Thanks for the update. I will be heading to Gulf Port in a few hours. Those trees you so elequently describe were not on my agenda. Your story and pics have changed that.

I am saddened by the human despair, but like many, I can't help or at least I don't think I can, so I just watch from afar.

Thank you for such a beautiful reminder of the way I remember the Gulf Coast. As a LA resident, seeing the oak trees destroyed touched me more than anything. Building can be rebuilt, but I will not see the beauty of the trees replaced in my lifetime.
My son attended St. Stanislaus boarding school in Bay ST. Louis for 7 years. He is still is distraught over the loss of what he calls "his memories of growing up". I still pray for the people of the Gulf Coast and admire their ability to survive.
JTB

Living in New Orleans, and having relatives in Long Beach and Biloxi, I observe differences in recovery styles. People on the coast seem to be quietly rebuilding, retaining their world reknown charm and grace. Here, we seem to fuss, shout and complain, and eagerly allow ourselves to be used by the professional victim-mongers and march-organizers. It's great to see the Oaks coming back. In time, hopefully we will, too.

I'm from central LA, and toured this area last August with a friend who lost his home. It was still devastated even a year after Katrina. It is so wonderful to see that people are rebuilding their homes and businesses and nature is again taking her course, proven with the beautiful line of green trees.

What a beautiful view to see those green oaks again!

Our church just returned from its 3rd mission trip to the Gulf Coast. While some towns seem to be recovering well, our time in Pass Christian showed that other towns seem to be out of the limelight and not getting the attention they deserve. In Pass Christian, all municipal operations are still in trailers. The beach still needs to be cleaned up, only one gas station is open, there is no grocery store, the downtown is still out of business, churches are meeting in tents, all are signs of a wonderful place with wonderful people who are being left behind.

Yes, there are some signs of rebuilding and the trees are markedly different this year - although the heavy damage that they suffered is still abundantly apparent. The greenery seems to be a veneer of hope. It is similar to the tentative hope and the still evident suffering that I see in many of the residents. My heart breaks when the children ask, “Miss Suzanne do people know that we’re here?” Do I tell them “yes” or “no”?

I am not from the area, but have spent many months over the course of more than a dozen trips getting to know the locals. I have witnessed the spirit, determination and hope of the amazing people of Mississippi and Hancock County. I can say what most of them will not (they are perpetually gracious in the face of the extraordinary circumstances they have endured.) I have become endlessly frustrated knowing that 20 months post Katrina that most Americans do not realize that Hancock County was Ground Zero for Hurricane Katrina’s landfall and that 67 miles of Mississippi’s coastline has lost more than 90% of its buildings, many down to foundation and that more than 300,000 people populate this area. I too would become frustrated and not want to talk about it if I were them. I would fear that I would find myself putting a deadline on things, “If I don’t get a response/a full payout from my insurance company by _______ I just can’t do this anymore.” “If I cannot find someone to help me gut my house by _______ ….” Many of those who have given up are the ones who had deadlines on their hope for change. How do you move on to another area? If you “just move on” and stop paying your mortgage it’s hard to go elsewhere and rent a home or to get a job with a bankruptcy on your record (many employers check these days) – besides Mississippi is home. There is only a difference of four Hurricanes that have made landfall in the state of Mississippi and New York in the past 150 years. Should residents of all of the states with histories of a higher number of hurricane landfalls move? What about those who live in Earthquake zones, area with high flooding and heavy snow records? Are you not home too?

Please learn more about Mississippi and what has happened. There is so much to be learned for all of us. It is historical situation, hopefully we will all take some historical type of action that we have never taken before – and find a way to reach out to the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Even if you don't believe in global warming or that the sea level will be 10 to 20 feet higher in the next 150 years, it is foolish to live so close to the gulf coast. We need to be smarter and live safer. We cannot afford to keep rebuilding our commnities that fail to head the warnings.

My dad was one of 16 children from the Biloxi area, he helped to build the sea wall that is still there today. Those oak trees are like silent guardians guarding over the entire coast area. Mother Nature will heal herself and return stronger than before, as the people will recover and be stronger. God Bless

A 33yr resident of the Gulf Coast of Florida, I was horrified as I watched Katrina barrel northward through the Gulf. I knew that whoever bore the brunt of that storm would suffer greatly. I was brokenhearted to find that that came true and then some. It's so uplifting to watch people rise from the despair and destruction as if it is a completely new day for them. God Bless all who were touched by this tragedy.

I went to Biloxi over my senior fall break with some classmates to help clean up and rebuild and help in any way we could. It was a very sobering experience, and it continually reminds me how lucky I am every day. There is still so much to be done, and it's not too late to help. I was only there for three days and it changed my life forever.

keep your heads up folks...'what doesn't kill us makes us stronger'...great news about the live oaks, they are one of my first thoughts when i think of home. to see them battered and drab last summer was heart-breaking.

This may be odd but maybe someone reading can answer this. In this article and in other media over the years I have seen references to "live oaks". Is "live oak" a specific type of oak? Something unique to the south? You don't see "live maple" or "live pine".

I had occasion to visit New Orleans the weekend before last (for the Southeast Regional Junior Freestyle & Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships) and made a point of visiting the Lower Ninth Ward on Friday morning. Almost two years after Katrina, I was shocked and appalled to still see such devastation and the apparent absence of progress. How can this be? bush said whatever it took, he'd fix things. 'Course that was before he realized 80% of Naw-lins would likely vote in the opposition party. There are still destroyed houses sitting on top of destroyed houses. Many of the roads are still impassable. List this as another of the bush white house crimes & misdemeanors. Where has the money gone? Halliburton? This should be a much bigger story. We need weekly "lack of progress" reports.

I watched the eye of Hurricane Carol pass over my home back in 1954 on Long Island. I can only imagine what life is like for those who have to recover from Katrina. The thing is... They have to recover or make the decision to leave the area. There really are only two choices, aren't there?

@ Chris Eldridge:

Please remember, many of those folks work in the ports. This means many more people work in other capacities to support these port workers, be it a clerk at the Wal-Mart or an attendant at the local bowling alley. Who would work the ports if we move everyone off the coast? These people need our support, not our admonishment.

I had the privilege to work with Habitat for Humanity in Bay St. Louis September 2006. During my trip there I met a wonderful man named George. One of my fondest memories of the trip was when George showed me his favorite oak tree behind where his home used to stand on Washington Street. George and others from Bay St. Louis are in my thoughts and prayers daily. My hope is that they will continue rebuild not only physically but emotionally as well. God bless.

