Coffee and...Part 28...! :-D

Watched the news tonight, I had to walk away from it, just could not stand seeing all that misery, much of it reminded me what I witnessed living through Warld War II and helping digging people out of the ruins.
Maria

Been watching the weather news thew last few days. Just don't know what to say. Those poor people have lost everything. It looks like the UK after the blitz but with the added horror of flood water everywhere.
At least with war damage you have a joint enemy to blame and hate.
Who do you blame for this?
I fear the worst is not over for New Orleans either. There is a heavy risk that diseases like chollera(?) will move in. No sanitation, no fresh water, dead bodies - mainly animal ( I hope) but still bodies plus hot weather. All the ingredients are there.
I had the blues anyway for some reason before all this, now I just feel so sad, and helpless. Where do they start?
Carol

You are right, My heart is breaking for all the people affected by Katrina. It is just unimaginable to me to know that you have no home or possessions left. I suppose that if your family is okay, you can forge ahead and rebuild and get on with life. I'm sure that it makes one thankful and more aware of people over possessions. Priorities will be rearranged, I'm sure. Tragedies tend to do that.

Robert, it is my DGD maternal grandparents who are Ruckers. As far as I know not a famous one in the bunch. Most of them known for riotious living, hard drinking and downright meanness!! So you see, if DGD receives morals, it will be up to me and DH to provide that. Although I will not discourage her from doing geneological research of the family, and she will find that information for herself. I do not (never have) uttered an unkind word about any of that family to DGD. When you are that young, adults are like idols, and slowly as information emerges, the tarnished view begins. So sorry that has to happen, but in life it does.

Haven't been able to be outside any today, as it has rained all day. Started sorting the pictures for the albums, and will finish that some day. Actually, I started this project back in March, then the weather got nice and put it aside to garden. If I finish it this winter, I will be very happy.

My twin sister (identical) is leaving for Scotland on Monday for a 15 day trip. She has been keeping up with the weather there, and will need to take some winter clothes as well as lighter clothes as they will travel the whole of Scotland. I am sending my digital camera with her, (in addition to hers) so that I will have some pictures too. I know that I will never be able to travel like that. This trip is a culmination of a University of Kentucky program that has gone on for 18 months. She has been trained to offer start up business options for farmers in Kentucky who have to redirect farming from tobacco to an alternative crop. The end of the government program for tobacco has hit this state hard.

Well, it's time to watch the news again, then I'm off to bed. Started a good novel tonight, may fall asleep reading. Night all!!

I've checked in a couple of times today but haven't had time to write anything. Has anyone heard from Darius since this morning?

Like most of you, I watch the news in horror and while we expect heavy rains tomorrow - the effect of Katrina even this far north, that's nothing compared to what those in LA and MI and other southern states have experienced. Hope all those on DG who are in Katrina's path are OK.

Ann

Darius is fine, she's posting in the weather forums with Katrina and was in chat tonight. No exceptional weather news from her right now

Molly

Excellent. I was a bit worried about her but haven't had time to read many of the forums today.

This morning, I potted up 7 hostas for a trade with a DG member who lives near me, spent the afternoon at work and played an orchestra concert this evening. It's made for a full day.

Ann

Ann,,

A haaaaaaaaaa.....then the Viola is for the instrument, not the flower....huh?

Hap

Ann, tell us more about you and your part in the concert! Please!
Maria

Yup. My viola is an instrument, But I grow Violas and Primroses (Primrose was a very important 20th Century violist) in my garden. And my mother-in-law's first name was Viola. ;-)

The concert last evening was a summer orchestra in the Ottawa area - Sinfonia Ottawa, whichgets together every August and plays one concert (tho' we might do one next March). Draws people from several different non-professional and semi-professional orchestras in the area. A small group tho' - just 22 string players. And we had a stunning cellist - about 15 yrs. old, play the Boccherini Cello Concerto as well as a variety of other music.

More about my music activities, check out the family web site if you wish: http://www.magma.ca/~fredrkng/

Gotto go to work.

Ann

Wonderful, thank you, Ann
Maria

Watching the weather channel and hoping there are no more deaths to report from Katrina, what a tragedy. So many homes destroyed, possessions, all those above ground cemetary plots, the possibility of disease. Even the water supply is contaminated, due to a water main break. How will that area ever recover from this....I understand the damage will be beyond any previous hurricane. Unbelievable.

Why are they talking about pumping the sewage and toxic waste waters into the lake or gulf? That will kill everything it touches....it has to be processed first....I would imagine....in my humble opinion......!!!

Hap

Cholera:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm

Boggles my mind that they would use the stadium as an emergency shelter without having an alternative power source in place. I can't imagine the conditions in that place and hope they are able to successfully evacuate all the people who are there.

