Monday, August 29, 2005

Now she's more than a little inconvenience ...

     Say hello to Stella (photo above). Like most everyone else, she I and kept a close eye on Katrina today while we were at work. That little inconvenience of a storm that passed through here a few days ago has now strengthened to a category 5 and is heading straight to my Dad in New Orleans.

     I called my Dad this morning and got his answering machine, I let Stella listen in to his silly message that says "no one's home but Panda, she can't come to the phone because she's been drinking. Leave a message and I'll call you back, unless I've been drinking." Ummm ... It's not a new message.

     My message to him was that I hoped that getting his machine was a sign that he had packed his bag and headed for the hills and to call me ASAP if he was still home. They tend to be pretty hard core about evacuating in New Orleans, they would prefer to gather together for a hurricane party instead. But not this time!

     You've gotta respect a category 5 storm that's headed straight for you when you live in a town so far below sea level that you've gotta look up at the Mississippi River. If you've ever been there you know what I mean. New Orleans is a giant bowl just waiting for the levy of the river to give way so it can fill to the top with water, predictions are a possible 18 feet of water, for some the only way out will be up.

     I did get a call back saying that his bags were packed and he and Panda were hitting the road ...  umm, I mean parking lot. Yep ... as you can well imagine, all of those people trying to leave at the same time could present a nightmare of a traffic jam. Eeek!

     I heard today that there were some hotels that were exempt from the mandatory evacuation so they could offer lateral evacuation for tourist and others that had no where else to go. (how scary is that)?

     The Superdome was built just for this storm. Yep ... they have done their best to provide all of the proper precautions to protect thousands from this storm. They were to let the ill and the elderly in first (it's the right thing to do). This may very well be the "Big One" that they've been waiting for all of these years.

     New Orleans has plenty of low income neighborhoods, people without transportation, people with no way out. Many of them will stay, some of them will not make it. Like everyone else, I am so dreading the headlines about tomorrow's storm. Unless some kind of miracle happens, this is going to be a catastrophic mess to say the least.

     Two of my kids are in North Louisiana, (Love you Angie and Joey) there should not be as much danger there but still like much of the South, they will be bracing themselves to see what exactly Katrina has in mind. (awww ... how I wish they were home right now).

     That silly look on Stella's face in the photo was taken as we kept saying to each other " Oh no ... where's Panda? ... where's George? ... Oh no, Panda can't swim!!! All joking aside, Dad where ever you and Panda are tonight, you are in my thoughts and prayers along with thousands of your neighbors. I love you Daddy!

    

  My pick for J-link du jour is a Katrina entry written by Connie of Thought Salad. Connie is in Alabama and will certainly be affected by Katrina to some degree. Thoughts are with you Connie, be safe.

     Oh, heres the link to the American Red Cross ... obviously there will be a great need for relief by the time this things over. 

                                                           

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hang in there, shugahpie...I am up and watching...

All my love,

andi in sc

Anonymous said...

  It's 2 am and I've gotta get some sleep, it's almost time to go to work. No time for editing so excuse any mistakes you find here, it's either post as is now or don't post at all. Night all!
                                      *** Coy ***

Anonymous said...

Coy just put Sky news on and They are talking about Katrina - but that has been the main topic for days...Lets hope a miracle does happen...Just saying the news is catagory 4 storm but could go back up....omg what a state to be in ...really sounds scary to me...please keep us informed - know our hopes for a miracle are with you....Ally

Anonymous said...

It has been on our news over here as well.  There are so many people who for one reason or another cannot leave, I would be absolutely terrified.  I pray that all will be safe and the damage not too great but nature can be terrifying.  God bless your family.

Anonymous said...

Hope your dad is okay and safe.
Sylvia

Anonymous said...

I hope Dad and Panda are safe.  Way to keep a sense of humor!  ~Sie

Anonymous said...

I hope Dad and Panda are safe, keep us updated coy!

Anonymous said...

