Hope For Recovery Dwindles

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Katrina Home Grant Application Process Starts Mid-April: "Barbour said about 29,000 homeowners could qualify for the federal grants of up to $150,000 each. That's down from a previous estimate of 35,000 who could qualify."

Since I am out scouting around quite often taking pics of damaged houses, the above comment from Governor Barbour disturbs me. The figure of 29,000 for those who can "possibly" or "could" get assistance is too low. The Pascagoula/Moss Point area alone has that many people needing assistance. What about Gautier/Ocean Springs? Biloxi/Gulfport? Long Beach/Pass Christian? Bay St. Louis/Waveland? Do you think 29,000 grants will help all these people? I don't. So many are going to "fall through the cracks".

As usual I am going to post some pics that can become mundane to you but what I am depicting is the way of life here for many, many people.

Although Senator Trent Lott's house once faced the beach, I snapped the pic on Hague Street that runs alongside his property. All that is left are oak trees. I chose the most beautiful. Notice the adjoining neighbors on the beach that now reside in trailers.


The street that dead ends at the rear of the senator's property is Washington Avenue. Maybe you have asked yourself why I do all the blogging and picture taking. I consider the coast in its entirety my home. Pascagoula is "special" because I was born here. Also the news media can be biased calling us bigots and discriminators. Recently, they have been reporting every issue that has occurred in Mississippi. Be it last week or 45 yrs. ago. I find their remarks somehow detract from our present condition. Because of their attitude toward us, I want you, the american people, to know what has happened to our state.

Washington Avenue

The above gutted house is not the same one that I am going to post below. My focus was on the advertisment in the person's front yard. There are various signs all through the residential sections. I admired the house below, it was very well kept and in a scenic area. The black wrought iron fence added the "charm".

Washington Avenue

After visiting the above area, I decided to drive to Moss Point and there I took two pics. One is an unusual house under construction. Can't wait to see it completed!

Moss Point

The next pic was interesting because of the transparent tent in the front yard. I remembered when trailer parks were few in number and tents were used for camping. Life, as we knew it, did change in a blink of an eye.

Moss Point

It had been a long day so I headed home and later when looking at what had been captured on the camera I found a pic that I have no recollection of. "A picture that paints a thousand words."

Hope Arises From Rubble

Today is a typical spring day down South with azure skies, azaleas blooming and a cool March breeze. A setting that makes me want to clean, clean, clean! This morning even the raingutters on the house didn't escape my notice as they have been overflowing when it rains. It was a pretty simple but dirty job. Most importantly, I didn't fall from the ladder.

Later in the afternoon I went for my usual drive. The water in the Mississippi Sound was a bit choppy but was a perfect backdrop for the gorgeous day.


Beach Boulevard is where I begin my sightseeing to note if there has been any progress. There are still homes that weren't demolished because I think they were declared structurally sound and can be saved. The house below faces the beach.


There was a buzz of activity on Washington Avenue today, more than I have seen in these last months. Amidst the rubble new homes are rising at higher elevations. What could be a better time than the season of spring to see new beginnings.




The next picture was taken west of So. Pascagoula Street, one block from beach.


Sorry I didn't have more to show you but I think the people are coming back. They have had almost 7 months to discuss options and now it is time to rebuild their lives. Fear of what may happen can not guide any of our lives or we would beome too frightened to live in the present. I have been known to say in any tragedy that I encountered in my own life (and there have been a few) "Cry some, dust yourself off and journey on."

It's Raining Trailers In Pascagoula

I took some pictures today to show you the trailers in our area. I do a terrible job trying to take pictures and drive at the same time. I have pretty good shots of the interior of the car, don't I? So bear with me please. Many of you will know the areas mentioned. There is Cherokee off Ingalls Avenue, Washington Avenue, a block from the beach and the Lake Avenue area.

Sometimes I feel so alone driving the routes I take as there are very few cars on the road. No scenic beauty anymore. I can almost touch the heartache that fills the air and the silence is deafening. Like a one man cheering squad I make my rounds through their neighborhoods thinking that maybe somehow they know someone really cares that they have to live this way.

