The Montgomery Advertiser Web site is reporting what looks like widespread destruction on the east side of Prattville, Ala. from an apparent tornado this afternoon.
The same system passed through here overnight with little to no known impact. In fact, ironically, it was sunny and warm here around the time Prattville - south and east of where we live in Mississippi - got slammed.
No deaths reported yet and that's what counts.
As most of you know, I grew up in and around Montgomery, Ala. Prattville is a northern suburb to Montgomery.
Lord, send your comfort and grace to those whose lives have been turned upside down today and help then follow your hand in their recovery. In Christ's Name, Amen.
Showing posts with label nature's wrath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nature's wrath. Show all posts
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Friday, March 02, 2007
Making sense of what doesn't make sense
Less than nine months ago, my family stood in line in the lobby of Hillcrest Baptist Church along with dozens of other people to visit the family of Chris and Leah Walls (see previous posts) and file past the caskets containing their remains and those of their children.
We waited in line with a whole lot of people who didn't know us from Adam and probably wondered aloud why in the world would we bring a nine-month-old to a visitation.
Somehow, probably, we hoped Leah would see the child she'd prayed would come our way. We certainly wanted her family to know how much her support meant.
As I watched the footage roll in from Enterprise, Ala., Thursday, I noticed the unmistakable roof line of a modest-size, brick building which looked like a church. A map search confirmed what I thought - Hillcrest was again at the center of a tragedy, only this time, much bigger in scope at least in the number of people killed.
I think back now to the faces of the people I stood in line with on that balmy Friday night in southeast Alabama and I wonder - Are these now grieving grandparents, or intended rescuers who only found bodies or people who reunited a child and a parent or friends who are now turning to one another for comfort?
Did the Walls' deaths somehow prepare this town for even more sorrow? Is that even possible? Am I still grasping for something which will make their loss make sense? Yes, very likely.
But in both sets of circumstances, I continue to pray the Lord will do his bidding in these times of uncertainty and grief and that the sense of community I felt in that church would extend beyond its walls to a hurting Enterprise.
And I pray that the well-meaning people who've pulled satellite trucks to this community would do more than report about the horror. Maybe when the feed is offline, you could help someone lift a board, or listen - off-the-record - to a hurting family, or give a cup of water to those working the scene. They need more than 15 seconds of fame in Enterprise right now.
These are hard-working, dedicated, God-fearing, salt-of-the-earth people who probably don't respond well to pity. But they will listen to a helping hand. Let's all do what we can for these folks, even if for now it's just to pray.
We waited in line with a whole lot of people who didn't know us from Adam and probably wondered aloud why in the world would we bring a nine-month-old to a visitation.
Somehow, probably, we hoped Leah would see the child she'd prayed would come our way. We certainly wanted her family to know how much her support meant.
As I watched the footage roll in from Enterprise, Ala., Thursday, I noticed the unmistakable roof line of a modest-size, brick building which looked like a church. A map search confirmed what I thought - Hillcrest was again at the center of a tragedy, only this time, much bigger in scope at least in the number of people killed.
I think back now to the faces of the people I stood in line with on that balmy Friday night in southeast Alabama and I wonder - Are these now grieving grandparents, or intended rescuers who only found bodies or people who reunited a child and a parent or friends who are now turning to one another for comfort?
Did the Walls' deaths somehow prepare this town for even more sorrow? Is that even possible? Am I still grasping for something which will make their loss make sense? Yes, very likely.
But in both sets of circumstances, I continue to pray the Lord will do his bidding in these times of uncertainty and grief and that the sense of community I felt in that church would extend beyond its walls to a hurting Enterprise.
And I pray that the well-meaning people who've pulled satellite trucks to this community would do more than report about the horror. Maybe when the feed is offline, you could help someone lift a board, or listen - off-the-record - to a hurting family, or give a cup of water to those working the scene. They need more than 15 seconds of fame in Enterprise right now.
These are hard-working, dedicated, God-fearing, salt-of-the-earth people who probably don't respond well to pity. But they will listen to a helping hand. Let's all do what we can for these folks, even if for now it's just to pray.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
I stand corrected
It looks as though the early reports of the demise of the D-Day Museum in New Orleans were greatly exaggerated.
I'm glad and I hope they can move forward from this. I still can't get my mind around why Ambrose is gone. I hope someone can step into his place and serve as well in providing other generations a sense of the men and women who kept this country secure before, during and after World War II.
