...departs office, still unelected, a permanent asterisk in the history books.
Text of his resignation announcement here.
His fate was sealed, not by the financial meltdown and its aftermath, but by agreeing to assume the role of Prime Minister without earning the privilege via the electoral process.
It was only a matter of time, and it could only end in tears. At least, the UK is a civilized country, where power passes from one hand to another with one person's resignation, and another's visit to speak with the Queen. Most times and places, transitions are bloody and tumultuous.
If some good thing can be salvaged from this heartbreak, perhaps it will be the object lesson that power must be 'derived from the consent of the governed', lest it be unavoidably viewed as illegitimately gained and exercised.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 11 Morning 2--We Are Nashville
If he may break into the local patois a bit...
OldSouth had nooooo ideeear just how cool this here bloggin' thang can be, ya'll.
A few days ago, he spotted a (then) obscure blog entry by a hockey fan, and passed it along. No biggy, jes' sharin' what we bin readin' round heah'.
Entitled 'We Are Nashville', this thing took off like a bottle rocket. It was posted on the hockey team's website, as the musings of one writer on what he was observing. OS had no clue that he had stumbled into something that was mushrooming.
It turned viral, because it rang the bells of people around the world. It told the story of the citizens of a city and state that had been clobbered, and didn't fall apart, and didn't wait for someone else to come rescue them.
Since then, a website has been put up, with the gratis downloadable graphic to share, in the famous style of the local silk-screen concert posters for which Nashville is famous.
A tee-shirt in the same style is selling quickly, with profits headed to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. OS has had dealings with Community Foundation, and they are a totally class act.
The We Are Nashville Facebook page is here.
Ya'll get the picture. You can toss your shekels here with confidence, and you'll even get to wear the tee-shirt back home in Sheffield.
There is a looong way to go before things get back to where they need to be. Houses and businesses and lives to be rebuilt a day at a time. And along the way, the Symphony has to replace the console and mechanical heart of its organ, amongst other things. The list just goes on and on.
But, it will get done. This is a 'Git-'Er-Done' place, full of those kind of people. If you're reading from overseas, OS hopes you get this view of Heartland America in your heart and mind, 'cuz this is who we are. And it's not just Nashville, Tennessee where this happens, although it has happened here with afterburners lit.
Those folks in Yew Nork and the Left Coast spend their days trying to sell the world the idea (in their TV shows, movies, news outlets and advertising) that we're just ignorant, helpless rednecks and hicks, incapable of original thought and ambition. That we just can't survive without them.
It is OldSouth's fond hope, that as the stories of The Great Middle Tennessee Flood, and The Great Middle Tennessee Recovery are documented by so many people, a new narrative can emerge for the United States. That the contrast between the industry, energy and generosity of the Nashvillians and the stupidity, laziness and raw greed of those who manipulate markets, constitutions, governments and cultures for their own ends will become unbearable to view without an active ethical response.
Americans, as OS constantly points out to his colleagues, don't respond to lists of facts, and agendas imposed from above. They respond to narrative, as free people.
This happened. We did that. We stopped doing that other thing. We built this with our own hands, and we helped one another rebuild this place we love. Thousands upon thousands of stories.
These great things happened, because we worked together.
Narrative.
OldSouth had nooooo ideeear just how cool this here bloggin' thang can be, ya'll.
A few days ago, he spotted a (then) obscure blog entry by a hockey fan, and passed it along. No biggy, jes' sharin' what we bin readin' round heah'.
Entitled 'We Are Nashville', this thing took off like a bottle rocket. It was posted on the hockey team's website, as the musings of one writer on what he was observing. OS had no clue that he had stumbled into something that was mushrooming.
It turned viral, because it rang the bells of people around the world. It told the story of the citizens of a city and state that had been clobbered, and didn't fall apart, and didn't wait for someone else to come rescue them.
Since then, a website has been put up, with the gratis downloadable graphic to share, in the famous style of the local silk-screen concert posters for which Nashville is famous.
A tee-shirt in the same style is selling quickly, with profits headed to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. OS has had dealings with Community Foundation, and they are a totally class act.
The We Are Nashville Facebook page is here.
Ya'll get the picture. You can toss your shekels here with confidence, and you'll even get to wear the tee-shirt back home in Sheffield.