Cherokee

Cherokee

Cherokee

Washington Avenue was very upscale, many physicians and attorneys made their homes there. The homes from the beach washed into the homes on Washington and totally obliterated them, adding insult to injury. Many of the homes have now been bulldozed and what was once beautiful is now a desert.

Washington Avenue

Washington Avenue

Washington Avenue

Washington Avenue

As if I hadn't seen enough, I decided to ride through Lake Avenue. It wasn't too bad but remember I have been living in this awhile now and a person can somehow get used to it. It happens. There are only a few pics so I decided to put a house that you might find interesting knowing it is over six months since the storm.

Lake Avenue

Lake Avenue

Lake Avenue

There wasn't much to see in these pics except trailers but try to imagine what it would be like living this way after once having beautiful things. It is true that it can all disappear when you least expect it, Mississippi sure didn't.

With all the complaints about the news being focused on New Orleans I am afraid that people may think that Mississippi doesn't care. Many of you have now been to both states and have seen the devastation inflicted on all of us by hurricane Katrina and can sense the stress we are under.

For the years I have lived in Mississippi, New Orleans has been our friend. When Camille struck in 1969, N.O. was one of the first to rush to our aide. The parishes surrounding N.O. all had extensive damage inflicted by hurricane Katrina as did Slidell, Louisiana, a small community bordering the state of Mississippi.

When hurricane Rita made landfall September 24, 2005 along the Texas/Louisiana border, Beaumont and Port Arthur were heavily damaged as was Holly Springs and Cameron in Louisiana. I and family evacuated to Atlanta, Georgia as our emotions were so affected by Katrina that we fled the possible wrath of yet another hurricane.

I can only speak for myself on how all this devastation has changed my life. At present I can't say that it has made my life better or happier. I am more fearful, have trouble concentrating or speaking. The war in Iraq weighs heavily on my mind. There can be no lasting peace for any of us until the fighting stops. "Those who live by the sword, shall perish by the sword."

New Orleans I wish you and all of Louisiana godspeed in your recovery and to the border communities in Texas, may your recovery be swift.

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: America's Tour Operators Clean Coast Attractions

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: America's Tour Operators Clean Coast Attractions: "Tourism Cares for America also cleaned the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Beauvoir, the Maritime and Seafood Museum, the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum, Ship Island, the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center, D'Iberville and Pass Christian.


I am so proud of all the good people in America. In fact, I am totally overwhelmed. There are so many that actually have contributed manually to our recovery. No job is too big or too menial, they tackle them all. God Bless You!

Although I live in Jackson County, I consider Harrison and Hancock County my home also. There has always been a a close kinship between the cities. I have memories of each city on the coast. The fun times in Biloxi, a home in Gulfport for 19 yrs. and a business there for 35 yrs. An old fashioned ice cream parlor in Ocean Springs. The picturesque Pass Christian Harbor. And how can I forget the antique shops in Bay St. Louis.

The pictures below are of damage in each city mentioned.

Biloxi Point Cadet Area

Gulfport Second Street

Ocean Springs Home

Pass Christian Scenic Drive

Bay St. Louis Home

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Governor Vetoes Cigarette-Grocery Tax Bill

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Governor Vetoes Cigarette-Grocery Tax Bill: "'People have to eat. People don't have to smoke,'' said Jennifer Cofer, division director of programs for the American Lung Association of Mississippi."

Albeit the above statement from Ms. Cofer was made in good faith and could be true in some rare instances, I found it to be ludicrous. People can also give up going to the cinema, on vacations, sending their children to private schools, paying their bills, filling vehicles with gasoline, trying their luck at gambling, and drinking alcoholic beverages. I do not advocate smoking but I do believe in freedom of choice and when it is "forced" , then others have chosen for you.

Republican Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck proposed the changes saying that the 7 percent tax on groceries is "cruel and regressive."

I agree with Governor Barbour on both issues creating a further financial burden on a state that is in recovery mode and will be for many years to come.

A total of 89 college students travelled 26 hrs. on a bus to help the people of Pascagoula. They gave their spring break time to lend a helping hand. Thirty six are from Nazareth College near Rochester, N. Y. and fifty three are from upstate New York colleges.

