I guess I need to post this for all who I have contacted and for all who have read my posts. Yes I am from New Orleans and will not be cruising for some time. Damage to our home and all. The worst part is both of my children, Daughter and Son have lost everything, their homes, which were in that area called Lakeview that was totally under water. I do not want to go into all but my Daughter was rebuilding and expanding her home for one year and was due to move in on the 10th of September to a new home that is totally destroyed. Same is true for my Son. But we are all Alive and all I can say is thanks to all who sent messages of concern to us. Yes we are ok and will be back cruising some time, just not right now.

Fred, so sorry to hear this awful news. Every day we see stories of such total devastation that returning residents are facing. I hope your children will find strength to get through all this and that all will return to normal in time.

Fred:

Our prayers are with you and your family.

Fred,

Our hearts go out to you and your family. Hopefully, some of the aid that was provided will go to you and yours so that you can begin to rebuild your lives.

Fred, I'm so sorry to hear how terribly affected your family has been by Katrina. So tragic for your children to loose their homes but at least you all survived. Our prayers are with you through such difficult times.

Fred: I cannot comprehend what you are experiencing but thank goodness you all have each other - I wish there was something we could do for you!

Dear Fred,
Your post was very sad to read and brought close to home the terrible disaster Katrina created. We all share your sorrow.

Fred, I too am sorry to hear about your family. Being here in Dallas we have a bunch of the good folks of NO here. In fact my assistant had six of her family staying in her three bedroom house that just went back home this week. Our prayers go out to you and your family and we hope for a speedy recovery.

Fred, I too am sorry to hear about your family. Being here in Dallas we have a bunch of the good folks of NO here. In fact my assistant had six of her family staying in her three bedroom house that just went back home this week. Our prayers go out to you and your family and we hope for a speedy recovery.

Fred, I'm so sorry to hear about what happened with your family. I am glad to hear that everyone is fine. My thoughts and prayer are with you and your family. We were so lucky here in Houston last week. Nancy

Fred, thank you for posting. I am so glad that you all survived, thank heavens for that. I hope that you find sustained strength and courage as you rebuild your lives.

Fred,
i was so very sorry to read your post. The situation there is something i still think about hourly, and hearing about your kids just made it closer to my heart. Please take care, and know that good wishes are coming your way fast and furious. Our very, very best to your family.
Cindy and David

Fred, We are terribly sorry and saddened to hear of the impact Katrina had on your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. The power of faith and the strength you all will find within yourselves, in due time, will get everyone through this difficult period.

Denise & Alan

Fred, If at all possible, Katrina seems even more devastating when it effects people we know. I am sorry for this trying time you are going through but very happy that your family is unharmed.

Aloha Fred from Kauai!

I am a survivor of Hurricane Iniki, which occurred on 9/11/91.

We had sustained winds of 165 mph, and it was a Category 4/5 also.

It was unbelievable the amount of damage that the Island sustained.

Our first thought was that, well at least we are all alive and well.

It is a long and challenging process. Be patient with yourself and with your loved ones. Everyone reacts differently.

It is a process of healing and recovery which you all will go through.

The most positive thing I can say is that when you've gone through something like Katrina, it really makes it crystal clear what the important things in life are (at least it did for me with Iniki).

I'm sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope to someday meet you aboard a RSSC ship.

We can compare "hurricane" stories. You just can't relate to what it's like unless and until you've been through one.

With lots of aloha,

Alison

Alison: Think that is so true - you can't relate unless you have experienced it - we have dodged some major hurricane bullets in northeast Florida for past 30 yrs - we are so fortunate

Alison,

You've walked many miles in Fred's shoes. Your words are very heartfelt and eloquent.

Fred,

I am sorry for your experience. One you will not ever forget. While there are losses, the fact that you have all survived without physical injury is something to be grateful for. The emotional and financial scars take longer to heal.

While I have not experienced that particular force of nature, I survived the Northridge Earthquake and our home was heavily damaged to the point of being unlivable for over 2 years. I was just under evacuation orders for the Chatsworth/Topanga fire on Thursday.

Alison's words were well said. What helped all of us is to know that we had friends walking the same road to return to the lives we had before the event.

Thank you both for sharing your experience. May you heal quickly from the destruction and sail with us all soon.

Thanks, Fred, for sharing with us. I'm so sorry that you and your family have suffered such losses due to Katrina. I cannot even imagine what you all have gone through. Please take comfort in the many warm thoughts being sent your way. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Fred - we're so sorry to hear about you and your family's losses. Wishing you and yours the continued strength and courage to deal with your losses.

