construction. No homes are being built. Most people are living in small Fema trailers and business is conducted from Fema trailers.

The discussions over the Ocean Springs bridge is still being held up because we need a drawbridge as we are a shipbuilding area and the ships need access to open water. The delay is supposedly because it will cost more money to do it properly. We are looking to the future and we can't jeopardize that future.

Call me crazy if you so desire as there is a certain "katrina lunacy" but take a look at the news each day and tell me that it isn't possible to have already happened here.

Living each day with the "mess" that Katrina made of my life and still have to take care of business as usual doesn't seem fair. When I walk out on my backporch and see the torn screens that haven't been replaced because the job isn't large enough to make it worthwhile for a contractor to come give an estimate, I get depressed.

September found me having to find where to get my car tag and renew my license as the penalties for not complying didn't cease because of the storm. Paid property taxes on my home and land that is in my possession. It has been a struggle to do all these things that, a short time ago, were no effort

Then it was time for me to take care of my health so on December 13, I made an appointment for a consult with the doctor to discuss changing my medications so I could enjoy a better quality of life. I take three drugs for high blood pressure. Lotrel, Plavix and Lipitor. In no particular order they are an ace inhibitor, a calcium channel blocker and a statin drug. One keeps my platelets flowing freely to keep clots from forming, one is to slow the blood pumping through my heart at a lesser pressure and one to lower my cholesterol. I worry about these drugs as if I am in a car accident I will most likely bleed to death. My white blood cells are being compromised and the natural cholesterol that my body produces is being blocked. Oh...I almost forgot. High risk that my kidneys can be damaged along with my liver. Have been on these medicines for over two yrs. and experiencing one side effect after another.

Perhaps the way I started the conversation with the doctor was partly to blame for what ensued. "The reason I have asked for a consult with you is because I would like to feel as well I did before I came here." I proceeded to tell him the side effects I was having and he said "I don't want to treat you, you think you know more than me." "Do you realize the education I have?" All the while I was saying "But doctor .... but doctor...." trying to calm him down. He had me leave his office and I walked out feeling like a "scarlet woman" ......so humiliated. He has a couple of signs in his hallway that say "Remember if you sue, it will also cost you." Perhaps, Katrina has gotten to the doctor, and he lost his professionalism that day. I understand as I don't feel like the person I was five months ago. Our way of life now is surreal.

Tonight on television I watched another church being demolished. The minister said "I don't know what the future holds but I am anxious to walk toward it." So am I!

The Magnificat - The Canticle of Mary

The image of Jesus' mother is one of many along the coast that withstood the wrath of Katrina and I am happy to say this one is in my backyard.

The Magnificat, also called the Canticle of Mary, is recorded in the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55) It is the Virgin's response to the Angel Gabriel's announcement that she would become the mother of the Son of God.

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm.
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Katrina and the Civil War

With each year that passes I see the people of the world coming closer together. We live in different hemispheres (metaphorically speaking) but we share many of the same experiences in life. We all are capable of love no matter where life has destined us to be in a certain period of time. I feel the love each time I go to the site meter on my blog and see all the wonderful people from the United States and around the world who have come. They are, to me, a "cloud of witnesses" standing guard. Love exudes from all the volunteers who have taken time from their lives to help their suffering brethren They have given us hope.

So I ask, "Don't forget us. Let what happened in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama always remind you of how fragile life is." Love your neighbor, practice the golden rule, "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You".

In its lifetime, our state suffered much destruction from the Civil War and major hurricanes that have kept us at the bottom of all the polls economically and yet one poll we lead is our generosity to others in their time of catastrophe. Mississippi has been the birthplace of many famous people, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, William Faulkner and lets not forget our girls that were crowned as Miss America.

We will come back and this time we will be better than we have ever been. We are a hardworking people and a determined people. We have what it takes to succeed and arise from yet another setback.