Their thoughts were since almost 6 1/2 months had passed that Mississippi would only need minor cleanup and not the large rebuilding tasks they encountered. They have most enthusiastically helped the local people with cleanups, repairing homes, fixing fences, hanging doors and many more things that couldn't be listed in the Mississippi Press news article.

I have read many articles like this over the past months and my first reaction is always how great people are in their desires to help us, and they are. But you know, we all have this little angel that sits on our right shoulder and a little imp on our left. The angel says, "Isn't that wonderful?" The imp says, "Wonderful? "How come no one has helped you?" I find myself asking the same question. How come I never know where these helpers are so I can ask for help? Why do I find out when they are leaving? My Katrina torn screens were fixed and exterior of house was painted and not by volunteers. I asked constantly but there was no one to help me. Storm hit August 29, 2005 and repairs completed March 3, 2006. I have a wooden fence that encloses most of my backyard. One length leans inward and the other leans outward. I mentioned in the above paragraph about the fence that was rebuilt and I can't honestly object as the lady is my first cousin. She is a widow as I am. I like to think that help may be coming closer to me since a family member received assistance.

Just for another human being to ask me how I am coping would be enough. Maybe I would just say, "Everything is fine, thank you for asking".

My daughter's post gave me the answer to what I am feeling and I think you will enjoy her perspective. TRUST

Recently, I read an article that said tourism on the coast would be different this summer. Many people will come out of curiosity or to help us rebuild.

Of all the news that I have cited lately, this one affected me more than any. I have spoken at length about Pascagoula and Gulfport, now happy memories of times spent in Biloxi race through my mind. When I was in high school our Catholic Education Business Club held it's annual meetings and award ceremonies at the Edgewater Hotel. In July 1971 I watched on television as the hotel, in controlled blasts, was demolished to make room for the Edgewater Mall.

I spent many hours on Biloxi's beaches enjoying the sun and water. I and girlfriends went to USO dances and sometimes attended dances in Vandenburg Hall at Keesler Air Force Base. It was at one of these dances that I met my future husband.

Our choice of which city to go to for Mardi Gras was always Biloxi. I have a link below to the history of Mardi Gras and why it is celebrated. Mobile, Alabama was the first to celebrate this festivity and Biloxi, Mississippi was the first city on the coast to celebrate Mardi Gras. I have provided a link that will explain what the "hooplah" is about. History of Mardi Gras

Our annual office Christmas party was held each year at the then "swank" Broadwater Beach Hotel. Pianist Leon Kelner from the "Blue Room" in New Orleans was the entertainer. The Broadwater also has a history that I have provided a link to. Gambling in Mississippi Its Early History

"Because gambling was so profitable, the Broadwater Beach Hotel was built in 1938 specifically to cater to out-of-state and Mississippi gamblers who could afford to gamble. People flocked to the gaming establishments that lined the Mississippi Gulf Coast. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, gambling was viewed as a means to stimulate the economy, especially along the Gulf Coast."


There was Beauvoir, the home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The following link will give you the history of: Beauvoir in Biloxi, MS


There was the historical Episcopal Church of The Redeemer whose grounds housed the Camille monument. History of The Church of the Redeemer


There was the Biloxi/Ocean Springs bridge that connected us all.


As the article stated it will be a very different kind of tourism this summer. I am opting for those who will come to help rebuild our coastal cities and that special emphasis be put on Biloxi.

The Sun Herald | 03/12/2006 | Living with Katrina every day

The Sun Herald | 03/12/2006 | Living with Katrina every day: "On guard and constantly alert"

The above news article is particularly interesting to me as it lists the problems that many survivors are experiencing. I was happy to find that only one pertained to me. "On guard and constantly alert". Nothing wrong with that right? Just means my mind is working overtime and my body is in constant preparation for what MAY happen. I read the newspapers daily and the TV channel is set to FOX NEWS to make sure I am always "one up" on the latest happenings.