I spent a week in By St. Louis last June with the youth group from my church. Getting to know the people taught me a lot. I see a lot of similarities between the live oaks and the citizens of this area.I believe the deep abiding faith in God the people have is what keeps them anchored and gives them the strength to perservere. I wish them God's blessings.

Hurricane Katrina was bad enough in McComb, MS. Our electricity was out for two weeks. A mere inconvenience compared to what some people went through. We would listen helplessly on the front porch as our battery operated radio gave the horrifying accounts of what was going on the Gulf Coast, in New Orleans, in Bay St. Louis. Would I rebuild and make a go of it? What if I had grown up there, and spent all my life there? What if I had a wife and three kids to think about? What if I had lost everything? Would I rebuild, and stay? Honestly, I really don't know.

In New Boston, IL, many people were not allowed to rebuild in the high flood zone of the Mississippi River after the "500 year" flood in 1993. We understand that not many hurricanes have hit the state of Mississippi over the past 150 years, and that the state of NY has experienced hurricanes, too, but the most intense, damaging, expensive, and lethal storms ever to hit this country have always been in the Gulf and FL- Galveston 1900, Camille, Andrew, and Katrina just to name a few. Everyone's insurance rates all over the country pay to rebuild and rebuild again. Rebuild if you must, but why are the rest of us expected to pay for the rest of our lives too, while some towns Are moved away from flood zones?

To Chris in PA - that was an unfair remark amidst all the positive comments others were making! If that were the case, we need to tell people not to live in areas tornados hit, or earthquakes, or where it snows, or wildfires occur... My family has lived on the gulf coast for years and years - I couldn't imagine going anywhere else. We know we have the hurricanes to deal with. Katrina was very out of the ordinary and many people learned lessons. However, I don't know anyone that moved away and didn't come back. It's a great area to live in. Maybe you should try it and you wouldn't be so negative!!

I'm happy about the rebuilding, and healing, but much to my disappointment, I didn't read anything in this article about the people in NOLA. Is THAT city healing? I think if you are going to publish an article about Katrina, and how people are coping 20 months later, NOLA should be included. Everyone who's had to deal with this hurricane should be included. Not just a few.

I, like many, just don't want to talk about it any more. Maybe when who ever it is cleans out the recovery money and there isn't anything left for those patiently wating to rebuild or replace,we will somehow get our lives back together and somehow rebuild or replace. Thanks for giving me a chance to vent. sign me (Tired & wore out)

Pretty and simple: God bless(ed) America! The resilience of the trees and people demonstrate this.

To Bob K: Live oaks are so-called because they don't lose their leaves in the fall, like many other species of oaks do. They generally have smaller leaves than deciduous oaks. Southern live oaks, such as the ones in Hancock County, are of the species "Quercus virginiana."

To Chris Eldridge of Harrisbury PA:

Mr. Eldridge, I was a teenager living in Greenwood MS when Camille made its direct hit in the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We were awakened in Panama City FL and told to leave. Greenwood is five and one-half hours from the Gulf Coast and damage was sustained there. Camille was considered a hurricane all the way to Memphis. To where would you suggest that all the people between the Gulf Coast and Memphis move to escape the fury of a hurricane? To where would you suggest that all the residents of coastal areas in California, Oregon, Washington state, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, Maine and Washington, D. C., move? Well, actually, lets just let the people in D. C. stay.

Having moved from Savannah, GA to Diamondhead, MS, which shares its zip code with Bay St. Louis, I thought about how much I would miss the beautiful trees that lined the historic district there. Even though I do miss them, to watch the beauty of these Live Oaks return to their natural splendor is something I wish everyone could see. This is a glorious place in the midst of rejuvination by the grace of God.

My wife and I have been to the area twice since Katrina, once just after the storm and again back in January. The people who have a grasp of the situation have gone to work and are improving thier situation,there are many who expect others to save thier bacon and simply sit and moan help me, help me,those were most likely on welfare or some other assistance program before Katrina and aren't likly to change.One of the families one our churches list was a 67 YO woman who had a 35 YO daughter and 5 children living in a FEMA trailer all on public assistance. The 67 YO had been on some form of public assistance for more than 40 YRS the daughter and her 5 children had been on public assistance all their lives, how can anyone help these people,they aren't asking for help they're asking for a handout,they say they need a car they already have food stamps. Everyone in our group encountered families such as these,there's very little public housing available and almost no section 8 housing,they don't have any desire to move so theres not much help that can be given.

Why are people being allowed to rebuild in an area that in a few decades be closer to water as oceans rise? I think there should be a setback area all the land along the coast that had homes destroyed should be taken in "emminent domain" proceedings and turned into memorial parks and land for all the people, not for huge view blocking resorts and high rise condos. I love being near the water too, but, once it is washed away why do the tax payers have to rebuild personal property. I wish I could get a free house, I am disabled vet and can not buy a home, will someone please build me a house on the outer banks please? Nothing too elaborate 5-6 bR, access to the beach(private), and possibly a boat dock or pier so I could fish? Pull all those taxpayer mobile homes down there anchor them securely and those people will have homes already paid for and rotting and molding in a field someplace!

I,m going thru hard times too and it's easy to give up , but don't give up you've come a long way baby. Folks before us suffered far worse to make us what we are today. You CAN do it. To heck with the torpedoes, Full speed ahead! Give your problems to God She won't let you down.

Although it has been two years, we must all remember that it took many many years to build what was washed away so suddenly. We haven't forgotten those of you down there who are still trying to put your lives back on track. And don't even consider those that say you should forget your life and memories down there, home is home! Your roots grow much deeper than the foundation of a house or business. Your memories are the ties that bind. Good Luck to each of you

I am so grateful that MSNBC is still covering the recovery of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I left 16 months after the storm … I didn’t have the strength to stay through the recovery process.

A part of me will always miss the Coast from my childhood, but I am proud of the Coast, the strength and grace with which it is rebuilding (thanks in large part to the generosity - financial and otherwise – of the rest of the nation and world). For me, the fact that the Coast will recover was made tangible through one of it’s more unusual (but beautiful) recovery efforts … turning some of the Live Oak stumps left along Highway 90 into beautiful works of art (http://growabrain.typepad.com/growabrain/americana/index.html or http://www.thechainsawartist.com/stump.html).

Thank you, again, to MSNBC for keeping the Gulf Coast and its battle alive in the mindss of those who haven’t seen it firsthand. Thank you, also, to everyone who has prayed, donated, or volunteered. I hope that in your lifetime, you need never see the favor returned … but if you do, know that the citizens of the Gulf Coast will be there.

