Bright spots

Fred's dad's generator made life better. While it was hot, Fred sent us a window unit which cooled a room and made us feel like kings. Fred and Dave Dooley sent over a natural gas generator and we tried to get it online but we had a few glitches. They replaced it with a new one, as big as a car. It powers the house and never needs refueling. Its now cold inside, we can cook, clean, and even do laundry. Things are changing.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Fred has always been a great friend, this was just one heck of a reminder. Dave Dooley continues to amaze me. He is the only person I know who can spend days, and who knows how much money, trying to make Peter and I comfortable, then spend every conversation telling us how much he owes us. Dave is one of a kind.

Stines was open, mainly to sell generators. The store was limited to drive thru but Tim and Dennis let us back to get needed fittings.

We reconnected with Brent. We met at the Fire Department where we were reintroduced to food. We had catfish coutbillion, fried white perch, and more. We ate until I was nearly ill. We've planned meals of spare ribs and rice, grilled tuna, and duck and goose gumbo.

Signs of life are emerging. The streets are clearing fast. Target and Wal Mart opened, albeit with restricted hours. There are no lines. I went in today expecting to see people carting out water and batteries, I saw people buying ordinary things. One guy bought a battery powered car for his kids. Gas is becoming more plentiful.

We heard that the many of the boats from the Yacht Club smashed into the railroad bridge by the I-10 bridge. We'll run over there and if true will post pictures.

Tomorrow Rachelle from the Dill Firm is coming and they are loading up the office and moving it to Lafayette. Thank God for them. Effective tomorrow they will handle communications, scheduling, and all administrative issues until we relocate and get back online full time.

We spend a lot of time lining up tree removal. Amazing. While some people claim they can't get in, tree removers from everywhere, Georgia, Florida, and up north, are all down here. Some are credible, others are scammers. My first quote was for $3,000. Crazy. One guy paid $18,000 to remove 12 trees from his yard.

While this week has been tough, we are left with a powerful message. In the face of adversity no matter how severe, there are gifts. Fred, Dave, Brent, Rachelle, Nadia, they are all gifts.