I'm glad and I hope they can move forward from this. I still can't get my mind around why Ambrose is gone. I hope someone can step into his place and serve as well in providing other generations a sense of the men and women who kept this country secure before, during and after World War II.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
(Potential) Clarity
If the reports are true that looters cleaned out the D-Day Museum in New Orleans, then I have a greater understanding why the late, fantastic World War II historian Stephen Ambrose passed away in what was arguably still his prime.
Not only did something he helped create get destroyed (again if this is true), he also made one of his homes in Bay St. Louis, Miss. More than likely, the house he lived in is also gone.
It's speculation at this point, but sometimes it helps to make sense of things, and that was one death I couldn't quite grasp at the time.
Quite possibly, the Lord spared him what was to come within the past few days.
It's at least a comforting thought.
More rants on Katrina as time and energy permit.
I'm out of both as of now.
Not only did something he helped create get destroyed (again if this is true), he also made one of his homes in Bay St. Louis, Miss. More than likely, the house he lived in is also gone.
It's speculation at this point, but sometimes it helps to make sense of things, and that was one death I couldn't quite grasp at the time.
Quite possibly, the Lord spared him what was to come within the past few days.
It's at least a comforting thought.
More rants on Katrina as time and energy permit.
I'm out of both as of now.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Are the media slighting Mississippi?
In recent days, we've heard some complaints that national media - I'm sure it's largely about television outlets - have overlooked the conditions on this state's Gulf Coast in favor of the deterioration of New Orleans.
News decisions are weighed on unseen scales which can appear unfeeling.
Most often, the question is asked, "How many people will this impact for how long?" On a national level, from that perspective the question is easy to answer in terms of deploying assets - reporters, cameras, etc. New Orleans is a bigger story from that aspect alone in terms of flooding. Add the evacuation problems, the (at least limited) mayhem and the dead and we see why so much attention was paid.
But, some Mississippians argue - Why are our problems seemingly ignored?
At least much of New Orleans is still standing, they say. We have coastal towns which no longer exist - they were blown away as if by a by nuclear weapon and cities as much as three hours inland were impacted (Meridian, for example). Our northern cities are working feverishly to accomodate our neighbors from the south, opening shuttered schools and converting civic centers into long-term shelters.
Why isn't anyone paying attention to this, they ask?
As a native Alabamian, I've long suspected that national media look at the South with a jaundiced, superior eye. No one native to the South is capable of uttering a coherent sentence, the thinking seems to go.
However, in this case, I think the media are following sound news judgment on the whole.
Sure, Geraldo has, as is typical, lost his marbles a few times as word comes that some aspects of the New Orleans portion of the story have been overblown (the looting was supposedly limited to a very small area of town, for example).
But not all outlets are ignoring the plight of Mississippi and those of us in the state certainly understand how soundly the coast got licked. I know of a lady who was searching for nearly 20 friends from the coast last week. The loss of life and property there is still unfathomable.
If anyone reading this blog is unaware of the impact Katrina had on this state, please look at the following sites for a sampling (my efforts to make links don't seem to be working, so you may have to cut and paste):
The Clarion Ledger, Jackson
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage
The Commercial Dispatch, Columbus
http://www.cdispatch.com/
The Sun Herald, Gulfport/Biloxi
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/contact_us/
WLOX-TV Biloxi
http://www.wlox.com/
WAPT-TV Jackson
http://www.thejacksonchannel.com/index.html
The Meridian Star, Meridian
http://www.meridianstar.com/
WCBI-TV Columbus
http://www.wcbi.com/hurricane2.html
News decisions are weighed on unseen scales which can appear unfeeling.
Most often, the question is asked, "How many people will this impact for how long?" On a national level, from that perspective the question is easy to answer in terms of deploying assets - reporters, cameras, etc. New Orleans is a bigger story from that aspect alone in terms of flooding. Add the evacuation problems, the (at least limited) mayhem and the dead and we see why so much attention was paid.
But, some Mississippians argue - Why are our problems seemingly ignored?
At least much of New Orleans is still standing, they say. We have coastal towns which no longer exist - they were blown away as if by a by nuclear weapon and cities as much as three hours inland were impacted (Meridian, for example). Our northern cities are working feverishly to accomodate our neighbors from the south, opening shuttered schools and converting civic centers into long-term shelters.