There is a looong way to go before things get back to where they need to be. Houses and businesses and lives to be rebuilt a day at a time. And along the way, the Symphony has to replace the console and mechanical heart of its organ, amongst other things. The list just goes on and on.
But, it will get done. This is a 'Git-'Er-Done' place, full of those kind of people. If you're reading from overseas, OS hopes you get this view of Heartland America in your heart and mind, 'cuz this is who we are. And it's not just Nashville, Tennessee where this happens, although it has happened here with afterburners lit.
Those folks in Yew Nork and the Left Coast spend their days trying to sell the world the idea (in their TV shows, movies, news outlets and advertising) that we're just ignorant, helpless rednecks and hicks, incapable of original thought and ambition. That we just can't survive without them.
It is OldSouth's fond hope, that as the stories of The Great Middle Tennessee Flood, and The Great Middle Tennessee Recovery are documented by so many people, a new narrative can emerge for the United States. That the contrast between the industry, energy and generosity of the Nashvillians and the stupidity, laziness and raw greed of those who manipulate markets, constitutions, governments and cultures for their own ends will become unbearable to view without an active ethical response.
Americans, as OS constantly points out to his colleagues, don't respond to lists of facts, and agendas imposed from above. They respond to narrative, as free people.
This happened. We did that. We stopped doing that other thing. We built this with our own hands, and we helped one another rebuild this place we love. Thousands upon thousands of stories.
These great things happened, because we worked together.
Narrative.
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 11 2010 Morning--Eyes Blurred With Tears Of Gratitude
OldSouth returned in one piece from yesterday's long drive north. Bits of I-65 on the north side of Nashville are turning into washboard, to the point that there were fears for safety, and a tire inspection will be in order soon.
There are a few personal anecdotes to pass along about the rebuild from The Flood. It would take too long to detail them all adequately. Just know that these words are written through eyes blurred with tears of gratitude:
Friends (who would be horrified to have their names mentioned) have quietly helped this household out in significant ways, with the 'Don't you worry, I've already taken care of this matter for you.' approach. They and Heaven know who they are.
A banker called to let OS they are honoring some insurance drafts on behalf of a small not-for-profit he helps out with, since getting to the bank with the stack of deposits was not on last week's agenda. (It's the same bank where OS melted the phone in the bank officer's hand over its predatory practices with the account last December. The one where OS worked in their abandoned office all afternoon this January and watched only three customers walk in. The phone call this morning was sweet and concerned. Hmmm...)
A fellow blogger OS has never met inquired how to help, and donated to a deserving family she'll likely never meet, who will use funds to replant the farm that will support several families in Perry County. (Hit the link, and you can as well--hint, hint. The goal is 5K, about 1/3 of the way home to the goal in one week. OS would love to see this wrapped up by Friday.)
The hands-down-tears-in-our-eyes moment occurred Saturday night, when a letter was found in our post office box from an acquaintance from overseas. She had heard of the Perry County family's losses, and had enclosed four crisp fifty-dollar bills to help them rebuild their lives. OS had the joy of delivering those fifty's to the family this morning. It was a good moment. Their smiles could light a small town for a week.
This has been an extraordinary week. Thank you, one and all, from around the world for the extraordinary kindness shown to so many, not just to this family.
Next post will share some concrete, cool, and inexpensive ways to share in The Great Recovery.
There are a few personal anecdotes to pass along about the rebuild from The Flood. It would take too long to detail them all adequately. Just know that these words are written through eyes blurred with tears of gratitude:
Friends (who would be horrified to have their names mentioned) have quietly helped this household out in significant ways, with the 'Don't you worry, I've already taken care of this matter for you.' approach. They and Heaven know who they are.
A banker called to let OS they are honoring some insurance drafts on behalf of a small not-for-profit he helps out with, since getting to the bank with the stack of deposits was not on last week's agenda. (It's the same bank where OS melted the phone in the bank officer's hand over its predatory practices with the account last December. The one where OS worked in their abandoned office all afternoon this January and watched only three customers walk in. The phone call this morning was sweet and concerned. Hmmm...)