I'm a former owner of a house on Terrace in Waveland. . .a house I lost in Camile. . .Katrina is just another chapter of misery for those who choose to live there by the sea. . .they will recover as before. . but inevitably they will endure another storm. . . .more heartbreak. . .it seems the prudent course is to leave and live elsewhere in safe haven.

So many responses to this article! I could not help but notice how many of them were from volunteers that have been to our area. I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to the thousands that have helped us in our recovery. I personally had four different volunteer groups that came to my home to help me pull carpet, throw out furniture, cut up fallen trees and fences,and more. Sometimes too much media attention is spent in the political hooplah that surrounds something like Katrina. I wish there was a way for more attention to be given to the positive side of all that came to our aid. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!!!

My husband and I just returned from a visit to Bay St. Louis, MS. Our daughter lives there and is rebuidling. It truly was sad to walk the downtown area and see all the unique shops gone. They had, are trying to revive, a "First Saturday" celebration once a month. It was "First Saturday" and they were preparing for the Event. Very few shops remain to participate, however, they are still trying. As we walked and visited with the remaining residents our daughter was terribly saddened when one of the remaining shop owners told her that he and his wife were leaving. They were moving to PA, I believe. It is so very hard for them to lose another friend/resident even if it is by their choice to leave. They have lost so very many and so very much, however, as Suzanne S - Scottsdale, AZ stated in her comments - "I have witnessed the spirit, determination and hope of the amazing people of Mississippi and Hancock County. I can say what most of them will not (they are perpetually gracious in the face of the extraordinary circumstances they have endured.)". My sentiments exactly! These are beautiful and loving people - most of them are from MS and NEVER want to leave no matter waht! God Bless Them and keep them in the palm of His Hand!

Being raised along the Gulf Coast I have witnessed my fair share of hurricane destruction. I was a young boy during Fredrick in Loxley, Al. I was a teen-ager during Elaine in. During Katrina my wife and I were (and still are) in Live Oak, FL. I miss the Gulf Coast and the people there. It hit very close to home for us. My brother in law and his wife had their home ruined and my wife's parents and family had to flee to a northern county to escape the carniege. There house and property was spared. However, the agony of waiting over a week to know if they were alive or dead was gut wrentching. It is awesome to personlly see the growth and progress, slow it may be. When I go back to visit there are new stories to hear and sights to see. The people are coming back and so will the coast. Someone made a comment about New Orleans not getting much attention. I disagree, for weeks we had to wait to hear about the Mississippi Gulf Coast. all that was on the news was New Orleans. I have been to NO several times and I enjoy the city. However, there is one thing a little different, "the drive" to be what it once was before the storm. N.O. was not a pretty city beyond the glamour spots. It has it's fair share of "bad areas." The areas on the Gulf Coast are driven to once again be pristine. I greave for all the souls and and damage that was caused/lost. It was an awefull event however, with the love of Christ and the guidence of our Lord the Gulf Coast from Pensacola to Galvasten and every where in between will be better then before. Thanks for listening to me rant.

I visited Biloxi last month and was amazed at the devastation still in place. I did see the beautiful and majestic oaks--a living testament to Mother Nature's glory. A friend of mine who is a resident there took me around the city and answered my questions along the way. A lot of the people in the areas that continue to be devastated and have not been able to get assistance are the same people who have gone with out working (and paying the taxes that have given them recovery money), did not have home owner's insurance and lived off of the government for entire lives.The government's ability to determine their income level for assistance has been greatly undermined byt this. My husband and I are raising three girls are are by no means wealthy--we both work and pay health, dental , life and disability insurance along with car and home owners insurance. We would have a lot more disposable income if not for all of these safety nets that we keep in place for our family. I am not an uncompassionate person--but it is what it is, and those of us who have always done the right thing continue to have to hand over our hard earned money to those who have thumbed their noses at this lifestyle.

i would like to know where all the money went i cannot understand where hundreds of millions of dollars went. money from other countries the charity hospital is still down boarded up why? we really need a strong person to see what the hell happened and why and get things moving in that area

Is there anybodyout there that could tell me the following?
1. Why our landing craft U.S. Navy and Marines wasn't used?
2. Why so much supplies where not used.?
3. why didn't bush stage recuse ship the next day?
4. why does this Gov't send so much money and time helping non americams?

A great website for information on the live oak: http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Live_oak/liveoak.htm

0ur thoghts and prayers are with you all

"Where has the money gone? Halliburton? This should be a much bigger story. We need weekly "lack of progress" reports." CW, Cocoa, FL

CW, please do not comment on situations you know nothing about.

NO will recover but on their own timeline. I can assure you the lack of progress has nothing to do with President Bush. Nawlins is Nawlins.

Katrina erased the buildings not the spirit, not the history, not the families, and certainly not the food.

Thank you God for the recovery of the trees. God bless Mississippi and God be with NO. That beloved area is a significant part of my family's life.

To Chris in Harrisburg, PA: I guess you'll be needing to leave Harrisburg and relocate- Hurricane Agnes hit Pennsylvania on June 22, 1972 and led to the worst natural disaster in state history. Agnes' floodwaters surrounded the recently completed Governor's Mansion in Harrisburg, Pa., forcing then Governor Milton Shapp and his wife Muriel to flee.
And you- doug f in Alexandria, VA- I guess you'll be wanting the homes and businesses in Old Town to close up and shut down because Old Town Alexandria floods everytime it rains more than a few inches, leading to increases in tax payer $ to account for repairing roads, drains and pipes.
And Molly Jones- please don't pin your rising insurance rates solely on hurricanes- there are numerous reasons why insurance rates climb, make sure you include natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires and tornadoes, and yes- the "500 year flood". By the way - those of us in low-lying areas pay exorbitant amounts of insurance to live where we do. We realize it's part and parcel of where we live. But if each state banned people from living in certain areas because a nautral disaster previously took place there, I fear there may be very few places across the Unites States people would be allowed to call home.
It is easy to sit back and judge and blame the victims. People do it all the time. But that doesn't make it right. I'm sure that if someone took a long look at your lives and your choices, you could be judged just as harshly. Try some compassion, you may need some in return someday.

To those who say we need to abandon the gulf coast I have a few questions:

Who will build our Navy ships if we leave?

Who will catch your fish, crabs, shrimp and other seafood if we leave?

Who will unload your bananas, kiwis, and other exotic fruits and vegetables if we leave?

Where will your oil, gasoline, propane, etc. come from if we leave?

If you don't mind giving up ALL of these things and more, then we will leave .... but think of the price YOU will pay for this action!

Bob K., Yes Live Oaks are a separate type of oak which are hurricane resistant. They are large, have a long life, but are slow growing. There are also Laurel Oaks and other varieties that are not as storm hardy but grow faster.

