Well, I'm glad NOLA looks mostly okay, but now I'm worried for Biloxi/Gulfport. That's even closer to home for me, and I definitely have friends there, and friends with family there.

The reports on NOLA look really mixed (at least they do through my Buffista filter). It was spared the huge storm that was expected last night, but there seems to be significant flooding and damage in some areas, and I can't quite make out if the time of the storm surge has passed, or is yet to come.

Scott's Lyme Disease (which the Dr.'s office confirmed this morning)

Oh, damn. Truth to tell, that's what made me question this, but I just can't imagine that I wouldn't have noticed a tick (which I just realized I was misspelling) on my arm, below my elbow. Hmmm.

Could be a spide bite, I guess, although it's not hot. And I am a mosquito's favorite meal, apparently -- I get bitten all the time, and I've never had a reaction like this one.

I'm worried for Biloxi/Gulfport. That's even closer to home for me, and I definitely have friends there, and friends with family there.

I know. The thing about it missing NOLA is that it has to go elsewhere, and Biloxi/Gulfport are getting hit hard. {{{vibes}}} for your friends there.

It looks, Cindy, like NOLA is probably not going to have the devastating flooding it could have had. Katrina was a Category 3 by the time it hit the area, and the eyewall missed New Orleans, so it didn't get the worst of it.

There IS significant damage, probably billions of dollars worth in New Orleans alone, but it's not the loss-of-life disaster area it could have been if all of the levies had been breached (as would likely have happened if Katrina had stayed Cat 4 or 5 and hit the city directly). We're probably looking at a death toll in the hundreds, not the thousands or tens of thousands, though it's always impossible to tell until everything is over.

I'm trying to find more information on Biloxi now. I've spent a lot of time down there and, though I think the city is rather disgusting, I still don't want it to be devastated, and want the people there to be safe.

Well, at least Biloxi/Gulfport isn't below sea level - AFAIK.

Well, at least Biloxi/Gulfport isn't below sea level - AFAIK

It's right on the Gulf. IOW, not below sea level. But also not very far above.

Well, at least Biloxi/Gulfport isn't below sea level - AFAIK.

True. The potential for total destruction isn't as large, which is why most of the coverage focused on NOLA.

I just hope the people that LIVED there realized that they still needed to get out.

Sounds like a spider bite. I guess if you get the target pattern around it, you'll know it was a tick after all.

Mal just laid down the law: Robert, for reasons best known to himself, launched into a really annoying Maroon 5 song, and Mallory, who'd been playing quietly next to us, came unglued! Bright red, roaring, stomping feet, tears.

Robert's still apologizing.

BWAHAHAHAHA!

Em fell out of our bed this morning. Big red lump on her head.

Raq, how's your babyfood making?