Masaki

Fred:

My best wishes for you and your family at this difficult time. I can't imagine what you're going through. Times like this really makes you realize how important family and friends are.

Babs

Fred - I am so very sorry for the massive disruption in your family's lives and for having to go through the storm. Hang onto what ever glimmer of hope you find in the days, weeks and months to come. Thanks for keeping us in the loop; we care so very much about you, your family and our fellow countrypeople who have been so deeply affected in the Gulf Coast area. Peace, Anne

Fred, I echo others' sentiments and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I'll pray for strength for you and your family through this process. It sounds like you are a close-knit family, and though so much was destroyed I'm glad you are close and can lean on each other (and us!) through this difficult time.

Wishing you strength as you and your family cope with this ordeal,

Fred, thanks for posting and Godspeed.

Thanks for posting Fred. It is amazing how many people were affected by this storm and I am sure that all the LCT'ers have you and the others affected by Katrina in their thoughts.

Fred,
I am truly so sorry to hear about your losses. We do understand. We are still recovering form last year's Frances and Jeanne.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Betty

Well all thanks for the thoughts. Yes our city looks like it was hit by a few atom bombs. So much of what we all love about New Orleans is gone, but the tourist spots remain. All of you can help us by planning to come here in a year or so. The city will be back. I have spoken with about 20 dining spot owners and all vow to reopen soon. Music is flowing, sorta, down in the city and out in the suburbs, businesses are opening every day. We all vow to rebuild, and as for the rest of Louisian, I guess it gets in your blood and you just stay here. We need a lot of help but all will try to build and return.

One more thing. We own a bridal store, called Pearl's Place which was not damaged. So lucky there. The saga of storing and preserving the condition of about 1000 gowns is amazing and I am writing a long story for our website. The grateful thing is that we have friends who have helped us to help so many local brides that were devastated but still wanted to get married. I think we all have aged 20 years with this but the stories are amazing and will post a link to a collection of those sagas.

Fred - thank you! I'm so glad you were able so save so many of the bridal dresses.

We will be back with our credit cards out just as soon as y'all are ready to have us, ahem, spur on the local economy. :D Cheers, Anne

Fred,
Your spirit and determination is very inspiring. Best of luck to you and your family.

Betty

Fred, I've never been to New Orleans (although I have been to Bay St. Lous). So, when I come, I won't really know what Katrina made me miss. As long as good food and great jazz are still there, I'll be fine! Seriously, wishing you a good recovery. I'm interested in reading the stories you'll have on your website so post when they're ready.

Fred, Even having gone through Charley, Francis and Jeanne last year, I just cannot fathom what you and your family are experiencing. :( I know this will have a lasting impact on your family and I am praying for strength to get you through this.

Marc has been taking for days now (and knowing him, probably already planning)about us going to NO for Mardis Gras next spring so we can do our part for the economy.

A question, is there any thing you or your family needs that any of us could help with? Any difficult to find supplies or some such thing? If so, please let us know. I would be out shopping and send a care package in a minute if there is anything I could do to help.

New Orleans has always been our favorite destination for a short trip. Marc and Arlene, look into French Quarter Fest in place of Mardi Gras, it's become the favorite festival (and it's a little soberer). We've managed to get there for FQF ever year for the fast four or five years.

Fred, I'll echo Arlene; is there something we could send you to help?

Pam, when is FQF?

It's in April, Arlene. There are no parades, but various areas have stages set up for music and many of the restaurants set up booths for sample-size portions. We take folding chairs and set up in the park behind the Aquarium; the breezes off the river, and the music and food (and don't forget the Jungle Juice from the Daiquiri Factory) are very close to perfect.

This looks like a great site to get familiar with it:
Some FQF info

Ok best time to come is all of April. JazzFest is the last week of April and first week of May and French Quarter Fest is two weeks prior to JazzFest. Heard rumors today that there will be a JazzFest and just about every entertainer worth their music will be there for free. So be ready to come. Every hotel plans to open by the first of the year. Convention Center in March and each day restaurants are opening, all of the famous ones should be open by November 15th. But here I go sounding like the Chamber of Commerce but we are hoping for normalcy and all of you come soon.

Fred, Good news that things are trying to get back to normal in NOLA. It is a wonderful thing to hear. Bless you all.