Re: Cammie!

[Guest guest]

Hey, Irish!

I'm kinda slow, like the old lumbering tortoise, but I'm still here. At

the moment, Big Mama, as the home computer is affectionately known, has

just lit up and resumed communication. Somebody, somewhere along the

line of storms, repairs, removing trees, etc., yanked a phone line

loose. but now we're back in business.

We're also getting a gorgeous new front door. Not related to storm.

Just a chance to do it. So this is a busy saturday afternoon hereabouts.

Thank God, we're busy with such as that. I am simply speechless about

what's happened to New Orleans and the Mississippi Coast, our near

neighbors.

For that matter, things have not been good, either, for folks in low-

lying areas of south Alabama. We're on pretty high ground, but the

water rose more than it has in my memory. Mercifully, we had none in

the house, and no damage, although we're still trying to repair the

damage we had in Ivan.

I have friends who have had relatives missing -- now found,

mercifully; friends who have had thieves steal gasoline by siphoning it

from their tanks; friends who have found themselves suddenly homeless --

and friends who have taken a chunk out of their lives to try to aid

those who are homeless and destitute. One person of recent memory

suggested that anybody who's ever enjoyed a trip for fun in New Orleans

send $1 per trip to relief efforts. I think that's a most excellent

idea -- probably to the Red Cross or the United Way. I also know of a

locally administered fund (by the United Way, the community Foundation

of South Alabama and a local television station) that I can recommend,

if anyone wants to know more.

Very far removed from the topic at hand. But we on the Gulf Coast do

tend to be obsessive about such these days. The need is great and

painful -- not to me, personally, but to my brethren and sistern.

Imagine wading around in horribly polluted water for a week, without a

drop that is safe to drink, or a change of clothing, or any knowledge

of the safety of your friends and family.

Cammie

But we are well, or at least as well as two old coots could be expected

to be, and flourishing. This morning I was actually able to refill my

gas tank at about $3 per gallon without having to wait an hour or more,

so this is a Good Day!

Thanks for thinking of us. Hope things go well for you and all the

other Irishes! Are there more little Irishes yet, or little Irishes on

the way?

C.

> Hi Friend,

>

> I just wanted to see how you are with the hurricane devastation down

> there. Are you safe? Do you have other loved ones down there who

> have been affected? You are the only person I know in that area and

> when I see on the news how hard it's been for the folks in your area,

> I keep thinking of you. I wish you the best of luck and that you are

> safe, as well as your loved ones.

>

> Thanks for letting me post an off-topic well wish to one of the most

> dedicated and supportive folks here regarding jaw surgery.

>

> aka Irish

[Guest guest]

Hi Cammie!

I will keep this short as to not clog up the forum ... but so glad

you posted that you and relations/friends are ok, relatively

speaking. They may be OK, but are struggling indeed. The ideas

that you mention below are great thoughts on ways to contribute to

help.

As for our family, there are no new Baby Irishes or ones on the

way. It just hasn't happened for us as I have reached 42 with no

desire for " outside " help on the issue. Our one and only Baby Irish

turns 5 in December ... which will give you, and the other

long-termers here perspective on just how quickly time has gone. I

didn't name him Baby Irish on this forum way back then for no good

reason ... he really was a baby then. He was 18 months old for my

Surgery #1 and 2 years old for Surgery #2. Wow. Anyway, all are

good and healthy. Big Daddy Irish is fine as well. I hope that

your husband continues to do well, too. Thanks for posting back.

Keep in touch ... I don't get here often, I'm embarrassed to say. I

think you have my email.

I said I was going to keep this short ... again I ramble, just like

the old days.

Enjoy that new front door!

Irish!

> > Hi Friend,

> >

> > I just wanted to see how you are with the hurricane devastation

down

> > there. Are you safe? Do you have other loved ones down there

who

> > have been affected? You are the only person I know in that area

and

> > when I see on the news how hard it's been for the folks in your

area,

> > I keep thinking of you. I wish you the best of luck and that

you are

> > safe, as well as your loved ones.

> >

> > Thanks for letting me post an off-topic well wish to one of the

most

> > dedicated and supportive folks here regarding jaw surgery.

> >

> > aka Irish