Changing winds...

We started feeling the wind out of the Southeast yesterday about 2:30 in the afternoon. Gustav is coming. I'm glad they finally got their act together in New Orleans, but I have to admit, it's good to see that 44 percent of the people who didn't return to N.O. after Katrina grew some brain cells. Let's hope a few more have grown brain cells.

I feel like I can say this, my family has roots WAY back in Louisiana history, many still live there. Had a 98 yr old Aunt evac'd out during Katrina. She'd lived all her adult life on Bienville Ave. She didn't go back, although she may have missed N.O., she stayed in Baton Rouge. My Uncle and Aunt's house was literally split in two when a huge tree fell on it during Rita. They stayed in their home and rebuilt it their selves. They were both in their late 70s. What I'm getting at is, we (us living elsewhere) should not have to support those that want to go back into the flood zone, this time. We don't hear whining and crying out of farmers in the mid-west when the Mississippi and Ohio rivers jump bank and flood their farms out, time after time... they just get back on their tractors and do their thing. You don't see Californians rebuilding on the side of a hill that has just slid off into the ocean... they move somewhere else, and you sure don't see them building on the fault lines. And has anyone rebuilt up on the side of Mt. St. Helen? Am I making sense? Maybe it's time to move on from the Big Easy.... or is it, WE are making it too easy to live in the Big Easy? Do they call it the Big Easy because it's so easy to get a Gov. check there?

Our hometown still has a few families that came to us via Katrina. They say they have moved on from N.O. their lives are as transplanted Texans now. They feel they have a better life here and are feeling truly blessed that they came here. We'll gladly welcome them in and make them feel at home. If you are coming here for a hand out that you may have gotten elsewhere, you may be out of luck. We are hospitable in Texas, but do not try to take advantage of us. Do not come here and demand we GIVE you this and GIVE you that. That type of attitude will wear-out a welcome really fast.

Just my opinion... Hey Gustov! Gust off already... Jolea has to land a plane tomorrow afternoon!