A fellow blogger OS has never met inquired how to help, and donated to a deserving family she'll likely never meet, who will use funds to replant the farm that will support several families in Perry County. (Hit the link, and you can as well--hint, hint. The goal is 5K, about 1/3 of the way home to the goal in one week. OS would love to see this wrapped up by Friday.)
The hands-down-tears-in-our-eyes moment occurred Saturday night, when a letter was found in our post office box from an acquaintance from overseas. She had heard of the Perry County family's losses, and had enclosed four crisp fifty-dollar bills to help them rebuild their lives. OS had the joy of delivering those fifty's to the family this morning. It was a good moment. Their smiles could light a small town for a week.
This has been an extraordinary week. Thank you, one and all, from around the world for the extraordinary kindness shown to so many, not just to this family.
Next post will share some concrete, cool, and inexpensive ways to share in The Great Recovery.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Athens, Alabama/Ohio/Georgia/and Indiana To The Rescue: We Be Definitely Bailin' Those Suckahs Out!
OS regrets to report that his conjecture of 4 April was correct, to the tune of some one trillion (yep, that's with a t..t...t...t...Tee! Makes the old boy stammer to even think of it.)
Mish tells the tale, and how well it all worked out for us two years ago.
This is gonna get serious damn ugly, everybody. No way it can be otherwise.
Hey-thar-ya'll in Athens Alabama! You better git yore asses to work and fast. We gonna save Europe from its sorry-ass self.
Again.
Third time (at least) in one hundred years...
GawwwwwdBlessUsEveryOne!
Sheeeeeuuuuuutttt!
Mish tells the tale, and how well it all worked out for us two years ago.
This is gonna get serious damn ugly, everybody. No way it can be otherwise.
Hey-thar-ya'll in Athens Alabama! You better git yore asses to work and fast. We gonna save Europe from its sorry-ass self.
Again.
Third time (at least) in one hundred years...
GawwwwwdBlessUsEveryOne!
Sheeeeeuuuuuutttt!
IBG/YBG: I Be Gone, You Be Gone
It's Sunday evening, and it has been one hell of a long week since this time last weekend. It feels like a month ago, in fact. OldSouth will not dwell on the flood tonight, simply because he needs a break. Business trip tomorrow, departing in the wee hours, with some work to do before an early bedtime.
Jesse always shares the most interesting stuff on the left side of his page, and an elegantly written short essay by James K. Galbraith deserves notice. Written to submit as testimony before the Senate last week, he fingers a basic cultural problem that has come to visit as an economic problem: financial fraud.
Control frauds always fail in the end. But the failure of the firm does not always mean the fraud fails: the perpetrators often walk away rich. At some point, this requires subverting, suborning or defeating the rule of law. This is where crime and politics intersect. At its heart, therefore, the financial crisis was a breakdown in the rule of law in America.
He goes on to quote a bit of code used between the parties: IBG/YBG.
I'll be gone, you'll be gone.
Someone else, somewhere else, at some point in the future will clean up the mess.
In the meantime, we'll be long gone, far away from the failed businesses, ruined pensions, bankruptcies, dreams postponed or lost, boarded-up houses in blighted neighborhoods.
IBG/YBG. Let's make sure we make our tee time, no matter what.
This referenced as the GreatAndGood of Europe stay up all night attempting to staunch the bleeding caused by the crisis in Greece.
They're gathering up (printing up?) some eye-watering amount of money to maintain the fiction that all is well, and under control. After decades of IBG/YBG governmental spending, we are at the point where the mess will not go away. There is no one left to blame, no sleight-of-hand at hand to employ.
We are the someone else, somewhere else, and the future is this week, this month, this year.
IBH/YBH
I be here, you be here.
We all be.....here.
Just announced from the Fed, this evening, a few minutes ago:
Federal Reserve Press Release
Release Date: May 9, 2010
For release at 9:15 p.m. EDT
In response to the re-emergence of strains in U.S. dollar short-term funding markets in Europe, the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank are announcing the re-establishment of temporary U.S. dollar liquidity swap facilities. These facilities are designed to help improve liquidity conditions in U.S. dollar funding markets and to prevent the spread of strains to other markets and financial centers. The Bank of Japan will be considering similar measures soon. Central banks will continue to work together closely as needed to address pressures in funding markets.
