And again I say Wow!

What a monumental task lies ahead for State and Federal officials in the Katrina struck States. I am totally in awe of the damage. Many of the officials and rescue workers are victims as well. They talk of Camille, and compare. Experts say Katrina could be the first of many super storms.

The "Big Easy" has big problems. The storm just keeps on going for them. Nine foot deep water by end of day. Evacuations have been ordered. It may be weeks and months before people are allowed back to their homes. And these could be the lucky ones. They still have homes, they just aren't inhabitable.

Just last evening I caught a news clip at Lake Stamford. The men of Southern Baptist. There has been a constant rotation of men coming in to help with cleanup and reclamation efforts there. Locals feed the men and at the conclusion of the meal, the men sing for their supper. One of the volunteers was already talking of their future participation in the hurricane stricken states. The only problem I see is song selection. Last evening's song clip was (and I quote) "All other ground is sinking sand." These men do "good work".

I feel somewhat guilty going to work this week. I think about past disasters and the way news was reported. Now we have instant news come storm, come war, or whatever circumstance. Sensationalism at the expense of others misfortune.

My work yesterday was a long day of repetition. I worked long and hard on the spreadsheets and modifying the transition formulas for the summaries. I cautiously say "I have finished". Of course, sometimes this particular spreadsheet has a mind of its own. I am hopeful. I saved all the changes on the hard drive and I also burned a CD. Worst part of all this has been that my regular work is building up. I have lease settlements stacked on my desk and I have not even glanced at the "good book" all week. It is going to be difficult but I need to keep my focus.

Last project of the day was helping KO repair a trailer. As of leaving work yesterday we were caught up on repairs. This week is very demanding because of the approaching holiday. We have had a slow increase in can loads and this week the product loads have caught up to it. Another episode where if we had an additional twenty-five trucks it wouldn't be enough. It has been a constant struggle looking for trailers. We had one rogue trailer that had been missing for a while. Late yesterday it was located. Even though we had asked warehouse and production about trailer availability, this trailer had been overlooked. All of the drivers have been busting butt. Actually there are only two drivers who are being problems. One continues to turn down return loads, I can't understand this. Thing is he tells us one thing yet we receive conflicting reports from multiple sources. Another driver wants to do his own program. His latest mode of operation is to hang up on dispatch when he doesn't like what he hears. I think the biggest problem is that he has been pampered and handled with kid gloves and now the pressure is on and he can't take it. Both have been good hands but you have to draw the line somewhere.

Well, I for one am thankful that it is hump day. I am hopeful that by noon I will have moved my rump over the hump and be on the downside of the week. On my horizon I see a three day weekend!

I'm trying to decide where my summer cold/flu is at. I know that I probably shouldn't have gotten out in the heat to repair the trailer yesterday. The dust probably didn't help either. I continue to take all my meds. My chest is feeling better as I cough up flim so I am trying not to take my antihistimine any more than necessary to be functional, but man oh man do I have a sinus headache this morning. Each breath painful bounces along the passages in and out of my body. Yeah, I am a wimp.

Make it a day. "Git 'er done!"

FATHER I ask YOUR blessings on all those suffering loss from the hurricane. I pray for their relief. I pray for the relief workers. I pray for the efforts to be direct and effective. Be with those in positions of authority as they develop plans of action. FATHER, I ask for continued relief from my cold and flu. I thank YOU for Krl and ask for her healing and renewal. I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, S.T., and Karen. I ask YOUR care and healing for them. I pray for those who are sad and heavy hearted from loss, I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who struggle as we try to follow you. I ask that YOU keep us centered. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. All other ground is sinking sand.