Why isn't anyone paying attention to this, they ask?
As a native Alabamian, I've long suspected that national media look at the South with a jaundiced, superior eye. No one native to the South is capable of uttering a coherent sentence, the thinking seems to go.
However, in this case, I think the media are following sound news judgment on the whole.
Sure, Geraldo has, as is typical, lost his marbles a few times as word comes that some aspects of the New Orleans portion of the story have been overblown (the looting was supposedly limited to a very small area of town, for example).
But not all outlets are ignoring the plight of Mississippi and those of us in the state certainly understand how soundly the coast got licked. I know of a lady who was searching for nearly 20 friends from the coast last week. The loss of life and property there is still unfathomable.
If anyone reading this blog is unaware of the impact Katrina had on this state, please look at the following sites for a sampling (my efforts to make links don't seem to be working, so you may have to cut and paste):
The Clarion Ledger, Jackson
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage
The Commercial Dispatch, Columbus
http://www.cdispatch.com/
The Sun Herald, Gulfport/Biloxi
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/contact_us/
WLOX-TV Biloxi
http://www.wlox.com/
WAPT-TV Jackson
http://www.thejacksonchannel.com/index.html
The Meridian Star, Meridian
http://www.meridianstar.com/
WCBI-TV Columbus
http://www.wcbi.com/hurricane2.html
Saturday, September 03, 2005
The search for the perfect muffaleta
I went to college at the University of Alabama some (muffle, cough, shuffle papers) years ago and there was this shop called the International Deli that served a muffaleta (I'm not sure if I'm spelling it right) sandwich.
For those who don't know, muffaletas are New Orleans specialties. I can't remember what all they have on them, but I got hooked on them and went back several years later, only to find the place was different.
Since then, I've tried other places in the South which serve muffaletas and never found one which came close to the one at the Deli.
Last October, Amanda got to go on her first trip to New Orleans during our sixth anniversary celebration last October.
This was at least my third visit to the city, including an impromptu excursion one night from metro Mobile, Ala. more than 13 years ago.
We visited the French Quarter, the D-Day Museum, Cafe Du Monde and the Riverwalk shopping area. We enjoyed what we saw and pledged to go back. Now it may be a long time and the city may never be close to the same.
We stayed in an area off Gentilly which is probably under water and unfortunately, many of the people we rode the bus with into downtown are probably dead or were evacuated under the most recent extreme conditions.
A few blocks away, we went to a local restaurant which served what probably was an authentic muffaleta. I think I came away recalling that the International Deli version was pretty close to this.
Anyone with information on what constitutes a textbook muffaleta, please feel free to share as we try to remember the good things about New Orleans.
For those who don't know, muffaletas are New Orleans specialties. I can't remember what all they have on them, but I got hooked on them and went back several years later, only to find the place was different.
Since then, I've tried other places in the South which serve muffaletas and never found one which came close to the one at the Deli.
Last October, Amanda got to go on her first trip to New Orleans during our sixth anniversary celebration last October.
This was at least my third visit to the city, including an impromptu excursion one night from metro Mobile, Ala. more than 13 years ago.
We visited the French Quarter, the D-Day Museum, Cafe Du Monde and the Riverwalk shopping area. We enjoyed what we saw and pledged to go back. Now it may be a long time and the city may never be close to the same.
We stayed in an area off Gentilly which is probably under water and unfortunately, many of the people we rode the bus with into downtown are probably dead or were evacuated under the most recent extreme conditions.
A few blocks away, we went to a local restaurant which served what probably was an authentic muffaleta. I think I came away recalling that the International Deli version was pretty close to this.
Anyone with information on what constitutes a textbook muffaleta, please feel free to share as we try to remember the good things about New Orleans.
The Blame Game
America enjoys many sports, some of which people from within our own borders invented or perfected.
But our favorite is - who can we blame and how bad can we make them look? I'll take part a little bit but let me say this from the outset: There's plenty blame to go around. I don't think it can be placed at one person's feet.
No matter how badly people like Bill Maher want President George Bush to fall in disgrace, I don't think this situation has any one clear bad guy, though clearly there's plenty blame to go around.
By the way, maybe Bill Maher ought to take his scrawny butt down to the Big Easy and help out instead of flapping his gums about this being Bush's "Waterloo." I would go but I have a baby on the way, I'm still moving and I'm trying to find other ways to help.
