Update

Well, the sun's out here. Although the wind kicked up a bit and dark clouds scudded around, it never really even rained very much; nor did we lose power. We're very fortunate. And New Orleans. . . . As bad as it may be there (which remains to be seen), it could have been much worse. Katrina's last minute wobble to the East kept the city from getting a direct hit; and that storm surge nightmare scenario did not materialize. It seems there is significant wind damage and flooding; but, for the most part, the city still stands and can come back. Many feared it might become an underwater theme park.

Of course, New Orleans' near miss meant very bad news for the Mississippi and Alabama coast. Katrina proved to be an incredibly powerful force of nature; and she is headed North, still packing; so, beware, if you live in the path of this storm or its remnants.

Thanks to well-wishers who have sent e-mails and left comments. I'll have some music posted later tonight, I hope. Let the healing begin.

Updating the update, Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Things are pretty bad in New Orleans and the surrounding area with large portions flooded, some severly so. Looks like more levees are reaching the saturation point and giving way. This is not good. The aerial video being shown now is very sobering. Obviously there was at least some storm surge. So, with the rain that came down and levee failures, the prognosis is getting more grim, sad to say.

This isn't a news blog; and I don't plan to turn it into one. But it is hard to ignore devastation like this, watching a city you know and love, depsite its faults, turning back into the uninhabitable swamp from whence it arose. I can only darkly imagine what it must be like for everybody who lives (lived?) there. Every life in the area has been distrupted, probably for a long time. Do what you can to help the relief effort. OK? Thanks.

This can only make us treasure New Orleans' musical and cultural legacy all the more. . . .