The free style poem below was written by me. Many of our southern states seceded the union and fought a bloody war that split our unity. There were many casualities. Though we may have been on opposite sides, I think my "punch line" shows how close we all really are

Splendorous and grand were the
antebellum homes gracing our homeland
Our beaches were clean and pristine
with swaying palm trees casting a shadowy scene

Jefferson Davis, the President of the
Confederacy, was given asylum
Sorrowfully, the North and South were
hearing the beat of a different drum

Black and white fought side by side to
preserve what they believed to be right
The Civil War brought terror, death,
hardship and destruction because of
erroneous belief

Tis true, the Union soldiers were stronger
with supplies and armory
But, to all Americans, the War brought
a shameful study of history

Rows and rows of Confederate graves are
in Vicksburg, the resting place for brave young men
Some were my kin

My great, great grandfather
came to New Orleans from Santo Domingo
A future son was to battle and survive the War
Death of kin and friends left in his
heart a permanent scar

The famous words uttered by Admiral David Farragut
before capturing Mobile Bay,
"Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"
would often resound in my head

He couldn't have known that life would throw a curve
and his great, great nephew would marry my
maternal grandmother's sister

That the states would divide I take no pride
but of my heritage, I am PROUD!

After all the insurance hype that has been going on, my compulsion to talk about my dilemma from yet another angle has finally surfaced. From May 2003 to May 2005 I lived with my daughter and son in law. As the size of their family grew and the noise reached a decibel that I could no longer handle at my age, I moved to my own house.

I went to the company that insured my car for $520.00 every six months and also obtained a homeowner's policy for $1701.00 a year. Katrina struck in August 2005 and my home didn't flood. No claim was filed. In November I received a form letter saying they would not be rewriting my policy.

Within days of their letter I obtained a homeowner's policy for $1262.00 a year and every six months on my car at a rate of $383.00. Would be effective December 30th. Was feeling great about the change because it was much lower than previous policies.

On January 17, 06 I received a letter from my new insurance company that reads as follows:

"Recently, an authorized representative conducted an inspection of your home and found it to be in good overall condition. However, we did note that there is minor paint peeling on the fascia. It should be scraped and repainted to prevent any further damage or loss to the fascia.

Prompt attention to these repairs will help you avoid larger expense and enable us to continue to provide you with homeowner's coverage that you have come to know and trust.

We are asking that the repairs to the areas noted be completed as soon as possible. Please forward proof of repairs once the work is complete. Proof of repairs may include, but is not limited to, work receipts, photos or a complete work order.

Please call us so your homeowner's policy can be re-evaluated along with the proof of repairs, prior to its next renewal.

Our ability to continue your property insurance protection and offer you a renewal policy will be based, in part, on your completion of the repairs that have been recommended."

I am not going to have anything done to the fascia but eventually paint it myself. My point here is that I believe they are just trying to recoup some of the money they lost in paying out claims and will drop me anyway as they will many more policyholders.

Also they contradict themselves in the letter by saying repairs to be completed as soon as possible and then later say to call them prior to renewal. My renewal is next December.

Most people don't file claims on real damages to their homes because the premium increases. A $400.00 payout from an insurance company can cost you an additional $1000.00 a year.

Thanks to those who took time to read about yet another situation here in Mississippi. You know, like we don't have enough to contend with!

Home is where the heart is

The following pictures are of Gulfport, Mississippi where I lived for 19 yrs. Our children were raised in an ideal environment and we had a thriving business located there for many years. When we moved to Lumberton, MS. we commuted an hour to work. Although I now reside in my hometown, they say that home is where the heart is. Gulfport my heart is with YOU! You will rebuild bigger and better.

In May 2003, Vanessa Weiss, daughter of Mary Weiss, was killed in a car accident while riding as a passenger. Vanessa was only days away from celebrating her 16th birthday. Minnesota Helpers is a non profit organization that aids victims of disasters. The memory of Vanessa is honored each time a volunteer reaches out to people through minnesotahelpers.org

Although the daughter and I give our names, on many occasions we are both called "Vanessa". We let it stand uncorrected as we think it is perfect.

Yesterday we went shopping for more supplies to distribute when we can coordinate our time to get "on the road again". Gee .... There's that song again!

