Tell me about it. It will affect more than just gas prices and heating fuels. I drive a pickup because I have a farm and need to haul pallets of stuff on a regular basis. It gets 12.4 mpg. I don't have another vehicle, because I can't afford one. But I don't go anywhere anymore because of gas prices. Now it will get worse???? I think I will have to hang insulated drapes to keep from heating the whole house. Although I insulated this house in 1989, there are still a lot of drafts that blow on windy winter days. Haven't closed off the main living area since 25 years ago, when we were young, with young children constantly broke. Gonna be there again, I am afraid. I live in a rural community, and stores are usually 12 miles or farther away. This will be hard. Guess we will all have to cinch our belts and help each other out as much as we can. The world is changing so fast, it scares and depresses me.

Mimidi I am glad that you are ok and that the rest of our little group will be able to check back in in time and let us know that they are ok as well. Believe it or not there are several agencies that are active on the GC to help in the rescue of wildlife as well as domestic animals. At least the dolphins at the marina in Gulfport were moved to a safe place and they are doing well (holiday Inn swimming pool). I also am concerned about our little feathered friends. I am having a hard time tearing myself away from the tv. I switch back and forth between the stations to get the latest updates. Like most of you I am appalled at the looting of luxury items and guns that is taking place. Now they say that those arrested will be taken to Ft. Polk in Leesville, La. My thought is save those barracks for those who deserve food and shelter and save the government some money and shoot the looters on the spot where they stand. I have lost all sense of reason when it comes to these scumbags. Penny

I thought about hosting (& then decided not to because I've got too much going on right now) a swap for Katrina victims over on the Round Robin Forum. I'll 'say' my thoughts on it in case anyone else would be interested in hosting something similiar. I didn't know if I was going to host it now, right before/around Christmas, or wait a few months for people to get back into their homes & have had time to start cleaning. This swap would have been for the whole family & not just for an individual. They would have given me a list of their immediate family members (living with them) & alittle description about each one - hobbies, etc. Also a list of what each person needed. Of course, plants & seeds & other garden related items could also be included. I wanted to include those people living in the 'projects' & other places, not just the people with gardens. I didn't care if they were members of GardenWeb, but I drew a blank as to how you'd be able to make sure they were from New Orleans (esp. if they had to relocate). Is anyone interested in doing something like this? I'd love to foster someone if so.

Idabean, I live in Marion (Buzzard's Bay), and am working 6 days a week - which is why I couldn't attend the swap in the first place (sounds like it will be fun!), so I think the logistics of that are a bit crazy. I just hope you don't have any leftovers!