Federal Reserve Actions
The Federal Open Market Committee has authorized temporary reciprocal currency arrangements (swap lines) with the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the Swiss National Bank. The arrangements with the Bank of England, the ECB, and the Swiss National Bank will provide these central banks with the capacity to conduct tenders of U.S. dollars in their local markets at fixed rates for full allotment, similar to arrangements that had been in place previously. The arrangement with the Bank of Canada would support drawings of up to $30 billion, as was the case previously.
These swap arrangements have been authorized through January 2011. Further details on these arrangements will be available shortly.
We be here...
Jesse always shares the most interesting stuff on the left side of his page, and an elegantly written short essay by James K. Galbraith deserves notice. Written to submit as testimony before the Senate last week, he fingers a basic cultural problem that has come to visit as an economic problem: financial fraud.
Control frauds always fail in the end. But the failure of the firm does not always mean the fraud fails: the perpetrators often walk away rich. At some point, this requires subverting, suborning or defeating the rule of law. This is where crime and politics intersect. At its heart, therefore, the financial crisis was a breakdown in the rule of law in America.
He goes on to quote a bit of code used between the parties: IBG/YBG.
I'll be gone, you'll be gone.
Someone else, somewhere else, at some point in the future will clean up the mess.
In the meantime, we'll be long gone, far away from the failed businesses, ruined pensions, bankruptcies, dreams postponed or lost, boarded-up houses in blighted neighborhoods.
IBG/YBG. Let's make sure we make our tee time, no matter what.
This referenced as the GreatAndGood of Europe stay up all night attempting to staunch the bleeding caused by the crisis in Greece.
They're gathering up (printing up?) some eye-watering amount of money to maintain the fiction that all is well, and under control. After decades of IBG/YBG governmental spending, we are at the point where the mess will not go away. There is no one left to blame, no sleight-of-hand at hand to employ.
We are the someone else, somewhere else, and the future is this week, this month, this year.
IBH/YBH
I be here, you be here.
We all be.....here.
Just announced from the Fed, this evening, a few minutes ago:
Federal Reserve Press Release
Release Date: May 9, 2010
For release at 9:15 p.m. EDT
In response to the re-emergence of strains in U.S. dollar short-term funding markets in Europe, the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank are announcing the re-establishment of temporary U.S. dollar liquidity swap facilities. These facilities are designed to help improve liquidity conditions in U.S. dollar funding markets and to prevent the spread of strains to other markets and financial centers. The Bank of Japan will be considering similar measures soon. Central banks will continue to work together closely as needed to address pressures in funding markets.
Federal Reserve Actions
The Federal Open Market Committee has authorized temporary reciprocal currency arrangements (swap lines) with the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the Swiss National Bank. The arrangements with the Bank of England, the ECB, and the Swiss National Bank will provide these central banks with the capacity to conduct tenders of U.S. dollars in their local markets at fixed rates for full allotment, similar to arrangements that had been in place previously. The arrangement with the Bank of Canada would support drawings of up to $30 billion, as was the case previously.
These swap arrangements have been authorized through January 2011. Further details on these arrangements will be available shortly.
We be here...
Friday, May 7, 2010
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 7 2010 Morning 2--Nashville Symphony In Concert Tonight with Christopher Cross, Free To The Public
Tonight, at the Public Square in Nashville in front of the courthouse, the Nashville Symphony will stage it's scheduled Pops concert, featuring Christopher Cross, free of charge for the city.
8:00 PM Central Time. The link has the map to the concert.
The Nashville Symphony's beautiful new hall suffered heavy damage in the flood, including the loss of two Steinways and the console to their concert organ. This is a classy response to an unfortunate situation.
Usually, an orchestra's music director is nowhere to be found when a pops concert is staged, but Guerrero will be on hand tonight to conduct portions of the concert.
Very classy.
8:00 PM Central Time. The link has the map to the concert.
The Nashville Symphony's beautiful new hall suffered heavy damage in the flood, including the loss of two Steinways and the console to their concert organ. This is a classy response to an unfortunate situation.
Usually, an orchestra's music director is nowhere to be found when a pops concert is staged, but Guerrero will be on hand tonight to conduct portions of the concert.
Very classy.
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 7 2010 Morning
OS bows in the direction of his betters, this time Patten Fuqua, a rabid Nashville Predators Hockey Fan/Journalist/Blogger at Section 303.
