This morning, Fox News had a detailed helio flyover of the Lakeview neighborhood in New Orleans, where my parents and in-laws (used to) live. Oh, boy. Since the break in the 17th Street Canal was hust east of my parents home, we expected the worst. It appears that my parents house survived, but with water up to, or past the first floor. No sign of my in-laws house, which is (was) a single story. Several feet of water in St. Domnic's Church, and St. Paul's Chruch, too, on Harrison Avenue. A disaster. Ellen was in tears.

Still no power at home. Spent part of the the night at St. Luke's. We are taking in family members and new moms of the infants air-lifted to Women's Hospital, which is next door to St. Luke's. Giving them a warm bed, a cool room, food, and a sense that they are not alone. It sounds sappy, but a hug goes a long way when you are that shocked and disoriented. We got up early to make breakfast for them, and I'll be back to serve dinner.

Well, reports of looting and robbery have started here, too. Some of the New Orleans refugees who have made it here, especially those brought here to the River Center, are reportedly breaking into cars, breaking into downtown businesses, and robbing people at stores and gas stations. They are sending some government workers home early for their safety, and women are being told to not go to stores alone. A friend of my partner's wife was just carjacked. In a suburb. We are going to keep the office door locked, and at lunch I'm going home to get the Ruger and the speedloader. The "No Weapons At Work" rule is off at Group Novak for the time being. Suddenly, that 'ol Second Amendment is coming in reeeeeal handy. Good Christ, what have we come to??

If you want do do something to help out, the best thing to do is donate. Cash mostly. The Red Cross is crying for donations. We'll be setting up a PayPal account at the St Luke's Episcopal Church website to take donations that we will use in our mission to care for those who come to us. If you profess a faith, now would be a really, really good time to practice it - pray.

More later,

.....CLIFF