If "noises" had been on the list, I would have noted that too. Any aircraft that passes over the house makes me want to run for "cover". I have on two occasions had very large objects hit the house and create a rolling, rumbling sound. On inspection, there was nothing tangible to prove it occured. I heard that same rumble when Katrina was near landfall. There were reports of a Gulf of Mexico earthquake in Dec. 2005 that registered on the seismograph as a 5.2 and many people in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi have reported earth tremors. Could it be aftershocks?

There is nothing psychologically wrong with me as I am basing everything that was strange about Hurricane Katrina on what I know about hurricanes and there were glaring abnomalities in this storm. You don't wear a heavy sweater or coat during a hurricane because the temperature is HOT not cold as it was when Katrina approached land. Trees do not gently rock back and forth, they snap or uproot from the force of the wind. You do not have "white caps" rolling down the main streets of your towns.

Today tornadoes are ripping through the central states and on the news I heard a remark, "You don't have a tornado when the temperature is 40 degrees." What is happening? My daughter saw the sky was a purplish pink color the other night. So purple that the streets were reflecting the color too. She went out to take a pic. It was 8:00PM.


Because of these strange occurences, I am "On guard and constantly alert".

There are more serious things I could talk about and I will a little later in this post but at this moment I want to shout instead and give three cheers for the beauty that is about to unfold. Spring is showing its loveliness in subtle ways and I can hardly wait. No matter the surroundings, green lawns and flowers can make even our devastated areas look better. The cities have begun scattering rye grass on bare lots where homes once stood. Even I have opted for a lively front entrance, a deviation from the safe neutral color that surrounds the rest of the house.


In preparation for the return of the birds to the area, I have hung a couple of birdhouses on the tree branches. Notice the smashed fence and the leaning trees.


The flower beds that encircle the backporch will soon be filled with ginger lilies that emit a most pleasing aroma.


Thanks for being patient with me. I know when you visit my blog that you come to read about the storm and the devastation but, you see, this is my part of the storm. I was one of the very lucky ones who didn't lose my home but yet I have suffered. Suffered for the deep hurt of all the people, the desperation and hopelessness they feel, the children wondering why this happened, a husband worrying about how to take care of his family. My daughter and thousands like her lost so many things that can't be replaced. Two nieces and a nephew sustained heavy damage to their homes. One niece has only a slab where her beautiful home once stood. Even though their lives have been shattered, they bravely go on and ... I hurt.

I wanted to evacuate when the storm was out in the Gulf but my daughter didn't feel well as her new baby was born on August 12th, so I stayed. It was the most terrifying experience I have ever had and one that is not easy to shrug off and go on as usual. It's consuming.

Only God knows how long it will take us to get back to normal. People from all over have given us so much help. An upside for us but a downside for their own families that need them.

I pray that the beginning of spring is the harbinger of something miraculous for us and all the good men and women who have opened their hearts with love to help a hurting people.

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: State's Disaster Grant Applications Not Ready

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: State's Disaster Grant Applications Not Ready: "It will be several more months before anyone will see money from the state's homeowners assistance grants."


I have been blogging lately on the news that comes from WLOX or Sun Herald for not only inspiration to write but to point out various inconsistencies in what we have been told and what actually occurs. Thousands of people are living a less than desirable life and each delay brings them closer to the breaking point. I personally witness each day the frustrations heaped on a homeowner and their young family. My daughter has a blog that many of you have been following and their determination to rebuild is evident despite the countless setbacks.

Did We Survive Hurricane Katrina Or Not?

It is not often mentioned by the daughter that there is considerable damage upstairs as her focus has been on making the first floor liveable. She and her husband have used every available means to accomplish what you see in the pictures by doing much of the work themselves. Although it will take an assistance grant to help them repair the upstairs, there is no doubt that they they will play an essential part in the repairs. Good job! ... Dave and Anita!

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Bush Visits Hurricane-Damaged Gulf Coast For Progress Report

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Bush Visits Hurricane-Damaged Gulf Coast For Progress Report: "Congress is poised to allocate $4.2 billion in flexible community development funds for areas affected by the hurricane, but lawmakers have decided to dedicate that money to all states affected by Katrina. Bush wants Congress to allocate the $4.2 billion just for Louisiana."