This man can by-golly write, and says much that needs to be said about what has happened here since last Friday evening. He notes that most of the world never noticed the devastation that visited this part of the country, choosing to focus on the car bomb in Times Square that (by God's Grace) did not go off, and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. (OS would add to his list, the UK elections, the slow motion train-wreck of the EuroZone, and our friends on Wall Street who once again proved that they are just little boys playing with gasoline and matches. But he digresses...)
Here's what Patten has to say:
The Cumberland River crested at its highest level in over 80 years. Nashville had its highest rainfall totals since records began. People drowned. Billions of dollars in damage occurred. It is the single largest disaster to hit Middle Tennessee since the Civil War. And yet…no one knows about it.
Does it really matter? Eventually, it will…as I mentioned, there are billions of dollars in damage. It seems bizarre that no one seems to be aware that we just experienced what is quite possibly the costliest non-hurricane disaster in American history. The funds to rebuild will have to come from somewhere, which is why people need to know. It’s hard to believe that we will receive much relief if there isn’t a perception that we need it.
But let’s look at the other side of the coin for a moment. A large part of the reason that we are being ignored is because of who we are. Think about that for just a second. Did you hear about looting? Did you hear about crime sprees? No…you didn’t. You heard about people pulling their neighbors off of rooftops. You saw a group of people trying to move two horses to higher ground. No…we didn’t loot. Our biggest warning was, “Don’t play in the floodwater.” When you think about it…that speaks a lot for our city. A large portion of why we were being ignored was that we weren’t doing anything to draw attention to ourselves. We were handling it on our own.
OS keeps looking for the tales of societal breakdown here, and they're not happening. People who lost lots of their worldly goods are out helping people who lost more. Not hearing many stories about price gouging, abandoned homes being burglarized by neighbors or strangers, looting, random violence, etc. Story after story, most never publicized, of people showing up with a pickup truck of supplies and a crew of people to help out their friends and neighbors, and people they've never met. People cutting back on water usage because it needs to be done. People setting up donation pages for other people who lost everything, because it needs to be done.
This area has a loooong way to go to get back to a semblance of normal, and there are some long-term losses to work through. But, there is a recovery underway, because of the social cohesion of the small towns and neighborhoods, often centered around the thousands of small churches that dot the landscape; the thousands more small businesses that make the local economy resemble a beehive; and the relatively small but nimble governments that try to keep things more or less organized. It's certainly not a perfect world here, as OS has chronicled, but here at 'crunch time' it has been inspiring to live here.
The next time you hear some horse's ass like Bill Maher or Keith Olbermann ridicule people who live in places like Middle Tennessee, OS hopes you remember some of what happened here this week, and how we responded.
Gotta go. Furniture on the porch, and rain on the way overnight.
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 6 2010 Late Evening-2
Today was spent ripping out soaked carpet, with attendant furniture moving, etc.
This was the day an Angel of Mercy showed up with a trailer, a couple of fans, energy, enthusiasm and a plan for how to attack the problem. He remained some thirteen hours, bless him.
The challenge of how to protect the house against the next watery invasion lies before us, and decisions about new flooring.
OS is sore in places he had forgotten existed, but deeply aware how blessed he and his are to only be dealing with a nuisance instead of a tragedy.
Bright notes in the day:
The Lowes in Dickson was well-stocked on our visit, with clean-up needs stacked toward the front, ready to go. Store manager at the front, directing traffic and answering questions. (Note to Self: Buy Lowe)
Mr. Angel of Mercy even took me to lunch. We checked out the Ace Diner on North Main in Dickson. Bright, clean, the best cheeseburger in memory, and hopping with customers. A welcome break from the dirt and tragedy of the week.
*****
OS usually keeps track of news, but was stunned to learn of today's events at the NYSE today.
Holy Hysteria, Batman!
All reason has long ago left the room.
Happiness is a 90% cash position when the looniness begins, and it is about to begin in earnest.
Chin-straps on. It's about to get very interesting.
****
This was the day an Angel of Mercy showed up with a trailer, a couple of fans, energy, enthusiasm and a plan for how to attack the problem. He remained some thirteen hours, bless him.
The challenge of how to protect the house against the next watery invasion lies before us, and decisions about new flooring.