Mayor Ray Nagin told people to go to the Superdome as a last resort, but for some reason, the resources weren't in place to help people when they arrived, so we had a literal stinking mess with death and the worst of humanity all around.
The feds appear not to have taken the initiative to overstep local and state authority, but that may be out of reluctance to set a precedent or simply not knowing where to start, not out of a lack of concern or turning a blind eye because the overwhelming majority of those left behind are black.
The situation in New Orleans for those who legitimately need help is horrifying.
Why did it take so long for help to start arriving? The answer isn't immediately clear, but I do wonder if our military resources are stretched way too thin.
Maybe there was a reluctance to send in the regular Army and use the same ammunition we're using in the War on Terror. It sounds like we should clear New Orleans on a house-to-house, block by block effort and apparently those resources are not available.
We should have had at least two brigades of regular Army ground-pounders in place by now alongside the National Guardsmen.
While everyone knew New Orleans was built in a bowl, why wasn't there a coherent plan to clear it out if something catastrophic happened? I have no idea, but maybe we need to learn a whole bunch of lessons out of this.
Ok, time to go make another move run. More later.
But our favorite is - who can we blame and how bad can we make them look? I'll take part a little bit but let me say this from the outset: There's plenty blame to go around. I don't think it can be placed at one person's feet.
No matter how badly people like Bill Maher want President George Bush to fall in disgrace, I don't think this situation has any one clear bad guy, though clearly there's plenty blame to go around.
By the way, maybe Bill Maher ought to take his scrawny butt down to the Big Easy and help out instead of flapping his gums about this being Bush's "Waterloo." I would go but I have a baby on the way, I'm still moving and I'm trying to find other ways to help.
Mayor Ray Nagin told people to go to the Superdome as a last resort, but for some reason, the resources weren't in place to help people when they arrived, so we had a literal stinking mess with death and the worst of humanity all around.
The feds appear not to have taken the initiative to overstep local and state authority, but that may be out of reluctance to set a precedent or simply not knowing where to start, not out of a lack of concern or turning a blind eye because the overwhelming majority of those left behind are black.
The situation in New Orleans for those who legitimately need help is horrifying.
Why did it take so long for help to start arriving? The answer isn't immediately clear, but I do wonder if our military resources are stretched way too thin.
Maybe there was a reluctance to send in the regular Army and use the same ammunition we're using in the War on Terror. It sounds like we should clear New Orleans on a house-to-house, block by block effort and apparently those resources are not available.
We should have had at least two brigades of regular Army ground-pounders in place by now alongside the National Guardsmen.
While everyone knew New Orleans was built in a bowl, why wasn't there a coherent plan to clear it out if something catastrophic happened? I have no idea, but maybe we need to learn a whole bunch of lessons out of this.
Ok, time to go make another move run. More later.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
We're OK
We're in a part of Mississippi that didn't really get hammered, even though the wind howled and the rain blew - we've seen stuff like this before.
But we haven't seen - in this nation, in this generation - the destruction wrought on the Coast.
Sure, we've got a good deal of stress with the move still happening while we're waiting on the baby, and honestly, I haven't handled it well.
But all in all, we're OK. We're not missing anybody and we have a general idea where all our stuff is. It's not underwater and it's not scattered (not by natural forces anyway).
That's it for now. Maybe more later.
But we haven't seen - in this nation, in this generation - the destruction wrought on the Coast.
Sure, we've got a good deal of stress with the move still happening while we're waiting on the baby, and honestly, I haven't handled it well.
But all in all, we're OK. We're not missing anybody and we have a general idea where all our stuff is. It's not underwater and it's not scattered (not by natural forces anyway).
That's it for now. Maybe more later.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Dennis ... quit playing with the lights!
If I had thought of it, I might have yelled that last night as the power came on and off in fits and starts.
Right before my wife and I tried to get some sleep, I turned on a ceiling fan at the switch to get ready to turn off the light while the power was out. Just as I turned the dimmer switch to the right, the power came on again! Freaky!
Other than that, we fared well from the hurricane.
We're tired and will probably get some rest soon but our little corner of the globe made out OK.
Right before my wife and I tried to get some sleep, I turned on a ceiling fan at the switch to get ready to turn off the light while the power was out. Just as I turned the dimmer switch to the right, the power came on again! Freaky!
Other than that, we fared well from the hurricane.
We're tired and will probably get some rest soon but our little corner of the globe made out OK.
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