cottonpickers

cottonpickers, originally uploaded by staarkidd.

Thanks to Lorna's shortcut skillz, we found ourselves discovering a wonder of the cotton-pickin' south! This was my first ever frolick in a cotton field.

Pensacola

Pensacola, originally uploaded by staarkidd.

While in Florida, I couldn't pass up the chance to visit the school that set heather on her path to media success. Thanks to Pensacola Christian University's lucious rules like no "optical intercourse" and their Mormon-esque fashion policies that would send Queer eye to the grave, Heather was lovingly released from further obligation to the school and free to pursue the dreams that have made her the incredible media-superchick that she is. Thank you Pensacola!!

working-shots

working-shots, originally uploaded by staarkidd.

Lorna was pleased that i beat cnn to a great shot!

A look down main street. Check out Lorna's video shot.

Waveland

waveland, originally uploaded by staarkidd.

Hurricane Katrina’s devastation has spread over 90,000 miles, and Waveland, Mississippi caught the eye of its brutal force. The Gulf of Mexico poured into this beautiful coastal community and drowned Waveland in 30 feet of water. Sixty five percent of its homes were flattened, shredded into mountains of matchstick like debris. As I drove through what had been their town, I could discern the steps going into some of these homes, but not much else.

Katrina's evil eye

gills, originally uploaded by staarkidd.

Eight-year-old Gabrielle stood on her steps and peered into what had been her bedroom, trying to explain where her belongings had been, and struggling to come to terms with what her family was facing. I’m not sure little Gabrielle will ever be able to absorb what Hurricane Katrina has done to her family, but now they must decide what steps to take next. Her parents must figure out how to clear and rebuild, should they relocate and start school somewhere else, where will they sleep, what will they eat, what job awaits for their family income, and how much will their basic insurance cover in their devastating setback. When I met Gabrielle she was sleeping with her family on the pavement of a K-Mart shopping mall that had become Camp Katrina. The Camp was where Genesis Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Foley, Alabama has been working since the earliest days of Katrina’s aftermath.
Camp Katrina was the next step for Gabrielle and her family as they come to terms with their bewildering loss. Rev. Don Young of Genesis Church was able to deliver a tent and mattresses to get them off the pavement. He also provides three meals a day in Camp Katrina’s well sourced make-shift café, all free because the church was partnering with two other area congregations and spending $12,000 a day to feed and provide necessities to those homeless from the hurricane.
The next step for Gabrielle and thousands like her is the help of God’s people, our prayers, our finances, our love and our labors. The road will be long for Gabrielle and her vulnerable family as they take one difficult step at a time on their journey after Katrina.

Steps of Katrina

steps, originally uploaded by staarkidd.

It was strange to see only steps remaining of these lovely coastal homes.

camp katrina

campkatrina, originally uploaded by staarkidd.

Camp Katrina sprawls across a K-Mart parking lot. 8 bodies were discovered on the roof and over a dozen pinned inside cars littered across the lot. This is now base camp for relief efforts, providing hot meals, medical treatment, and supplies necessary for sustaining life and beginning the rebuilding process.