Molly, You arent paying the premiums for us in the South through private property insurance. Most of the insurance companies have segregated thier operations state by state so they and you don't share the loss.

The federal floodplain insurance program is a nationwide program. Most people rely on the floodplain maps wich can be found in most libraries and building departments. The town relocation you mentioned was paid for through a combination of federal and state money.

The hook is that the maps are typically based on a hundred year flood plain determination. The problem is that you can have four storms which exceed the 100 year threshold or you can have no storms that exceeed the threshold in any given storm season.

By the way property insurance rates in some coastal of florida have in quadrupled.

I was born and raised in Mississippi and have remained proud of my Deep South roots. Until the day I die, I will always say, "I'm from Mississippi, but I live in Houston".

The way the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast have handled the tragedy of Katrina has made its mark on the American public. You did not moan. You did not groan. You have taken a positive approach to go foward and rebuild your lives as best you can.

You are to be applauded for not succumbing to the antics of many in New Orleans. You have been silent soldiers who have marched on to try to acheive the rebuilding on your great state.

In answer to Bob K in Pittsburg, about what is a live oak, the live oak is a species of oak, Quercus virginiana. Florida has about 15 different species of oaks. Louisiana probably has that many or more. To read more, you might want to go to the University of Florida Agricultural Extension Service website that has a lot of info on oaks... http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/pubtxt/for51.htm#liveo.

I was born and raised here in New Orleans. Take it from me, 20 months later, the New Orleans Ninth Ward is a deserted wasteland. How is it that Waveland (which has no levee protection) appears to be on a comeback trail? A new report just last week indicated that an elderly woman in New Orleans, just received her FEMA trailer. Rev. Jesse Jackson stopped at her trailer (next to where her house "used to stand"). On the same news report
the poor lady now lives in a deserted area. At night, she has no neighbors.
Unkeknownst to most people, the Ninth Ward had many educated older people who were homeowners. Although I appreciate the fact that Rev. Jesse Jackson organized a protest march here this past Saturday, in the same week, we are told that the U.S. squandered and/or refused Katrina aid. Miss Condy Rice, our respected Secretary of State responded "well, we aren't used to receiving aid." Ms. Rice, when people are in need and are living in such dire circumstances, it is not the time to be proud. That comment was SINFUL. That is the current adminsitration's problem. PRIDE. On a local note, the local media also announced that $47 million in grant money is being made available TO DEVELOPERS to come into the city for ecomonic development. So, as we can all see, the City plans to move on without the New Orleans Katrina victims who, some 20-months later, are still not home. The State and the Feds have no interest in seeing those victims come back to the Big Easy. Consider the $1 Billion approved for rental assistance for evacuees. There is no housing here in the city, and just last week, the media reported that federal housing discrimination laws were violated by land lords. So, not only do the carpetbaggers have carte blanche, the diverse New Orleans will be no more. Uptown (Magazine Street and its vicinity) remains unscathed, and to walk around as an educated AA in this city, to be black and walk up Magazine street seems to be surprising to the residents who are not of color. To uptown, there was no tragedy. Additionally, educated folks who remain in the city face high rents, those who buy homes cannot afford insurance on their homes (and the big insurance companies are denying claims-- aren't they supposed to pay claims?), and those who call attention to these disturbing trends find deaf ears. Shame on Bush and his Bushy cabinet. And Condy, how dare you!!!

I think the whole situation is crap and we should stop talking about it.

Mr. Stuckey, you are a very good writer. Your article about the live oaks took me right into the heart of the area and the experience. And your "Chia pets" simile is one of the best I've ever seen.
I'm an editor, so thanks for brightening my day!

I'm happy to see recovery of both people and infrastructure. But why do so many people reflexively get angry when logical questions regarding building risk are raised?

Yes, I realize people have emotional attachments to areas they call home, and, yes, I've been a victim of natural disaster too. BUT, I still believe we should have a RATIONAL, unemotional, discussion on how to mitigate losses in the future, and they WILL occur. The only differance is whether we prepare for them in an intelligent fashion, or simply bury our heads in the sand or simply leave it to God (and last I heard, He was pretty busy with other crisis')

To Chris in Harrisburg.

You better move, big boy, because the Susquehanna usually floods somewhere between New York and Maryland each spring. I lived in northern Virginia when Agnes came through in June of 1972 and Just about every major city between Richmond and Philadelphia flooded. The worst damage was up near Scranton and Wilkes Barre, where, in Pennsylvania. Hurricane Camille hit Pass Christian and the coast very badly but also did major damage to Kentucky and Virginia. I was with some family friends when we went back to their hometown of Bedford, Virginia. The town of Buena Vista, Virginia was almost wiped off the map when the side of a mountain came down because of rain from Camille, just rain. Let's not forget how Hugo took out most of South Carolina and part of North Carolina.

Many of the people in south Mississippi and New Orleans can't rebuild because the insurance companies won't settle claims. Some places along the coast were taken by "eminent domain" and now there are condos and casinos being built on them. Where does that leave the folks that lived there? There was a significant Vietnamese community in east Biloxi. Most are gone and probably won't be back because they can't afford to rebuild. The point here is that there is no place in this country that is completely safe from devastation, whether it be hurricanes, floods, or drought. We don't mind our tax dollars going to help others when the need arises. But we object to people like you being so short sighted. I guess everyone on the coastline in this country should pick up and move inland. Maybe we should move to Harrisburg. Since you live there it must be the safest place in the country.

Please know that we are praying for you all and that God has not left you yet, believe that.

I'm so happy the live oaks are back. They made the coast so beautiful. As a former resident of Jackson, MS, I lived through Katrina. I will never forget how bad it was living through the storma and the third world conditions thereafter. I also lost my aunt. Living in Los Angeles now, I will make a pilgrimage soon to see the beautiful oaks.

One can take the boy out of the south BUT Noone can take the south out of the boy. When Iread the article my eyes wet and I thought about allof the good times I had as a boy in the deep south. MY heart truely is lost in the trees of the south and just mentioning the live oak trees conjured up lost feeling about the times we kids had climbing in them. This was perhaps one of the best writings I have read form the south since Katrina hit. Long live Dixie!!!