This is maybe the only advantage of living in the frozen north - I was in one minor hurricane in Florida once. I feel for everyone in the path, and those who are just fearful of what might happen. It would be nice if the media found a way to help instead of them hoping it is a huge disaster so they can make names for themselves. I hope everyone is safe!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

So hard to be watching it all from far away and wondering what's real and what's the Media trying to make it seem worse than it might be... must be so scary for everyone near New Orleans.  Knowing me, I'd probably be in the Superdome wrestling with other 'Po folks over blankets and water... !  hugs to you and all your loved ones, Albert

Anonymous said...

Praying for your family's safety. We are getting pounded by strong winds and rains right now on the Florida Panhandle.

Anonymous said...

Be careful...will be praying for you and your family......Kasey

Anonymous said...

Hope your Dad gets out ok! And everyone else for that matter!

Anonymous said...

Hope your Dad and Panda (and everyone else in the way of this monster storm) are safe!

Anonymous said...

Hey Coy,
   Thank you for your words of courage... I hope your Dad is okay as well... we will keep tight prayers for our boys eh?  My Apt is right on the river... and yes you have to look up to it from the street.

  They say one levee failed... i dont know which one tho... so lets just hope its not affecting our friends and familly.

  :) *Hugs*

Kate

Anonymous said...

I am reading these in order and I hope everything is ok! You are among several J-landers that have folks in the path of Katrina.

Anonymous said...

Ihope your Dad and Panda are safe. Let us know when you find out anything.

Anonymous said...

Hey Coy, I hope your Dad got out safe. Thinking positive thoughts for you.~Ann

Anonymous said...

I hope all is okay.

Anonymous said...

Coy,
I hope to hear that your Dad is safe
and sound, with Panda.  My God,
this is so horrible...
Connie

Anonymous said...

I hope another Hurricane hits Texas this time and kills that lady that is protesting at Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch....well maybe not kill her but put her in the hospital.

Anonymous said...

Me thinks scootermanbill may not be from around here!
                             *** Coy ***


Anonymous said...

Scootman, the deranged one, is really missing the point. So hope your Dad is fast on his feet and was out of there. I'm replying to this after the fact, so excuse me if you've already updated. Good luck, rich

Anonymous said...

Hope you hear from your family soon.

Anonymous said...

hope your dad and family got out in time. heading for high ground must have been quite a ordeal.   roberta       aol.journal/berts world

Anonymous said...

Hope your family got out of there in time, godspeed, and my prayers are with you and yours.
Rob in seattle

Anonymous said...

I hope you family is a well and safe. I hope you have heard from them God bless and you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers

Anonymous said...

Prayers for your Dad & Panda...
Sry, I`ve been 10 days sick!
V

Anonymous said...

like a tree planted,by the water.we shall not be we shall not be,we shall not be moved.god bless

Anonymous said...

Are you like psychic or something.  What an amazing prediction. I am reading this for the first time--about 11 days after the storm and everything you mentioned in your journal came to pass.  Amazing!!! But I do hope you and your family are well.  I have kin in Monroe Louisiana and they are fine, but a bit bewildered by the amount of evacuees in their already poor town.  God Bless you all, Nessa.

Anonymous said...

Who the heck is Panda?

Anonymous said...

I am sooooo glad we have someone who cared enough to pack the animal too!!!!!!!!!!!! These people whom left there animals tied up in 175 mile an hour winds and rain should not own an animal. Thanks for saving PANDA and leaving when you had warning. Your a smart man. Too bad all the others don't have your brain.
Be Safe!!!!!!!!!ANd I have made my donations to people and the animals.
Stephanie

Anonymous said...

Hey,

I was just joking about having another hurricane hit Texas and hurt that lady that was protesting at the Crawford, Texas ranch.  But, sometimes karma works in mysterious ways.  Also, all I'm asking for this time is that you if saw the damage that Katrina left behind that you have enough sense to evacuate the lowlying areas of Louisiana and Texas.  The last thing I want to see are more dead bodies floating down sewage filled streets.  But, if you do choose to stay and ride it out, at least place your social security number on your arm in indelable ink so the authorities can identify your body.  This will allow for faster removal of body bags.

Thank you