After the waters recede...

SKY WATCH FRIDAY time! Welcome all sky fans!!! I might not have time to respond to you, but I will try my best to visit!!!

Our hosts: Klaus Sandy Ivar Wren Louise Fishing Guy

Thanks, also,to Dot and Tom, who were instrumental in the success of this blogging event. You should definitely come fly with us! Today, I want to post a sky picture that makes me feel hopeful, in honor of those impacted by the recent flooding in Georgia (and Tennessee). I know I just posted this experience a month ago, but it is my favorite rainbow shot, and rainbows are a symbol God's covenant with us. They bring me peace and hope. I hope that this does the same for you!

Speaking of the hope after the flood, I need to hop on my soapbox... As I listened to TWC this morning, it disgusted me that the focus was on the fact that despite the deadly, tragic, historic and devasting flood, which stole lives, destroyed homes, shut down schools, blocked passage for people getting to work, family... hospitals... which they did touch on while they showed the human-side, the heart-felt sobs of people grieving their losses... the focus this morning was not on that... but instead, where was Mike Slidell with his report... at a PGA golf course! So many people in the Atlanta area have had their lives completely turned upside down. Homes are vacated, not to be habitable for potentially months. Schools have been ruined, kids have nowhere to get their education. Their lives and those of their parents, families, friends, neighbors have been put on hold, while everyone finds the strength to recover from this... but by golly, Tiger Woods will still get to play for his $10,000,000. The PGA tour will continue on schedule. As a nation, it seems that our priorities are completely out of whack. Important documents, valuable school supplies, treasured school resources bought with pennies pinched together in days of furloughed teachers salaries (don't even get me started!!!)... are floating out the doors, but they sure did make it a priority to get that course out from under water. It makes me sick! Anyone else struggling with that???

Speaking of sick, with my child being sick today and my wonderful groom's dear parents' willingness to keep her while I work, I was allowed the opportunity to once again pass through their neighborhood, which, as you'll recall, was struck with major flooding back in April, that's right, more than 5 months, almost 6 months ago. Remember? Unfortunately, they are scenes mimicking the scene up in the Altanta metro area this week... Sadly, here, it appears that about every 3rd house still is uninhabited. Of those homes that have been moved into, contractors are still parked in their front yards, which contains dry-rotted grass, shrubbery removed, dangerous trees still being removed, dumpsters and porta-potties still littering the lawns, shutters starting to fall apart, as a delayed consequential reminder, as if they needed one... their process of recovery, still, almost 6 months later, continues. Yes, my heart goes out to the areas stricken by flood. It's devastating, destructive... and the recovery is slow and hard.

Important Flood Safety Guidelines you should know...

More deaths occur due to flooding each year than from any other thunderstorm or hurricane related hazard. Many of these casualties are a result of careless or unsuspecting motorists who attempt to navigate flooded roads. The National Weather
Service now warns anyone who comes to a flooded roadway, “Turn around… don’t drown!™”
Follow these safety rules:
 If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Stay away from flood-prone areas, including dips, low spots, valleys, ditches, washes, etc.
 Avoid flooded areas or those with rapid water flow. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only six inches of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet.
 Don’t allow children to play near high water, storm drains or ditches. Hidden dangers could lie beneath the water.
 Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. NEVER drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Water only two feet deep can float away most automobiles.
 Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly when threatening conditions exist.
 Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
 Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for vital weather related information.

Atlanta flooding image (source):
God be with them.
~Dewdrop