I finished up my to-do list this evening--numerous small things, ending up with a bath. Decided at the last minute to get out some candles , too. During Katrina had a frightening experience with a candle that caught fire, so I'm really cautious with them now. But when the lights go out, even a votive candle on the kitchen table, with its feeble light, is so comforting.

This morning at dawn, no birds sang--only some crows cawed. I wonder if they sensed Gustav and fled in advance of it. The sky was clear blue, no breeze. By 10:30am, cloudbanks formed to the south and a wind came up clanging the wind chimes. The outer bands of the storm are approaching.

I listened to the radio as a grave voiced announcer out of Mobile Alabama warned people in Baldwin County and low lying areas south of there to evacuate now. Gov. Barbour of Mississippi and Gov. Jindal of Louisiana have pulled out all the stops to have every possibility of disaster scenario covered. National Guard, Red Cross, power companies; every local, state and Federal agency are ready to act.

None of the politicos want to screw up this time. None of them want to be tarred and feathered with the tag of incompetence and lack of decisiveness. Former Gov. Blanco of Louisiana was ignominiously voted out after one term for her handling of the Katrina crisis. I for one am happy the politicos are ready and willing to act on every contingency with Gustav, but the truth is there's a lot of "cover your ass" politics going on too.

(I am as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs until all this is over. Hope the roof holds. Talk to y'all (fingers crossed) when it's over--maybe the power won't be out too long.) Sunday, August 31, 2008, 9:45pm

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