OS is sore in places he had forgotten existed, but deeply aware how blessed he and his are to only be dealing with a nuisance instead of a tragedy.
Bright notes in the day:
The Lowes in Dickson was well-stocked on our visit, with clean-up needs stacked toward the front, ready to go. Store manager at the front, directing traffic and answering questions. (Note to Self: Buy Lowe)
Mr. Angel of Mercy even took me to lunch. We checked out the Ace Diner on North Main in Dickson. Bright, clean, the best cheeseburger in memory, and hopping with customers. A welcome break from the dirt and tragedy of the week.
*****
OS usually keeps track of news, but was stunned to learn of today's events at the NYSE today.
Holy Hysteria, Batman!
All reason has long ago left the room.
Happiness is a 90% cash position when the looniness begins, and it is about to begin in earnest.
Chin-straps on. It's about to get very interesting.
****
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 6 2010 Late Evening-FEMA Eligibility Update
The updated list of Tennessee counties now available for FEMA disaster assistance, announced shortly after 8:00 pm Central Time on 6 June.
From the Dickson Herald:
[begin copy]
Gov. Phil Bredesen just announced that the federal government has authorized a major disaster declaration for six additional Tennessee counties: Benton, Dickson, Humphreys, Maury, Sumner and Rutherford counties. This new declaration brings the total number of Tennessee counties in the federal disaster zone to 27. Residents in these counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance through FEMA.
In addition to the six counties just announced, the following counties are already part of the disaster declaration: Carroll, Cheatham, Crockett, Davidson, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, Henderson, Hickman, Houston, Madison, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion, Perry, Shelby, Tipton and Williamson.
[end copy]
From the Dickson Herald:
[begin copy]
Gov. Phil Bredesen just announced that the federal government has authorized a major disaster declaration for six additional Tennessee counties: Benton, Dickson, Humphreys, Maury, Sumner and Rutherford counties. This new declaration brings the total number of Tennessee counties in the federal disaster zone to 27. Residents in these counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance through FEMA.
In addition to the six counties just announced, the following counties are already part of the disaster declaration: Carroll, Cheatham, Crockett, Davidson, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, Henderson, Hickman, Houston, Madison, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion, Perry, Shelby, Tipton and Williamson.
[end copy]
Thursday, May 6, 2010
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 6 2010 Morning--Perry County/Hickman County
OS made his relief journey with a friend to visit a family in Perry County, and returned home deeply depressed by what he saw.
The Buffalo River, normally about 4-5 feet deep, had overflowed its banks massively. Fortunately, most farming operations along the river graze livestock, so pastures can recover.
Cane Creek, however, was another story. OS drove along the state route, and saw the high water line eight feet up in the trees. The road was washed out just past the Hickman County line. The Amish and Mennonites who inhabit that valley live off their gardens and cottage industries, which were washed away. OS missed the final turn into his friends lane, as too many landmarks had been washed away or relocated by the flood. (Amazing how we drive on auto-pilot, is it not?)
Perry County has not yet been declared a disaster area, but undoubtedly will qualify.
We delivered supplies and cash, took as many pictures as we could to document the damage while it was fresh, and returned home, grateful to have homes to return to.
Pictures later. OS has a carpet to tear out, a minor matter compared to the plight of so many others. Mrs. OS pulling china from cabinets.
We lead blessed lives.
The Buffalo River, normally about 4-5 feet deep, had overflowed its banks massively. Fortunately, most farming operations along the river graze livestock, so pastures can recover.
Cane Creek, however, was another story. OS drove along the state route, and saw the high water line eight feet up in the trees. The road was washed out just past the Hickman County line. The Amish and Mennonites who inhabit that valley live off their gardens and cottage industries, which were washed away. OS missed the final turn into his friends lane, as too many landmarks had been washed away or relocated by the flood. (Amazing how we drive on auto-pilot, is it not?)
Perry County has not yet been declared a disaster area, but undoubtedly will qualify.
We delivered supplies and cash, took as many pictures as we could to document the damage while it was fresh, and returned home, grateful to have homes to return to.
Pictures later. OS has a carpet to tear out, a minor matter compared to the plight of so many others. Mrs. OS pulling china from cabinets.
We lead blessed lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)