NOTE:  Check out the red US on the map.  That is where we are at this time.  Not too great, huh, but better than a lot of other places.

As you can see from this picture, Louisiana seems to be the center of the landfall for Hurricane Gustav.  Lafourche Parish is just to the right (the eastern side) of the storm, making it very vulnerable to high winds.  There has been issued a mandatory evacuation for today, but, of course, many people do not heed that warning.  Hopefully, this will not become a disastrous decision for them.  Please keep all of the folks along the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas coasts in your prayers.

Sandie and Ben are with us for the duration.  In spite of the expectation of this severe storm, we are enjoying the visit with them.  Having Ben here is especially nice since he will be leaving for basic training for the Army on the 3rd, unless the hurricane delays things for him.  We wish Ben good luck and God speed as he begins this new phase of his life.  Although we are concerned for him, we are also very proud of his desire to serve his country in the fight for freedom.  God bless, Ben!

So far, our kids are still in Lockport.  Steve and his family are going to Ann's family in Ruston, so we're not having to worry as much about them.  Mike says he's staying at his home, which is in south Lafourche, not a place we would wish him to be.  Our daughters are still in Lockport as well, but they are at least considering leaving for safer areas, probably here.  I pray that they will be making that decision soon!

Sandie's daughter and her husband are spending the hurricane time with his family in North Louisiana.  Although they are not with us, I know that Sandie feels better knowing that they are in a safe place.  Todd has to work for at least some part of the time, but he should be safe there as well.  Again, prayers for all, please.

I spoke with Mom this afternoon.  Although she says she is hurting, she isn't having a problem with the procedure.  Because of her arthritis, she is always in pain, but that is expected under the circumstances.  As of now, she remains in Lockport with Paul.  My younger brother, Rick, and his family are headed to Arkansas for the duration, so they should be OK.

Tonight, we had planned to have supper at Morel's, mainly because Sandie wanted Ben to have some special happenings before he left.  The plan was to meet at Morel's after Mass, which is where we headed.  Just as I entered the restaurant, I noticed that I had a message on my phone, checked it out, and saw that something had come up and they would not be able to get there.  Of course, we had already gotten our table and ordered our drinks, so we decided to stay.  We brought back supper for Sandie and Ben.  Naturally, it would have been more fun had they been able to be there, but we managed.  Our waitress was just perfect--and so much fun!  She earned--and got--a respectable tip.

That's it for tonight!  Hope you have a great evening and a terrific tomorrow.  Please be safe!

"I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.  It's my daily mood that makes the weather.  As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.  I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.  I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.  In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized."                                       --Dr. Haim Ginott

NOTE:  I looked up "weather quotes" and found this one (it containsthe word "weather", so...) and thought it was terrific.  Although I am familiar with Dr. Ginott's teachings, I had not seen this quote before; however, I truly feel that this is true--and I tried my best to do that.  My students were my children, and I tried to treat them the way I wanted my own children to be treated.  I hope I was successful.