An Obligatory “I’m Alive” Post If There Ever Was One

Blogging from WDAM, this is my first post to Doug Morris dot org since Hurricane Katrina. While New Orleans, Biloxi and Gulfport certainly have every reason to be in the headlines, there’s plenty of destruction this far inland.

In the neighborhood I live in, there are several power lines and trees that are down. At the apartment complex Cindy and I call home, thankfully, little damage.

But many other buildings throughout the part of the world we call the Pine Belt didn’t survive. One of WDAM’s news crews shot video of Coyote’s Saloon, a local watering hole I often bypass when travelling. The saloon is history.

In any event, if you’re a friend or loved one reading this, please don’t try to call Cindy or me. There’s no phone service, lights or water at our place — par for the course with everyone ’round here. Just know that we’re safe and sound and treading quite lightly when travelling. We’re doing so because I have about half a tank of gas left (a few gas stations have just now opened up) and we certainly don’t want to do anything careless around downed lines and trees. Via cell phone, Cindy was able to call her mom via near Tupelo and she passed the word on to other relatives we’re OK. Beyond that, when we’re ready to call you, we will.

Now, for the rest of the universe reading this, if you want to know how you can help, the answer can be summed up in two words: “send money”. Truly, sending some coin is a lot easier than sending a fruit basket.

I highly recommend donating money to the American Red Cross. Find out how by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-HELP-NOW. Further, if you wish to help out my many friends and neighbors, send that check to one of the following U.S. mail addresses…

\ American Red Cross, 606 Hutchinson Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401.

\ American Red Cross, P.O. Box 2913, Laurel, MS, 39442.

…Babs Faulk and Peggy Owens-Mansfield are, respectively, the local executive directors for the Hattiesburg- and Laurel-based chapters of the Red Cross. Feel free to send a message of hope along with your donation. I haven’t had a chance to contact them since the storm — so just tell ’em Doug sent ya.

Finally, keep sending prayers for the many people affected by Katrina.

My great thanks.

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