Its hard for me to use the term REV. when speaking of Jesse Jackson so EXCUSE ME. Get him to provide instead of protesting and enjoy the change

I think they should turn New Orleans into a new Sea World. Why rebuild a city that has a high probability of being reflooded

The one thing I've read that disturbs me is it appears by reading some of the posts above is those who lived in the worst areas who owned property were stuck in a hard place as far as the government is concerned. I would think if you live somewhere where it's not sanitary because of this kind of disaster and you weren't receiving the aid you need in a timely manner, the government should be more lenient on bankruptcy if the person wanted to move to another location and start fresh. In that case, I say it's unfair to hold that against someone.
I feel like yes, our government should have done more for people and I have also heard stories about people scamming the government which kept others from getting aid when they needed it. Those people should be ashamed and I feel they should be prosecuted for that. The government should make it a point to really help those who really and truly need it.

I'm so happy to hear that nature is replenishing itself. Having gone through Hurricane Ivan In Pensacola, FL and all the devastation here I knew nature would provide regrowth along the coast as it did for us here.

I'm an atheist and a Humanist who has seen the great strength and resilience of the human family as we prepared for, endured through and rebuilt after the "Storm". Our family and friends have been greatly encouraged by the commonality of our condition and strive daily to bring renewal to our community. Thanks to everyone everywhere who has shared their lives with us and who have helped provide for the greater good!
Nature endures and we have seen the changes in the trees and in the animal life here along the MS Gulf Coast. We are witness to a return of beauty and charm and the live oaks stand strong, just as our human will and resolve.

Steve

That's the beauty of nature. She taketh and she giveth.

To Chris from PA; I served in the United State Air Force in 1983 and was stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS and have been back there many, many times since then. The area was beautiful, relaxing and stress-free. I watched it grown from basically nothing to a wonderful tourist area. All places have their good and bad when it comes to the weather, as no one is exempt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Being from New Orleans and witnessing the devastation first hand, I fondly recall my first commute back into the city over the spillway bridge on which I heard the birds singing again for the first time after the storm. Likewise, the first drive past city park where the trees started to regain their green color. It gave me so much hope, so much faith in our community to start fresh. Thank God the trees didn't have to wait for our government to replant them. They'd still be barren, as most of us still have no homes.

enough, enough, enough. We all have time to point fingers at a Federal Government for the problems in New Orleans, but it was the local government that had responsibility to evacuate its residents. If you people (New Orleans natives) would stop whining about the lack of Federal support and provide for yourselves, as the majority of this country does, your lot in life would be greatly improved. Take a clue from Mississippi: get off your butts, stop whining, and do what you need to do in order to make a living and provide for your family. The Federal Government, aka Taxpayers, aka ME does not owe any other American anything, other than the opportunity to provide for themselves in a free market society. You want handouts and freebies? Then accept what is tossed in your direction and recognize that as a leech on society, you have forfeited the right to voice an opinion on anything that you do not contribute to: you are not part of the solution, you are the problem.

Yes, it's sad that our news entertainment machine focuses on the most compelling and easy-to-summarize story (often to the detriment of covering what is most important or informative). At the time of the crisis/disaster, that story was the human drama of the victims in New Orleans (to the near exclusion of the destruction in Mississippi). Now, since the lack on progress in rebuilding a diverse NO is so depressing and seemingly intractible (it's just too complex and difficult to understand all of the reasons recover is slow to come), this "encouraging" story about Mississippi's recovery is published.

The live oaks are an interesting metaphor indeed, but I think they represent the sturdiness and adaptedness of nature in surviving disaster (not the seeming point of the article that, "things are getting better...don't worry about the Gulf Coast: they bounce back.") It underscores the REAL problem with the Gulf Coast's vulnerability to hurricanes: that the natural wetlands of the gulf have been systematically detroyed by way of development. The live oaks are an indigenous species well adapted to the frequent, strong storms endemic to the coast; they have (much like the decimated-by-humans coastal barriers) naturally and effectively developed defenses to these predictably frequent disasters. The story here should be (not, "the coast bounces back [without sacrifice from Joe sixpack]", but "nature bounces back; what can we learn from that?".

While NO has and had its own political and social dynamics that inhibited recovery, much of the blame should be lain at the feet of partisan politics and a Federal government eager and willing to provide much more assistance to the red state of Mississippi vs. the very blue state of Louisiana (and particularly the depressed areas of NO).

To Sheri from AK, it's very laudable that you and your husband struggle to maintain what has become the middle-class standard of living, that you pay taxes and are otherwise operating as a responsible citizen. You clearly do not understand that the lion's share of your Federal tax dollars are NOT allocated to social welfare programs (and by extension, to your mind, listless and unmotivated [probably minority] individuals who only present a burden to society). The two largest recipient programs of your tax dollars (FICA plus regular income tax) are Social Security and military spending -- and not by a little bit; the disparity is overwhelming. The assertion that you would have, "...a lot more disposable income if not for all of these safety nets..." is ludicrous! You should really research your facts before blaming the victim. While I believe it was a typo, you are correct in your assertion that what few safety nets we still have in place are, in fact, for your family.

How much money do we spend helping other people in other countries rebuild after earthquakes, floods, hurricaines? How much have taxpayers spent rebuilding Florida & how many times? Did we ask folks in FL to relocate? No because there is a lot more $$$ in FL. And blaming the victims by saying they should move. "It's there fault because they were there." Thats the same thing our court system still tends to do to rape victims. It's time for chairty to come first at home before we take care of other countries. How about some new schools for our children? How about every elderly person getting their meds. Part D is just another Bushism to help the rich get richer. (exp:Haliberton (sp)) GOD bless & keep the gulf area, period.

There is something to be said about rebirth-- even in beautiful Oak trees!

May we all learn a lesson from the trees, that we, too, can find new life after the storm passes.

Jean Lutz
Ponchatoula, LA

Excellent article Mr. Stuckey. We lived in Ocean Springs, MS for 2 years (1982-83). The Live Oaks in the area were absolutely magnificant - you just have to see them to understand.

It saddens me to think that anyone could think that the wounds we have suffered because of Katrina are "crap". I only hope that you do not ever have to go through what we went through. To see those trees blooming again makes my heart flutter. I no longer live on the Coast at this time but hope to one day come home. I think it is a shame that there is no affordable housing at this time. Seems like there are lots of people there trying to gouge money for the housing that is left. Why do you think a lot of us cannot come home? Places that were renting for $800/month are now $1200-1500/month. I don't see that the wages have increased by much. I am a nurse and cannot afford to live on what the hospitals are willing to pay. I miss seeing the sun rise over the water and go down in the evenings. It was a slow-paced way of life and wonderful people who lived there. My children were raised there and want to go home. I hope the future of our Coast will improve and that the people who are making it impossible for anyone to come back think about what they are doing.

Beautiful trees. I pray we don't deal with this again.