Katrina and Angel Trumpets

You probably are just plain tired hearing about our predicament in south Mississippi but I do hope you continue reading my scribblings as they may help you if something so disasterous ever happens to you. Now it is happening to me and as they say, "Life goes on!" Doesn't matter that our world as we knew it has been turned upside down, doesn't matter that we are a depressed, hurting people, the world goes on turning without us. The 29th of this month will be 5 months since the hurricane did its destruction of not just property but also to the lives of people. We are living chaotic now. I know that when awakening each morning it is with hopes that this will be the day that a miracle will happen in all our lives. To live without seeing any beauty around you destroys the spirit. Even the birds haven't multiplied enough to sing us a cheerful song. So many were killed in the storm, as were squirrels.

I always had beautiful flowers wherever my residence. So in freezing December temperatures something bloomed for me that wasn't supposed to. They are called angel trumpets. Hmmm... How many trumpets are mentioned in revelation? Oh Shoot .... it's seven!

Today we are in Pascagoula, Ms. as a couple of helping hands for a non profit organization from Minnesota. Mary Gray is the CEO and founder. You can read more about this wonderful group by going to minnesotahelpers.org

Volunteer work is hard work but the most rewarding work I have ever done. My daughter and I were tired as we were up late packing boxes with items people were in need of. What we couldn't fit into the box, we carried. As the picture shows, only a woman can manage to carry many things and not drop one. My chin is bowed slightly to hold the mattress cover in place.

Teamwork completed our mission in under two hours. Next picture is a house under repair. The request of aid for necessities here was not for the resident but for her mother.

Has your heart broken in two, as mine has, for the plight of all the victims of a storm said to be the worse natural disaster in the United States? My daughter's home sustained major damage. My damages are what I call minor irritations. Over the years, I have lived in Biloxi, Gulfport and now once more in my hometown, Pascagoula. I personally know people all along the coast and I grieve for their losses. A building we once conducted business from was damaged by Camille and laid to rest by Katrina. Historical homes that were our heritage were destroyed. Majestic oaks that are hundreds of years old, now show their age. Despite this, Mississippians are courageous people and although many struggles lie ahead, we will rebuild for the future generation.

More to come ...

Today we were on the road again for Operation Vanessa! I was driving and had to turn the volume down on the radio each time the daughter's cell phone rang. Loud music gives me the same adrenaline rush as chocolate. We were on our way to Gulfport, Mississippi to meet two people from Minnesota who were helping get more supplies to us for distribution.

In the parking lot at Home Depot we met Lynn and David who we found were nice people to talk to. We chatted for at least a half hour, took a couple of pics and it was time to go. We asked them to go see the damage on the beach as that was where we were going. You have to see it to believe it. A picture can not capture it.

The first pic I have below is a boat that was washed from the gulf two blocks inland. It was later chained and dragged back to the beach where it was displayed as a souvenir of Camille. Later a souvenir shop was actually built on the site. For 36 yrs. she stood as a reminder of what happened in 1969. Strangely, Katrina could not dislodge her from her post.

My entire life I have had a fear of water. Being an avid large mouth bass fisherman, or should I say fisherwoman, I can only imagine how many BIG ones got away because I refused to get in a skiff and go out on the water.

This morning I was awakened by a downpour and immediately jumped from the bed in a panic. When the rain tapered off a thought hit me. Throughout this blog, I have referred to what happened here as a tsunami. Because my daughter had felt numbness in the calves of her legs, I equated this sensation with an earthquake or some disturbance under the water. Bad weather has to be present to bring on a tsunami. Right? Wrong?

It was beautiful in Thailand that day in December 2004 when an earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused a tsunami to form and come ashore. It claimed the lives of thousands and thousands of people.

Something was very unusual about hurricane Katrina. I know there are many people on the Coast who must have experienced this. I hope to hear from a few of them. It will either quell my fears or exacerbate them.