Ann (now back to work. I came home to get some quiet work on a grant application. It will take all my will power to stay off line.)

They haven't mention the people that are there that at this point in time, are pretty strung out from no drugs or alcohol.....That adds another demention to the mix!!!! In fact, am I the only one noticing the lack of info on this situation?

Hap

Hap, the Red Cross funded addiction crisis actions for 3 years following 9-11, from addicts to families suffering from PTSD. I'm sure they have that in their plans here too.

But Darius, that does not address the current problem inside the dome at 1:15pm this afternoon....How on earth are they dealing with these poor souls? I hate to think of what is probably happening.....

Hap

Hap, As bad as it is, it's better than being out in the hurricane. They had NO place else to go.The back-up generators finally gave out, and they let the people go outwside after the storm passed. They have brought in all the people rescued from the roof tops, and people who could, walked in after the water started rising. They could only get as far as the dry roadways because the water rose around the Superdome like a dike.

They are now busing all these people to Houston TX where they have prepared the AstroDome for them. Loooong bus ride, but relief at the destination.
Pati

Pati, you missed my point....

Have you ever seen and had to deal with someone so strung out Without Drugs that they are crazy? Have you ever been in between two crazies with knives trying to calm them down?
I have, and it's not pretty.

The situations that are presently being dealt with have to be unreal......Heaven help the police..

Hap

Yep, Hap. I've had some experience with druggies, and you're absolutely right....it's not a pretty picture! This shelter is being managed by the National Guard, no police involved. The thinking being that they were better freed up to deal with the city matters. It took HOURS and HOURS to let the people in. NG did searches as they were let in one by one. They confiscated guns, drugs, knives, etc. They ran it like an airport search. Of course that didn't account for the druggies that got strung out after they took their drugs away, but they really didn't have a choice. The storm was fast apporaching and this was designated as a shelter of "last Resort". It was a terrible place to be, but all things considered the NG kept things pretty much under control.

I'm SOOOOO glad they are being moved. Please God that we never have to have a place of "Last Resort" again.
Pati

That name, "Last Resort" even sounds terrible.

Well folks, just like everyone else, I have been consumed with watching the news coverage of the devastation Katrina wrought. Being so far away, feel absolutely helpless. Would like to do something, but don't know what. I offered on the Weather forum to make phone calls for anyone who needed that service. I have unlimited long distance, and would be willing to put that to use. I will donate to organizations that can help, but it seems that until the water starts receding no help is in place yet. I can donate blood, if that is needed also. What are any of you doing?

I got out this afternoon, and checked on things that I will take to the Ky RU, and posted an updated list in the RU forum.

Went to mom's tonight and sprayed a neglected flower bed with Round Up (the chemical) and dug some iris. This bed is about 2 feet wide and 30 feet long, and runs by the side of her house. After the Round Up does its job, I plan to till it and replant. I have some hostas, liriope and sedum that I will plant there. Next spring I will add annuals, and will probably plant some bulbs there for some color in the spring. There is also 2 boxwoods that I will trim and try to tame
Since I have my flower gardens pretty well under control, I will try to get her yard looking a little better. She is 86 and does not get out much, so I want to add something that she can enjoy from her front porch. Any body have any ideas? The only thing that is there now is an iris bed, some peonies, and the annuals I planted in the edge of the veggie garden so that she could see from her windows. We are talking about 1.5 acres, so I have a clean slate to deal with.

So tell me what you have been doing the last couple of days.

Like you Bonnie, following the catastrophe, and the attendent threads on DG. Cannot donate blood, and have no money to donate. Guess just time to help in the DG Relief effort is all I can contribute.

I have another CT scan for this spot on my lung in the morning, over in a GA hospital. Filled my tank this morning at $2.869, and I hear it's over $5 with a $10 limit in Atlanta. Won't be driving much, I can tell you. Will be doing more internet shopping for things like ink cartridges, and clothes on ebay. Too bad there's not a grocery store within a hundred miles that delivers.

|Darius, did my grocery shopping for the week today, in 2 hours time gas went from 2.82 to 3.09 in my area.

I just updated my post on your real estate & taxes post.

