Howdy

[BAY KINGFISHER]

Well Im glad to be back to work finally so I could at least enjoy the internet and reading duck and deer stories,
Im jumping at the bits to go chase some game for myself, but one step at a time I guess,
Well Im getting married next Sat, on the front steps of Our Lady of the Gulf Church that was severely damaged "Gutted" during Katrina, then off to a couple of days in FL for a little honeymooning( instead of the trip to the Carribean as planned), then back home to our 30' FEMA trailer, for 18 months until we decide what to do

Man its hell loosing everything, but people been telling me when you start off a marriage with nothing itll just make you stronger. Aint no doubt we'll be stong,
Katrina has changed a lot in my little paradise, our community is trying to stand up strong and be proud, but it aint easy!!!!!

So when you go to bed tonight, kiss and hug your wife, your kids, your dogs, and pray extra hard for all of us on the Coast, we really do need it!!!

Also if any of you would like to donate money or manpower please consider Our Lady of the Gulf Church in Bay St. Louis, MS. our parish would greatly appreciate any assistance you'll would like to give.

[billjohnson]

I feel your pain brother. I just got back from the Pascagoula/Gautier area from working 30 straight 14 hour days. You'll be in my prayers every night. I saw the best and the wosrt in humanity in the last month. I saw people from all over this country reaching out to help out their brother. I saw greed that has to be witnessed to believe. I saw the destruction that can't truly be described to someone who hasn't been there. I saw the defeat in some people and the resillience in others. We've only had one war in this country and that was the Civil War. We found out then where the tough people are. There were people in Vicksburg that would rather live in a hole and eat rats and shoe leather than quit. That's exactly how those people that choose to stick it out on the coast are. Many choose not to stick it out and that's fine too. I don't know for sure where I would fall if I were a resident there but, I know this. The ones that you meet that have lost everything and are staying are inspiring. You wonder just what it is that makes them like that

I'm a native Mississippian and work for the Corps of Enigineers in Huntsville, AL. I've never worked and Emergency Operation before but this one was so bad and touched so many people that I knew that I had to go. Most people don't realize it but most Corp employees are volunteers too. Yeah we get paid but most folks don't have to go. Vicksburg has the mission and theres probably a handfull of people there that had no choice but most Corps employees signed up for a 30 day or 60 day tour down there. Thirty straight 14 hour days on a debris pile is about all you can take. This is the first time that we've been so spead out that we don't have enough people. We have started to contract out engineering help through a company in Jackson to cover our shortage.

Sorry to ramble on like this but I needed to talk about it and this is one of those things that you need someone who can relate. Hang in there bud. We'll get it cleaned up and better days are ahead.

[BAY KINGFISHER]

yes the clean up will be a monumental task, I heard it will be a year plus in Hancock county, Thanks for coming to the Coast to help us, and you are right we are loosing some but most are playing with the pain and ready to get back to the old way of life, we will be a bigger better coast, probably will loose some of the home town stuff that made my town so special , and the condos will be here in force, but this place will still be my Bay St. Louis!!!!!

[vern]

I was on the coast again last week and the feds are talking about extending help to Hancock county another 45 days at least. There are only 14 businesses open in the whole county . Gonna take awhile to get things moving again. Vern

[BAY KINGFISHER]

Sounds good to me, like I said we can use all the help available, kinda hard workin offshore this week, kinda feel like I need to be home... but after missing a lot of work I had to come back to the Gulf...

[Jeff]

Been worried about you over there. Glad to hear that you and your soon to be wife are safe. That is what we have found to be the most important thing through all of this. It sure is an unbelievable mess anywhere along the wrath of Katrina. If we can do anything for you all over here in Covington please let me know as we are much further along in the recovery than the MS gulfcoast. Hang in there, going to the rigs may be god for you, take your mind away from things for a while.

[BAY KINGFISHER]

Thanks Jeff
We still need to go chase them tuna when this thing sorts out, the boat survived realtivily unharmed, and we are looking for an opportunity to use it. the word from down the road is like everyone elses around Bay and Waveland, pretty bad, just hopefully by Lump season some boat launches could be re-openned, I know a big tuna could take a mans mind of his troubles.

[Jeff]

Kingfisher, you can launch at Joshuas right now. There is no building there, and there is no lift, but the backdown ramp is definetly usable. Haven't gotten solid reports on the other launches. From what I understand Cypress Cove was wacked pretty badly but the ramps seem to be open but don't know if debris from there would prohibit launching. I will have awnsers to these questions before duck season opens, will let you know when I find something out.

[BAY KINGFISHER]

thanks jeff,

[kris Schaumburg]

Master Pogie Slicer and 30W line stripper offering my services. Actually we were able to launch in Venice with the help of a work pass. I may be able to finagle another to hit the mountain around Christmas. Also, if you see about 300 decoys (and another 50 or so old LA woodens), a chum churn, some internationals, various other rods-n reels, etc. scattered somewhere between the beach and the tracks. You will know you are in the debris line from my house.

[Jeff]

Kris, where exactly did you launch in Venice? What ramps are useable. Thanks, Jeff

[kris Schaumburg]

pm sent

[Bankermane]

So you decided for your honeymoon you would go to Florida to meet the newest hurricane Wilma? The only thing worse than working is not working. Everything will eventually get back to normal.

[BAY KINGFISHER]

hehe
I beginning to think I am a hurricane magnet!!!