Hurray for the Oaks and the Coast! Just back from my 4th trip to the Gulf (over Spring Break), second trip with my 18 yr old son. We worked on Habitat for Humanity homes in Long Beach, East of Bay St Louis and Waveland. We did notice the trees looking good. It seems like about 90% of the storm debris has been removed and a few homes are being rebuilt near the Gulf. Still lots of debris from commercial sites, especially along the Gulf.
The gratefulness and graciousness of the locals is amazing to see. I would encourage anyone to take a working vacation to the Gulf Coast. It may be the hardest and most-fulfilling work you will ever do.
Side Bonus-You can also eat Gumbo, Jambalaya, Beans-n-Rice, Crawfish and Prawns to your heart's content.Habitat has a great setup at Yankie Stadium in Biloxi. They will be there for several more years; working on Operation Home Delivery.

I am from Ohio, and have lived in Slidell for 4 1/2 years.I remember the first time my husband took me over to Waveland, Biloxi and Gulfport, driving me along the coast, on one side were the beautiful homes that I would say "That one is mine", and on the other side was the beach. I used to be one of those people who said, why don't those people just move? Don't they know better? Now that I live here, I understand why. It gets in your heart. I love Ohio, but I love the Gulf Coast more and would NEVER move back north. That would be like telling ALL the people in California to move because of the wildfires and the earthquakes. The Gulf Coast will have to fall into the Gulf of Mexico just like California will have to fall into the Pacific Ocean before any of us will move. Hooray for the Oaks coming back to life, what a sign of things to come!!!

To Mr. Guatney,
I live in New Orleans, and we're rebuilding because that's what we do, after each disaster. We rebuilt after two fires, the Civil War, Yellow Fever epidemics, and several hurricanes. We're also the third-largest port city in the country, and have given this country jazz, Creole food, seafood, Mardi Gras and our traditions, rhythm and blues, some of its rock'n'roll heritage (thanks for Fats Domino), and world-renowned, world-class architecture. We flooded because the Army Corps of Engineers built faulty, below-standard levees on several drainage canals and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

I live in the panhandle of Florida and watched as the awesome waves of Katrina, several hundred miles away, tore up our piers and eroded our beaches and knew the devastation that was headed to the middle Gulf coast. I saw Biloxi first hand and wondered at the awesome power of the waves that lifted the casino barges up and over to drop them inland. In my hometown of Cincinnati I watched the awesome power of tornadoes as they ripped thru the western part of the city and went on to destroy Zenia. I've seen the awesome power of mother nature as she comes back to life after the devastation. And so too will the AWESOME people of the Gulf Coast as the fight to come back from the total devastation they have suffered.

I was a Seabee stationed at Gulfport, MS from 1986 to 1989. I heard about Hurricane Camile (sp) a lot while I was there. I haven't heard much about what the Seabee's have done there though? Have they helped out in anyway? Do they still help out? What about other military branches there in Biloxi, like the Airforce?

I don't care about your oak trees. Our high school has a service program; this year, fourteen of us went to New Orleans. I was shocked at how pitiful rebuilding is. Some of us spent an entire day gutting a double-shotgun house. They felt pretty proud, but then realized it was only one house out of an entire neighborhood that needed to be gutted. Our group cleared brush for the Sisters of the Holy Family. These nuns would of had to pay fines or pay extremely overpriced contractors to clear their campus. People returning to New Orleans, in addition to rebuilding costs, have to pay fines for not gutting their house on time or cleaning up their yards. They also face new building codes like having to raise their houses 3 feet. That's just not feasible for many. There's so much left to do, so much neglect, yet hope. I met some of the strongest people there.

We helped an 87 year old man who lives in the Upper (really lower) 9th Ward, in his FEMA trailer with his dog, Bandit. We moved a pool table for him, so he could play pool with his friends. And the nuns we met; they're reopening their school this fall.

And to the folks who want to abandon the whole place: live there for one week like us high school kids did. You'll fall in love with the city, or see how much other people love it. Then you won't even consider turning it into a Sea World.

We were there for one week. Just one. There's so much left to do. Did you know? Over 1400 people died. More than a hundred are still missing. It's been 19 months.

Oh, yeah, what were you saying about oak trees? I didn't read it.

SARAH H TEXAS, YOU NEED TO SEE IT BEFORE MAKING IGNORANT COMMENTS. OR BETTER YET COME AND HELP.

Wow! You can sure tell the Yankees from the Southerners-how about NO political slurs based on a natural disaster,folks!A survivor of Andrew in 1992 (approx 28 years since the previous hurricane),the high winds stripped the bark right off our oaks. I used to cry when I drove down our once canopied streets thinking nothing would ever be the same.Nature is a wonder and it was amazing how fast things began to look beautiful again.This is a lovely article about real life.To those living in the North who think it can't happen to them, well it has and it will again,because past hurricanes have devastated many northern states and you do not have our experience,preparedness,building codes,or geographical substructure.To blame people,rich or poor,for a huge natural disaster incl. problems created by the Feds and insurance companies is shameful.Take a cup of "milk of human kindness." Bless you all, your trees, your history, your courage in re-building your homes and lives. You are in our hearts and prayers.

what a beautiful site the mighty oak's are back. god does. great things.

To Eric Efford regarding your reply to Chris:
1.Standing ovation
2. Disaster can strike anywhere. That's why they are called disasters.

Excellent, excellent post!!

In answer to the question posed about live oaks, I am not a horticulturalist, but . . . Yes, they are a particular kind of oak tree found in the Gulf Coast and the South and maybe elsewhere, too. They are slow growing, majestic and long-lived. Mature live oaks have large green leaf canopies and those peculiarly horizontal gnarled limbs that are so picturesque and quite sculptural. When planted in rows along both sides of a street they form a beautiful, continuous cover of cool green. They are highly valued for their beauty and longevity and have come to represent strength and stability especially in the face of adversity, much like the Charter Oak of England. Here in Tampa the mature oaks are often called Grandfather oaks and are protected by law; they cannot be removed without City approval. Perhaps this will help explain the happiness found by some readers upon seeing the photo of the live oaks re-leafing.

What make me mad is that the government will spend millions of to help people of other countries ,but when it comes to our people they are let down. Look at all the insurance claims that won't be honored. I think the government should step in and help. Would you want to pay the mortgage on a house that wasn't standing anymore?

