Good times, good times

I'm having hard time absorbing the enormity of the hurricane disaster along the Gulf coast. It is so horrifying, so present, and so CLOSE - the tsunami last year was thousands of miles away...this is only about 20 hours from me. In May of 1998, there was a severe wind storm here in Western Michigan which left huge oak and maple trees strewn across roads, cars, and homes. We were without power for 5 days. It was scary, but it brought out the best in people. I just try to imagine no power for months, possibly, or no access to clean water, no home, no car, no way to leave my top-floor apartment. And New Orleans, a city of so much history and vibrance, is practically totally underwater. I live very close to three bodies of water - Bear Lake, Muskegon Lake, and Lake Michigan. Although I'm on a hill, just imagine...one powerful thing that's come of this whole thing is that I am newly committed to having 72 hour kits available for each of us, as well as a full-stocked and waterproofed food storage.

One other, and less serious (when I put it in perspective) issue that comes from this tragedy is the $1 per gallon increase in gas prices. How obnoxious! If I lived in Chicago or somewhere I'd use public transport, but here we have to drive to go anywhere...it's too spread out. We'll just continue to conserve, and to cut back in other areas.

On the brighter side - the MUCH brighter side! - was our fantastic visit this evening with Kaleb, Suzanne, Rozlyn, and Spencer. What a great family! They're good examples for us. They stopped in to see us on their way to their new home in Northern MI. We had a meal together, the kids played, the adults chatted, and Spencer FINALLY felt good enough about our cat to give him a little pet! Breakthrough! We were really sorry to see them go, but then we know we have an excellent excuse to visit them and enjoy the Traverse City area. If you guys are reading this - we love you!

Good friends and the hope of a better future - that's why this post is about "Good times."
"I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep..."

"Yesterday don't matter if it's gone!"

"We will not heed the voice of the Stranger, for he would lead us down to despair"