Niki here-On the Bayou
02/10/2006 18:04
Good
Morning Good Friends,
The sun is just rising on the Bayou. Not a cloud in the sky. I saw some fish jumping this morning in the shadow of the reeds on the far bank. The ripples moving rapidly into the sun - -Brilliant with color....Emerald green patch's of soft grass line the camp's shore, while darker shades peek through the dry reeds across the way. Birds are coming back too. We have seen Cardinals, Woodpecker's, (every morning outside the cabin window) and tall slender Herons', saw a brown Pelican the other day! A vocal pair of Owls live in a tree nearby. There are not many yet--but they are coming back.
Folk's are moving back to--or for some, d! ue to so many delays--just getting started. One reason for delays is the need for volunteers. We see shortages everywhere. A group that runs on sixty Vollies, struggles with forty-five. They get work done-and do it well, but they are tired and so many folks continue to wait.
Camp Slidell is equipped to except up to 25 Volunteers, more for short periods. We house them in a bunk house(Meg's House,) A 20x40 Army tent--we are putting in a floor and this will be bunk housing also. And tent's- some left over from the Covington days! Two kitchens and bathrooms with HOT showers(a luxury down here.) We provide meals and assist with transportation. Volunteers work here in the Slidell Community, as well as with other Organizations such as Love Cafe, Common Ground, Acorn, Phoenix., Mama D's and more. They lend a hand here in Camp with their creativity and knowledge--so many learned folk!! They share thier sttrength.
We offer a Retreat for those who stay down in the larger camps-or any vollie in need- There are canoe's to cruise the Bayou's in and woods to stroll threw, to find some peace within, to take a breath.
Its a beautifull place hear on the Bayou, with its torn or sheered tree tops. Broken houses and truly smelly debris still in the streets. Mud cakes and sharp reeds in globs along the Bayou shores, plugging up door ways of some homes. Shanty tents and FEMA trailers. Discarded sites where a Distribution Center or kitchen has left/folded up--you can tell because of all the cardboard and poles rolling around in the wind.
Its Beautiful cause life is coming back. Peeking through the bureaucracy and challenges. It s coming with the help of folks like you ! who come down if only for a moment to do what ever you cn, bringing fresh energy, new strength, a laugh and a smile to help us all get through the day.
I am so thankful for all of you who have given of there time, energy, ideas to help wherever and how ever you can. None of the groups can do this thing with out you. I have never known such open hearts, such wonderful folks.
In Peace and Caring Niki--Camp Slidell, La
The sun is just rising on the Bayou. Not a cloud in the sky. I saw some fish jumping this morning in the shadow of the reeds on the far bank. The ripples moving rapidly into the sun - -Brilliant with color....Emerald green patch's of soft grass line the camp's shore, while darker shades peek through the dry reeds across the way. Birds are coming back too. We have seen Cardinals, Woodpecker's, (every morning outside the cabin window) and tall slender Herons', saw a brown Pelican the other day! A vocal pair of Owls live in a tree nearby. There are not many yet--but they are coming back.
Folk's are moving back to--or for some, d! ue to so many delays--just getting started. One reason for delays is the need for volunteers. We see shortages everywhere. A group that runs on sixty Vollies, struggles with forty-five. They get work done-and do it well, but they are tired and so many folks continue to wait.
Camp Slidell is equipped to except up to 25 Volunteers, more for short periods. We house them in a bunk house(Meg's House,) A 20x40 Army tent--we are putting in a floor and this will be bunk housing also. And tent's- some left over from the Covington days! Two kitchens and bathrooms with HOT showers(a luxury down here.) We provide meals and assist with transportation. Volunteers work here in the Slidell Community, as well as with other Organizations such as Love Cafe, Common Ground, Acorn, Phoenix., Mama D's and more. They lend a hand here in Camp with their creativity and knowledge--so many learned folk!! They share thier sttrength.
We offer a Retreat for those who stay down in the larger camps-or any vollie in need- There are canoe's to cruise the Bayou's in and woods to stroll threw, to find some peace within, to take a breath.
Its a beautifull place hear on the Bayou, with its torn or sheered tree tops. Broken houses and truly smelly debris still in the streets. Mud cakes and sharp reeds in globs along the Bayou shores, plugging up door ways of some homes. Shanty tents and FEMA trailers. Discarded sites where a Distribution Center or kitchen has left/folded up--you can tell because of all the cardboard and poles rolling around in the wind.
Its Beautiful cause life is coming back. Peeking through the bureaucracy and challenges. It s coming with the help of folks like you ! who come down if only for a moment to do what ever you cn, bringing fresh energy, new strength, a laugh and a smile to help us all get through the day.
I am so thankful for all of you who have given of there time, energy, ideas to help wherever and how ever you can. None of the groups can do this thing with out you. I have never known such open hearts, such wonderful folks.
In Peace and Caring Niki--Camp Slidell, La