Hazel called me today. You ask who is that? Should I care? Hazel is a victim of Hurricane Katrina that I met while volunteering for a non profit organization from Minnesota. You can read about these wonderful, caring people who work tirelessly for victims of disasters. They have been a godsend to Mississippi.

minnesotahelpers.org

My conversation with Hazel was like talking to a friend. She said for two days she wanted to call but didn't want to sound like she was begging. I can understand that. You see Hazel and many, many more like her had all the things that they so deperately need now and it isn't easy to ask for something as ordinary as a skillet, pots and pans, and a set of sheets for her bed. She couldn't decide on the size of the sheets as she lives in a Fema trailer and she didn't want sheets for the small trailer. She is envisioning pretty sheets on the king size bed she once had.

I prompted Hazel to tell me what SHE would like and she said "I wish I had a dress as I always wore one when attending church." I thought about the black dress that was sent from Minnesota. Her wish just might come true.

Hazel lost her home in 1969 when Camille devastated the coast and once again she has lost another due to Katrina. Lightning does strike twice!

I probably am one of the nicest people one may ever meet but I also am a determined woman and the heartwrenching things I see almost every day has prompted me to BEG. Mississippi needs help! Lots of help to live a normal life again. The people here are just like all of you in every state. There are husband and wives, children, grandma's, grandpa's and many widows like Hazel and myself. As one American to another, we need YOU!

This is another perspective on Katrina that I feel a need to talk about. As I have said in earlier posts I have now been through 3 major hurricanes and the years those storms occurred will give you an idea of how old I must be. I have put energy into caring not only about my family but also people I have reached out to since Katrina. I agonize over their problems, wondering how they are going to overcome all that has happened to them. It will be a monumental task! It will take courage!

In August 1969 when Camille struck the Coast, I lived in Gulfport, Mississippi with my husband and three small daughters. The devastation was great but we were young and returned to a semblance of normalcy and continued our life. The years passed and there were still slabs on the beach front where homes had once stood. Progress was very slow. There were no grand buildings being erected anywhere along the coast. That includes from Waveland to Pascagoula.

Downtown Gulfport used buildings there that were pre Camille to conduct business. A little nip here and a tuck there. Nothing fancy! Nothing beautiful! Our coastal cities were for years in a downward spiral toward bankruptcy following Camille. So our officials permitted Casinos to come in to give us the revenue we needed to survive. The majority of people didn't want this because of the vice that would arise from their presence. It was sending a mixed message to our children especially when churches were torn down and a casino parking lot took their places. My point is that over 20 years later we were not progressing, we were failing. Biloxi, Mississippi opened the first casino , Isle of Capri, on August 1, 1992. Eleven more were eventually opened. The 13th, Hard Rock, never had its grand opening because of Katrina. Unlucky 13!

So now there is Katrina's aftermath to contend with. It is 4 1/2 months later and we are still without our two main bridges that connected us to one another. Construction has not even begun. We have to travel interstate 10 to get to the other cities. At times the traffic is so heavy that it isn't worth the effort. We still have mounds of unsightly debris in different areas, flooded cars that still sit in driveways, trees that are bent and broken, traffic signals that are still not working. The landscape along the interstate is dotted with scattered papers. The only bustle of activity that I see is on the main highways.

My daughter and I actually spoke with a family that have to use two tents as the Fema trailers are too small for several people. The mother of one of them sleeps in the trailer. At night the husband and wife share a tent and their three small children sleep in the other. They have their tents snuggled between the trailer and their flooded home. They are not camping folks, they are trying to live. I ask Why? We are in America but the way most are living it seems more Third World.

I would like to see the Coast revive and come back beautiful this time, not nipped and tucked, but I am not a young woman as in 1969. Twenty or more years says in all probability I won't be here. The younger men and women living in this era may have more initiative than we had and will rebuild the Coast to it's full potential as it should have been after Camille. I Pray So!

More to come ...