Listen up folks !!! Katrina was a terrible storm, no doubt, but let's stop making excuses for the results. Only a month after Katrina came another storm, just as powerful, named Rita. It hit on the Tx/La border and did massive damage. But you never hear about Rita. Why? Once reason is that the media had just covered a story of a hurricane, so it was old news. But another was the Texas residents didn't blame the government or run around with their hand out look for someone else to give them money or fix the problem. We got down to work, made repairs and got over it. We were also responsible enough to have insured our property. Even with Katrina, residents other than New Orleans suffered great loss, but you never hear about them. This country has suffered loss from natural and man-made disasters throughout it's history. Why is New Orleans the only city not able to pick itself up and rebuild? Start with the Mayor, then add in a welfare mentality and you get the ridiculous situation you have in New Orleans.

Get over it, people, life goes on.

How pathetically inept the Bush administration is. Dubya has all kinds of money to throw at the Iraq war but none when it comes a disaster area like New Orleans. This is a harbinger of what could be if an even bigger disaster hits this country. Then woe to you who will be affected...

The oligarchy and plutocracy that runs this country won't give "squat" about you!!! They only care about protecting their special interests, so don't delude yourselves.

in stead of tearing them down,because they did'nt make it some one turned them into beautiful wood satues.these works of art are located in biloxi miss.the old oaks are something to see.any info on who did them?

I assure you that moving "inland" or higher isnt going to solve our increasing insurance rates. I live on the coast, cant see water where I live and still flooded. My wife and I have to pay back almost every dime of damage that was done to our house. We dont live in a flood zone but a line on a map doesnt matter. No matter where you live in this country or world, as many mentioned before, your going to encounter Mother Nature sooner than later.

And to those asking where all the money has gone..a lot of it has yet to be spent. It takes time to evaluate what we can do to spend this money wisely. Most communities are requiring us to build back stronger, higher, etc.

If you want to point a finger point it at your insurance company. They speak of an increasing unfavorable insurance climate all the while raking in record profits.

I am so sick of hearing about the rest of the country not giving a care about New Orleans. If it weren't for our oil & gas economy and our seafood industry half the country wouldn't eat our food our share in our oil & gas production that we share with everyone. We help out the entire country and look where it gets us. Everyone gripes about us needing help to recover. We do need help. This the the most catastropic event in history, especially for our times. Its hard especially when you have a major & govenor that are by far no where near Rudy Giuliani. Come visit I dare you. Many businesses are gone, people are not returning, insurance has skyrocketed, rents are raised, neighborhoods are blighted.

As people as a whole, our entire existence is focused on ME, and I find it disheartening that it sometimes takes other peoples sufferings to put into light our own existence.
I watched Hurrican Katrina from behind bars. While I felt a sense of loss for the people devestated by God's work, my mind was not truely on Katrina, but rather on Gizela, my ex-wife and the situation I was in over a few e-mails.
Looking to friends and the motley crue of people I was surrounded by, I noticed a similar reaction... life goes on. We do not care enough about others. We care about our family, our spouses, our children... and other peoples misfortunes are reasons for us to be greatful... and then eventually not thought about until a reminder such as this article refreshes our selective memories.
To all that suffered, my heart goes out to you, unfotunately not in the way God or the Higher Power or whatever you wish to label it would of wanted my heart to behave.
Best of luck to all of you.
Matt Heyn

I had the pleasure of visiting New Orleans last week on business and I promised all the wonderful New Orleans natives that I spoke with that I would get the word out that New Orleans is alive and kicking.
While I was unable to visit the devastation that Katrina left behind, the locals were more than willing to share stories of personal losses and triumphs.
I would love to give a big Hello to all the people at Johnny's Po Boys for their wonderful service and hospitality. This restraurant lost half of their employees to Katrina including their manager who had been with them for 26 years yet it still was able to make an out of towner feel welcomed.
More than anything it was amazing to see the resilience of the human spirit and people working together towards a common goal.
Please visit New Orleans and Louisiana it is truly worth your while. The people are amazing, the food is unforgetable and the landscape is breathtaking.

Brian B-

I agree with you on rational discussion. I disagree wtih your implication that the coastal areas need to be cleared of population. Let the market run its course. The billions that the feds are giving to the Gulf coast are looked at by too many people as a handout, when in fact they are an investment by the government to get future tax revenues. Despite the recent press making it seem worse, there have been only 10 category 4 or higher hurricanes (and I'm liberally including Katrina in that number, which was a high cat 3 at landfall) that have hit the Gulf Coast in the last 107 years.

So lets do some math. Louisiana and Mississippi accounted for $32 Billion in 2005 collected revenue, per the IRS website. So in ten years, which is the average period between major hurricanes, even if there is 0% tax revenue growth the feds will take an average $320 billion from those two states. The government is putting up around $200 billion in recovery money. They are more than doubling their investment!
This is a quick and dirty calculation, but I think its a good one since New Orleans and the Miss Gulf Coast were the principal economic engines of their respective states prior to Katrina. If the feds had never lifted a finger I would expect their revenue streams would have been slashed at least in half over the next ten years, with a disaffected middle class in addition to the angry poor in those states to boot.

Some middle class have already relocated. Most of the parishes and counties slightly inland (50-100 miles) are booming now, Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish chief among them. And the federal aid to New Orleans is tied up in red tape with the state, which should be cut quickly if, as expected, voters here elect a Republican governor this fall. I'm not endorsing a political viewpoint, just assuming the polls hold as they are now.

A good place for non partisan recovery reports is http://www.rockinst.org/. I encourage you to review it for more info.

As a Rita survior, I say, my house had damage/flood, 15 months later back in my house and then Dec 30 2006, 4" of rain in 2 hours and guess what my new "rebuilt" house flooded again. Flood Insurance I had! Message is, when Red Cross/Salvation Army came to my Parish of Vermilion, they all stated we did not know it was this bad! Funny thing was when they came to us (Cajuns) we put them up in our flooded homes, cooked them meals, and ask nothing in return. The FEMA contractor that brought my Trailer stated, sir in other parts of Louisiana, they would cuss us out and threaten us. But when we came here to your parish, you welcomed us, cooked for us and took care of us. I know you heard it many times, but when life gives you lemons you make lemon aid!

I am thrilled to hear that the Live Oaks have returned to Mississippi. Having been raised in the South, it just wouldn't be home without them. I think that the people in the areas devastated by any natural disaster, whether hurricane, flood, wildfire, freak storm, etc could take a lesson from Mother Nature. If one tries hard enough, one will overcome. Mother Nature doesn't whine and cry and make accusations about others and what she is owed. She quietly takes things into her own hands and rebuilds. Human spirit is the answer to rebuilding. Many spirits were damaged by Charlie and Katrina, but giving up isn't the answer, dig down deep and you can change any circumstance. Evil is typically rife during times of disaster, but the human spirit will prevail over evil.

