Summer winding down

John R. Hall

This is the time of year I regret the most -- end of summer and beginning of HECTIC travel season. I long for the serenity of a Michigan summer (like the peaceful lake in this picture). Luckily we have a great forecast for Labor Day weekend.

This lake is the scene of many childhood weekends when my parents would pack up the '59 Ford woody station wagon and haul us four kids out to their friends' cottage. I happened upon the lake again last week and couldn't believe how much had remained the same from 40 years ago. It was a welcome sight.

But as I am relaxing my thoughts will go out to the many people suffering in the Gulf Coast area. They are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Brian (Tankless)

Thank you for

thinking of us, John.

I have wonderful memories of lakes like that from when I was a young boy.

I won't spoil the idylic image you posted, by showing photo's of New Orleans.

Almost the entire city is "a lake", and the Superdome is an "island" because two huge levee's broke and the flow of water is almost unstoppable.

The combined total of the maintenance pumps, is 500,000gpm. That will only lower the level by 0.5" in a 24hr period. Considering that there is up to 24 ft in places, do the math. Plus, the broken levee's are still pouring water into the city.

Thank God the river levee's & dykes which keep back the Missippi held. If they had let go, the City would have been vitually destroyed.

Can you imagine if Katrina had been a direct-hit?

All I got, was enough broken tree limbs to make huge bonfire, and no call from my future employer to go to work. They are only now sending crews to do damage assesment to the offshore drilling/production facilities.

Thanks to everyone who sent their prayers & kind words.

To Jeff Lawrence, how are your family in Metairie, it was very badly hit. I hope they are safe and well.

There will be a lot of offshore work in a while, so if I don't show up here, you'll know where I am.

Must get busy.

Take you all.

Brian in a very, very Swampland.

John R. Hall

Very sad

One of my favorite places to visit each time I go to New Orleans is Joe's Crab Shack on the shore of Lake Ponchartrain. There probably isn't much left to it now. How sad.

And to see all of the looting is just adding to the misery.

A girl

Summers end is near
so grab your towels for one last dip
the lake is calm and clear
a late-night cap
under these brilliant stars
brings back memories ever of every year

God bless the families in need this night, whether from the terrific disaster of Katrina, or whatever may bring you need this night~

Brian (Tankless)

Thank you \"Girl\"

That's exactly what I'll be doing with my 8 yr old Autumn Elizabeth this weekend. Playing & swimming, learning to dive head-first in the Calcasieu (Crying Eagle) River with her best freind Ivy. Cremated chicken thighs on the pit, beanie weenies, the whole thing :O)

I have other plans & ideas that I'll share with you all when they happen. Someone else is in charge, & it ain't me.

He'll let me know what I'm supposed to do, in the morning.

For now, pray & sleep tight.

G'night, Brian & Autumn.