Hmmm! I have no doubt that President Bush means well in his efforts to help New Orleans and surrounding parishes to build back as quickly as possible but at the same time Mississippi can not be overlooked. So many promises are made giving us hope for our recovery. I liken it to a carrot dangled before a hungry horse. Six months later they have not materialized. People are anxiously awaiting the money allotted to the State that will help them rebuild their homes and get out of the torturous Fema trailers. Today another carrot was "dangled" saying Chevron MAY expand and become the 2nd largest producer of oil in the country and the 10th largest in the world. Actually, that frightens me ....... to have an oil refinery that can produce 525,000 barrels per day.

All of Mississippi needs help as do our neighbors in Alabama. People are leaving the state and going elsewhere. Three casinos are up and running and more are to be built in the near future That speaks loudly to me, it isn't money from our state that keeps them here and thriving. They fly in the very rich from around the country. Mississippi is the poverty stricken state. remember?

My camera should be fixed in a day or two and I will go take more pictures to show you the lack of progress. At the pace it is moving now, recovery is just a dream.

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Donated Dresses Make Pascagoula's Prom More Memorable

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Donated Dresses Make Pascagoula's Prom More Memorable: "And it's all been donated from Richmond, Virginia. Students there are helping Katrina' victims enjoy one of life's great occasions."

What great people inhabit the state of Virginia! They have been literally "walking the walk" with the people of Mississippi. What woman has forgotten the handsome guy that was her escort? The thrill of the new gown and the moment he presented you with a beautiful corsage? A memorable time for a young girl and the article portrays their excitement. Thank you Richmond for giving them the chance to hold on to that memory.

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Mississippi Getting $248 Million In Federal Money For Post-Katrina Transportation Needs

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Mississippi Getting $248 Million In Federal Money For Post-Katrina Transportation Needs: "The two rounds of money will be used to pay for U.S. 90 bridges over Biloxi and Bay St. Louis . The money also covers the costs of repairs to the coastal highway and for highway debris cleanup in the months after the storm."

So many months have passed and I still have trouble realizing what happened here. Life goes on and people being people get back to some kind of routine which resembles normalcy. The children are back in school and although they often have had to share their classrooms with the merging of destroyed schools, it is fine with them.

Dining out is what the people did before and they still do, me included. The restaurants aren't as fancy and may be understaffed but they are filled to capacity. Three casinos have reopened and there you will find fine dining.

The destruction of the churches did not deter any of the different denominations from attending services. Many lost their homes and possessions but their faith is intact.


Can you imagine what it must be like to lose your home, possessions and all the mementos that made it special? My home recently had a "facelift" and, as humble as it may be, to lose it would be devastating.

The magnitude of the above news report brought me back to reality today. We have far to go but to dwell on it would be hazardous to both bodily and mental health. Since I have always been a dreamer, I will leave you with the start of a song ...... "Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true ......".

For the last two days I have been raking the enormous amount of oak leaves that have littered my yard since August. Of course the falling of leaves is to be expected and in the normal course of things the leaves float gently to the ground and lay close to the mother tree. Katrina savagedly stripped the trees bare scattering their leaves in all directions. Looking at the job that lay ahead of me I thought to myself, "Okay old girl just take little baby steps!" I should tell you that I have always loved everything to do with a yard and had personally done all the work myself .... so why should tackling this huge mess be any different. I raked and bagged, raked and bagged and the first day I saw I had made a dent. So when I awoke yesterday morning with plans to finish I walked in a painful bent forward stance. My neck, shoulders and back were literally screaming from the pain. Determined I went out anyway and began raking as I knew that if I didn't keep moving that I would probably freeze in my present condition. And so .... I continued raking and bagging and carrying the black bags to the curb for pick up. In the last two weeks I have filled nearly a hundred bags. I joke with my daughters that they or someone are going to find my dead body face down in a pile of leaves. Their consolation will be that I was doing what I love to do.

Something that I should also mention were the biting gnats. The leaves were damp and were a perfect place for breeding gnats. Usually it would be mosquitoes. Gnats are a pest that do not care where they bite you. I even managed to swallow a few of them.

When I awoke this morning all the soreness was gone. The only reminder that I had of doing such hard work were small red gnat bites all over my arms.

The yard looks beautiful!