Friday the 13th ... Not saying I am superstitious or anything but I awoke at 3AM this morning from a sound much needed sleep with my scalp burning and itching. Managed to go back to bed at 430AM and arose again at 900AM feeling like warmed over death. Walked zombie like to get the coffee started and glanced out the window to see low hanging rain clouds. Within 5 minutes those clouds opened up and a deluge of water came from them. Water oh no! A whistling wind started with gusts that were as powerful as Tropical Storm Cindy that hit us in July. Small limbs were hitting the roof, the power was surging off and on. What is this? Haven't we had enough? Most of us living here are already "shell shocked" . Are we to take more? Within 40 mins. it was over. The sun broke through the clouds lighting up "our world" once more.

Many people here have had to speak to counselors. Our way of life can hardly be called a life at all. The itchy scalp that I have with falling hair is related to stress. Reaching out to others is the way I choose to handle the trauma of Katrina.

As the sole resident of my household I don't eat very well as it is too much trouble. Usually I eat tons of junk food. I know it's bad for me but so was Katrina. So this evening I decided to fry a hamburger pattie doused in A1 sauce. Green beans and corn would be my sidedishes. Sounds healthy enough, huh?

I walked out of the kitchen and never gave another thought to what was on the stove. Was sitting at my PC and noticed the room seemed hazy and the smoke detector that I didn't think worked screamed loudly at me. There was smoke in every room of the house. I ducked low and held my breath so as not to be asphyxiated and opened the windows and doors hoping the neighbors would not humiliate me further by calling the fire department.

My dinner was ruined so I toasted two slices of bread that were cut into eight pieces and then dipped them one at a time into a cup of milk. Milk toast? This was topped off with a spoon of Centrum vitamins.


My question is was this caused by Friday the 13th or the lunacy of the aftermath of Katrina?


More to come ....

Upon arrival at Anita's before 10 o'clock this morning., as usual she was making baby bottles, dressing the two yr. old, feeding the dog and checking her messages on the PC. We discussed our plans for the day over a cup of coffee deciding what to bring with us. We packed children's clothes, shoes, men's t shirts, toys and the few remaining quilts we had. Strapped the children in their car seats and started out to search for someone we could possibly help in some way to ease their hardships. There are literally thousands of people living in what I call the "twilight zone". They have no idea what to do next to allieviate the present conditions they find themselves in.. As the months go on their situations are becoming worse and spirits are falling.

My daughter did most of the foot work today going to the trailer doors and handing out flyers and taking as much time with each person as they needed. The people she made contact with were older and needed a very different kind of assistance. One of them was a very dignified lady who needed someone to help lift queen size mattresses onto her bed. She said the doctors believe her husband has cancer. When it rains, it pours! I presented her with a quilt and she was thrilled especially that church ladies in a quilting circle had made them for us. Thank you Minnesota!

Things were moving along without incidence until my daughter approached the trailer where the previous woman said was an elderly lady with severe diabetes. Since the daughter has her own blog, she will tell what happened. I snapped this pic from the car and couldn't hear what was being said.


Today may have been a little more disappointing than previous days but I feel that we brought a little sunshine to a few souls. There's always tomorrow!

More to come ...

This is me folks and my little granddaughter Yvonne. She already has the makings of a good volunteer. She loves to go with her Mom and me on our trips around the neighborhoods. She is in charge of any toys and the Operation Vanessa sign.

We were preparing to make one of those trips this morning. I always take some of the lovely quilts to the ladies. The smiles that come to those sad faces are something to see. Warms your heart. Thank you to the quilting circle of the Lutheran Church for using their talents to bring a little sunshine into another's life.

Various items of clothing were given to the people today such as jackets, t shirts, sweaters, and each child we encountered received one of the small fleece blankets made by an elementary school in Minnesota. One lady asked for a couple of them for someone in a wheelchair. Said it would be perfect to cover his legs. Good idea!

All in all Anita and I again enjoyed going out amongst the people. They talk to us about what they need and also ask us if we need anything. Just very nice people who have been hurt by this storm called Katrina. Their needs are enormous but they are appreciative of whatever we give them. Most importantly, they always say to thank Minnesota.

On the road again! Can't wait to get on the road again! Hmm! ... Sounds familiar!


My daughter's blog: http://www.vasavana.blogspot.com


More to come ...