As my grandmother always said, "When life hands you lemons make lemon pie... it's ever so much more sweet."

To Bob K of Pittsburgh, PA:

Live Oaks are indeed a southern tree. They are the wonderful trees you always see the Spanish Moss hanging from. You can find more about them at:
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Live_oak/liveoak.htm

Also forgotten is Wilma that hit Florida in October and left destruction in billions and millions without electricity for almost three weeks. Two young live oaks in my backyard were stripped of all leaves that didn't return in full until now. They are very sturdy trees and survived while pesky ficus were uprooted and died.

There have been comments that there was no mention of New Orleans in this article... if anything I think the original post-Katrina reporting focused TOO MUCH on New Orleans and not enough on all of the other small towns along the coast that basically dissappeared in the storm.

Ultimately most of what was destroyed will be rebuilt.. or abandoned. I've seen that happen it the USVI after Hugo wiped parts of the island clean. It's a loss of history, but it's up to the people who live there to decide what they want to spend time, energy and money rebuilding.

I have a simple solution for New Orleans to prevent future problems: Backfill. Yes, there was wind damage to the city, but the main issue was the failure of the levee walls and the ensuing flooding. If as a taxpayer I will have to help foot the FEDERAL bill for rebuilding N.O. then as an engineer I want to see my money spend on an intelligent long term solution, not simply building the existing levees thicker/higher.

I have family along the Missisipi coast, so I do have an interest in the long term rehabilitation of the area.

Yes, disaster strikes and it's horrible but on top of rebuilding we need to think AS GLOBAL CITIZENS about how our behaviors are causing these disasters and how we can prevent them in the future. The earth is in trouble, whether you want to believe it or not, look at the research. It's time to step in and retrain ourselves to act everyday in everyway an ask ourselves how can I make a difference and help each other--recycle, conserve energy, protect our wetlands, support alternative forms of fuel, etc. We need to change our habits and make new ones if we want to enjoy our future and lesson the occurrences of these disasters. There comes a time when we need to stop pointing the finger and just act--and it's very encouraging to see more and more people taking notice--but EVERYONE needs to start for the sake of mankind and our beautiful earth. We owe it to ourselves!!

God bless all of those who suffered from hurricane Katrina.Never...and I mean NEVER underestamate the resolve of the people from the Gulf Coast.But also remember that shortly after Katrina that there was another equally devestating and powerful storm that slammed the coast of Texas...Rita.It seems to me,being a resident of the town where the eye of Rita made landfall that the media hardly gives mention of the suffering we indured here also.Port Arthur,Texas home to the largest refining complexes in the world was devestated with 120 mph winds for nearly 24 hrs.Some of the refineries were shut down for weeks.Homes were destroyed,although thankfully we were spared the tidal surge.The community of Holly Beach was totaly wiped of of the face of the earth and I'm not talking destroyed I mean literally gone.. vanished,not one brick or board or nail left.Yet we only hear stories all the time about Katrina.There is a good story here to tell.2 yrs later this community has rebuilt and to this day you can drive around town and hardly tell that there was ever a "RITA".We didn't gripe and moan or wonder where the government was,we got up off our duff and took care of business.

I went with my new church to New Orleans on a simple mission trip to help--do whatever we could. Thier fifth trip and my first. They said that one thing would affect each of us. The whole thing affected me. I went back in early April again. Now I am going to be going back for a week or so every month. Do I have the time and money ?? NO But when God says go--I have a job for you--you go. After working on many nice peoples homes, we were fortunate to make aquaintance with a great church and we are now in the process of rebuilding "The First Street Church in Central City" -- a really hard hit area in New Orleans. As we rebuild this church, we will be available to help anyone that is coming back into the neighborhood. The church will be a beacon of light for everyone as they come back into the neighborhood.

I have worked from Slidel to Violet, have talked to survivors that stayed, people that left and came back. I have met some of the nicest, warmest people living here and coming down here to help. Maybe the Live Oaks turning green is a sign that all be well in New Orleans in time.

I fyou have the time---there is plenty of work you can do down there. All you need to do is ask--shared some work with a 90 year old gentleman from Kentucky--if he can do it --so can you.

Anyone wanting to stop by and help or talk, I'll be there in two weeks and a day.

I'm a writer and I can recognize another. That was beautiful. That was writing. Thank you.;

As I sit here with tears streaming. Last night my husband and I pulled out the "music" again. We were able to salvage some things 3 wks later during Rita. I even have some pictures of my grandchildren sitting on the beautiful boughs of some live oaks in City Park. We have had some chuckles together, old friends......trying to find gumbo crabs in Nebraska being among them! Bring back NOLA.

I spent the first 45 years of my life in Kansas, and as a homeowner I had insurance claims for hail damage and other storm damage on vehicles and homes. In the years I have lived in Galveston I have not had a claim, yet pay for 3 policies, state wind and storm, flood, and homeowners. I am not complaining because I understand that this expense is part of living here. I am just as proud of my city as you are of yours. Always remember that the coast is vital to the U.S. economy. Those that have to rebuild are doing so to new higher and safer standards to try to avoid heavy loss. Those who speak of not rebuilding these areas in Mississippi and Louisiana obviously have never visited there. This area, like the grand canyon or the rocky mountains, is a national treasure not to be dismissed, forgotten or abandoned.

Just got back from a week in the Kiln, just north of Waveland, and I don't see the signs of hope described in the article. Except for the debris cleanup, Waveland looks almost the same as the first week after the hurricane, and BSL is only marginally better. The tiredness that was mentioned is evident everywhere. Other than in Diamondhead and along the Jourdan River, the Coast's poorest county is doing the bare minimum towards achieving a viable recovery and that shows, too. I love the place, but I just don't see the leadership or effort needed to bring the Hancock County towns back to life anytime soon.

Ray you have it about right. Many other areas were hit worse than New Orleans and we get very little coverage, if any. The federal government funds are slow to come - why??? because they were turned over to the state. Most outside of New Orleans' majority have moved on and are doing without the help - if it comes later - GREAT - but we are not holding our breath. I'd love to see a program that covers all the areas and how the people rebuilt their lives without help from the state - the federal government has tried but from the Governor on down it hasn't gotten to the people.

I just returned from the 38th annual N.O. Jazz festival. The Big Easy is back alive and kicking.Doctor John is back writing prescriptions and the crawdads are hot and spicey with a cold one to wash them down. If you don't have plans for next week end head on over to the Cresent city and give them some support and listen to some good music.
Say hello to the gang at Banks street and eat a poboy for me. Le bon ton rolle.

To Ray Martini. You are dead wrong about the strength of Rita. She