I have come almost full circle in my life as we all one day will do. Every beginning must have an ending. My life has been full and relatively long and I have enjoyed it all. Yes, even the bad times because there was always a lesson to be learned. Our experiences in life give shape to who we will become. We can "wallow" in self pity or bring everyone who may cross our path a desire to attain the peace of the calm spirit they sense in us.

The loss of my husband was the biggest hurt of all. Mine and his life together would be another story that I could write about but I won't. After supposedly being cured of one cancer, nine years later, another cancer returned. An inoperable brain tumor. The way our brains work is truly remarkable. He quickly lost the ability to speak my name but he compensated and he spelled orally R-U-T-H. In his final days he calmed my spirit.

To any of you who may read this post, I hope you are bolstered by my words and continue on living and enjoying the life that has been given you. I found that most joy is in loving others.

I am going to take a break posting for a little while as other matters need my attention at this time. See you soon!

I arose early today to get prepared for the workers to return and finish up their work on my house. It looks great, all clean and fresh now. I am anxious to get everything back in order and move on to the next thing. I always have something that has to be done but I do intend to sit on the porch and enjoy it. Having screens again will stop my worrying about bugs and little four legged creatures coming in while I am trying to relax.

A father, his son and their friend worked well as a team. They were very professional, respectful and pleasant to be around. I snapped Stevie just as he was putting the finishing touches on the front entrance.


Stevie's son is a junior so he calls him "Bubba". I sort of snuck up on him as he was busy screening the porch and startled him. Sorry Bubba! torn screens


A good friend to both of the guys is Nikos who is busy painting the battans that will be put back as the decorative trim once the screens are in place.


No matter if another hurricane strikes and destroys it all, I accomplished something in regards to my post Katrina attitude, I moved forward. How many times in all of our lives have we worried about terrible things that could happen and they never did? After much reflection, I decided that I am going to take care of any problems that may arise in the present moment and enjoy my life again. That's all any of us can do. Leave the future in the future!

FOXNews.com - FOX News Polls News - FNC Poll - 03/02/06 FOX Poll: Most Oppose Port Deal; Republicans Lose Ground

FOXNews.com - FOX News Polls News - FNC Poll - 03/02/06 FOX Poll: Most Oppose Port Deal; Republicans Lose Ground: "On the port issue, the new poll finds that 69 percent of Americans oppose allowing the Arab-owned company called Dubai Ports World to manage commercial operations at some U.S. ports — four times as many as support the deal (17 percent)."

I remember very little about World War II. My memory consists of ration books, eating more chicken than beef and horns blowing, sirens wailing, my family members crying as the war ended. Many years later I learned that Japanese living in America were encamped as a security precaution. Was that proper procedure? In my opinion it was. So I am in the opposing percentage believing it will leave our country vulnerable.

It has been a long wait but finally the repairs I needed done on my house began in earnest. The gorgeous weather cooperated with a cool breeze that helped maintain the energy level of the painters. Monday they washed the house to remove mildew and today they painted all the white trim.



After trying nearly six months to find a "handyman" to repair my screen porch I decided that maybe I would entice someone if I also asked them to paint the exterior of the house. Probably sounds extravagant to most but if you have ever lived through a disaster you start to think differently and take initiative in many matters. I do whatever it takes to get the job done. For instance, the guys are painters and do light consruction work. I asked the foreman if they could trim the oak branches away from the fireplace chimney. He didn't respond at all but..... Hey! It was worth a try!

The porch was so important to me as I needed a tranquil place to sit quietly and reflect to rid my mind at least momentarily of anything to do with Katrina.




The guys are doing a good job and as the work progresses somewhere deep inside I feel a slight excitement that a little beauty is coming back into my life. Then I stifle the feeling with the thought that none of this will last, another hurricane will probably hit us this year. I am sure that I am not alone in the way I feel. We all have to go through harrowing feelings before we can heal. Obviously, six months is not long enough.

As soon as the house is finished then comes the chore of cleaning the yards for spring. I have some unusual plants and I hope they survived. Not knowing what kind of bug the tiny figurine below is, I call her a ladybug that couldn't possibly be happy in her present surroundings.