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Morning!

Morning all. I am really feeling helpless watching the disaster in the gulf area hit by Katrina. Any recommendations from all our cammers on a "good" organization to donate to?
I was lucky enough to spend some time in New Orleans over past years and am praying for the many wonderful folks like Capt. Milt, Shuttle John, etc...

Oh My God, that's all I can say for the people in all the distruction in New Orleans and surrounding areas. I wish I could help. I will never gripe about the winters here again. Keep the faith, I know it's hard, but what else can you do.

Good morning everyone. My prayers go out to everyone who was in Katrina's path...and those who have family and friends in the area.
Llamamama, The Red Cross does incrediable work with hurricane victims. Also, check around with local trucking firms, as some of them do send a trailer with donated goods from the company and area residents to hurricane devistated areas.

I will be gone for awhile.I will be on a mission,and will return with the goods as soon as I can.Going to miss all of this & you.

David, have a safe trip. I am headed out of here and heading my truck towards Michigan, later today. Can't wait for the day when that trip to Michigan will be one way. ;)

Sur5er, your recommendation for American Red Cross was supported in multiples on other sites I visited. In case anyone is interested the address:
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013 (Designate donation to hurricane relief)
Also for the animals, the LA/SPCA, 1319 Japonica Street, New Orleans, LA 70117. Both are on the web. The need will continue for a long time.
Cindylee, I'm with you. I will never complain about our winters again.

I just want to get on the road and home to Michigan. Yeah right. I just had to call hubby, didn't I...
Me: "Where's the shop vac? I need to vacume out the sand, that was left in my truck."

Hubby: "I dunno....but don't use the wet vac."

Me: "Well which one is the wet vac?"

Hubby: "Don't use the wet vac."

Me: "I'm using the first shop vac I find in here. Okay, where's an extension cord...that works."

Hubby: "Don't use the wet vac. You have the skinny shop vac dontcha...that's the wet vac..."

Me: "Where's an extension cord?"

Hubby: "Use the orange one."

Me: "I ain't using that one...it's all chewed up and taped together. That's an electrical hazard."

Hubby: "Well I use it and haven't gotten zapped yet."

Me: Sigh. "Where's the white extension cord?"

Hubby: "You mean the one with the ground prong missing?"

Me: Sigh. "Where's that new orange one that I bought you this spring?"

Hubby: "I took it back...cuz that patched up old orange cord is still good."

Me: Sigh.

Hubby: "So you're back from Chicago already?"

Me: "Huh?"

Hubby: "Yeah, you have to get the paycheck.You don't expect me to drive through traffic to get it...do you?"

Me: "That's a four hour trip for me!"

Hubby: "And while you're out that way, will you stop at the marina store and pick up a fuel filter for the jet ski?"

Me: Sigh.

Hubby: "Look on the bright side...I'll be home sooner today, with you going all the way into Chicago for me."

Me: Sigh.

Hubby: "We can have dinner together before you leave for Michigan. Whatcha gonna cook?"

Me: Sigh. "Goose...yours."

Sur5er--Have a safe drive to Michigan . I know
what you mean about the one way trip. I leave
on Friday, also a two way trip, first for the LP to
check on our older relatives, and on Saturday
to bring things to our daughter.

I told my daughter about your message. She
liked it.

David--Have a safe mission.

In regard to today's beautiful photo by Ray Laakaniemi, I knew a
Ray Laakaniemi at Adrian College back in the 1970s who took
lovely pics of the campus here. He was from the western U.P.
Do you suppose it is the same Ray? Could be from the quality of
today's photo.
Price of gas today in Adrian went from $2.74 yesterday to
$3.49 today. Still heading north tho. I figure that raises my
costs for gas from Adrian to Esky about $12.00 for the 450
miles, or $24.00 or so for the roundtrip. Not so bad. Glad we
don't have a gas-guzzler tho. Thanks to those yesterday who
wrote in clothing tips: take a sweater, they said!

Just finished listening to the ABC disaster report. Tonight at our weekly Methodist potluck, we will be planning a fund-raiser to help with the relief efforts. We are a small church (with about 50 attending weekly), but we are mighty! We raised $6,000 for tsunami relief with our sister church of the same size. We will send any money to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) because 100% of our donation goes go the relief effort. All administration costs come from other Methodist funding. If you are interested in helping out, look up UMCOR on your computer, or mail a check to UMCOR, Box 9068, New York NY 10087-9068. You write Advance #982523 on the memo line of your check and you can even designate a specific locale where you would like it to go on the same line. Or talk to people at your local Methodist church, as they are probably sending in a donation.

Thanks Marsha, sounds just the type of organization that is deserving and will put funds to the best use!

Eight hours and counting, until I head home to MICHIGAN. Yeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaw.
Charles in Adrian: Our gas prices jumped from $2.60 to $2.99 today. But I'm with you...no matter what the cost of gas, it is well worth it to head home. And besides, if you travel at night, you can turn off the a/c...and get better gas mileage. ;)
Kosk, Thank you for the well wishes. I'm glad your daughter liked the ideas for journaling her first winter in da UP. And what a fun way for them to learn, eh. Have a safe trip to the LP and da UP.

sur5er, loved the story! Have fun, be safe.