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Peach, I've got three clients in New Orleans, and one in Long Beach, Ms. Long Beach is on a barrier island, so I fear for the worst for that business.

Those in New Orleans were in Metairie and Kenner, both under water last night.

I am thinking of those people and the horror they must feel, watching their homes and their businesses ruined. This catastrophe is really hard to get one's mind around; the scope and the totality of it exceeds anything I had imagined.

The emotions are like those I experienced on 9/11, except there is no anger. Just tears, and pain, and a desire to rush and help. I know that's not possible or even desireable, but writing a check seems so sterile.

Everything personal that I was worrying about yesterday just shrinks into insignificance as I watch homes burning, lives being altered forever, and hopes and dreams put on hold for who knows how long.

But, there are millions of very good people in this country, and we're at our best when there are people in need. There is nothing more important right now than to do what we can for these people on the Gulf Coast.

Ah, just heard on FOXNEWS that Wal-Mart has given $1 million to the Salvation Army, and more is promised.

Selfishly, it's just so sad to watch a beautiful city that I've visited many times literally die right before me.

Sinkspur, it is beyond tragic and nothing we write or say can encompass it all. I know your clients must be in dire straits and you know that people in this country will do everything we can to help.

We love architecture and the older the city, the better so to lose this history is especially difficult.

It does seem sterile to write a check, but it's all most of us can do at this point. Our 25th wedding anniversary is next week and we are not getting each other anything beyond a small gift my husband has already bought me. We would feel too guilty and sick of ourselves and so will donate to the Salvation Army instead this afternoon when my groom gets home.

And think of that "evil" corporation WalMart donating $1 million already. It will end up being more before this is over, I'm sure.

Right now we have to focus our prayers on the rescue of those in need; the rest will follow as it always does.

Hi Sink. Good to see you.

I recall following 9/11, here in Little Rock, Firemen were standing on street corners, holding out their boots collecting money for the victims.

I'm hoping to see that again. We'll give as much as we can anyway.

Sink - I know it is hard to get info on the western part of the MS coast, but I got a second-hand report from a fellow from Waveland. Pretty much everything on or near the coast has suffered severe damage, at best. Hope your clients in Long Beach got out. As for their physical property, it can be replaced.

While I've been kind of focused on getting Slidell info, I have taken note of the fact that Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Long Beach etc. have been completely silent.

NOLA will survive. She may be changed quite a bit, but she will be back. I have some other thoughts on that topic, but I'll save them for a time when they are more appropriate. Suffice it to say that what makes that city a special place is not limited to the physical environment.