This morning it was 2.80 by noon, 2.99. Some stations are running out, like people expect this last fill up to last forever. I just looked the line and said, never mind. Went to see the prospective DS's house, it's small but not as small as theirs, the realtor is a ditz, and is urging them to hurry. My DS and Hurry do not live in the same universe.
I'm on the list for volunteering to handle a hot line at a local tv station for donations for down south. May not be around tomorrow.

defoecat said

(thanks to Darius for showing me how to do that)

Being this far north, our immediate effects of Katrina was some hard rain yesterday - badly needed, but did it really have to come from a storm which has been to tragic? and our gas prices which were already the equivalent of about $3.20 US jumped by another 20 cents per litre. ( I really have to think that's gouging when it's so immediate and there is no shortage here even though a long term increase may be expected). We also feel a bit helpless as we watch the news unfold and know that the best way we can help is to encourage our government to offer the help of our emergency response team. Will also make a donation to Red Cross or Salvation Army.

Have been incredibly busy otherwise. We (including my Ottawa DD, SIL and 3yr old grand-twins and my Vancouver daughter and boy friend) are heading to Oregon for my niece's wedding which is on Labour Day. Have been finishing up Flower Girl dress for my granddaughter and working hard (I'm retiring from the Food Bank I run and they want to post the job before I go. And just for good measure, my city grant application arrived - due 6 days after I return and two months earlier than last year; so I didn't expect it at this time). Updated the Food Cupboard web site a bit yesterday and an image doesn't work and I (so far) can't figure out why not.

On a happy note, I will meet a fellow DG person who lives in the area when we do part of a hosta exchange this afternoon. I've potted up 9 of mine for her to take home. She's done similar, but I'll go visit her garden and collect mine when I return from the wedding.

Must go. Aquafit class in 40 minutes and I need breakfast.

Ann

Just wanted to check in, say I'm 'ok' with the exception of being just like everyone else here...totally involved in the Katrina aftermath. I'm reading all the Katrina threads in the Weather Forum...and praying for everyone concerned with the stricken areas. And from what I've been seeing...that prayer list includes ALL of us.

I'm not preaching here...but, Please, if you haven't done it yet...find a way to help these people get what they need, now. I'm counting my blessings...and finding it very difficult to complain about *anything* at the moment.

Stay Safe!

~julie~

I'm with you Julie, whatever was a problem last week has gone by the wayside while I watch the horrific things that are happening to those poor people. The folks stranded on I-10 with no one telling them where to go had me in tears yesterday.

I only just now turned on the tv this morning, trying to make myself do some things that need doing around here. Some how the weed grasses out in the garden don't have the pull the news on tv does. At least the water has stopped rising.

On a happier note my kitchen remodel approaches 'finished'. Today DS will paint the last wall of the kitchen and the new trim for all the edges will get painted too. That probably won't go up today as it needs two coats of paint and drying time between. I have been loading my new cupboards with the stuff that has been living piled up in boxes in other rooms.

It's very strange to be standing in my 'own' kitchen with a stack of pans in my hands trying to decide where things live now that my kitchen is so newly different. Shoot I had toast this morning for the first time in two months. Hadn't been able to 'find' my toaster. It's like moving into a new house. Without moving!!! LOL

This message was edited Sep 1, 2005 9:10 AM

Lunchtime at the computer! Doesnt' something like Katrina make ya pull up your boot straps and make you think how shallow we all were to complain about our little problems - no more complaining here (at least for awhile) LOL

Local TV station is collecting $$ for the Red Cross - companies are matching and giving away items for big donations. People are lined up giving. Brings tears to my eyes. I just cannot imagine having everything taken from you but the clothes on your back. Plus not knowing what is happening- we all can watch things on the TV and see the trucks bringing supplies, but those poor people don't know this. I am major irritated by the looters taking TV's etc. Basic necessities - go for it.

On a more local note: I canned 21 qts of tomatoes yesterday - man was I bushed!! Our bushes aren't producing as much as in previous years - too dry here. We have three more pine trees dying in my shade garden. It will soon be a sun garden I fear.

Went back to Contours this morning after a three month vacation - gosh it was so much fun to see everyone. I feel guilty tho with gas so high. I did go to the pharmacy, bank and library when I was in town. Still need to go the other direction to the store for groceries tho.

News is on, so I gotta go watch it. Say your prayers for our brother and sisters who are in need.

Just got home from my CT scan in time to see the noon news with the announcement that FEMA is standing down, ceasing ALL rescue operations. I'm shell shocked at the news. It will take more than Prayers, it will take a Miracle now.

My CT scan was almost a fiasco. They didn't have me listed at the main hosp. check-in desk, so they called radiology who told them someone called yesterday and cancelled my scan. Called my doctor's office who had made the appt. and they didn't cancel it.

Anyway, they finally got the labs done and then the scan. I was to see my doctor following the scan so I went there. They told me someone had called THEM yesterday to cancel my appt. with them!

I should have the results of the scan sometime next week; they are waiting for the films of the last scan in May for comparison.

