Yesterday, for Halloween, I went as a hobo. I decided because I wasn’t going to use the clothes from my costume again, I could donate them to the homeless shelter down the street along with my two little sisters costumes as well. They were Spongebob and Bell from Beauty and the Beast. I figured that even though they are costumes, they might be able to be worn to provide warmth as the weather grows colder. I was told my donation was "distasteful" and was turned away. Why would they do that to someone trying to be nice?

Katrina: Stairs On The Water

October is pregnant with November owls, smells of holidays
Wreathing round tables, windows.
No stairs.

First stories are ten feet high, with water marks, loose tin,
Loose memories of
No stairs.

Last year’s October, barren. Tears miscarried, dreams in
Beer bottles; toys, clothes, food begged by
Fire stations. No ice.
No stairs.

Christmas of words, Thanksgiving of doctors.
Halloween strutted real…mad dancing, skulls worn
And uncovered. No treats.
No stairs.

Were you proof-reading the Ten commandments,
Knowing water never goes to Heaven?
On that sunset lake were shadows of someone
Stumbling.
Too many stairs.

You were always right, but not always on time.
You took from Heaven.
You would not give.
Too many stairs
Got in the way.

elysabeth faslund
This is how it was on my much beloved bayous…I was not in New Orleans. I could only pray for them.
Would you believe that FEMA is now almost telling those victims to move out of FEMA trailers? True.
And, there are still families, on the bayous, that have never gotten a FEMA trailer at all……grrrrrrrrr

You all should be aware of hurricane preparations, but in case you need a refresher course: We’re about to enter the hurricane season. Any minute now, you’re going to turn on the TV and see a weather person pointing to some radar blob out in the Atlantic Ocean and making two basic meteorological points.

There is no need to panic.
We could all be killed.
Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Florida. If you’re new to the area, you’re probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we’ll get hit by "the big one."

Based on our insurance industry experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan:

STEP 1: Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at least three days.

STEP 2: Put these supplies into your car.

STEP 3: Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Halloween.

Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in the coastal states. So, start with step one.