OPERATION VANESSA

An organization from Wayzata, Minnesota that has reached out to the people of Mississippi with not only empathy but love. I had the opportunity to become involved as a volunteer when my daughter had contacted Mary Gray, CEO of the organization to ask for diapers.

She very kindly responded and said the shipment was in Jackson, Mississippi and she would have the requested diapers put aside. We went to pick up diapers at designated location and our working as volunteers for Minnesota Helpers began.

To visit these wonderful people and read about their organization please go to

www.minnesotahelpers.org

One more tidbit!!!! Hurricane Rita was churning in the Gulf in late September. We were so weakened by the Katrina strike and personally could not take living the way we did in her aftermath. We made reservations in Atlanta, Ga. and left our area. Hurricanes can be unpredictable as we very well know and we weren't going to take the chance.

Dave had brought a used mini van to get to work so he drove his family and I drove behind them in my car. None of us wanted to chance losing our cars to surge waters if the storm came in on us again.

When we hit the outskirts of Atlanta it was during rush hour as people just got off from work. Dave didn't always signal when he switched lanes and I broke all kinds of traffic laws to keep up with him. And then ... What I saw was like in slow motion. It seemed that when the people saw where we were hailing from they pulled way back and let us go through. Thank you Atlanta!!!

It has been over four months since Katrina made landfall and it would take me at least a year to write about it in detail so I have decided to still speak of Katrina but in a different way. It will affect our lives for a very long time but we will overcome. We will be made whole again and our children and grandchildren will be here to see a new Mississippi. It's right over the horizon! A new beginning!

Dave, Anita and grandchildren stayed with me for 12 days and then returned to their home where they are making repairs to their house. A slow process but accomplishments are being made.

Another daughter and her two sons lived in an apartment in Slidell, Louisiana and had evacuated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to a private church shelter. Their apartment was destroyed. An older daughter in Florida helped her sister get to her home where she stayed a few days before going to a hotel. The Red Cross picked up the tab. I sent money to bring her and the boys here with me until she could get back on her feet. They stayed a month and she returned to Florida where she is doing well.

I also have a daughter in Gulfport, Mississippi. Her home sustained only roof damage. She is an avid gardener and in June of 2005 there was a glowing article with pictures of her beautiful yards. Katrina swept the garden away.

Although my home was spared my sufferings came from the afflictions heaped on my daughters and their children. Before I end this post, I would like to give special thanks to my older daughter for her concern about the welfare of her sisters.

May God Bless You My Daughters!

Sep 1 cont ... What could only be a five mile drive seemed like an eternity as night had fallen and we had to avoid obstacles such as trees and power lines laying across the roads. When we arrived at the house, I quickly unlocked the door and hurried through the house turning on lights to "light" my way to the a/c unit in the hallway. "Hurry, hurry! Get the children inside!" "We can unload the car later!" I realized I was barking out orders like a drill sergeant but earlier I talked about flight or fight where I had chosen to fight and be d----- if I could be stopped now.

The baby needed special attention, the 2 yr. old girl already had what we then diagnosed as dysentary and the 7 and 8 yr. old boys were just plain listless. All of our faces were of a bright red color. NOW we had a chance to recover. The children were bathed as were my daughter and son in law. When my turn came there was no hot water. That's when we discovered the hot water tank wasn't working. We had simply used up what was left in the tank. In the desperate state of being we were in, none of us thought about contaminated water until much later. We were thankful we only drank bottled water.

Our flushed faces took on a paler color as our bodies cooled down. The daughter and her husband slept in my bed with the 2 yr. old girl and the baby girl in a playpen and a baby carrier respectively. I slept with the 7 and 8 yr. old boys in another bedroom. I say slept but during the night I had to move them over so I wouldn't fall from the bed, remove a foot from my back and an occasional arm flung across my face. None of that mattered as we were SAFE and going to live much better than we had during the previous days.

There is something I forgot and wonder how I could have. Daughter had rescued a mother cat and 4 newborn kittens just before Katrina struck. They were bedded down on the back porch. And then there was "Judge", a border collie that stayed inside. He was a great houseguest!

