6/11 Lutheran Church of St. John, Quincy, IL

Quincy and I drove to Gulfport, actually nearly to Long Beach, to meet some of the Quincy folks who have volunteered to rebuild a house nearly destroyed by Katrina. I met about six people and didn't know any of them. The surprising thing to me is that they'd never heard of the Bozarths. Heck we are all over the place. But they all went to QHS and we went to QND and there's the rub.

But some of them had heard of my sister Jane Peterson, who's a nurse practitioner at the Quincy Medical Group. She's famous (or infamous).

It was neat though. I brought Quincy and started the conversation by saying, "If I tell you my dog's name is Quincy, will you know why I want to meet you?" They were all so sweet, working their tails off in 95 degree heat with no air conditioning. And each one was cheerful and smiling. Others of their group were working in Biloxi, so I'll try to meet up with them later. The church had taken up special donations and these folks bought all the supplies for the house, dry wall, doors, windows, just everything. What a caring group.

Even though I didn't know any of them, it felt good. And made me feel just a little bit closer to home. Can't beat that.

3/4 In Biloxi

Yeah, I'm home. At least in my temporary home. When I arrived it was still too early to check in so I started exploring. I drove all along the coast from East Biloxi to Gulfport. Is it possible to feel both despair and hope at the same time? I think it is, because that's what I felt. Still so much devastation. Even though it was mostly commercial on Beach Drive, it's still so very sad. Yet, the signs of people cleaning up and rebuilding are everywhere. So many volunteers are here, and there are signs all over thanking them.

Then I drove through some residential neighborhoods and felt the same two emotions.

Finally was able to check into my hotel. The room is small but wonderful. A bed, two nightstands, TV, bureau, table, three chairs, kitchenette with stove, refrigerator, microwave, and a full-sized bathroom. I should be fine here for a month.

Spoke to John MacRae, the guy whose position I'm taking. He has strept throat plus has to have a root canal tomorrow. So I won't see him tomorrow morning. Am meeting with my deputy director and a few other staff. Then will meet my realtor at one. Finally, John set up a dinner for tomorrow night with a few of the managers. I'm looking forward to it.

Gotta run. Must go to the store to find "stuff" for dinner tonight. Love to all.