Darius...I just saw the same thing. Can't believe a A$$ with a gun has the ability to STOP the rescue ops!

Blooms...you must be seeing the I-10 info I've been seeing too. I think this whole thing is *disgusting!* (Shep Smith - on Fox - just showed one fatality on that hwy. I'm SICK!!! and not because of the picture!)

I'm getting off the soapbox...sorry.

~julie~

Darius, who for heaven's sake is cancelling your appointments on you? This is very peculiar. hope the scans showed improvement dear. You are important to us, your DG family, we're still holding you in our thoughts.

Blooms, the ONLY other people who knew of my appts. besides me, the hosp. and my Dr's office is the woman who lives in the wing upstairs, and my landlord. Mark would not stoop so low but I have doubts about her.

What???? the heck. Wow.
Better not accept any drinks from that source.
Too weird. Just to have that suspicion is a hard thing.

I agree, Blooms. I hate even having the thought but I also find no other logical alternative.

WHAT? My gosh...do people not have other things to do besides mess with people? Darius - I'm working on finding you a place...looking daily.

And - oh I'm so sad about all that's going on in New Orleans and areas. Having lived down there, I'm just so sad. I can't imagine. My best friend doesn't know if she has a job anymore because she worked in New Orleans - don't know what they're going to do. They don't know if he has a job at all - because he worked for a small business selling farm equipment....farm what? water? And the crime that's going on. I have another friend down there that has a son who is a French Quarter policeman. I can't get in touch with any of them - so who knows what's going on there. Unbelievable - and the effect it's going to have on all of us economy wise.

sigh....I'm on vacation today and tomorrow. I'm suppose to be doing something around this house. Paying bills is as far as I've gotten. Went back to bed this morning for a while cause DH and I neither one have been sleeping well - so getting a late start.

Let's all pray that goodness will prevail and a miracle will happen.

m.

Just watched the evening news. Gosh, I am sickened about the people in the Convention center - why CAN'T
they drop off water and food to them for heavens sakes!!! I want to go down and help so bad....

The furniture store that opened up and set up mattresses for the folks - man, that was so so kind. Hopefully we are hearing the 'bad' stuff and more and more good stuff has happened that we aren't hearing about.

Darius - for heaven's sakes!!! That female upstairs wouldn't really do that would she?? And why?? Hope the mystery is solved....

The high gas prices have really put a clamp on people traveling around here=- it is in the mid $3.00 range. Neighbors were going from Mich out west for two weeks - cancelled. Brother going up north - not going. And with the holiday weekend coming, I think more people will just be staying home. I know we are!! But then we usually do this holiday. I do think about only going where I absolutely have to go and putting many things off until the prices settle down. I love to just take rides, but will not be doing that now.

We've been outta milk and bread for a few days and really need to make a grocery run. Cookies are all gone too , but that is a good thing as my butt has widen considerably this summer.

Gotta go, cat is tormenting the hummers...grrrr

Can't run out of cookies, sarv.....that's a sin...

BYW....do you see that we have a whole forum now for Katrina....check it out..

Hap

Despite best intentions got little done today. Turned off the tv and went and read for a while. It's back on now and it's bad as I thought. Thing is the talking heads are playing next day quarterbacks, stirring a pot of blame.

Well for heaven's sake, there are people out there who tell us repeatedly that one big city or another is going to have a major natural disaster with no way to evacuate the victims. It's not that you can prevent it, it's not that you can make a way to drive on flooded roads, land a helicopter under fire. And NO is no different than any other city of size.

THERE IS NO ONE TO BLAME

and I'm afraid that as a group Americans are used to instant action, and finding someone to blame. This IS instant as far as the size of the job. Fact is those fantasy disaster movies are pretty close to real life.

Dave if this is too heavy feel free to erase it. ~Blooms

Well, I have been busy today. Didn't sleep well last night, so was up at 5:00. Did 2 loads of laundry, ran vacuum, went to my mom's and worked there for about 3 hours. Just miscellaneous jobs that she is unable to do. Froze some corn, and made a casserole to take to a church function tonight. Meal at church was good, home about 9:00 Have read some, and watched Katrina coverage. I know what you mean, blame is being laid all over the place. Why doesn't the government just quit talking and DO SOMETHING? THose who didn't evacuate were probably unable to do so. Nephew was deployed this afternoon to go to New Orleans. He is a Ky. National Guardsman. Has been to Iraq and Afghanistan. Sure hope that all our service personnel stay safe, and render what ever aid they can. I can't imagine being without food and water for this period of time. We don't even treat our animals like that.

Well off my soapbox, wish I could go and do something for these poor people.

Well off to bed, hopefully to sleep better than last night.