Sunday, September 25th

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been ‘evacuees’ for a month!  Two weeks in Orlando with the whole family, then two weeks in Memphis just Linda and I.  The outpouring of love continues to boggle the mind.  Just a brief recap of some of the things we’ve experienced here in Memphis the past two weeks:

1. Noticed a flyer in the lobby of our hotel advertising free admittance to “Wednesday Night Suppers” at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.  Went to the dinner, had a wonderful time meeting everyone, including two of the four deacons at that parish.  We were given complimentary tickets (value $30) by the church choir director to attend the first Oktoberfest at Holy Spirit that Saturday.


2. Saturday we went to 5PM Mass where Linda and I were asked to bring up the gifts, then  we went to the Oktoberfest.  Food was great, the halls were alive with the sound of music! (Ouch!!) Linda saw a lady whose haircut she liked, so she went and asked her for her stylist’s name.


3. Got a call from the lady (Annette) and her husband (Dave) the next morning and they took us to breakfast at a pretty cool place called Brother Juniper’s.


4. Went to “Wednesday Night Supper” again.  Sat with a Memphis couple originally from New Jersey and a Metairie, LA family from New York.  Also met a gentleman (Tom) and his wife (Cathy) with whom we share common interests.


5. Friday we went to “Smokin’ by the Lake”, a BBQ contest and party at the Navy Lake in Millington.  Ate a bunch of outstanding BBQ.  They know how to do it up right around here, for sure!!


6. Saturday (yesterday) got a call from Tom who invited us to his house for dinner, followed by a movie.  After a wonderful dinner of Chinese take-out with some excellent Port for dessert we were given a tour of their absolutely gorgeous home, and were extended an invitation to stay there if we wanted to get out of the hotel.  Although we did give it some thought, I can’t see us inconveniencing another couple for several months, so we will probably stay put for now.


7. After dinner we went to see the new Jodi Foster movie, Flight Plan.  Great movie!  If you’re a Jodi Foster fan, go see it, definitely!!


8. Today, Sunday, we went to 12PM Mass and lunch at a nice Italian restaurant near our hotel.  The weather has deteriorated for the past day and a half into gusty wind and misty rainfall, but we are under tornado and flash flood watches at the moment.

That about sums it up!  As you can see, we’re keeping pretty busy, especially when you add in going to work every day at the Navy base in Millington.  We try to keep in touch daily with our kids.  They say all is well in Algiers, although electricity continues to be an off and on (ouch, again) situation.
We’re keeping everyone in our thoughts and prayers and hope to be united with family and friends again soon.

As always, take care and may God’s blessings be on all of us.

Dean