Dumbidity

Survivor's Guilt

We are blessed: the Giant Mug came through another hurricane virtually unscathed, all family is safe and accounted for and even the electricity is finally back on. Early this morning, the house got "down" to 83 degrees. I've been told I now have maybe half a clue what menopause is about.

Having been deprived of much information since Monday, we're just starting to get a broader perspective on the damage and aftereffects. It's overwhelming.

I've spoken with or heard from all but one of my staff, and he's just the sort of New Orleanian who'd stay to "ride out another one". Where he lives is almost all under some water. Most don't have homes to go back to and I can't even tell them where to consider their (likely futile) attempts to find housing.

Other departments we interface with aren't so lucky. An appalling number haven't reported in and quite a few who have have family unaccounted for.

My Dear Sweet Wife has seen the hospital fill up with transferred patients, with many heartrending situations. The hospitals have put out appeals for blood, supplies and above all, NURSES. Anyone who is or knows nurses who might want to become a part of something really different should call any hospital between I-10 and I-20 from Houston to Pensacola.

We're just lucky beyond words on so many levels. Thanks to those who've inquired about us. Please now direct your positive vibes to those who really need them.

For Growling, "Marking" and Shredding the Bark off Trees - TIGERSMACK!

FINALLY!

Ol' buddy Dave has directed his prodigious web and blogificatory talents to something meaningful - DANNNH-DANT-DAHN-NANT! TigerSmack.

TigerSmack is a place for LSU Tiger fans, friends and nemesi (if that's the proper plural of 'nemesis') alike can e-gather to growl at each other and shred the furniture without upsetting Mrs. Smack and their burgeoning nest of Smacklings.

He's got a daily digest of LSU Tiger news on the web (with links, natcherly) and a message board sure to flame hotter than a jambalaya cook-fire in Gonzales in August.

Geaux check it out. And be sure to click on a few ad links just to drive up the counts. Dave's put a lot of the Smacklings' college funds into R&D, so if anyone deserves to see some web revelnoos from adverteasers, it'd be him.

Holy Meme, Batman!

Thanks to Cripes, Suzette! for unwittingly causing me to formulate this meme.

Simply post a picture of a Rosary, like so...

Then say something about it.

This Rosary belonged to someone in my family, but I don't know for certain whom. I think it dates to the late 1950's or early '60's and was made in France from ordinary materials (plated brass). I keep it in a translucent plastic 35mm film canister which fits in an otherwise useless space in the vertical console of the schmedmobile. I don't exactly wear it out, but I have had to reconnect a link or two more than a few times at highway speed, which is about as good a time to pray as any.

Then nudge someone else who you think might care to try it (maybe even someone else who might know how to effectively propagate memes). If they don't, you have to pray for them.

The Second Letter of schmed to the Sabanites

(First letter here.)

Whosoever cast his eyes upon the Oracle at Canton where prophesyed the Apostle Al and John the Bussed-in knoweth in his own heart a truth: That St. Nick of Saban, now in the House of Enneffel, looks like he's been there since the day of his birth.

Honestly people, that guy looks every inch the NFL coach, and in retrospect, almost looked out-of-place on a college sideline. It may be prophetic that he started out in Canton, because it won't surprise me if he does get his bust in the HOF.