Sep 1 cont ... Upon entering the neighborhood where my daughter, son in law and four grandkids lived I was filled with apprehension. I had experienced this same feeling when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. Flight or Fight. Run a way from what would bring me much pain or stay by his side and face whatever came. I stayed. We had nine more happy years together. So.... knowing this was also at times going to bring me pain I opened the door to their house and said "I'm back!"

The day was no different than the three days before. We were tired, dirty and so darn HOT. Please God please! We took turns mopping up the water seepage through the floors and did all we could possibly do to keep the children content.

A neighbor came to tell us that a semi was in the area with supplies. Dave ran down the street to get what we needed off the truck. Diapers, lots of water, can goods, toilet tissue etc. Friends of another neighbor had gotten the supplies and drove them into the subdivision.

We decided to call my next door neighbor and ask if they needed water. He said he had been trying to call but couldn't get a connection. The power was on. You have never seen anyone move as fast as we did gathering supplies, and getting the children into the car. We knew it was after curfew so we drove with bated breath. Nothing was going to stop us. We were headed for air conditioning!!!!

More to come ...

As my fingers caress the black and white keys
It’s you I hope to please……Music will fill
the air, like soft, tinkling raindrops
falling on lovers everywhere

Sep 1 ... Arose early in the morning more exhausted than ever because I had slept in a leather recliner and was so hot that my body was literally stuck to it. I went outdoors and inspected the house for damage. Three back porch screens were torn loose and a very tall pine tree was leaning toward the house. The once pretty yards were ankle deep with debri. Oaks were stripped of their leaves. A wooden privacy fence in the back yard was now listing.

Inside the house I took thawed and rotting meat out to the garbage can. Furniture that I had moved was put back in place. It was now time to go back to Anita, Dave and the kids. We had no way to contact one another and I was worried about them as they were about me.

I inched my way down the streets carefully avoiding debri in the roads. In the light of day the devastation was breathtaking and unbelievable. It was so eerily quiet. Was like the world had ended and this ONE lone car was taking this lady back to the devastation she had left just the night before. I cried all the way to their house!

More to come ...

With Christmas behind me, I will continue with the aftermath of Katrina. The dates may not be accurate as our circumstances were taking a toll mentally as well as physically.

Aug.31 cont.. It is day 3 and our struggle to survive another day was in rapid decline. Depression was setting in living under such deplorable conditions. Sewage had backed up in the house and mold was beginning to grow. Although we had taken the wet carpet from the house water continued to seep through the slab. The flies swarmed because of the rotten meat in the garbage cans. Mosquitos thrived in the heat and dampness. There was no way to keep the insects from coming into the house as we had to open the windows or suffocate.

My anguish in not knowing if my home had survived was becoming increasingly more stressful for me. We didn't have transportation to get to the house. On several occasions the son in law would ride his bicycle in search of ice or milk for the children.. Should I lay yet another burden on him with the request I was going to make?

If my home was still there and livable I could take my daughter and her family to my house where they would be more comfortable. SO I asked and he said YES! Before departure on his bicycle I gave him my keys to bring the car back with him if all was well. Within the hour he drove up with the car. When he walked in the door and looked at me my heart was pounding waiting for him to speak. He simply said, "Your house is fine." I began to cry from a gamut of feelings. They had lost so much and I didn't lose anything. The emotion of that was hard to bear.

Later that day I drove to the house. There was no power and although I knew it would be very uncomfortable to stay the night, I was HOME!

More to come...

The year 2005 started like any other but in August it ended in devastation for Mississippi. Our slate was wiped clean and now we have a chance to begin again. Most people celebrated the Christmas season regardless of their loss. Even Fema trailers were decorated. One I found particularly interesting was one that was tied with a big red bow like a present. Over the years, my home decorations would get more elaborate. What Katrina has taught me is that simplicity has always been the most beautiful. The big red bow signified to me that there was love within the family who occupied the trailer.

A decorated mantel and a wreath on the door was enough!


camille and katrina were not ladies